It doesn't matter how busy you are Wednesday night, make time to see the animated Oscar nominated shorts. The photo above is for Disney's "Feast"—about which I'll promise you two things: 1. The short somehow manages to be even more cute than the trailer (below) and 2. That dog does not die from indulging in too many rounds of nachos. I think "Feast" and "A Single Life" are the two to beat this year (Although the animation being The Bigger Picture is kind of spectacular). The show starts at 7 p.m., takes under an hour and a half and is absolutely adorable. Be there. 

Films

The Bigger Picture Trailer from daisy jacobs on Vimeo.

The Bigger Picture
(Chelo says: I would leave all of my cabinets open all the time if they worked like that)
‘You want to put her in a home; you tell her; tell her now!’ hisses one brother to the other. But Mother won’t go, and their own lives quickly unravel as she clings to life. Innovative life-size animated characters tell the stark and darkly humorous tale of caring for an elderly parent. (Directed by Daisy Jacobs and Christopher Hees, 2014, UK, 7 mins.)


The Dam Keeper
(Chelo says: Open question to anyone who has seen this short: How, exactly, did a pigbaby get stuck making sure his entire town doesn't get eaten by a charcoal stampede?) 
The Dam Keeper tells the story of a young pig with an important job, and a new friend who changes everything. In a desolate future, one small town has survived because of a large windmill dam that acts as a fan to keep out pollution. The dam’s operator, Pig, works tirelessly to keep the sails spinning and protect the town, despite abuse from classmates and an indifferent public. When a new student joins Pig’s class, nothing will be the same again. (Directed by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi, 2014, USA, Non-dialogue, 18 mins.)

Feast
(Chelo says: This trailer gets bonus points because it reminds me that I need to find myself a pup)
Feast, a new short from Walt Disney Animation Studios, is the story of one man’s love life as seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed bite by bite through the meals they share. (Directed by Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed, 2014, USA, Non-dialogue, 6 mins.)


Me and My Moulton
(Chelo says: Mustache problems, amiright?)
One summer in mid-‘60s Norway, a seven-year-old girl asks her parents if she and her sisters can have a bicycle. The film provides a glimpse of its young heroine’s thoughts as she struggles with her sense that her family is a little out of sync with what she perceives as “normal.” (Directed by Torill Kove, 2014, Canada, 14 mins.)

A SINGLE LIFE - TRAILER from Job, Joris & Marieke on Vimeo.

A Single Life
(Chelo says: These will be the best two minutes of your night)

When Pia plays a mysterious vinyl record single, she suddenly knows how to travel through her own life. (Directed by Marieke Blaauw, Joris Oprins and Job Roggeveen, 2014, The Netherlands, Non-dialogue, 2 mins.)

Bonus: Three “Highly Commended” shorts will also play.

You might know David Cross as the never-nude brother-in-law Tobias Funke on "Arrested Development," but the comedian is really a lot more than that. Of course, he was half of the "Mr. Show" comedy duo with Bob Odenkirk in the mid '90s and over two decades later played the comically tragic lead in the show " The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret." Cross has also already written totally hilarious books and short stories, including "I Drink for a Reason."

Clearly then, Cross is more than just a pair of jorts, and you can watch him prove it again as the actor and author makes his directorial debut with "Hits." His new film, which he also wrote, follows the life of a neurotic working-class dad who accidentally becomes a viral video star after a city council web rant gets him some attention. The dramadey's cast is a geek-out inducing line-up of Amy Sedaris, Michael Cera, David Koechner and more.


You won't want to miss Cross' movie "Hits" make a one-time special appearance at the Loft Cinema on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. As with the rest of Cross' marketing and release model for the film, you can pay whatever you want to see the movie.

We are giving away passes for you and a friend for the whipping cinematic experience you've been waiting for — "50 Shades of Grey." The screening is Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. at AMC Foothills. You can come by our office at 7225 Mona Lisa Rd. Ste. 125; or dear readers, you can also pick up passes at Jellywink Boutique, 418 E. 7th St.

