This week at the movies: ‘The Hobbit,’ ‘Pride’ and ‘Citizenfour’

Wed, 12/17/2014 - 12:15pm

The Harbor Theatre

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” The epic third and final installment of J. R. R. Tolkien's “The Hobbit” trilogy. Having reclaimed their homeland from the dragon Smaug, the company — Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves — unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the men, women and children of Lake-town.

Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it, as Bilbo’s frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. Wizard Gandalf learns their great enemy Sauron has sent legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide — unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life, and the lives of his friends, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

Directed by Peter Jackson, the film features an all-star cast including Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee and Orlando Bloom. Show dates: Dec. 16 through Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 and 7 p.m.

The Harbor Theater is located at 185 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor. For more information, call 207-633-0438 or go to www.harbortheatre.net.

Lincoln Theater

Nominated for this year’s Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, “Pride” is based on a true story, which finds United Kingdom gay activists working to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984. Plays Wednesday, Dec. 17 and Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 and 7 p.m.

“Citizenfour” is the winner of the 2014 New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Non-Fiction Film. In 2013, filmmaker Laura Poitras was constructing a film about abuses of national security when she started receiving encrypted emails from someone identifying himself as "Citizen Four,” who was ready to blow the whistle on the massive covert surveillance programs run by the NSA and other intelligence agencies. She and reporter Glenn Greenwald flew to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with the man who turned out to be Edward Snowden. Plays Friday, Dec. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.

Bolshoi Ballet Live: “The Nutcracker” For the first time at Lincoln Theater, The Bolshoi’s production will be broadcast live as it is happening at the famed Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. This choreographed version, created for the Bolshoi by Yuri Grigorovich, is full of romanticism and philosophical reflections on ideal love. Masterfully interpreted by the Bolshoi dancers, it will enchant the whole family for the festive season. One show only: Sunday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m.

The Lincoln Theater is located at 2 Theater Street in Damariscotta. For more information, call 207-563-3424 or go to www.atthelincoln.org.