Special Screenings

Aladdin. This Disney animated musical comedy certainly was a charmer when it was originally released, although sadly it aged faster than an open carton of milk. We all seemed to completely max out on Robin Williams around 1998 or so, and this movie doesn't exactly make us miss the furry funnyman. If you take your kids along, odds are almost all of Williams' early-'90s pop-cultural references will sail right over their little heads. Be prepared to spend much of the evening trying to explain the genie's impressions of Arsenio Hall, William F. Buckley, etc. This is an outdoor, beachside screening, so bundle up warm and bring chairs. Newport Dunes Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Dunes, (949) 729-DUNE. Fri., dusk. Free; parking, $10.

American Blend. Varun Khanna's 2006 drama follows a mix-raced couple (an Indian cook and American dancer) whose happy family is thrown into turmoil by a dark secret. Anupam Kher and Dee Wallace-Stone star. It's the latest film in the Orange County Museum of Art's Cinema Orange series. Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 759-1122. Thurs., June 22, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Herbie: Fully Loaded. I know I'm supposed to think Lindsay Lohan is hot and all, but honestly, I can never escape the creeping suspicion she's actually Frankie Muniz in drag. Seriously, have you ever seen those two in the same place at the same time? Hmm.Makes you wonder, huh? (Yeah, I know, I'm being terribly mean to the poor little millionaire starlet. Like Frankie Muniz is ever gonna read this rag.) Herbie is one of Frankie's, er, Lindsay's less celebrated outings, a kid's picture loaded to the bursting point with plugs for such child-friendly products as DuPont, Nextel and Viagra. (Heh. “Poor Herbie wasn't feeling so fully loaded . . . until his doctor told him about a little blue pill.”) This is an outdoor, beachside screening, so dress warm and bring chairs. Newport Dunes Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Dunes, (949) 729-DUNE. Sat., dusk. Free; parking, $10.

Livin It L.A. Stephen Baldwin (a.k.a. “The one who's not Alec. No, not that one. The other one. Yeah, that guy . . .”) directs and produces this documentary about La-La Land Christian skateboarders. This is the area premiere, and Baldwin and the cast will attend. Stephen Baldwin and skateboarding?! Pinch me, I'm dreaming! (Actually, pinch me real hard because I desperately want to wake up.) Regency Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, (949) 673-8350. Wed., 7 p.m. Call for ticket information.

The Professional. Luc Besson's 1994 action drama about a jaded hitman (Jean Reno) who finds himself forced to care for an orphaned 12-year-old girl (Natalie Portman). As a Beethoven-obsessed psycho, Gary Oldman is, as usual, great, hammy fun. Edwards Rancho Santa Margarita, 30632 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 888-3358. Tues., 8 p.m. $6; Edwards South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 540-1970. Wed., 8 p.m. $6.

Taxi Driver. Martin Scorsese's unforgettable tale of sleaze and despair on the streets of New Yawk. Robert De Niro is terrifying as God's Lonely Man, Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam vet so incensed by the corruption he sees all around him that each day he slides deeper into madness. Some day, a real rain will wash the filth from the streets! Bay Theatre, 340 Main St., Seal Beach, (562) 431-9988. Fri., 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m.; Mon., 8 p.m. $6-$8.

Mail your press releases (and a videotape, if available) to Special Screenings,OC Weekly, 1666 N. Main St., Ste. 500, Santa Ana, CA 92701-7417. Or send e-mail to gr*******@ea*******.net. All materials must be received at least two weeks before the screening.

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