Mon, 10/01/2018 - 09:51 am

Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce in “The Wife” playing at the Harbor Theater this week. Courtesy of Jason Sheckley

HARBOR THEATER

185 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor ~ 633-0438 ~ www.boothbaycinema.org

The off season schedule resumes this week: films Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Closed Sunday-Tuesday.

“The Children Act” - Adapted by Ian McEwan from his 2014 novel, this legal drama stars Emma Thompson as Fiona Maye, an eminent High Court judge in London presiding with wisdom and compassion over ethically complex cases of family law. But she has paid a heavy personal price for her workload, and her marriage to American professor Jack (Stanley Tucci) is at a breaking point. In this moment of personal crisis, Fiona is asked to rule on the case of Adam (Fionn Whitehead), a brilliant boy who is refusing the blood transfusion that will save his life. Adam is three months from his 18th birthday and still legally a child. Should Fiona force him to live? Fiona leaves her courtroom to visit Adam in the hospital and their encounter forges an unexpected connection, leading them both to challenge their beliefs, evaluate their choices, and grapple with the ultimate question of what constitutes right and wrong.

“In this thought-provoking legal drama, Emma Thompson is tremendous.” - The Telegraph

“The Children Act,” (Rated R, AD & CC, 105 minutes) is playing at 7 p.m. through Thursday, Oct. 4.

“The Wife” - Glenn Close plays Joan Castleman, the long-suffering wife of celebrated writer Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pryce), who has just won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Joe has always enjoyed his life as a celebrity; Joan has poured her intellect, charm, grace and diplomacy into her supportive role as a great man's wife. As the Nobel ceremony draws near, Joan begins to re-examine her role in life, her frustrations, her own talents and her considerable sacrifices, and that all explodes into one dazzling performance by Close. While she has been up for an Oscar eight times, Close has never won. Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair says, “Full of fury in The Wife, she might have the competitive edge this year. Whatever happens, it will be a thrill to watch.”

Rolling Stone: “You can't take your eyes off Glenn Close. Her tour-de-force as a long-suffering spouse who hits her breaking point might just get her the Oscar that has unfairly eluded her so far.”

"The Wife" (Rated R, AD & CC, 100 minutes) plays at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, Saturday, Oct. 6, Wednesday, Oct. 10 and Thursday, Oct. 11; Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m.

LINCOLN THEATER

2 Theater St., Damariscotta ~ 563-3424 ~ www.atthelincoln.org

“BlacKkKlansman” - From visionary filmmaker Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. It's the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The young detective soon recruits a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its violent rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream. (R; 2 hours, 15 minutes) Final screenings Thursday, Oct. 4 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Magician & Mentalist Kent Axell - Live on Stage! Kent Axell is one of New York City's most in demand, fun and astonishing magician/ mentalists. Kent performs astonishing feats of mind reading, influence, and magic. From coast to coast, Las Vegas to Damariscotta, his unique blend of magic technique, psychology, misdirection, showmanship and influence leaves you absolutely mesmerized. Fun for the entire family at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6. Tickets $5 at the door starting at 6 p.m. General seating.

Verdi’s “Aida” - Met Live in HD - Pre-opera talk with Dr. Morton Achter, “The ‘Exotic’ and the Twilight of Grand Opera” at 11:45 a.m. In what should be a highlight of the new season, soprano Anna Netrebko sings her first Met Aida, going toe-to-toe with mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili as Amneris. (3 hours, 36 minutes – includes two 30-minute intermissions) Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” - Two opportunities to catch this memorable short film from 1966. This animated production features Charlie Brown and his friends. It's Halloween again, and everyone goes trick-or-treating except for Linus. He will wait for the Great Pumpkin…again. Happy Pumpkinfest Weekend! (NR; 25 minutes) Free! Sunday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 and 7 p.m.

“Pumpkinboat Regatta” - The Pumpkinboat Regatta, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 8 kicks off at noon, depending on the tides. Races are launched from the Damariscotta Harbor Public Landing. The regatta can be viewed harbor-side, or via a "live feed" into the Lincoln Theater, where spectators are able to watch the event in the warmth and comfort of the theater. Free.

“Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” - This raucously subversive comedy for the entire family tells the story of two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold, who hypnotize their principal into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants. This year’s Pumpkinfest Family Movie. Free! (PG; 1 hour, 29 minutes) Monday, Oct. 8 at 2:30 p.m.

“Dawnland” - A story of stolen children and cultural survival: inside the first truth and reconciliation commission for Native Americans in Maine. Dawn Neptune Adams, one of the Penobscot Nation members who shares some of her story in the film, will be providing reflections and facilitating Q & A after the two screenings. There will be also two people from the Wabanaki REACH program (Tom Reynolds in the afternoon and Erika Bjorum in the evening) who will be joining in the conversation. (NR; 1 hour, 26 minutes) at 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10.

“Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf” - Piet Oudolf has radically redefined what gardens can be. As Rick Darke, the famous botanist, says to Piet in the film, "your work teaches us to see what we have been unable to see.” Through poetic cinematography and unique access, Five Seasons reveals all that Piet sees, and celebrate all that we as viewers have been unable to see. (NR; 1 hour, 15 minutes) Plays at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct 11.