WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN and More Open at Michigan Theater Today

Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor's non-profit center for fine film and the performing arts, has announced this week's film schedule. Highlights include THE KID WITH A BIKE and WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN. See the full schedule below.

Films Opening:

THE KID WITH A BIKE - OPENING FRIDAY, APRIL 27 at the Michigan
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and a Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, the deeply moving new film by the Dardenne brothers (L’enfant, Rosetta) delves into the emotional life of troubled 11-year-old Cyril (newcomer Thomas Doret). When his father (Jérémie Renier) abandons him, Cyril obsessively searches for his bicycle – placing his last bit of hope in this symbol of their relationship. Almost by accident, he becomes the ward of a kind hairdresser (Cécile de France – Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter), who seems surprised to find herself so determined to help him. With his wild, unpredictable behavior and his disastrous search for father figures, Cyril risks losing her – though she refuses to give up without a fight. Full of heartbreaking betrayals and unexpectEd Grace, The Kid with a Bikeis a film about a child, abandoned to the elements, learning to become good. 87 minutes. Not rated.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN - OPENING FRIDAY, APRIL 27 - at the Michigan
A suspenseful and gripping psychological thriller, Lynne Ramsay’s We Need to Talk About Kevin explores the fractious relationship between a mother and her evil son. Tilda Swinton, in a bracing, tour-de-force performance, plays the mother, Eva, as she contends for 15 years with the increasing malevolence of her first-born child, Kevin (Ezra Miller). Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, We Need to Talk About Kevin explores nature vs. nurture on a whole new level as Eva’s own culpability is measured against Kevin’s innate evilness. Ramsay’s masterful storytelling simultaneously combines a provocative moral ambiguity with a satisfying and compelling narrative, which builds to a chilling, unforgettable climax. 112 minutes. Rated R.

Films Held Over:

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN - PLAYING THROUGH THURSDAY, APRIL 26 at the Michigan, MOVING FRIDAY, APRIL 27 to the State
From the director of Chocolat and the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Slumdog Millionaire comes the inspirational comedy Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. When Britain’s leading fisheries expert (Ewan McGregor) is approached by a consultant (Emily Blunt) to help realize a sheikh’s (Amr Waked) vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert, he immediately thinks the project is both absurd and unachievable. But when the Prime Minister’s overzealous press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas) latches on to it as a “good will” story, this unlikely team will put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible. 111 min. PG-13.

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI - PLAYING APRIL 28, MAY 1 & 2- at the Michigan
Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. For most of his life, Jiro has been mastering the art of making sushi, but even at his age he sees himself still striving for perfection, working from sunrise to well beyond sunset to taste every piece of fish; meticulously train his employees; and carefully mold and finesse the impeccable presentation of each sushi creation. At the heart of this story is Jiro’s relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu, the worthy heir to Jiro’s legacy, who is unable to live up to his full potential in his father’s shadow. The feature film debut of director David Gelb, Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a thoughtful and elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection, chronicling Jiro’s life as both an unparalleled success in the culinary world, and a loving yet complicated father. 81 min. Rated PG. Japanese with subtitles. Sponsored by the UM Center for Japanese Studies.

BULLY - NOW PLAYING at the State
Group discussion with Neutral Zone’s Katy Butler & Riot Youth following the 4:30 PM screening on Thursday, Apr 26. This year, over 18 million American kids will be bullied, making it the most common form of violence experienced by young people in the U.S. Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, the documentary “The Bully Project” follows “a year in the life” of America’s bullying crisis, offering an intimate look at how bullying has touched five kids and their families. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children. As teachers, administrators, kids and parents struggle to find answers, “The Bully Project” examines the dire consequences of bullying through the testimony of strong and courageous youth. Through the power of their stories, the film aims to be a catalyst for change in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, children and society as a whole. Rated PG-13. 99 min.

Films Closing:

THE RAID: REDEMPTION - PLAYING through THURSDAY, APRIL 26 at the State

JEFF WHO LIVES AT HOME - PLAYING through THURSDAY, APRIL 26 at the State

Special Screenings:

THE LENORE MARWIL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL - SUNDAY, APRIL 29 -THURSDAY, MAY 3 at the Michigan
The Jewish Film Festival is an annual event celebrating film and the impact and influence which Jewish culture has played on current movies and filmmakers of today. It also provides a forum for discussion about films from around the world that illuminate Jewish issues and principles. Our goal is to enhance a sense of community and inclusion for a broad range of audience members.

SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD - SATURDAY, APRIL 28 at 11:59 PM at the State - MIDNIGHTS ARE ONLY $6!
Based on BRyan Lee O’Malley’s Oni Press comic book of the same name, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World follows the eponymous slacker rocker on his colorful quest to defeat his dream girl’s seven evil ex-boyfriends. Twenty-two-year-old Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) may not have a job, but rocking the bass for his band, Sex Bob-omb, is a tough job unto itself.

JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY - MARTIN BANDYKE'S MOVING PICTURE SERIES - MONDAY, APRIL 30 at 7:00 PM at the Michigan
Sponsored by Sesi Lincoln
Jazz on a Summer’s Day is a priceless record of the 1958 Jazz Festival at Newport, Rhode Island. It just doesn’t get better than this. We see Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, Chuck Berry, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, George Shearing, Jack Teagarden, Sonny Stitt, Chico Hamilton, Anita O’Day and Big Maybelle.

Finally, the Michigan Theater proudly presents CINETOPIA International Film Festival, presented by AT&T, May 31 - June 3. Featuring specially selected independent and foreign cinema from the festival circuit and across the globe.