AN EVENING WITH DON HERTZFELDT NOT RATED

Academy Award nominee Don Hertzfeldt will present a program of his tight and existential short films. His critically acclaimed trilogy, which includes the Sundance-winning Everything Will Be OK and I Am So Proud of You, will end with his newest film, It’s Such a Beautiful Day. Hertzfeldt’s three films blend traditional animation with digital and trick photography. They will be screened together for the first time in Milwaukee with the use of 35 mm prints. As fans already know, Bill, the protagonist in the trilogy, is one of the most compelling characters in film. The program will end with an onstage interview and a chat between the audience and the director. (Daniel Gaitan) March 3 at the Times Cinema

PROJECT X R

When three high-school seniors throw a birthday bash in an effort to put nerddom in the rearview mirror, their plans quickly spiral out of control. Shot home-video-style, the film chronicles the insanity of extending plus-one invites to all the popular kids (Dad’s car and swimming pool are just two of the casualties). With their popularity—and chances with girls—on the line, the three youths try reasoning with the revelers, but to no avail. Meanwhile, unable to believe his boy could host an obnoxious party, the lad’s out-of-town dad accuses his cell-phone-calling neighbors of wildly exaggerating the mayhem. The film, starring virtual unknowns, is produced by Todd Phillips (of The Hangover), who knows his way around malebonding rituals gone awry. (Lisa Miller)

THE REALLY FUNNY HORNY GOAT INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL PG-13

The Horny Goat Hideaway brew pub plays host to the Really Funny Horny Goat International Short Film Festival, consisting of film, giveaways, music and, of course, beer. Among the shorts will be filmmaker Jeff Ircink’s provocative Pass the Salt, Please. This quirky film has been making the rounds of the film festival circuit, including stops in Sydney, Australia, Austin, Texas, and Chicago. By the end of the festival, you may be “drinking films and watching beers.” (D.G.)

March 2-3 at the Horny Goat Hideaway