Dann in Reel Life: AdJustin' Bieber's film
AdJustin' Bieber's film
First came “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” the 3-D concert/doc.
Today starts — FOR ONE WEEK ONLY! — “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never: Director's Fan Cut,” with more of Justin's friends and hometown life, some new songs and footage shot at his movie premieres.
But don't think this footage will be in addition to the first film. This “Fan Cut” runs 115 minutes, the same length as the original version. If 40 minutes of new material have been added, 40 minutes of the original material have been cut out.
A news release states that “Never Say Never” earned an A+ on Cinemascore from women. It doesn't mention the movie scored a much weaker 68 percent audience approval on Rottentomatoes.com. Critics gave it a 66 percent rating, barely enough to qualify for a “Fresh” endorsement.
Orchestrated Ebert
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents “A Tribute to Roger Ebert” at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The program features scores from Ebert's favorite movies such as “Casablanca,” “Gone With the Wind” and others.
Tickets start at $34 and are available at cso.org.
I've got my tickets and my bride Peggy. So there better be music from “Psycho” and “Goldfinger.”
Charitable Oscar event
The Hollywood Palms cinema presents an Academy Award viewing party and Variety fundraiser for the Children's Charity at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, at 352 S. Route 59 in Naperville. For a $20 donation, you get a reception, a take-home “swag bag,” photos on the red carpet, plus the Oscars show on a really big screen. Go to atriptothemovies.com or call (630) 428-5800.
Make. Remake.
Join film historian Raymond Benson and me as Dann & Raymond's Movie Club presents “We Don't Need No Stinkin' Remakes!” Included will be clips from the two “True Grit” films, three “King Kong” movies, both “Casino Royale” films, two “Romeo and Juliet” dramas, plus many others, including the first Hannibal Lecter thriller “Manhunter” and its remake “Red Dragon.” Free admission! It starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Go to stdl.info or call (847) 985-4000.
‘Kill the Irishman'
The Michigan-made crime drama “Kill the Irishman” will have its Chicago premiere through the Midwest Independent Film Festival at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St., Chicago.
The movie (not press-screened) stars loads of actors such as Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, Vincent D'Onofrio, Tony LoBianco, Vinnie Jones and Fionnula Flanagan in a drama based on the true story of Cleveland mobster Danny Greene.
Go to midwestfilm.org for tickets. “Kill the Irishman” opens commercially in Chicago Friday, March 18.
Reel Life review: ‘The Grace Card'
Black Memphis police officer Sam Wright (Mike Higginbottom) has just been promoted to sergeant, and he gets a new partner in white Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner), a bitter racist ever since a young black driver killed his 5-year-old son in a car accident.
Mac really tests Sam's Christian beliefs as a part-time minister struggling to get a new church up and running on its own. Sam can't figure out why God would put such a terrible person into his life.
“You've got it wrong,” his wife Debra (Dawntoya Thomason) says. “God didn't put him into your life. God put you into his. You need to find out why.”
Say “Christian message movie” and some filmgoers head for the exits.
“The Grace Card” — a clever riff off “race card” — is unapologetically a Christian message movie with all the expected trappings: characters who force-feed us lectures instead of offering conversations, provide no subtlety in emotional swings and execute a “surprise” plot twist that announces itself miles before it arrives.
Yet, there are several difficult and wrenching scenes between Joiner and Higginbottom that sell their sincerity and their purpose. It's like they've willed their characters to be better than the material — an effectively plotted tale of redemption that assures us there is a divine design for the random and hurtful events in our lives.
“Grace Card” has been directed with style-challenged earnestness by David Evans for Calvary Pictures, an arts outreach ministry for Calvary Church in suburban Memphis.
The drama, featuring Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr. as Sam's grandfather, opens at select theaters today. It's rated PG-13 for violence, a far cry from traditional message movies that have struggled to tackle adult issues with G-rated fare. ★ ★ ½
Classic rewards
Classic Cinemas is starting a new “customer loyalty” program with a card where filmgoers can earn points by making purchases of film tickets and concession items. All 13 Classic Cinemas theaters are part of the program. For details, go to classiccinemas.com.
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