Want to watch a movie with Craig Brewer? Memphis moviemaker to host 'secret screening'

Memphis moviemaker Craig Brewer will host a "secret screening" of one of his favorite films on Friday, March 25, at the Crosstown Theater in Crosstown Concourse.

"GUARANTEED TO BE A GOOD TIME!!" promises the Crosstown Arts website, emphasizing its pledge with capital letters and two count 'em two exclamation points.

To back up this claim, the event includes more than a movie: The Lucky 7 Brass Band — an ensemble in which some of city's best musicians perform horn-heavy music that connects Memphis soul to the brass band sound of New Orleans — will perform before the movie, starting at 7:30 p.m.

The film will start shortly after 8, following what Brewer calls a "brief and lively" introduction featuring Brewer and some "special guests," who will discuss "why this movie is so exciting to me and why I think this movie is fun or relevant."

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This introduction will require some finesse: Brewer said the identity of the movie won't be revealed during the talk and will remain unknown until the film's credits actually appear onscreen.

The event will be the first of what Brewer said he hopes will be a monthly series of similar "secret screenings" at which he will introduce movies that influenced or impressed or especially entertained him.

Those guidelines cover a lot of territory: In the past, Brewer has cited everything from Thomas Vinterberg's Danish-language "The Celebration" to Prince's "Purple Rain" as key influences.

"The format is, I have a movie that I want to show people, and I would like it to be a party or a gathering," he said. To that end, a musical act will be part of each screening.

"The audience experience has got to be unique," he said. "That's what going to the movies has over watching at home, whether it's something unusual like this or seeing 'Spider-Man' or 'Batman' in a packed house. I want people to really have a good time."

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The screening comes two days before the annual Academy Awards telecast. Brewer's career received a boost when his first nationally distributed feature, "Hustle & Flow," won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2006. The film also received a Best Actor nomination, for Terrence Howard.

Some other movies directed by Brewer include "Black Snake Moan" (2007), with Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci, and the two most recent Eddie Murphy features, "Dolemite Is My Name" (2019) and "Coming 2 America" (2021).

As with most film screenings at Crosstown, admission is $5. In accordance with Crosstown Arts’ COVID-19 policies, proof of vaccination or of a negative COVID-19 test is required to attend.

For tickets or more information, visit crosstownarts.org.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Craig Brewer, Memphis moviemaker, to host screenings at Crosstown