The five-film Black and African American filmmaker series MELANIN, ROOTS, AND CULTURE begins February 3, with a presentation of Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” in 35mm!!!
This series embraces the contributions of filmmakers and their work throughout the late-20th and early-21st Century; highlighting the radiant culture and depictions of African American life within the realms of love, family, spirituality, politics, comedy, music and martial arts.
Join the Music Box Theatre for a celebration of some of our favorite historic and luminous films by artists of the Black-African Diaspora on the big screen this February, including two Chicago classics—“Barbershop” and “Love Jones;” the cult favorite “The Last Dragon;” and Kasi Lemmons’ feature directing debut, “Eve’s Bayou.”
Schedule:
Saturday, February 3, at 1:15 p.m.
“Malcolm X” — Directed by Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett and Delroy Lindo.
A tribute to the controversial Black activist and leader of the struggle for Black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the 1950s; he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
Friday, February 9, and
Saturday, February 10, at
Midnight
“The Last Dragon” — Directed by Michael Schultz, starring Taimak, Vanity and Christopher Murney.
Leroy Green (Taimak), a young martial artist living in New York City, trains tirelessly to attain the same level of mastery as the great Bruce Lee. One night, his life changes forever when he rescues television personality Laura Charles (Vanity) from evil businessman Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney). Impressed by Leroy’s bravery, Laura falls for Leroy—but to keep her safe, he will have to defeat a gang leader named Sho’nuff (Chicago native Julius J. Carry III), the self-styled Shogun of Harlem.
Sunday, February 11, at
7 p.m.
“Love Jones” — starring Larenz Tate, Nia Long and Isaiah Washington.
Two urban African Americans, Darius (Larenz Tate), an aspiring writer, and Nina (Nia Long), an aspiring photographer, share an instant connection after a chance meeting at a Chicago club. The two bond over music, photography and poetry, and eventually begin a torrid romance. However, when Nina decides to move to New York and mend her relationship with her ex-fiancé, Marvin (Khalil Kain), it leaves Darius heartbroken, and the couple’s future in jeopardy.
Tuesday, February 20, at
7:15 p.m.
“Barbershop” — Directed by Tim Story, starring Ice Cube, Cedric The Entertainer and Eve.
A smart comedy about a day in the life of a barbershop on the South Side of Chicago. Calvin (Ice Cube), who inherited the struggling business from his deceased father, views the shop as nothing but a burden and a waste of his time. After selling the shop to a local loan shark, Calvin slowly begins to see his father’s vision and legacy and struggles with the notion that he just sold it.
Saturday, February 24, at
2 p.m.
“Eve’s Bayou” — Written/Directed by Kasi Lemmons, starring Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Meagan Good, Lynn Whitfield and Samuel L. Jackson.
Over the course of a long, hot Louisiana summer, a 10-year-old Black girl, Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett), discovers that her family’s affluent existence is merely a facade. The philandering of her suave doctor father, Louis (Samuel L. Jackson), creates a rift, throwing Eve’s mother, Roz (Lynn Whitfield), and teenage sister, Cisely (Meagan Good), into emotional turmoil. Eve, though, manages to find some solace with her quirky psychic aunt, Mozelle (Debbi Morgan).
The Music Box Theatre is located at 3733 N. Southport on the North Side. For showtimes and further information, visit http://tinyurl.com/wp9zxj35.
Pricing:
$11 General Admission / $8 Music Box Theatre Members.