There's also a chance to win VIP reserved seating, too (Because the closer you experience the world of Christian Grey, the better, right?)—if you answer a question correctly, we'll put your name in a drawing and let you know by Tuesday that those seats are yours.

Questions provided by Jellywink's Ally Booker. Email your answers to [email protected]:

Question 1:
Which kind of candle wax burns the hottest and should not be used for
erotic play?
a) Soy Wax
b) Bees Wax
c) Paraffin Wax

Question 2:
In the world of BDSM, what does O.T.K stand for?

Question 3:
In the world of BDSM, what does RACK stand for?
a)Risk Aware Consensual Kink.
b)Regularly Available for Clean Kink.
c)Large Breasts
d)Risk Adapted Computer Kink

Question 4: What is "Queening"?
a)cross-dressing
b)air escaping through vaginal lips and creating a fart-like sound, but
is odorless
c)face sitting
d)caning

Non-BDSM sexuality related questions:
Question 5:
What is a Dental Damn?
a) A device you lay over your teeth so that you don't scratch your lover
gentle parts with your teeth
b) A rectangular, usually latex barrier you place between your lover's
vulva and your mouth as a form of safer oral sex
c) A technique used that involves sliding the smooth flat surface of
your teeth over your partner's erogenous zones.

Question 6:
Sex toys made of this material is sterilizable:
1) Elastomer
2) Silicone
3) PVC

Question 7:
Tribadism is the sexual act of rubbing ones vulva against her partner's
thigh, buttock, vulva, or other body part. Name one band that derived
their name from this sexual act. (There are a few to choose from.)

Ready for the show? Plan to dress up in your BDSM best and bring your "50 Shades of Grey," accessories—think again. AMC Theaters prefers you leave all of that at home, and just bring your love for Christian and your imagination and your new found interest in BDSM:

Your plans to go see "Fifty Shades of Grey" in full costume have just taken a turn. In a statement to Mashable, AMC Theaters spokesperson Ryan Noonan revealed viewers would not be permitted to bring many movie-related props into the theater.

"While we welcome those guests who want to show their excitement for a film by dressing up in costume," Noonan said, "we do not permit weapons (real or fake), or props/costumes that would make guests uncomfortable, or detract from the moviegoing experience."

After months of anticipation, "Fifty Shades Of Grey" finally hits theaters Friday, Feb. 13. While you may not be able to show up in your outfit of choice, the film's trailer suggests you still likely won't be bored.

The Lesbian Looks Film Series is back thanks to UA's Institute for LGBT to screen four different films that give insight into love, race, rights, immigration and more all within the scope of the lesbian point of view. Now in its 22nd season, the film series is kicking off with "Tru Love" this month—a story about mourning, self-discovery and the rough Canadian winter.


Here's the full schedule for 2015:

"Tru Love"
Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
The Loft Cinema 
$9.25

"Out in the Night"
Tuesday, March 24
The Loft Cinema
Free

"The Homestretch"
Thursday, April 2
The Screening Room
Free

"Of Girls and Horses"
Thursday, April 9
The Loft Cinema
Free

For more information on the films screening for this year's Lesbian Looks event, visit the LL website.

Experimental filmmaker Roger Beebe is bringing his iconic multi-projector film performance to Tucson for the first time. As a part of a four-month North American tour, Beebe's "Films for One to Eight Projectors" includes his best known six-projector work “Last Light of a Dying Star” as well as the following other pieces:

“Famous Irish Americans”: looks at black athletes with Irish surnames
“Beginnings”: uncovers the secret logic of the book of Genesis
“Money Changes Everything”: on the topic of Las Vegas suicides
“AAAAA Motion Picture”: focuses on companies vying to be at the beginning of the phone book (for some reason)
“Historia Calamitatum (The Story of My Misfortunes), Part II: The Crying Game": an award winning exploration of the forbidden pleasures of male tears

Exploded View Gallery is located at 197 E. Toole Avenue. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and is $5 to attend. The filmmaker, curator and professor will be at the event in person to present his unique film experience.

