The Tempest
Director Julie Taymor puts Shakespeare's final play in a blender, gender-switches the main character, and serves up a visually arresting story of struggle and redemption. By making the protagonist a woman, this Tempest becomes a treatise on feminism. But the magic at the center of it all benefits from Taymor's experience in the theater. At the Cinematheque at 9:15 p.m. Friday, March 4; 7:10 p.m. Saturday, March 5; and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6. — Michael Gallucci
Black Heaven
Cleveland Cinemas' IFC Midnight series offers this French thriller about a hot girl who lures some poor kid into her dark, mysterious world. Cedar Lee Theatre. At midnight Saturday, March 5.
The Circus
The Cinematheque's "Chaplin's Silent Films" series kicks off with this 1928 comedy about the Little Tramp joining the circus. Bonus points for monkeys! Cinematheque. At 5:15 p.m. Saturday, March 5, and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6.
The Complete "Carlos"
All five and a half hours of Olivier Assayas' acclaimed Carlos the Jackal biopic will be screened in one butt-numbing marathon. What else were you gonna do Saturday? Cleveland Museum of Art's Gartner Auditorium. At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5.
Enter the Void
Director Gasper Noé's latest movie isn't as fucked up as his last one, 2002's Irreversible. But the story about a young drug dealer whose ghost protects his stripper sister is still pretty fucked up. Cinematheque. At 8:15 p.m. Thursday, March 3, and 9:20 p.m. Saturday, March 5.
The Harmony Game: The Making of Bridge Over Troubled Water
Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and others talk about the duo's classic album, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Cedar Lee Theatre. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8.
Kings of Pastry
Documentary about a three-day competition in France. Yummy! Cleveland Museum of Art's Morley Lecture Hall. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2.
Outer and Inner Space/The Velvet Underground
A double dose of Warhol! The first is a 1965 split-screen short in which one of his gal pals stands in front of a TV. More interesting is the 1966 curio starring Warhol's favorite band hanging out at his famous Factory. Cinematheque. At 6:45 p.m. Thursday, March 3.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Finnish comedy about an evil Santa Claus who's found frozen in ice. Really. Cinematheque. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, and 8:25 p.m. Sunday, March 6.
William S. Burroughs: A Man Within
Documentary about the writer. Hope they fill us in on Naked Lunch's talking anus. Cleveland Museum of Art's Morley Lecture Hall. At 7 p.m. Friday, March 4, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6.
