Thursday
Madison 48 Hour Film Festival — (7:00p, 9:00p — Sundance)
Not one but two screenings of short films courtesy of Wisconsin’s local filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts. The 48 Hour Film Project is a traveling competition where teams compete to finish a short film under specific criteria. This year’s challenge? Combine pillow, a kleptomaniac named Sinclair or Sylvia Vandermint, and the line “Forget everything I just said.” Tickets are $12 per screening and cash only.
The Suitor (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
A shy astrology student is smitten with a singer on television, nevermind that he may be missing out on the catch right next door. Etaix’s first feature length film, The Suitor will be preceded by Etaix’s first short film, “Rupture.”
Friday
The Fall (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
Before Tarsem Singh lobotomized audiences us with Snow White adaptations and 300 knock-offs he was producing more provocative, visually inventive fare. Take the J-Lo thriller The Cell, a film whose imagery remains unnerving over a decade later. Better yet, take 2006’s The Fall. Among Roger Ebert’s favorite “overlooked ” films, Tarsem largely financed The Fall out of his own pockets. The Cinematheque and WUD Film continue their FREE ongoing Ebert series with this tale of stuntman Lee Pace and one wild, rollicking adventure on 35mm.
All freakin’ weekend
The Wolverine (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate, Sundance)
You’d be hard pressed to find many defenders of 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, in part because it’s since fallen into obscurity by the superior X-Men: First Class, and in part because it’s a terrible film. While not exactly dazzling critics, James Mangold’s The Wolverine seems to have garnered a much more positive reaction, particularly in proximity to other disappointing summer fare. We’ll take damning with faint praise, bub.
The To-Do List (AMC Star, Eastgate, Point)
Standoffish Parks and Rec star Aubrey Plaza plays a standoffish book worm whose college study habits are hijacked by a desire to get the whole sexual experience. The 24 Year Old Virgin anyone?
Fruitvale Station (AMC Star, Sundance)
Several film writers have drawn obvious allusions between the George Zimmerman verdict and Ryan Coogler’s indie drama about the very real tragedy of Oscar Grant. Whatever your feelings on either subject, Sundance and AMC are the only places to catch this Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner in the Madison area.
Monday
Galaxy Quest (9:00p — Memorial Union Terrace)
The science fiction fan in me should probably take offense to this comedic send up of geek pop culture, but the science fiction fan in me loves the premise too darn much. Wait a minute…
AMC Summer Nights: Oz the Great and Powerful (10:00p — AMC Star)
You clinking, clanking collections of caliginous junk can pay $3 to catch Sam Raimi’s journey down the Yellow Brick Road Monday through Wednesday night this week.
Tuesday
The Croods (10:00a — Point, Eastgate)
Introduce the fam to the genius of St. Nicolas Cage in this animated surprise hit about a family of cavemen! Admission’s only $2 and what else do you have to do at 10 o’clock on a Tuesday morning?
Wednesday
American Graffiti (1:45p, 7:05p — Sundance)
Sundance’s Summer series continues with two screenings of what my father fondly refers to as “the only movie George Lucas made that wasn’t a stupid piece of crap.” We have a strong bond.