Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Live At The Chicago Theatre

After a thirty-year-plus hiatus, Todd Rundgren's Utopia graced the Chicago Theater stage, with the hopes of promising fans an extraordinary, other-worldly concert experience. In the 1990s Todd retired Utopia and reverted to making his own music, with varying degrees of success, and then last year came the announcement of the long-awaited U.S. reunion tour, where the album in review here originates. Recorded in Chicago on 22nd May 2018, the music reflects a run through many of the finer moments of the Utopia back catalogue. Todd is joined by fellow original members Willie Wilcox (drums) and Kasim Sultan (bass), alongside replacement keyboard player Gil Assayas who covered at short notice for an indisposed Ralph Shuckett. The original 70's-formed band established a stellar reputation for stretching the prog rock/pop. MUSICIANS Todd Rundgren – Guitar, Lead Vocals Kasim Sultan – Bass, Guitars, Lead Vocals Willie Wilcox – Drums Gil Assayas – Keyboards, Backing Vocals

Medusa

An aquatic journey

Terra Nullius or: How to Be a Nationalist

Even uninhabited archipelagos may be subject to drawn out territorial disputes if they are rich in oil deposits. However, the filmmaker is more concerned with how ownership issues reverberate amongst nationalists in competing countries rather than in the history of the dispute or its resolution, making it possible to present the patriotic pathos-soaked ceremonies of the Japanese, the efforts of Chinese authorities to complicate diversionary activities, and the expressive protests and bizarre rituals of Taiwanese activists. The desire to understand the situation leads the director to participate in several futile attempts to land on the islands. Although he finds himself on the frontline during an escalation in the conflict, he is able to maintain his distance as an impartial observer.

Blackboard Jumble

A wolf with a Southern accent walks by just as a teacher is getting fed up with his class and walks out. Unfortunately, the class consists of three junior clones of Droopy, who manage to try his patience.

Strange Object

An archival investigation into the imperial image-making of the RAF ‘Z Unit’, which determined the destruction of human, animal and cultural life across Somaliland, as well as Africa and Asia.

Gavroche rêve de grandes chasses

Funnicus is hunting, while at his home many of his friends await his return very impatiently. Suddenly he makes his appearance, his game-bag full, of newspapers. He tells his friends that he actually disdains small game, and to illustrate the story of his wondrous adventures, turns the house topsy-turvy. His wife, alarmed, advises him to go to bed and calm his excited brain. Nightmares disturb his sleep. He finds himself in Africa, traveling on camel, accompanied by many guides. He arrives at an Arab's camp and jests with the Arabian maidens who, for revenge, put out his fires in the forest the following night. The fires out, the wild beasts arrive, and he just has time to climb a tree where he is out of reach of two big lions, who wait for him at the foot of the tree. Our great Hunter courageously risks his life by descending from the tree. He tries to strangle the lion, but suddenly awakens and finds himself clutching at his wife's throat.

Antonia – Tränen im Paradies

Antonia lives happily with her aristocratic husband on their Bavarian mansion until a child is abducted and their idyll comes to an abrupt end

Baptiste Lecaplain et ses potes : Le spectacle

National Theatre Live: Saint Joan

Josie Rourke directs Gemma Arterton as Joan of Arc in Bernard Shaw's electrifying classic. Performed at the Donmar Warehouse, and part of the NT Live series of broadcasts.

Iberia

Adaptation of the suite "Iberia" by Isaac Albeniz. Documentary about the world of flamenco. The story arises from the music itself and those who interpret it: the musicians and dancers. The film recreates and reinvents musical pieces and merges classical ballet, contemporary and Spanish dance and flamenco

Piggy Bank

Animated adaptation of Kir Bulychyov's sci-fi short fiction.

Persona non grata

Actually everything was forgotten, the ghosts of the past were banished. But then one stroke of fate followed the other and it was time to meet the demons.

Bingwit

Salem is an ambitious woman who uses her body to attract three men - her politician husband Domingo, the hunk servant Medel/Arnel, and her boy toy Aldon - until Medel/Arnel and Aldon fall in love with each other!

Momentos de Tensão

Metallica With Michael Kamen Conducting The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra ‎– S&M

Recorded live at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley

Sakaratul Maut

At a time when Pak Wiryo found it difficult to die because he had a 'hold', the children of his first wife and second wife were fighting over the inheritance.

Me

A handyman named Hans moves to a small town in Majorca where his his presence strikes a discord with the local residents.

Atenas

Persephone is released from prison after three years. Returning to the neighborhood will present him with a new hell. Without a job, she gets the help of Juana who shelters her in her house and with whom she looks for some changa to survive.

Fire Under Her Skin

Thérèse, who has come from the city, has married the sad Louis Raboux, a violent peasant who dies under unclear circumstances. Thérèse stays at the farm with Célestin, who loves her, but dares not say it out of shyness. The arrival of Pierre, who knew Louis and has something to hide, complicates the situation. Célestin's jealousy, which the maid Julia tries to console. Thérèse and Pierre's passionate love. The police arrest the young man and Célestin chases Thérèse, who falls from the roof. Célestin throws the body into an abyss, only to see Pierre reappear. In a rage, he too rushes into the ravine, from which Thérèse emerges, a new miracle-worker, ready to throw herself into the arms of her lover.

Bhala Thandanana

An investigative journalist digs deeper into a slew of cold blooded murders only to find out the truth behind her accountant boyfriend.