Back To… The Movies

Streamers, downloaders, “pirates”, and theater-regulars… lend me your ears.

I’m a lover of both convenience and nostalgia, and at some point, bang for your buck comes into play too. Hence, the last few years, I have been doing less movie theater-going (thanks, Hollywood), and more Netflix-ing of personal classics, missed Film Noir, and foreign indie flicks.

I do still venture out to a showing when I can, but it has to be a bit more special to entice me from my sofa (especially on a cold, dark January night). Gainsbourg was one such film. Tree of Life another semi-recent. It is also a very rare thing for me to watch a movie more than once – a combination of a fairly good memory, and a constant craving for new influence and information. An exception here would probably be something from my youth, a la The Zucker Brothers.

Last night, I was drawn out of hibernation, at the pinnacle of a week of excitement, for a screening of a film I had already seen; 24 Hour Party People – the story of the Manchester music scene via Tony Wilson. The difference this time, being that Chicago’s wonderful Music Box Theater hosted a special event, with local radio / newspaper faces Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis, and proceeds going to benefit Sound Opinions and Chicago Public Media.

Now this was a screening with multiple draws, reaching to all kinds of audience members. This was something that no streaming service, ripped DVD or illegal download can recreate. This was the kind of movie theater experience that would reassure the most jaded of film buffs, and, dare I say it, the kind of happening that could help save a worried industry. From the intimate, atmospheric style of the 1929 building, to the sense of local community, to the pleasant balance of interaction with hosts and fellow-goers. The entire evening was a joy for the senses, reasonable on the wallet, and a pleasant night off for my sofa. Majors and indies, take note.


by Lee Jarvis.

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Tags: 24 Hour Party People, chicago, community, films, local, movies, Music Box, screenings, theaters