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Cinema Chat: 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel', 'What We Do In The Shadows, 'Song Of The Sea'

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michtheater.org

All the movie news and previews you need to know for the weekend!  Cinema Chat with David Fair and Russ Collins. Listen below. 

Opening Downtown

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

“The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a bonus chapter for this surprising Art House hit! This retirement hotel in India is making more claims on hotelier Sonny (Dev Patel) than he can manage. Sonny’s first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Perhaps the only one who may have the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith). As the demands of a wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.  Generally, critics rave, “Like its predecessor, the film is a charming example of what great actors can do…” Slant Magazine. Also starring Judi Dench and Bill Nighy, “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” opens Friday at the Michigan.

Song of the Sea

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, “Song of the Sea” tells the story of the last seal-child, Saoirse, and her brother Ben, who go on an epic journey to save the world of magic and discover the secrets of their past. “Song of the Sea” opens Friday at the Michigan.

What We Do In the Shadows

“What We Do In The Shadows” chronicles the adventures of four vampire roommates trying to get by in a modern world that's not always hospitable to the undead. This hilarious send-up from the creators of “Flight of the Conchords” reveals to us the details of their daily - make that nightly - routine, as they squabble over household chores, struggle to keep up with the latest trends in technology and fashion, and deal with the rigors of living on a very, very strict diet. “What We Do In The Shadows” opens Friday at the State Theater.

Timbuktu

In “Timbuktu,” not far from the ancient city now ruled by religious fundamentalists, proud cattle herder Kidane lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima, his daughter Toya, and Issan, their twelve-year-old shepherd. In town, the people suffer, powerless, from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Kidane and his family are being spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes abruptly in this stunningly rendered film,which was nominated for the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film.  “Timbuktu” opens Thursday March 5 at the Michigan.

Opening at the Multiplex

Chappie

In “Chappie,” set in the near future, crime is patrolled by an oppressive mechanized police force. But now, the people are fighting back. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself. Starring Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver, “Chappie” opens Friday.

Unfinished Business

In “Unfinished Business,” a hard-working small business owner (Vince Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson and Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every imaginable - and unimaginable - way, including unplanned stops at a massive sex fetish event and a global economic summit.  “Unfinished Business” opens Friday.

Special Screenings Downtown

The LEGO Movie

Well reviewed when released, "The LEGO Movie" is the first-ever full-length 3D LEGO adventure! The story follows Emmet, a perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. Playing Saturday March 7 and Monday March 9 at 1:30 PM, it is FREE for kids 12 & under!

Videodrome

This week’s midnight movie is “Videodrome” by director David Cronenberg. It explores dangerous sexuality and technological obsession and plays at 11:59 PM on Saturday March 7 at the State Theatre.  
The Lady From Shanghai

“The Lady from Shanghai” is this week’s Noir film! In the film, written, directed by, and starring Orson Welles, a sailor becomes involved in a scam with a beautiful woman and her lawyer husband. Also starring Rita Hayworth, “The Lady from Shanghai” plays Monday, March 9 at 7 PM.

The Last days of Pompeii

Set in Pompeii in 79AD, the Italian film “The Last Days of Pompeii” achieved international success when it premiered in 1913. The film tells the story of a slave-girl’s unrequited love for her master, occult mysteries, murder, mayhem, and tragic loss, as Vesuvius prepares to destroy the city.  “The Last Days of Pompeii” will be presented with live organ accompaniment on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 PM.  Presented by the UM Department of Classical Studies.

Low Down

Based on the memoir by Amy-Jo Albany, “Low Down” is a compassionate, tender look at the complex relationship between Amy-Jo (Elle Fanning) and her father Joe (John Hawkes), a man torn between his musical ambition, his devotion to his daughter, and his suffocating heroin addiction. “Low Down” plays one night only, Wednesday March 11 at the Michigan.

Contact David: dfair@emich.edu