Movie of the Week:
Apocalypse Now Redux
In 2001, Francis Ford Coppola re-edited his Apocalypse Now, arguably the greatest war film ever made, adding in several large scenes and some exposition. While some people complained, the film remains a powerful halucinatory depiction of the savagery and madness of war. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701; www.regencymovies.com. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $6.50.
Also Showing:
The 11th Hour
Leonardo DiCaprio narrates this film about global warming. The Good Vibes Cafe, 510 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach, (562) 590-5839. Thurs., June 26, 7 p.m. Free.
A Day on the Grand Canal With the Emperor of China
Eastern China's Grand Canal has played an important role in the nation's economic and agricultural development since its inception in the 5th century BC. This documentary is somewhat misleadingly titled, as artist David Hockney, not the emperor of China, hosts the film. Hockney examines a 72-foot-long 17th-century Chinese painted scroll depicting the emperor's journey down the canal. Portraying many aspects of Chinese life at the time, the scroll stands as an excellent primary-source representation of life along the waterway; along with Hockney's fascinating analysis, it's the next best thing to actually having been there. Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana,
(714) 567-3600; www.bowers.org. Fri., 6:30 p.m. Free with admission ($9-$12).
Alladin
Disney hit projected on a screen on the beach. Bring a blanket and snacks. Newport Dunes Resort Beach, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 729-3863; www.newportdunes.com. Sat., dusk. Parking, $10.
Annie Hall
It's always weird when the clearly neurotic and physically unattractive male protagonist bags the hot girl—Drew Carey in The Drew Carey Show, Kevin James in The King of Queens, George Lopez in uh, George Lopez, Jim Belushi in Life With Jim—and pretty much every film Woody Allen has ever appeared in. Annie Hall was a turning point in Allen's career; it was his first endeavor into a more sophisticated world, his previous works having only included funny-for-funny's-sake screwball slapstick. The 1977 film about the comically star-crossed lovers played by Allen and Diane Keaton only solidified his cinematic style of intellectual—and most important—conversation-driven romantic comedies that were destined to be notable quotables in snooty discussions and IMDb profiles to come. The Bay Theatre, 340 Main St., Seal Beach, (562) 431-9988; www.baytheatre.com. Sun., 6 p.m.; Mon. N Wed., 8 p.m. $5-$8.
Casablanca
Humphrey Bogart's most famous film. Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-4359; www.regencymovies.com. Thurs., June 26, 7:30 p.m. Call for cost.
The Election Files: The Theft of 2008
Greg Palast and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. produced this docmentary about the ways the Right undermine the democratic process. Marie Callender's, 1821 N. Grand Ave., Santa Ana; patrickhenrythinktank.org. Tues., 7 p.m. Free.
Friends of God: A Road Trip With Alexandra Pelosi
A fast-paced cross-country documentary showing a cross-section of evangelical America. Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, (714) 299-4551; www.au-oc.org. Sat., 2 p.m. Free.
Gold Diggers of 1933
Joan Blondell, Ginger Rogers, Dick Powell and other swells cavort in this musical comedy with social comment, amazing choreography by Busby Berkeley, and such hit songs as “Remember My Forgotten Man” and “We're In the Money.” Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.
Serenity
Proceeds from this screening of Joss Whedon's film based on his TV show Firefly benefit Equality Now, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending violence and discrimination against women around the world. Woodbridge Movies 5, 4626 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine; www.sdbrowncoats.com. Sat., 9 p.m. $12.50.
Wild and Scenic Short Films
Costa Mesa's the Camp presents a selection of outdoor/enivornmental-themed films. Bring your own seats. The Camp, 2937 Bristol St., Costa Mesa; www.thecampsite.com. Fri., 8:30 p.m. Free.
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 tc****@oc******.com. All materials must be received at least two weeks before the screening.
