That Is Not a Golden Snitch [Special Screenings, May 3-10]

The Endless. Filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s sci-fi mind-bender has them star ring as grown brothers who escaped a death cult as children. A cryptic video message inspires them to but return 10 years later. Cue the freakiness. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., May 3, 1:30, 4 & 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.

Final Portrait. Stanley Tucci examines the artistic process through the relationship of artist Alberto Giacometti (Geoffrey Rush) and American writer and art-lover James Lord (Armie Hammer). Lord is on a short trip to Paris in 1964 when he agrees to pose for a portrait by Giacometti, thus starting an odd friendship between two very different men who become increasingly bonded through a single, ever-evolving act of creativity. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435. Thurs., May 3, 2, 4:15 & 6:30 p.m. $8.50-$11.50.

Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami. Director Sophie Fiennes spent five years with the pop-culture mega-icon to present her public and private worlds. Musical sequences are interspersed with personal footage to create a documentary as unconventional as its androgynous glam-pop diva subject. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., May 3, 2, 7 & 9:30 p.m. $7-$10.

Community Voices Documentary Screening and Filmmaker Q&A. Through Community Voices, groups of Chapman University students are assigned an Orange County organization to produce a short character-driven portrait film of that nonprofit. The films are then used in the outreach and fundraising campaigns of these organizations and are distributed via PBS broadcast, online streaming, educational distributors and festival release. The screening is followed by a panel with the filmmakers and a reception. Here is the program: The virtual-reality documentary experience Parallax (by Jack Bauhs, Shiv Rajagopal, Breanna Greenup and Jacob Seligmann for Orange County Astronomers) showcases the wonder of outer space. In Farmacy (by Melissa Leardi, Hannah Riddle, Brynne McKee and Jordan Valdés for Cultivate Together), three farmers find mental and physical healing through growing their own food. Running on Pink (by Stephanie Clabeaux, Michaela McLeod, Jordyn Romero and Spencer Santini for Girls On the Run) is an examination of the benefits sports have for girls, particularly on their self-confidence and body image. Rewired (by Brianna McFadden, Maddie Gwinn, Dimitri Lazarashvili, Dylan Leslie and Justin McWilliams for the Anti-Defamation League) focuses on the phenomenon and study of hate, seen through the eyes of several experts and a man who has overcome some of the very worst hatred of all. Care (by Akshay Arora, Dylan Chant, Catherine Heath and Nancy Pickett for Writer’s Room Productions) celebrates the stories all children tell as one woman navigates her way through growing her family and her organization. Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, 283 N. Cypress St., Orange, (714) 997-6765; chapman.edu/dodge/. Thurs., May 3, 7 p.m. Free.

Like Arrows: Parenting Is a Journey. FamilyLife’s first feature film, from director Kevin Peeples, explores the joys and heartaches of parenting through the story of Charlie (Alan Powell of ABC’s Quantico) and Alice (Micah Lynn Hanson of NBC’s Nashville). Over a 50-year span, the couple discovers the power of family and need for God. AMC Downtown Disney, 1565 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 776-2355; AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, 2457 Park Ave., Tustin, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, 1701 W. Katella Ave., Orange, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, 26701 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Big Newport 6, 300 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Brea Stadium West 10, 255 W. Birch St., Brea, (714) 672-4136; Edwards Foothill Towne Center Stadium 22, 26602 Towne Center Dr., Foothill Ranch, (949) 588-9402; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, 65 Fortune Dr., Irvine, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, 7501 E. Carson, Long Beach, (844) 462-7342; Regal Garden Grove Stadium 16, 9741 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., May 3, 7 p.m. $12.50.

Redes (Fishermen’s Nets/The Wave). From 1937 comes Emilio Gó—mez Muriel and Fred Zinnemann’s vivid documentary-like dramatization of the daily grind of men struggling to make a living by fishing on the Gulf of Mexico. Made with a mainly non-professional cast of real fishermen, what began as a documentary project by photographer Paul Strand for Mexico’s progressive Federal Department of Fine Arts was re-envisioned by a group of fellow left-wing international artists as a treatise on the struggle of poor fishermen to overcome exploitation. What emerged was a powerful call-to-arms tale of oppression and revolt. First-time film composer Silvestre Revueltas’ score is considered a classic of film music, something Leonora Saavedra, associate professor of Musicology at UC Riverside, talks about during a presentation and audience Q&A after the screening. The event concludes the four-film Latin American Studies in Motion series at Frida, which partnered with UC Irvine and Bowers Museum, with the support of a Humanities for All grant made possible by California Humanities, UC-Mexus and UCI Illuminations. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., May 3, reception, 7 p.m.; screening, 7:30 p.m. Free.

