Music Box Theatre & Neon Present ANATOMY OF A FALL Beginning October 27, 2023

What We're Watching: ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar

Music Box Theatre & Neon present writer/director Justine Triet’s Palme D’or Winner (Cannes Film Festival) 

ANATOMY OF A FALL

beginning October 27, 2023

For showtimes and information, click here: https://musicboxtheatre.com/films-and-events/anatomy-of-a-fall

“ANATOMY OF A FALL persuasively suggests that every marriage is ultimately something of a mystery.” — NPR

“With its provocative commentary on the mutating nature of grief and guilt, it pulls back the curtain on the complex inner workings of marital and parental relationships.” — The AV Club

“What unfolds is less a dissection of the details surrounding the circumstances of the case, but rather an inspection of womanhood itself, in which the ways a woman has failed to meet social or cultural expectations becomes a point of legal contention.” — Tribune News Service

About ANATOMY OF A FALL:

For the past year, Sandra (Sandra Huller), her husband Samuel (Samuel Theis), and their 11-year-old son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner) have lived a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Samuel's suspicious death is presumed murder, and Sandra becomes the main suspect. What follows is not just an investigation into the circumstances of Samuel's death but an unsettling psychological journey into the depths of Sandra and Samuel’s conflicted relationship.

Pricing:

Ticket prices are $11 ($8 for Music Box members).

Become a member: https://www.musicboxtheatre.com/membership/become-a-member

About Music Box Theatre:

Operating since 1929, the Music Box Theatre has been the premier venue in Chicago for independent and foreign films for more than three decades, playing host to over 200,000 patrons annually. It currently has the largest theater space operated full time in the city. The Music Box Theatre is independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation. SMBC, through its Music Box Films division, also distributes foreign and independent films in the theatrical, DVD, and television markets throughout the United States; and through its Music Box Direct subsidiary, operates an online streaming service offering the best of foreign and independent films.

Regular events produced, presented and hosted at Music Box Theatre include the 70mm Film Festival; the annual 24-hour horror-movie marathon Music Box of Horrors; and Noir City: Chicago, co-presented by the Film Noir Foundation.

Follow the Music Box Theatre on Facebook (www.facebook.com/musicboxchicago/), Twitter (@musicboxtheatre), and Instagram (@musicboxchicago)

WIN a 47 Ronin iTunes Digital HD Code #giveaway #movie #ad

Disclosure: We're thrilled to partner up with Universal Home Entertainment again and have been given a blu-ray combo to review and a 47 Ronin iTunes Digital HD code for our readers.

47 Ronin is now available on Blu-ray/DVD from Universal Home Entertainment.  To celebrate, ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows is giving away one (1) 47 Ronin iTunes Digital HD code.  

ENTER HERE through midnight April 15th for your chance to win. The iTunes code is only for US residents. 

47 Ronin is available now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD. 

Sure, 47 Ronin may not make it to the epic, elite of the marshal arts classics, but this movie is a visual feast and a lot of fun. We've long been fans of the genre and the PG13 rating means our tween & teen could watch, too, without too much gratuitous gore.  And the mythical beasties are well worth a look. It's a modern take on a classic story, and this plot line has stood the test of time. The final dragon battle is definitely cool. This is a fun one to own, and great for a lazy night of mindless popcorn gorging on the couch. 

47 RONIN

KEANU REEVES STARS IN THE 3D EPIC ACTION-ADVENTURE

47 RONIN

BE THE FIRST TO OWN IT ON DIGITAL HD MARCH 18, 2014

AND BRING HOME THE BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK INCLUDING

BLU-RAY, DVD & DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET™ ON APRIL 1, 2014



NOW MOVIE FANS CAN WATCH 47 RONIN ANYWHERE ON THEIR FAVORITE DEVICES

 

