Early Don Hertzfeldt, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and Wrath of Khan
Thursday
Cul-de-sac (6:30p — Central Library, Rm 302)
(Doors at 6:00p. Admission is FREE.)
New Belgium Clips Beer and Film Tour (9:00p — Olin Park)
To celebrate New Belgium Brewing’s 25th anniversary, the annual traveling film show sought out ten filmmakers to tell stories honoring the year 1991; or to quote the press kit, return to “the glory days of big hair, questionable fashion, and outdated technology!” New Belgium remains tight-lipped about the program beyond that, so you’ll have to see the films in person. Regardless of the questionable secrecy, the Clips Tour is a fun means of brand engagement, and there are worse ways to spend your time than drinking beer outside with some mystery short films. As in years past, proceeds go towards Wisconsin Bike Fed. (Doors at 7:30p.)
All freakin’ weekend
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (AMC Star, Point)
Consider that the creative trio behind mega-hits like “Lazy Sunday,” “Dick in a Box” and “Jack Sparrow” can somehow still be underrated — but that’s exactly the case with The Lonely Island. Over the last 10 years, the Saturday Night Live upstarts have transformed into modern aces of satire, gaining respect through various avenues. Ostensible frontman Andy Samberg currently helms Brooklyn Nine-Nine while sideliners Akiva Schaffer (Hot Guy, The Watch) and Jorma Taccone (the criminally underappreciated MacGruber) have found mixed success behind the camera. Popstar is arguably their first true collaboration since their days singing with T-Pain on a motherfucking boat, and the mockumentary-styled comedy is as inspired by Spinal Tap as much as it appears to borrow from surreal Justin Bieber tabloids. Hopefully, its comedic sensibilities are as brilliantly self-effacing as the outsize insecurities in “Like a Boss.” Word.
Friday
“The Early Films of Don Hertzfeldt” (8:30p — MMoCA Rooftop Sculpture Garden)
From his days sketching out quirky, film school animations in the late 90s, Don Hertzfeldt’s shorts have been outwardly charming but reveal darker truths about our deeper, more primal inclinations (Lily and Jim) or use dadaist apocalypses to upend our innocence (Billy’s Balloon). Both the brilliant meta-absurdities of Rejected and The Meaning of Life‘s callousness beg to be seen in public surrounded by your fellow mouthbreathers. This survey of weird genius feels like the most essential and invigorating program the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s offered in years, and it’s a fine way to kick off “Rooftop Cinema.” (Admission is $7 or FREE for MMoCA members).
Monday
Bonnie & Clyde (9:00p — Memorial Union Terrace)
(Admission is FREE).
Wednesday
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (7:00p — Point)
Simultaneously satiating public demand for more Star Wars while retaining 2001: A Space Odyssey‘s philosophical bent, Star Trek: The Motion Picture isn’t without its merits, cheekily thumbing its nose at the original series’ desire for exploration with psychedelic effects work. Still, its proximity to 1982’s beloved sequel does not a flattering comparison make. All aspects of Wrath of Khan‘s production are primed for a more accessible mission from Admiral Kirk and the Enterprise crew. The genocidal Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán, sans chest piece) carries out a vengeance plot on Starfleet for stranding him on Ceti Alpha V. With Montalbán and William Shatner taking out their differences on the scenery and male bonding issues galore, Star Trek II packs plenty of the human story to balance out the Ceti eels, mass colonization devices and an all-time classic score from James Horner.