Spring Arts Preview- Film
With the movie industry finally getting back into high gear after the early ’07 lull, there will be plenty to take in this spring. But don’t let the lure of the Hollywood machine steer you away from the many fine documentaries and independent screenings hosted by UCSB’s Arts & Lectures, Magic Lantern Films, and HopeDance Media.
Dark Water Rising
Mike Shiley’s documentary follows the trail of animals displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Mon., Apr. 2, 7pm. Faulkner Gallery, S.B. Main Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Call 544-9663 or visit hopedance.org.
Manufactured Landscapes
Award-winning documentary on artist Edward Burtynsky, who creates large-scale photographs of manufactured landscapes in modern China. Thu., Apr. 5, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Grindhouse
The long-awaited double feature from directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez features Rose McGowan with a peg-leg machine gun and Kurt Russell as a vehicular homicide junkie. Fri., Apr. 6, in wide release.
Volver
The latest film from Spanish auteur Pedro Almod³var stars Penelope Cruz in her Oscar-nominated performance. Thu., Apr. 12, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Children of Men
Clive Owen and Julianne Moore star in this futuristic take on infertility and the last pregnant woman on earth. Fri., Apr. 13, 7 and 9:30pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
China Blue
Shot in a Chinese blue jean factory, this documentary examines the conditions workers endure and a confrontation between the factory manager and his employees. Sun., Apr. 15, 6:30pm. Faulkner Gallery, S.B. Main Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Call 544-9663 or visit hopedance.org.
God Grew Tired of Us
This documentary follows three “lost boys” of Sudan who escaped their embattled country and came to America. Sun., Apr. 15, 4:30pm and Mon., Apr. 30, 7pm. Faulkner Gallery, S.B. Main Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Call 544-9663 or visit hopedance.org.
Hot Fuzz
The follow up to the excellent Shaun of the Dead, this new film sees the usual suspects sending up the cop film genre in style. Fri., Apr. 20, in wide release.
Smokin’ Aces
When a Vegas performer becomes a police informant, he’s got more than one hit man on his trail. Fri., Apr. 20, 7 and 9:30pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
Planet Earth (Parts 1 and 2)
Follow sharks on the hunt and tropical birds in their natural habitat and view some of the most incredible photography of the Earth ever made. Sat., Apr. 21, 4:30pm. Faulkner Gallery, S.B. Main Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Call 544-9663 or visit hopedance.org.
9/11: Dust and Deceit at the WTC
Penny Little’s film exposes the environmental disaster of 9/11 with interviews with scientists and waste management specialists. Wed., Apr. 25, 7pm. Faulkner Gallery, S.B. Main Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Call 5449663 or visit hopedance.org.
The Rape of Europa
This documentary about art theft perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II examines the history of the crimes. Wed., Apr. 25, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian
A Q&A with star and S.B. resident John Cleese will follow the screening of the classic and irreverent Monty Python comedy. Tue., May 1, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Letters from Iwo Jima
This Oscar-winning film-Clint Eastwood’s companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers-tells the story of the Japanese side of the battle for Iwo Jima. Wed., May 2, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Reno 911!: Miami
Comedy Central’s series on Reno cops hits the big screen. Fri., May 4, 7 and 9:30pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Director Guillermo del Toro’s fantastical film set during the Spanish Civil War won three Oscars this year. Wed., May 9, 7:30 and 10pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Music and Lyrics
Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore star in a romantic comedy about a has-been ’80s pop star. Fri., May 11, 7 and 9:30pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
Bamako
This politically charged feature puts the World Bank and IMF on trial in a normal couple’s courtyard in Bamako, Mali. Wed., May 16, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
300
A retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel. Fri., May 18, 7 and 9:30pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.
God Grew Tired of Us
[See description above.] Part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Mon., May 21, 7pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Cautiva (Captive)
This film follows an Argentine teenager who learns her parents were “disappeared” for criticizing the military government. Part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Mon., May 21, 9pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams
Explore a single mother’s relationship with her daughter in Sarajevo. Part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Tue., May 22, 7pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Sacco and Vanzetti
This documentary film examines the story of two Italian immigrants put on trial in 1927 and executed for their radical political views. Part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Tue., May 22, 9pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Ghosts of Abu Ghraib
The personalities surrounding the notorious scandal in Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison are explored in this documentary. Part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Wed., May 23, 7pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Enemies of Happiness
This award-winning documentary follows the struggles and triumphs of a 28-year-old woman elected to Afghanistan’s National Assembly. Part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Wed., May 23, 9pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Sweet Land
This 2006 film is about the American immigrant experience in the 1920s. Wed., May 30, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
Knocked Up
The film from the creators of The 40-Year-Old Virgin follows Seth Rogen as he deals with the unexpected news that a one-night stand of his has become pregnant. Fri., June 1, in wide release.
