At the theaters

Tue, 01/02/2018 - 12:00pm

 Harbor Theater

185 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor ~ 633-0438 ~ http://boothbaycinema.org

“Wonder” - The incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman. Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade.  Last screening of “Wonder” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

“Starring a terrific Jacob Tremblay as a bullied boy with facial deformities and Julia Roberts as his mom, this drama has surprising dimension and delicacy.” - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

“The Sounding” -  A made in Maine film shot on Monhegan Island, this is the haunting story of a woman’s struggle to maintain her independence and find her own voice. On Monhegan, Michael (Teddy Sears), a revolutionary neuropsychiatrist discovers Liv (Catherine Eaton) who, after years of silence, now speaks only in Shakespeare's words. Brought to the island to protect her, their lives collide as he struggles to define what it is he must protect her from.

Written and directed by Catherine Eaton, “The Sounding” was the opening night film for the 2017 Maine International Film Festival in Waterville last summer, and subsequently won MIFF’s Audience Award for Best Film of the Festival. Eaton says the film was inspired by “Oliver Sacks’ humanity and curiosity about the brain, and Shakespeare’s insights into the human condition.”

The film will be introduced by members of MIFF’s parent non-profit organization, the Maine Film Center. Executive Director Mike Perrault and Ken Eisen, Director of Programming for the Center will come from Waterville to tell us a bit about the film and the festival, and lead a question and answer session afterwards. Screening and Q&A on Thursday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m., refreshments starting at 6:30 p.m. The film will be repeated at a matinee on Friday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. (all tickets $6).  This is the first of Four Thursday Night Specials in January with speakers and free desserts and coffee.

Wrote Michael Rabehl for Cinequest Film Festival, “An unforgettable tale about humanity … and about how we should always strive to be something more, something extraordinary.” 

“Lady Bird” - This coming of age story directed by Greta Gerwig stars Saoirse Ronan as Lady Bird, the high school senior who wants to escape her dreary California home for college back east. Wildly spirited like her mother (a terrific Laurie Metcalf) who is trying to hold the family together when her husband loses his job, Lady Bird is determined to oppose any of her mother’s stern advice about love, life and especially college. Filled with humor and pathos, “Lady Bird” dives deep into the relationships that define us and the decisions that often lead us back to home.

Opening for a four-day run on Friday, Jan. 5, “Lady Bird” has already been named Best Picture 2017 by New York Film Critics and Chicago Film Critics; nominated for four Golden Globes 2017, and has so far racked up 45 wins and 96 nominations in the awards season.

Showing at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5,  Saturday, Jan. 6 and Wednesday, Jan. 10; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7.  (Note no Sunday night shows in January). 

 Lincoln Theater

2 Theater St., Damariscotta ~ 207-563-3424 ~ www.atthelincoln.org

“Murder on the Orient Express” - Kenneth Branagh directs and stars in this new adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic in which celebrated detective Hercule Poirot is recruited to solve the case when a murder occurs on the train on which he's travelling. Cast includes Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, and others.  Rated PG-13. Final showings at 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. (open captioned) and Thursday, Jan. 4.

“Lawrence of Arabia” (1962) - Our next classic film offering of the season.  This sweeping, highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mid-eastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole, in the role that made him a star). Run time: 3 hours, 30 minutes, plays Friday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m.

“Last Flag Flying” -  In 2003, 30 years after they served together in the Vietnam War, former Navy Corps medic Richard "Doc" Shepherd (Steve Carell) reunites with former Marines Sal (Bryan Cranston) and Richard Mueller (Laurence Fishburne) on a different type of mission: to bury Doc's son, a young Marine killed in the Iraq War. Doc decides to forgo a burial at Arlington Cemetery and, with the help of his old buddies, takes the casket on a bittersweet trip up the east coast to his home in suburban New Hampshire.

Along the way, Doc, Sal and Mueller reminisce and come to terms with shared memories of the war that continues to shape their lives. Director Richard Linklater and author Darryl Ponicsan collaborated on the screenplay which follows the trio as they wrestle with the pangs of war both past and present. 

“Last Flag Flying” balances raw drama against refreshing moments of humor in an impeccably cast film that wrestles with questions of patriotism, family, and grief. It plays at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 7; at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6 and Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Sneak Peek: “Victoria” (Season 2, episode 1) -  Jenna Coleman returns for a new season as the young queen who wants it all - romance, power, an heir, and personal freedom.  Airing in seven episodes, created and scripted by bestselling novelist Daisy Goodwin, Maine Public is holding a special screening of the first hour of the Season 2 premiere episode. Doors open at 1 p.m., screening at 2. Catering by Laura Cabot.  A free event, but ticket reservations required. Go to: www.eventbrite.com/e/victoria-season-2-premiere-at-the-lincoln-theater-tickets-39881807560?aff=es2

“Human Flow” - Over 65 million people around the world have been forced from their homes to escape famine, climate change and war in the greatest human displacement since World War II. “Human Flow,” an epic film journey led by the internationally renowned artist Ai Weiwei, gives a powerful visual expression to this massive human migration. PG-13. Run time: 2 hours, 20 minutes. Plays Thursday, Jan. 11 at 2 and 7 p.m.