›› MOViES
Friday February 24 -Thursday March 1
Movie summaries by Matthew Stafford O Academy Awards Night Party Catch the Oscars on the Lark’s big, big screen at an evening of fun, glitz and frabjous food and drink. Prizes for most glam getups. O Act of Valor (1:41) A team of elite Navy SEALs is dispatched to the Philippines to terminate some especially nasty global-domination scenario with extreme prejudice. O Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies (2:30) Premiere U.S. screening of Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” sequel, complete with behind-the-scenes insights and an introduction from the composer. O The Artist (1:40) Dazzling Michel Hazanavicius silent about a Hollywood superstar, a hopeful extra and the life-changing effect the talkie revolution will have on their careers. O Best Picture and Best Director Festival Bone up for the 84th Academy Awards at an all-day marathon of Best Picture/Director Oscar nominees: “The Tree of Life” (12:15), “Midnight in Paris” (3), “Hugo” (5), “The Artist” (7:30) and “The Descendants” (9:45). $20 admission includes discounted snacks and drinks! O Best Shorts Festival Catch all 10 Oscarnominated animated and live-action short subjects in one convenient marathon. O Big Miracle (1:47) True tale of unlikely Cold War allies (Russians, Americans, oilmen, environmentalists) banding together to save a family of whales trapped under the icy Arctic Ocean. O Bullhead (2:04) Acclaimed Belgian Oscar nominee about a steroid-pumped cattleman who gets in over his head when he strikes a deal with a devilish meatpacker. O Chico and Rita (1:34) Sultry, evocative Spanish cartoon follows a decade-long love affair against the spicy backdrop of prerevolutionary Havana and the rise of modern jazz. O Chronicle (1:23) Three nerdly teens discover they have potent occult powers…and a dark side itching to get out. O The Descendants (1:55) Alexander Payne comedy follows George Clooney and his two daughters as they wander Kauai in search of his wife’s lover. O Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (1:35) Nicolas Cage is back as bounty hunter/stuntman Johnny Blaze, employing his supernatural powers to protect a single mom from Satan himself! O Gone (1:35) Kidnapping survivor Amanda Seyfried embarks on a race against the clock to find her abducted sister. O Hugo (2:07) Martin Scorsese family-friendly fantasy about an orphan who makes his home in the fantastical world of a Paris train station; Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen and Christopher Lee costar. O The Iron Lady (1:45) Meryl Streep stars as steely right-wing game-changing British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; Jim Broadbent is around as good ol’ Denis. O Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (1:34) Dwayne Johnson and his two kids head to a volcano-rocked, creature-infested isle to rescue resident codger Michael Caine. O The Metropolitan Opera: Ernani (3:55) Catch Verdi’s tale of mismatched amore live from New York in glorious big-screen high definition. O My Week with Marilyn (1:36) A young assistant director serves as Marilyn Monroe’s confidante, support system and wide-eyed lover during the hectic filming of “The Prince
24 PACIFIC SUN FEBRUARY 24 – MARCH 1, 2012
