film

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ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT 

Set during the first World War, All Quiet on the Western Front shows the mixed feelings and harsh realities that come with serving your country. Only 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5, IFS at VAC Basement Auditorium.

THE BABADOOK 

This movie is being pigeon-holed as horror, but don’t discount it. It compares well with Kubricks’s The Shining and Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby as a deeply nuanced and powerful film, well worth the scary bits. It tells a story of repressed grief and the difficulties of childhood and parenting, which is emotionally charged territory for most of us. At Boedecker — Boedecker Theater

BORN TO FLY: ELIZABETH STREB VS. GRAVITY 

Elizabeth Streb’s Extreme Action Company is to American Ballet Theater as Spider-Man is to a National Geographic special on arachnids. Working out of an industrial building in Williamsburg, her troupe hones dangerous, mindboggling feats: hybrids of dance, acrobatics, performance art, and maybe just plain cruelty. The spiky-haired Streb, outfitted in motorcycle boots and de rigeur black everything, is a surprisingly gamine woman whose charisma is as palpable as the affection and compassion she affords her dancers. At Boedecker — Boedecker Theater

CARRY THE TUNE 

This inspiring documentary features a plethora of local music groups and students to show that learning music often starts in school, but need not end there. It can become a life-long source of joy and connection to community. Opening night features filmmaker Q&A, and select screenings will feature live music with performers in the movie. At Boedecker — Boedecker Theater

CITIZENFOUR 

The documentary peaks into the life of Edward Snowden, National Security Agency whistleblower who exposed classified U.S. government information. Only 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, IFS at Muenzinger Auditorium.

NIGHTCRAWLER 

Los Angeles is home to more than 3 million souls and Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) was just another one, drifting aimlessly until he met Joe Loder (Bill Paxton).

As a freelance videographer, Loder cruises the mean streets of LA, listening to police scanners, trying to be the first one on the scene of a burglary, a hit and run, a homicide, or, as news producer Nina (Rene Russo) puts it, “A screaming woman running down the street with her throat cut.” Thanks to “if it bleeds, it leads” sensationalism, nightcrawlers are there to capture the grisly aftermath and sell the footage to the highest bidder before most people get down their first cup of coffee. As far as Bloom’s concerned, it’s good work if you can get it. A couple of happy accidents later, Bloom is in business with Nina as his go-to customer. Bloom hires another wandering soul (Riz Ahmed) as his assistant, takes out the competition and begins to wonder if finding the grisly aftermath is enough. What if he began creating it himself? Only 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, IFS at Muenzinger Auditorium. — Michael J. Casey

OPERA: L’ELISIR D’AMORE 

Laurent Pelly’s acclaimed production of Donizetti’s opera radiates tenderness, humor and southern sunshine, starring Vittorio Grigolo, Lucy Crowe and Bryn Terfel. At Boedecker — Boedecker Theater

OSCAR NOMINATED LIVE-ACTION SHORTS 

Shorts include: Aya, Boogaloo and Graham, Butter Lamp, Parvaneh and The Phone Call. Feb 6-8, IFS at Muenzinger Auditorium

THE RED VIOLIN 

A perfect, red-colored violin inspires passion, making its way through three centuries and five countries, eventually ending up at an auction where it’s origin is discovered. We are screening this in coordination with the Boulder Philharmonic Valentine’s Day performance of John Corigliano’s Red Violin Concerto, the expanded version of his score for the film. At Boedecker — Boedecker Theater

WHIPLASH 

A promising young drummer enrolls at a cutthroat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student’s potential. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons both shine in this intense study in character and relationship. At Boedecker — Boedecker Theater 

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