2009 Winter Arts Preview – Film
Garbage Warrior
Feature-length doc about architect Michael Reynolds and his fight to pioneer sustainable housing. Sat., Jan. 17, 7pm. Los Olivos Grange Hall, 2374 Alamo Pintado Ave., Los Olivos. Call 688-4020.
Wendy and Lucy
A down-on-her-luck woman faces economic turmoil when her car breaks down en route to her new job. Michelle Williams stars. Sun., Jan. 18, 4:30pm. Ojai Theatre, 145 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Call 646-8946 or visit ojaifilmsociety.org.
Critic’s Pick: Burn After Reading
The Coens’ first completely homemade (written and directed) film since The Man Who Wasn’t There. The result? A spy thriller that leaves you believing our government bureaucracies don’t actually care what becomes of us. Tue., Jan. 20, 7:30 and 10pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. Visit as.ucsb.edu/aspb.
Man on Wire
The celebrated documentary about daredevil tightrope walker Philippe Petit’s infamous Twin Towers stunt. Tue., Jan. 27, 7:30 and 10pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. Visit as.ucsb.edu/aspb.
Zidane
This stunning cinematic view of soccer star Zinedine Zidane was filmed using 17 synchronized cameras and it also comes equipped with a musical score by Mogwai. Thu., Feb. 5, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Fanboys
A hit on the festival circuit two years ago, this much-delayed release is a coming-of-age story wrapped around a pop culture phenomenon-George Lucas and the hyperspace hype of Star Wars. Fri., Feb. 6, general release.
Lucia di Lammermoor
The Met Live in HD series continues with Gaetano Donizetti’s tragic opera. Sat., Feb. 7, 10am and Sun., Feb. 8, 2pm. Hahn Hall, Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Rd. Call 695-7935 or visit musicacademy.org.
Synecdoche, New York
Charlie Kaufman writes and directs this trippy piece about a playwright trying to reconstruct his life onstage. Sun., Feb. 8, 4:30pm. Ojai Theatre, 145 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Call 646-8946 or visit ojaifilmsociety.org.
An Evening with John Cleese: A Fish Called Wanda
The former Python and concierge of Fawlty Towers does his annual-and often quite strange-visit to Arts & Lectures as a benefit for its fine film program. Mon., Feb. 9, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Patti Smith: Dream of Life
Steven Sebring directs this award-winning look at the life and career of musician and poet Patti Smith. Tue., Feb. 10, 7pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Happy-Go-Lucky
Mike Leigh’s deceptively nuanced portrait of a happy woman living among her varied, and sometimes needy, fellow Londoners. Fri., Feb. 20, 7 and 10pm and Mon., Feb. 23, 10pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
Let the Right One In
Sweden delivers the most haunting vampire story of the decade, an examination of innocence and interdependence, mixed in with some love and revenge. Fri., Feb. 27, 7 and 10pm and Mon., Mar. 2, 10pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
Critic’s Pick: Watchmen
Rumors of legal problems notwithstanding, this is the scheduled release date for the much-anticipated adaptation of Alan Moore’s masterpiece graphic novel. It’s the story of superheroes in a world much like our own, examining the philosophical implications of vigilantism and masked-avenger elitism, all leading to unforgettable, apocalyptic ends. Fri., Mar. 6, general release.
Slumdog Millionaire
Danny Boyle’s propulsive story of fate and unimaginable poverty set in contemporary Mumbai. Fri., Mar. 6, 7 and 10pm and Mon., Mar. 9, 10pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
Madama Butterfly
Puccini’s famed opera, based on the short story Madame Butterfly by John Luther Long. Sat., Mar. 7, 10am and Sun., Mar. 8, 2pm. Hahn Hall, Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Rd. Call 695-7935 or visit musicacademy.org.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
The son of a Nazi commander befriends a young Jewish boy living on the other side of the concentration camp fence. Sun., Mar. 8, 4:30pm. Ojai Theatre, 145 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Call 646-8946 or visit ojaifilmsociety.org.
Critic’s Pick: Rachel Getting Married
Jonathan Demme’s return to personal filmmaking stars Anne Hathaway as Rachel’s blundering, recovering alcoholic sister in a role Liza Minnelli would’ve played with kooky authenticity 30 years ago. Thu., Mar. 12, 7:30 and 9:45pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
