Special Screenings

Believe it or not, it's been 16 years since Martin Scorsese's epic film version of Henry Hill's true tales of mob life. Scorsese masterfully employs every filmmaking gimmick imaginable (including one of those show-off tracking shots that goes on and on forever without cutting) to follow Ray Liotta's Hill and his lowlife pals Tommy (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy (Robert DeNiro). These three have the natural-born rotteness to make it big in the mafia, but Henry and Jimmy are held back by being insufficiently Italian, while Tommy's such a gun-happy psyhco that he makes even the other gun-happy psychos in the mob nervous. (Even if by now you could recite Pesci's “What do you mean I'm funny?” scene from memory, it's still as chilling as ever.) This week offers you a rare chance to enjoy this classic shocker's bloodspray and endless profanity on the big screen. The Godfather trilogy has its fanatical followers, as does Scarface. But let's not kid ourselves; there's GoodFellas, and then there's every other mob picture. Edwards South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (800) 326-3264. Wed., 9 p.m., $6; Edwards Rancho Santa Margarita, 30632 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 888-3358. Thurs., Jan. 26, 9 p.m. $6.
Also Showing:

Calligraphy video, lecture and workshop. Calligrapher and former neurosurgeon Dr. Sun Wuk Kim presents a video history of Asian calligraphy and seal carving, followed by a demonstration and hands-on participation by attendees. Art supplies are included. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3679. Sat., 10:30 a.m. $15-$20. Limited space; reservations and payment must be made by Fri.

The Children's Hour. Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine star in William Wyler's 1961 drama about two teachers whose lives fall apart when a bratty student accuses them of being lesbians. UCI Film and Video Center, Humanities Instruction Bldg., Room 100, Campus N W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.humanities.uci.edu/fvc. Thurs., Jan. 26, 7 p.m. $3-$5.

Hackers. This 1995 cyber-thriller would be all but forgotten today were it not for the presence of the young Angelina Jolie, back before she was, you know, Angelina Jolie. Edwards Rancho Santa Margarita, 30632 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 888-3358. Thurs., Jan. 19, 9 p.m. $6.

Laura. Vastly acclaimed 1944 noir picture that actually put me to sleep. I'm not a fall-asleep-at-the-movies kind of person, so make of that what you will. Vincent Price is at least amusing and watchable as ever, cast spectacularly against type (in an early screen appearance) as an oily, smooth-talking gigolo. Local film authority Dr. Arthur Taussig hosts the screening and discussion afterward. Orange Coast College, Fine Arts Building, Room 119, 2701 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa, (888) 622-5376. Fri., 6:30 p.m. $5-6.

Other People's Picturesand How Little We Know of Our Neighbors. UC Irvine presents two documentary featurettes: Lorca Shepperd and Cabot Philbrick's 2004 film Other People's Pictures examines nine obsessive collectors of abandoned family snapshots, while Rebecca Baron's new film How Little We Know of Our Neighbors explores issues surrounding video surveillance. Baron appears at the screening, which is introduced by UCI art history professor Sally Stein. UCI Film and Video Center, Humanities Instruction Bldg., Room 100, Campus N W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.humanities.uci.edu/fvc. Thurs., Jan. 19, 7 p.m. $3-$5.

Written on the Wind. “The story of a family's ugly secret and the stark moment that thrust their private lives into public view!” Gosh, a movie can hardly go wrong with a tagline like that, huh? Rock Hudson, Robert Stack and Lauren Bacall star in this 1956 Douglas Sirk melodrama. 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.

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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