UPDATED 4/6/2015: WUD Film and the Cinematheque have cancelled Monday’s “Cannon Fodder” presentation. The Marquee will host the NCAA Championship game instead.
Thursday
La haine (6:30p — Central Library, Rm 302)
“Cinesthesia” presents Mathieu Kassovitz’s 1995 black-and-white French drama FREE. Because hate is kinda not cool.
All freakin’ weekend
Seymour: An Introduction (Sundance)
In his directorial debut, Richard Linklater compatriot Ethan Hawke visits with American pianist Seymour Bernstein, whose once promising career as a concert musician has given way to a humble living as mentor and music teacher. Don’t forget the Madfilm Meetup on Tuesday with Cap Times editor Rob Thomas.
Effie Gray (Sundance)
Emma Thompson pens a script about the put upon better half of 19th-century art critic John Ruskin and Gray’s subsequently miserable prison of domesticity. After Birdman’s Oscar lap, we’re getting another film that paints critics in an unfavorable light. Surely, this will go over well.
Furious 7 (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate, Stoughton Cinema Café)
You’ve heard it several hundred times by now: Dominic Toretto doesn’t have friends; he’s got family. And apparently, when a vengeful brother kills one of those family members, Vin Diesel doesn’t take it lightly. Jason Statham and Kurt Russell bulk up a series that’s taken its overstuffed Batman & Robin casting philosophy to new extremes.
Friday
Into the Woods (6:30p — Pinney Library)
I’ve yet to see Rob Marshall’s take on Stephen Sondheim’s cheeky fantasy musical, but if you’re under the impression it’s what got Meryl Streep a Golden Globe nomination, Meryl Streep got Meryl Streep a Golden Globe nomination. Pinney’s “First Friday Flicks” are FREE.
Fargo (6:45p — Alicia Ashman Library)
By now, Chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) and her “you betcha” accent have become synonymous with the great state of Minneesohta. And that’s a shame considering the Midwest the Coen Brothers have crafted doesn’t just feel lived in. It feels time-honored. Alicia Ashman’s “Best of the Fests” presentation is FREE, which is a pretty sweet deal.
Blind Chance (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
Under the authoritarian thumb of Polish censorship, Krzysztof Kieślowski’s metaphysical travelogue recounts one man’s (Bogusław Linda) repeated brushes with a departing train that fracture his life into three separate possibilities. Influential and experimental, Kieślowski’s drama examines twists of fate like any Polish Masterpiece should. FREE.
“Zombie vs. Slasher” Brew ‘n View (9:00p — Majestic Theatre)
Even if it’s April, everyone’s got March Madness. In addition to their string of Badger basketball “watch parties,” The Majestic’s curated a bracket of slasher and zombie flicks as a fun and slightly hokey way of determining their latest Brew ‘n View. Horror movie trivia at 8:00p precedes the announcement of the 9:00p screening — and even though I don’t believe in sports momentum, Dawn of the Dead has a commanding lead. (Doors at 7:00p. $8 in advance. $10 day of the show.)
Saturday
10 Rillington Place (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
As a thematic (and murderous) follow-up to last week’s Brighton Rock, Cinematheque continues to corrupt your fond childhood memories of the jovial Dr. John Hammond with this FREE Richard Attenborough caper about British serial murderer John Christie (Attenborough), infamously known for strangling women in his apartment at — well, you know the address. Co-starring Judy Gleeson and John Hurt.
Sunday
Taking Off (2:oop — Chazen Art Museum)
There’s a moment in The Simpsons episode “Kamp Krusty” where, after the bus carrying their children off to the “Krustiest Place on Earth” vanishes into the distance, the parents pop bottles of champagne and party like it’s 1992. Miloš Forman’s American debut plays a lot like that, with its temporarily child-free parents tapping into the fountain of youth through bad behavior and Tina Turner performances. FREE.
Monday
Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams (6:30p — Central Library, Rm 301)
The Central Library hosts this FREE presentation of WPT’s documentary on Milwaukee’s maverick attorney-turned-Secretary of State. Phillips, who’s still kicking at 91, was both the first black American and the first woman elected to the position in the state. After its premiere broadcast this past February, Dream Big Dreams chronicles its subject’s rise from common council alderman to one of the most revolutionary political figures in state history.
Death Wish 3 (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
Charles Bronson toughs it out with New York City punks (on the streets of London, shh) in the actor’s third but far from final Death Wish entry. WUD Film and Cinematheque continue their FREE “Cannon Fodder” series highlighting the studio’s wins and warts. But maybe you decide where this falls on the spectrum?
Footloose (1984) (7:00p — Point, Eastgate)
“Ladies Night” has become the condescending $5 series that won’t die.
Director’s Cut: “Wisconsin Film Festival” Edition (8:00p — Wisconsin Public Television)
Not a movie per se, but everybody’s getting out of the festival’s way this week so why not? Host of WPT’s local filmmaker series Pete Schwaba sits down with festival programmers to preview this year’s lineup. And on the off chance you’ve got a game to watch on Monday night, there are encore broadcasts on Tuesday at 2:00p and 11:00p.
Tuesday
Jazz in Exile (6:30p — Goodman South Library)
While working as a videographer for public television, filmmaker Chuck France directed this 1982 documentary on the flight of some of America’s most prolific, gifted musicians to European audiences. France will present a restoration of his seminal film in person as part of the “Jazz at the Library” series. The Madison Public Library’s program, which runs through May, has a number of highlights to look forward to; count this among them. FREE.
Wednesday
The Passion of the Christ (2:25p, 7:30p — Sundance)
Pre-Easter. Post-Easter. It doesn’t matter. Sundance caps their latest offering of “Classics” with Mel Gibson’s humble and thoroughly divisive film.
Johnny Stecchino (7:00p — UW Van Hise Hall, Rm 375)
Roberto Benigni both directs and stars in this Italian language comedy as a bus driver pulled into a mafia scheme to impersonate the titular mobster (also Benigni) who has, unfortunately, tattled on the lot of them. FREE via “La Cineteca.”
Footloose (1984) (7:00p — Point, Eastgate)
$5.