Monday, April 27 and Wednesday, April 29: Titanic
7 p.m. @ Selected local Marcus Theaters (Click here for specifics)
For some, Marcus Theaters’ Ladies Night screenings of Titanic will be a warm reminder of the box office/Oscar sensation nearly eighteen years ago – driver’s licenses have been obtained by those not alive at the point of the film’s release. Can you set aside three hours and change this week for a screening?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCy5WQ9S4c0
Wednesday, April 29: American Sniper & The Hunting Ground
4:15 & 7 p.m. @ UWM Union Theatre (both FREE)
American Sniper is a bad movie, but interestingly so at least. Eastwood’s propensity for economical shooting means the movie kind of just glides along, content to tell this story with no flourish whatsoever. At some points it works in the movie’s favor – a firefight in the sandstorm actually gains thematic resonance thanks to its visual incoherence – and one can’t help but feel Eastwood fighting against hagiography unsuccessfully with portrait of Chris Kyle.
Also playing is Kirby Dick’s expose of rape on college campuses – a portrait of the massive emotional, physical and mental toll simply fighting for justice can have on those who have suffered such a reprehensible act.
Wednesday, April 29: Wunderkinder
7 p.m. @ Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (FREE)
Two young Jewish children with virtuosic music talent find that they must play for their lives after the Nazi invasion of Ukraine in this special screening to be followed by discussion with Milwaukee Jewish educators and professionals.
Thursday, April 30 & Friday, May 1: Milwaukee Underground Film Festival
7 p.m. both days @ UWM Union Theatre (FREE)
Yet another mini-film festival makes its way to Milwaukee this weekend, this time with the spotlight shining on innovative modern voices in the world of cinema in this student-curated festival.
Friday, May 1: Avengers: Age of Ultron, Clouds of Sils Maria & Desert Dancer open locally
Check local listings for showtimes/pricing
No major releases dare even attempt to counter-program the Marvel movie universe warpath that rages its way across cinemas nationwide this week. Joss Whedon’s (for now) swan song from the Marvel Universe sees the world’s mightiest heroes team up to fight against the threat of malevolent A.I. in the form of Ultron (James Spader).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L-9rcEhGm4
Two indie options are coming your way this weekend if you’re not in the mood for wanton destruction and superheroics. Olivier Assayas’ film had its release pushed back a week, so I’ll just quote myself to prep you for it: revolving around an aging actress (Juliette Binoche) asked to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous in the role of the older woman; Clouds of Sils Maria is the latest from acclaimed director Olivier Assayas. Kristen Stewart won the French equivalent of the Oscar for her supporting role here. Your other new option is the Freida Pinto-starring Desert Dancer, a biopic of Iranian dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, who chose to start an underground dance company in the aftermath of the tumultuous 2009 elections. Lessons are learned amidst great peril.
Saturday, May 2 & Sunday, May 3: Thelma and Louise
5/2: 7 p.m. & 5/3: 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. @ UWM Union Theatre (FREE)
Close out your week with Ridley Scott’s classic story of female empowerment taken to a necessarily violent conclusion.
