MOVIE OF THE WEEK: The Sophisticated Misfit
This film is a four-year exploration of Shag, the unlikeliest of Los Angeles artistic icons. His work doesn't reflect the multicultural urban milieu of contemporary Los Angeles, but rather an entirely different era. Think post-World War II boom years, suburban tracts sprawling across the landscape, Disneyland opening its doors, and designers embracing the space-age motifs of the Sputnik and the mission to the moon. Featuring interviews with Whoopi Goldberg, Patton Oswalt, Paul Frank, Holden Westland and Shag himself. A Q&A session will follow the screening. Forum Theater at the Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-8971, ext. 201; www.lagunaartmuseum.org. Fri., 7 p.m. $15.
OTHER SCREENINGS
The African Queen. The third in the Bowers' fall lineup of Bogart classics is based on a C.S. Forester book and filmed in Africa. Teaming up with Bogart, who plays a rugged steamboat captain, is Katherine Hepburn, who plays a missionary's prim and proper sister, seeking escape from East Africa and the Germans. Moderated by film lecturer Karen Merced Willner. For an added cost, Tangata restaurant hosts a pre-film themed dinner. Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3679; www.bowers.org. Thurs., Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. $8-$10. For reservations to the pre-film dinner, call Tangata Restaurant at (714) 550-0907.
The Dead Girl. This film is a quintet of stories about seemingly unrelated people whose lives converge around the murder of a young woman. Director Karen Moncrieff creates multidimensional portraits of women as they seesaw emotionally through a tangle of conflicting desires and fears. Moncrieff and producer Eric Karten will appear for a Q&A session. UC Irvine, Humanities Instructional Building 100, Campus N W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Thurs., Nov. 1, 7 p.m. $3-$5.
Nature's Diamonds. Award-winning actress Stockard Channing narrates this journey of diamonds from the planet-forming process of the past to the edge of the future. From geologists, miners, designers and dealers to physicists and engineers, the viewer discovers why diamonds are the world's most valuable rock. Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3679; www.bowers.org. Thurs., Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m. Free with paid admission.
One California Day. See “Tooting Our Own Horn.”
Queer Southeast Asian Short Films Program. Guest curator John Badalu presents a series of queer Southeast Asian short films. Badalu is both an independent producer working with some of East Asia's leading filmmakers as well as the director of the Q! Festival. Badalu will appear for a Q&A session. UC Irvine, Humanities Instructional Building 100, Campus N W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.filmandvideocenter.com. Thurs., Nov. 8, 7 p.m. $3-$5.
To Be or Not to Be.Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, this is Carole Lombard's final film before her tragic death in a plane crash. The film remains as funny today as it was in 1942. The Friday Film Forum will present a preshow program of shorts, cartoons and surprises. Long Beach School for Adults, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.
Rocky Horror Picture Show. Some do Pilates, some do “The Time Warp.” It's okay, boys, put on some makeup and look fabulous—a lot of girls are into ambiguous sexuality. Well, at least they were in Santa Cruz. Aboard the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 684-4411; www.qmxroyal.com . Sat. (in the Royal Theater) N Wed. (in the Brittania Theatre), Oct. 31, midnight. $9.
When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. Spike Lee's critically acclaimed documentary about the devestation visited upon New Orleans due to Hurrican Katrina takes a thoughtful, evenhanded approach to the material as it analyzes how the people of New Orleans experienced government neglect and incompotence on all levels. The first half of the film will be shown. The second half will be shown Nov. 20. Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Ave., Irvine, (949) 724-6880. Tues., 7 p.m. Free.
Mail your press releases (and a videotape or disc, if available) to Special Screenings,OC Weekly , 1666 N. Main St., Ste. 500, Santa Ana, CA 92701-7417. Or send e-mail to
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. All materials must be received at least two weeks before the screening.
