Oh, Baby! [Special Screenings, Feb. 22-March 1]

Call Me By Your Name. Charming American doctoral student Oliver (The Social Network’s Armie Hammer) goes to an Italian villa to serve as the annual summer intern for an eminent Greco-Roman culture professor (Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Stuhlbarg). But Oliver and the professor’s son Elio (TimothŽe Chalamet of Interstellar and Homeland) fall in love. Director Luca Guadagnino (I Am Love) worked off James Ivory’s script, which was adapted from Andre Aciman’s novel. The movie is Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (Chalamet) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ivory). The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Feb. 22, 12:30, 2, 3:15, 7 & 9:45 p.m. $7-$10.

Huntington Beach SoCal Film Festival. The 13th-annual event presents 44 films from 20 countries representing the best of independent filmmaking. About half of the festival’s films this year were made by females, which keeps with the event’s “More Voices. More Stories” theme. Eight films were made by Orange County filmmakers, including some from Surf City. Huntington Beach Library Theater, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach; hbfilmfest.com. Opens Thurs., Feb. 22, 2 p.m.; continues daily at various show times, with the final screening Sat., 10 p.m. $2.50-$50.

Coco. Here is how my colleague Gabriel San Rom‡n began his November 2017 review: “With D’a de los Muertos becoming ever-more popular on this side of the border, the film Coco arrives right on time. Pixar finds a bridge between the cultural authenticity of the centuries-old Mexican tradition and its emerging commercial appeal through a heartwarming tale about the importance of family, told with respect to the people it honors.” Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina, the computer-animated film has 12-year-old Miguel Rivera (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) tak ing 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. Cal State Fullerton, Titan Student Union Titan Theatre, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, (657) 278-2468. Thurs., Feb. 22, 4, 7 & 10 p.m.

Is Genesis History? Is the Book of Genesis—which posits the universe was created in six days, God made man in his image and a global flood destroyed the world—an accurate record or Old Testament myths? The producers of this doc say the documentary “shines new light on our origins, providing a positive argument for Biblical Creation and the Flood. Two competing views . . . one compelling truth.” Fathom Events and Compass Cinemas simulcast into theaters nationwide a one-year anniversary screening that is followed by host Del Tackett touring the Ark Encounter and discussing topics raised with college students. AMC Downtown Disney, 1565 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 776-2355; AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, (714) 769-4288; 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; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, 99 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, (800) 967-1932; 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., Feb. 22, 7 p.m. $12.50.

National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Captured live on London’s West End in the fall of 2017 is this revival of Tennessee Williams’ 1955 Pulitzer Prize winner, directed by Benedict Andrews. A family gathers in their Mississippi cotton plantation on a steamy night to celebrate Big Daddy’s birthday. Brick (Jack O’Connell) and Maggie (Sienna Miller) dance around the secrets that threaten to destroy their marriage. AMC Tustin Legacy at the District, 2457 Park Ave., Tustin, (714) 258-7036; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark Century 20 Huntington Beach, (714) 373-4573; 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., Feb. 22, 7 p.m. $22.

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days. To mark the 75th anniversary of the execution of the German college student, Frida presents the acclaimed 2005 biographical drama on the 21-year-old activist, who is played by Julia Jentsch. She was a member of the White Rose, an anti-Nazi, nonviolent student resistance group that her brother Hans helped found. After another member witnessed Soviet prisoners of war being shot in a mass grave and the extermination of Jews was uncovered, the White Rose distributed pamphlets exposing the Nazi government, which did not take that exposure well. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Feb. 22, 7 p.m. $7-$10.

Tony—The Movie. Homelessness has become such a hot topic in Orange County that it is now serving as the basis for screenings of films of conscience. Documentarian Dennis Stein follows Tony Rodriguez, who ends up homeless after losing his job as a waiter in San Diego. His search for housing turns into a quest for solutions to homelessness, not just for himself, but for thousands of people living on the streets across San Diego County. Orange Coast River Park Inc., Newport Beach City Arts Commission, Illumination Foundation and Newport Beach Film Festival present the free screening followed by an interactive panel discussion on homelessness featuring Stein, Rodriguez and Paul Leon, president and CEO of Illumination Foundation. Marina Park Community Center, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach; www.ocriverpark.org or www.newportbeachca.gov. Thurs., Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Free, but seating is first come, first served.

