Win free movie tickets

Editor's note: Comment on today's "Cinema Chat" for a chance to win free movie tickets to the Michigan Theater. Some time between now and 9 a.m. Monday, leave a comment on this column, written by the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins. Offer your opinion on a recent movie you've seen, or on anything Russ mentions. A winner will be randomly selected, and we’ll notify that person via the email address they signed up with. They will get two passes to a movie of their choice, courtesy of The Michigan Theater. Full rules here.

The New York Times: Ann Arbor’s second favorite paper

“Page One: Inside The New York Times” is created in the tradition of the fly-on-the-wall documentary. Director Andrew Rossi's riveting film deftly gains unprecedented access to the New York Times newsroom and the inner workings of the Media Desk. As AnnArbor.com readers know, the Internet quickly surpassed print as our nation’s main news source. Newspapers all over the country are going bankrupt. “Page One” chronicles the transformation of the media industry at its time of greatest turmoil.

Despite the turmoil, journalism continues to thrive at The New York Times. “Page One” gives us an up-close look at the vibrant cross-cubicle debates and collaborations, tenacious jockeying for on-record quotes, and skillful page-one pitching that brings the most venerable newspaper in America to fruition every day. Point of trivia: The same printing plant that prints the Thursday and Sunday versions of AnnArbor.com also prints the locally available version of the New York Times. “Page One: Inside the New York Times” opens Friday at the Michigan Theater.

World premiere

“The Life of Chris Roberts-Antieau: A Love Letter to Tom Waits” will have its world premiere Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Theater. Directed by Angela Kline, an experienced filmmaker and the manager of Chris Roberts-Antieau’s studio, this one-hour documentary is an intimate look into the life of an accomplished artist. Ms. Roberts-Antieau has become one of the most celebrated “outsider artists” in America. Well-known personalities who collect her work include Oprah Winfrey, musician Ben Folds and yours truly (OK, I’m not that well known, but I do love her work). Come to the screening tonight to learn how Tom Waits inspires her work and how Chris, with high school friend Bob Seger, hid in the trunk of a car to sneak into a drive-in movie. After the screening, Ms. Roberts-Antieau will be available to sign prints, film box sets and books. Proceeds from this screening will benefit the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair.

Special screenings

“La Dolce Vita” (The Good Life) won the Palme d'Or from the Cannes Film Festival in 1960. “La Dolce Vita,” Italian director Federico Fellini’s cautionary tale of lust and longing, is arguably the best example of postwar European cinema. The film follows the central character of Marcello Rubini, played by award-winning actor Marcello Mastroianni, as a gossip "paparazzo" in the 1950s on a journey to find his path between his desires: 1) to be a revered journalist and 2)to live the good life in the company of beautiful women in high society. Do not miss this newly restored 35mm film print of a true classic Sunday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. or Tuesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan Theater.

“Wasteland” is, believe it or not, an uplifting documentary highlighting the transformative power of art and the beauty of the human spirit. Top-selling contemporary artist Vik Muniz takes filmgoers on an emotional journey from Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, to the heights of international art stardom. Vik collaborates with the brilliant “catadores,” or pickers of recyclable materials. These are true Shakespearean characters who live and work in the garbage quoting Machiavelli and showing us how to recycle ourselves. Playing one night only, Monday, July 18 at 7 p.m. as part of the Michigan Theater’s Summer Documentary series.

It’s Harry Potter week . . .

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” is the last of the eight-film Harry Potter series—the most popular film franchise of all times. The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson) return to Hogwarts to find and destroy the final horcruxes. But when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the battle we've all known has been coming—Harry vs. Voldemort—looms large on the horizon. The reviews for this final film are very strong. “The thrilling conclusion to a phenomenal cinematic story 10 years in the telling. ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ is proof that authentic movie excitement is its own form of magic,” writes Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” opens at your local multiplex today.

In “Winnie the Pooh” the Disney studio turns five stories from A.A. Milne into a classic, hand-drawn animation. While out looking for some honey, Winnie the Pooh is pulled into a quest to save Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit. Critics are supportive of this completely new tale culled from the classic children’s story. “After 85 years consigned to the Hundred Acre Wood, Pooh thankfully displays no signs of aging or getting any wiser. Disney has the right attitude in revisiting the franchise every so often to introduce the gang to a whole new generation,” says Richard Mowe, Boxoffice Magazine. “Winnie the Pooh” opens Friday, July 15 at your local multiplex.

What to see this week

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” - Great reviews for the ultimate film in the series.
“The Tree of Life” - The best and most controversial film of the summer.
“Beginners” - Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor are great in an unusual family tale.
“Midnight in Paris” - Woody Allen’s latest is a hoot!
“Winnie the Pooh” - It’s short and sweet.

See you at the movies!

Russ Collins is executive director of the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Tune in to the audio version of “Cinema Chat” on WEMU radio (89.1-FM) each Thursday at 7:40 a.m. and 5:40 p.m., or listen to it online at WEMU's web site.