Facets

One of my favorite places in Chicago going back years. Facets, back when it was just an independent theater and rental house, was already amazing, but now that they have a Netflix-​like home shipment service — but featuring the kind of movies you can never get from Netflix — it’s even better. They have tons of great classes, including ones for kids who want to get into film; an amazing rental selection with a helpful and enthusiastic staff; a great theater that shows films that won’t play anywhere else in the country; and, in Milos Stehlik, a director who’s taking it into the future with an eye towards keeping indie film alive and thriving. Magnificent.

The BEST. Facets has been programming the best in independent cinema for Chicago cinephiles for 40 years. With two screenings a night of really amazing work and access to a rental archive of 65,000 films, Facets is, as Roger Ebert once put it, «a temple of great cinema.» Support the temple! Or risk it going the way of the Biograph, the Three Penny, the Village, the Fine Arts, and Piper’s Alley.

Facets is a tiny non-​profit arthouse movie theater that also has a video shop and movie classes. You can always count on them showing something unique and hard-​to-​find. I just wish the screen was a bit larger and that they chairs were a bit more comfortable.

Would give them negative stars if possible. Facets hired my company Puzzle International — a small family owned business — for many years to create subtitles for their foreign films. All our work was delivered on time and to their satisfaction. To this day, many years later, we have not been paid, over $ 5,000. Owner Milo and accounting department won’t answer calls or emails, even though they had acknowledged the debt. They have made no attempt to pay. I’m in Los Angeles, otherwise I’d go there myself collect the debt. I hope their supporters see their true colors.

just a straight-​forward, no nonsense thee-​ate-​er. they have a movie screen, seats, some candy, and most importantly, the movie. stadium seating, but again, low-​key. bathrooms are bathrooms. staff is friendly. that’s all you really need.

I have called there 10 times to coordinate a possible rental and they just won’t answer the phone or call back. It’s really unfortunate, that they are so horribly disorganized and dysfunctional

How should I say this? There is a lot to like about Facets. They are independent, local, and they even appear to have a great selection of hard to find movies. Appear is the key word here.
Before signing up for their Nextflix style rental service, I searched the catalog for about 50 movies that have been difficult for me to find. They claimed to have around 40 of those movies, which was outstanding! So, I signed up for the highest membership level available and eagerly awaited these movies. After about 3 weeks, not one of my top 10 selections had been sent. Ok, not to worry, it’s only been 3 weeks. .. two months later and not a single movie in my top 10 selections had shown up. A basic breakdown of what I experienced over 2 – 3 months of the service is as follows:
Of the movies listed in the catalog, somewhere between 25−35% are not AVAILABLE. You can add them to your rental queue, but they are either missing or I guess the staff keeps them in the back for their own viewing or something.
Of the other 65−75% of the movies in your queue, around 15% will show up cracked in half or completely shattered. You will then have to immediately return the disc and wait about 6 days for a different disc to arrive.
The two problems noted above result in about 70% of the queue being available, and 15% of that 70% being destroyed before you receive the disc. THIS LEAVES AROUND 60% of the selection listed in the catalog actually available for viewing. Unfortunately for me, that 60% does not include the titles that I was most excited to be able to rent.
The lack of AVAILABILITY in their movie selection makes 3 stars a little too much in my opinion. So this is really 2 ½ stars on the sole basis of being independent and local.

I never knew this movie theater existed until a friend invited me here for an indie movie. What a cute location. The theater was intimate and not too expensive. They pop the popcorn fresh, in house and nothing was overpriced like at the big theater houses. I didn’t get to shop in the store, but will try to save more time to do that next time I come. If you know of a movie playing there, go, and be reminded of how movie theaters used to be.

I also had high hopes and want to support this organization, however, it’s difficult when movies are missing and come broken.
They do have great programs and community and dedicated staff, but I find their service a bit disappointing.

Facets charged me over $ 300 for dvds that never arrived, refused to cancel my account when requested. Has anybody else had problems with these guys?
I was really excited about this service – they have an amazing selection. I first heard about them from the Filmspotting guys, whom I love. Really disappointed in their service and the way they treat fellow filmmakers.

They have a great selection of obscure movies, are open until 10 p.m., and have a couple of free parking spaces out front. I don’t like their envelope method of mailing back the movie dvd’s, since they so often break in the mail. That usually ends up being why they don’t have some title they are listed as having in their selections. I can’t bring myself to mail something as awesome as an artistic and obscure movie I know will probably break in the mail, so I always return my movies in person, even though the location is hard for me to get at. There is no deadline and late fees for movies, so that helps.

We signed up for the two week trial membership while on vacation and have already been in the video store twice and enjoyed one movie. This is a nonprofit organization that does an amazing job of supplying unique, quirky, foreign, independent movies. The staff is helpful and very friendly. We have enjoyed our experience so much we will likely continue a paid membership.