Keanu Reeves (The Matrix trilogy, The Day The Earth Stood Still) stars in a reimagining of one of Japan’s timeless tales, 47 Ronin, available on Blu-ray™ 3D and Blu-ray™ Combo Packs, DVD, DIGITAL HD including UltraViolet^™ and On Demand on April 1, 2014, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.­­­

 

Based on an epic story, this extraordinary tale of inspiring courage has its origins in the early 18^th century. After a treacherous warlord kills their master and banishes their kind, 47 leaderless samurai vow to seek vengeance and reclaim their honor. Transformed into a thrilling, visually stunning 3D film by director Carl Rinsch, 47 Ronin tells the story of a small group of warriors, or ronin, on a quest to avenge the death of their master. Battling across a savage world of mythical beasts, shape-shifting witches and wondrous terrors, the ronin must seek help from kai (Reeves), an enslaved half-breed they once rejected – in their ultimate fight for redemption.

 

Keanu Reeves leads an international cast that includes Hiroyuki Sanada (Sunshine, The Last Samurai) as Oishi, the leader of the ronin; Tadanobu Asano (The Wolverine, Thor: The Dark World) as Lord Kira, the treacherous villain who will stop at nothing to destroy his enemies; Academy Award^®-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi (Babel, Pacific Rim) as the Witch, a siren who executes Kira’s deadly plans; and Ko Shibasaki (The Lady Shogun and Her Men, One Missed Call) as Mika, the forbidden love of Kai’s life.

 

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet^™. 

·           BLU-RAY™ disc unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6x the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.  

·           DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.

·           DIGITAL HD with UltraViolet^™ lets watch movies anywhere, on any device. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray players, game consoles and more.

EXCLUSIVE 3D BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK AND BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK BONUS FEATURES:

·           KEANU & KAI — Keanu Reeves embodies one of cinema’s most richly imagined heroes as Kai, the outcast who leads a small band of rebels against an army and supernatural enemies. Along with Reeves, director Carl Rinsch and other key voices from the filmmaking team reveal how this adventure would not be possible without Reeves’ mastery of martial arts and total immersion in the role.

·           STEEL FURY: THE FIGHTS OF 47 RONIN — This featurette explores the intense research, choreography and rehearsals that went into creating the film’s unique action sequences, including Kai’s epic battle against the silver Samurai and the heart-stopping Kirin hunt sequence. 

·           MYTHS, MAGIC & MONSTERS:  THE FX OF 47 RONIN — 47 Ronin’s world-class creative team reveals the technological magic it used to bring to life the creatures of ancient Japanese folklore, including The Kirin (a giant hybrid beast with the head of a dragon and the body of a deer), the Kitsune witch, the Oni troll and the demonic Tengu Monks.

 3D BLU-RAY, BLU-RAY and DVD BONUS FEATURES:

·           RE-FORGING THE LEGEND — The story of 47 Ronin is one of Japan’s most time-honored legends. The filmmakers talk about how they brought this “dream world” to the big screen, from script to costumes, visual design, and culture.



·           DELETED SCENES

CAST AND FILMMAKERS:

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, Ko Shibasaki

Directed by: Carl Rinsch

Screenplay by: Chris Morgan, Hossein Amini

Story by: Chris Morgan, Walter Hamada

Producers: Pamela Abdy, Eric McLeod

Director of Photography: John Mathieson

Production Design by: Jan Roelfs

Editor: Stuart Baird

Costumes by: Penny Rose

Original Music by: Ilan Eshkeri

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – 3D BLU-RAY™:

Street Date: April 1, 2014

Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61131766 (U.S), 61131767 (CDN)

Running Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes

Layers: BD-50

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements

Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital2, DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish, French)

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY™:

Street Date: April 1, 2014

Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61130457 (U.S), 61131189 (CDN)

Running Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes

Layers: BD-50

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements

Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital2, DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish, French)

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD:

Street Date: April 1, 2014

Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Selection Numbers: 61119170 (U.S), 61131190 (CDN)

Running Time:  1 Hour 59 Minutes

Layers: Dual Layer

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements

Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital2, DTS Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish, French)

Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French

Below is a look at 47 Ronin’s amazing cast! 

