Arts and Entertainment

November 2009

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FILM

Detroit Film Theatre: British TV commercials are unlike those anywhere else. These surprising television productions not only have been cutting-edge and brilliantly conceived, but also have showcased the work of Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Hugh Hudson, and Alan Parker. Since the 1980s, the top prize winners of the British Television Advertising Awards have toured the world, and this year the DIA is happy to be one of those spots. Nov. 1 & 6-8.

• The Canadian Scene is a co-presentation of the Windsor International Film Festival and the Detroit Film Theatre. Three films will play, the first of which is Necessities of Life, a story of an Inuit man stricken with tuberculosis, pulled from his isolated home in Canada’s far north, and sent to a Quebec City hospital. His fish-out-of-water bewilderment softens as he becomes interested in those around him, and vice versa. Throw in a crush on a nurse that would ruffle the feathers of those back home and you’ve got a movie. Nov. 4.

• The second installment of The Canadian Scene, Pontypool follows DJ Grant Mazzy, a morning disc jockey for rural Ontario. Like most morning DJs, Mazzy has attitude, but, on this particular day, he has a little more. Maybe it’s because it’s Valentine’s Day or perhaps he just got out of the wrong side of the bed. But whatever the reason, something is happening out on the streets of his listening audience. There are reports of naked residents speaking gibberish, riots, and the unexplained spread of a terrifying virus. Mazzy, despite his attitude, tries to be the voice of order and sanity and finds himself an existential philosopher. Nov. 5.

• Finally, The Canadian Scene shows It’s Not Me, I Swear!. It’s the late 1960s in Quebec when 10-year-old Leon begins acting out due to the troubled marriage of his parents. At first it’s fairly unsurprising behavior for such a situation – a bit of vandalism, running away from home, breaking and entering – but as the film continues, Leon’s “acting out” becomes more outrageous and shocking and the unexpected happens. Nov. 7.

• After years of turmoil, war, and Taliban rule, pop culture in Afghanistan is beginning to take hold and grow, so much so that the county, since 2005, has adopted a show similar to American Idol. It’s called Afghan Star. What’s surprising is that it welcomes everyone from across the country, despite gender, ethnicity, or age. The documentary, under the same name, follows four contestants, two men and two women, as they try to become the nation’s favorite star. Afghan Star becomes a window into the country’s struggle for modernity. Nov 13, 15 & 20.

• Throw Down Your Heart follows American banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck as he journeys to Africa to record an album and trace the little-known African roots of his instrument. Nov. 13, 15 & 21.

• American Harmony is a journey into the greatest singing competition you’ve never heard of. It’s the ultra-obsessive, heartfelt world of barbershop singing. This documentary follows the international competition and the narrowing of the 50 participating quartets down to just four. The conclusion is the most controversial in the contest’s 70-year existence. Nov. 20-21.

• Cosi Fan Tutte (Thus Do They All ) is one of three operas by Mozart in which the libretto (the text of the opera) was penned by Lorenzo Da Ponte. The DFT brings in an installment of World Opera in Cinema with German director Claus Guth and his version of the Mozart opera from the coming Salzburg Festival 2009. Nov. 26-28. Special prices apply. $18-$20.

• In a French working-class neighborhood, a train-driving father, his beloved daughter, and a handsome new neighbor are at the core of a story that traces their lives and those around them. From director Claire Denis, this graceful, intricate, and delicate film was called “magical, moving and marvelously profound,” by Variety. 35 Shots of Rum plays Nov. 27-29. All tickets $6.50-$7.50. 5200 Woodward, Detroit; 313-833-7900; dia.org/dft.

Detroit Science Center IMAX: From the deep, northern waters of Lake Superior to the eastern edges of Lake Ontario, Mysteries of the Great Lakes takes the viewer on a spin through some of most beautiful shorelines and scenery the nation offers. And you’ll stay dry. • Animalopolis is a journey into a more lighthearted, somersaulting, fanciful animal kingdom than the one that exists in reality. But that’s OK, because this IMAX film is fun for the whole family. The film shows a variety of animals, including cheetahs, bears, crabs, and lions — with no threat of getting maimed. • Some of us just don’t have the resources or the nerve to climb the Alps. So, a decent alternative might be the IMAX film The Alps, a journey up the Eiger North Face. It’s a story of the Alps, the people who live there, and those who climb the massive mountain. All through November. $7.25-$12.95. 5020 John R, Detroit; 313-577-8400; detroitsciencecenter.org.

The Redford Theatre: My Fair Lady is the story of a bet and love. Professor Henry Higgins takes a wager from a colonel that he can transform the unrefined Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into an elegant lady and pass her off as such. Higgins accomplishes the bet, and a young aristocrat, Freddy Eysfold-Hill, ends up falling for the transformed flower girl. As Higgins boasts about his efforts, he forgets that it took two to tango, and the newly formed Doolittle leaves Higgins angrily for the aristocrat. In her absence, Higgins realizes he’s grown accustomed to her face and can’t live without her. Nov. 6-7.

• A tornado blows over Dorothy’s home. After a knock on her head, she wakes in a land of color and munchkins, flying monkeys, and witches. But all she wants to do is take her little dog, Toto, and go home. But she’s wrapped up in murder and theft, according to the Wicked Witch of the West. As she landed, her house crushed the witch’s sister and her magic ruby slippers ended up on Dorothy’s feet. Her fairy godmother comes to Dorothy’s rescue and sends her to the Emerald City to find a way home. Along the Yellow Brick Road she befriends a scarecrow, a lion, and a tin man. Does Dorothy make it to the Emerald City and get the wizard’s help? Does the Wicked Witch and her army of flying monkeys catch the gang before they get there? Does Dorothy ever make it back to her home in flat Kansas? OK, so you’ve probably seen The Wizard of Oz a hundred times, but it’s addictive. Nov. 20-21. All films $4. 17360 Lahser, Detroit; 313-537-2560; redfordtheatre.com.

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