Riff Raff
This little dramady, crime caper is loaded with stars including Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Bill Murray and Pete Davidson. It’s quasi-Tarantino style story and script has Harris cast as a shady family-man whose reunion with his estranged son spells trouble. He’s in deep trouble with an old frienemy, played by Murray, looking for some vengeance during the holiday season. Bill Murray’s performance seems to be the reason to see “Riff Raff” directed by Dito Montiel (“A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”) and written by John Pollono (“This is Us.”) Starring Ed Harris, Jennifer Coolidge and Bill Murray.
Now Playing at the State Theatre.
The Rule of Jenny Pen
Actor turned director James Ashcroft managed to snag two top-tier actors, Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow, for this independent horror feature from IFC Films and Shudder. Lithgow, who’s played some iconic movie bad guys, stars as a retirement home predator named Crealy, who torments his fellow residents with a puppet he calls Jenny Pen. Rush plays Stefan, a judge recovering from a stroke in the same retirement home, hoping to regain his health enough to leave.
Crealy terrorizes the residents every night with Jenny Pen, but the staff are convinced he’s just a harmless dementia patient. While Lithgow throws himself into the role, Rush also delivers a performance that brings the movie home. Starring Geoffrey Rush, John Lithgow and George Henare.
Opens March 7 at the State Theatre.
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Mickey 17
The first film from Bong Joon-Ho since his Oscar winning film, “Parasite,” is finally here. “Mickey 17,” based on the science fiction novel Mickey 7, stars Robert Pattinson in the title role as an expendable crew member on a dangerous space mission. “Mickey 17” is chosen because his body can be incinerated and renewed with his memories mostly intact. His job allows the crew safety while he takes repeated body blows. Bong Joon-Ho is one of the most innovative, celebrated filmmakers to emerge from a golden age of South Korean cinema that has produced some of the most daring filmmaking of the last 25 years. Here he returns to his roots, combining political landscapes, ethical dilemmas involving new scientific advancements, and the common man caught in the middle. While the film has gotten mixed advanced reviews, a filmmaker of Joon-Ho’s caliber is always worth seeing.
Starring Robert Pattinson, Steven Yuen, Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette
Advanced Screening on March 6 at State Theatre. Opens March 7.
Black Bag
A tightly woven spy drama about two legendary spies married to each other with the wife, Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) suspected of betraying her country. Husband George (Micheal Fassbender) must choose between his marriage and his country. What may sound like standard spy movie fare is elevated by direction from Steven Soderbergh (“Logan Lucky,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Traffic”) and a first-rate cast. Also Starring Naomie Harris and Pierce Brosnan.
Opens March 14 at the State Theatre.
The Ballad of Wallis Island
Charles is an eccentric lottery winner, multiple times no less, living on remote island near Wales. He’s determined to bring his favorite folk duo together, a husband and wife who parted ways both musically and personally 20 years prior, for one last performance to honor the memory of his deceased wife. It’s a heartwarming, quirky, independent film whose strength lies in some very strong performances and excellent music. The beauty of the Welsh Island is great bonus too.
Starring Tom Basden, Tim Key and Carey Mulligan.
Playing March 28 at the Michigan Theater.
Special Screenings
17 Blocks
The Ann Arbor premiere and Q&A with filmmaker and featured subjects.
FREE admission – Please reserve tickets in advance for an accurate attendance
In 1999, filmmaker Davy Rothbart — an Ann Arbor native — gave the Sanford family a video camera to begin filming their lives in Southeast Washington, D.C. Together, Davy and the Sanfords kept filming and collaborating for 20 years.
Playing March 18 at Michigan Theater.
Late Night Favorites
Eraserhead
See David Lynch’s masterpiece, an original midnight movie and cult favorite, on the big screen. Highly inspired by German expressionist cinema with dream-like, sometimes nightmarish imagery. Eraserhead is loosely about a guy named Henry living in a post-apocalyptic industrial hellscape with his unhappy girlfriend who’s just given birth to something they think is a baby. A dream within a dream about fear of fatherhood among other things. Let the film take you in and decide for yourself what it means, that’s what Lynch really wanted for his audience. Starring Jack Nance and Charlotte Stewart.
Playing March 6 at the Michigan Theater.
