Glourious, Nazi ass-kicking. Look at the knife.

Waltz With Bashir

This film is one of the most extraordinary contributions to the big screen in the last decade. Directed by Ari Folman, this animated documentary film shows Folman in search of his lost memories from the 1982 Lebanon War. This antiwar meditation has a ton of redeeming qualities. You could watch it for historical purposes, or you could watch it as a personal memoir, or you could watch it for the animated escapade that it is.

Join Folman as he searches for answers that his conscious memory has not retained. You can watch Waltz With Bashir as part of the Tuesday Film Series tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. in the ICC, room 234. For more information, email cjcinfo@georgetown.edu or call (202) 687 4245.

The Decline of Big Media

Over in the new Rafik B. Hariri Building this Wednesday at 4:30 pm, the public is invited to a discussion with CBS correspondent Wyatt Andrews in an attempt to contextualize the decline of big media. Part of the Distinguished Leaders Series, this presentation, sponsored by the McDonough School of Business, will give a look at “Big Media” from within. The discussion will take place in Lohrfink Auditorium. Questions can be addressed to Chris Kormis at cmk68@georgetown.edu.

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J. Tillman has more focus (pun) than your average songwriter.

Saturday

Since the Sex Pistols shouted about anarchy and the Queen, England has proved capable of giving the world some pretty kick ass punk rock. One of the UK’s latest punk rock concoctions, Gallows, bring together the aggression and punch of Black Flag with a modern day spin. Their latest release, and their first on a major label, Grey Britain shows that these guys aren’t just a passing fad. You can catch them Saturday at the DC9 with two amazing D.C. punk bands, The Scare and the Mostly Dead. Tickets are $15 advance, $18 at the door.

Wednesday

J. Tillman is a bluesy guy who you’d normally catch in the context of the psychedelic Fleet Foxes. His laid back acoustics bring to mind the delicacy of Damien Rice’s best songs along with the rhythm and beat of Sun Kil Moon. Fans of Fleet Foxes would probably love this, and it’s even more accessible. For a good way to wind down in the middle of the week, I’d recommend spending your Wednesday night with J. Tillman at the 9:30 Club for $15.

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It’s a national treasure!

The Wizard of Oz

If you haven’t  yet seen “The Wizard of Oz” in a while and have been looking for the perfect opportunity to wander down that yellow brick road, you’ve got the chance to do so in a fairly unique way this weekend. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration will be screening the film in conjunction with the BIG! exhibition. The presentation of this 1939 film will take place this Saturday at noon. So head down to Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th, check out the National Archives, and watch one of the greatest movies of all time.

A Walk in the Park

If you’re looking for a more unique way to spend your lunch hour this Monday, you can pack it in a brown paper bag and head down to the U.S. Botanic Gardens for a lunchtime tour. A knowledgeable guide will show you the ins and outs of the garden, explaining how all of those nice flowers contribute to your everyday life. The weather forecast predicts a high of 60 with mostly sunny skies, so take advantage of this before it’s too late. Located at 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, and accessible through the Federal Center or Capital South Metro stops.

The Film is Alive

“The Film is Alive: Osamu Tezuka Filmography (Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime)” is one hell of a title for a film. It’s fairly lengthy and bold, but I guess that’s the point of it all. At 2:00 p.m. at the Freer Gallery (Meyer Auditorium) there will be a screening of this film, which was made for an exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum the year after Osamu Tezuka’s death.

Along with footage of the artist, it features ten letters handwritten by his friends, all who are big names in the anime community. A panel discussion will follow the film with some notable players in the game of Manga and specialists in the history of Tezuka himself. The screening is first come, first served.

The Wall

The exhibit Freedom Without Walls will be in showing beginning Monday in the ICC Galleria. All it takes is a few spare moments between classes or when waiting in line for a cup of coffee at MUG to take a glance at this photo exhibit on the Berlin Wall. It contains historical photos ranging from the wall’s construction in 1961 until its fall in 1989, as well as the diplomacy involved in the Cold War.

Freedom Without Walls will be showing until the end of the week, so make sure to take some time out by Friday and see a quick glimpse of the Wall. For more information on the coinciding speech competition this Tuesday, lectures throughout the week, and the club night at the German Embassy this Friday, check out the exhibit’s website.

