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‘Black Panther,’ ‘Wonder Woman,’ and more: Millennium Park Summer Film Series

Posted  5 years ago  in  Trending, Arts and Culture

4 MIN READ - The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has announced the lineup for this year’s Millennium Park Summer Film Series, and there’s truly something for everyone. From superhero blockbusters, to Best Picture Oscar winners, to cult classics, movies in the park are sure to be a crowd pleaser this summer.


Movies begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and play on a 40-foot LED screen at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Movies are free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic (alcohol is allowed) or take advantage of the food at the Park Grill and The Plaza at Millennium Park. Some seating at the pavilion will be available on a first come, first served basis. Everyone else is welcome to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets for the grass.

Check out the lineup below, and click here for more details.

June 4: Black Panther (programmed in collaboration with eta Creative Arts Foundation)

T'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced African nation of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future while confronting a challenger from his country’s past. The Oscar Award-winning action/adventure’s cast includes Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Angela Bassett. (2018, rated PG-13, 135 minutes)

June 11: Frida (programmed in collaboration with Teatro Vista)

This biography chronicles the bold and uncompromising life of Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage with artist Diego Rivera to become a political, artistic, and sexual revolutionary. The Oscar Award-winning film stars Salma Hayek. (2002, rated R, 123 minutes)

June 18: Love, Simon (programmed in collaboration with About Face Theatre)

In this coming-of-age tale, teenager Simon Spier makes a love connection with a boy by email. As he discovers who he is corresponding with, he must find himself as well and come to terms with the secret that he is gay. The cast includes Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, and Josh Duhamel. (2018, rated PG-13, 110 minutes)

June 25: Wonder Woman (programmed in collaboration with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble)

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, Princess of the Amazons and trained warrior. When a pilot crashes on the shores of her sheltered island and tells of a conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and her true destiny. The cast includes Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Robin Wright. (2017, rated PG-13, 149 minutes)

July 2: The Wiz (programmed in collaboration with Black Ensemble Theater, commemorating the 80th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz)

When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasyland called Oz. In search of The Wiz, she eases on down the road with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. The cast of this adaption of The Wizard of Oz includes Diana Ross, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor as The Wiz. (1978, rated G, 136 minutes)

July 9: 10 Things I Hate About You (programmed in collaboration with Chicago Shakespeare Theater)

In an update of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, pretty and popular teenager Bianca Stratford cannot date unless her unpopular, rebellious older sister Kat does as well…thanks to their father’s rules. Thus starts the scheme to set Kat up with another rebel who may be able to win Kat’s heart. The cast includes Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. (1999, rated PG-13, 99 minutes)

July 16: DOUBLE FEATURE! Moonlight and Pan’s Labyrinth Moonlight (programmed in collaboration with Steppenwolf Theatre Company)

A young, African-American, gay man deals with his dysfunctional home life and comes of age in Miami during the “War on Drugs” era. Starring Mahershala Ali with Naomie Harris and Janelle Monae, this Oscar Award-winning film was adapted from Steppenwolf ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney’s unpublished autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. (2016, rated R, 115 minutes)

Pan’s Labyrinth (programmed in collaboration with Aguijón Theater)

In 1944 post-Civil War Spain, a bookish young girl, fascinated by fairytales, escapes her harsh world by exploring an eerie but captivating fantasy world, led by an old faun in the center of the labyrinth. The Oscar Award-winning film was directed by Guillermo del Toro. (2006, rated R, 119 minutes)

July 23: The Music Man (programmed in collaboration with Goodman Theatre)

Traveling con man Harold Hill brings trouble with a capital “T” to River City when he convinces the locals to start a band and purchase the uniforms and instruments from him. But his plan to skip town with the money goes awry when he starts to fall for librarian Marian Paroo. This classic film adaptation of the musical includes stars Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. (1962, rated G, 155 minutes). Goodman Theatre will present The Music Man directed by Mary Zimmerman, June 29 through August 4, in the Albert Theatre.

July 30: Fences (programmed in collaboration with Court Theatre)

Working class father Troy Maxson must cope with the disappointment of being too old to play baseball when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. That bitterness now threatens to impact his son who has the potential to be a football star. Based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, the film stars Denzel Washington and Best Supporting Actress winner Viola Davis. (2016, rated PG-13, 139 minutes)

August 5: Inside Out – daytime showing at 10:30 a.m. (programmed in collaboration with Chicago Children’s Theatre)

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions  - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness – conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school. An Oscar Award winner for Best Animated Film, the cast of emotions includes Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Khaling, Richard Kind, and Phyllis Smith. (2015, rated PG, 102 minutes)

August 6: The Muppet Movie (programmed in collaboration with Free Street Theater)

Persuaded by a Hollywood agent to audition for the chance of a lifetime, Kermit the Frog leaves his quiet life in a swamp to journey across America for his big break. Along the way, Kermit comes across several quirky new friends including comedic Fozzie Bear, beautiful but feisty Miss Piggy, and the Great Gonzo. Created by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, The Muppet Movie is celebrating its 40th anniversary. (1979, rated G, 97 minutes)

August 13: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (programmed in collaboration with Lookingglass Theatre Company)

As zen warriors float through the air, skim the water, and battle in trees and across rooftops in 19th-century Qing Dynasty China, the chase is on to find the young warrior that stole an ancient and powerful sword. Directed by Ang Lee, this Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film’s cast includes Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi. (2000, rated PG-13, 120 minutes)

August 20: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (programmed in collaboration with Victory Gardens Theater)

Everyone in the Portokalos family worries about Toula – a single 30-year-old living with her parents in a Chicago Greek community. When she falls in love with a tall, handsome, but non-Greek man, she struggles to get her family to accept him and come to terms with her cultural heritage. The funny cast includes writer and producer Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, and Michael Constantine. (2002, rated PG, 96 minutes)

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