The Chicago Critics Film Festival is May 17th-May 23rd – Your chance to see films hand-picked by the Chicago Film Critics Association before anyone else does with the filmmakers in attendance at The Music Box Theatre to answer questions about their films. Tickets and info at musicboxtheatre.com

Alien 40th Anniversary Screening on 35mm—Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi classic about a space crew that discovers a scary new life form. Actor Tom Skerritt scheduled to attend
The Farewell— Sundance Film festival hit starring Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians) about a Chinese family planning a wedding under sad circumstances. writer/director Lulu Wang scheduled to attend
Yesterday—Writer Richard Curtis (Love Actually) and Director Danny Boyle (T2 Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire) about a struggling musician who realizes he’s the only one who knows who The Beatles are.
Light From Light—a single mom moonlighting as a paranormal investigator travels to Tennessee with her son for a new case; filmmaker Paul Harrill and co-star Jim Gaffigan, (Chicago native. Then That Follow) scheduled to attend.
The Nightingale—Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) as a young Irish convict woman out for revenge against a British officer. Actress Aisling Franciosi scheduled to attend
Our Time Machine—documentary about an artist who collaborates on a special stage performance inspired by an aging father’s Alzheimers diagnosis.
Pink Wall—debut feature film from actor Tom Cullen (“Knightfall,” “Orphan Black”) stars Jay Duplass and Tatiana Maslany star as a couple navigating life, love over 6 years. Cullen, Duplass, and Maslany scheduled to attend
Additional special guests include filmmaker Gurinder Chadha and actor Viveik Kalra Blinded By The Light; Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan Saint Frances; and Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe Greener Grass.

A few recommendations of films we’ve already seen.

Alice – The story of a wife/mother of a young child finds out her husband isn’t who she thought he was. She takes over the household and finances by becoming the kind of high priced escort her husband spent their money on. What happens when her husband comes back?

The Art of Self Defense – Saw this surprisingly fun dark comedy at SXSW. Red Carpet interviews with Director Riley Stearns, actors Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Vivola, Imogene Poohs below. About About a young man who gets beaten to a pulp and decides to get Karate training to defend himself, but gets caught up in much more. Clever twists.

Skin – This short film won Best Live Action Short film at this year’s Academy Awards. This powerful statement on race is is shocking and will stay with you.