"I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics." A classic American film that speaks to the soul of every disaffected young person with the hots for the parent of a childhood acquaintance (not that I would know what that's about), The Graduate was Dustin Hoffman's first major film role, earning him an Academy Award nomination, along with Anne Bancroft for her portrayal of Mrs. Robinson. Mike Nichols deservedly picked up an Oscar for his direction. Simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, this film remains relevant and moving. Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.
also playing:
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. This is Steve Martin's love poem to film noir. Tough detective Rigby Reardon investigates a case for lovely Juliet Forrest. Her father, a noted scientist, philanthropist and cheese maker, has died mysteriously. This leads Reardon not only into the expected film noir maze, but also into a maze of film noir. This screening will be hosted by Keith Hall. Orange Coast College, Fine Arts Building, Room 119, 2701 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa, (714) 432-5599. Fri., 6:30 p.m. $5-$6.
Happy Feet. Oscar-winning film about a penguin who chooses to dance rather than sing, and his efforts to discover why the fish that the colony normally would be eating are starting to dwindle. Featuring the vocal talents of Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Reno 911's Carlos Alazraqui. Besides the special free screening, there will also be special art projects, games and surprises. Mountain View Park, 4061 Dylan St., Lake Forest, (949) 461-3450. Fri., 7:30 p.m. Free.
The Legend of 1900. A fable about a piano player who lived his entire life on the sea, the film is based on a monologue by Alessandro Baricco. Giuseppe Tornatore, best known for Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso, presents his first English-language film. Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Ave., Irvine, (949) 724-6880. Tues., 7 p.m. Free.
Reservoir Dogs. The film that unleashed Quentin Tarantino on the American public, Reservoir Dogs remains one of his best, due mainly to the relative understatement of his direction. By now, pretty much everyone knows the man's name, but at the time, the film's pastiche of French New Wave, Martin Scorsese, Asian crime films and throwaway-culture references seemed novel. Posters for the film continue to be wall decoration de rigeur for film majors, frat houses and stoner pads alike, and the ripple effect is still being felt by cinema, for better or worse. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $6.
Rocky Horror Picture Show. Some do Pilates, some do "The Time Warp." It's okay, boys, put on some makeup and look fabulous—a lot of girls are into ambiguous sexuality. Well, at least they were in Santa Cruz. Royal Theater Aboard the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 684-4411; www.qmxroyal.com. Sat., midnight. $8.
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 to tchild@ocweekly.com . All materials must be received at least two weeks before the screening.
