Running for New Lives [Special Screenings, Oct. 10-17]

Skid Row. Photo courtesy Fathom Events

Ghostbusters 35th Anniversary. Ivan Reitman’s 1984 blockbuster has paranormal scientists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis) lucking out of their university gigs and lucking into an in-demand ghost-eradication business as New York City is gripped by untold evil. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., Oct. 10, 4 & 7 p.m. $13-$22.

Slender Man. This library has several scary events designed for teens this month, including Sylvain White’s 2018 horror movie about a group of friends who unleash a supernatural being (Javier Botet) and realize the urban legend is real. Dana Point Library, 33841 Niguel Rd., Dana Point, (949) 496-5517. Thurs., Oct. 10, 5 p.m. Free. 13+.

Anime Afternoons. Come watch and discuss anime favorites. Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6333. Thurs. & Thurs., Oct. 10 & 17, 6 p.m. Free.

Young Frankenstein. A Night at the Movies has writer/researcher/TV professional Theo Siegel presenting classic Halloween fare, including Mel Brooks’ 1974 black-and-white classic that demonstrates Gene Wilder’s genius writing and comedic acting. He plays a neurosurgeon who follows his grandfather Dr. Victor von Frankenstein’s instructions to reanimate a monster (Peter Boyle). Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3677; bowers.org. Thurs., Oct. 10, 6 p.m. $35-$55 (for the series, which runs through Oct. 24).

Elvis Unleashed. Photo courtesy Fathom Events

Elvis Unleashed. Revisit the classic Elvis ’68 Comeback Special with alternate takes and watch Los Angeles Times music writer Randy Lewis interview Dennis Quaid, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Jade Jackson and producer/director Steve Binder about Elvis Presley’s influence. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., Oct. 10, 7 p.m. $14-$17.

Tammy and the T-Rex + Q&A With Stewart Raffill. Arrive early to fire questions at the director of this 1994 film that is billed as the greatest ever made. Tammy (Denise Richards) and Michael (Paul Walker) are high-school sweethearts until punks attack the lad and leave him for dead. A mad scientist (Terry Kiser) transplants Michael’s brain into a robotic T-Rex. The teen/T-Rex then seeks revenge on his tormentors and reunification with Tammy. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Oct. 10, 8:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Viet Film Fest 2019. The Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association presents 42 diverse short and feature-length films that are shown over three days. See “Viet Film Fest and The Infiltrators Infiltrate an Orange Theater.” AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, (714) 769-4288; www.vietfilmfest.com. Fri., 11 a.m.; Sat., noon; Sun., 11 a.m. $11-$13 per program; $335 for all-access pass.

Where’s My Roy Cohn? Matt Tyrnauer’s 2019 documentary is on one of the most controversial and influential Americans of the 20th century: unscrupulous lawyer and ruthless political power broker Roy Cohn. His 28-year career spanned from acting as chief counsel to Senator Joe McCarthy’s Communist-hunting subcommittee to molding the career of a young Queens real-estate developer named Donald Trump. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435. Fri.-Thurs., Oct. 17, 1:30, 4, 6:30 & 9 p.m. (no 9 p.m. showing on Thurs., Oct. 17). $9-$12.

The Omen. “Damien, you must die.” It’s a 4K restoration of Richard Donner’s satanic horror flick about an American diplomat (Gregory Peck) who passes off an orphan newborn as his own when his wife (Lee Remick) unknowingly delivers a stillborn. As their boy Damien (Harvey Stephens) grows, a series of horrific events happens around him, making dear old dad wonder who exactly he brought home. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30, 5 & 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Dumbo. The 1941 Disney animated classic has a young circus elephant, who is ridiculed because of the size of his ears, teaming with a mouse to achieve his full potential. Pavion Park, 24051 Pavion, Mission Viejo, (949) 859-4348. Fri., 7 p.m. Free.

The Wizard of Gore. It’s a new restoration of Herschell Gordon Lewis’ 1970 splatterfest about Montag the Magnificent (Ray Sager), a magician whose grisly stage mutations become real just hours after audiences leave the theater. Then he gets invited on a daytime talk show. . . . The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Mary. Photo courtesy RJE Films

Mary. Michael Goi’s new chiller is about a struggling blue-collar worker (Gary Oldman) who tries to turn around his family’s fortunes by buying and chartering out a boat. But his daughters act strangely at sea, and his wife (Emily Mortimer) notices strange occurrences on the ship. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Thurs., Oct. 17, 10 p.m. $7-$10.50.

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 K.A.O.S. performs in Santa Ana, while it’s Midnight Insanity in Long Beach. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 11:30 p.m. $13; also at Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $9-$12.

The Met: Live in HD: Turandot. Franco Zeffirelli’s production of the Puccini opera is beamed into cinemas. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Sat., 9:55 a.m. (live); Wed., 1 & 6:30 p.m. (encore). $18-$24.

Strange Negotiations. Brandon Vedders’ new rockumentary profiles David Bazan of the popular Christian rock group Pedro the Lion. He loses some of his crowd when he starts to question the faith he was raised in, which just so happens to coincide with many U.S. Christians embracing the very un-Christian Donald Trump. Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sat., 11 a.m. $9-$10.

Escape Room. Adam Robitel’s hood flick from early this year is about six strangers who find themselves in a maze of deadly mystery rooms that require their wits to survive. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, (949) 646-8845. Sat., 1:30 p.m. Free.

