Movie of the Week:
Nashville
Robert Altman presents a typically sprawling, multilayered, character-driven drama with Nashville. Examining the greater cultural and political climate in ’70s America by focusing on the country-music scene in Nashville, Altman packs many compelling stories into the film’s 2.5-hour runtime. Certainly one of the greatest films of his career and one of the greatest American films of all time. UC Irvine Film and Video Center, Humanities Instructional Building 100, Campus N W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Thurs., Nov. 6, 7 p.m. $3-$5.
Also Showing:
Autism: The Musical
This documentary follows one woman’s attempts to bring awareness to autism (a disorder that is mysteriously becoming more and more common) and counter popular stereotypes by helping autistic children write, rehearse and perform their own full-length musical. All proceeds go to benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism-advocacy organization. The event will include raffle prizes and guest speakers. A concession coupon is included in the ticket price. Cinema City Theatres, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, (714) 970-6700; www.cinemacitytheatres.com. Thurs., Nov. 6, 7 p.m. $10.
Casablanca
This Bogart/Bergman picture has, over time, become one of the most famous and well-regarded American films of all time. When Bergman’s Ilsa waltzes back into ex-lover Rick’s life, he has some difficult decisions to make. If you haven’t seen this movie by now, do yourself a favor and attend this screening. Cinemafusion, 321 W. Katella, Anaheim, (714) 399-0300; www.cinemafusionanaheim.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $7.50.
Dazed and Confused
It’s 1976, it’s the last day of school, and everyone’s looking to party. That’s pretty much the gist of Richard Linklater’s slacker opus Dazed and Confused, but what could easily have been just another brain-dead stoner comedy proves to be a near-perfect encapsulation of an entire generation. Linklater deftly follows a terrific ensemble cast of then-unknowns (including Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich and Matthew McConaughey) as they cruise for booze, look for love and try to dodge bullies. The film is a remarkable achievement made more so by the fact it’s only the director’s third feature, but the effortless camerawork and skillful storytelling belie the work of a neophyte director. Linklater’s subsequent work has since fulfilled the promise of this early offering, but Dazed and Confused remains, hands down, his best film. (Mark Miller) Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701; www.regencymovies.com. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $6.50.
Dracula and Frankenstein
The Friday Film Forum presents these two horror classics on Halloween. Bask in the misty, black-and-white ambiance as legends Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff appear in the roles of their careers. Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
The ’90s was a challenging time for theater marquees. After painstakingly creating the pronouncements, letter by letter, for films such as Things to Do in Denver . . . or Don’t Be a Menace . . ., the attendance barely made all that reaching and spelling worthwhile. So leave it to brash filmmaker Guy Ritchie to get those audiences in the seats, introducing himself with the cocking of a gun and a pub’s worth of British street jargon with his Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. This now-10-year-old gangster classic didn’t just launch a future ex-Mr. Madonna, but also gave us the far more prolific Jason Statham—a cockney Bruce Willis for the 21st century! Enter a world of broad-shouldered brutes, indecipherable slang and cheeky nicknames. Kind of like Washington, D.C., but with better suits. (Sean O'Connell) Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-4359; www.regencymovies.com. Thurs., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. $7.
War of the Worlds
Gene Barry is chased by invaders from Mars in this adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic science-fiction novel. Richard Goad Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, (562) 997-1494. Sun., 7 p.m. Free.
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