The movies of Campus KickOff

While there are dozens of events going on throughout UWM Campus KickOff, some of the best moments might be on the silver screen. We’re offering seven flicks for yours and your fellow Panthers viewing pleasure. What’s better than a movie night?

Take a chance to kick back, relax with friends, and see some of the best films of 2007 (and a few other classics!) in the Union Theatre, all during UWM Campus KickOff. Best part? They’re FREE!!

Here’s a rundown of the chosen seven:

No Country for Old Men (2007)
Rated R – 122 Min.
Make sure you don’t miss this Academy Award-winning movie that is part-western, part-drug crime, and all awesome. Tommy Lee Jones stars as Sherriff Bell, a tough country cop that is in over his head when drug runner Anton Chigurh (an Oscar-winning role played by Javier Bardem) starts a killing spree in pursuit of his missing money. The film takes you to the end of Texas and back, with shootouts that never stop, killers that never quit, and an ending that will keep you guessing.
Wednesday, 8/27 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre

There Will Be Blood (2007)
Rated R – 158 Min.
Considered by many as the best film in the past year, There Will Be Blood stars Daniel Day-Lewis as the chilling Daniel Plainview, a self-proclaimed Oil Man in the 1890s looking to overtake a small California family ranch in pursuit of the oil beneath it. While business deals are made, local pastor Eli Sunday has his own plans on how to profit from his property. The film shows the tough business model of the early-1900s, and Plainview blurs the line between tycoon and maniac. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in early America, or if you’re just out for a bloody good time.
Thursday, 8/28 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre

The Big Lebowski (1998)
Rated R – 117 Min.
One of my favorites! Jeff Bridges plays The Dude, a Los Angeles slacker who takes life the easy way. But his free-riding lifestyle takes a wicked turn when a group of crooks mistakenly break into his house and ruin his favorite rug. In attempts to track down these crooks, The Dude rounds up his bowling team for help, who do nothing but trip the poor Dude into one problem after another. This cult classic is a hilarious, mind-bending movie that certainly isn’t for kids (the “f-bomb” is dropped 260 times throughout the movie). But if you can stomach the twisted ride, you’re in for one heck of a night. I’ll be in attendance for sure.
Friday, 8/29 – 7:00 P.M. Union Rec Center (special bowling, prizes, and movie night!)
Sunday, 8/31 – 9:00 P.M. Union Theatre

Persepolis (2007)
Rated PG-13 – 95 Min.
Based on the French graphic novel, Persepolis takes you into the life of 10-year old Marjane Stratapi during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. With her city now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, Marji’s family send her abroad to nearby Vienna for a shot at a better life. She then begins to struggle with both the new lifestyles of Vienna, and her changing native homeland. The black and white animation of Persepolis is beautiful, and the story is both cute and emotionally intense. Take a night off to witness the French take on silver screen animation.
Friday, 8/29 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre
Saturday, 8/30 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre

Lost in Translation (2003)
Rated R – 102 Min.
Bill Murray is Bob Harris, an aging movie star shooting his first commercial in Tokyo. Amongst the typical madness of Japan’s biggest city, he meets Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a young newlywed who is stranded in the city while her husband travels for photography shoots. The two decide to explore the city together, and develop emotions for each other while discussing the differences in American and Japanese culture. It’s a romantic comedy about culture shock, interpretation, and what love really means.
Saturday, 8/30 – 9:00 P.M. Union Theatre

Smiley Face (2007)
Rated R – 88 Min.
This under-the-radar pot comedy stars Anna Farris as Jane, a young actress who inadvertently eats her roommate’s pot-laced muffins while bored in her apartment. Without realizing their composition, she eats the entire batch, and then has to face the rest of her day under the influence. She gets herself into a few misadventures, gets thrown out of a sausage factory, and ends up failing an audition. I’ve heard Smiley Face is pretty hilarious, and I’m very interested in checking this movie out during Campus KickOff!
Sunday, 8/31 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre
Tuesday, 9/02 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre

Be Kind Rewind (2008)
Rated PG-13 – 102 Min.
From the director of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep comes a comedy starring Mos Def as Mike, a video store clerks that face a dilemma when friend Jerry (Jack Black) accidentally erases every tape in the store. They decide the best way to cover up his mistake is to film their own versions of the movies on the erased tapes! Business begins to boom, as their “sweded” versions of movies (Mike tells customers the new tapes are Swedish versions) go into high demand. This is a fun little movie, and I loved seeing how they tried to make their own versions of movies like Ghostbusters and Rush Hour. If you’re up for a laugh, this is a must-see!
Wednesday, 9/3 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre
Thursday, 9/4 – 7:00 P.M. Union Theatre

With so many great movies playing, it’s so hard to choose which ones to see! But thankfully, many of them have multiple showings, so try to take some time out to catch a flick in the Union Theatre! Grab a free bag of popcorn, a few friends, and prepare to have fun at every screening. I’ll be in attendance for many of them, so I’ll try to save you a seat.

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