Short Runs: Week of December 14, 2006

(Compiled by Tom Lynch)

* = Recommended

Chris Hefner’s “Birdcatcher” exhibit shows through January 6 at Heaven Gallery, 1550 N. Milwaukee, (773)342-4597.

Fri 15

Bernie

(1996, France) Directed by Albert Duponel. A ultra-black comedy about an orphan out on a mayhem-filled quest. 87m. 35mm. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 6.
*Donnie Darko

(2001, USA) Directed by Richard Kelly. Kelly’s cult classic on suburban fear and eighties nostalgia. $8.50. Music Box (773)871-6604, 3733 N. Southport, midnight.

*Gun Crazy

(1949, USA) Directed by Joseph H. Lewis. A legendary cult noir about a hayseed and a sharpshooter whose shared love of firearms sends them on a rampage. 86m. 35mm. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 7:45.

The Ref

(1994, USA) Directed by Ted Demme. A burglar forces a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve; with Denis Leary and Kevin Spacey. $8.50. Music Box (773)871-6604, 3733 N. Southport, midnight.

Sat 16

*The Big Combo

(1955, USA) Directed by Joseph H. Lewis. A newly restored print of Lewis’ perverse noir; a rogue cop is out to destroy a mobster and win his mistress. 89m. 35mm. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 4:45.

*Donnie Darko

$8.50. Music Box (773)871-6604, 3733 N. Southport, midnight.

French Twist

(1995, France) Directed by Josiane Balasko. A gender-bending comedy about an unhappy housewife who’s tempted away from her jerk husband. 107m. 35mm. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 8.

*Gun Crazy

$9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 3.

*My Name is Julia Ross

(1946, USA) Directed by Joseph H. Lewis. An American girl in London finds herself trapped in a mansion with psycho. 65m. 35mm. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 6:30.

The Ref

$8.50. Music Box (773)871-6604, 3733 N. Southport, midnight.

*You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man

(1939, USA) Directed by George Marshall. W. C. Fields writes as Charles Bogle and embodies Larson Whipsnade and children and ventriloquism puppets everywhere cower. LaSalle Theatre, 4901 W. Irving Park, (312)904-9442, 8.

Sun 17

*Camera Buff

(1979, Poland) Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. A factory worker buys a home-movie camera to shoot the birth of his firstborn, but suffers complex consequences when he develops an obsession with it. 112m. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 3.

Einsturzende Neubauten—Halber Mensh

(1986, Japan) Directed by Sogo Ishii. A doc focusing on the innovative industrial musical group from Berlin. 60m. Beta SP Video. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 5:15.

Mon 18

*My Name is Julia Ross

$9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 6.

*The Scar

(1976, Poland) Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. An honest man is tainted by lies and corruption; a precursor for Kieslowski’s moral-dilemma pictures. 116m. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 7:30.

Tue 19

Bernie

$9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 8:15.

*A Short Working Day

(1981, Poland) Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. Set in an industrial town, and announcement of a staggering boast in meat prices sends the people over the edge; edited amongst doc footage of demonstrations and riots. 73m. $9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 7:45.

Wed 20

*The Big Combo

$9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 6.

French Twist

$9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 7:45.

Thu 21

*Camera Buff

$9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 6.

Einsturzende Neubauten—Halber Mensh

$9. Siskel Film Center (312)846-2600, 164 N. State at Randolph, 8:15.