Film

Sing Your Song screens as part of MASS MoCA's Cinema Lounge documentary series on Thursday, March 1, at 7:30 PM. Revealing how Belafonte gained so much prominence the film leads us through all stages of his life.

The Berkshire International Film Festival and the Beacon Cinema join together for the Berkshires’ first-ever Smartphone Film Festival – a new take on the film festival scene, as part of the 10x10 On North Festival taking place February 16-26 in downtown Pittsfield. Films were shot using the iPhone, iPad and various alternative cinematic "apps" to create a desired look or effect.

Wim Wenders started filming Pina in 2009 just a short time after the sudden death of the innovative German choreographer Pina Bausch. Accordingly the film which was shot in 3D includes only a brief archival sequence of her performing. There is little or no information provided about her as an individual in this documentary. But the magnificent film provides almost two hours of total immersion in her unique work. It sets a new paradigm for the genre of films about dance.

That’s Entertainment! Barrington Stage Company salutes the American movie musical with a special film series on the big screen at the Mainstage (30 Union Street) beginning January 28. Free for kids under 13.

Starting around Thanksgiving, filmmakers and studios start showing there wares for consideration of major recognition and box office rewards. Some years there are just a few notable movies. For some reason, this 2011 holiday season there are many. Looking at some of the major cinema presentations, there is something for everyone and probably a lot more than was expected. These few holiday weeks collectively have been like a film festival of good movies.

WBCN was the pioneering Boston radio station which brought rock to the FM dial in 1968, and reflected the social ferment of the times. It went off the air in 2009, but now an honored documentary film maker, Bill Lichtenstein, who once worked at BCN is doing a documentary about the station’s early days, and crowdsourcing content and funding for the project.

A series of four films about contemporary architecture and design is now being shown at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Including in the program are an interesting range of design, architectural practice and national attitudes. Beginning with a film about multidimensional designers Charles and Ray Eames, the next three films focus upon more architecturally-oriented subjects, the UK's Lord Norman Foster, Atlanta-based John Portman and the story of the on/off architecture for the Cuban National School of the Arts.

For the upcoming winter and spring 2012, the ICA has developed a full and provocative series of events that include an array of performances, film programs and lectures. Be there or be square.

Ralph Fiennes explains that shooting in the former Yugoslavia was cheap, but the Coriolanus setting provides more than an inexpensive backdrop. The Shakespeare tragedy set as recent wars, and street protests seem as fresh as Occupy Wall Street protesters in Oakland.