Film Conversations online film appreciation class begins November 4
Watch films on Kanopy, then meet via Zoom to learn about film style and structure.
Scroll down for Now Showing in Madison, October 13–20, 2025
My One Battle After Another post took a lot out of me this weekend, so today’s post will be another pitch for my Film Conversations class starting in November, and brief updates about some local film events this past weekend.
I’ll lead a six-session online film appreciation class, Film Conversations, on Tuesday nights from 6:00pm to 8:00pm starting November 4. The basic idea is for everyone to watch a film on Kanopy (free with a Madison Public Library card or UW-Madison credentials) and read a short contextual article each week, and then assemble on Zoom on Tuesday nights to discuss the film and learn about film style and structure.
The first film discussed, on November 4, will be Fellini’s 8 1/2, which of course is also playing at the UW-Cinematheque this Friday.
The $60 enrollment fee covers a household (or whomever will be joining us on the same Zoom connection). So if you have a partner or spouse who would like to join the conversation, the more the merrier!
You can enroll now at the Arts + Literature Laboratory Adult Education page (and see the other great offerings for this Fall), or you can follow this direct link.
The 48 Hour Film Project Kickoff (10/10) and From the Front Row (10/11)
In my role as Public Programs Coordinator at Arts + Literature Laboratory, I had the opportunity to assist with the 48 Hour Film Project Kickoff last Friday. It was fascinating to see how the whole assignment process worked before a room full of filmmakers were released into the wild to create their films before the deadline on Sunday.
The completed films will be screened across two different screenings at the Bartell Theatre on Saturday, October 25, 1:00pm and 4:30pm. Tickets are on sale now at the Bartell Theater website.
I also had a chance to attend an advance screening of a newly completed episode of From the Front Row, an independently produced television series which highlights local musicians and local venues, produced by Peter Charles Allen, Claire Kannapell, and Buzz Kemper (left to right in photo above). The screening took place at The Bounty on Park Street (a very cool space) this past Saturday afternoon.
The program included clips from shows recorded at the Cardinal Bar and Shitty Barn, and then a full episode with Greg Zelek, Principal Organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, showcasing the Overture Concert Organ in the Overture Center.
The event was a celebration of the news that From the Front Row has been picked up for national syndication on public television stations through the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). The series should start airing across the country next summer.
You can watch a few episodes, and support the ongoing independent production of From the Front Row, at its official website.
Now Playing In Madison: October 6–13, 2025
Please confirm showtimes with the venues (follow venue links where provided). The commercial theaters update their weekend listings on Wednesdays.
Comments here are not reviews of the films, they are usually a response to the trailer, a summary of the buzz I have heard, or just snark.
Wisconsin Union Directorate Film
INTERSTELLAR (2014) 10/17
CHILDREN OF MEN (2006) 10/18
MEN IN BLACK (1997) 10/18
UW-Cinematheque
IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT 10/16
Nice get for the Ctek, just a few days after the Martin Scorsese and Jafar Panahi in conversation event at the New York Film Festival.
8 1/2 10/17
Of course, you have already marked your calendar for this after my recommendation video on August 15. But if you miss this (like I might!), 8 1/2 will be the first film in my Film Conversations class in November (see above).
WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE 10/18
Cinesthesia, Madison Public Library Central Branch
CANDYMAN 10/15
Bartell Theater
VARIANTS: THE SHORT FILMS OF JOE MEREDITH 10/17, 7:30PM
Presented by Four Star Video. Three gore filled indie horror films.
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 10/17, 10:00pm
AMC Theatres, Flix Brewhouse, Marcus Theatres
Always check the respective websites to confirm dates and showtimes. I add trailers to new films of interest that you might not know about (American indies, international features, etc.).
Like last week, there are a lot of anniversary screenings and classic horror for the Halloween season.
100 METERS at AMC, Point.
Sports anime feature film.
AFTER THE HUNT at AMC, Palace, Point.
The latest from director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name; Queer) is getting generally mixed reviews, but has a good cast led by Julia Roberts.
AMC SCREAM UNSEEN: OCTOBER 20 at AMC.
AMC SCREEN UNSEEN: OCTOBER 13 at AMC.
ANEMONE at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
The return of Daniel Day Lewis, in a film directed by his son, Ronan.
BATTLE FOR DREAM ISLAND: TPOT 20 at Point.
Fantom screening of animated series episode.
BATTLE ROYALE 25TH ANNIVERSARY at Point.
BLACK PHONE 2 at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
I hope Ethan Hawke is being paid enough for this.
CONJURING: LAST RITES, THE (2025) at AMC, Palace.
CORPSE BRIDE: 20TH ANNIVERSARY at Palace, Point.
CRITICAL ROLE LIVE: NYC RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL at Palace, Point.
DARK CRYSTAL, THE (2025) at AMC, Palace, Point.
DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA INFINITY CASTLE (2025) at AMC, Flix, and Point.
Dubbed and Subtitled options at Point.
DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE (2025) at AMC, Flix, Point.
EXORCIST, THE (1973) at Flix.
FAMILY MCMULLEN, THE at AMC, Palace, Point.
I’m not sure who asked for this, but this is a sequel to Edward Burns’s The Brothers McMullen (1995). Screening one day only, Wednesday, October 15.
GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE: THE MOVIE (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
GOOD BOY (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
GOOD FORTUNE (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
GROW at AMC, Palace, Point.
Family friendly comedy about no-nonsense pumpkin farmer who reluctantly takes custody of her niece, who ends up having special powers over plants. Another Fathom event, but this one lasts a few days.
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 at Palace, Point.
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE at Palace, Point.
HIM (2025) at AMC.
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA (2012) at Flix.
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
LAST DRAGON 40TH ANNIVERSARY, BERRY GORDY’S THE at Point.
LAST DRAGON, THE at AMC.
LONG WALK, THE (2025) at AMC, Palace, Point.
METROPOLITAN OPERA: LA SONNAMBULA, THE at Palace, Point.
MISS KOBAYASHI’S DRAGON MAID - THE MOVIE at Point.
Anime feature, a Crunchyroll theatrical release.
MONSTER SQUAD, THE at Flix.
MR. & MRS. SMITH (1941) at AMC.
Latest installment in the AMC Fitchburg series for seniors, Thursday, October 16 at 1:30pm. Hitchcock’s 1941 film starring Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery.
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, A (1984) at Flix.
NO PACKERS, NO LIFE at Palace, Point.
Regional release for documentary about Green Bay Packers fans who live in Japan. The Saturday, October 18, 6:30pm screening at Marcus Point will include a Q & A session. Check the No Packers, No Life website for more information about the project.
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
ONE IN A MILL1ON (2025) at AMC, Palace, Point.
Concert featuring K-Pop group TWICE.
PERFECT BLUE REMASTERED (2025) at AMC, Palace, Point.
PETS ON A TRAIN (2025) at AMC, Palace, Point.
The sketchy animated feature film of the week.
PRACTICAL MAGIC at Flix.
ROOFMAN (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
ROW TO WIN (2025) at AMC.
Chinese comedy about a former gangster who returns to his small hometown.
SCARY MOVIE at Flix.
SMASHING MACHINE, THE (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
Directed by Benny Safdie, starring Dwayne Johnson. Continues to get good reviews.
SOUL ON FIRE (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
Faith-based drama.
SPIRITED AWAY - STUDIO GHIBLI FEST 2025 at AMC, Palace, Point.
ST. ELMO’S FIRE (2025 RE-RELEASE) at Palace.
ST. ELMO’S FIRE 40TH ANNIVERSARY (2025) at AMC.
STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2, THE (2025) at AMC.
SUNNY SANSKARI KI TULSI KUMARI (2025) at AMC.
Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy. Mixed reviews, but still might be fun.
TRICK ‘R TREAT (2025) at Point.
Halloween season horror film.
TRON: ARES (2025) at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point.
Well, this bombed at the box office this past weekend. The mixed to negative reviews have praised the visuals, so if you want to see the visuals on the big screen you should see this sooner than later.
TRUTH & TREASON (2025) at AMC, Palace, Point.
Drama about a teenager who resisted the Nazis in Germany in WWII
URCHIN (2025) at AMC.
British drama directed by Harris Dickinson, who won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes, along with star Frank Dillane.
WISDOM OF HAPPINESS at Point.
Documentary about the Dali Lama, on the occasion of his 90th birthday in July 2025.
Looking Ahead:
Mills Folly Microcinema
PROJECT PROJECTION: LOCAL FILM AND VIDEO, 10/22
Locally produced experimental films, short docs, animation, and music videos.
GIVE IT BACK: CRIMES AGAINST REALITY, 10/29
Recent work by the Indigenous film and video collective New Red Order (Jackson Polys (Tlingit), Adam Khalil (Ojibway), and Zack Khalil (Ojibway). Plus Nosferasta: First Bite (2021) by Adam Khalil and Bayley Sweitzer.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: VIDEOS BY HUGO LJUNGBÄCK 11/19
Hugo Ljungbäck is a Swedish filmmaker, archivist, curator, and media scholar. His videos explore queer history, identity, representation, and sexuality through an autobiographical lens, emphasizing the possibilities afforded by found footage filmmaking in response to the ephemerality of queer history.
Atwood Music Hall
TENANT FILM SERIES, Tuesday, October 21, 7:00pm
Films and discussion, Push (2019) and Not a Penny on the Rents (1969). Presented with Madison Tenant Power.
A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS, Monday, December 15, 7:30pm
[Sold out]
Bartell Theatre
STRANGE JOURNEY: THE STORY OF ROCKY HORROR, Friday, October 24, 8:00pm
WISCONSIN 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT, HORROR & SCI-FI, Saturday, October 25, 1:00pm and 4:30pm.