Widescreen: Special Oscar screenings in Downers Grove; 'West Side Story' shines at home
The After Hours Film Society is back at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, and presenting three Oscar nominees over the next three Mondays.
On March 14: "Flee," a unique film nominated for Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature, tells the true story of an Afghanistan native who fled the Mujahedeen first for Russia, then for Denmark. The unorthodox use of the medium and the sudden topicality of "Flee" could be enough to beat "Encanto" for the animation Oscar.
March 21: A chance to see Netflix's front-runner "The Power of the Dog," with its big performance by Benedict Cumberbatch and bigger vistas photographed by Ari Wegner, on the big screen. This is likely to be director Jane Campion's year.
March 28: "Parallel Mothers" is the latest collaboration for director Pedro Almodóvar and Best Actress nominee Penélope Cruz. Cruz plays a new, 40-something mom who bonds with a teen mom in the maternity ward.
All screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. and cost $7 for members, $11 for nonmembers. Go to afterhoursfilmsociety.com for more information.
Go 'West' ASAP
If, like me, you thought the idea of Steven Spielberg remaking one of the greatest films of all time was pointless or even silly, you probably didn't see the new version of "West Side Story" in the theater. Not many did, frankly, judging by the box office numbers.
Like me, you will regret that decision.
Spielberg's "West Side Story" is a towering achievement that improves upon the 1961 classic that won the Best Picture Oscar by making smart, refreshing changes that reflect today's reality while maintaining the integrity of the Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim musical and keeping it in its 1950s NYC setting.
"America," "Tonight" and "Maria" are, as always, the most exciting and affecting songs in this tale of a doomed interracial romance. But Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner ("Angels in America") breathe life into the secondary numbers, too - "Cool," for example, comes earlier in the story, and is now a contentious dance with vocals by troubled protagonist Tony (Ansel Elgort) and gang leader Riff (Mike Faist).
The actual story of "West Side Story" had never moved me in the past, but Spielberg is pretty good at getting the waterworks flowing, isn't he. He's pretty good at moving a camera, too, and the photography by longtime collaborator Janusz Kaminski is breathtaking, especially in the gym where Tony and Maria (Rachel Zegler) first meet.
"West Side Story" is a must-see, and it's streaming now on both Disney+ and HBO Max. It's also available for digital purchase from iTunes, Vudu and other platforms, and will be available Tuesday on Blu-ray and DVD.