Invisible Children

The non-profit organization Invisible Children has been anything but invisible over the past six years. With the main aim to provide secondary education to children in Northern Uganda, maybe you didn’t know that it all started as a film project.

When three ambitious filmmakers traveled to Africa in search for a story, they saw the horrors and realities of northern Uganda’s use of children soldiers and night commuters. The result was the documentary Invisible Children and the non-profit was an answer to the question posed by the film: “How can I help?” You can start by attending a screening of the film in ICC 115, this Thursday at 8:15 p.m.

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Blind Pilot enjoy the simple things.

Saturday

Peter Bjorn and John are coming to the 9:30 Club this Saturday. They’ll be playing their unique replication of 60’s baroque pop and new wave. They’re still touring off of their 2009 release Living Thing, and that’s a damn good thing. Make sure to check these guys out if you have a chance. Tickets cost $25 and doors will open at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday

Train and Uncle Kracker are coming to town. Uncle Kracker just pulled a Hanson, kids. I mean, he never really left, but he was definitely forgotten. With September’s release of his fourth studio album, Happy Hour, he’s trying to get back in the game. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing. He’s got some new grooves that are unmistakably… groove-able. Train has just released their fifth studio album, Save Me San Francisco, this October. Come see each bands’ reinvented selves this Sunday at the 9:30 Club; tickets cost $35.

Amy Millan of the indie rock outfit Stars has a little side project going. She puts together music that is somewhere in between pop and country, but without fitting into either category too snuggly. With contributions by Stars and Broken Social Scene, she’s definitely got that Canadian indie thing going too. Luckily, there seems no one better suited to perform that sound that Millan. You can check her out at the DC9 this Sunday. Tickets will cost $12 in advance, $14 at the door.

Wednesday

Blind Pilot has an interesting way of touring. Having embarked on two West Coast bike tours, they simply back up and go, getting the chance to play shows in cities that tours would generally pass by. Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski play some relaxing and calming acoustic indie that would be well suited for a Wednesday night, say … at the Black Cat. Tickets cost $15.

Get into it.

Got a Light?

Riding a bike at night time is dangerous business! You can’t see things, things can’t see you. Think about how beneficial it might be to have some source of light radiate off of your bicycle. This simple solution is also a free solution, as DDOT and WABA have come together to give out about 800 free lights this Thursday, November 5th.

If you travel to Suntrust Plaza in Adams Morgan (18th and Columbia Rd, NW) or to Columbia Heights Plaza (14th St. NW and Park Rd) between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., the Washington Area Bicycle Association will hook you up. Lights will only be available for those who show up with their bike, and there is a limit of one set per person. Make sure to get there before supplies run out!

Fall Bike Sale!

Maybe you’re looking to get some lights for your bicycle, but you haven’t purchased a bike yet. This is problematic, but this is the perfect time of the year to sort out this conundrum. This Sunday, November 8th, there will be an annual fall bike sale sponsored by Bike and Roll Washington DC. You can get some pretty good deals, and it’s free too look around.

Just head down to the Old Post Office Pavilion (1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW) between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to try to find a good deal. All sales are final, and cash is the only sort of payment; so take this opportunity to get acquainted with the black market of bicycle sales.

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Election Night Results Watch

This year may not be one of “change” and “hope,” but that doesn’t mean that Georgetown students won’t be paying attention to the polls this Tuesday, November 3rd. If you’re one of those very few political people on campus, there will luckily be a place to watch the results from Virginia, New Jersey, Maine, NY-23, and more come in all night long. You can take part in Leavey’s Sellinger Lounge at 7:00 p.m.; food will be provided.

The Georgetown Writers Series Presents…

Georgetown English professor, screenwriter, and novelist Jennifer Natalya Fink will be speaking on “Revisions and Other Fictions” on Wednesday November 4th, from 9:20 to 10:00 a.m. in 390 Walsh. So come see the Dana Award winner and celebrated author of the 2004 book Burn; this event is open to the public!

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THEARC Arts Day

The Levine School of Music, Washington Ballet and Corcoran Gallery have come together for the fourth year now to put on the annual THEARC Arts Day. Located at 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE, (about a half mile walk from the Southern Avenue metro) the festivities will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run until 2:00 p.m. this Saturday. There will be an African Harvest Dance workshop, a hands on print making workshop, a magic show (gasp!) and some live jazz with the Matt Dievendorf trio. What’s better than hanging out at a family atmosphere, listening to some smooth jazz, preparing for your Halloween night?

