A Bigger Splash, This Changes Everything, and the premiere of a new Tony Robinson documentary
Thursday
Mommie Dearest (6:30p — Central Library, Rm 302)
Faye Dunaway’s career is headlined by classic roles in Chinatown, Bonnie and Clyde and Network but a look at her later filmography finds the Academy Award winner taking on more um, left field performances like Mommie Dearest. Grabbing its title from Christina Crawford’s memoirs, “Bad Cinema” presents this dramatization of actress Joan Crawford and her tumultuous and abusive relationship with her adopted children. In fact, Christina Crawford alleged that much of her mother’s decision to adopt was a publicity stunt to rehab a failing career. Whether or not that’s true, Dunaway’s trembling, wide-eyed, wire hanger-hating performance is enough to match such an accusation. Admission is FREE.
All freakin’ weekend
The Nice Guys (AMC Star, Point)
Starting out as the 20-something screenwriter behind Lethal Weapon, Shane Black eventually fashioned himself into a post-modern pulp storyteller, unpacking noir tropes in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and superhero shtick in Iron Man 3. The Nice Guys smushes together Ryan Gosling’s alcoholic private-eye and Russell Crowe’s muscle with a heart of gold. The tropes and the L.A. conspiracy about a missing girl and an aging porn star are a little wrote, but it’s a safe bet Black’s specialty blend of humor and whipsmart dialogue fit nicely onto his leads.
A Bigger Splash (Sundance)
Glam rock star Marianne (Tilda Swinton) retreats to an Italian island with her documentarian boyfriend (Matthias Schoenaerts) while she recovers from throat surgery. But their vacation finds a hiccup in the form of Marianne’s ex, former Rolling Stones producer Harry (Ralph Fiennes), and his daughter (Dakota Johnson), with whom he’s just recently reconnected. The resulting mixture of suntans, sex, and awkward dancing to “Emotional Rescue” is a messy update of Jacques Deray’s La Piscine from Luca Guadagnino.
Saturday
That Time You and I (5:00p — The Rigby Pub and Grill)
Frozen Stage Films helps break in The Rigby’s new in-house screening room with this wholesome and self-deprecating cat chase. Admission is FREE.
The LEGO Movie + The Goonies (6:00p + 8:00p — Warner Park)
The first and to date only announced titles in the City of Madison’s FREE summer outdoor movie program.
Wednesday
19: The Tony Robinson Shooting — A Case of Deadly Bias (6:30p — Central Library, Rms 301 & 302)
Following the death of Tony Robinson, police officer Matt Kenny was cleared in an internal investigation by the Madison Police Department. In addition to yet another officer-involved death of a black man and a litany of questions about systemic prejudice and biased profiling in the law enforcement community, the Mar 2015 shooting was also example of biased coverage in the media. At least, that’s what Tim Poehlmann-Tynan argues in his new documentary, indicting slanted narratives in print journalism and parsing out problematic archetypes in “black thugs” and “hero cops.” Next week marks the first public premiere of the film, which is sure to inspire a discussion from our panel, featuring Poehlmann-Tynan as well as Rep. Chris Taylor and Brandi Grayson of the Young, Black and Gifted Coalition. Admission is FREE and open to the public.
This Changes Everything (7:00p — Barrymore Theater)
Climate change is real, and its potential consequences are already being felt in rising shorelines, shrinking glaciers, and record annual temperatures. You knew that and this port of Naomi Klein’s eponymous 2014 indictment of capitalism covers that. What you know less about is the individuals behind those effects. Presented in part by the 350 Madison Climate Action Team, This Changes Everything also looks to damn responsible nations and empower the movements inspired by our planet’s rapid shifts, all with a very aware eye on how bland the subgenre of climate docs can be. An Inconvenient Truth this is not. Admission is $8 in advance and available at barrymorelive.com.