Coming for the Projectionist [Special Screenings, June 20-27]

Nightmare Cinema. Photo courtesy Nice Guy Productions

5B. Dan Krauss’ new documentary is about the number and letter that designated the first hospital ward in the country designed specifically to deal with AIDS patients. San Francisco General Hospital’s nurses emphasize humanity and consideration of holistic well-being in the midst of the devastating crisis and ensuing public panic. Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, 26701 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo, (844) 462-7342. Thurs., June 20, 11:15 a.m., 1:55, 4:30, 7:25 & 10:10 p.m. $11.45-$14.70; also at Edwards University Town Center 6, 4245 Campus Dr., Irvine, (844) 462-7342. Thurs., June 20, 1:10, 3:45 & 6:30 p.m. $10.20-$13.25.

Halston. Frederic Tchang’s new documentary is on the fashion designer who became a household name in the 1970s, only to see his empire facing obliteration by the Wall Street era. UA Long Beach 6, 6601 Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, (844) 462-7342. Thurs., June 20, 12:20, 3, 5:40 & 8:20 p.m. $10.05-$12.95.

Pavarotti. Producer Brian Grazer and director Ron Howard pivot from The Beatles: Eight Days a Week to this 2019 documentary on the legendary opera singer. Enjoy intimate interviews, historic performances and never-before-seen footage. Edwards Westpark 8, 3735 Alton Pkwy., Irvine, (844) 462-7342. Thurs., June 20, 12:40, 3:40, 6:40 & 9:40 p.m. $10.20-$13.20; also at UA Long Beach 6, (844) 462-7342. Thurs., June 20, 7:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30 p.m.; Sun.-Thurs., June 27, 1, 4:15 & 7:30 p.m. $10.05-$12.95.

Pavarotti. Photo courtesy CBS Films

Conan the Barbarian. The Month of Schwarzenegger “Ahnulds” on with John Milius’ 1982 adventure fantasy about a boy forced into slavery after seeing his parents and entire village wiped out by a savage warlord (James Earl Jones). Growing up to become a fearless fighter (the Governator), he is set free and plots revenge against the warlord. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org.Thurs., June 20, 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m. and Sun., 2:30 & 5:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

The Gamble House. Compass presents Don Hahn’s 2017 documentary tale of American craftsmanship, international influence, artistic frustration, loss and triumph. It all centers on the completion of one of the shining examples of American architecture, the Gamble House, which is known to Back to the Future fans as Doc Brown’s house. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971. Thurs., June 20, 6 p.m. Free.

YASSS! Films based on young-adult novels screen. Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., June 20 & 27, 6 p.m. Free.

Norm of the North: Keys to the Kingdom. Richard Finn and Tim Maltby’s 2018 animated sequel about Norm (voiced byRob Schneider), the newly crowned polar bear king of the Arctic, having to save his home and New York City. Then there’s some other story about stolen ice and a hockey game. Fullerton Public Library, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., June 20, 6:30 p.m. Free.

Pick It Up! Ska in the ’90s. Taylor Morden’s new rockumentary, which made its world premiere during the 2019 Newport Beach Film Festival, is about the rise and fall in the U.S. of third-wave ska music in the 1990s. Morden and others from the film participate in audience Q&As at both showings. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Thurs., June 20, 7 & 9:30 p.m. $14.

OC Pride Presents: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. OC Pride 2019 presents Beeban Kidron’s 1995 comedy about three Manhattan drag queens (Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo and Wesley Snipes) road-tripping to Los Angeles for a national drag competition. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., June 20, 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

The Fall of the American Empire. In Denys Arcand’s new crime comedy, a shy and insecure delivery-truck driver tries to dispose of bags of cash he picked up at a crime scene while bumbling police detectives investigate and a gang leader searches for his missing money. In French with English subtitles. UA Long Beach 6, (844) 462-7342. Fri.-Sat., noon, 3, 6 & 9 p.m.; Sun.-Thurs., June 27, 12:30, 3:45 & 7 p.m. $10.05-$12.95.