2018 Newport Beach Film Festival. The 2018 run of parties, seminars and more than 350 short, documentary and narrative feature films from around the world officially closes with the screening of All Square and after-party with free-flowing food, drinks and hobnobbing. John Hyams’ dramedy stars Michael Kelly (Frank Underwood’s fixer Doug Stamper on House of Cards) as a small-town bookie having trouble collecting on bets. He befriends the son (Jesse Ray Sheps) of his ex-girlfriend, begins taking bets on Little League baseball games to recoup his loses and throws the community into chaos. The screening is followed by an audience Q&A with screenwriter Tim Brady, producers Ben Cronwell and Yeardley Smith and co-stars Tom Everett Scott, Jay Larson and Andrew Sikking. Various other films and programs fill the final day. Newport Beach Film Festival closes at Regency Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, (949) 673-8350; www.newportbeachfilmfest.com. Thurs., May 3, 8 p.m. $95 ticket includes admission to official closing-night party at Via Lido Plaza, 3425 Via Lido, Newport Beach; www.newportbeachfilmfest.com. 10 p.m. $65 (gala only). 21+. Cocktail attire required; coats or jackets recommended, as it is an outdoor event.

Isle of Dogs. The Wes Anderson animation has, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City exiled to a vast garbage dump called Trash Island. That sends 12-year-old Atari off alone in a miniature turbo prop to find his bodyguard dog, Spots. Atari is assisted by a pack of newly found mongrel friends, unaware that they will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture. Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Thurs., May 3, 8:30 p.m. $8.50-$11.50.

Tschick (Goodbye Berlin). The Foreign Language Department’s second-annual film festival continues with this 2016 German dramedy from director Faith Akõn that is based on Wolfgang Herrndorf’s best-selling 2010 novel that was also called Tschick in Germany, but was known as Why We Took the Car in English-language countries. Two teenage outsiders from Berlin go on an eccentric road trip through East Germany during the summer holidays. The screening’s guest speaker is Robert Blankenship, assistant professor of German at Cal State Long Beach. Long Beach City College, LAC Campus, 4901 E. Carson St., Bldg. D, Room 135, Long Beach, (562) 938-4111. Fri., 6 p.m. Free. Event parking is free starting at 4 p.m. in lots H, I, F and G.

Senior Thesis Cycle 7 Film Screenings. These student-made films premiere, but not in this order: Calamity Falls; Court; Do Not Be Afraid; For Your Love; Fruit; Psalm; Singing to Sheep; and Sonora. Titles are subject to change, and the films are also live streamed. (Go to the website below, scroll to the screening event and click the link.) Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, 283 N. Cypress St., Orange, (714) 997-6765; chapman.edu/dodge/. Fri., 7 p.m. Free.

Starship Frida: 12-Hour Intergalactic Sci-Fi Marathon! It’s an overnight cinematic space expedition that kicks off with Joss Whedon’s Serenity (2005), which follows the daring escapades of Captain Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his crew, and closes with Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element (1997), an action-packed 23rd-century thrill ride that follows NYC cabbie Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) and Supreme Being Leelo (Milla Jovovich) on a daring mission to save the universe. Promised in between are surprises, giveaways and four other classic sci-fi flicks. Which ones? Don your jammies, grab your binkie and set your phasers for “nightlight” to find out. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 8 p.m. $20.

Grad Thesis Cycle 5, 6 & 7 Film Screenings. These graduate-student films premiere, but not in this order: She Comes in Colors Everywhere; Obscure Desire; Bombay Theater and the Magical Star; Last Lesbian; Fake Hero; and Pink Noise (music videos). Titles are subject to change. Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, (714) 997-6765; chapman.edu/dodge/. Sat., 7 p.m. Free.

Bungou Stray Dogs: Dead Apple. Crunchyroll Movie Night returns to Frida with a highly anticipated anime feature that has never been shown before in North America. The Armed Detective Industry is tasked with saving Yokohama when a power struggle tips in favor of the enemies of those with supernatural powers. Besides the movie, the audience gets a special message from the voice cast. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 5:30 p.m. $7-$10.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The pioneering midnight movie starts with the car of sweethearts Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) breaking down near the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). The transvestite scientist’s home also hosts a rocking biker (Meat Loaf), a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien) and assorted freaks, including a hunk of beefcake named “Rocky.” Shadow cast Midnight Insanity performs in front of the screen. Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $8.50-$11.50.

Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story. Director Ashley Bell’s documentary is on world-renowned Asian elephant conservationist Lek Chailert and a team of rescuers embarking on a daring, 48-hour, 500-mile mission across Thailand to free from captivity a 70-year-old blind Asian elephant. Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sun., 11 a.m. $8.50-$11.50.