Murderous Bike Tour!

Keep yourself in the spooky Halloween mindset all Saturday long. Grab your bike and head down to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Plaza at 1:00 p.m. for a three hour bike tour about murders in the D.C. area. You’ve heard of Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper, and Charles Manson, but did you know they had something to do with D.C.? Spooky!

Louis Stroller!

Louis Stroller played the role of producer in a great number of films. He was the executive producer of Scarface back in 1983, Carlito’s Way in 1993 and The Rock in 1996. Yep, this guy was behind it all, and he’s coming to speak at the Library of Congress next Monday at 2:00 p.m. for a free discussion of the film industry and his current projects. Head to their website for more information.

William Wiley: Filmworks

This Thursday at the American Art Museum (8th and F Streets, NW), art fans will get to see a different side of William Wiley, who is best known for his painting and sculpting. In his spare time, though, he managed to become quite the experimental filmmaker. In the McEvoy Auditorium, on the lower level, the museum will screen The Great Blondino (1966), Plastic Haircut (1963), and Man’s Nature (1971), in total, a run time lasting approximately 100 minutes. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

It’s that time of year again!

The Exorcist

Almost a prerequisite to attending Georgetown University is having seen the movie The Exorcist, which is filmed largely around Georgetown’s campus and has made notorious that set of stairs that exercisers brave day after day. And for those who haven’t yet, it’s time to get up to speed.

GPB will be showing The Exorcist on Halloween in Gaston Hall at 6:00 p.m., directly following a performance by the groovy Groove Theory. The costume contest will follow at 8:30 p.m., and a second screening of the film will begin at 9:00 p.m. This is really an experience like no other. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, watching the film in Georgetown and with Georgetown is a definitively unique experience.

Haunted Forest Trip!

In my opinion, Halloween isn’t complete without the chance to walk through a haunted forest and have a bonfire with pizza, cookies, and drinks. But don’t take my word for it, because these tickets are going to sell out fast. GPB will be giving students the chance to go on their annual trip to Markoff’s Haunted Forest.

There are only 50 spots this year, so make sure to get a ticket while you can. Those with tickets, which cost $10, will meet at the McDonough Gym at 5:45 pm and leave for the haunted forest which is 45 minutes away by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. The trail is about an hour long and you will return at around 9:00 p.m. Bring your sweetheart and take a stroll into the unknown. And if at all possible, let’s try to avoid a Blair Witch part two. (That sequel doesn’t count.)

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Aye Aye Captain Gibbard!

Sunday

Califone have just released a creepy little album called All my Friends are Funeral Singers. I only say that it’s creepy because of the trailer that they have for the album on their website, but how can you think of folk music as frightening? I guess when it is about dead people and psychics fright could be something to think about. Either way, these folk all-stars will be playing at the Rock and Roll Hotel this Sunday for only $12.

Tuesday

Ben Gibbard has a habit of doing some pretty amazing side projects, namely The Postal Service who I still listen to despite having left high school a few years ago. Now he’s done it again with Jay Farrar putting together the soundtrack for a film about Kerouac that should be coming out sometime soon. Jay Farrar, known for his role in Uncle Tupelo and doing other interesting alternative country things adds a great flair to the already hyped brilliance of Gibbard. They’ll be performing together this Tuesday at the 9:30 Club for $28.

Wednesday

Pinback are some of the most relaxed dudes in the industry. I’m not speaking personally of course, I’ve never really gotten the chance to hang out with them myself; but if their simple musical structure amounts to anything it would be relaxation. The simple drum beats layered by a not so distinct guitar and bass section, Pinback makes some simple music that you can’t help but get into. They’ll be playing at the Black Cat this Wednesday for $15 with special guests Obits: a relatively new band featuring members of Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, and Edsel.

Thursday

The Black Heart Procession have just released their new album 6. It’s dark. They’re actually pretty creepy, and their band name comes off as really emotional, but in reality they bring together some really cool sounds into one package. They set forth the imagery of a band like Blonde Redhead who deals a lot with unique sounding, yet simple music, but these guys are one of a kind. Check them out at the Black Cat this Thursday for $13 advance or $15 at the door.