Leto. Photo courtesy Hype Film

Leto. Kirill Serebrennikov’s 2018 musical biography honors the USSR’s underground, state-defying, 1980s rock scene. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sat., 2:30, 5 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 & 5:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Grease. Randal Kleiser’s hit 1978 musical is about Aussie exchange student Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and bad-boy gang leader Danny (John Travolta). They hooked up during the summer, but their relationship changes once school starts. Carbon Canyon Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd., Brea; ocparks.com. Fri., 6 p.m. Free.

Ralph Breaks the Internet. Phil Johnston and Rich Moore’s 2018 animated comedy picks up six years after Wreck-It Ralph, when Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) discover a wi-fi router leads to adventure. Grand Park, 6101 City Lights Dr., Aliso Viejo, (949) 243-7750. Fri., 7:30 p.m. Free; also at Arovista Park, 415 W. Elm St., Brea, (714) 990-7112. Fri., 8 p.m. Free.

Christopher Robin. Now a family man living in London, Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) receives a surprise visit from his childhood pal Winnie-the-Pooh. Lantern Bay Park, 25111 Park Lantern Rd., Dana Point, (949) 248-3536. Fri., 8 p.m. Free.

Babe. Chris Noonan’s excellent 1995 family flick about A pig named Babe (voiced by Christine Cavanaugh) who is raised by sheepdogs and learns from Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) how to herd sheep. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, near Moe B’s Watersports, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 729-3863. Fri., dusk. Free, but there is a fee to park.

Meet Me in St. Louis. Movie on the Lawn’s Flashback Friday film is Vincente Minnelli’s 1944 musical, which takes place in the year leading up to the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Four sisters learn lessons of life and love as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York. Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien and Mary Astor star. Orange County Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, (949) 724-6880. Fri., 8:15 p.m. Free.

Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers. Photo courtesy Nelson Entertainment

Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers. Blumhouse’s Attack of the Queerwolf podcast hosts its first live show after this 1988 horror comedy about a supposedly reformed summer-camp worker (Pamela Springsteen) who reverts to her old ways when campers start misbehaving. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 8:30 p.m. $10.50.

OC LGBT Pride Kick-Off Screening: Pink Flamingos. OC Weekly (’member us?) presents John Waters’ 1972 gross-out flick about Baltimore’s notorious underground criminal Divine (Divine) trying to stop a sleazy couple (David Lochary and Mink Stole) from seizing her tabloid-earned title as “The Filthiest Person Alive.” The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sat., 11:55 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Trainspotting. Danny Boyle’s 1996 drama (and breakout picture) is about a young man (Ewan McGregor) trying to exit the Edinburgh drug scene despite the influence of his druggie friends. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 11:55 p.m.; Sat., 10 p.m.; Sun., 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Deconstructing the Beatles: Abbey Road Side One. Composer, music historian and Beatles enthusiast Scott Freiman breaks down the 1969 masterpiece album that began with producer George Martin instructing the Fab Four to think “symphonically.” Resulting songs include side one’s “Come Together,” “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Art Theatre; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m. $9-$12.

Nightmare Cinema. HorrorBuzz.com presents a chilling new anthology, with segments helmed by respected genre filmmakers Joe Dante (Gremlins), Mick Garris (The Stand), David Slade (30 Days of Night), Ryuhei Kitamura (Midnight Meat Train) and Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead). All except Dante participate in an audience Q&A. The segments are based on five strangers who converge at a haunted movie theater owned by a mysterious man known only as the Projectionist. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Aquamarine.
Photo courtesy Fox 2000 Pictures

Aquamarine. Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum’s 2006 family fantasy about teen girls (Emma Roberts and JoJo) discovering a mermaid (Sara Paxton) in their beach club’s swimming pool. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, (949) 729-3863. Sat., dusk. Free, but there is a fee to park.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Movie On the Lawn’s Blockbuster Saturday film is Mike Mitchell’s recent animated movie that takes place five years after everything was awesome. Now, Lego Duplo space invaders are wrecking everything. Orange County Great Park, (949) 724-6880. Sat., 8:15 p.m. Free.