and the Showgirl”; with Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier, Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh and Michelle Williams as MM. O Oscar Night America The Rafael hosts the Bay Area’s only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night event replete with silent auction, fine wines, delectable noshes and the live telecast in dazzling high definition. O Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts Catch five cartoons from around the world up for this year’s Academy Awards. O Oscar-Nominated Documentary Shorts Five minimalist documentaries on a wide range of subjects with one thing in common: a shot at Academy bling. O Oscar-Nominated Live-Action Shorts The Academy’s picks for the year’s top five live-action short subjects screen at the Rafael this week. O Pina 3-D (1:43) Dazzling multidimensional plunge into the cutting-edge choreography of the legendary Pina Bausch; Wim Wenders directs. O Rampart (1:45) Screwed-up LA cop Woody Harrelson has to face down his rampant racism, sexism, homophobia and general misanthropy when he’s caught on film beating up a suspect. O The Right to Love: An American Family Documentary looks at how a Santa Rosa gay couple and their two adopted children fight ignorance and discrimination with their own YouTube channel. O Safe House (1:55) Cape Town CIA spook Ryan Reynolds and ex-turned-counter agent Denzel Washington flee terrorists (or is it their own guys?) when their cover is blown. O The Secret World of Arrietty (1:35) Acclaimed Japanese animated version of Mary Norton’s “The Borrowers” about a family of very tiny people who live beneath the floorboards of a suburban home. O Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace 3D (2:13) The first chapter of George Lucas’s sci-fi saga is back in three potentially lucrative dimensions; Liam Neeson stars. O Thin Ice (1:54) Crime drama about an insurance agent (Greg Kinnear) who tries to fleece a hick farmer (Alan Arkin) out of a valuable antique violin, not knowing that there’s more to the old rube than meets the eye. O This Means War (2:00) CIA agents/BFFs Chris Pine and Tom Hardy use all their skills and gadgets to screw each other over in their romantic pursuit of Reese Witherspoon. O Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2:07) John LeCarre’s classic espionage novel is brought to the screen with Gary Oldman as reactivated MI6 agent George Smiley and an impressive cast of traitors, moles and fellow spies (Colin Firth, John Hurt, Ralph Fiennes, David Thewlis et al.). O Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (1:50) Tyler Perry writes, directs and stars in the tale of a successful businessman whose chance encounter with a cleaning woman threatens to upend his “perfect” life. O The Vow (1:44) Channing Tatum has to charm the pants off Rachel McAdams when she awakes from a coma with no memory of him or their happy marriage. O Wanderlust (1:40) Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd ditch their overstressed Manhattan existence for the laid-back life at a clothingoptional backwoods commune. <
