Tue, 01/08/2019 - 8:45am

Margot Robbie in a scene from "Mary Queen of Scots," playing this week at Harbor Theater. Courtesy of Jason Sheckley

HARBOR THEATER

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

“At Eternity’s Gate” - A journey inside the world and mind of a genius, who, despite skepticism, ridicule and illness, created some of the world's most beloved and stunning works of art. This is not a forensic biography, but rather scenes based on Vincent van Gogh's own words, as found in his letters at the end of his life. Chris Hewitt of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says actor Willem Dafoe gives a towering performance in a movie that casts a magnetic spell. Academy-award winning director Julian Schnabel focuses on the painter's vision and humanity, says Leah Pickett of the Chicago Reader. Rated R (CC & AD, 111 minutes), it plays at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9 and Thursday, Jan. 10.

“I, Claude Monet” - An award-winning documentary, is the Exhibition on Screen art film for January. Monet’s life is a gripping tale about a man who, behind his sun-dazzled canvases, suffered from feelings of depression, loneliness, even suicide. However, as his art developed and his love of gardening led to the glories of his Giverny garden, his humour, insight and love of life are revealed. Based on more than 3,000 of Monet's personal letters, and narrated by British actor Henry Goodman in Monet's own words, the film is shot on location at the very spots he painted, and features 100 of his most loved paintings in an unforgettable, immersive art experience. Plays Friday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $10, but $8 for members.

“Mary, Queen of Scots” - Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie (both nominated for 2018 Best Actress Oscars), join forces to portray two young queens, female regents in a masculine world, who must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Mary Stuart, Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth 1. Each young Queen beholds her sister in fear and fascination. Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth's sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones - and change the course of history. Rated R, (CC & AD, 125 minutes) “Mary Queen of Scots” plays at 7 p.m. Friday, January 11; Saturday, Jan.12; Wednesday, Jan. 16 and Thursday, Jan. 17; and Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m

‘Bridge on the River Kwai” - The Harbor Theater Classic Film series continues with this multi-award-winning 1957 British-American epic war film directed by David Lean based on the novel “Le Pont de la Rivière Kwa”ï (1952) by Pierre Boulle. The film uses the historical setting of the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–1943. The cast included William Holden, Jack Hawkins, Alec Guinness, and Sessue Hayakawa. The film (PG, 161 minutes) plays at 2 p. m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 19. Tickets are $10 at the door. Free popcorn before the movie, complimentary wine and cheese afterwards.

LINCOLN THEATER

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

“Celebrating the Silents: The Lost Battalion” - Free event - Based on the experiences of soldiers in the American 77th Infantry Division, about 550 of whom were isolated and surrounded by the Germans during the Battle of the Argonne in World War I. The men suffered from thirst, hunger, and heavy losses, but refused to surrender. As more men were killed and captured, carrier pigeons became the only method of communicating with headquarters. Coming under friendly fire, the men were saved by a pigeon named Cher Ami, who was able to deliver a message to stop the barrage. After five days, and several unsuccessful rescue attempts, the remaining men were finally rescued. Five participants received the Congressional Medal of Honor, and others received the Distinguished Service Cross. The fictional part of the story precedes and follows the battle scenes, showing the men in civilian life and in training, and the survivors coming home to their loved ones. The fictional characters also appear in the battle scenes along with some of the actual participants. (1919; 67 minutes) Playing Friday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m.

“At Eternity’s Gate” - During a self-imposed exile in Arles and Auvers-Sur-Oise, France, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (Willem Dafoe) develops his unique, colorful style of painting. While grappling with religion, mental illness and a tumultuous friendship with French artist Paul Gauguin, van Gogh begins to focus on his relationship with eternity rather than the pain his art causes him in the present. This is not a forensic biography, but rather scenes based on Vincent van Gogh’s letters, common agreement about events in his life that present as facts, hearsay, and moments that are just plain invented. (PG-13; 1 hour, 50 minutes) Playing at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11; Saturday, Jan. 12; Sunday January 13; Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 2 and 7 p.m.

“Blue Planet II: Coral Reefs” - Coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine species. Survival in these undersea mega-cities is a challenge with many different solutions. A turtle heads to the reef's equivalent of a health spa - but she must use trickery to avoid the queue. A remarkable Grouper uses the fish equivalent of sign language to collaborate with an octopus, flushing their prey out of hiding holes. A three foot-long, ferocious-jawed Bobbit Worm hides in its tunnel. Monocle Bream retaliate by squirting water to expose its sandy lair. (58 minutes) Playing Saturday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. A free event.

Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur” - The Met Live in HD - Soprano Anna Netrebko joins the ranks of Renata Tebaldi, Montserrat Caballé, and Renata Scotto, taking on—for the first time at the Met—the title role of the real-life French actress who dazzled 18th-century audiences with her on-and offstage passion. The soprano is joined by tenor Piotr Beczala as Adriana’s lover, Maurizio. Gianandrea Noseda conducts. Sir David McVicar’s staging, which sets the action in a working replica of a Baroque theater, premiered at the Royal Opera House in London. (3 hours, 33 minutes; includes two 30-minute intermissions) Tickets: $25/adults, $23/theater members, $5/youth 18 and under. Playing Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m.

“CARMEN.maquia” - Ballet Hispanico and Club Havana - In Club Havana, the intoxicating rhythms of the conga, rumba, mambo, and cha cha are brought to life by choreographer Pedro Ruiz, himself a native of Cuba. Hailed as a "masterpiece” by the Chicago Sun-Times, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s CARMEN.maquia is a Picasso-inspired, contemporary take on Bizet’s classic opera about a passionate gypsy. Riveting from start to finish, the physically charged and sensual choreography fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble and flamenco. Tickets: $20/adult, $18/theater member, $5/18 and under. Playing Sunday, Jan. 13 at 2 p.m.

“The Tragedy of King Richard the Second” - National Theatre Live - This visceral new production about the limits of power will be directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, whose previous plays include Little Revolution at the Almeida and Absolute Hell at the National Theatre. Richard II, King of England, is irresponsible, foolish and vain. His weak leadership sends his kingdom into disarray and his court into uproar. Seeing no other option but to seize power, the ambitious Bolingbroke challenges the throne and the king’s divine right to rule. (1 hour, 55 minutes) Live from London on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $15/adult, $13/theater member, $5/18 and under.

“Lobster War: The Fight Over the World’s Richest Fishing Grounds” - This is a must-watch, award-winning feature-length documentary film about a conflict between the U. S. and Canada over waters that both countries have claimed since the end of the Revolutionary War. The disputed 277 square miles of sea known as the Gray Zone were traditionally fished by US lobstermen. But as the Gulf of Maine has warmed faster than nearly any other body of water on the planet, the area’s previously modest lobster population has surged. As a result, Canadians have begun to assert their sovereignty, warring with the Americans to claim the bounty. Directed by David Abel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter at The Boston Globe, and Andy Laub, an award-winning documentarian, producers of the acclaimed Discovery channel documentary "Sacred Cod.” (1 hour, 14 minutes) Playing Thursday, Jan. 17 at 2 and 7 p.m