The Other Side of Home. Nare Mkrtchyan’s documentary short is about a Turkish woman who discovers her great-grandmother was survivor of the Armenian genocide. She goes to Armenia to take part in the 100th commemoration of the 1915 atrocity and explores her conflicted identity of suffering and denial. An audience Q&A with the director and a meet and mingle with light refreshments follows. Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, Barsamian Hall, 5315 W. McFadden Ave., Santa Ana; okapis.org/events. Sun., 2 p.m. $10; members, free.

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.” Live shadow-cast troupe Midnight Insanity performs. Art Theatre; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $9-$12.

Forrest Gump. The 1994 dramedy about the titular idiot (Tom Hanks)—who failed up through the Vietnam War, space launches and the launch of Apple—hauled in six Oscars and $677 million at the box office. I still don’t get it. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Sun. & Tues., 3 & 7 p.m. $11.39-$15.39.

Quadrophenia. Photo courtesy the Who Films

Quadrophenia. It’s 40th-anniversary screenings of Franc Roddam’s drama that is based on the Who album of the same name. Jimmy (Phil Daniels), who loathes his job and parents, seeks solace in the U.K. mod scene, only to be let down. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Mon.-Tues., 2:30 & 5:30 p.m.; Wed., 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The Month of Schwarzenegger continues with James Cameron’s 1991 sequel in which a new cyborg (Ahnuld), who is identical to the one that tried to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), tries to protect her young son John (Edward Furlong). The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Mon.-Tues., 2:30, 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

The Harder They Come. Perry Henzell’s 1977 musical crime drama is about a young Jamaican reggae singer (Jimmy Cliff) who must deal with drug pushers and corrupt record producers. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Mon.-Tues., 8 p.m.; Wed., 2:30 & 5:30 p.m.; Thurs., June 27, 2:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Smallfoot. The Cinépolis Summer Kids Series is back with Karey Kirkpatrick and Jason Reisig’s 2018 animated comedy about a Yeti (voiced by Channing Tatum) who is convinced those elusive “human” creatures are real. Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Laguna Niguel at Ocean Ranch Village, 32401 Golden Lantern St., Laguna Niguel, (949) 373-7900; also at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Rancho Santa Margarita at Santa Margarita Town Center, 30632 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 835-1888. Tues. & Thurs., June 27, 10 a.m. $6 (includes movie and snack pack with popcorn, fruit gummies and a small drink).

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies. Summer Movie Express presents Aaron Horvath and Peter Rida Michail’s 2018 animated comedy. A villain’s maniacal plan for world domination sidetracks five teenage superheroes who dream of Hollywood stardom. Various Regal/Edwards theaters; regmovies.com. Tues., 10 a.m. $1.

Kinky Boots the Musical. Photo courtesy Fathom Events

Kinky Boots the Musical. The performance of the Tony-, Grammy- and Olivier-winning musical from Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Mitchell was filmed at Adelphi Theatre in London. Factory owner Charlie (Killian Donnelly) and fabulous entertainer Lola (Matt Henry) embrace their differences to create a line of sturdy stilettos. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Tues., 7 p.m. $18.

Princess Mononoke. Studio Ghibli master Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 anime classic is about a young warrior infected with a deadly curse that sends him looking for a cure in the forest. That’s where he meets Princess Mononoke, who was raised by wolves. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $8.

Paddington 2. Summer Movie Express continues with the 2017 live-action/animated mashup. A young bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) is now safe with the Brown family and so popular in his community that he takes odd jobs to buy Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton) a 100th birthday present—only to have it stolen. Various Regal/Edwards theaters; regmovies.com. Wed., 10 a.m. $1.

Beauty and the Beast. Props are provided and cosplay, singing and dancing are encouraged at all-ages Interactive Movie Days. The film is the live-action remake of the Disney animated classic, this time starring Dan Stevens as the young prince imprisoned in the form of a beast; Emma Watson as Belle, the first girl to visit the prince’s castle since it became enchanted; and Emma Thompson as the voice of the lovable Mrs. Potts. Mary Wilson Library, 707 Electric Ave., Seal Beach, (562) 431-3584. Wed., 1 p.m. Free.

