The Girl Who Played With Fire

In the second installment in the “Millennium” trilogy following The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Mikael Blomkvist is about to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society. On the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered and the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander. Entertainment Weekly says, "More gripping than Dragon Tattoo, because this one doesn’t just play with thriller conventions — it puts them to work."

129 Minutes. Rated R brutal violence, rape, some strong sexual content, nudity and language.

October 4 - 6, 2010

Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky

At the Theatre Des Champs-Elysées, Igor Stravinsky premieres his The Rite Of Spring. Coco Chanel attends the premiere and is mesmerized… But the revolutionary work is too modern, too radical: the enraged audience boos and jeers. A near riot ensues. Stravinsky is inconsolable. Seven years later, now rich, respected and successful, Coco Chanel meets Stravinsky again - a penniless refugee living in exile in Paris after the Russian Revolution. The attraction between them is immediate and electric and a passionate love affair between two creative giants begins... The New York Observer says, "Exquisitely designed, lushly photographed, beautifully acted, this historic footnote to the secret lives of two of the most brilliant and fascinating people of the 20th century is absolutely mesmerizing. Who knew they were lovers?"

118 Minutes. Rated R for some strong sexuality and nudity.

October 11 - 13, 2010

Get Low

Robert Duvall, Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek star in Get Low, a movie spun out of equal parts folk tale, fable and real-life legend about the mysterious 1930s Tennessee hermit who famously threw his own rollicking funeral party... while he was still alive. As the day of the unusual funeral approaches, a long-held secret is revealed. The performances are generating much Oscar-buzz and Variety says, "With a mix of sly humor, homespun grace and affecting poignancy, Get Low casts a well-nigh irresistible spell."

100 Minutes. Rated PG-13 for some thematic material and brief violent content.

October 18 - 20, 2010

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Exit Through the Gift Shop, the first film by renowned graffiti artist Banksy, became the hottest ticket at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it made its world debut. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. As Banksy describes it, "It's basically the story of how one man set out to film the un-filmable. And failed." The Detroit News says "Hoax or not, Exit Through the Gift Shop ends up energizing, aggravating, enjoyable and revealing. Is it art or isn't it? Who knows?"  See it and decide for yourself.

87 Minutes. Rated R for "minor language and major egos" (NYT).

October 25 - 27, 2010

Mao's Last Dancer

From Academy Award nominee Bruce Beresford (Diving Miss Daisy, Tender Mercies) comes Mao's Last Dancer. Based on Li Cun Xin's best selling autobiography, Mao's Last Dancer is the epic story of a young poverty stricken boy from China and his inspirational journey to international stardom as a world-class dancer. Mao's Last Dancer weaves a moving tale about the quest for freedom and the courage it takes to live your own life.  The film poignantly captures the struggles, triumphs and the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity amid the pain of exile. The Detroit News says, "Lovely and astounding, Mao's Last Dancer is a modern epic of art and ambition triumphing oppression."

117 Minutes. Rated PG for brief violent image, some sensuality, language and incidental smoking.

November 1 - 3, 2010

Cinematique and Cucalorus Present:

Animal Kingdom

In anticipation of the Cucalorus Film Festival (November 11 – 14, more details at cucalorus.org), Cinematique and Cucalorus present the critically acclaimed Australian film,  Animal Kingdom.  From director, David Michôd, the film takes the audience into the terrifying Melbourne crime underworld, where tensions are on the brink of exploding between felons and renegade cops. With confident pacing, a smart script, and a top-notch cast, including Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton, Ben Mendelsohn and James Frecheville, Animal Kingdom represents the height of the Australian film industry. The New York Times calls the film, the "Australian answer to Goodfellas, minus the wise-guy humor."

112 Minutes. Rated R for violence, coarse language and substance abuse.