You look at pictures of Long Beach back in the old days, and it's like some whole other world, with mighty waves pounding against golden shores crowded with zillions of people in old-timey swimming costumes. But then came the infamous breakwater, and the resulting stagnant, oily seas drove the crowds away. For a town named for its freaking beach, Long Beach (my hometown, thanks for asking) has one sorry-ass shoreline. Well, the good folks at the Surfrider Foundation have made it their mission to do something about that. They've spent years trying to get the breakwater removed, and in the meantime, they're out there clearing the garbage off the beach and trying to make our local seas swimable again. This week, the Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the Wilson High School Surf Team are presenting a benefit screening of T.J. Barrack and Wes Brown's surfing documentary Peel: The Peru Project, along with the presentation of a lifetime-achievement award to Brown's grandfather, Endless Summer director Bruce Brown. Bruce, who is a Wilson High grad, actually premiered Endless Summerat the school some 40 summers ago. The evening will also feature a benefit raffle, with prizes including a custom guitar autographed by Barrack and Wes Brown. (Friday night will feature an Endless Summer screening in Newport Beach; see below.) Wilson High School Auditorium, 4400 E. 10th St., Long Beach, (562) 438-9161. Sat., 7 p.m. $10; $5 with student ID.
Also Showing:
The Band Wagon. Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Oscar Levant star in Vincente Minnelli's 1953 musical comedy about a fading star (Astaire) who finds himself starring in a pretentious stage musical with a ballerina (Charisse) he can't stand. But could the barbs they trade be masking their true feelings? Short subjects, cartoons and other goodies are also on the bill. Long Beach School for Adults Auditorium, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000, ext. 7198. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.
Colorblind.Orange County producer/director Pamela Peak's documentary looks at race relations in America by reuniting the classmates from her 1967, Detroit grammar school class to look back at the race riots of the era and reminisce about their beloved, African American teacher, Mr. Bell. Peak appears at the screening. Woodbridge Dollar Movies, 4626 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, (949) 733-0980. Thurs., Sept. 28, 7 p.m. $4-$5.
Dazed N Confused. Richard Linklater's 1993 cult fave about '70s teens, featuring such then-up-and-coming thespians as Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaughey and Milla Jovovich all looking young, sporting uniformly hideous '70s hair and saying the word “man” an awful lot (203 times total, IMDB sez). Pierside Surfcity, 300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, (714) 969-3151. Wed., 7 p.m. $5.
Endless Summer. Bruce Brown's 1966 documentary about hodads searching for the perfect wave. This is an outdoor, beachside screening, so bring some chairs and blankets if you know what's good for you. Newport Dunes Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 729-DUNE. Sat., dusk. Free, parking, $10.
The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam. Director/producer/writer Kayvan Mashayekh previews his film, the story of a boy who learns his ancestor is the 11th Century Persian mathematician, astronomer and poet Omar Khayyam. Bowers Museum, Conference Center, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600. Sun., 1:30 p.m. $8-$10.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl meet alien butler. Alien butler introduces boy and girl to sweet transsexual transvestite from Transylvani-uh-yuh-yuh. Midnight Insanity gets its “Time Warp” on at a new location, with dancing, costume contests and other special-event gaity on different theme nights. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 694-4411 or (562) 235-8053; www.midnightinsanity.com. Sat., midnight. $8; tickets go on sale at 10:30 p.m.
Some Like It Hot.Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe star in Billy Wilder's classic comedy about two musicians who go on the lam from the mob by disguising themselves as women and joining an all-girl band. Lemmon and Curtis frankly wouldn't have looked great in drag anyway, but next to Monroe? Oof. Discussion is hosted by local film authority Dr. H. Arthur Taussig. Orange Coast College, Fine Arts Building, Room 119, 2701 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa, (714) 432-5599. Fri., 6:30 p.m. $5-$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! DiPiazza's, 5205 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 498-2461. Wed., “10-ish.” Free.
Tommy. Ken Russell's mind-scramblingly strange film version of the classic Who rock opera about the deaf, dumb and blind kid, featuring Ann-Margaret as Roger Daltrey's scary, sexpot mom. 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.
Toy Story 2. Tom Hanks remains as charming as ever, Tim Allen has seldom been less loathsome, and with the exception of a few soggy Randy Newman tunes, Toy Story 2, like its predecessor, is fine entertainment for both grown-ups and young'uns. The screening is outdoors, at night, so if you have any sense at all, you'll bring some chairs and blankets and stuff. Newport Dunes Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 729-DUNE. Fri., dusk. Free, parking, $10.
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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