›› MOViE TiMES N Academy Awards Night Party (Not Rated) Lark Theater: Sun 4 N Act of Valor (R) Century Cinema: 1:30, 4:10, 7, 9:40 Century Northgate 15: 11:30, 2:15, 5, 7:45, 10:25 Century Rowland Plaza: 11:30, 2:10, 5, 7:45, 10:30 Fairfax 6 Theatres: Fri-Sat 1, 4, 6:55, 9:20 Sun-Thu 1, 4, 6:55 N Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies (PG) Century Regency 6: Tue 7:30 CinéArts at Marin: Tue 7:30 CinéArts at Sequoia: Tue 7:30 The Artist (PG-13) +++1/2 Century Regency 6: Fri-Sat 11:25, 2, 4:30, 7:05, 9:40 Sun-Thu 11:25, 2, 4:30, 7:05 CinéArts at Sequoia: Fri 4:30, 7, 9:30 Sat 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30 Sun 2, 4:30, 7 Mon, Wed, Thu 4:30, 7 Fairfax 6 Theatres: Fri-Sat 1:30, 4:15, 7:20, 9:40 Sun-Thu 1:30, 4:15, 7:20 N Best Picture and Best Director Festival 2012 (Not Rated) CinéArts at Marin: Sat 12:15 (Tree of Life), 3 (Midnight in Paris), 5 (Hugo), 7:30 (The Artist), 9:45 (The Descendants) N Best Shorts Festival (Not Rated) CinéArts at Marin: Fri 12:30, 4:15, 8 Big Miracle (PG) ++ Century Northgate 15: 11:35, 4:35, 9:35 N Bullhead (R) CinéArts at Marin: Fri-Sat 1, 4, 7, 10 Sun 1, 4, 7 MonThu 4:20, 7:30 Chico and Rita (Not Rated) Rafael Film Center: Fri 4:45, 6:45, 8:45 Sat 2:30, 4:45, 6:45, 8:45 Mon-Thu 6:45, 8:45 Chronicle (PG-13) Century Northgate 15: 12:15, 2:40, 5, 7, 9:30 The Descendants (R) ++1/2 Century Regency 6: 11:20, 2:15, 5, 7:50 CinéArts at Marin: Sun 1:15, 4:30, 7:35 Mon, Wed, Thu 4:30, 7:15 Lark Theater: Fri 4:45, 7:30 Sat 2:20, 4:45, 7:30 Mon-Tue 7 Wed-Thu 4 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (PG-13) Century Larkspur Landing: Fri 5:20; 3D showtimes at 7:45, 10:10 Sat-Sun 12:15; 3D showtimes at 2:45, 5:20, 7:45, 10:10 Mon-Thu 3D showtimes at 6:45, 9:15 Century Northgate 15: 1:30, 4, 6:30, 9; 3D showtimes at 12:30, 3, 5:30, 8, 10:20 Century Rowland Plaza: 12:05, 5; 3D showtimes at 2:30, 7:25, 10 N Gone (PG-13) Century Northgate 15: 12:05, 2:25, 4:55, 7:25, 9:55 Hugo (PG) +++1/2 Century Larkspur
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New Movies This Week
Landing: Fri 10:15; 3D showtime at 7:15 Sat-Sun 4:15, 10:15; 3D showtimes at 1:15, 7:15 MonThu 9:20; 3D showtime at 6:30 Century Rowland Plaza: 1, 7:05; 3D showtimes at 4, 9:55 Fairfax 6 Theatres: Fri-Sat 12:45, 3:50, 6:45, 9:25 Sun-Thu 12:45, 3:50, 6:45 The Iron Lady (PG-13) +++1/2 Century Regency 6: Fri-Sat 12, 4:45, 9:15 (shown on a double bill with My Week with Marilyn) Sun-Thu 12, 4:45 (shown on a double bill with My Week with Marilyn) CinéArts at Sequoia: FriSat 5, 9:45 (plays on a double bill with My Week with Marilyn) Sun-Mon, Wed-Thu 5 (plays on a double bill with My Week with Marilyn) Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG) Century Northgate 15: 2:10, 7:10; 3D showtimes at 12:50, 3:20, 5:50, 8:20 Century Rowland Plaza: 11:55, 5:10, 10:10; 3D showtimes at 2:25, 7:35 N The Metropolitan Opera: Ernani (Not Rated) Century Regency 6: Sat 9:55am CinéArts at Marin: Sat 9:55am CinéArts at Sequoia: Sat 9:55am Lark Theater: Wed 6:30 My Week With Marilyn (R) ++1/2 Century Regency 6: Fri-Mon, Wed-Thu 2:10, 6:55 (shown on a double bill with The Iron Lady) Tue 2:10 (shown on a double bill with The Iron Lady) CinéArts at Sequoia: Fri, Mon, Wed, Thu 7:30 (plays on a double bill with The Iron Lady) Sat-Sun 2:40, 7:30 (plays on a double bill with The Iron Lady) Tiburon Playhouse 3: Fri 4:15, 6:40, 9:25 Sat 1:15, 4:15, 6:40, 9:25 Sun 1:15, 4:15, 6:40 MonThu 4:15, 6:40 N Oscar Night America (Not Rated) Rafael Film Center: Sun 4 Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts (Not Rated) Rafael Film Center: Fri-Sat 4:15, 6:30 Tue-Wed 6:30 Oscar-Nominated Documentary Shorts (Not Rated) Rafael Film Center: Sat 1:30 Oscar-Nominated Live-Action Shorts (Not Rated) Rafael Film Center: FriSat, Tue-Wed 8:30 Pina 3D (PG) Rafael Film Center: Fri 4:30, 7, 9:15 Sat 2, 4:30, 7, 9:15 Mon-Thu 7, 9:15 N Rampart (R) Century Northgate 15: 11:40, 2:20, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30
