film

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LIFE ITSELF

Acclaimed director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) and executive producers Martin Scorsese (The Departed) and Steven Zaillian (Moneyball) present a documentary film that recounts the inspiring and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert — a story that is by turns personal, funny, painful and transcendent. Based on his bestselling memoir of the same name, this movie explores the legacy of Roger Ebert’s life, from his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism at the Chicago Sun-Times to becoming one of the most influential cultural voices in America. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

THE LUNCHBOX

A mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

THE ROLLING STONES: SWEET SUMMER SUN — CONCERT IN HYDE PARK

In the summer of 2013, the Stones delivered a five-star performance in their hometown that had both fans and critics singing their praises. The set packed in hit after hit and saw the band joined by former guitarist Mick Taylor for a special guest appearance on two songs. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

BLESSINGS: THE TSOKNYI NANGCHEN NUNS OF TIBET

This documentary tells the story of 3,000 nuns living in the remote nomadic region of Nangchen in Eastern Tibet who practice an ancient yogic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Despite near extinction during the Cultural Revolution, these remarkable spiritual practitioners have emerged to rebuild their monasteries by hand — stone by stone. Now, their tradition of wisdom and compassion is once again vital and growing. Filmmaker Q&A with Victress Hitchcock after screening on Aug. 16. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

GIGI

Weary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship, but it may not stay platonic for long. Winner of nine Oscars, it stars Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jordan. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

SCIENCE ON SCREEN: DR. DAVID BRAIN, TERRAFORMING MARS AND “TOTAL RECALL”

Co-investigator on the MAVEN team (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission), Dr. David Brain will discuss the possibilities of terraforming Mars, followed by a screening of the delightfully cheesy Schwarzenegger action sci-fi romp Total Recall. Supported by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

PANTANI: THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A CYCLIST

In 1998 Marco Pantani, the most flamboyant and popular cyclist of his era, won both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, a titanic feat of physical and mental endurance that no rider has repeated since. He was a hero to millions, the sav ior of cycling following the doping scandals which threatened to destroy the sport. Less than six years later, aged just 34, he died alone in a cheap hotel room from acute cocaine poisoning. He had been an addict for five years. This is the story of the tragic battles fought by the most important Italian cyclist of his generation; man versus mountain, athlete versus addiction, Marco Pantani versus himself. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

THE GRAND SEDUCTION

The small harbor of Tickle Cove is in dire need of a doctor so that the town can land a contract to secure a factory which will save the town from financial ruin. Village resident Murray French (Brendan Gleeson) leads the search, and when he finds Dr. Paul Lewis (Taylor Kitsch) he employs — along with the whole town — tactics to seduce the doctor to stay permanently. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

OPERA: MEFISTOFELE- SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

Boito’s resplendent retelling of Goethe’s Faust is a monumental work of “choral grandeur and melodic richness” (The New York Times). The cast includes Ramón Vargas as the philosopher who sells his soul to the Devil; the “luminous, compelling” Patricia Racette (Washington Post) as the woman he desires; and, in the vividly menacing title role, the “seductively malevolent” bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov. At Boedecker. — Boedecker Theater

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