Reel to reel | Week of May 24, 2012

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4:44 LAST DAY ON EARTH

In a large apartment high above the city lives a couple. She’s a painter, he’s a successful actor. Just a normal afternoon — except that this isn’t a normal afternoon, for them or anyone else. Because tomorrow, at 4:44 a.m., give or take a few seconds, the world will come to an end far more rapidly than even the worst doomsayer could have imagined. At Denver FilmCenter/Colfax. — Denver Film Society

THE AVENGERS 3D

A team of superheroes including Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Thor unite to save the world. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

BATTLESHIP

The classic naval combat game brought to life with plenty of visual effects and slowmotion action sequences. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks.

BERNIE

Filmmaker Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunset) returns to his Texas roots for this delightfully pokerfaced black comedy — based on a true story — about East Texas assistant funeral home director Bernie Tiede (Jack Black). Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine), an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Driven by her cruelty to put four bullets in her, Bernie goes to great lengths to keep up the illusion that she’s still alive. At Century and Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

A group of British retirees (Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith) decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the place a shell of its former self. At Century and Esquire. — Landmark Theatres

BOY

This is a hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age tale about heroes, magic and Michael Jackson. Boy is a dreamer who lives with his brother, a tribe of deserted cousins and his Nan. Boy’s other hero, his father, is the subject of fantasies: a deep sea diver, war hero and a close relation of Michael Jackson (he can even dance like him). In reality he is an inept, wannabe gangster who has been in jail for robbery. At Denver FilmCenter/Colfax. — Boedecker Theater

BULLHEAD

A domineering cattle farmer, constantly pumped on steroids and hormones, initiates a shady deal with a notorious mafioso meat trader. When an investigating federal agent is assassinated and a woman from his traumatic past resurfaces, Jacky must confront his demons and face the far-reaching consequences of his decisions. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

CHERNOBYL DIARIES

From Oren Peli, creator of Paranormal Activity, comes another spine tingler about ignored warnings and unwelcome companions. Rated R. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks.

CHIMPANZEE

This nature documentary follows a baby chimpanzee and his family as they survive in the African forest. At Century and Colony Square. — Los Angeles Times/ MCT

THE COLOR WHEEL

JR, an increasingly transient aspiring news anchor, forces her disappointing younger brother Colin to embark on a road trip to move her belongings out of her professor-turned-lover’s apartment. Problem is, these grown up kids do not get along, and are both too obnoxious to know better. At Denver FilmCenter/Colfax. — Denver Film Society

CROOKED ARROWS

Tribal pride blends with an underdog sports team story in this tale of how a young man tries to prove himself to his father and earn his place in his Native American tribe. Rated R. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks.

DARK SHADOWS

A vampire is freed from his tomb after two centuries and set loose in the world of 1972. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks.

DARLING COMPANION

Beth (Diane Keaton) saves a lost dog from the side of the freeway on a wintry day in Denver. Struggling with her distracted, self-involved husband Joseph (Kevin Kline) and an empty nest at home, Beth forms a special bond with the rescued animal. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

DHAMMA BROTHERS

An overcrowded maximum-security prison in Alabama is dramatically changed by the influence of an ancient meditation program. The Vipassana retreat, an emotionally and physically demanding course of silent meditation lasting 10 days, is seen by some as a threat to their religious beliefs. But for some it may hold the key for personal redemption. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

THE DICTATOR

Sacha Baron Cohen is back with a character that sports a funny accent and antagonizes others. Shock! But unlike Borat, Admiral General Aladeen is neither revealing nor inherently hilarious. In what could have been a powerful and insightful statement in the wake of the Arab Spring is mostly a tired retread of moderately funny vulgar jokes. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks — The Reader of Omaha, Neb.

FIRST POSITION

Every year, thousands of aspiring dancers enter one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions, the Youth America Grand Prix, where lifelong dreams are at stake. Bess Kargman’s award-winning documentary and feature film debut, First Position, follows six young dancers as they movie prepare for a chance to enter the world of professional ballet. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT

Most romantic comedies give up once the girl, or guy, has been gotten. This movie shows why. Rated R. At Century and Colony Square.

