“Leviathan” is just one of the WI Film Fest’s many titles playing this week. So so many.
We come to it at last. The great Lord of the Rings quote of our time.
Err, the 2013 Wisconsin Film Festival, too. It starts this Thursday and keeps the party bumping all through April 18th. And boy is it looking to be quite the party. I shall enjoy pretending the rest of this week’s offerings even stand a chance, but we both know I’m a terrible liar. Shall we dance?
WUD Film Presents: Half the Sky Part 2 (Tuesday)
WUD Film concludes its two-part feature of the PBS documentary exploring women’s struggles worldwide. No, it doesn’t sound very uplifting to us either, but the message is most definitely an important one. Len Ziegler doesn’t care whether you watch the film or read Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s original book so long as you recognize. We certainly recognize him for watching it ahead of time, but if thy interest still be piqued, Half the Sky Part II plays at the Union South Marquee tonight at 7 pm.
Sundance Classics: The Godfather (Wednesday)
Sure, last week’s Casablanca selection was good, but now with The Godfather it seems like Sundance is setting unrealistic expectations. What’s next, a recently discovered copy of Stanley Kubrick’s original A.I.? A surprisingly still living Charlie Chaplin introducing Modern Times in front of a very modern dubstep score? Look how they’ve massacred my enthusiasm. If my references aren’t making sense, you have two chances to catch The Godfather Wednesday at 1:15 and 7:20, so don’t tell me you’re innocent, Carlo.
WUD Film and Pres House Present: Trigger (Wednesday)
The documentary from director David Barnhart explores gun violence before the screening wraps with a swell Q&A. Here’s hoping this one’s a little more uplifting than it sounds when Trigger screens for free at 7 pm at the Marquee.
Majestic’s Brew ‘N View: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Thursday)
It doesn’t beat the disturbing masochism of Home Alone 2, but John Hughes’ 80’s classic sounds like as good a choice as any to watch over a few brews. Provided you’re on time and you bring five bucks when the Majestic starts the show at 8:30 pm. And provided you’re of legal drinking age. Show up with a fake ID and there’s no guarantee we can keep Rooney from tracking you down.
Opening Wide: 42 and Scary Movie V
One time I was at a Brewers game staring at the retired jersey numbers and told my friend I couldn’t remember who wore “42” for Milwaukee. Still not sure he knew I was joking. Longtime screenwriter, sometimes director Brian Helgeland hasn’t made a movie since 2006’s Payback: Straight Up with Mel Gibson. His Jackie Robinson biopic opens this weekend and it’s probably better than that movie. Let’s hope Harrison Ford finally embraces his fiery old man persona as Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey.
You probably didn’t ask for it, but Scary Movie V also opens Friday. We certainly didn’t want another one. Accepting the sad fact that Leslie Nielsen is no longer with us to class up this poop shack is a terrible feeling.
PICK OF THE WEEK: THE WISCONSIN FILM FESTIVAL (April 11th – April 18th)
Psst. Those other films up there? Yeah, they can stick it. There’s just no way to compete with the Film Festival’s almighty hegemony over Madison both this week and next. And if it seems longer, that’s because it’s eight days this year. Seriously, Jim Healy and Christina Martin-Wright literally cannot make this any easier for you short of providing a free trolley service at Hilldale. Oh wait.
Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing; the mindblowing documentary Leviathan; a special appearance by E.L. Katz and Pat Healy before Cheap Thrills; Blancanieves’ Spanish retelling of Snow White; Michael Apted and 56 Up; 7 Boxes; Ornette: Made in America. We’re so excited, any writing beyond incoherent lists with semicolons is too mentally taxing.
Still need recommendations? We came up with five. The WI Film Festival came up with the rest.
- You can always find more information about what’s playing in Madison by checking out our Screening Calendar