Oscar Nominated Short Films. Academy Award-nominated short films in animation, documentary and live-action categories are screened. Best Animated Short Film nominees are: Glen Keane’s Dear Basketball; Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata’s Negative Space; Dave Mullins’ Lou; Jakob Schuh and Jan Lachauer’s Revolting Rhymes; and Florian Babikian, Vincent Bayoux, Victor Claire, Theophile Dufresne, Gabriel Grapperon and Lucas Navarro’s Garden Party. Best Documentary-Short Subject nominees are: Laura Chekoway and Thomas Lee Wright’s Edith+Eddie; Frank Stiefel’s Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405; Elaine McMillion Sheldon and Kerrin Sheldon’s Heroin(e); Thomas Lennon’s Knife Skills; and Kate Davis and David Heilbroner’s Traffic Stop. Best Live Action Short Film nominees are: Reed Van Dyk’s DeKalb Elementary; Derin Seale and Josh Lawson’s The Eleven O’Clock; Kevin Wilson Jr.’s My Nephew Emmett; Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton’s The Silent Child; and Katja Benrath and Tobias Rosen’s Watu Wote/All of Us. The Oscars telecast is March 4. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435. Fri., animated, 1 p.m.; documentary A, 3 p.m.; documentary B, 5:30 p.m.; live action, 7:30 p.m. 1 & 3 p.m. programs, $8.50-$9 each; later programs, $8.50-$11.50. Also at Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro; spiffest.org. Documentary, Fri., 6:30 p.m.; live acton, Sat., 7 p.m.; animated, March 3, 7:30 p.m. $8-$14 per program.

Girls Trip. Malcolm D. Lee’s 2017 comedy stars Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tiffany Haddish as the self-christened “Flossy Posse,” who are lifelong friends rekindling their sisterhood in New Orleans and at the Essence Festival, an annual music fest named after the magazine that is aimed at African-American women. The foursome dance, drink, brawl, romance and discover new truths about themselves and their friendship. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 2:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.

Co™ Hauž Gai’ (The Housemaid). IFC Midnight, which previously spooked us with The Babadook, now presents a Vietnamese horror film about Linh (Nhung Kate), a poor orphaned young woman who finds work as a housemaid in a crumbling rubber plantation in 1953 Vietnam. Linh enters a torrid affair with Sebastien, the emotionally fragile French officer who hired her, but it rouses the ghost of Laurent’s dead wife. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 10:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 8:30 p.m. $7-$10.

I’m Gonna Git You Sucka. OC Weekly’s Friday Night Freakouts entry is writer/director/star Keenen Ivory Wayans’ hilarious 1988 send-up of 1970s Blaxploitation cinema that actually includes veterans of the genre such as Jim Brown, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas, Clarence Williams III and Isaac Hayes. Soldier Jack Spade (Wayans) returns to his hometown of Any Ghetto, USA, after receiving news that his brother died of an “OG” (overdose on gold chains). Jack links an overabundance of gold chains to criminal mastermind Mr. Big (John Vernon). With the help of his childhood idol John Slade (Casey), Jack assembles a team that includes Kung Fu Joe (Steve James), former “Pimp of the Year” Flyguy (Fargas), Slammer (Brown) and Hammer (Hayes) to avenge his brother’s death and save his old neighborhood. Kadeem Hardison, Ja’net Dubois, John Witherspoon, Damon Wayans and Chris Rock also co-star. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 11 p.m. $7-$10.

Trouble No More. Last year saw the release of The Bootleg Series Vol. 13: Trouble No More 1979-1981, a collection of Bob Dylan recordings from his born-again Christian period. Trouble No More, the accompanying musical documentary, showcases performances during Robert Zimmerman’s 1980 gospel music tour. An evangelical preacher played by actor Michael Shannon delivers sermons in between the songs. Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Fri., 11 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m. $8.50-$11.50.

The Met Live in HD: La Bohéme. The world’s most popular opera is about six impoverished young bohemians, surviving only on laughter and the promise of love. Young stars such as Sonya Yoncheva (as fragile Mimi) and Michael Fabiano (poet Rodolfo) are part of 95-year-old Franco Zeffirelli’s production of the Puccini classic, which is sung in Italian with English subtitles and simulcast live in theaters nationwide. 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, (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. Live, Sat., 9:30 a.m.; encore, Wed., 1 & 6:30 p.m. (no late show in Tustin). $18-$24.

