Did You Catch the News? [Special Screenings, June 6-13]

The Spy Behind Home Plate. Photo courtesy the Ciesla Foundation

The Third Wife. In writer/director Ash Mayfair’s 2018 drama, a 14-year-old (Nguyen Phuong Tra My) becomes the third wife of a wealthy landowner (Long Le Vu) in 19th-century rural Vietnam. She seeks to change her status by giving birth to a male child. Regency Westminster, 6721 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, (714) 893-4222. Thurs., June 6, 2:10, 4:55 & 10 p.m. $8.50-$10.50.

Okko’s Inn. Madhouse anime studio and director Kitaro Kosaka present the tale of orphaned Okko, who helps her grandmother run a Japanese countryside inn. Okko discovers the inn is inhabited by ghosts, who are much friendlier than many mortal guests. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org.Thurs., June 6, 2:30, 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Herstory. Min Kyu-dong’s 2018 documentary is about the long legal battle waged by 10 plaintiffs who suffered as “comfort women” during World War II. Kyu-dong participates in an audience Q&A as part of this Center for Critical Korean Studies presentation. UC Irvine, Crystal Cove Auditorium, 4113 Pereira Dr., Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Thurs., June 6, 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 6 & Thurs, June 13, 6 p.m. Free.

The Night of the Shooting Stars. Italian Movie Night presents Paolo and Vittorio Taviani’s 1982 war rom-dram set on the Night of San Lorenzo of 1944, when residents flee due to rumors the Nazis plan to blow up their town and that the Americans are coming to liberate them. Regency San Juan Capistrano, 26762 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, (949) 661-3456. Thurs., June 6, 7 p.m. $10.

Rifftrax Live: Star Raiders. Mike, Kevin and Bill riff along live to this 2017 sci-fi un-classic filled with hokey special effects. In 2762, Captain Saber Raine (Casper Van Dien) and his elite squad try to save an unnamed planet’s prince and princess from an evil overlord whose head is filled with cherry Jell-O. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com.Thurs., June 6 (live) & Tues. (encore), 7:30 p.m. $12.50.

Sheeple. Writer/director Houman Seyyedi’s 2018 Iranian crime drama is about Tehran brothers and drug dealers (Navid Mohammadzadeh and Farhad Aslani) seeing their lives and family fall into chaos when their gang collapses. Starlight Cinema City, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, (714) 970-6700. Thurs., June 6, 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. $6-$12.

The Walkers. Orange County-based filmmaker and Orange Coast College graduate Lisset Tania Mendoza premieres her new horror/comedy short about the college life of a group of misfit witches who navigate keggers and demonic possession. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., June 6, 8 p.m. $7.

Diji Film Festival. Enjoy the best student work from the UC Irvine Digital Filmmaking program. UCI’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts Amphitheatre, Pereira and West Peltason drives, Irvine, (949) 824-3514. Thurs., June 6, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Halston. Photo by Berry Berenson Perkins/CNN Films

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. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Opens Fri. Call theater for times and ticket prices.

The Spy Behind Home Plate. The fascinating life story of Morris “Moe” Berg, a catcher who played on five major-league teams during baseball’s golden age and was a spy for the OSS during World War II, is chronicled in Aviva Kemper’s new documentary. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Opens Fri. Call theater for times and ticket prices.

Shin Godzilla. Los Angeles Arts Society presents this screening event that is preceded by a collection of classic monster-movie trailers. Then comes a Godzilla-themed raffle; Hideki Anno’s 2016 Japanese epic; and a Q&A with Steve Ryfle, the Godzilla expert whose book Ishiro Honda: A Life in Film, from Godzilla to Kurosawa is available for purchase and signing in the lobby. Anno’s film focuses on the bureaucratic chaos that engulfs the Japanese government when a massive monster re-emerges from Tokyo Bay and the U.S. is thinking nukes. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., preshow, 6:30 p.m.; screening, 7 p.m. $12-$15.

Ralph Breaks the Internet. Phil Johnston and Rich Moore’s 2018 animated comedy picks up six years after Wreck-It Ralph, when now-friends Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) discover a wi-fi router in their arcade leads to a new adventure. Mariners Library, 1300 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, (949) 644-3151. Fri., 7 p.m. Free.

Only Lovers Left Alive. Jim Jarmusch’s 2013 “crypto-vampire love story” is about a vampire couple (Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton) who flee Detroit because of her uncontrollable sister (Mia Wasikowska). The pair land in Morocco, where they seek advice from an elder vampire (John Hurt). The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org.Fri., 10 p.m.; Sun., 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Only Lovers Left Alive. Photo courtesy Sony Pictures Classics

Repo! The Genetic Opera! The costumed shadow-cast troupe Addicted to the Knife returns to dance and lip-sync to the 2008 horror-musical opus filled with dirty, gory excess, family melodrama, mysterious illnesses, mind-blowing future-drugs, designer organ repossessions, a few surprising cameos, and a superabundance of bloody slices. The hep kiddos would call it “stabby.” The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., preshow, 11:30 p.m.; screening, midnight. $7-$10.

