Ah, office humor. Perhaps the most depressingly universal comedy there is. Radical Communist theory argues that by providing an outlet for worker rage, films like Office Space function as a soma for the masses, giving them just enough release for their frustrations so that they passively accept the indignities heaped upon them during the work week thereby allowing the evil Capitalist machine to continue unabated. But when was the last time you saw a Radical Communist smile? And besides, I've watched the movie many times and I'm still ready to join the worker's revolt . . . just as long as Arellano and Schou start it first. [Note to our new editor Ted Kissell: Just riffing, man. Just riffing. Please don't make me go back to working at the hair salon.] This film, directed and written by Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge, was pretty much ignored upon its initial release but has grown a healthy cult following. One of the funnier films released in the past few years, Office Space casts a keen comedic eye on the mindless, soul-crushing, and ultimately unfulfilling work that most people do just to earn enough money to get trashed on the weekends and forget about what they spend the other five days doing. Hey, it may not take away your urge to torch your cubicle, but at least you can have an hour and a half to feel like you're not alone in your frustration. The cinematic equivalent of one of those stress balls that adorn so many desks across the country. Edwards University Town Center, 4245 Campus Dr., Irvine, (949) 854-8818. Tues., 9 p.m. $6.
Other screenings:
The Bridge on the River Kwai. See this film and you'll be whistling the theme song for weeks. British POWs captured by the Japanese during World War II are put to work building a bridge over . . . you guessed it, the River Kwai. Little do the Japanese know the Allied forces are going to render the whole exercise rather pointless by the end of the film. Starring Alec Guiness and William Holden, the film won seven Oscars, so you know it's got to be good. Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.
For a Few Dollars More. Here is a gloriously greasy, sweaty, hairy, bloody, and violent Western—and it's delicious. A pair of bounty killers tries to outwit each other while capturing a psychotic outlaw. Director/writer Sergio Leone, the master of the Spaghetti Western, pulls out all the stops in this fantastic, totally over the top Western. Also featuring Klaus Kinski, always a sign of something interesting. Orange Coast College, Fine Arts Building, Room 119, 2701 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa, (714) 432-5599. Fri., 6:30 p.m. $5-$6.
Funny Games. Georg and Anna, with their son Georgie, are staying in their lakeside summer home when their serenity is shattered by the arrival of a young man named Peter, who knocks at their door asking to borrow some eggs. The unwanted visitor is joined by Paul, a brash, arrogant young man. When Georg tries to throw them out, physical violence erupts and the family is held captive. What ensues are highly disturbing and violent "games" initiated by Paul and Peter with Georg, Anna and Georgie as the unwilling participants. This film is being screened by the UCI Film and Video Center. UCI, Humanities Instructional Building 100, Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Fri., 7 p.m. $3-$5.
GV6 The Odyssey: Poets, Passion & Poetry. The Found Theatre celebrates National Poetry Month with a special screening of Bob Bryan's new documentary film. The latest in Bryan's Graffiti Verite series, this film follows top performance poets and explores their creative process. The film will be accompanied by live performances by some of the poets featured in the film as well as a Q&A with the performers and director. The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 433-3363; www.foundtheatre.org. Sat., 8 p.m. $10.
Not One Less. A teacher of a primary school in a remote mountain village in China must leave his students for a month, and the only substitute teacher who can be found is a 13-year-old girl. She is promised an extra stipend if she manages to keep all the students enrolled in class until the teacher returns. In America, the girl would be spitballed alive. Does Chinese youth culture treat her with more leniency? Come to Bower's Museum's Dinner and Movie to find out. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3679; www.bowers.org. Thurs., April 12, 7:30 p.m. $8-$10. For reservations to the pre-film dinner, call Tangata Restaurant at (714) 550-0906. The dinner costs $30.
Rear Window. Hitchcock's ultimate paean to voyeurism, this film features Jimmy Stewart as a photographer confined to his apartment with a broken leg who bides his time spying on his neighbors across the courtyard. When he suspects that he's witnessed a murder, he enlists Grace Kelly to help him get to the bottom of things. One man's busybody is another man's crime fighter. Cinema City, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, (714) 970-6700. Wed., 7 p.m. $8.
Walking the Line. This award-winning documentary on the U.S./Mexico border dilemma presents a harrowing view of the chaos and the deaths that have occurred along the Arizona/Mexico border due to private citizens taking the law into their own hands. The documentary's aim is to explore the uncertain line between what is patriotic, what is moral and what is just. Following the film will be a panel discussion with filmmaker Landon Van Soest and Chapman faculty members. Marion Knott Studios, 238 N. Cypress St., Orange, (714) 628-2565. Thurs., April 12, 7 p.m. Free.
Mail your press releases (and a videotape or disc, if available) to Special Screenings,OC Weekly, 1666 N. Main St., Ste. 500, Santa Ana, CA 92701-7417. Or send e-mail totchild@ocweekly.com. All materials must be received at least two weeks before the screening.