Clint Eastwood's latest creation, American Sniper, has gotten tons of attention. Critics and audiences either give it high praise or think it's a lying piece of garbage that pisses on the definition of "hero." 

Well, our very own U.S. Sen. John McCain is a fan of the Oscar-nominated flick and is defending it left and right.

From a McCain press release:

“I congratulate Clint Eastwood and the entire cast and crew of American Sniper for an outstanding cinematic achievement honoring the life of a genuine American hero, Chris Kyle. This film depicts with subtlety and compassion those brave few who serve our nation in uniform, their experiences in the horror of war, the burdens they often bear upon returning home, and the untold sacrifices of their families. It is deeply regrettable that obsessive critics of U.S. foreign policy have sought to disparage this film and denigrate the memory of a noble American warrior. Fortunately, their pettiness has not stopped millions of Americans from seeing American Sniper, and hopefully in the process, gaining a greater appreciation for the service and sacrifice of America’s military service members and their families."

I recently watched it, but never read the late Chris Kyle's autobiography or knew much of him prior to seeing the movie trailer. That being said, I thought it was a good film. Not the most accurate, not the most educated in portraying Iraqis—but rather accurate in depiction of the darkness of war.

Have you seen it? What did you think?

Emma Watson, the obvious star of the Harry Potter movie series, confirmed today that she will be playing Belle in the upcoming live action version of Beauty and the Beast. 

Says the Watson:

I'm finally able to tell you... that I will be playing Belle in Disney's new live-action Beauty and the Beast! It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I'll get to dance to 'Be Our Guest' and sing 'Something There'. My six year old self is on the ceiling - heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can't wait for you to see it. Emma xx

Stephen Chbosky, who both wrote the book and directed the movie "Perks of Being a Wallflower," is in charge of the script. No word yet on a release date.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday celebration today, the Loft Cinema is presenting a free showing of Through a Lens Darkly, a documentary that, according to the Loft's description, "traces the nearly 200-year struggle to counter demeaning and stereotyped images with positive and authentic ones, probing the recesses of American history by discovering photographs that have been suppressed, forgotten and lost."

The film screens at 5 p.m. Here's the lowdown from the Loft:

Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, who teaches at ASU, will be at the Loft Cinema tonight for a screening of The Unbelievers, a documentary about his travels with Richard Dawkins to promote science and reason.

The movie screens at 7 p.m. as part of the Loft's Science on Screen program. More info on the movie here.

Here are details from the Loft's website:

The Unbelievers follows evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss across the globe as they speak publicly to sold-out halls, advancing a thoughtful dialogue about the importance of science and reason in the modern world.

Dawkins, the world’s most famous atheist, and Krauss, director of the esteemed Origins Project, are dedicated to furthering the (r)evolutionary idea that science, above all else, should inform man’s understanding of the universe. Filmmaker Gus Holwerda follows these “rocks stars of reason” as they embark on a most modern crusade to encourage people to cast off antiquated ideologies and assume a purely rational approach to important current issues. Refusing to engage with those who advance divisive and extreme fundamentalist positions, Dawkins and Krauss show how sometimes sensitive and provocative ideas can be discusses respectfully and with intellectual rigor. Fans, including Ricky Gervais, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, Stephen Hawking, Woody Allen and Werner Herzog, share their impressions and support, while arenas full of admirers and the curious eagerly receive them. As engaging as the subjects themselves, The Unbelievers offers an exciting glimpse into two of the world’s most influential minds at work. (Dir. by Gus Holwerda, 2013, USA, 77 mins., Not Rated)

Here's your chance to see a cinematic classic for free! The Loft's Essential Cinema program continues with L'Avventura at 7 p.m. tonight. You can find the details here.

Here's the Loft's description of the film:

One of modern cinema’s trailblazing works, and often cited as one of the greatest films ever made, L’Avventura is a gorgeously shot tale of modern ennui and spiritual isolation, wrapped inside a tantalizingly ambiguous mystery involving a young woman’s disappearance during a yachting trip off the coast of Sicily.