Hoffman showing Cannes-worthy Bond spoof
"OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies," the delightfully silly French spoof of James Bond movies, will be shown as a tribute to French cinema and the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, a program sponsored by the Hoffman Estates Joint Commission. Join me for the movie and a brief discussion. Free admission, but donations to local food pantries would be appreciated. Call (847) 781-2606 or go to hoffmanestates.org.
Facts: 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Hoffman Estates Village Hall, 1900 Hassell Road, Hoffman Estates
Greatest sports films
Join me and 007 novelist/film scholar Raymond Benson as Dann & Raymond's Movie Club presents "Going the Distance: The Greatest Sports Movies." Clips from such films as "The Natural," "Rocky," "Any Given Sunday," "Raging Bull" "Karate Kid" and "Hoosiers." Free admission. Call (847) 985-4000 or go to stdl.org.
Facts: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg
'Lemon Tree'
If you can't tell, this is a David-vs-Goliath story, an attorney in "Lemon Tree" spells it out to the press covering a court case in which a West Bank widow (Hiam Abbass) sues to stop the Israeli military from destroying her beloved lemon trees because the Prime Minister has moved in next door. Eran "The Syrian Bride" Riklis' drama feels like a made-for-cable film, but the bittersweet ending and stellar acting provide the story with dramatic urgency. Not rated. 106 minutes. . . .
Starts today at the Century Centre, Chicago, and the Renaissance Place, Highland Park.