The Take Three » Free and Fun

The “Have You Seen Me?” Oscars game

thetakeonmovies — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:06:36 +0000

Just in case you’re still preparing for your Oscars party tomorrow (like we are), we thought we’d be helpful and pass along some of the games we’re creating for our guests. The “Have You Seen Me?” Oscars game is simple and fun. Download it at a pdf here and print it out double-sided for your guests. Have them score one point for each movie they’ve seen in the theater, and a half point for each movie they’ve seen on DVD or on television. The guest with the highest score wins– and YOU provide the prize. Need some fun ideas? Try movie candy and microwavable popcorn bundled together with ribbon or a $5 movie gift card.

59 movies were nominated for Academy Awards this year. How many have you seen?

Last-minute Oscar decorations: Best picture posters

thetakeonmovies — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:12:59 +0000

Preparing for your Oscars party on Sunday and need some last-minute decorations? We’ve got you covered. Click on each of the best picture nominees below to download their theatrical movie posters. Print them out in color, and you’ve got automatic Oscar party decorations. See? It doesn’t have to be hard.

Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

Download Oscar pool sheet; win money from friends

thetakeonmovies — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:37:24 +0000

It was a tight squeeze this year, with soooooooo many more nominees than normal (10 for best picture instead of five; five for animated film instead of three; and five for original song instead of three), but we made it work. Behold: This year’s Oscar pool sheet. Download it as a PDF here and print it out; photocopy as a double-sided document. Voila! You and your friends are able to gamble on Sunday night.

The Rules Are Simple.
For each category, number the nominees one through five; one means you think this nominee will definitely win the Oscar, and five means you think it has no shot. This way for each category, you have a numerical score. Once all of the awards are presented, total up the scores for each participant and the low score wins. Have everyone throw $5 into the pot, and the winner takes all. Yay gambling!

A birthday movie tradition

thetakeonmovies — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:30:01 +0000

Flickr/Sweet! Cupcakes and Treats (Just Cupcakes!)

February can be a tough month to make it out to the theater. After all, it snows constantly, and snuggling up in front of the fireplace is usually more appealing than trekking out in your waterproof boots. Also, the movies that are out in February fall into two categories for the most part, in our opinion: Oscar nominees, and terrible, terrible romantic comedies. We should know. Our birthday is in February, and we go to the movies every year on our birthday; we’ve caught a healthy mix of the good and the bad. Since our birthday just passed last Friday, we thought it would be fun to recall all of the birthday movies we’ve seen (and remember) from over the years. Chances are if you’re reading this post, you’ve been with us in the theater at least once or twice. So how ’bout it…you up for a birthday movie tradition yourself? (We’ve stayed true to our tradition for at least the past nine years; click on the links below for proof.)

1994: My Father, The Hero
1996: Black Sheep
1998: Good Will Hunting
2000: Scream 3
2001: The Wedding Planner
2002: In the Bedroom
2003: Chicago
2004: The Triplets of Belleville
2005: The Wedding Date
2006: Capote
2007: Little Children
2008: Over Her Dead Body
2009: The Reader
2010: The Blind Side

What’s better than karaoke? Movieoke, of course

thetakeonmovies — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:51:18 +0000

Flickr/theleetgeeks

We know we don’t live in Chicago anymore, but we liked this too much to pass it up: Movieoke is sweeping the Windy City. Movieoke is like karaoke, but rather reenacting your favorite classic movie scenes. Costumes are provided, and you can choose from over 200 scenes to act out while they’re projected on a screen behind you. Next movieoke is Dec. 7 at the Whistler (2421 N. Milwaukee) and drinks are available, so bring your friends. Read up on all the details, and let us know how it goes. Shout out to @katfrank for alerting us to this!

“Paranormal Activity” screening tonight in Georgetown

thetakeonmovies — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:04:26 +0000

Photo: bloody-disgusting.com

Horror fans can rejoice: It’s October, and that means Halloween-esque movies are out in full effect. You’ve got “Zombieland,” “The Stepfather,” “The Vampire’s Assistant” and “Saw VI” all to choose from this month, and tonight you have a special sneak preview of “Paranormal Activity” (not due out until November 5). Tickets are all through DC101′s Elliot in the Morning show, and if you haven’t got yours already, it may be too late. But hey, stop by the theater and maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of Elliott, and maybe he’ll throw some free tickets your way.

For diehard horror fans, we say it’s worth a shot.

Michael Moore + red carpet = The Uptown Theatre tonight

thetakeonmovies — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:57:01 +0000

Flickr/Reza Vaziri

Love him or hate him, Michael Moore knows how to bring out the debate in people. And tonight, he can bring out the debate in you. His new documentary, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” which makes its nationwide debut on Friday, is having a special DC premiere tonight at the Uptown Theatre in Cleveland Park. If you’ve never before checked out a debut from afar at this great movie house, make your move tonight. There will be a red carpet and you’ll catch a glimpse of Moore and any other celebs who make it out. Don’t believe us? TiVo tonight’s “ET” and you’re bound to see shots of this uptown neighborhood behind Moore on tonight’s red carpet.

