Just Super [Aug. 30-Sept. 6]

Justice League. Photo courtesy Warner Bros.

Long Beach Indie International Film Festival. For the fifth year, more than 150 diverse features, shorts, music videos, TV pilots and web series from across the globe are presented. Since its inception in 2014, the indie fest has drawn entries that have gone on to gain national or international distribution as well as Oscar, Golden Globe or Emmy consideration. Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, 99 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, (562) 435-5754; www.ourperfectworks.com. Thurs.-Sun., Aug. 30-Sept. 2. Call or check website for show times. $13-$600.

The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl. Enjoy one epic night in Kyoto. Masaaki Yuasa’s anime is presented in the original Japanese with English subtitles. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Aug. 30, 2:30, 5, 7:30 & 9:45 p.m. $7-$10.

Rebels Without a Submission Film Festival. See the premieres of indie shorts made by student filmmakers. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435. Thurs., Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. Free.

Night of the Demons. It’s a special pre-bonus screening and audience Q&A with director Kevin Tenney that is solely for holders of passes to this weekend’s ninth-annual Horrible Imaginings Film Festival (HIFF). The horror flick, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, has teens holding a Halloween-night party in an abandoned funeral home. Bad idea. Then they decide to hold a séance. Worse! The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Aug. 30, 8 p.m. Free to HIFF pass holders.

Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood. Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary is based on the best-selling memoir of Scotty Bowers, a sexual procurer to Hollywood stars and, until now, an unsung legend. Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Fri. Call for show times and ticket prices.

Snowflake. Photo courtesy Horrible Imaginings Film Festival

Horrible Imaginings Film Festival. The three-day celebration of the horror genre—through panels, parties, networking sessions, and the screenings of short and feature-length films—moves into a new home for its ninth-annual run. Friday: Reflections and Madness Short Film Block, 5:30 p.m.; opening-night feature film La Quinceañera with co-creators Gigi Saul Guerrero and Shane McKenzie in attendance, 8 p.m.; Midnight Madness bonus screening of Abel Ferrara’s Ms. 45, 10:30 p.m. Saturday: Unhealthy Attractions Short Film Block, 11 a.m.; feature film Deseo Deseo (I Wish I Wish), 1:20 p.m.; feature film Bong of the Living Dead, 3:35 p.m.; live podcast Shock Waves, 5:45 p.m.; feature film The Ranger, 7:45 p.m.; feature film Snowflake, 9:50 p.m.; Midnight Madness bonus Zombi 3, 11:50 p.m. Sunday: Faith, Livelihood and Identity Short Film Block, 11 a.m.; Long Form Short Film Block, 1:20 p.m.; feature film The Returning, 3:35 p.m.; Scary Black Folks: Critical Race Studies and Horror Panel, 5:45 p.m.; feature film Vampire Clay, 7:45 p.m.; award winners announced, 9:45 p.m.; 30th-anniversary screening of Wes Craven’s The Serpent and the Rainbow, 10:20 p.m. Keep in mind that seating is limited. The Frida Cinema; www.hifilmfest.com. Fri.-Sun. See show times above. One-day pass, $35; three-day pass, $75.

Black Panther. T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and, as his alter ego Black Panther, confront a challenger from his country’s past. You can see this year’s smash Marvel hit on big screens outdoors on the beach or next to a hotel pool. Bring pillows, blankets and low chairs for Hotel Irvine’s Movie Night In the Backyard. Blankets, sandwiches, movie snacks and the hotel chef’s barbecued delights can also be purchased. Keep your wristband on after the film to partake in the all-night happy hour in Red Bar & Lounge. The Movie Night VIP Experience ($55 for two people) includes two movie tickets, reserved seating, unlimited barbecue, a bottle of rosé or prosecco, and valet parking for one car. Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Rd., Irvine; www.hotelirvine.com/movienights. Fri., doors open, 6 p.m.; screening, dusk. $10; also at Beachfront Cinema at Huntington State Beach, Tower 5, Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; beachfrontcinema.com. Sun., 5 p.m. $9.99-$49.99.

Trolls. The 2016 animated, family adventure/comedy has the Bergens invading Troll Village and forcing Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick), the happiest Troll ever born, and the curmudgeonly Branch (Justin Timberlake) to set off on a journey to rescue her friends. Bring blankets and chairs; games, food trucks and a costume contest for kids are on site. Vista View Park, 9235 Honeysuckle Ave., Fountain Valley; www.fountainvalley.org/856/Special-Events. Fri., activities, 6 p.m.; screening, dusk. Free.

Justice League. Zack Snyder’s 2017 sci-fi fantasy features the unprecedented DC Comics’ team of Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Mamoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and the Flash (Ezra Miller) trying to save the planet from a catastrophic assault. Attendees of the Source OC’s Outdoor Movie Night can capitalize on neighboring stores’ and eateries’ coupons and discounts, but movie seating is first-come, first-served. The Source OC, 6940 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, (714) 521-8858; www.thesourceoc.com. Fri., 7:30 p.m. Free.

Raiders of the Lost Ark. Reacquaint yourself with the first flick in the Spielberg/Lucas popcorn franchise before Harrison Ford returns in 2019 with what’s tentatively titled Indiana Jones 5. Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 923-2240; ocparks.com. Fri., dusk. Free.

Coco. The 2017 computer-animated Disney Pixar hit has 12-year-old Miguel Rivera (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) taking the famed guitar of his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), before the Day of the Dead talent show in his town’s plaza. But with a single strum, Miguel is sent to the Land of the Dead, where he will remain unless he finds his way back to the Land of the Living before Day of the Dead ends. Beachfront Cinema at Huntington State Beach; beachfrontcinema.com. Sat., 5 p.m. $9.99-$49.99.

