SCREENINGS 300 (117 mins.; R: graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality, nudity) King Leonidas and his 300 men fight the Persian army at Thermopylae in 480 bce.
crisis. Even as the sometimes too-overthe-top film tests our patience, the continuing saving grace comes in the form of Meryl Streep, again confirming our suspicions that she may be the reigning queen of living American film actresses. (JW)
Thu., Mar. 6, 5:30pm, Arlington (2-D)
Generation War (270 mins.; NR) In 1941 Berlin, five friends eager to become heroes embark on an adventure that will forever change the face of Europe. Presented in two parts as part of the Santa Barbara Film Fest Showcase Film Series. Part two will screen on Wed., Mar. 12. Wed., Mar. 5, 7:30pm, Plaza de Oro
Linsanity (89 mins.; PG: some thematic
Plaza de Oro
✯ Frozen (108 mins.; PG: some action, mild rude humor) Anna and Kristoff unite on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa and rescue their kingdom from an endless winter. Besides its long-overdue bow to feminist hopes, Frozen strikes a nice balance between expectation and surprise; we’re on safe (if frigid) terrain, but the plot keeps you guessing. (DJP) Fiesta 5 (2-D)
elements, language)
Evan Leong directs this documentary about New York Knicks basketball sensation Jeremy Lin. Wed., Mar. 5, 6pm, UCSB’s MultiCultural Center
Out of the Furnace (116 mins.; R: strong violence, language, drug content)
After his brother mysteriously disappears and the police refuse to help, a man (Christian Bale) takes matters into his own hands. Despite its stellar cast and great promise, Out of the Furnace ends up being an interesting couple of movies, never successfully stitched together. (JW) Fri., Feb. 28, 7 and 10pm; Mon., Mar. 3, 7 and 10pm, Isla Vista Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte
Particle Fever (97 mins.; NR) Mark Levinson’s documentary follows six scientists during the launch of the Large Hadron Collider, the massive experiment that could explain the origin of all matter. Thu., Mar. 6, 7:30pm, UCSB’s Campbell Hall
NOW SHOWING ✯ About Last Night
(100 mins.; R: sexual content, language, brief drug use)
Two new couples journey from the world of one-night stands to real-life relationships. Somehow, in some way, About Last Night is one of those rare movies that manage the balancing act of the warm fuzzies and the nasty scuzzies, in close proximity and interwoven as it goes. (JW) Fiesta 5
✯ American Hustle (138 mins.; R: pervasive language, some sexual content, brief violence)
David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook) writes and directs this drama about a 1970s con man and his partner, who are forced into working for a loose-cannon FBI agent. Russell’s latest film takes its place in the ranks of conning-the-conner cinema lorded over by greats like The Grifters and Catch Me If You Can in which wits and kitsch prevail even as violence lurks around every corner. (JW) Paseo Nuevo
✯ Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues: Super-Sized R-Rated Version (143 mins.; R: crude and sexual content, drug use, language, comic violence)
San Diego newsman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) travels to New York for a job at the first 24-hour news channel. Rather than the mere condescending tweak of 1970s local news, Anchorman actually tries to score satiric points. Of course, the whole movie’s flocked with jokes calibrated for stoner-quality quoting, too. (DJP) Fiesta 5
✯ August: Osage County (121 mins.; R: language including sexual references, drug material) Three strong-willed sisters converge on their childhood home following a family
✯ Gloria
(110 mins.; R: sexual content, some graphic nudity, drug use, language)
A spirited middle-aged Chilean woman meets and falls for a former naval officer she meets in a club. Gloria is a disarmingly engrossing, altogether-remarkable piece of cinema, principally thanks to the quiet charismatic force that is actress Paulina García. (JW) Riviera
✯ The Lego Movie
(100 mins.; PG: mild
action, rude humor)
A lowly Lego mini-figure is mistakenly recruited to help stop an evil tyrant from gluing the universe together. The nature of Lego is the creation of lands, environments, and worlds, and the true strength of this wacky movie is the way it keeps breaking walls and entering new dimensions. (DJP) Fairview (2-D)/
Three Santa Babara Debuts from Around the World TONIGHT!
Malian Singer-songwriter
Fatoumata Diawara THU, FEB 27 / 8 PM / UcsB cAMPBELL HALL
“[One of] the most beguiling talents to hit the world music scene in some time.” The Telegraph (U.K.)
Inspired by ancestral Wassoulou traditions, as well as jazz, pop and funk, Diawara’s arresting music is a joyous mix of vibrant and understated melodies soaring over intricate guitar and percussion arrangements. Debut album: Fatou (2012). Media Sponsors:
Grammy-nominated Hawaiian Superstar
Keali‘i Reichel WED, MAR 12 / 8 PM / UcsB cAMPBELL HALL
“A sweet voice, as warm as the Hawaiian sun.” The Seattle Times Reichel performs intoxicating music, hypnotic chant and mesmerizing hula that represent the very best of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music and dance today. Be transported to the islands by his soothing vocals and entourage of enthralling performers. Event Sponsors: Sue & Brian Kelly
Fiesta 5 (2-D and 3-D)
The Monuments Men (118 mins.; PG-13: some images of war violence, historical smoking)
An unlikely World War II platoon is charged with returning Nazi-stolen art masterpieces to their rightful owners. Bill Murray, George Clooney, and Matt Damon star. Despite its major players, not much in the way of acting is required in this sentimental and fairly inert film, and not much is offered. (JW)
Come early for a FREE hula lesson with Camarillo’s own Hālau Hula O Pualanina’auali’ioha MAR 12 / 7 PM / cAMPBELL HALL (OUTsIDE)
Camino Real/Paseo Nuevo
✯ Philomena (98 mins.; PG-13: some strong language, thematic elements, sexual references) A journalist picks up a story about an older woman searching for her son, who was taken from her decades ago after she was forced into a convent. Steve Coogan abandons his smart hipster shtick to play reporter Martin Sixsmith, and the results are surprisingly moving. Paseo Nuevo RoboCop (117 mins.; PG-13: intense sequences of action including frenetic gun violence throughout, brief strong language, sensuality, some drug material)
In 2028 Detroit, when a young cop is critically wounded on the job, a conglomerate sees it as an opportunity to create a manrobot, police-officer hybrid. The cast is still solidly stellar, but the movie they made isn’t funny, scary, or thrilling. It’s a message film with wise warnings but with weapons set on boring. (DJP) Camino Real/Metro 4 The Wolf of Wall Street (180 mins.; R:
Protégé of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Qawwali Music of Pakistan
Asif Ali Khan
THU, APR 3 / 8 PM / UcsB cAMPBELL HALL
“The protégé has become the master of Sufi devotional music.” Time Out Sydney Asif is a superstar in his native Pakistan, remaining faithful to the sublime traditions of devotional Sufi music. To hear his pure, unbridled voice crying out above the call-and-response choruses, rhythmic hand claps, percussion and harmonium of his accompanying musicians is an exhilarating experience. Media Sponsors:
sequences of strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use, language throughout, some violence)
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jordan Belfort, a real-life stockbroker who falls from grace in a plot involving crime, corruption, and the U.S. government. Wolf has absolutely fabulous levels of fun, black humor, beauty, and vice, but in the end, it all seems a long, loud, ultimately empty howl. (DJP) Fiesta 5
(805) 893-3535 / www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu february 27, 2014
THE INDEPENDENt
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