JUNE IS CUFF MONTH
Industrial Accident : The Story of Wax Trax ! Records
C
hicago ’ s 25th Annual Underground Film Festival ( CUFF ) returns to the restored Logan Theatre June 6 with an international slate of diverse , innovative , and provocative films and videos screening over five days . The world ’ s longest running underground film festival , the event opens with the U . S . premiere of the documentary Industrial Accident : The Story of Wax Trax ! Records , a chronicle of Chicago ’ s most famous independent record label . Directed by Julia Nash , the daughter of Wax Trax ! Co-Founder Jim Nash , the documentary highlights the
By Lori Vernon
humble beginnings of Jim and his partner , Dannie Flesher , as they built one of the most influential American independent record labels . In 1978 they opened Wax Trax ! Records in Chicago , which would evolve into a record store and music label like no other — Wax Trax ! became the nexus of the new wave , punk rock and industrial music scenes , and America ’ s preeminent industrial label of the 1980s and ’ 90s .
CUFF has established itself as the premier venue for emerging independent filmmakers . From high camp to formal experimentation , CUFF programs films that wildly exceed
expectations while breaking the boundaries of genres – films made with passion , obsession , and drive . ** Moviemaker Magazine named CUFF one of the “ coolest underground / experimental film festivals in the world .” You can find more information on the festival , which runs through June 10 , at www . cuff . org .
Meanwhile , back at the mainstream multiplexes , the box office has been dismal despite a stack of massively anticipated yet strongly underperforming films . Can the latest Jurassic Park tent pole turn things around ? Check out these new releases in June .
Jurassic World : Fallen Kingdom Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona Rated : PG-13 • June 22
Three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park and resort , the abandoned Isla Nublar is inhabited by surviving creatures roaming freely , fending for themselves in the jungles . When the island ’ s dormant volcano roars to life , former dino-trainer Owen ( Chris Pratt ), and ex-park manager turned rescuer Claire ( Bryce Dallas Howard ) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event . Upon arriving on the unstable island , their expedition uncovers a conspiracy that could return our entire planet to a perilous order not seen since prehistoric times . Ted Levine , B . D . Wong , Rafe Spall , James Cromwell and Toby Jones also star . Look for a cameo by Dr . Ian Malcolm ( Jeff Goldblum ), and a crazy new hybrid dinosaur called an Indoraptor !
Adrift Directed by Baltasar Kormakur Rated : PG-13 • June 1
Based on the true story of Tami Oldman ( Shailene Woodley ) and her fiancé Richard Sharp ( Sam Claflin ), who set sail from Tahiti only to find themselves caught in the middle of one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in history . After being knocked unconscious , she awakes to finds her boat in ruins and Richard gravely injured . The story follows her fight for survival during a 1,500-mile journey back to Hawaii .
Ocean ' s Eight Directed by Gary Ross Rated : PG-13 • June 8
This all-female spin-off of Ocean ’ s Eleven follows Danny Ocean ’ s sister , Debbie ( Sandra Bullock ), as she attempts to pull off the heist of the century at New York City ’ s star-studded annual Met Gala . She assembles the perfect crew of “ experts ” to help with the task . The stellar cast includes Cate Blanchett , Rihanna , Mindy Kaling , Awkwafina , Helena Bonham Carter , Anne Hathaway and Sarah Paulson in this action-heist film .
Gotti Directed by Kevin Connely Rated : R • June 15
John Travolta stars as the legendary mobster John Gotti who was head of the largest and most powerful crime organization in North America , the Gambino Family . His flamboyant style , charm , and ruthless personae made him the most famous mobster in the 20th Century .
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14 illinoisentertainer . com june 2018