*indicates a capsule review from Chicago Tribune archives.
(diamond) indicates a film that is not reviewed, but of interest.
BACinema
Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th St.
773-445-3838
www.beverlyartcenter.org
*’The Visitor’*** 1/2 (U.S.; Tom McCarthy, 2008). A simple, moving picture about decent people caught in an awkward circumstance; it’s a pleasure to see veteran actor Richard Jenkins strut his stuff, albeit in the lowest key imaginable. 7:30 p.m. Mon.
7:30 p.m. Wed.
Bank of America Cinema
4901 W. Irving Park Rd.
312-904-9442
*’Sudden Fear’ *** 1/2 (U.S.; David Miller, 1952). Prime Joan Crawford-in-distress thriller, with the noir queen menaced by sinister hubby Jack Palance. 8 p.m. Sat.
Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State St.
312-846-2800
siskelfilmcenter.org
*’City Lights’ **** (U.S.; Charles Chaplin, 1931) The little tramp here adores a blond, blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill), while forming a weird friendship with a suicidal alcoholic millionaire (Harry Myers), who recognizes him only when drunk. In this film, the comedy and pathos are in perfect balance.
6 p.m. Fri., 6 p.m. Wed.
The Music Box Theatre
3733 N. Southport Ave.
773-871-6604
musicboxtheatre.com
*’Hook’ ** 1/2 (U.S.; Steven Spielberg, 1991) In this epic inspired by J.M. Barrie’s classic “Peter Pan,” Robin Williams plays the adult Peter, a successful attorney who has forgotten how to have fun. When his son and daughter are kidnapped by his old nemesis, Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), Peter is forced to return to Neverland — not just to regain his children, but to get in touch with the child he once was.
Midnight Fri.-Sat.
*’Napoleon Dynamite’ ** (U.S.; James Hess, 2004) It’s a “nerds-rule,” small-town high school comedy of sometimes amusing, sometimes annoying whimsy and satire, with a likably gawky newcomer star (Jon Heder) and a sometimes likably absurd mood. With Job Gries and Tina Majorino. Midnight Fri.-Sat.
*’The French Connection’ **** (U.S.; William Friedkin, 1971). The most violently kinetic cops-and-robbers thriller of its day, based on the real-life Marseilles heroin connection investigation by New York cops Sonny Grosso and Eddie Egan — re-created by Roy Scheider as Buddy Russo and Oscar-winner Hackman as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle. 11:30 a.m. Sat.-Sun.
Northbrook Public Library
1201 Cedar Lane
847-272-6224
northbrook.info/lib(underscore)programs(underscore)films.php
*’Safety Last’ **** (U.S.; Fred Newmeyer and Sam Taylor, 1923). The greatest of Harold Lloyd’s thrill comedies, this is also one of the most exciting of all silent movies. It’s the one where Lloyd, as a department store clerk trying to impress his girlfriend (Mildred Davis), enters a contest and pulls a reluctant human fly act, scaling the wall of an L.A. skyscraper despite no experience. 1, 7:30 p.m Wed.
Portage Theater
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-736-4050
www.portagetheater.org
*’King Creole’ **** (U.S.; Michael Curtiz, 1958). Elvis’ best movie also was a top late effort by the director of “Casablanca.” Based on Harold Robbins’ “A Stone for Danny Fisher,” it’s the smart, film noirish tale of a New Orleans rocker harassed by the local mob, including grinning gangster Walter Matthau. 8 p.m. Sat.
