Special Screenings

Movie of the week: 

SAHARA
This Humphrey Bogart film tells the tale of an abandoned tank unit after the fall of Tobruk in North Africa. Led by Joe Gunn, the unit picks up British, South African and Sudanese soldiers along the way, becoming a microcosm of the Allied troops. This notable film weighs the exigencies of war against moral regard for life. Moderated by film instructor Karen Merced Willner. For an added cost, Tangata restaurant hosts a pre-film themed dinner. Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3679; www.bowers.org. Thurs., Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. $8-$10. For reservations to the pre-film dinner, call Tangata Restaurant at (714) 550-0906.

Other screenings: 

The Cocoanuts. This Robert Florey-directed film stars Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo Marx in a screen version of the hit Broadway play. Come see the legendary Marx Brothers make their film debut. The Friday Film Forum will present a preshow program of shorts, cartoons and surprises. Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.

Dark Matter. This feature film, starring Aidan Quinn and Meryl Streep, chronicles the story (based on actual events) of a Chinese student studying at an American university who responds violently when his dreams of success are dashed by school politics. Produced by Orange County's American Sterling Productions. A discussion with producer Janet Yang will follow. Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, Chapman University, 283 N. Cypress, Orange, (714) 997-9700. Sun., 12:30 p.m. Free.

Rocket Science. A teenager tackles the mysteries of life, love and public speaking in this wry comedy of adolescent angst by Jeffrey Blitz, director of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Spellbound. Blitz leaves behind the conventions and clichés of coming-of-age tales to instead conjure a world where everyone, regardless of age, is befuddled by desire and the longing for human connection. Winner of the Dramatic Directing Prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Writer/director Blitz will appear for a Q&A session. UC Irvine, Humanities Instructional Building 100, Campus & W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Thurs., Oct. 4, 7 p.m. $3-$5.

The Devil Came on Horseback. An award-winning documentary about the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. This film follows former U.S. Marine Captain Brian Steidle, who is an unarmed military observer with the African Union. He is there with only a camera, a pad of paper and a pen. For more information, please visit www.thedevilcameonhorseback.com. Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 25801 Orbrero Dr., Mission Viejo. Sat., 7 p.m. Free.

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.

Storytellers of Tomorrow. Featuring student films by film-festival winners and the contestants from On the Lot. Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, Chapman University, 283 N. Cypress, Orange, (714) 997-9700. Fri., 8 p.m. Free.

The Wild Bunch. An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the "traditional" American West is disappearing around them. Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, 117 N. Sycamore, Santa Ana, (714) 667-1517. Fri., 8 p.m. Free.

William Eggleston In the Real World.Michael Almereyda's documentary follows acclaimed artist William Eggleston, whose hallucinatory, Faulknerian images have been called by MoMA's John Szarkowski "the beginning of modern color photography." The filmmaker tracks the photographer on trips to Kentucky, Los Angeles and New York, but gives particular attention to downtime in Memphis, Eggleston's home base. Director Almereyda will appear for a Q&A session. The film will be accompanied by a selection of short films. UC Irvine, Humanities Instructional Building 100, Campus & W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Thurs., Oct. 11, 7 p.m. $3-$5.

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.