Thursday
Medora (6:30p — Rm 302, Central Public Library)
The town of Medora, Indiana might be best known for being the worst at something: their high school hoops teams, the Hornets, is incredibly good at losing. Enduring at least one 0-22 season and a year where they were outscored by an average of nearly 40 points per game, Medora is a documentary that should be required viewing for despondent Bucks fans. FREE presentation to be followed by a panel discussion with local experts.
Benvenuto, Presidente! (7:00p — Education Building, L196)
La Cineteca presents this political satire where citizens elect Giuseppe Garibaldi to the head of parliament. The only problem? Giuseppe Garibaldi died in 1882. A veritable Italian-language Hudsucker Proxy, Benvenuto, Presidente! plays FREE in the UW Education Building.
The Spectacular Now (7:00p, 9:30p — Union South Marquee)
Friday
Bugs Bunny Forever: Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
A persistent hunter pursues a pesky rabbit (Bugs Bunny). A rabbit (Bugs Bunny) evades a Russian hound dog. An opera singer trades barbs, pranks, and jabs with a rabbit (It’s the penultimate evening in Cinematheque’s FREE “Treasures from the Academy Film Archives” series, and there will be Bugs.
The Watchtower (7:00p — Alicia Ashman Branch Library)
The lives of a widower and a woman hiding an unwanted pregnancy collide in Pelin Esmer’s 2012 Turkish drama. FREE.
Brew ‘n View: Pulp Fiction (8:30p — Majestic Theatre)
-‘Did you just pay for a five dollar Brew ‘n View?’
-‘Sure did.’
-‘That’s a Majestic Brew ‘n View? Beer and a movie?’
-‘Uh-huh.’
-‘Yep.’
All freakin’ weekend
Tim’s Vermeer (Sundance)
A magician and anti-bullshitter, the notoriously tight-lipped Teller (of Penn & Teller fame) steps behind the camera in documenting one inventor’s meticulous efforts to replicate the photorealistic works of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer.
Better Living Through Chemistry (Sundance)
Nothing against Jeremy Renner, but this dramedy — about a pharmacist who starts an affair with Olivia Wilde’s trophywife — was instantly upgraded when it recast Sam Rockwell in its lead role.
Need for Speed (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul is looking for a similar Cranstonian breakout in movies with this adaptation of Electronic Arts’ popular racing games. Co-starring Imogen Poots and crashes, bitch!
Veronica Mars (AMC Star)
Kristen Bell’s detective-turned-law school student is pulled into a feature-length mystery when an ex-boyfriend is accused of murder. The Veronica Mars movie is here — whether you helped fund it or not.
The Single Moms Club (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Tyler Perry’s latest combines the likes of Nia Long and Amy Smart in this dramedy about a support group for well, single moms.
Saturday
Walking With Dinosaurs (10:00a — Point, Eastgate)
BBC Earth’s 3D feature came and went with little more than a whimper last December. Now, Marcus’ $2 Kids Dream series invites you to imagine life during the Cretaceous Period at a discounted price that seems nearly as ancient.
Chocolat (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
A young woman returns to West Africa and remembers her childhood spent in an outpost in Cameroon. The second FREE film in Cinematheque’s “3 X Claire Denis” series.
Sunday
Walking With Dinosaurs (11:00a — Point, Eastgate)
Rear Window (2:00p — Chazen Art Museum)
Cinematheque’s “Hitchcock Masterworks” series at the Chazen has been such a hit, you may just want to watch Rear Window from afar this week. Bring extra flash bulbs. FREE.
Micro-Wave Cinema: The Men of Dodge City & The Other Men of Dodge City (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
This Sunday’s “Micro-Wave Cinema” event is a bit different, presenting two completely different cuts of footage shot by director/cinematographer Nandan Rao. Sounds sort of like those last two Hangover movies. The filmmakers will appear via Skype after the screening for a Q&A. FREE.
We Do It (8:00p — Majestic Theatre)
University Avenue’s Alumni Boardshop hosts its 4th skate video exhibition featuring footage shot right in Madison. Proceeds from $5 tickets go toward the Madison Skatepark Fund.
Monday
Cabaret (1:00p, 3:50p, 6:40p, 9:30p — Point; 1:00p, 4:00p, 7:00p, 10:00p — Eastgate)
“Life is a cabaret” for Liza Minnelli’s dancer during Germany’s Weimar Republic in Marcus Theatres’ $5 musical.
How to Live Forever (2:00p — Central Public Library)
Director Mark Wexler walks the earth in search of the secret to long life in this documentary — but don’t make any jokes just because the Central Library’s FREE “BOOM” series is geared toward senior citizens and older adults. If they do discover immortality, I’m immediately swearing allegiance to our new prune juice-drinking overlords.
Tuesday
Cabaret (1:00p, 3:50p — Point; 10:00p — Eastgate)
Wednesday
Cabaret (12:00p, 2:50p — Point; 1:00p, 4:00p, 10:30p — Eastgate)
Grapes of Wrath (1:25p, 6:40p — Sundance)
John Ford’s classic adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic American novel is now a Sundance “Classic,” too. Classic.