Mary and the Witch’s Flower. From Academy Award-nominated director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There, The Secret World of Arrietty), Studio Ponoc’s debut film is an adaptation of the 1971 young adult novel The Little Broomstick, Mary and the Witch’s Flower. The heartfelt story of a young girl trying to discover her place in the world is filled with ingenious characters and jaw-dropping imaginative worlds. The version dubbed in English from the original Japanese features the vocal talents of Ruby Barnhill, Kate Winslet and Jim Broadbent. AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, (714) 769-4288; 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; Regal Garden Grove Stadium 16, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Sat., 12:55 p.m.; Mon., 7 p.m. $12.50.

The Room. Thanks to The Disaster Artist and the pre-#MeToo’d James Franco, The Room and the “sensual” 2003 indie thriller’s writer/director/producer/star Tommy Wiseau got hotter than ever. In what has been dubbed “a modern classic” and “the Citizen Kane of bad movies,” Wiseau plays an amiable banker having a grand old time in a gorgeously shot San Francisco with his fiancŽe (Juliette Danielle). Everything changes when his conflicted best friend (Greg Sestero) joins in to form a love triangle. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 11 p.m. $7-$10.

The Lodgers. Director Brian O’Malley’s Gothic supernatural thriller is about young twins Rachel (Charlotte Vega) and Edward (Bill Milner), who are confined to their crumbling family estate in 1920 rural Ireland by a family curse. A sinister and terrifying presence forces the orphans to be in bed by midnight, forbids outsiders past the threshold and, if either attempts to escape, puts the life of the other in jeopardy. Rachel does just that to Edward after she becomes smitten with a troubled war veteran (Eugene Simon). The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 11:30 p.m.; Wed., 8 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.” Live shadow-cast troupe Midnight Insanity performs alongside what’s flashed on the screen. Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $8.50-$11.50.

Pariah. Frida’s The Directors series continues to honor Black History Month with the 2011 feature directorial debut of Dee Rees, whom you may know from last year’s Mudbound, which is now up for four Oscars. Pariah stars Adepero Oduye as Alike, a teenager who lives in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood with her parents and younger sister. Alike spends time with her openly gay friend Laura, who Alike’s mother Audrey (Kim Wayans) believes may be a bad influence. Audrey insists that Alike spend more time with Bina (Aasha Davis), a young girl from her church, but then they begin to have feelings for each other. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sun., 12:30 & 2:30 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 2:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.

The Dark Crystal. Universal Pictures and Fathom Events simulcast into theaters nationwide the 1982 adventure fantasy from the Muppets’ creators. Directors Jim Henson and Frank Oz used groundbreaking animatronics to tell the story of elf-like “Gelfing” Jen (voiced by Stephen Garlick) trying to restore balance in his alien world by returning a lost shard to the powerful but broken gem referenced in the movie’s title. Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Co., introduces the film with reflections on its making and her father’s legacy. AMC Downtown Disney, (714) 776-2355; AMC Fullerton 20, 1001 S Lemon St, Fullerton, (714) 992-6962; AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, (714) 769-4288; 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; Regal Garden Grove Stadium 16, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Sun. & Wed., 2 & 7 p.m.; also March 3 & 6. $12.50.

Oscar Snubs & Flubs. Major boo-boos of the 90th Academy Awards are exposed a week before the Oscars telecast. This program is suitable for teens and adults. Cypress Library, Program Room, 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, (714) 826-0350. Sun., 2 p.m. Free.

Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll. South Coast Repertory presents a free outdoor screening of this critically acclaimed 2015 documentary that celebrates a vibrant musical culture that was nearly lost forever under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Rare songs; rarer archival material; and interviews with surviving musicians from acts of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s are featured. The screening is tied to SCR’s upcoming stage musical Cambodian Rock Band, which features the music of Long Beach’s own Dengue Fever. The film is shown on a parking structure rooftop, and you are advised not only to bring comfortable seating and/or blankets, but also to RSVP through the website, as seating is limited. You can bring a picnic meal or snacks, but the Frida in front of the venue and surrounding restaurants would love your business. 5th & Spurgeon Parking Structure, 4th Floor Rooftop, 301 E. Fifth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Sun., roof opens, 5:30 p.m.; screening, 7 p.m. Free.

