Not the Land of Toys [Special Screenings, Dec. 1-8]

Blaxploitaitalian: 100 Years of Blackness in the Italian Cinema. It's a new documentary that examines the careers of a population of entertainers seldom heard from before: black actors in Italian cinema. Director Fred Kudjo Kuwornu—who correlates the personal struggles classic Afro-Italian and African diasporic actors faced with the contemporary actors who work diligently to find respectable roles—is on hand for this screening. Chapman University, Argyros Forum 209A, 1 University Dr., Orange, (714) 997-6815. Thurs., Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Free.

RiffTrax Holiday Special Double Feature. RiffTrax, which comes from some of the minds behind Mystery Science Theater 3000, skewers two holiday . . . um . . . classics (?): Santa Claus Conquers the Martians and Christmas Shorts-Stravaganza. This rebroadcast includes a guest appearance by Weird Al Yankovic and extra riffing on fan-favorite holiday photos. AMC Orange 30, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, (714) 769-4288; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, 1701 W. Katella Ave., Orange, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, 26701 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, 65 Fortune Dr., Irvine, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, 7501 E. Carson, Long Beach, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents.com. Thurs., Dec. 1, 7 p.m. $13-$15.

She Loves Me: From Broadway's Studio 54. BroadwayHD, Fathom Events and Roundabout Theatre Co. beam into theaters this This Tony-winning musical directed by Scott Ellis. Amalia and Georg (Tony winner Laura Benanti and Tony nominee Zachary Levy) are sparring perfumery workers with pen-pal lovers. If you've seen Sleepless In Seattle, you can figure out who each's secret paramour actually is. Jane Krakowski, Gavin Creel, Byron Jennings and Tom McGowan co-star. AMC Orange 30, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, 2457 Park Ave., Tustin, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents.com. Thurs., Dec. 1, 7 p.m. $18.

One More Time With Feeling. Originally intended to be a performance-based movie, this evolved into a different kind of project when director Andrew Dominik (Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford, Killing Them Softly) delved into the tragic backdrop of the writing and recording of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' 16th studio album, Skeleton Tree. Interwoven between footage of the band's album performance are interviews, Cave's narration and improvised rumination, all shot in color and black-and-white. First screened a few months ago, audience demand brought the movie back. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Dec. 1, 8 p.m. $8-$10; also at Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435. Thurs., Dec. 1, 9 p.m. $8-$11.

Elf. Will Ferrell stars as an oversized Santa's elf trying to navigate the Big Apple in this pleasing 2003 comedy that convinced Hollywood Jon Favreau could direct mainstream fare. And boy, has he delivered since. There are screenings indoors and outdoors tonight. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the movie under the stars at Hangar 21. You can bring your own food and beverages (including alcohol), and complimentary hot dogs, drinks and popcorn are served. Buy a helicopter ride (three minutes, $20; nine minutes, $40), and the barbecue and movie are free. The First Friday Cult Classics presentation at Art Theatre is by the Midnight Insanity Rocky Horror shadow cast troupe. Hangar 21 Helicopters, 3970 Artesia Ave., Fullerton. Fri. Doors open, 5:30 p.m.; barbecue and helicopter rides, 6 p.m.; screening, 7 p.m. $4; Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Fri., 11 p.m. $8-$11.

The Polar Express. Robert Zemeckis' 2004 computer-animated chestnut, based on Chris Van Allsburg's book, is about a young boy who discovers the spirit of Christmas on a magical train ride to the North Pole. Among the voices are Bosom Buddies Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari. This Pajama Party includes hot cocoa, snacks, crafts and museum admission. Drop offs of children ages 5-12 are welcome, but those younger than 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 956-8936. Fri., 5:30 p.m. $10-$15.

Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony. UC Irvine Illuminations and the departments of music and film and media studies present what the Village Voice called “a majestic documentary, as transformative as it sets out to be.” It's followed by a discussion and Q&A with director Kerry Candaele and professors David Brodbeck and Catherine Liu. UC Irvine, McCormick Screening Room, Humanities Gateway 1070, West Peltason and Campus drives, Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Fri., 6:30 p.m. Free.

Gremlins. This week’s Friday Night Freakout is Joe Dante’s 1984 horror-comedy about a young man (Zach Galligan) who receives a furry mogwai creature as a pet, but he soon has bucketloads of evil little monsters. My 12-year-old house cat’s name is Gizmo because as a kitten she looked so much like the movie version. And these days she’s an evil little monster, just ask my terrorized dog. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 11 p.m. $8-$10.

The Magic Flute. Julie Taymor, the Oscar-winning creative force behind Broadway's The Lion King, presents an English-language version of Mozart's famous opera. Images of larger-than-life puppets and the sounds of enchanting opera are beamed directly into theaters. This is billed as a great introduction to opera for children and families. AMC Orange 30, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, 99 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, (800) 967-1932; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents.com. Sat., 12:55 p.m. $15.

[

Batman Returns. I always have to look up the titles to see which Batman film is which because there are so many. This is Tim Burton's 1992 flick, celebrating its 25th anniversary, with Nostalgic Nebula Entertainment throwing a campaign rally for Gotham City mayoral candidate Oswald Cobblepot. Alcohol is for sale, and feel free to dress as your favorite hero, antihero or villain at this cosplay-friendly event. Oh, the film, yes . . . The Caped Crusader (Michael Keaton) battles Penguin (Danny DeVito), Cat Woman (Michelle Pfeiffer), wicked businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) and latex jock itch. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 8 p.m. $12-$15.