Keanu Reeves (Kai)

Reeves is a Canadian actor that has starred in many popular, fan-favorite movies such as Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Speed, and The Matrix trilogy. In 47 Ronin, Reeves plays the role of Kai, an outcast half-Japanese, half-British man who longs to be accepted. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he gets his chance to prove he has what it takes to be a samurai.

Hiroyuki Sanada (Ôishi)

Born in Tokyo, Sanada is a critically acclaimed actor who has starred in various films such as The Wolverine and The Last Samurai, as well as hit TV shows like “Lost.” In 47 Ronin, he portrays the dedicated samurai leader Ôishi.

Ko Shibasaki (Mika)

Ko, the rising Japanese star was born in Tokyo, and started her career at 14 when she was discovered. Her rise to fame was launched in the cult favorite films Battle Royale, and One Missed Call. Shibasaki portrays Mika in 47 Ronin, Kai’s love interest.

Rinko Kikuchi (Witch)

Global star Rinko Kikuchi has stolen her way to our hearts with her outstanding performances in independent films like The Brothers Bloom and Norwegian Wood, as well as award-winners like Babel, and blockbuster hits like Pacific Rim.  Kikuchi plays the Witch in 47 Ronin who uses her spells to manipulate fate.

About Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

47 Ronin, now available on Blu-ray™ 3D and Blu-ray™ Combo Packs, DVD, DIGITAL HD including UltraViolet^™ and On Demand from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Disclosure: We're thrilled to partner up with Universal Home Entertainment again and have been given a blu-ray combo to review and a 47 Ronin iTunes Digital HD code for our readers.

Shrek The Musical Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD out now!

Disclosure:  Thanks to Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for providing us with a review copy.  All opinions are our own.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:

Here at ChiIL Mama, we adore Shrek.   The great green ogre and his wife are the stars of a series of fairy tales that finally don't feature a skinny, blond, narcoleptic princess awaiting rescue.   Princess Fiona kicks booty, and is a fabulous role model.    

If you've never checked out the original book by William Steig, we highly recommend it.  The book is even quirkier and cooler than the animated movies (which we also love), and we completely dig the Broadway musical adaptation!   

Now the equation goes one step further with a Blu-Ray/DVD movie... of the play... of the book...

This one's a keeper!   Now out on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital HD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  

Steig is an excellent children's author and illustrator and this is the perfect candidate for playing the "same/different game".  We love to check out the original books when we go see book based movies and theatre and then compare and contrast the different versions of the tale with the "same/different game".

Last night Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, special guests and Broadway stars from Shrek The Musical walked the green carpet in NYC at The Hudson Bond for the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy launch event.  

In attendance were Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl) and the stars of Shrek The Musical, including Sutton Foster (Fiona), Christopher Sieber (Lord Farquaad), John Tartaglia (Pinocchio), Daniel Breaker (Donkey), Marissa O'Donnell (Teen Fiona), Leah Greenhaus (Young Fiona, Flower Girl) and many others!

Featuring a fantastic score of 17 all-new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and stars an amazing celebrated cast. The film was shot live on Broadway with 10 cameras and directed by Michael Warren. Now you can bring the magic of Broadway to your home and get the best seat in the house with Deluxe Edition Blu-ray™ and DVD out now!

Here at ChiIL Mama, we had a chance to give away 4 packs of tickets for our readers and review Shrek the Musical by the Broadway Touring Company and then again by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, earlier this year.  Shrek the Musical is a pure joy to experience and fun for all ages.  Now you can take it home with you to enjoy over and over at your convenience!

Click here to check out our past Shrek the Musical coverage.

6 Steps To Bring The Magic Of Broadway To Your Own Living Room 

Experience The Magic Of Shrek The Musical On Blu-ray and DVD, Available Now! 

