Gary Oldman plays Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour.”
Happenings
This week we launch a new season of Talking Art in Maine: Intimate Conversations, begin screening an entire BBC series on the British royals, continue our Oscar-nominated films, and enjoy another fantastic pre-opera talk by Dr. Morton Achter prior to a live screening of an operatic favorite. It may be snowing out – but things are heating up at the theater.
‘Molly’s Game’ (R; 2 hours, 20 minutes)
The true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target. Stars Jessica Chastain. Aaron Sorkin, creator of “The West Wing,” is nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for his work. Final screening: Thursday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. only.
Talking Art in Maine, Intimate Conversations: Mark Bessire
Great changes are taking place in the Portland Art Museum! In 2015, all the art was removed from the walls and rehung by its dynamic director, Mark Bessire, the director of the Portland Museum of Art since 2009. “Museums help tell us where we’re going as a culture,” says this humble and immensely likable man.
Bessire will be interviewed live by Newcastle artist Jane Dahmen on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. This is a free event.
BBC’s ‘The Royal House of Windsor’ series (2 hours)
The complete acclaimed BBC4 series on the history of Britain’s ruling dynasty, the Windsors, over the last 100 years, starting with the time around the outbreak of World War I, will play for three consecutive Fridays in February.
Episode 1, “Adapt or Die”: Offers fresh insights into King George V’s rebranding of the Royal Family in 1917.
Episode 2, “Love and Duty”: As post-war Britain was hit by the worst winter on record, a lovesick Princess Elizabeth and her ailing father George VI kept up appearances by embarking upon a politically strained tour of South Africa.
Screens Friday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. These are free screenings.
‘Darkest Hour’ (PG-13; 2 hours, 5 minutes)
Nominated for six Academy Awards.
During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (played by Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman).
While maneuvering his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.
Directed by Joe Wright, “Darkest Hour” is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Churchill’s courage to lead changed the course of world history.
Plays Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 and 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. (with captions) and 7 p.m.; and Thursday, Feb. 15 at 2 and 7 p.m.
The Met Live in HD: Donizetti’s ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’(2 hours, 39 minutes — includes 30 min. intermission)
Donizetti’s comic gem, staged by Bartlett Sher and conducted by Domingo Hindoyan, stars Pretty Yende as the spirited Adina, with Matthew Polenzani as Nemorino, the simple peasant who falls in love with her. Screens Saturday, Feb. 10 at noon. Pre-opera talk with Dr. Morton Achter begins at 10:45 a.m. Please note the early start times. Tickets: $25/$23/$5.
Upcoming films
“Darkest Hour” (PG-13) opens Friday, Feb. 9
“The Greatest Showman” (PG) opens Friday, Feb. 16
“The Post” (PG-13) opens Friday, Feb. 23
“On the Waterfront” (1954) plays Friday, March 2 at 2 p.m.
“The Shape of Water” (R) opens Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m.
“I, Tonya” (R) opens Friday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
“Call Me By Your Name” opens Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m.
“Phantom Thread” (R) opens Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
Finally
Movie tickets prices are $8 and $6. Event ticket prices vary. For more information, go to lcct.org, call the box office at 563-3424, drop by at 2 Theater St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, or email info@lcct.org. Like Lincoln Theater on Facebook. Go to lcct.org to sign up for Lincoln Theater’s weekly e-blast.
