""Being Bucky""
Sat. 6:15 p.m., Monona Terrace
If you attend UW-Madison, then you have seen Bucky Badger at one point, walking noiselessly around campus exchanging high-fives and posing for pictures with students. He is the poster child for everything the university stands for, and ""Being Bucky"" finally lets the seven students who play Bucky take off their large, sweaty mascot head off and talk to the camera. Madison native Scott Smith will be attending the screening, so you can be sure plenty of people in the audience will be chanting ""If You Want to Be a Badger"" or ""Varsity"" at this screening.
""500 Days of Summer""
Thu. 6 p.m., Orpheum Main Stage
""500 Days of Summer"" is an indie movie fan's dream. Featuring knockout performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, the 500 days alluded to in the title refer to
the 500 days Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel's characters date. Gordon-Levitt gives the performance of his career as Tom, a hopeless romantic who can't figure out why his girlfriend Summer (Deschanel) dumped him. He recalls the 500 days of romance as a memory, and steals our hearts with his gallant acts and dreams of a rosy future for Summer and himself. The film is directed by Madison native Mark Webb, who will be on hand with several other members of the film crew for a discussion afterward, truly making this ticket one of the hottest at the festival.
""Afterschool""
Fri. 10 p.m., UW Cinematheque
Sat. 11 p.m., UW Cinematheque
Does it seem like sometimes you do nothing except sit around your house and watch videos on Youtube? Do you do it to the point that you become completely withdrawn from all society, devolving into an existence based solely on Internet memes and catchphrases? Robby, a New England boarding school student, lives that exact life in ""Afterschool,"" a look at how the Internet generation has allowed for a lack of face-to-face contact. Students may leave the film with an uneasy feeling, realizing how similar their existence can be at times to Robby's sad microchasm of life.
""The Rock-afire Explosion""
Thu. 11:15 p.m., Bartell Theater
Sun. 5:45 p.m., Bartell Theater
Remember those goofy animatronic bands at Chuck E. Cheese when you were a kid? The ones that would sing silly generic songs and wish the birthday boy a very special ""Happy Birthday""? Well, even if you don't, there are a bunch of dedicated individuals who do. People who are so dedicated that they have found the old machines, lovingly restored them, and programmed them to perform to contemporary music. This is a story of passion, of way too much free time and, most of all, of the last chance for you to see the Pizza Time Players on the big screen.
""Tracks""
Sun. 11:15 a.m., Monona Terrace
For those of you looking for the newest Wisconsin film talent, look no further than ""Tracks."" Director Josh Rosenberg is a 2006 UW-Milwaukee graduate, yet despite his young age his film managed to take home the 2009 ""Wisconsin's Own"" Jury Prize. Set in the comfy confines of Sherwood High School, the film follows Cat, a run-of-the-mill high school student who begins pushing the bounds of normalcy when she meets an older friend, Claire. Soon, she garners a raunchy and risky reputation, but is too caught up in the fast-paced life to notice or care. As an added bonus, Rosenberg will be attending with several other prominent figures who brought this film to fruition.
""Sparrow""
Sat. 8:30 p.m., Orpheum Main Stage
Famed martial arts director Johnnie To makes his triumphant return to the festival with his latest film, which focuses on a group of four pickpockets making a living stealing money on the streets of Hong Kong. ""Sparrow"" combines action, suspense and romance, and shows that everything from money to love can be stolen in the blink of an eye. To's previous films usually feature a raucous sellout crowd ready for some sweet karate moves, and audiences won't be disappointed.
