Postpone those ""Halloween,"" ""Friday the 13th"" and other various horror movie marathons just another week longer (except for maybe ""Hocus Pocus,"" since we all know that's getting watched more than once anyway). The WUD Film committee has got some flicks coming up for which you will not want to keep your eyes covered—though tightly squeezing the hand next to you may still be permissible.
Let me first get my nerdy tendencies out of the way: OMGZ THEY'RE PLAYING ""HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART II"" MULTIPLE TIMES THIS WEEKEND!!! MARRY ME, RONALD WEASELY.
Sorry for Potter-ing.
In what is most likely an ode to the witches, wizards and other ""Fantastic Beasts (and Where to Find Them),"" this October, there will be a Thursday night screening of the final installment of the Harry Potter saga, followed by two screenings on Friday the 14 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The latter will host a costume contest, followed by dual screenings on Saturday and two more early showings on Sunday. I'm pretty sure they're anticipating large crowds.
On a slightly less freakishly obsessive note, the following week (Oct. 19-23) WUD Film is partnering with the Wisconsin Book Festival to help promote this year's theme of ""Voices."" This is the 10th annual festival presented by the Wisconsin Humanities Council, and it hosts five days jam-packed with literature- and humanities-based events.
But let's face it: It's midterms season, and sitting down to read a novel—although enticing—just might not be possible. That's why WUD Film has graciously provided some silver screen delights to get you thinking for a few hours without having to power through the pages.
First up, on Wednesday, Oct. 19, flock to the theater for some feathery film as you gain some perspective on an unlikely Madison underground scene. ""Mad City Chickens"" screens at 8 p.m. and tells the story of Madison residents who decided they wanted the right to raise chickens in their homes, just like the citizens of yesteryear before factory egg farms. Starting in May 2004, the film follows a range of stories, from a family in the process of acquiring their first chicks, to a pet store owner saving a sickly chicken from the dump. This is not your typical chick flick.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, immerse yourself in a farm of different sorts. If the only view you have of prison is watching George Bluth, Sr. play softball on ""Arrested Development,"" you'll be thrown when you see ""The Farm: Angola, USA."" Set over the course of three years, this exposé of sorts offers an eye-opening look into the largest maximum-security prison in the U.S. With this Oscar-nominated documentary follow six inmates sentenced to life.
If you've ever attended a JUST BUST! night hosted by the First Wave Spoken Word and Urban Arts Learning Community (or even if you haven't) you'll want to be sure to catch ""Louder Than a Bomb"" on Friday, Oct. 21. This deep documentary details the difficulties of high schoolers from across Chicago as they prepare for and compete in a spoken word competitions. Pardon the excessive alliteration, but this moving tale depicts the talents of young slam poets wise beyond their years, and I was feeling inspired. It screens at 9:30 p.m. in the Marquee Theater.
Rounding out the weekend is ""Reservation Road"" on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Ruffalo this compelling thriller details the stories of two families dealing with child abduction. On Sunday, ""Proceed and Be Bold"" documents the work of internationally recognized printing press artist and perhaps better-known rebel, Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. Not only will you get to see innovative works of art, but this film also ""raises emotionally-charged questions and reveals remarkable depth beneath the bold print."" See them at 9:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Marquee, respectively.
I know it's been nice out lately, but I've heard some rain and cold weather are approaching almost as fast as that hoard of wildebeests in the gorge right before they took out Mufasa. Don't let this damp weather dampen your spirits! Use it as a good excuse to get cozy and have that movie night (or five) you're always talking about but can never justify. These films might actually make you smarter; go ahead and indulge.
Did Jaime forget your favorite Halloween film? Are you planning your own Halloween film festival, or possibly a ""Harry Potter"" marathon? Jaime needs to know these things. Inform her at jbrackeen@wisc.edu.
