Woodstock Theatre to show 'Groundhog Day'
Harold Ramis' 1993 comedy masterpiece returns to the big screen just in time for the real event on Monday. Extensively filmed right here in Woodstock, "G.D." is one of the greatest God movies ever made that never mentions His name. Bill Murray stars as a cynical weathercaster forced to relive Groundhog Day for an eternity - or until he adopts a new attitude on life. Andie MacDowell and late Chicago actress Lucina Paquet fill out the cast. Hey, free admission! Shown in conjunction with a walking tour of film sites. (PG) 101 minutes.
Facts: 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main St., Woodstock.
'The Poker House'
The Midwest Independent Film Festival cranks up its 2009 Tuesday night movie season with this drama, directed and co-written by actress Lori Petty. (Remember her from "Point Break" and "A League of Their Own"?) It's a coming-of-age drama filmed in Chicago and suburbs. Co-writer David Alan Grier and Selma Blair star. Admission costs $10. Go to midwestfilm.com.
Facts: 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Century Centre Cinema, Chicago.
Dann, Ray, Oscar!
Join me and novelist/film scholar Raymond Benson as we discuss and handicap the 2008 Academy Awards scheduled for Feb. 22. Clips include scenes from "The Wrestler," "The Dark Knight," "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Reader" and many more. It's all part of Dann and Raymond's Movie Club. Free admission! Go to stdl.org for details or call (847) 985-4000.
Facts: 730 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle, Rd., Schaumburg.