N The Right to Love: An American Family (Not Rated) Rafael Film Center: Thu 7 (filmmakers Cassie Jaye and Nena Jaye plus the Leffews family in person; a benefit for Spectrum LGBT Center) Safe House (R) Century Larkspur Landing: Fri 5:15, 7:55, 10:30 Sat-Sun 11:45, 2:35, 5:15, 7:55, 10:30 Mon-Thu 7, 9:40 Century Northgate 15: 11:50, 2:35, 5:15, 7:55, 10:35 Century Rowland Plaza: 11:35, 2:15, 4:55, 7:40, 10:25 Fairfax 6 Theatres: Fri-Sat 1:40, 4:35, 7:15, 9:50 Sun-Thu 1:40, 4:35, 7:15 The Secret World of Arrietty (G) +++1/2 Century Northgate 15: 11:30, 2, 4:20, 6:55, 9:25 Fairfax 6 Theatres: Fri-Sat 1:10, 4:20, 6:40, 9 Sun-Thu 1:10, 4:20, 6:40 Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace 3D (PG) Century Northgate 15: 12:40; 2D showtimes at 3:50, 7:05, 10:05 Thin Ice (R) Century Regency 6: Fri-Sat 12:25, 2:50, 5:15, 7:40, 10 SunThu 12:25, 2:50, 5:15, 7:40 This Means War (PG-13) Century Northgate 15: 11, 12, 2:45, 3:45, 5:20, 6:20, 7:40, 8:40, 10:10 Century Rowland Plaza: 12:15, 2:45, 5:15, 7:50, 10:20 Tiburon Playhouse 3: Fri 4:25, 7, 9:30 Sat 1:30, 4:25, 7, 9:30 Sun 1:30, 4:25, 7 Mon-Thu 4:25, 7 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (R) +++1/2 Century Regency 6: Fri-Sat 12:50, 3:55, 7, 10:05 Sun-Thu 12:50, 3:55, 7 Tiburon Playhouse 3: Fri 4, 6:50, 9:40 Sat 1, 4, 6:50, 9:40 Sun 1, 4, 6:50 Mon-Thu 4, 6:50 N Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13) Century Northgate 15: 1:40, 4:25, 7:15, 10 The Vow (PG-13) ++1/2 Century Larkspur Landing: Fri 5, 7:30, 10 Sat-Sun 12, 2:25, 5, 7:30, 10 Mon-Thu 7:15, 9:45 Century Regency 6: Fri 11:15, 1:50, 4:35, 7:15, 9:55 Sat 4:35, 7:15, 9:55 Sun-Thu 11:15, 1:50, 4:35, 7:15 Century Rowland Plaza: 11:45, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20, 10:15 Fairfax 6 Theatres: Fri-Sat 1:20, 4:25, 7:05, 9:35 SunThu 1:20, 4:25, 7:05 N Wanderlust (R) Century Northgate 15: 11:45, 2:30, 5:05, 7:35, 10:15 Century Rowland Plaza: 12, 2:35, 5:05, 7:30, 10:05 CinéArts at Marin: Fri-Sat 1:30, 4:45, 7:15, 9:30 Sun 1:30, 4:45, 7:15 Mon-Thu 4:40, 7
Showtimes can change after we go to press. Please call theater to confirm schedules.
›› THEATERS CinéArts at Marin 101 Caledonia St., Sausalito • 331-0255 CinéArts at Sequoia 25 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley • 388-4862 Cinema 41 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera • 924-6505 Fairfax 9 Broadway, Fairfax • 453-5444 Lark 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur • 924-5111 Larkspur Landing 500 Larkspur Landing Cir., Larkspur • 461-4849 Northgate 7000 Northgate Dr., San Rafael • 800-326-3264 Playhouse 40 Main St., Tiburon • 435-1234 Rafael Film Center 1118 Fourth St., San Rafael • 454-1222 Regency 80 Smith Ranch Rd., Terra Linda • 479-5050 Rowland 44 Rowland Way, Novato • 800-326-3264
Jeanne Dandoy in Best Foreign Film Oscar nominee ‘Bullhead,’ opening at the Marin Friday.