With the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD release of Shrek The Musical releasing this week, fairy-tale fans and musical theatergoers alike can now experience the Grammy-nominated stage production in the comfort of one’s own home! Featuring a fantastic score of 17 brand new songs, Shrek The Musical was filmed on stage to capture the magic of a Broadway performance and features an all-star cast.

Here are 6 simple steps to emulate the magic of Broadway in your own living room:

Step One - Sight

No digital interpretation of the stage would be complete without a state-of-the-art projector that can produce an image of up to 150 inches. If a projector is too costly, a 40 inch television or larger will suffice to give the home audience the optimum visual experience.

Step Two – Sound

No ultimate living room entertainment set-up would be complete without a crisp surround sound system. With the ear being stimulated from 4 angles, the illusion of being immersed in a theatre can be achieved.

Step Three – Tickets Please

Why not design your own tickets to your show? Guests will have to show their tickets before entering the living room for example. German Shepherds dressed in tuxedos make excellent ushers too.

Step Four - Wow it’s Green in Here

With a simple purchase of green crepe paper attached to a range of living room light sources, a green filtered glow will engulf the room to create a wonderfully Shrek-like ambience.

Step Five - ‘Curtain Call Ladies and Gentlemen!’

The anticipation of waiting for the famous theatrical curtains to trickle away is no doubt one of the fundamental experiences of going to the theatre. With a curtain rail, fabric and some sticky tape, your living room will mirror the Gershwin’s famous curtain call in no time.

Step Five: Intermission:

Why not engage in a 15-minute interval? Prepare a refreshing beverage for the adults and load up on the ice cream for the kids. Don’t forget those little wooden spoons for the upmost authenticity.

Step Six: Applause:

Don’t forget to clap along with the audience when something particularly amusing or impressive arises on screen. Booing and hissing at the respective villains may also prove effective. Please note, please do not throw your shows or any object at the screen for fear of damaging your precious TV set.  Although all these tips may make you believe that you are in the theater, it’s not real remember.

We are sure you’ll love watching your favorite animated characters come to life like magic, and now you’re ready to experience it at home! Pick up the Blu-ray for your family to enjoy today!

 

Get To Know The Shrek Bunch

The Cast Of The Animated Franchise Comes To Life On Stage and Blu-ray, This Week!

The loved and laughable DreamWorks animation Shrek is brought to life in Shrek The Musical and enjoyed by fans and families of the Broadway stage. Now you can bring the excitement to your living room when you pick up the musical on Blu-ray and DVD. What better way to celebrate the release than a brief introduction to the stage cast of your favorite animated movie. Read down to find out who among them was a Bunhead, a Julliard graduate, and will be starring in a Shakespeare Classic this season.  Meet the Shrek bunch!

Bryan D’arcy James – Bryan plays the role of our beloved ogre Shrek. While he’s sure to win you over in his green role he’s definitely not new to the stage. Mr. Darcy will be star opposite Ethan Hawke in the Lincoln Center Theatre production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The talented artist is also notable on the screen too, most recently for his role as Frank Houston on NBC’s Broadway themed drama ‘Smash’.  You’re probably wondering if he sings too, and he does, his solo debut album is From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn.

Sutton Foster - Princess Fiona is brought to life by the beautiful Sutton Foster. The multi talented artist (actor, singer, and dancer) is best known for her role in the fan favorite ABC Family series ‘Bunheads’, for which she earned a Critic’s Choice Television Awards nomination. Using her beautiful voice, Sutton has performed at venues across the country performing in concerts such as Funny Girl, They’re playing out songs, Chess, and many more.  Like her fellow cast mate, she also works on solo album projects, releasing two albums, Wish and An Evening with Sutton Foster – Live at the Café Carlye.