Candle In the Wave. UC Irvine’s Center for Critical Korean Studies presents this omnibus documentary project by the People’s Action for Immediate Resignation of President Park Geun-hey in South Korea. Shown are: Kim Cheol’s Stand In the Agora, which summarizes the wrongdoing of the Park Geun-hye and the Saenuri Party through outcries from the square; Kim Jeong-geun’s Cleaning, which is about a janitorial worker at the Busan Subway Station, in which she talks about how she hopes to see a clean world; Yun Hwang’s Chicken In the Square, which shows the animal rights activities of women; Park Moon-Chil’s The Blue Butterfly, which captures Seongju residents who realize the political and social problems during the Anti-THAAD protest; Lee Chang-min’s The Outcry of the People, which shows the front of parliament on the day the impeachment bill passed; Sumin Kim’s Who Said That Youth Is Beautiful?, which is about young people who want to act based on their own will on the square; Kim Sang-Pae’s Thousand Winds, which commemorates the Sewol Ferry tragedy by connecting his own memory of the democracy movement in June 1987; Gang Yoo-ga-ram’s Feminism In the Current State of Affairs, which focuses on the feminists’ fight against misogyny in the square; Hong Hyung-sook’s The Blue Whale Flies, which explores the children’s painting and their enthusiasm for making a whale to be presented in the square; and Choi Jong-ho’s A Little Closer, which collects the motivation and hope of the people who attend the candlelight vigils. UC Irvine, Humanities Instructional Building 110, Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Mon., 2-5 p.m. Free.

Graduate Thesis Documentaries. Documentaries by graduate students premiere. The films are also live streamed. (Go to the website below, scroll to the screening event and click the link.) Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, (714) 997-6765; chapman.edu/dodge/. Mon., 7 p.m. Free.

The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island. Based on the second book in Gertrude Chandler’s wildly popular children’s book series, this animated film features the vocal talents of Martin Sheen, J.K. Simmons, Griffin Cluck and more. The Alden children spend the summer on a private island, where a kind stranger is always around to help them out. But does this new friend have a secret? The after-school screening features a special introduction as well as a short program on adapting a book for the screen led by producer/director Dan Chuba. AMC Downtown Disney, (714) 776-2355; AMC Marina Pacifica, 6346 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 430-8790; AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, 99 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, (800) 967-1932; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Big Newport 6, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Brea Stadium West 10, (714) 672-4136; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Tues., 4 p.m. $10-$12.50.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s the 1990 original that pits Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael against the mysterious Foot Clan ransacking the city. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $8.

Puffs: Filmed Live Off Broadway. A certain boy wizard went to a certain wizard school on conquered evil. This stage production, which was filmed for simulcast in theaters nationwide, is not about that kid, but a group known as the Puffs who were also there. Did somebody say disclaimer? “Puffs is a stage play written by Matt Cox as a transformative and transfigured work under the magic that is U.S. Fair Use laws. It is not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way supported directly or indirectly by Warner Bros. Entertainment, the Harry Potter book publishers, Sonia Friedman Productions, or J.K. Rowling and her representatives, not to mention the people who made Free Willy, the Rocky franchise, Sylvester Stallone, or AOL Instant messenger. It is what one might call, ‘Its own thing.’” AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, (800) 967-1932; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Big Newport 6, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Brea Stadium West 10, (714) 672-4136; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Wed., 7 p.m.; also May 12, 12:55 p.m. $18.

The Princess Bride. Rob Reiner’s excellent adventure movie from 1987, which manages to keep adults and children entertained, has swashbuckler Westley (Cary Elwes) trying to save his childhood sweetheart Buttercup (Robin Wright) from marrying a real douche. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

Les Misérables. Tom Hooper’s 2012 adaptation of the Broadway musical is set in 19th-century France, where Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe) after breaking parole, agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter. The decision changes their lives forever. You can bring light snacks and covered beverages to this screening, but alcohol is not allowed. Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., May 10, 1 p.m. Free.

Animation/VFX Thesis Films. Senior filmmakers premiere their works, which are also live streamed. (Go to the website below, scroll to the screening event and click the link.) Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, (714) 997-6765; chapman.edu/dodge/. Thurs., May 10, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Digimon Adventure: tri.: Coexistence. The arrival of rampaging Meicoomon starts the countdown to the real world’s collapse. The DigiDestined are cast out of the Digital World when it goes out of order, and even after returning to the real world, they’re driven away by people on account of their accompanying partner Digimon. Meanwhile, a cruel fate is imminent for Kari, and, God almighty, I am so fucking high right now. AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, (714) 769-4288; AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, (800) 967-1932; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., May 10, 7:30 p.m. $12.50.

Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey. It’s a documentary on the original American “Dirtbag” climber whose name, distributors say, “has evoked mystery, adulation and vitriol since the 1940s. Beckey’s stubborn, singular quest to conquer peaks meant a solitary life on the road, where he left a long trail of scorned climbing partners and lost lovers in his wake.” Sender One Climbing, 1441 S. Village Way, Santa Ana, (714) 881-3456; dirtbagmovie.com. Thurs., May 10, 7:30 p.m. $15-$20.