Want more Michael? Check out DCist.com for the full story.

Summer may be ending, but outdoor screenings continue

thetakeonmovies — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:01:54 +0000

A fan dresses up as Dark Helmet from "Spaceballs" at Comic-Con in 2006. (Flickr/Joits)

Missing all those outdoor summer movie screenings? With the fun fall weather upon us here in Washington, DC, somebody’s got the right idea about continuing the free flicks. The Capitol Riverfront, in case you didn’t know, is the neighborhood springing up all around the new Nationals baseball stadium. In an effort to keep the community lively and keep people moving in, neighborhood planners have an entire calender of regular events going on in the area– including free movies on Thursday nights. Last week, they kicked off their Outer Space outdoor movie series with “Toy Story,” and the line-up will continue over the next three weeks:

September 24: “Spaceballs” at Canal Park
October 1: “Apollo 13″ at Canal Park
October 8: “Star Wars” (location TBA)

It’s fall, so go apple picking and buy your Halloween candy early, but don’t forget your free movies in the meantime. Visit the Capitol Riverfront’s site for full details.

Last chance for outdoor movies in Grant Park

thetakeonmovies — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:46:19 +0000

Chicagoans cherish their summers, and this one in particular has been filled with mild weather, not the typical sticky summer sweat. Weather perfect for spending the evening relaxing in a park with a nice picnic and enjoying some free movies. Lucky for you, Chicago Park District hosts Movies in the Park every summer, but it ends soon, so act fast! This Tuesday is the last night for Grant Park movies, but the rest of the city will extend through September 4. Either way, your time is short so grab a blanket and check out some of your favorite flicks on a nice big screen– for free.

Where It’s At: Map of this week’s participating Chicago City Parks
Weather Report: Mid-70′s and showers
Recipe of the Week: Black Bean and Avocado Salsa

Monday, August 24
Ghostbusters (1984) at River Park
Kung Fu Panda (2008) at Ellen Gates Starr Park

Tuesday, August 25
Tootsie (1982) at Butler Field in Grant Park
American Graffiti (1973) at Erie Park
Sunset Boulevard (1950) at Osterman Beach
The Philadelphia Story (1940) at Lincoln Park Cultural Center

Wednesday, August 26
Bee Movie (2007) at Garfield Park Conservatory
Kung Fu Panda (2008) at Kedvale Park
Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys (2008) at Jackie Robinson Park

Thursday, August 27
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) at Skinner Park
Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008; 3D) at Seward Park
Kung Fu Panda (2008) at Portage Park

Friday, August 28
Freedom Writers (2007) at Clarendon Park Community Center
Kung Fu Panda (2008) at Roosevelt Park
Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (2008) at Cole Park

Saturday, August 29
Casablanca (1942) at Jonquil Playlot Park
Sparkle (2007) at DuSable Museum
The Tale of Despereaux (2008) at Norwood Park

Sunday, August 30
Akeelah and the Bee (2006) at Unity Playlot Park

“Break-Up,” “Mad Hot Ballroom” and “Goonies” all at Movies in the Park

thetakeonmovies — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:04:16 +0000

Have you made it to your fair share of Chicago festivals yet this summer? If not, you are missing out. Before the weather gets too cold to hang outdoors, make sure you live up the famous Chicago summer. Free movies are offered every week at Movies in the Park, beginning around 8:30pm every evening. Get out there, bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy some free flicks!

Where It’s At: Map of this week’s participating Chicago City Parks
Weather Report: Mid to high 70′s and thunderstorms
Recipe of the Week: Barbecued Spare Ribs

Tuesday, August 18
Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) at Butler Field in Grant Park
Lilies of the Field (1963) at Palmer Park
The Blackboard Jungle (1955) at West Pullman Park
The Break-Up (2006) at the Chicago History Museum

Wednesday, August 19
El Viaje de Teo (2008; subtitles) at Independence Park
Kung Fu Panda (2008) at Blackhawk Park
Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys (2008) at White Park

Thursday, August 20
Iron Man (2008) at Harris Park
The Longshots (2008) at Clark Park
The Sting (1973) at Douglas Park Cultural & Community Center

Friday, August 21
Mad Hot Ballroom (2005) at Athletic Field Park
Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa (2008) at Golden Gate Park and Veterans’ Memorial Park
Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys (2008) at Ada Park

Saturday, August 22
Coraline (2009) at Revere Park
TBD (subtitles) at Humboldt Park
The Fighting Temptations (2003) at DuSable Museum

Sunday, August 23
Kung Fu Panda (2008) at Churchill Field Playlot Park
The Goonies (1985) at Chase Park