Christopher Sieber - Every story needs a villain and none is more villainous than Lord Farquaad, played by Christopher Sieber.  His performance as the miniature maniacal royal is sure to make your living room erupt with laughter and boo’s. Chris’ talent has also been enjoyed in various Broadway productions, such as Pipin, Spamalot, Beauty and The Beast, Into the Woods, and much more. He most recently debut his solo concert  “Minnesota Boy Does Well: Tales from Back and Center Stage.”  Fans of the Olsen twins may also remember him from the ABC comedy Two Of A Kind, in which he played the girls’ father.

Daniel Breaker- The character enjoyed equally by parents and their kids is Shrek’s smart tongued sidekick, Donkey.  As the liveliest character of the musical, Daniel Breaker brings sass, smarts, and laughter to the stage.  The Julliard Scholl Graduate has starred in several Tony and award winning productions such as Passing Strange, Cymbeline, and more. Off screen he has appeared in top titles such as Limitless opposite Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper, the Spike Lee-directed project entitled Redhook Summer and Passing Strange.  

John Tartaglia - What do Pinocchio, The Magic Mirror, Dragon Puppeteer all have in common? They are all John Tartaglia. The talented Tartaglia is best known for producing, creating, and starring in the 8-time Emmy nominated children’s show “Johnny and the Sprites”. Additionally, he received a Tony Award Nomination for his role in the Tony-Award winning musical Avenue Q, in which he originated the roles of Princeton and Rod. Most exciting of all his credits may be his 12-year stint on Sesame Street, making him one of the youngest puppeteers to ever perform on the historic show.

We are sure you’ll love watching your favorite animated characters come to life like magic, and now you know the people that are behind that magic! Pick up the Blu-ray for your family to enjoy today!

Disclosure:  Thanks to Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.   for providing us with a review copy.  All opinions are our own.

The Last Stand Advanced Screening #review #action

"I told you I'd be back," Schwarzenegger intones in his unmistakable accent, as the previews to The Last Stand begin, and back he is.  This time he's a small town, western sheriff, who's left a trail of dead coworkers from his well decorated LA days, for the quiet life in the desert outside of Las Vegas.



This show is hilarious and bound to be a hit, with it's overabundance of heavy ammunition, array of weaponry, and fast cars.   This is the tale of an inept, fugitive losin' FBI and a ragtag band of unlikely heros who thwart a drug cartel.   The familiar tale of an outnumbered band of scrappy underdogs winning against a well armed, well trained militia has been a favorite cultural myth, all the way back to the founding of our country.   





It was refreshing to have a strong,  female cop character in the otherwise all boys club.   And we got a kick out of Jackass' Johnny Knoxville as the gun hoarding wack job and unlikely hero.  We also liked the intimate, less is more aesthetic, of the mano a mano final combat scene.  

If you're a fan of Schwarzenegger, Johnny Knoxville, Westerns, and/or action flicks, this one's a good bet for some mindless carnage.   

After leaving his LAPD narcotics post following a bungled operation that left him wracked with remorse and regret, Sheriff Ray Owens (Schwarzenegger) moved out of Los Angeles and settled into a life fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction. But that peaceful existence is shattered when Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega), the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the western hemisphere, makes a deadly yet spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy. (c) Lionsgate

My biggest qualm is that The Last Stand plays out like a 147 minute propaganda piece for the NRA--with well armed grannies, lunatics and bumpkins as the last, best line of defense against evil Mexican drug cartels and armies of well trained soldiers. 
  
This show opens right when our country is engaged in the biggest gun battle ever, playing out politically in the form of pro and anti assault weapons legislation.  This idea of vigilant justice plays out well on the large screen, to large laughs and cheers, and provides for an entertaining night of gun fights and fast drives.   But I like both a lot less well when they play out on the streets of Chicago.   Everyone entering the movie theatre had to get screened by a metal detector and have their belongings checked, in case any real life, gun toting lunatics decided to put on a show of their own.   It's unfortunate that fact is fiction and escape reality.   And infamy is easier to achieve than fame. 

The Last Stand opens nationwide Friday 1/18.