It can be tempting in May to finally come out of hibernation, what with the months and months of winter finally behind us. But there's a whole summer ahead of you for street fairs and dinners al fresco! As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, there are just as many movies to check out around Chicago as ever...and some of them are even outdoors!
FAST COLOR, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, opens the 2018 Chicago Critics Film Festival
May 1 - 31
Musical May at the Logan Theatre - All month long, the Logan Theatre presents and eclectic, entertaining mix of musical movies in between the new releases and matinees. While Singin' in the Rain and sneaks in as a classic option, the rest of the line up caters to fans of cult classics (Labyrinth, Dark Side of the Moon) and more recent favorites (
Sweeney Todd,
Walk the Line). Chances are that most of these presentations are on digital formats, but chances also are that the screen and sound system at the Logan are better than the ones in your living room. More info
here.
May 4-10
Chicago Critics Film Festival - the only film festival presented by journalists who write about films for a living, the Chicago Critics Film Festival returns to the Music Box Theater for its sixth annual affair. In just about a week, they'll present over twenty different programs ranging from the Chicago premieres of some of the most anticipated new films of the year to a 35mm anniversary screening of Jurassic Park. Filmmakers and special guests join the festivities nightly; tickets are $12, though why not splurge on the pass for $150? Learn more
here.
May 16
Outdoor Movies at Gallagher Way - What's Gallagher Way, you ask? It's what used to be known as the Park at Wrigley, or what used to be known before that as not much until the Ricketts family rehabbed the courtyard space just outside the Cubs' ball field last year. Now, it's got a new corporate name but the same great summer programming, including outdoor movies on Wednesday nights. This season's offerings start on May 16 with the new baseball classic
A League of Their Own free and open to the public. Just keep an eye on the weather! Learn more
here.
May 25
Solo: A Star Wars Story - Long anticipated, the first in an anticipated series of character-centric prequels arrives as
Solo: A Star Wars Story arrives in theaters. Alden Ehrenreich picks up the Han Solo mantle from Harrison Ford as we go back in time to learn about Solo's daredevil life before he crossed paths with a Jedi-to-be. With Donald Glover as a young Lando Calrissian and the likes of Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Thandie Newton and more joining the
Star Wars franchise, there's a whole new galaxy of films to look forward to. Check out the trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s
May 27
Hollywood Heroes at Chicago Philharmonic - If you find yourself humming the score to a film as you leave after the credits, this night of movie music may be just the thing for you. The Chicago Philharmonic preforms at the Harris Theater, featuring a two-act show featuring selections from The Incredibles, Harry Potter and that most familiar film score of all, Star Wars. Dress up as your favorite film character to win prizes, and bring the whole family - tickets purchased in sets of four get a special discount. Learn more here. May 27
