Thursday
Krull (6:30p — Central Library, Rm 302)
Neither entirely science-fiction nor sword & sorcery, Columbia Pictures’ hasty cash grab on the coat tails of Star Wars has gotten a bad rap but in hindsight, that’s mainly because the “save the princess” throwback couldn’t make back half its budget… There’s also a questionable, five-pointed glaive. (Hey, I said “mainly” because.) FREE.
Afraid of the Dark (7:00p — Union South Marquee)
The Havens Center for Social Justice presents this FREE documentary by Susan Kucera on humanity’s paralyzing fear of doing anything about our encroaching environmental blackout. Featuring a post-show chat with author John Stauber, Madison-based “DeSmogger” Steve Horn, and 350 Madison’s climate activist Maria Drews.
All freakin’ weekend
Tomorrowland (Sundance, AMC Star, Point)
What if you could travel to world where few have ever been, and all at the touch of a magic pin? (Yeah, I don’t get the pin thing either.) With The Iron Giant and The Incredibles, director Brad Bird has made a career thumbing his nose at the cozy myths of post-war Americana. This spin on one of the Mouse House’s most famous attractions — in which Britt Robertson and George Clooney encounter jet packs, robots, and Judy Greer — looks no different.
Tanu Weds Manu Returns (AMC Star)
In this Hindi language sequel, R. Madhavan’s sad sack runs into a young, athletic college student (Kangana Ranaut) who looks identical to the woman he was to marry in the first Tanu Weds Maru.
Poltergeist (AMC Star, Point)
Rosemarie DeWitt, the guy from Monster House, and THE BASED GOD HIMSELF Sam Rockwell reboot this 1982 horror classic.
The Great Muppet Caper (Friday – Sunday — Point)
The Muppets hop across the pond where Charles Grodin wants to steal his sister’s (Diana Rigg) “fabulous baseball diamond.” The Great Muppet Caper isn’t the best in Marcus Theatres’s summer program (You’ll find that answer in our preview), but with Busby Berkeley homages, a John Cleese cameo, and Grodin hamming it up, it’s not the worst way to spend an afternoon either. (See marcustheatres.com for complete listings.)
Far From the Madding Crowd (Point)
Monday
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (9:00p — Memorial Union Terrace)
As Rob Thomas punnily observed, transportation links WUD Film’s FREE “Lakeside” program at the terrace this summer, and it all begins Monday with John Hughes’ glorious ode to frustration and family. Sure, the only worthwhile Thanksgiving comedy out there seems like a stretch in May, but with the weather feeling more like November, maybe it’s not so outrageous.
Wednesday
Full Metal Jacket (2:10p, 7:50p — Sundance)