Dazed and Confused. Photo courtesy Gramercy Pictures

Dazed and Confused. Festival Obscura and Sunnyside Cemetery present Richard Linklater’s influential 1993 coming-of-age comedy that follows Texas teens on the last day of school in 1976. Among the cast’s then-unknown or barely known actors were Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Cole Hauser, Parker Posey, Adam Goldberg, Joey Lauren Adams, Matthew McConaughey, Nicky Katt and Rory Cochrane. Besides the film, you’ll find live music, food trucks, local art vendors, a muscle car and hot rod showcase, and on-site printing of commemorative T-shirts. Bring blankets, low-back chairs and picnic fixin’s, if you desire, but rideshare or arrive early because parking is extremely limited. Sunnyside Cemetery, 1095 E. Willow St., Long Beach; www.facebook.com/sunnysidecemetery; www.facebook.com/festivalobscura. Sat., gates open, 6 p.m.; screening, dusk. $13-$14.

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.” See live shadow-cast troupe Midnight Insanity shimmy to “The Time Warp.” Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $8.50-$11.50.

Rudy. Fathom Events presents a 25th-anniversary screening of David Anspaugh’s sports-history drama about the grueling quest of “5-feet-nothin’, a hundred-and-nothin’-pound” Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) to make the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. The screenings, which bookend Notre Dame’s Sept. 1 season opener against the Michigan Wolverines, feature taped introductions by the real Ruettiger as well as his participation in Q&As hosted by Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips. 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, (800) 967-1932; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, (562) 435-5754; 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 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. Sun., 2 & 7 p.m. $12.50.

2001: A Space Odyssey. Do you know when you are officially old? When a film you vividly recall hitting theaters for the first time celebrates its 50th anniversary. New this year is Warner Bros.’ 4K restoration of Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 masterpiece that was spun from Arthur C. Clarke’s short sci-fi story. It’s about a space ship’s onboard computer system acting kooky and eventually squaring off in a death match with its human master. That might have seemed far-fetched in 1968, but the idea of a machine supplanting man seems much less so now. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Mon.-Thurs., Sept. 6, 2, 5 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.

Surfer: Teen Confronts Fear. This faith-based drama is about Sage Burke, who was 13 when he nearly died in a wipeout. Paralyzed by fear, he avoids the waves until the mythical and powerful pull of the ocean draws him back. Burke plays himself, as does his father, Douglas, who wrote, directed, produced, composed music for the film and appears live for an audience Q&A—knowing full well that Santa Ana viewers may join audiences nationwide who have laughed at his creation. Heck, who knows? Maybe they’ll fall in with the crowds who have been moved. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.

Phantom Thread. FPL Arthouse presents Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 rom-dram that stars Daniel Day-Lewis in an Oscar-nominated performance as a world-renowned dressmaker and confirmed bachelor in post-war London whose life is upended by a strong-willed woman (Vicky Krieps). Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6327. Wed., 6 p.m. Free.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The second film from Peter Jackson’s franchise is this 2003 adventure in which Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) continue on to Mordor to destroy the One Ring while their former companions make new allies and launch an assault on Isengard. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

Anime Club. Such titles as Bleach, Naruto, My Hero Academia, Attack On Titan and Sword Art Online are streamed, and premium prizes from Crunchyroll are doled out during the program aimed at ages 13-17. Cypress Library, 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, (714) 826-0350. Thurs., Sept. 6, 5 p.m. Free.

Look to the Sky. Through the Tugg platform of community-demand independent-film screenings, the Los Angeles Arts Society had to sell at least 75 tickets by Thursday, Aug. 30 to book this benefit for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana. Director Brett Culp’s documentary weaves together the uplifting stories of young people who have demonstrated the spirit of Superman, in hopes that viewers will find their inner superheroes. The Frida Cinema; tugg.com/events/look-to-the-sky-yhp8. Thurs., Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. $11.

2018 Long Beach QFilm Festival. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Long Beach’s longest running film festival presents narrative features, documentaries and shorts that embody the rich diversity and experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) communities. On tap are nightly parties, a Sunday brunch, an exclusive filmmakers’ lounge, and opportunities for attendees to meet and mingle with filmmakers, actors, critics and other industry professionals. The event kicks off with an opening-night party that begins before and continues after the Long Beach premiere of A Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years, an acclaimed documentary about the pioneering LGBTQ publication that is narrated by Laverne Cox and features music by Melissa Etheridge. Check the website for more short and feature-film programming and special events beyond opening night. Opening-night party at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, 2017 E. Fourth St., Long Beach; qfilmslongbeach.com. Thurs., Sept. 6, 6 p.m. Free to all pass and ticket holders (five-film pass, $45; all-access pass, $102); A Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 Years at Art Theatre; qfilmslongbeach.com. Thurs., Sept. 6, 7 p.m. $12.

Perfect Blue. Image courtesy GKids

Perfect Blue. The first film from Satoshi Kon (Paprika) celebrates not only its 20th anniversary, but also a brand-new digital transfer. The R-rated 1997 psychological horror anime is about a singer who quits her band to become an actress and shed her good-girl image. However, her fans aren’t ready to see her go, and after she takes on a recurring role on a popular TV show, her handlers and collaborators begin turning up dead. Fathom Events warns of animated violence and nudity and strong language you’ll hear in Japanese and read as English subtitles. AMC Fullerton, 1001 S. Lemon St., Fullerton, (714) 992-6962; 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, (562) 435-5754; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, (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; Regal Garden Grove Stadium 16, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., Sept. 6, 7 p.m. (Dubbed version screens Sept. 10.) $12.50.

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