Film News: Chicago Critics Film Festival Opens May 9, 2014, With Full Lineup of Appearances

CHICAGO – Now in its second year, the Chicago Film Critics Festival opens tonight, May 9th, 2014, with the Chicago Premiere of “They Came Together,” starring Paul Rudd, Amy Poelher, Ellie Kemper, Bill Hader and Ed Helms, and directed by David Wain. Wain makes an appearance after the 7pm screening at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago. Click here for details and the complete schedule for the week long festival. [20]

The Chicago Critics Film Festival is the first of its kind, with members of the Chicago Film Critics Association coordinating the events and selecting the films. The schedule features mainstream and independent film premieres – weeks before their general release – plus two short film programs, late night horror films, revivals and one-of-a-kind live appearances. The festival runs through May 15th.

Included in the week-long presentations are after-film Q&As by filmmakers, actors and even the subjects of the movies on tap. Here is a summary of each of those appearances. All activities of the festival are at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.

May 9th, 7pm – David Wain, Director of “They Came Together”

They Came Together
Photo credit: Lionsgate

David Wain already has an amazing directorial resume, including “Wet Hot American Summer” (2001), Role Models (2008) and Wanderlust (2012), and he’s taking on the Romantic Comedy in “They Came Together.” While attending NYU film school in the late 1980s, Wain became a member of a sketch comedy group that eventually became “The State,” which had a TV show on MTV from 1993-95, and also featured Michael Ian Black and Michael Sholwater. The three would eventually start another comedy trio, “Stella.”

His premiere film as a director, “Wet Hot American Summer,” has become a cult favorite, and his third and fourth features – “Role Models” and “Wanderlust” – were breakout hits. He also has starred in a web series called “Wainy Days,” directed several episodes of the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim series “Children’s Hospital” and is the voice of “The Warden” on that network’s animated series “Superjail!” This creative force will be a must see.

May 10th, 9:45pm – Martin Starr and Jocelyn DeBoer of “Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead”

Dead Snow: Dead vs. Red
Photo credit: Well Go USA Entertainment

In the tradition of dark comedic horror, “Dead Snow: Red Vs. Dead” turns the dial to eleven. If you enjoy a day depicting an accidental killing of a girlfriend with an axe, the chain sawing of an arm off and people being devoured by zombie Nazis, then this film is for you.

Martin Starr is an actor and a writer, and can currently be seen in the HBO series “Silicon Valley,” and portrayed Bill Haverchuck in the legendary TV series “Freaks and Geeks.” His long resume include appearances in “Superbad,” “Adventureland” and “This is the End.” Jocelyn DeBoer is moving up the show business ladder, featured in the TV series “I Hate Being Single” and “Inside Amy Schumer,” and in the upcoming 2014 film “5 to 7.” Come for Martin Starr, stay for the horror comedy.

May 11th, 7pm – Dick Miller of “That Guy Dick Miller”

That Guy Dick Miller
Photo credit: End Films

Nothing sums up a iconic character actor career than a feature documentary. “That Guy Dick Miller” says it all, an overview of the career of actor Dick Miller, who had made appearances in films that include “A Bucket of Blood” (1959), “The Trip” (1967), “Executive Action” (1973), “New York, New York” (1977), “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” (1979), “Gremlins” (1984), “Matinee” (1993), “Small Soldiers” (1998) and “Route 666” (2001), as well as hundreds of TV roles from the 1950s through today. Come see this one-of-a-kind embodiment of film history.

May 13th, 7pm – Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts of “Nick Offerman: American Ham”

Nick Offerman: American Ham
Photo credit: Nick Offerman: American Ham.

The one man show of Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”) is put to screen by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, who directed Offerman in last year’s “The Kings of Summer.” Vogt-Roberts made a splash with his excellent short film “Successful Alcoholics” (featuring T.J. Miller), has directed TV (“Single Dads”) and made his feature debut with the quirky “The Kings of Summer.” Expect some anecdotes about Nick Offerman, and of course, woodworking tips.

May 14th, 7:30pm – Director Bobcat Goldthwait of “Willow Creek”

Willow Creek
Photo credit: Willow Creek

Comedian and now veteran filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait is known for he skewed version of the universe, and that comes to light in “Shakes the Clown” (the Citizen Kane of alcoholic clown movies), “World’s Greatest Dad,” “God Bless America” and his latest horror film “Willow Creek,” which brings Bigfoot back to life.

Goldthwait began his career as a dark humor stand-up comedian in the 1980s, and has appeared in the “Police Academy” series, “One Crazy Summer,” “Scrooged” and “Burglar.” After writing and directing “Shakes the Clown” in 1992, he didn’t return to filmmaking until the mid 2000s. Since then, he has made increasingly interesting and psychological films. This should be a highlight reel of a live-in-person event.

May 15th, 8:30pm – Director Collin Schiffli, Actor David Dasmalchian of “Animals”

Animals
Photo credit: Schiffli Films

The Chicago Film Critics Festival wraps up with “Animals,” a filmed-in-Chicago feature, telling the story of Bobbie and Jude, a couple who lives in their car by Lincoln Park Zoo, and must survive day-by-day on the streets. Director Collin Schiffli makes his feature debut after a career in production and editing. David Dasmalchian portrays the lead role of Jude, and wrote the screenplay. The final film of the festival is a celebration of Chicago!

[21]	By PATRICK McDONALD [22] Senior Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [21]