Movies
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
It’s hard to keep still and quiet while watching “Say Amen, Somebody,” a documentary that shines a spotlight on U.S. gospel pioneers. Read more
Native history, white tears
In “Neither Wolf Nor Dog” a white writer is kidnapped (sort of) by two Native American men who take him on a journey through Indian Country to impart lessons of spirituality and history. Read more
Netflix
Local stories, global consequences
“American Factory” takes a close, personal look at the workforce in Dayton, Ohio, after the Chinese-owned Fuyao Group reopens a shuttered GM plant, offering non-union jobs to former auto workers. Read more
Music Box Films
Culture clash
“Give Me Liberty,” a film made in Milwaukee, has already gained acclaim at Sundance and Cannes. It has its Madison premiere at Cinematheque Aug. 29. Read more
New Day Films
Hidden in plain sight
There are few facilities like this anywhere in the country, and even fewer that never charge admission. So why don’t more people take advantage of the films shown by Cinematheque? Read more
Soft on injustice
“Brian Banks” is based on the true story of a promising football player who was exonerated after being imprisoned for six years for a crime he didn’t commit. It features a great performance from Aldis Hodge. Read more
Columbia Pictures
When old is new
Quentin Tarantino has lovingly reconstructed the LA of his childhood in “Once Upon a Time in … Hollywood. It’s still Tarantino, but covers fresh territory. Read more
Mad, madder, maddest Max
George Miller’s bonkers “Mad Max” saga is back where it belongs: on the big screen. You can still catch three of the four dystopian masterpieces for free at UW Cinematheque. Read more
Netflix
The rise of AOC
“Knock Down the House” is a powerful documentary available on Netflix that shows the power of community organizing as it tracks the longshot candidacies of four women Congressional candidates in 2018. We’re all familiar with one of them: AOC Read more
Ghouls’ night out
Director Jim Jarmusch has assembled (and disassembled) an all-star cast for “The Dead Don’t Die.” It’s a pleasurable and languid take on the classic George Romero film. Read more
An exceptional romance
Film critic MaryAnn Johanson is not a fan of rom-coms. But she makes an exception for the exceptional “Always Be My Maybe.” Read more
"Booksmart" gets it right
Isthmus critic Alex Claiborne says “Booksmart” gets Type-A high schoolers right. She should know: She was one. Read more
Haute cinema
MMoCA’s Rooftop Cinema is back on Friday nights in June with films from off the beaten path. The series kicks off June 7 with three films from Ho-Chunk Nation filmmaker Sky Hopinka. Read more
Creative meditations
Retired mental health professional Martin Saunders picks up a camera to document the creative life and work of local artist Christopher X Burant. The resulting film premieres at Union South on June 1. Read more
Origin story
The new biopic “Tolkien” is perfect for people who love behind-the-scenes extras — a very literal look at the visionary behind “The Lord of the Rings.” Read more
Sequels within a sequel
Everything is better with a dog. That’s the main message behind “A Dog’s Journey,” a sequel to 2017’s mega-hit, “A Dog’s Purpose.” It’s basically the same movie, but does that matter? Read more
Rataj Berard
The little store that could
Although the current owners are looking to move on, Four Star Video Cooperative is surviving, despite the odds. Read more
Rom-com in the age of horror
With excellent chemistry from stars Seth Rogan and Charlize Theron, “Long Shot” is a much better movie than the marketing campaign would have you believe. It’s a sexy, savvy political romance for troubled times. Read more
Amazing Grace Film: LLC
All hail the Queen
In 1972, a camera crew led by Sydney Pollack captured a live recording of Aretha Franklin’s gospel album at a Los Angeles Baptist Church. The result is “Amazing Grace,” one of the greatest concert films ever made. Read more
Baring souls
Podcaster Kulap Vilaysack journeys to Minnesota and Laos to confront her past and explore her identity in “Origin Story.” The film screens at Cinematheque on UW-Madison campus on April 25. Read more
