Mother’s Day Movies!

#5: The Felice Brothers at Turner Hall. Why? Because they’re on the forefront of the new folk-Americana scene and because they’ve been compared to Bob Dylan and the Band. Because they hail from upstate New York, where trailer parks mingle with Woodstock lore. Because their new album, was recorded in an old gymnasium not unlike Turner Hall, where they’ll be playing here. Seems like serendipity, doesn’t it? #4: Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall Past Lives at UWM Union Theatre. Why? Because Apichatpong Weerasethakul has been called “the strangest Palme d’Or winner in a while.” That refers, of course, to the…

#5: The Felice Brothers at Turner Hall.
Why? Because they’re on the forefront of the new folk-Americana scene and because they’ve been compared to Bob Dylan and the Band. Because they hail from upstate New York, where trailer parks mingle with Woodstock lore. Because their new album, was recorded in an old gymnasium not unlike Turner Hall, where they’ll be playing here. Seems like serendipity, doesn’t it?

#4: Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall Past Lives at UWM Union Theatre.
Why? Because Apichatpong Weerasethakul has been called “the strangest Palme d’Or winner in a while.” That refers, of course, to the grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and since then, critics have weighed in from opposite sides. A film of sweet, gentle rhythms for some. “Narcoticizing” for others. In either case, it’s a film to see in a theater, where you can sink into its world and give it a chance, without worrying if you left the refrigerator door ajar on your last visit to the Merkt’s Cheese tub.

# 3: Milwaukee Underground Film Festival at UWM.
Why? Because man does not live on Judd Apatow alone. Nor Marvel Comics, for that matter. As the indie film scene struggles and Hollywood continues to hoist itself up on tent poles, the real meat of the movie world can be found in low-budget, experimental work that populates festivals like this student-run event. It features films from around the world, in all sorts of formats, in all sorts of venues. See the website for the schedule and a list of special events.

#2: Patton vs. Lewis.
Why? Because these dueling stand-ups are just what we need to fend off those lovely, daffodils-in-bloom spring feelings. You know Lewis Black from his regular rants on “The Daily Show” and his various HBO specials. He’ll probably have a lot to say about the Abbottabad raids and the aftermath. Patton Oswalt (no relation to General George) is an angry young fireplug who has been in the comedy trenches since 1996. They’re at two different venues, so you have to choose. Don’t you think they could have gotten together for a friendly ping-pong match while we watch?

#1: Theatre Gigante’s Isadora and Nijinsky at UWM’s Kenilworth Building.
Why? Because Gigante thinks outside the theater box, using sound, dance, text, images and music to create stories and worlds on modest stages. This time, Gigante’s Isabelle Kralj and Mark Anderson are joined by regular guest Ed Burgess to capture the spirit and lives of two pioneers of modern dance. Vaslav Nijinsky and Isadora Duncan traveled in different circles, but much of what we see on dance stages today circles back to their original ideas about movement and theater.