Mantra: Sounds Into Silence. Good Conscious Film Series kicks off with this feature-length documentary that explores the new music and social phenomenon of chanting. People apparently find healing and inner peace by singing mantras together. Remix Yoga, 18834 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley; reimxyoga.com. Sat., 7:15 p.m. $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.” Live shadow-cast troupe Midnight Insanity performs. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $9-$12.

Commando. Mark L. Lester’s 1985 action flick has Arnold Schwarzenegger playing a retired special forces colonel who is forced back into action when his daughter (Alyssa Milano) is kidnapped by the MeToo Movement. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sun., 2, 4 & 6 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Her. Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures

Her. Volunteer of the Month Ree Han selects for screening Spike Jonze’s 2013 sci-fi romance that is set in the not-so-distant-future LA. A romantic relationship develops between a lonely heart (Joaquin Phoenix) and a fully conscious AI device (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) that was designed to meet his every need. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sun.-Wed., 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Despicable Me. The animated franchise kicks off with Steve Carrel voicing an evil villain who is assisted by mumble-mouthed characters found on collectible fast-food cups. Summer Movie Express tickets are dirt-cheap and a portion of proceeds go the Will Rogers Institute. Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, 26701 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Market Place Stadium 10, 13782 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, (844) 462-7342; Regal La Habra Stadium 16, 1351 W. Imperial Hwy., La Habra, (562) 690-4909. Tues., 10 a.m. $1.

The Princess Bride. Rob Reiner’s excellent adventure movie from 1987 has Swashbuckler Westley (Cary Elwes) trying to save his childhood sweetheart Buttercup (Robin Wright) from marrying a royal douchebag. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $8.

Turbo. This animated family flick has speed-obsessed snail Turbo (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) dreaming of becoming the world’s greatest racer. Summer Movie Express tickets are dirt-cheap and some proceeds go the Will Rogers Institute. Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Market Place Stadium 10, (844) 462-7342; Regal La Habra Stadium 16, (562) 690-4909. Wed., 10 a.m. $1.

Turbo. Image courtesy Dreamworks

The Terminator. James Cameron kicked off the action-thriller franchise in 1984 with a cyborg (Schwarzenegger) sent from the future to kill a young woman named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). But a protector (Michael Biehn) also arrives from the future because Sarah’s life is to have great significance in the years ahead. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed.-Thurs., June 13, 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Free Trip to Egypt. Seeking to build a bridge of mutual understanding and friendship, Canadian-Egyptian entrepreneur Tarek Mounib and YouTube celebrity and activist Adam Saleh travel across the U.S. to make an intriguing offer: a free trip to Egypt. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $12.50.

Roman Holiday. In William Wyler’s 1953 rom-com, a bored, sheltered princess (Audrey Hepburn) escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman (Gregory Peck) in Rome. Starlight Cinema City, (714) 970-6700. Wed., 7 p.m. $5-$12.

Big. This 1988 Penny Marshall joint has a 12-year-old boy (David Moscow) making a wish that turns him into a 30-year-old man (Tom Hanks). He eventually makes his way to a New York City toy company, where he moves quickly up the ladder to become a product tester. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701.Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

The Player. In Robert Altman’s excellent 1982 skewering of Hollywood insiders, a producer (Tim Robbins) kills a screenwriter (Vincent D’Onofio), then courts the dead man’s girlfriend (Greta Scacchi) while cops nip at his tail. Fullerton Public Library, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., June 13, 1 p.m. Free.

Heavy Water. Photo courtesy Fathom Events

Heavy Water. This look at big-wave surfer Nathan Fletcher begins with his grandfather, a pioneer of Oahu’s North Shore, and follows through to Nate’s current relationship with mammoth breaks. Also screening is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Acid Drop video done by Fletcher and Costa Mesa-based Vans. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., June 13, 7 p.m. $10.50-$12.50.

Bite Me + Joyful Vampire Shindig. The Joyful Vampire Tour of America lands in OC for one night, when Meredith Edwards’ new indie rom-com screens and its writer/star Naomi McDougall Jones takes audience questions afterward. The film is about a subculture of people who believe they are vampires and the IRS agents who audit them. The night ends with a Joyful Vampire Shindig, for which participants are encouraged to wear getups or outfits that make them feel joyful. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed., screening, 8 p.m.; shindig, 10:30 p.m. $12.

The Dead Don’t Die. That indie darling Jim Jarmusch’s latest includes a standard zombie-flick plot—the dead rise from their graves to terrorize a peaceful town—makes sense when you consider his cast includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny, Adam Driver, Danny Glover, Carol Kane, Rosie Perez, Tom Waits, Steve Buscemi, Iggy Pop, Selena Gomez and RZA. Starlight Cinema City, (714) 970-6700. Thurs., June 13, 7 & 9:35 p.m. $6-$12.

9 to 5. MenAlive Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus returns for a benefit screening of the classic 1980 comedy about three savvy female employees (Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton) who endure an evil, chauvinistic boss (Dabney Coleman). When a freak accident, uh, ties him up and prevents him from doing his duties, the trio makes productive, positive changes at the office. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., June 13, 7 p.m. $15.

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