The Royal Opera House: Les Contes D'Hoffman (The Tales of Hoffmann). The Royal Opera's lavish production of Offenbach's masterpiece brings alive a 19th-century world of romance, comedy, mystery and menace. At the center of these extraordinary tales of clockwork dolls, magical glasses, ghostly voices and sensual courtesans is the vivid imagination of the drunken Romantic poet Hoffmann (portrayed by young tenor Vittorio Grigolo), who is compelled to tell the story of his lovers, who, he believes, have all been stolen by a succession of arch villains. Baritone Thomas Hampson goes all Eddie Murphy and performs all four villains. Regency Directors Cut Cinema at Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446; also at Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Sun., 12:55 p.m.; Tues., 7 p.m. $4.50-$10.50.

Spirited Away. Fathom Events and GKIDS bring the classic Japanese anime back to cinemas nationwide for a special 15th-anniversary celebration. Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki won an Oscar for the fantasy that has Chihiro thinking she is on another boring trip with her parents before they stop at a village that is not all that it seems. Her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits, shape-shifting dragons and a witch who never wants to see her leave. She must call on the courage she never knew she had to free herself and return her family to the outside world. Also screening is the short film Ghilblies: Episode 2, which has never been released in North America. AMC Orange 30, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, (800) 967-1932; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents.com. Sun., noon; Mon., 7 p.m. $12.50.

The Purple Orchid. This Cambodian-American film makes its red-carpet premiere. To find the power of healing, a young woman with agoraphobia must dive into the Killing Fields. Director Thien Marshall Thouch leads an audience Q&A afterward. The Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sun. Red-carpet hour (appropriate attire suggested), 5 p.m.; screening, 6 p.m. $10.

Suicide Squad. A secret government agency recruits a group of imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black-op missions in exchange for clemency. And then the chaos ensues. . . . Cal State Fullerton, Pavilion B, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, (657) 278-4219. Sun., 7 p.m. Call for ticket price.

Sole a Catinelle (roughly translated as The Sun Is Shining Cats and Dogs). The Italian Club presents Gennaro Nunziante's road picture about a father and son traveling from south to north. Co-writer Checco Zalone and Aurore Erguy and Miriam Dalmazio star. A short discussion in Italian follows the film. Chapman University, Argyros Forum 201, Charles and Nora Hester Faculty Senate Boardroom, (714) 997-6815. Tues., 7 p.m. Free.

Nerdland. Titmouse, Fathom Events and Samuel Goldwyn Films present the big-screen premiere of the animated film about slacker best friends—aspiring actor John (Paul Rudd) and wannabe screenwriter Elliot (Patton Oswalt)—who have seen their super-stardom dreams fizzle. So, with their 30th birthdays looming and desperation growing, they decide becoming famous for nothing is easier than ever in this 24/7, celebrity-obsessed world, so why not become famous? Hannibal Buress, Laraine Newman, Mike Judge, Kate Micucci, Riki Lindhome, Reid Scott, Paul Scheer and Molly Shannon provide cameos. Also screening is an exclusive Titmouse short and a panel discussion featuring Oswalt, Miccuci, Brendon Small, John Ennis, director Chris Prynoski, writer/producer Andrew Kevin Walker and standup comic Blaine Capatch.AMC Orange 30, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, (800) 967-1932; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents.com. Tues., 8 p.m. $15.

[

Miracle on 34th St. These days, this 1947 holiday classic would be titled The People v. Santa Claus and begin with grainy footage of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer beating. Regency Directors Cut Cinema at Rancho Niguel, (949) 831-0446, Tues. Call for show time. $8.

Sweet Revenge. Clips from this documentary about the evils of sugar punctuate a community health conversation titled “Sickeningly Sweet: Sugar the Health Crisis of Our Times.” Panelists include: David Carter, NFL defensive end, vegan and healthy eating advocate; Kimberly Cooper, obesity expert; Victoria Gonzalez, reiki master; and Brent Walmsley, executive director of SugarWatch. Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach. Wed., 6:30 p.m. Free.

Home Alone. The Cinema Classics series continues with this 1990 holiday classic about 8-year-old Kevin McCallister's (Macaulay Culkin) solo Christmas that is actually spent with two bungling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). Starlight Cinema City, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, (714) 970-6700; starlightcinemas.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $7.

Sherlock: The Abominable Bride. It's a special encore to get you ready for the BBC show's new season, with an exclusive introduction to Series 4 from co-creator Mark Gatiss. He also co-wrote this Emmy-winning episode that has Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr. Watson (Martin Freeman) taking part in an 1890s London adventure with Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington), Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves) and Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs). AMC Orange 30, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.FathomEvents.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $15.

Burn Country. After being exiled from Afghanistan, a former war journalist (Dominic Rains) settles in a small town in Northern California and takes a job with a local newspaper. This New York Film Critics Series preview screening is followed by a videotaped Q&A, beamed into U.S. movie theaters, with co-star Melissa Leo and writer-director Ian Olds. The film, which will be released theatrically and on Video on Demand, was inspired by Olds' prior documentary about an Afghani guide to Western journalists, Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $8-$10.

Saving Private Ryan. Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore and Barry Pepper star for director Steven Spielberg. Regency South Coast Village, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

Auntie Mame. This 1958 Golden Globe winner for Best Actress and Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy has Mame Dennis (Rosalind Russell), a progressive and independent woman of the 1920s, left to care for her nephew Patrick (Jan Handzlik/Roger Smith) after his wealthy father dies. But Mr. Babcock (Fred Clark), Patrick's assigned executor, objects to Mame's unconventional way of living. The Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Thurs., Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. $10.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *