Spike Jonze’s futurist romance “Her” joins a slew of awards fare hitting Madison theaters this weekend.
Thursday
Ben-Hur (1:30p, 7:30p — Point, Eastgate)
Las Marthas (6:30p — Central Public Library, Rm 302)
This Independent Lens documentary looks at a hundred year old Texas tradition, where Mexican-American teenagers debut sporting late colonial fashions. A discussion of Cristina Ibarra’s film will follow this FREE screening.
Friday
One Piece: Strong World (6:45p — Alicia Ashman Branch Library)
The Alicia Ashman Branch’s teen Anime Club screens this tenth film based on Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga. In this entry penned by Oda himself, evil pirates attempt to capture the East Blue ocean. FREE.
All freakin’ weekend
Inside Llewyn Davis (Sundance, AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Detailing a week in the life of Oscar Isaac’s asshole folk musician, the Coens’ melancholy odyssey finally opens wide. Psst, the music’s fantastic.
Her (Sundance, AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
In Spike Jonze’s futurist romance, romantically inept Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with a Siri-like operating system voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Did I say “Siri-like?” Nevermind. They’re nothing alike… Please don’t hurt me, Siri.
August: Osage County (Sundance, AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
A trio of sisters (Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Julianne Nicholson) return home to their obnoxious, pill-popping mother (Meryl Streep) when their father (Sam Shepard) goes missing. Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor and Abigail Breslin co-star in this adaptation of the Tracy Letts play.
Lone Survivor (Sundance, AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Friday Night Lights showrunner Peter Berg looks to rebound off Battleship with Lone Survivor. Based on a real failed U.S. – Afghanistan assassination attempt in 2005, Mark Wahlberg stars as the sole remaining member of Seal Team 10.
1 Nenokkadine (AMC Star)
Bollywood blockbuster Dhoom 3 set box office records back in December, and 1 Nenokkadine seems primed to be another massive Hindi language hit. Indian breakout sensation Mahesh Babu plays a renegade rock star in this action thriller.
The Legend of Hercules (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Renny Harlin directs Kellen Lutz and dozens of chiseled, hunky 30-and-unders in this effects-heavy 3D story of Hercules. Come for the slow-motion violence. Stay for the Scott Adkins.
Monday
An American in Paris (4:00, 9:55p– Point; 3:30p, 10:10p — Eastgate)
After screening Meet Me in St. Louis, Marcus Theatres doubles down on Vincente Minnelli in this classic musical comedy where two friends fall in love with the same woman.
Out of Africa (12:30p — Point; 12:00p — Eastgate)
The late, great Sydney Pollack directs Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in this loose adaptation of author Karen Blixen’s romance with a big game hunter.
Gladiator (6:40p — Point; 6:45p — Eastgate)
Marcus Theatres’ selection of Ridley Scott’s crowd-pleasing sword and sandals actioner seems to beg just one question: Are you not entertained?
Tuesday
An American in Paris (3:30p — Eastgate)
Out of Africa (3:10p — Point)
Gladiator (12:00p — Point, Eastgate)
Wednesday
An American in Paris (12:30p — Point; 12:00p — Eastgate)
Out of Africa (6:25p — Point; 6:45p — Eastgate)
Gladiator (Point — 3:10p, 9:55p; 3:30p, 10:10p — Eastgate)
The Princess Bride (1:15p, 7:10p, 9:15p — Sundance)
Not one, not two, but three screenings of Sundance Cinemas Madison’s “Classic” selection? Inconceivable!