KIN-DZA-DZA! wraps up MMoCA Rooftop Cinema, August 20, 8:15pm
Milwaukee’s Oriental Theater announces new 70mm screening series, starting late August.
Scroll down for Now Showing in Madison, August 19–August 24, 2026
Weekly posts include short notes on various cinematic topics, followed by the Now Showing in Madison guide to commercial theaters and alternative venues.
Tomorrow night at MMoCA’s Rooftop Cinema we will present the Soviet-era science fiction comedy Kin-dza-dza! directed by Georgian filmmaker Georgiy Daneliya in 1986. This should be a fun one: a construction foreman and a violinist in Moscow are suddenly teleported to the planet “Pluke” in the “Kin-dza-dza” galaxy. They discover that Plukanians are telepathic, and only have two spoken words in their vocabulary, “ku” and “kyu.” Comedy ensues, as they say, as the Earth men attempt to understand the Plukanian culture and find a way to get back home to Earth.
Sunset has been getting earlier through August, so the screening will start a little earlier than the past two weeks: 8:15pm at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State Street. Hope to see you there!
Moving Image Madison milestone, and upcoming changes
Moving Image Madison has finally reached 200 subscribers as of this week! The subscription rate had stalled and was stuck around 185 for a long time, but there has been a surge of interest thanks to promotion over at the Magic Pixel Guild Discord server.
There will be some small changes to the way I assemble Moving Image Madison posts, which will hopefully open up more time for me to write more and to make more videos. It has occurred to me during this year’s Rooftop Cinema series that I’ve been too busy to write very much about the films themselves. And while I’m proud of my role in providing information about screenings at different venues around town, writing about the films themselves brings me the joy that motivated me to start the newsletter in the first place.
I’m working on a new way to generate the list of films playing in the commercial theaters in town, and you’ll see my first experiment with the new workflow in this week’s Now Playing section. The transition to this new method will be a little rocky, so expect a few errors here and there as I fine tune the process.
This new method, essentially “vibe coding” a new app to generate the theater listings, might lead to the new app being available to paid subscribers, if I can work out all of the kinks and errors. Stay tuned!
UW-Cinematheque Fall 2026 Schedule announced
You can see what the UW-Cinematheque will be up to this Fall at their website, cinema.wisc.edu.
As mentioned last week, two programs that stand out for me is a 4-film series of films by Indian Telugu-language action filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, in one weekend, November 13-15. And the Madison premiere of John Wilson’s documentary The History of Concrete, will be Thursday, October 1.
I plan to do a few short videos to go over some other highlights in the schedule. Stay tuned!
Oriental Theater in Milwaukee announces more 70mm screenings
The folks at the Oriental Theater in Milwaukee posted on their Facebook page: “Our audience members let us know loud and clear, they want to see more film on film. Well, we heard you and we couldn't be more excited to announce our first ever programming series entirely on 70mm!”
The series will run August 28 through September 4, and will include the films 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Master, West Side Story, Sinners, and Laurence of Arabia.
Details, including purchasing tickets online, can be found at the Milwaukee Film website.
Now Playing In Madison: August 19–August 24, 2026
Please confirm showtimes with the venues (follow venue links where provided). The commercial theaters update their weekend listings on Wednesdays. Another valuable source that posts on Wednesdays with now playing lists is The Horizon Line Madison. When possible, I will provide links to reviews by Rob Thomas at Not That Rob Thomas, who gets around to far more proper reviews than I do.
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. They are not always particularly accurate, according to reader feedback. I add trailers to new films of interest that you might not know about (American indies, international features, etc.).
MMoCA Cinema, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
KIN-DZA-DZA (1986), Thursday, August 20, 8:30pm
See notes above.
Highway 18 Outdoor Theater, Jefferson, Wisconsin
Four Star Video at Lola’s Sidecar Lounge, 617 North Sherman Avenue
THE LOVED ONE (1965), Wednesday, August 19, 7:00pm
WUD Film Lakeside Cinema
ROBOCOP (1987), The Terrace @ Memorial Union, Monday, 8/24, 9:00 P.M.
Lakeside Cinema, Monday nights at the Memorial Union Terrace, wraps up its “Back to the 80’s” theme for August.
Commercial Theaters: AMC / Flix / Palace / Point
As noted above, I’m testing a new method for the commercial theater listings. The first sub-point, a plot synopsis, will always be automatically generated. If there is a second sub-point, that will be commentary from me (none this week, ran out of time). So you will always know what text is written by me. I know that there may be some blowback about auto-imported text, but using this method each film will have a short description for those who are unfamiliar with the titles.
