The Chicago Cinema Society is bringing Brandon Cronenberg’s brilliant debut feature Antiviral to The Patio Theater for an exclusive theatrical run on:

April 19th thru April 24th
9:00 pm daily
Tickets: $7.00

This is one of the very best horror/sci-fi films of the year, and is not to be missed on the big screen!

Syd March (Caleb Landry Jones) is an employee at a clinic that sells injections of live viruses harvested from sick celebrities to obsessed fans. Syd also supplies illegal samples of these viruses to piracy groups, smuggling them from the clinic in his own body.

When he becomes infected with a mysterious disease afflicting super sensation Hannah Geist (Sarah Gadon), Syd becomes a target for collectors and rabid fans. He must unravel the mystery surrounding the disease before it’s too late.

Antiviral has been gathering raves during its run on the film festival circuit, and has won a number of awards including: the Gold Hugo at the 2012 Chicago International Film Festival (“After Dark” Competition), the Carnet Jove Jury Award and Citizen Kane Award for Best Directorial Revelation at the 2012 Sitges Catalonian International Film Festival, and Best Canadian First Feature Film at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, in addition to being nominated for the 2012 Cannes Film Festival’s “Un Certain Regard” award.

Check out the trailer below:

The Chicago Cinema Society was formed out of our immense love for cinema. We have been very fortunate to have been able to track down and screen 35mm prints for films that we love that have been thought to be lost and/or no longer exist. On April 13th, we will be sharing with you one such 35mm print:

RIKI-OH: THE STORY OF RICKY

We have so much love for this film and cannot be happier than to be able to share this print with you. Come out to the Patio Theater to see one of the best live action manga translations ever committed to celluoid! One of the most charmingly gory films of all time! There is one night only to be able to see RIKI-OH and that is April 13th! This might be the only chance in your lifetime to be able to see this 35mm print, DO NOT MISS IT!!!

The late night cult sensation is back! The Chicago Cinema Society at The Patio Theater is excited to present the Chicago premiere of BIRDEMIC 2: THE RESURRECTION!!! Also, director James Nguyen and producer Jeff Gross will be in attendance for Q&A. Come on out and meet the creators of Birdemic, you know you have questions for these guys! They will be bringing some exclusive Birdemic merchandise and giveaways. This is one night only on April 25th at 9:00pm! Tickets are $9.00 and can be purchased in advance by clicking onto this sentence. More on Birdemic 2 below:

In response to an unexpectedly large number of fans being cuckoo for these killer birds, the film’s production company I Got a Fish Productions turned down standard distribution deals at the last minute to remain independent and push the self-theatrical distribution of ‘Birdemic 2: The Resurrection’ ahead of its previously anticipated June 2013 release date.

“The main reason behind our decision to bypass traditional distribution was simply to get this film into the fans’ hands quicker,” producer Jeff Gross said. “We had a private screening for a few media outlets last week, and the feedback was fantastic.” He adds, “James is a true Hollywood outsider and his unique vision of Hollywood under ecological and avian distress is on full display in this film. We can’t wait for fans to take it all in.”

In this sequel to cult favorite ‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror,’ a flock of giant, prehistoric eagles and vultures wreak havoc amidst blossoming love in Hollywood, California, leaving bloodshed and destruction wherever they hover. The story features original ‘Birdemic’ survivors Rod and Nathalie, who are joined by new friends, as well as other Angelenos in their battle with these deranged birds. Fans can expect the same quality they’ve come to know from a James Nguyen film, only a whole lot more of it.

“My goal was to ensure that James had complete creative control over his sequel. He sees himself as a true auteur, and he’s dead serious about his craft,” Gross said. “I honestly had no idea how a ‘Birdemic’ sequel would turn out. But once I saw the script, I knew it had to be made. Creatively, I’m thrilled with the final product, and I’m happy to call this ‘an experiment that worked.’”

Check out the official trailer:

The Chicago Cinema Society at the Patio Theater is proud to present a special screening of the Spaghetti Western classic “If You Meet Sartana, Pray for Your Death” on Friday, April 5th at 10 p.m.! This 1968 film will be shown from the best color and condition 35mm print on the planet earth which was used for the Blu-Ray transfer! Do not miss your once in a lifetime chance to see this remarkable film in 35mm! Be there! More info below:

“If You Meet Sartana, Pray for Your Death” (1968, dir. Gianfranco Parolini)
After a stagecoach is robbed and the passengers murdered, a long and tangled series of surprise attacks a murderous double-crosses leaves the coach’s strongbox in the hands of the killer Lasky. It is up to the legendary hero Sartana to track down the missing money and determine just who is ultimately behind the grisly robberies and killings. Like “Django,” this film kicked off a long line of official and unofficial “Sartana” sequels, cash-ins and knock-offs, but this is the original starring the great Gianni Garko (“Il Boss,” “Night of the Devils,” “Cold Eyes of Fear”) and Klaus Kinski!