The Met Live in HD: La Bohème. The world’s most popular opera is about six impoverished young bohemians, surviving only on laughter and the promise of love. The Puccini classic, which was staged by Franco Zeffirelli during the 2013-14 Metropolitan Opera season, is sung in Italian with English subtitles. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Wed., 1 & 7 p.m. $12.50.

Predator. The final Month of Schwarzenegger entry is John McTiernan’s 1987 action-horror flick about a team of commandos (led by you-know-who) being hunted by an extraterrestrial in a Central American jungle. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed., 2:30, 6 & 8:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Raiders of the Lost Ark. Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures

Raiders of the Lost Ark. The Spielberg/Lucas popcorn franchise kicked off with this 1981 action-adventurer in which archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is hired by the U.S. government to beat the Nazis to the Ark of the Covenant. Starlight Cinema City, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, (714) 970-6700. Wed., 7 p.m. $5-$12.

Jaws. Steven Spielberg’s 1975 triple-Oscar winner has a police chief (Roy Scheider), an ichthyologist (Richard Dreyfuss) and a grizzled sea captain (Robert Shaw) hunting a great white shark that’s been snacking on a small coastal town’s tourists. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

La La Land. Ryan Gosling is a struggling jazz-piano man. Emma Stone is a struggling actress. With the City of Angels as their oyster, the pair fall in toe-tapping love. But can the relationship survive their respective careers taking off? Fullerton Public Library, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., June 27, 1 p.m. Free.

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. David Soren’s 2017 animated comedy has two overly imaginative pranksters (voiced by Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch) hypnotizing their principal (Ed Helms) into thinking he’s a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero. Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, (714) 288-2420. Thurs., June 27, 2 p.m. Free.

Flax to Fire. The UC Irvine Center for Persian Studies and Culture’s Docunight presentation is Bahram Azimpour’s 2017 documentary about the life and work of an elite Iranian industrialist and entrepreneur. Aliasghar Hajibaba founded Iran’s iron alloys and foundry industry. An audience Q&A, wine, and snacks follow the screening. UC Irvine, McCormick Screening Room, Humanities Gateway 1070, Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Thurs., June 27, 6:30 p.m. Free, but you must RSVP at bit.ly/2Xntryp.

Our Time Machine. Photo courtesy Maleonn Studio

Our Time Machine. The Newport Beach Film Festival and Orange County Museum of Art partnership Cinema Orange presents Yang Sun and S Leo Chiang’s new documentary about 43-year-old Chinese conceptual artist Maleonn. When his father, former Shanghai Chinese Opera Theater artistic director Ma Ke, is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Maleonn pours everything into Papa’s Time Machine, an ambitious new theater project. OCMAExpand, 1661 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana; www.ocmaexpand.org. Thurs., June 27, 7 p.m. Free, but RSVP to in**@oc**.net because seating is first come, first served.

Ghostbusters. Cosplay-loving Nostalgic Nebula presents a 35th-anniversary screening of Ivan Reitman’s 1984 blockbuster. Paranormal scientists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis) luck out of their university gigs and luck into an in-demand ghost-eradication business as New York City is gripped by untold evil. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., June 27, 7:30 p.m. Call for ticket prices.

The Little Mermaid. Crystal Cove Conservancy screens on the beach Ron Clements and John Musker’s 1989 animated Disney fantasy. Underwater princess Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) falls for a prince (Christopher Daniel Barnes) before cutting a deal with sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll) to become human for three days so she may be with her new love. Bring blankets, beach chairs and a picnic. Candy and popcorn are sold in the historic snack shop. No alcohol is allowed. Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, (949) 497-7647. Thurs., June 27, 8 p.m. Free, but parking is $15 (the state park day-use fee; park in the inland Los Trancos lot, and then walk across the street or take the shuttle).

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