HEADHUNTERS

Headhunters is an intense action thriller, as well as a provocative investigation into questions of betrayal, revenge and deadly ambition. The talented Aksel Hennie (Max Manus) stars as Roger, a charming scoundrel and Norway’s most accomplished corporate headhunter. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

HUNGER GAMES

In the post-apocalyptic ruins of North America, a teenage girl competes in a nationally televised battle to the death against 23 of her peers. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

KEYHOLE

After a long absence, gangster and father Ulysses Pick arrives home to a house haunted with memories, towing the body of a teenaged girl and a bound and gagged young man. His gang waits inside his house, having shot their way past police. Ulysses, however, is focused on one thing: journeying through the house, room by room, and reaching his wife in her bedroom upstairs. At Denver FilmCenter/ Colfax. — Denver Film Society

THE KID WITH A BIKE

Grand Jury Prize winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this new release by the Dardenne brothers delves into the emotional life of troubled 11-year-old Cyril. When his father abandons him, Cyril obsessively tries to find his bicycle. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

LIVE OPERA: PETER GRIMES

Set in a drab fishing village, Peter Grimes tells the story of a man accused by his neighbors of committing unspeakable crimes and how their actions ripple further and further. Britten’s incredible score includes the Four Sea Interludes, instrumental music between scenes that perfectly expresses the mystery and pain at the heart of this opera. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

MARLEY

Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. Director Kevin Macdonald’s (One Day In September, The Last King of Scotland) documentary Marley is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. At Mayan and Denver FilmCenter/Colfax. — Landmark Theatres

MEN IN BLACK III

The real prize in this film will be seeing Josh Brolin’s impressions of Tommy Lee Jones. But there are sure to be other entertaining aspects to this back-in-timeto-save-the-future tale. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks.

MIRROR MIRROR

An exiled princess enlists the help of a group of diminutive bandits to take back her usurped throne from an evil queen in this retelling of the Snow White fairy tale. Rated PG. At Colony Square. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

OPERA: MARIA STUARDA

Famous for the real-life power struggles that took place on stage during the rehearsals, and on opening night, between the two prima donnas, there is no such drama in this production, where the luminous Mariella Devia as Maria Stuarda and Anna Caterina Antonacci as Elisabetta come together in wonderful harmony. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS 3-D

In this Claymation extravaganza based on a series of books, The Pirate Captain (voiced by Hugh Grant) leads his group of hapless miscreants through an adventure that involves Charles Darwin (David Tennant). While jokes about evolution are found a plenty, laughs are not had by all in this shockingly boring endeavor. Rated PG. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks. — The Reader of Omaha, Neb.

PRISONER OF PARADISE

The true story of Kurt Gerron traces the life of the beloved German-Jewish actor, director and cabaret star who was sent to Theriesenstadt. Ordered to write and direct a propaganda film depicting the concentration camp as a haven for artists, Gerron filmed a production of Brundibar that survives today. Gerron, the children he filmed, and Brundibar’s composer were all sent to their deaths following the filming. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen stars Ewan McGregor as Dr. Alfred Jones, a fisheries scientist who one day receives an unusual request. A businesswoman named Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Emily Blunt, The Adjustment Bureau) wants his help in fulfilling a wealthy sheikh’s (Amr Waked) desire to bring sport fishing to Yemen. At Century and Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

SMALL, BEAUTIFULLY MOVING PARTS

Sarah Sparks is a freelance “technologist” who repairs everything from new com puters to old-fashioned radios and considers it part of her job to interview strangers in public places about the role technology plays in their lives. At Denver FilmCenter/Colfax. — Denver Film Society

SOUND OF MY VOICE

In the mystery drama Sound of My Voice, a couple of young documentary filmmakers infiltrate a mysterious group led by an enigmatic young woman named Maggie (co-writer Brit Marling, Another Earth). At Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

A SURPRISE IN TEXAS

In May 2009, 29 young contestants came from all over the world to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for the most prestigious prize in the music world. This is the story of one of the contestants, 20-year-old Nobuyuki Tsujii from Tokyo, blind from birth. At Boedecker Theater. — Boedecker Theater

THINK LIKE A MAN

Four men have their love lives shaken up when the women they are pursuing read a relationship-advice book and take its lessons to heart. At Colony Square. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

THE THREE STOOGES

Three infants left on a nun’s doorstep grow up to be knuckleheads who get embroiled in a murder plot and stumble into a reality TV show. Rated PG. At Twin Peaks. — Los Angeles Times/MCT

TONIGHT YOU’RE MINE

Strutting indie music star Adam (Luke Treadaway, Attack the Block) and feisty punk-rock girl band leader Morello (Natalia Tena, Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Potter series) are handcuffed together as part of a backstage altercation. With no key in sight, the two feuding musicians can’t be unhitched, even to perform. At Mayan. — Landmark Theatres

WE HAVE A POPE

A cardinal suddenly finds himself elected as the next pope. Never the front runner and completely caught off guard, he panics as he’s presented to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square. To prevent a worldwide crisis, the Vatican’s spokesman calls in an unlikely psychiatrist who is neither religious nor all that committed to finding out what is wrong with the new pope. At Chez Artiste. — Landmark Theatres

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING

The book What to Expect When You’re Expecting is approaching 30 — about time to start bearing its own offspring, though the disjointed high drama of this film may not exactly make a parent proud. The ensemble cast that includes every available face from Jennifer Lopez to Chris Rock leads to heavy-handed dramatics panning in an overall sitcommy film. Rated PG-13. At Century, Colony Square and Twin Peaks.