[Special Screenings] Local Showings of 'El Brindis,' More

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

El Brindis (To Life). A young woman reluctantly journeys from her home in Mexico to visit her estranged Chilean father, who is preparing for his late bar mitzvah. Along the way, she meets and begins a forbidden relationship with the rabbi. It is a tale of three lives searching for meaning, love and what it means to hold on to what you have. UC Irvine, Humanities Instructional Building 100, Campus & W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $2.

ALSO SHOWING

Arctic Dance. A documentary about the extraordinary life and conservation work of Mardy Murie in the Arctic wilderness. Harrison Ford narrates. Popcorn and drinks provided. Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, (714) 963-6345; angeles.sierraclub.org/ocss. Mon., 6:30 p.m. $3 donation.

Creatures From the Black Lagoon. Swamp monsters attack in this B-movie classic. Brea Art Gallery, 1 Civic Center Circle, Ste. 1, Brea, (714) 671-3601; www.ci.brea.ca.us. Fri.-Sun. Call for times. $2; Brea residents, free.

The 11th Hour. This documentary, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, presents the many ways human beings are having a negative impact on our environment. Festival of Arts Grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-5690; www.endangeredplanet.net. Wed., 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. $10.

For the Bible Tells Me So. This documentary portrays the difficulties that homosexuals from orthodox families can experience when they come out to their relatives and analyzes the ways in which the Religious Right use the Bible to condemn homosexuality. Common Ground, 624 E. First St., Tustin, (714) 573-2546. Sun., 3 p.m. Free.

Girl Crazy. Busby Berkeley directs the great Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1.

Harold and Maude. True love is a beautiful thing, no? Nothing beats the warmth of a mutual emotional connection . . . except maybe a nice cup of Geritol-spiked Ovaltine. This perennial cult classic tells the charming tale of a suicidally depressed adolescent and his 79-year-old lover, who teaches him to embrace life to the fullest. What sounds like a potentially tasteless shocker becomes instead a poignant meditation on mortality, human connections and the joy of a life well-lived thanks to the performances of Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon in the lead roles, the direction of Hal Ashby, and the classic soundtrack by Cat Stevens. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-3134; www.themuck.org. Wed., 9 p.m. $5.

Meth. This documentary portrays the downsides of crystal meth addiction. Following the screening, a panel of experts will be available to answer your questions about methamphetamine abuse. Santa Ana College, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, (714) 564-6000; www.ocmtf.com. Wed., 7 p.m. Free.

Trainspotting.Danny Boyle's iconic film about drug abuse and youth culture in Scotland. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $6.50.

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.