06/25/09

Amazing place to catch a show!

by SimmySimmyYaaaa

This is a nice little theater with a huge ammount of spirit and high quality films. The main theater is a giant room with really good sound and a huge screen. The small theater is not as impressive, but still a good spot to catch a flick. Check the website for show times because it's worth the trip.

• Pros: Great staff, great content!
• Cons: Not for people who don't LOVE film

12/11/06

The Best Theatre in Chicago

by goodfellamikec

I practically LIVED in this theatre growing up. The only place to see the classics and now the LAST theatre to show midnight movies in the Windy City. The Popcorn is made with real butter. For a real treat, check out their annual Christmas program!

• Pros: Great architecture, top movies, great concessions
• Cons: Seats are a bit uncomfortable, and parking is tough when the cubs are playing

11/10/06

My favorite arthouse/independent theater

by dctomlinson

My favorite arthouse/independent theater. Love the movies, the midnight cult movies, the mix of independent, foreign and older classic movies.

The smaller 16mm theater where I saw Blue Angel in the original German is very small and cramped.

The main theater is certainly bigger and more spacious, but I sure wish they would replace the seating. For a marathon all night horror fest they had a while back, my back emerged fealing broken.

The main reason to go is for the movies. My list of the consistently best movie programming in Chicago: Music Box, Century Center, Gene Siskel.

• Pros: Movies, Movies, Movies...and the neighborhood has a great selection of restaurants for lunch.
• Cons: seats are 50 years old and sometimes broken. Uncomfortable at times

10/23/06

A true landmark movie palace, and one of the best spots anywhere for foreign and independent film.

by Contributor

In Short
Built in 1929, the theater's distinctive jazz-age look draws upon Italian, Spanish and American influences. The "night sky" ceiling of moving clouds and other elaborate decor make the 750-seat main auditorium a visual delight. In addition to visiting film festivals, the weekend matinee series highlights Hollywood classics and documentaries. Those seeking the offbeat should check out the Friday and Saturday midnight screenings, which include everything from 1970s exploitation fare to animated adult features.

07/30/06

A true gem worth keeping for film viewing

by greenline74

The Music Box is so unique that I would truly miss it if it were to close down. The Music Box has a lot of character from the decor on inside, to the organ in the main theater, to the selection of films. As they tout, they feature "the year round film festival."

The seats leave something to be desired, but I've sat in worse in newer locales. Don't expect to be wooed and wowed, but do expect a unique experience.

• Pros: Atmosphere, accessability, unique film selections
• Cons: Seat comfort, front audio only

03/16/03

beautiful theater

by armaghetto

The main theater is great. it's huge and well decorated. my first time there, i had a hard time paying attention to the movie and not the clouds and twinkling stars on the ceiling.

seating is more than ample in the main theater. the sound and picture quality leave something to be desired, but the theater makes up for it with atmosphere and location.

• Pros: "indie" films, midnight showings, beatiful theater
• Cons: seats a bit cramped, sound quality, picture quality

09/01/02

5 years of going here

by zephyr

I really do enjoy coming here, with others or alone. The film selection is the best in town as is the early 30's atmosphere. If you like classic theatres then this is your place. The chairs are a bit uncomfortable...feels like they have not changed these since the 30's. The bathrooms are crampt...so hope you are the only one in there, or "go" before you go!

The main viewing room is fascinating...a blue lit ceiling with twinkling stars and moving clouds coupled with amber lamps and burgandy curtains makes the place enchanting (a good date place!)

The 2nd room is ok...its very crampt in there as well. I suggest seeing a film playing on the main screen.

Overall, I think the Music Box is a feather in the hat of Chicago.

• Pros: film selection, atmosphere, 3 blocks tobrown line
• Cons: comfort, bathrooms

07/18/02

THE Theatre for Film Buffs

by baanfire

This is a classic theatre for classic films. Recent revivals have included Patton and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Films like these look and sound so much better in a theatre and the Music Box is a perfect showcase. The theatre is beautifully charming with ornate decorations, a "night sky" projected on the ceiling and a live organist on weekends. Afterwards, there are plenty of good restaurants and bars within walking distance.

• Pros: Classic Films, Foreign Films, Charming Atmosphere
• Cons: Street or Pay Parking, No stadium seating

06/27/02

back in time...

by cspeering

This is what it must have been like to go to the movies 50 years ago. The place isn't very comfortable or clean, but it's a unique film experience. The ceiling has glow-in-the-dark stars that twinkle and move. The best thing is that they show non-mainstream films. And the popcorn's not bad either.

05/31/02

nice old place

by jpanderson_citysearch

i don't go to this theater much anymore, just because the landmark century theater is so much more comfortable. but for a dose of nostalgia, this neighborhood theater can't be beat. they play organ music before shows on the weekends, and the ceiling twinkles with lights across a painted sky. not very comfortable, but still worth a visit.

• Pros: great ambience
• Cons: obscure movies, uncomfortable