October 17, 2019 · 2 min read

‘Birth of the Cool,’ ‘Before You Know It’ open at the Ross

The life of Miles Davis is featured in "Birth of the Cool," opening Oct. 18 at the Ross.

Two new films, “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool” and “Before You Know It,” open Oct. 18 at Nebraska’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.

Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, studio outtakes and rare photos, “Birth of the Cool” goes behind the horn to tell the story of a legendary musician. The film examines Miles’ bold disregard for tradition, his clarity of vision, restless determination to break boundaries and constant thirst for new experiences. His motivations made Davis a star — but, they also made him incredibly difficult to live with for the people who loved him most.

“Birth of the Cool,” which is not rated, shows through Oct. 24 at the Ross.

Trailer: "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool"

“Before You Know It” is a charming, but messy, take on family love.

Stage manager Rachel Gurner (played by Hannah Pearl Utt) lives in her childhood apartment above the theater her family owns and operates in New York City. Level-headed, Gurner is the only thing standing between her family — off-kilter actress sister Jackie (Jen Tullock), eccentric playwright father Mel (Mandy Patinkin), and deadpan preteen niece Dodge (Oona Yaffe) — and utter chaos. Then, in the wake of a sudden family tragedy, Rachel and Jackie learn their presumed-deceased mother (Judith Light) is not just alive but thriving as a soap-opera star.

“Before You Know It,” which is not rated, shows through Oct. 24.