Words on Film: The Challenges of Adapting Novels to Film. UC Irvine scholars and accomplished alumni discuss the delights and challenges of adapting beloved novels for film. The main focus is on Disney’s adaptation of Madeleine L’ Engle’s classic A Wrinkle in Time, but any adaptation is up for discussion. Panelists include: Christopher Fan, UCI assistant professor of English and Asian American Studies; Gregory Benford, UCI professor emeritus of physics and an award-winning science-fiction writer; and Traci Lee, an NBCNews.com editor and 2011 alum. Jonathan Alexander, the UCI Chancellor’s Professor of English and Informatics, moderates. UCI, Humanities Instructional Building 215, West Peltason and Campus drives, Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Mon., noon. Free.

Kirk Cameron: Connect. CamFam and Provident Films present “real help for parenting kids in a social media world.” Your teacher: a former Growing Pains co-star. But Kirk Cameron, the father of six children, turns to experts to fill in any blanks in his knowledge. AMC Downtown Disney, (714) 776-2355; AMC Marina Pacifica, (562) 430-8790; AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, (714) 769-4288; 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 Big Newport 6, (844) 462-7342; 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. Tues. & Thurs., Feb. 27 & March 1, 7 p.m. $12.50.

Primal Rage: Bigfoot Reborn. In Patrick Magee’s new horror flick that is being simulcast in theaters, Ashley and Max Carr (Casey Gagliardi and Andrew Joseph Montgomery) are stalked deep in a Pacific Northwest forest by a terrifying creature that might be Bigfoot. Along with a handful of unsavory locals, the couple engages in a life or death battle with the monster. AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, (714) 769-4288; Cinemark Century Stadium 25, (714) 532-9558; Cinemark at the Pike Theaters, (800) 967-1932; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Tues., 7 p.m. $10.

Film and Media Studies Spotlight Showcase. This first event showcases recent student films from UCI’s Film and Media Studies production classes. Award-winning filmmaker Jess dela Merced (class of 2009) is also honored. UCI, McCormick Screening Room, Humanities Gateway 1070, Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Wed., 5 p.m. Free.

Baby Driver and Trivia Contest. A second free outdoor screening in the same week and this one has movie trivia? Pinch me! Up for grabs in the trivia contest, which is based on what’s in the movie, are bragging rights, free Frida passes and vouchers to 4th Street Market eateries. Edgar Wright’s 2017 action crime drama is about Baby (Ansel Elgort), a music-lover who is coerced into working as a getaway driver for a kingpin (Kevin Spacey). The lauded film’s choreography has the actors’ actions synching with the movie soundtrack. 5th & Spurgeon Parking Structure; thefridacinema.org. Wed., trivia contest, 7 p.m. (space is limited, so sign up at www.4thstreetmarket.com/trivianight); screening, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Edward Scissorhands. Tim Burton’s 1990 classic is about animated human being Edward (Johnny Depp), who has a freakish appearance and scissor blades for hands because his creator (Vincent Price) died before his project was completed. A loving suburban saleswoman (Dianne Wiest) discovers Edward and takes him home, where he falls for her teen daughter (Winona Ryder). Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

A Night at the Oscars. Enjoy an evening with hosts Robert Kline and Stephanie Heredia, who present an Oscars pre-party with a glimpse behind the scenes of this year’s nominated films and what it takes to win the statue. Regency San Juan Capistrano, 26762 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, (949) 661-3456. Thurs., March 1, 6:30 p.m. $15.

MenAlive Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus presents The Sound of Music. Robert Wise’s 1965 musical—which won Oscars for Best Score, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Director and Best Picture—was adapted from the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage hit about the von Trapp Family Singers, who were one of the world’s best-known concert groups just before World War II. Maria (Julie Andrews) becomes a governess in the home of widowed Austrian naval Captain Baron Georg von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and his seven children. Distressed by the rigid structure and lack of frivolity in the home, Maria introduces the children to music. However, threatening to silence the joy are the hardened captain, a baroness (Eleanor Parker) and a growing Nazi presence across Europe. Proceeds from the screening benefit MenAlive’s community outreach promoting understanding and acceptance for the LGBT community. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., March 1, 7 p.m. $15.