While I’ll continue to add snarky remarks in the second sub-point, as time permits, in general I’ll be spending less time on original content in this section in favor of spending more time writing the rest of the newsletter.
Another new feature: opening and closing dates will be noted. This addition is very much in the experimental stage, and in some cases might be a day early or late in the listing, so please check theater websites to confirm whether a film is opening or closing.
Note added just before sending email newsletter: I’m discovering some more last minute errors in this listing! Too many errors, most of them small, to fix in the 20 minutes I have remaining to get this out today. I’ll keep working on this and update the web version as needed. Meanwhile, be sure to double check any titles and showtimes at the theater websites.
BATWARA 1947 at AMC, Aug 19
An epic historical drama recounting the turbulent events and human resilience during the 1947 partition, following divided families fighting to reunite. (Hindi with English Subtitles - Final Madison Screening Tonight).
THE BRINK OF WAR at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point
A gripping historical diplomatic thriller chronicling the critical 48 hours of espionage and backroom negotiation that averted a catastrophic global conflict.
CATVIDEOFEST 2026 at Flix, Point, thru Aug 22
A joyous compilation of the latest, funniest, and most endearing cat videos from around the globe, raising funds for local Madison animal rescue shelters.
DONNIE DARKO (25TH ANNIVERSARY) at Flix, thru Aug 22
A troubled teenager is plagued by visions of a giant rabbit that manipulates him into committing crimes after he narrowly escapes a bizarre accident.
ELIJAH at Point
An architectural archivist returns to his Midwestern hometown to unravel the mysterious origins of an unfinished modernist sanctuary.
THE END OF OAK STREET at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point
A quiet suburban cul-de-sac begins uncovering long-buried secrets when an unexplained sinkhole opens on their street, unveiling remnants of an forgotten past.
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS 25TH ANNIVERSARY at AMC, Point, opens Aug 20
Special 25th Anniversary nationwide re-release of the high-octane 2001 classic. An undercover LAPD officer infiltrates a tight-knit crew of street racers suspected of hijackings.
HOT SPOT at AMC, opens Aug 20
An edgy, provocative hyperlink drama tackling modern societal taboos, unconventional relationships, and unexpected moral dilemmas.
INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point
The Lambert family confronts the deepest, darkest corners of The Further as an ancient demonic entity threatens to breach reality permanently.
IRUMUDI at AMC, opens Aug 21
A deeply rooted emotional Telugu family drama set against the spiritual backdrop of Ayyappa Swamy, exploring the moving bond and journey between a devoted daughter and her father (Telugu with English Subtitles).
KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS at AMC, Palace, thru Aug 23
A high-energy concert documentary following the global sensation KATSEYE on their sold-out world tour, featuring exclusive backstage rehearsals and live performances.
THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE at AMC, opens Aug 20
Based on Enid Blyton’s classic children’s stories. When a modern family relocates to the countryside, three children discover a wondrous enchanted tree that leads to fantastical magical realms.
MINIONS & MONSTERS at AMC, Palace, Point
When an accidental lab experiment creates mystical miniature creatures, the Minions embark on a chaotic quest to save their supervillain lair.
MOANA at AMC, Palace, Point
An adventurous teenager sails out on a daring mission across the Pacific Ocean to save her people, fulfilling the ancient quest of her ancestors alongside the demigod Maui.
MUTINY at Flix, Palace, Point, opens Aug 21
After his billionaire industrialist boss is assassinated in front of him, an ex-special forces soldier is framed for the crime and must go on the run to expose a global conspiracy.
NEVER STOP CHASING at AMC, opens Aug 20
An adrenaline-charged cinematic journey inside extreme weather phenomena, following meteorologist Reed Timmer and his crew into the heart of historic tornado outbreaks in custom armored intercept vehicles.
NIMRODS at AMC, opens Aug 21
A group of hapless petty thieves in small-town Michigan devise an absurd heist scheme to steal a legendary collection of vintage snowmobiles.
THE ODYSSEY at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point
A grand, visual epic recounting Odysseus’ ten-year journey home after the fall of Troy, battling mythological beasts and the wrath of sea gods.
ONE NIGHT ONLY at AMC, Flix, Point
Two estranged high school sweethearts reunite spontaneously in Chicago for one unforgettable, chaotic evening before life pulls them in opposite directions.
PAW PATROL: THE DINO MOVIE at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point
When an uncharted prehistoric portal opens in Adventure City, Ryder and the PAW Patrol team up with dinosaur allies to protect the city from volcanic eruption and Mayor Humdinger.