Event Poster by Jim Terry

The Chicago Cinema Society at The Patio Theater presents two special screenings of Walter Hill’s classic <i>The Warriors</i> in 35mm on Friday, March 22nd and Monday, March 25th!

Come out to see <i>The Warriors</i> as it was meant to be seen, at the most beautiful theater in Chicago!

This will be the first Chicago Cinema Society at the Patio show screening from 35mm, and the first film to hit the screen at the Patio from a film print since the new digital projection system was installed! Come help us celebrate the return of glorious 35mm film projection to the Patio Theater!

Screenings:
Friday, March 22nd at 10 p.m.
Monday, March 25th at 7:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are on sale now:
http://ptwarriors-es2004.eventbrite.com/

The Chicago Cinema Society is proud to present an exclusive weekend of screenings of the newly-remastered DCP of Ron Howard’s 1980s Fantasy classic Willow March 2nd, 3rd and 4th! 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of this family favorite, and Lucasfilm is celebrating with a new Blu-ray release and limited engagement screenings of this newly remastered version of the film.

Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) is a simple Nelwyn farmer who finds himself in the middle of a struggle for the future of his world when he is chosen to protect the infant Elora Danan. Elora has a peculiar birthmark that, according to legend, is the mark of the one who will bring an end to the reign of the evil witch-queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). Willow joins forces with wandering rogue Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) and the two head for Bavmorda’s castle, encountering magic, monsters, and Bavmorda’s beautiful but dangerous daughter Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) along the way. Packed with action and groundbreaking special effects, Willow is presented in a new digital restoration from Lucasfilm created for the film’s 25th anniversary!

Tickets are $7. Show times are:

March 2nd: 10 pm

March 3rd: 3:00 pm

March 4th: 7:30 pm

Trailer:

Vanishing Waves (Swedish poster)

The Chicago Cinema Society is proud to present the CHICAGO PREMIERE of Vanishing Waves, the film that swept the Fantastic Fest 2012 awards, winning: Best Picture, Best Director (Kristina Buozyte), Best Screenplay (Bruno Samper, Kristina Buozyte) and Best Actress (Jurga Jutaite).

Synopsis from Artsploitation Films:

“A bold, visionary work of science fiction cinema that recalls the genre in its cerebral 1960s and ’70s golden age, just as it simultaneously forges new territory with its unique fusion of emotional melodrama and hallucinatory widescreen spectacle, Vanishing Waves is one of the most accomplished and distinctive European films in recent memory. The second solo feature from Lithuanian director Kristina Buozyte, following her acclaimed 2008 debut The Collectress, the 2012 production Vanishing Waves confirms Buozyte as a major young talent whose frequently breathtaking visual and technical gifts are thankfully also matched by her interest in complex characterizations, adventurous narratives, and challenging themes.

Her new film is a science fiction romance that is equally occupied by the erotic as well as the fantastic. Lukas (Marius Jampolskis) is assisting a scientific research team by functioning as a patient in a series of heavily monitored (and medicated) sensory deprivation experiments wherein he is attempting to make some form of contact with the subject, Aurora (Jurga Jutaite), a young woman who has been locked in a comatose state for some time. Doctors initially hope for just a vague reaffirmation of consciousness, but the experiment takes an unexpected twist when Lukas and Aurora actually develop a strong psychic link in their mutually altered forms of consciousness…and their link quickly evolves into a romantic, sexually charged relationship. As Lukas hides this data from his researchers, he and Aurora meet secretly and passionately in a series of surreal dreamscapes created by their collective minds, but their union is tragically doomed to collapse around them. Exploring the tantalizing possibilities of forming a true, all-encompassing bond with one’s lover, Vanishing Waves is hypnotic, erotic, wholly engrossing, and wildly thought-provoking cinema that transcends any perceived limitations of the science fiction genre, becoming one of the year’s most provocative films in the process.”

Critical response has been overwhelmingly positive during the film’s hit festival run:

“…an exquisite sci-fi head trip in the vein of Solaris and 2001: A Space Odyssey, one which takes pleasure in ideas and exploration rather than cheap thrills. As a bonus, it’s also sexier than either of those movies.” – Brian Clark, Twitch

“The first important science-fiction film of this decade…. Do what you can to not miss it.” – Charles Mudede, The Stranger

Grade: A-. “Both disturbingly surreal and hauntingly beautiful…” – Eric Kohn, Indiewire

Grade: A-. “…a powerful, moving, challenging, and brilliant exploration of love’s origins and power to endure.” – Matt Goldberg, Collider

Vanishing Waves has also won the “Silver Melies” at the Lund International Fantastic Film Festival, the “Jury Special Mention” at the 47th Karlovy Vary Film festival, the “Jury Award” at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival, The “Jury Award” at the Palic International Film Festival and the “Emeric Pressburger Prize” at the 9th Jameson CineFest in Hungary.

