Posted: 09/23/2011

NEWS…..BIRD IN THE AIR….JANE GOODALL…..JERRY LEWIS…..AND MORE….

by Elaine Hegwood Bowen

BIRD OF THE AIR - in limited release on September 23

A sassy parrot and a free-spirited librarian upend the well-ordered life of a solitary man.

Lyman (Jackson Hurst) is a loner, working the graveyard shift for the Courtesy Patrol. When a green parrot flies in to his trailer he becomes obsessed with finding its owner, which leads him to Fiona(Rachel Nichols). She has been eyeing Lyman from a distance and decides to help with his parrot search, whether he wants her to or not. Along with her basset hound, they set out on a quest to find the bird’s previous owners and Fiona begins to unravel the mysteries of Lyman’s past. But when Fiona joins Lyman on his nightly rounds, she witnesses a reality more intense than the romantic version she had envisioned.

Also featured are Linda Emond (Julie & Julia), Buck Henry (Grumpy Old Men), two-time Tony-winner Judith Ivey (Hurlyburly, CBS’s Designing Women), Erik Jensen, Matte Osian (ABC’s Ugly Betty, NBC’s Law & Order), Rocco Sisto (Donnie Brasco, HBO’s The Sopranos) Phyllis Somerville (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), and Louis Zorich (NBC’s Mad About You). Producers are Steven Tabakin, Margaret Whitton, and Warren Spector of Tashtego Films. Filmed in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico, A Bird of the Air was shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Philippe Rousselot (A River Runs Through It) with costumes by Joseph G. Aulisi (The Pink Panther, Shaft) and production design by Mark Alan Duran (To Live and Die). Sabine Hoffman (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) is editor. Music is composed by David Majzlin. Susan Jacobs is Music Supervisor.

Visit http://www.abirdoftheair.com/

JANE GOODALL

See Jane Goodall, a true global inspiration, live in 500+ theatres across the nation, including 18 in the Chicago area.

For the first time ever, famed chimpanzee research pioneer Jane Goodall will take audiences in select theatres across the country on an incredible journey through the memories of her life when she appears live to answer their pre-submitted questions during this special one night only Fathom event. Celebrity guests include Dave Matthews and other guests and
surprises. This exclusive event also includes the national debut of “Jane’s Journey,” a cinematic biography which includes special appearances by Angelina Jolie and Pierce Brosnan. Newly found 8mm footage discovered in Jane’s home attic will be revealed during the evening, which offers an intimate portrait of the private person behind the world-famous icon, whose work from her maiden research trip to Africa in 1960 to the present has transformed our perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals.
Tickets are $15 (may vary by theatre), a complete list of theatres for this one-time only event are available at
www.FathomEvents.com/jane

Tuesday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m. Central

Jane Goodall Live Exclusive In-Theatre Event

Chicago’s River East 21 (322 E Illinois St),

Chicago’s City North 14 (2600 N Western Ave) and

Chicago’s Webster Place 11 (1471 W Webster Ave) are three of the 18 Chicago area theatres taking part in the live event. Tickets are $15 (may vary by theatre).

METHOD TO THE MADNESS

ENCORE CELEBRATES LEGENDARY HOLLYWOOD ICON JERRY LEWIS WITH
ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY “METHOD TO THE MADNESS OF JERRY LEWIS” ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Special feature-length doc to include candid and In-depth interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase, Quentin Tarantino and more.

ENCORE is set to celebrate “The King of Comedy,” Jerry Lewis, with the premiere of an original, feature-length documentary. Airing Saturday, November 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, this contemporary look at the living legend features extensive and in-depth interviews with Hollywood industry icons who have been influenced by the legendary actor, director, producer, writer, singer and humanitarian.

Superstars like Jerrry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase, Quentin Tarantino, and more, take part in this special television event that explores the career of one of comedy’s most talented and charismatic performers. In addition to never-before-seen footage that helps define Lewis’ storied career, viewers will get an intimate look at the unrivaled icon, who is one of the world’s most well known philanthropists, as he travels the world continuing his comedic reign at the ripe, young age of 85.

Director/Producer Gregg Barson (director/producer of the award-winning Phyllis Diller documentary Goodnight, We Love You has worked with Jerry for the past three years, filming him in action from concert tours to the Cannes Film Festival in France. Barson is the only filmmaker to be granted rare and unlimited access to Jerry, who has opened up his private vault of personal archives – never seen before by the general public.
“It has been an incredible experience to create a film about a legendary filmmaker. I have admired Jerry my entire life and career, and want the world to appreciate the vast depths of his talent through my interpretation of a true genius,” said Barson. “Watch and see how a crazy man made his living,” said the legendary Lewis.

“This will not be a typical biography on him, but more of a candid look at the man himself as he reflects on his career now and over the years,” added Stephan Shelanski, EVP of Programming, Starz Entertainment. “It will remind us of Jerry’s true genius as a comedian.”
Internationally renowned, Jerry Lewis is a renaissance man for all seasons. Performing on stage at the age of five, he has acted, produced, directed and authored books; was part of the immortal comedy duo of Martin and Lewis; invented the Video Assist, a closed circuit television system which is used on virtually every movie and television production; nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and presented with numerous humanitarian awards, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
In addition to hundreds of television appearances, Jerry has directed and/or starred in films that include The Nutty Professor, The Ladies Man, The Patsy, Cinderfella, The Errand Boy, The Bellboy, The Family Jewels, The Disorderly Orderly, The Delicate Delinquent, The Caddy, That’s My Boy, and Artists and Models.

THE LAST FALL

The Last Fall starring Lance Gross and Nicole Beharie. This film will serve as Lance Gross first leading role in a feature film.

After several years in the playing professional football, Kyle Bishop, is released from his fourth team in three years and returns to his home town, broke and at a complete loss about what he will do for a living. After an initially cold reception, Kyle reconnects with Faith Davis, his old high school sweetheart. Ready to leave football far in the past, Kyle gets a job at a local gym and starts planning a new life with Faith and her young son. However, when Kyle unexpectedly gets a lucrative offer from another professional team and the father of Faith’s son tries to win his way back into her life, he is torn about what path to take.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG7RQf1OVIs

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Elaine Hegwood Bowen is an editor, writer and film critic in Chicago, who also serves as a news editor for FilmMonthly.com.

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