Wolves and trolls and puppets, oh my! Cast and crew of Firmament Films bring shorts and a sneak preview of “The Princess Knight” to the Central Library. Thursday at 6:30p. FREE.
UPDATED 2/3/2014: Karmen Gei has been added to Wednesday’s listings.
Thursday
Schindler’s List (12:00p — Point, Eastgate)
The Departed (3:50p — Point; 4:05p — Eastgate)
Boogie Nights (6:00p — Union South Marquee)
Mark Wahlberg stars as Dirk Diggler, a runaway-turned-pornstar in Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterful Boogie Nights. Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly and Burt Reynolds co-pornstar. FREE.
Central Cinema and LakeFrontRow.com present: A Firmament Films showcase (6:30p — Central Madison Library, Rm 302)
Maybe you’ve heard of it? Our brand spankin’ new film series with Madison Library’s Central Cinema program kicks off tonight with a collection of short films from Wisconsin’s very own Firmament Films. Cast and crew will be appear in person in Rm 302 of the Central Library (on W. Mifflin Street) to present their work for an in-depth Q&A. We know we’ve been talking about it all week, so here’s a magnanimous blog post from the Cap Times’ Rob Thomas instead. FREE!
The Sting (6:50p, 9:50p — Point; 7:00p, 10:05p — Eastgate)
The Great Beauty (7:00p — UW Education Building, L196)
Quietly gracing dozens of critics’ Top Ten lists last year, La grande bellezza finds an Italian journalist re-assessing every facet of his socialite lifestyle. La Cineteca presents Paolo Sorrentino’s film FREE.
The Act of Killing (9:30p — Union South Marquee)
Produced by Errol Morris and Werner Herzog, Joshua Oppenheimer’s acclaimed (and Oscar-nominated) documentary takes a chilling look at Indonesia’s mass genocide by allowing those responsible to re-enact the traumatic murders on camera. FREE.
Friday
The Act of Killing (6:00p — Union South Marquee)
“Bursting at the Seams” — Restored Avant-Garde Films (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
Chick Strand, Stan Brakhage and many other experimental filmmakers are featured in this 90 minute program of avant-garde cinema. Mark Toscano of the Academy Film Archive will appear in person to introduce the restored 35mm prints. FREE.
Much Ado About Nothing (7:00p — Alicia Ashman Branch Library)
“Best of the Fests” presents Joss Whedon’s black & white Shakespeare adaptation. Among the year’s favorites for a certain Madison film writer. FREE.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler (8:30p — Union South Marquee)
As its title anticipates, director Lee Daniels traces the life of a White House butler (Forest Whitaker) across eight separate presidential terms, the likes of whom include all your favorite commanders-in-chief. There’s President Williams, President Schreiber, and President Rickman. Who could forget the great President Cusack? FREE.
Boogie Nights (11:15p — Union South Marquee)
All freakin’ weekend
Frozen Sing Along (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
You may have seen Frozen, the story a young woman’s estranged relationship with her powerful sister, but you haven’t seen it like this. No, seriously. This weekend, Disney’s re-releasing their latest animated feature with the song lyrics onscreen. If your family’s got terrible voices, you’d better be able to sing louder than they can.
Labor Day (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Josh Brolin is a fugitive on the run. Kate Winslet stars as the single mother who takes him in. Juno and Up in the Air director Jason Reitman takes a break from comedy with this family drama.
That Awkward Moment (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
After Michael B. Jordan breaks up with his girlfriend, best buds Zac Efron and Miles Teller promise to remain single in solidarity — until Imogen Poots comes along and ruins the whole thing.
Saturday
Lee Daniels’ The Butler (5:30p, 8:00p — Union South Marquee)
Noir double feature: Try and Get Me! and Crashout (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
The second of UW Cinematheque’s noir double bills features little-seen pictures from Cy Endfield and Lewis Foster. 35mm prints restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. FREE.
Boogie Nights (11:00p — Union South Marquee)
Sunday
The Lady Vanishes (2:00p — Chazen Art Museum)
Like last weekend’s screening of The 39 Steps, this Hitchcock murder mystery is proof of the director’s ability to induce laughs and shocks in equal measure. Starring Margaret Lockwood and Dame May Whitty as the vanishing lady in question. FREE.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler (3:00p — Union South Marquee)
Monday
Blue Jasmine (4:25p, 9:45p — Point; 2:30p, 7:30p — Eastgate)
When her husband (Alec Baldwin) is busted for crooked business dealings, wealthy socialite Cate Blanchett must adjust to a life without luxury, and instead one with Louis CK, Andrew Dice Clay and Sally Hawkins. That doesn’t sound so bad.
Before Midnight (1:40p, 7:00p — Point; 12:00p, 5:00p, 10:00p — Eastgate)
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy have perfected their performances to a stunning level of naturalism. What’s less certain is whether we can expect a Wooderson cameo in Richard Linklater’s latest entry in his Before films between two lovers.
Tuesday
Blue Jasmine (1:40p, 7:00p — Point; 12:00p, 5:00p, 10:00p — Eastgate)
Before Midnight (4:15p, 9:35p — Point; 2:30p, 7:30p — Eastgate)
Touching the Void (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
At its highest peak, the Peruvian mountain Siula Grande stands at a whopping 6,344 meters. This documentary tells the story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates and their near-fatal attempt to climb it. Co-presented FREE by WUD Film and Hoofers Winter Carnival.
Wednesday
Before Midnight (1:40p, 7:00p — Point; 12:00p, 5:00p, 10:00p — Eastgate)
Groundhog Day (1:40p, 6:55p — Sundance Cinemas Madison)
This week’s “Classics” selection at Sundance Cinemas Madison is the story of Bill Murray’s grumpy reporter doomed to repeat the same day over and over again. This week’s “Classics” selection at Sundance Cinemas Madison is the story of Bill Murray’s grumpy reporter doomed to repeat the same day over and over again. This week’s “Classics” selection at Sundance Cinemas Madison is the story of Bill Murray’s grumpy reporter doomed to repeat the same day over and over again.
Blue Jasmine (4:25p, 9:45p — Point; 2:30p, 7:30p — Eastgate)
The Abolitionists (7:00p — Wisconsin Historical Society auditorium)
The first in a four-part documentary series, The Abolitionists draws from deep American history in retelling the stories of those who fought to end slavery. Screened FREE in the Historical Society’s auditorium (816 State Street).
Karmen Gei (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
Most famous from Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen, Prosper Mérimée’s novella is retold through a Senegalese women’s prison camp. Featuring Jeinaba Diop Gai in the title role. Co-presented by WUD Film and Global South Film Series. FREE.