As a fan of film, and along time city dweller, I’m almost embarrassed to say this was my first visit to Facets. I have for the longest time wanted to peruse their extensive DVD collection of contemporary, classic and out-​of-​print video, check out their classes, and take in a featured film in their theater. My film friends and I did that last night with a British crime thriller, along with a handful of other audience members.
Entering their modest facility on Fullerton, I had some kind of déjà vu experience, as the space reminded me of being in college and attending a film or play. It was not at all crowded, and we had time to chat up the staff and find out more about the membership offerings. Basically, Facets is similar to a brick and mortar Netflix with memberships starting at $ 8.99 per month, which enable you to take out films, like you would books from a library, one at a time. The selection is impressive to say the least, and they have sections like «employee choices.» which are always helpful, in the way that the guy or gal in the wine store steers you to a good bottle or vintage.
So I like the vibe, the staff and the small screening theater. It’s a good size with, as another patron loudly proclaimed, the most leg room of any theater in the area. Those of you who’ve flown United will be pleased and happy to stretch your legs. Between this place, and my Netflix, queue, I hope that I’m around for another 30 years so I can take in all the good films out there. Like a kid in a candy store.

Apropos it’s called Facets since it’s a many sided, hidden gem.
They host film screenings, rent dvds, sell dvds, have a film school, host parties, a children’s film camp, and have film fests. I’ve attended the Second Saturday screening (the 2^nd Saturday of every month which feature family friendly short film programs and feature films) and the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival. There’s also have plenty of movie showings and events for adults.
All are films that are obscure, foreign, and fun.
This jewel has a good setting and presentation: nice customer service, fun vibe, and tasty popcorn.
«A brilliant yet NOT deeply flawed piece of work.»

We were here today for a child’s birthday party and had a great time. The staff was very, very friendly. The selection of short films that the kids got to see was perfect and a big hit with the little ones. There was popcorn and drinks to enjoy during the films, and I loved the party room upstairs that was bright and overlooked the street below.
This is a great place to host a kids birthday party, and I may plan a party for one of my own kids here in the future.

I just moved in to the area a few months ago, and I walked by this place (never knowing what it was) until a few weeks ago, when I finally decided to Google it.
I’m so glad I did.
This place is a wonderful small theater, and a great small business/​non-​profit to support! They usually have one movie on screen a week, with lots of weekend times. They have an awesome rental library, tons of options. Plus, you can view all of their rental movies online, and even reserve/​order them too!
I decided to get a membership to this place, because it’s an awesome deal (and a great place to support!) Unlimited one rental out at a time and unlimited access (for two people) to any of their theater shows! All for $ 8.99 a month, which is the same price as ONE ticket to their theater. So it well over pays for itself after one trip to the theater.
Also, they provide movie school/​classes/​education to schools and children.

Are you a culture snob? It’s ok if you are here! Do you want to catch a retrospective by a Romanian film director and sit next to film makers and film professors? Well, you will find that here also. Ever since I visited this place in graduate school to see some German films in the 1990s, I have always been happy that Chicago has Facets. Sure, New York has Angelica Film and other places showing art house and foreign films, but this place has been providing a cultural service to the Chicago community for decades.
I always used to figure that if a woman invited me to a film at Facets I was in luck! Nothing has changed. This place is great, and if you take film seriously, this is the place for you.
Parking can be tough. Popcorn is available as are drinks, but don’t expect pizzas and giant nachos.
A truly great Chicago institution.

Facets is a breath of fresh air in the world of film. It’s real, unpretentious, and has the friendliest staff I have ever encountered in a movie theater. I had a Groupon date, which turned out to be an amazing deal (2 tickets, 2 sodas, and 2 popcorns for $ 14!).
We really wanted to check out a documentary called «My Reincarnation,» and fortunately caught it before it ended. The documentary itself was phenomenal, and I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to see it at Facets. I am a sucker for any type of NPO, so I will definitely be coming back here more often and suggest you do the same! 5 well deserved stars.

Runs great films, has character. Single screen.

Chicago is unbelievably fortunate to have an institution like Facets. We in the midwest may not be as hip to the arts as NYC or L.A. but when it comes to cinematic arts Facets stands tall. Not only do they offer classes, show screenings, and distribute hard to obtain local and international independent films, but they also run a DVD-​by-​mail service ala netflix at surprisingly competitive prices.
For my film philosophy class I needed to screen a film that was not released commercially on dvd. I searched high and low and almost gave up before calling Facets. While they didn’t have it either the staff was incredibly helpful in tracking down a bootleg for me. Thanks!
To reiterate what Jason C said, if you live in Chicago and give a damn about film, it does not make any sense whatsoever to NOT be a member of this organization. Well said.

So, I needed to rent La Dolce Vita for the Il Covo party a few nights ago…
Of course, since I am a movie moron, I figured I could just swing by my neighborhood Blockbuster and check one out. I walk up to the counter:
Me: Hi, do you have a copy of La Dolce Vita I could rent?
Uninterested BB employee: La Dolchay WHAT?!
Me: Um, ok… thanks any way.
So, ok. Blockbuster may have 1400 copies of Superbad, but if you are looking for something a bit more… ahem…independent, foreign, off the beaten path (read: better), then head to Facets.
What.a.GEM. Seriously, didn’t even knew it existed. I am not a film buff by a longshot, but when duty calls… I’ll know where to find it. Obscure titles, helpful staff, quick and to the point…
Walked in, stepped up, a sane/​professional film loving clerk helped me find what I needed, checked me in, checked me out… and I was on my way with a 3-​disk set of Italian history. Ahhhhh, thank you for being there for me Facets…
Price was $ 5.40 for 2 nights, but well worth it. They have an oddly large selection.
I’ll be back to catch a flick, methinks… cool place. I mean, unless you LOVE Blockbuster.
La Dolce, WHAT?! ;)