POINT BREAK (35TH ANNIVERSARY) at Flix, Point, opens Aug 21
An idealistic FBI agent goes undercover in Southern California to catch a gang of adrenaline-seeking bank robbers who may be surfers.
THE RIVALS OF AMZIAH KING at AMC, Palace, Point, opens Aug 21
In rural Oklahoma, a charismatic mentor guides a teenage protégé while shielding their community from a ruthless criminal syndicate.
SIX: THE MUSICAL LIVE! at AMC, Palace, Point, thru Aug 23
The six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their stories, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st-century girl power.
SPA WEEKEND at AMC, Flix, opens Aug 20
Three childhood best friends embark on what was supposed to be a relaxing luxury wellness retreat, but their weekend quickly derails into hilarious mayhem when uninvited drama and old rivalries surface.
SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point
Peter Parker navigates college life in New York while rebuilding his heroic identity from the ground up, forced to team with unexpected allies when a syndicate takes control of Manhattan.
SUPER TROOPERS 3 at AMC, Flix, Palace, Point
The Vermont state troopers are back and assigned to special border security duties where high jinks and syrup-chugging rivalries reach hilarious new heights.
TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA at AMC, Point, opens Aug 20
A wildly irreverent, blood-soaked satire of 1980s summer camp slasher films, following clueless teenage counselors navigating hormonal chaos and an elusive masked maniac.
TONY at AMC, opens Aug 20
A compelling biographical drama recounting the formative youth of Anthony Bourdain during a chaotic, high-pressure summer working the line at a seafood kitchen in Provincetown.
TOY STORY 5 at AMC, Palace, Point
Woody, Buzz, and the gang confront the ultimate modern playtime challenge when electronics and tablets capture the attention of kids everywhere.
TRAIN TO BUSAN (10TH ANNIVERSARY RE-RELEASE) at AMC, thru Aug 22
While a zombie virus breaks out in South Korea, passengers on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan struggle to survive the harrowing journey.
WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER (25TH ANNIVERSARY) at AMC, Flix, Point, thru Aug 23
On the last day of summer camp in 1981, a group of counselors try to complete their unfinished business before packing up and heading home.
THE WRONG GIRLS at AMC, Point
Three longtime friends on a bachelorette weekend in Lake Geneva accidentally witness a cartel payoff and are forced to use their wits and suburban skills to survive.
YOUR NAME. (KIMI NO NA WA.) at AMC, Point, thru Aug 22
Two teenagers share a profound, magical connection upon discovering they are swapping bodies across space and time.
Have you used the Now Showing in Madison listings at least once to find something interesting to see? Have you discovered a film that you didn’t realize was playing in town? Please consider supporting these efforts directly by clicking the “Buy Me a Popcorn” button and making a modest donation on those occasions when you find this resource valuable to your moviegoing in Madison.
Looking Ahead:
Local filmmaker Michael Doyle Olson has started what he hopes to be a comprehensive, collaborative public calendar of alternative film screenings in Madison. It is still a work in progress, but check it out at www.mdo.me/film.
Side Room Cinematheque
Second Thursday of the month, and last Monday of the month.
DM @sideroomcinematic (Instagram) for screening details.
Art Basement Madison
Experimental films by Meggen Heuss, Saturday, August 29
Reception 7:00pm, Screening 8:00pm, with Q&A following.
DM @sideroomcinematic (Instagram) or @art_basement_madison (Instagram) for address.
Cinesthesia at Madison Public Library Central Branch
WILD AT HEART (David Lynch, 1987), Wednesday, August 26, 6:30pm
Side Show Premiere at Weary Traveller Free House, 1201 Williamson Street
The “Side Show Premiere” of THE CATFISH STEPHENSON PERFORMANCE FILM will screen Friday, August 28, 8:00pm at the Weary Traveller Free House. Presented by Wendy Schneider and Coney Island Studios. You can find more information about the film and Catfish Stephenson more generally at the Facebook event page for the screening.
Preview reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1933318580975495
Marquee Cinema, Union South, 1308 West Dayton Street
THE UGLY LITTLE MONKEYS, Thursday, September 10, 6:00pm.
Documentary about Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, a group of kids who grew up in the 1960s, in the working class barrios of Tucson, Arizona. Filmmakers David Valdez and Enrique Castillo will be in attendance. Free, reserve seats at Eventbrite page.
Wisconsin 48hr Film Project Premieres, Badger Theater, 255 E Main St, Stoughton
Saturday, September 26, starting at 10:00am. Details at the Wisconsin 48hr Film Project website.