Spike Lee’s Latest ‘Chi-Raq’ and Christmas Horror Movie ‘Krampus’ Now Screening (Wed., 12/9/15)

1) Chi-Raq – The latest from director Spike Lee, the movie is again proving Lee is one of the most inventive filmmakers around. Chi-Raq is a reference to an area of south Chicago plagued by gang violence. Certainly sounds like the set-up for your standard Hollywood movie, but Lee enlists Aristophanes to help tell the tale. Remember him? He’s an ancient Greek playwright and the author of Lysistrata, which, you’ll recall (if you were paying attention in class) is about a woman who organizes a protest against the Peloponnesian War by having Athenian women refuse sex with any man until peace is negotiated. Lee along with Kevin Willmott have updated the story to present-day Chicago, and the film features a knock-out cast: In the role of Lysistrata is Teyonah Parris, and she’s joined by Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, David Patrick Kelly, Dave Chappelle, Harry Lennix, Nick Cannon, and many more. My favorite thing about the movie is the tag line on the ad: “No peace? No piece.” Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

2) Krampus – Does the onslaught of Sparkle Season have you down? Are you afraid that if you hear the Chipmunks’ piercing falsetto one more time (when all you really want to do is fill up your gas tank), you’re going to run amok? Has the Yuletide got you tied up in knots? In short, are you over it? Krampus might be just the remedy. It’s based on a German legend about the “anti-Klaus” – a demon who visits children who haven’t been good for goodness sake. Michael Dougherty directs Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and Conchata Ferrell as a typical dysfunctional family coming together for Christmastime. Judging from the trailer, it’s your usual “no place like home for the screwed-up holidays” kinda thing … until a hideous monster lands on the roof and the whole gang is running for their lives. It’s the perfect holiday treat for the little ‘uns – if you don’t mind paying for the years of therapy they’ll need to recover. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

3) Cappy’s Cafe in Shadyside is holding a Team Trivia contest tonight with Trivia Master John. 9 – 11 p.m. Yuengling draft special is $3 for a 20 oz. brew. 5431 Walnut St.

Share on Social Media