Thursday
Home (7:00p — Barrymore Theater)
“Graced with both heart and street smarts,” Home tells the story of Jack (The Good Wife‘s Gbenga Akinnagbe), as he tries reconnecting with his estranged son while accepting the trying circumstances his mental illness hast left him. As inspiring as its narrative is, Jono Oliver’s directorial debut is even more rousing for the director’s steadfastness despite a rejection from Sundance and a subsequent grassroots promotional campaign. Akinnagbe will appear in person. Barrymore will accept donations at doors when they open for a 5:30p Meet ‘n Greet with the director.
Sans Soleil (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
In addition to its supporting role as our Twitter banner image this week, Chris Marker’s Sans Soleil has inspired countless filmmakers — including the one behind 12 Monkeys. Starlight Cinema’s back, y’all. FREE.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Brew ‘n View (8:30p — Majestic Theatre)
Normally I would begin a Brew ‘n View preview with a quote from the Majestic’s feature presentation but I’m not so sure about this one. I mean, isn’t it in their best interest to hand out something a little stronger than beer for Hunter S. Thompson’s bonkers road trip? Where are the bumps of adrenochrome? And what’s with all the Terry Gilliam today? $5.
Top Five (9:30p — Union South Marquee)
Chris Rock’s popular comedian pushes the big red button on his breakthrough as a dramatic actor, perfect timing for fiance Gabrielle Union to pitch the idea of broadcasting their nuptials to the world. Because if E! has taught us anything, it’s that a televised wedding can never, ever backfire. FREE.
All freakin’ weekend
Mr. Turner (Sundance)
J.M.W. Turner was famous for his immaculate recreations of natural light in his paintings. Luminous yet plaintively subtle, Turner’s landscapes were essentially everything the painter wasn’t, at least as actor Timothy Spall portrays the fickle, cantankerous genius. Slow and deliberately paced, Mike Leigh caused quite the buzz at the Cannes Film Festival last year with the least likely film to cause a stir (There’s Madfilm Meetup, too yo).
Focus (Sundance, AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Will Smith and Wolf of Wall Street breakout Margot Robbie star in this heist movie that looks like a more luxurious The Big Bounce.
The Lazarus Effect (AMC Star, Point, Eastgate)
Olivia Wilde dies in a freak lab accident only to be promptly resurrected and wreak havoc on everything. I always knew leftovers were bad.
Birdman (Sundance)
The quadruple Oscar winner gets a victory lap.
Friday
Dolphin Tale 2 (10:00a — Point, Eastgate)
Everyone from the first one bands together to find a companion for dolphin Winter or the USDA will take him away. Between these movies and Lucy, doesn’t Morgan Freeman get tired of talking about dolphins? Kids Dream for $2.
Birdman (6:30p — Pinney Library)
The Library continues their tour of this year’s Best Picture nominees — and in Friday’s case, this year’s winner. FREE.
A Letter to Momo (6:45p — Alicia Ashman Library)
The Alicia Ashman Library’s FREE Anime Club departs from screening under-the-radar anime shows this week. In A Letter to Momo, the brainchild of Satoshi Kon collaborator and animation superstar Hiroyuki Okiura (Akira, Metropolis, Naruto), the titular Momo gets the help of three fantastic (and highly unlikely) companions in the wake of her father’s death.
Winter Sleep (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
Attendees of the 2012 Wisconsin Film Festival were among the first to see Once Upon A Time in Anatolia, Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s grinding anatomy of a small village’s search for a missing body. But it was oh so much more than that. Winter Sleep is his highly-anticipated follow-up. After a young boy chucks a rock through a car window, landlord Aydin (Haluk Bilginer) finds the rest of the community’s deep-seated resentments quickly begin to unravel. Er, at 3 hours and 16 minutes, maybe not so quickly. Winter Sleep gets its Madison premiere this weekend.
The Boxtrolls (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
FREE.
Top Five (9:30p — Union South Marquee)
FREE.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (11:30p — Union South Marquee)
There’s been a m-m-m-murder in T-t-t-t-t-t-toon Town! When Roger Rabbit gets fingered for the demise of movie mogul Roger Acme, it’s up to the late, great Bob Hoskins to get over his hatred of toons and get to the bottom of the case. If you get offered some “Dip” at Union South this weekend, it might be best to politely decline. FREE.
Saturday
Dolphin Tale 2 (10:00a — Point, Eastgate)
$2.
The Interview (2:30p — Hawthorne Library)
Adult Swim Theater presents the hilariously immature Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy that, after all of its nontroversy, I’m sure even my grandmother knows the plot to by know. FREE.
The Boxtrolls (6:30p — Union South Marquee)
FREE.
Touch of Evil (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
Those who have come around to the butchered greatness of Orson Welles will have to make due with Touch of Evil and the end of Cinematheque’s “Orson Welles Centennial.” At least, until Part II shows up at the Wisconsin Film Festival. Dat long take tho. FREE
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (8:45p — Union South Marquee)
After discovering a young maiden inside a bamboo tree, an old village couple dub her princess for her celestial origins and attempt to find a suitor to match her majesty — much to the princess’ dismay. As those attended The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness in January learned, Isao Takahata is notorious for taking his sweet time on projects but the effort and time shows in his exquisite watercolor-styled animations that blend and blur with Kaguya‘s boldest moments. Nothing against Big Hero 6, but what’s Big Hero 6? FREE.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (11:30p — Union South Marquee)
FREE.
Sunday
Dolphin Tale 2 (10:00a — Point, Eastgate)
$2.
Caro Michele (2:00p — Chazen Art Museum)
C’tek’s Monicelli series concludes with Caro Michele, in which Mariangela Melato’s husband is killed just as she gives birth to their son. FREE.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (3:00p — Union South Marquee)
FREE.
Big Moccasin (7:00p — 4070 Vilas Hall)
Four words: FREE Appalachian Valley documentary. (Okay, seven more: Skype with the directors after the show.)
Monday
Wrinkles (2:00p — Alicia Ashman Library)
“An astonishing cocktail of friendship, resistance and life set among the unexpected landscape of an elderly care facility.” FREE.
Crazy Stupid Love (7:00p — Point, Eastgate)
Marcus takes a break from their typically lackluster Ladies Night programming. $5.
Cruising France with Clint Denn (7:30p — Union South Marquee)
It’s another “Travel Adventure Series” program. One of these days, I’m going to figure out who actually goes to these. In the meantime:
“Having been to every continent, Clint Denn certainly qualifies as a world traveler. Filming above and below water, the former high school and college teacher uses his deep passion for people, wildlife and all things water to bring the world to his audience. See France from a whole new perspective in this film. Enjoy a pre-film dinner from the region.”
Ticket prices vary. Check uniontheater.wisc.edu for admission information.
Tuesday
Cruising France with Clint Denn (7:30p — Union South Marquee)
Wednesday
Charade (1:50p, 8:00p — Sundance)
2 Fast 2 Furious (7:00p — Point, Eastgate)
John Singleton’s one-and-only entry in the series is candy-paint coated, thin on plot and sorely missing the franchise’s then-highlight, Vin Diesel. 2 crappy.
La grande bellezza (7:00p — UW Sterling Building, Rm 2335)
Okay, guys. How many times can we show last year’s Best Foreign Oscar winner in a 365-day period? FREE.
Fly Fishing Film Tour (7:00p — Barrymore Theatre)
This year’s outdoor-themed program features short films ranging from the curative powers of fly fishing to the need to just get away from it all. Admission is $14.
Return of the River (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
WUD Film and the Social Cinema Series co-present this documentary on the torrential state of Washington’s Elwha River dam. FREE.