Vanishing Waves will be playing Friday, March 30th at 10 p.m. and Monday, April 1st at 7:30 p.m. Stay tuned for more information on these screening dates coming soon, and check out the (somewhat NSFW) trailer below:

Vanishing Waves Trailer (Artsploitation Films) from artsploitation on Vimeo.

The Chicago Cinema Society is proud to present the CHICAGO PREMIERE of writer/director Rebecca Daly’s feature film debut The Other Side of Sleep! This haunting, understated drama features Antonia Campell Hughes in a quietly powerful lead performance.

Synopsis from the Factory25 site:

“Arlene (Hughes) is a ghost in her own life. She lives in a small town in the midlands – surrounded by field after field, woodlands and laneways to disappear down and never come back. One morning she wakes in the woods beside the body of a young woman. Someone watches from the trees. The body is soon discovered and suspicion spreads through the community. Increasingly drawn to the girl’s family – her grieving sister and accused boyfriend, Arlene barricades herself in at night, afraid to sleep. Haunted by grief buried and delayed, Arlene’s sleeping and waking realities soon blur. And all this time someone is watching her.”

“Flirts with dreams and reality; under-stated yet powerfully etched.” – Fionnuala Halligan, Screen Daily

“A hazy sort of fever dream… a very promising debut for Daly.” – Todd Brown, Twitch

“Highly atmospheric… The Other Side of Sleep takes us to some very dark places indeed.” – Noel Megahey, The Digital Fix

The Other Side of Sleep will play at the Patio Friday, March 1st at 10 p.m. and Saturday, March 2nd at 3 p.m.

The Other Side Of Sleep Official Trailer from The Other Side of Sleep on Vimeo.

The Chicago Cinema Society is incredibly proud to be able to host  two screenings of the incredibly underrated DRAGON (aka: Wu Xia) at The Patio Theater! This was easily one of our favorite new martial arts films of last year starring DONNIE YEN and, one of our absolute favs, JIMMY WANG YU giving an amazingly dark performance unlike you have ever seen from him. Check out what VARIETY had to say on DRAGON:

“The repressed return with a vengeance in “Wu xia,” a satisfyingly sinewy fusion of martial-arts actioner and brain-tickling noir from busy producer-director Peter Ho-sun Chan. Channeling David Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence” by way of 1917 China, this clever if over-amped thriller tackles themes of identity, honor and the latent killer instinct with a playful spirit that’s never at odds with its underlying seriousness. Pleasurable pairing of Donnie Yen’s stoic heroics and Takeshi Kaneshiro’s droll detection should woo local audiences”

Read the full review by clicking onto this sentence. Be at the ever beautiful PATIO THEATER on February 15th and 16th to catch DRAGON for only $7.00! Check out the incredible trailer below. Look forward to seeing you there!

The Chicago Cinema Society is super excited to announce that we will also be collaborating with the stunningly beautiful Patio Theater! We will elaborate more on our collaboration  a lot more in the near future. We are happy to announce our first screening with the Patio Theater SOUND CITY which is directed by Dave Grohl.

Multitalented musician Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Nirvana fronts a mission to resurrect the rapidly vanishing human touch behind the creation of music. When Sound City, a fabled recording studio, opened in 1969, it boasted a one-of-a kind recording console. Tucked away behind train tracks and dilapidated warehouses in the sunburnt San Fernando Valley, Sound City became rock ’n’ roll hallowed ground where music’s megastars captured their magic on analog tape for three decades.

The advent of the digital age ultimately sounded the death knell of Sound City. Grohl cobbles together a troupe of iconic musicians and singers who once called the studio home. Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Trent Reznor, Rick Springfield, and Paul McCartney are just some of the legends who jam with Grohl and create a brand-new album on that revered soundboard. Fasten your seat belts. SOUND CITY, Grohl’s outstanding filmmaking debut, rocks the silver screen, not only unearthing music history but making it as well.

We will be screening SOUND CITY at The Patio Theater on February 8th, 9th and 11th. Tickets will be $7.00. Exact screening time will be announced on the Patio’s web page soon which can be found by clicking onto this sentence. Also note that we have our own tab on their web page where we will have more information on our screenings. Check out the trailer below. Hope to see you all soon at the beautiful Patio Theater!