If you are looking for some cultural stimulation this summer, then there is no need to look any further than the State Theater in Ann Arbor on South State Street. The theater, located just down the street from the Michigan Theater, offers a plethora of events and special occasions to fill your summer with enlightening and enriching fun.
The first, playing through this week, is “Damsels In Distress.” This 99-minute film is about three girls attempting to change the male-dominant attitude of their small East Coast college, but are strayed from their mission when a foursome of men come along. This PG-13 rated film stars Greta Gerwig, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Carrie MacLemore and Analeigh Tipton.
“The Kid With a Bike,” also playing through the week, follows a troubled eleven-year-old after being abandoned by his father and taken in by a local hairdresser. The film won the Grand Jury Award at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. While the film is in French, subtitles are included for viewer convenience.
“Monsieur Lazhar,” directed by Philippe Falardeau, follows an Algerian immigrant who replaces a popular school teacher in a Montreal public grade school after she commits suicide in her classroom. The stunning ensemble of child actors adds emotional ties to the movie. The PG-13 rated film was also nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2011.
The premiering film on June 2, “28 Hotel Rooms,” is an alluring drama about two people traveling for work, both in relationships, who happen to meet and click during a one-night stand. The film stars Chris Messina (“Away We Go”) and Marin Ireland, and is directed by Matt Ross in his feature-length film debut.
The main event for the summer appears to be Cinetopia, an international four-day film festival that plays over 30 films at the Michigan Theater. The festival features the “brightest and best of contemporary films now playing the international circuit” according to the website. The festival begins on May 31 and runs through June 3. For more information on the films playing and show times, visit michtheater.org.
Not only does the State Theater play recently released films, but it also plays films from the past that have influenced the media and pop-culture, as well as the film industry itself. The list of classics includes “Bonnie and Clyde,” the iconic 1967 film about a couple on a crime spree, starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.
“The Royal Tenenbaums,” showing as a midnight movie, is a star-studded film about a dysfunctional family going through the motions while dealing with their deliriously rude and out-of-touch father, played by Gene Hackman (“Unforgiven”). The film also stars Ben Stiller (“Meet the Parents”) and Gwyneth Paltrow (“Shallow Hal”).
“Superman,” the 1978 DC Comics comic book hero classic that stars Christopher Reeves and Margot Kidder will also be showing this summer on June 1.
For a complete list of films showing at the State Theater this summer, check out their website at michtheater.org. The website also offers a complete listing of show times for not only the State Theatre, but also listings for films playing at the Michigan Theater, located on East Liberty Street.