Fantastic Four. Josh Trank’s 2015 action-adventure flick has four young outsiders harnessing newly acquired supernatural abilities so they can save the Earth from evil. La Habra Library, 221 E. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, (714) 526-7728. Sat., 2 p.m. Free.

The Room. In Tommy Wiseau’s bizarre 2003 indie thriller, the writer/producer/director plays an amiable banker having a grand old time in a gorgeously shot San Francisco with his fiancée (Juliette Danielle)—until his conflicted best friend (Greg Sestero) joins in to form a love triangle. Sestero’s tell-all book about the project inspired James Franco’s film The Disaster Artist. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 10 p.m. $7.50-$10.50.

Alien. It’s a 40th-anniversary screening of Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi masterpiece that has the crew of a space merchant vessel headed back to Earth being awakened from a deep sleep by a distress call from a nearby planet—and discovering they are not alone. A Turner Classic Movies host provides onscreen insights. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Sun., 1 & 4 p.m.;Tues.-Wed., 7 p.m. $12.50.

Metallica S&M 2: Live With the San Francisco Symphony. This new concert film has James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo reuniting with the San Francisco Symphony to perform songs off their 1999 album S&M (for Symphony & Metallica) and tracks the band put out in the 20 years since. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sun., 7:30 p.m. $7-$13.

Silence of the Lambs. Photo courtesy MGM Home Entertainment

The Silence of the Lambs. Volunteer of the month Bekah Botts selects Jonathan Demme’s 1991 psychological thriller about an FBI agent (Jodie Foster) tring to pick the brain of brilliant serial killer Dr. Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter as another multiple murderer hunts his prey. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Mon.-Tues., 2:30, 5 & 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Skid Row Marathon. Mark Hayes’ new documentary follows Superior Court Judge Craig Mitchell as he trains a motley group of former addicts and criminals on Los Angeles’ skid row to enter a marathon. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Mon., 7 p.m. $15.

3 From Hell. Rob Zombie’s new follow-up to House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects has crazed killers Baby Firefly (Sheri Moon Zombie), Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig) and Otis Driftwood (Bill Moseley) returning to unleash bloody mayhem. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Mon., 7 p.m. $15.

A River Runs Through It. Robert Redford’s 1992 drama meanders like a river sometimes, but it’s an overall effective look at two sons (Craig Sheffer and Brad Pitt) and their stern minister father (Tom Skerritt) against the backdrop of rural Montana and fly fishing. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, (949) 646-8845. Tues., 4 p.m. Free.

House On Haunted Hill. William Castle’s 1959 chiller stars horror icon Vincent Price as a millionaire who offers five people $10,000 if they spend the night with him and his wife in their spooky house. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, (949) 498-2139; casaromantica.org. Tues., 6 p.m. $5.

Mean Girls. Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures

Mean Girls. Teen Movie Night presents the 2004 comedy that was spun into a Broadway hit musical. Cady (Lindsay Lohan) is welcomed into her new high school’s cool-girl clique—until she falls for the ex-boyfriend of click leader Regina (Rachel McAdams). Fullerton Public Library, (714) 738-6327. Tues., 6 p.m. Free.

An American Werewolf In London. John Landis’ 1981 Oscar-winner begins with American pals David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) backpacking through the misty moors of Britain.David survives a bite by a large wolf, but Jack is brutally killed—and then returns to warn his pal that he will soon become a werewolf. Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Laguna Niguel at Ocean Ranch Village, 32401 Golden Lantern St., Laguna Niguel, (949) 373-7900; and Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Rancho Santa Margarita at Santa Margarita Town Center, 30632 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 835-1888. Tues., 7 p.m. $10; also at Starlight Cinema City, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, (714) 970-6700; starlightcinemas.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $7.

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. Fathom Events and Saban Films present showings of Kevin Smith’s new comedy about Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) returning to Hollywood to stop a reboot of Bluntman and Chronic. The first night features a video introduction by Smith, bonus content and free posters until they run out. The second screening also includes bonus content and a showing of 2001’s Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Smith and Mewes next take the movie on a tour of select markets as The Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Roadshow. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Tues. & Thurs., Oct. 17, 7 p.m. $15.

The Exorcist. William Friedkin’s 1973 horror masterpiece, which was adapted from William Peter Blatty’s best-seller, has a sweet 12-year-old (Linda Blair) exhibiting strange behavior that is soon accompanied by strange events in her Washington, D.C., home. Her actress mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks help from a medical doctor, a psychiatrist and eventually Roman Catholic priests, who suspect demonic possession is afoot. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $8.

The Exorcist. Photo courtesy Warner Bros.

Suspiria. It’s a 4K uncut restoration of Dario Argento’s 1977 horror flick about a young American student (Jessica Harper) arriving at a German dance academy, where she is thrust into a hallucinatory nightmare of witchcraft and murder. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed.-Thurs., Oct. 17, 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Talk to Her. The Pedro Almodóvar retrospective continues with his 2002 twister about a male nurse (Javier Cámara) and a travel writer (Darío Grandinetti) who have an encounter at a local play, then meet again in a hospital ward and discover they have remarkably parallel lives. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed.-Thurs., Oct. 17, 2:30, 6 & 8:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

The Man Who Knew Too Much. In this 1956 thriller, Alfred Hitchcock remakes his 1934 film. An American physician (James Stewart) and his wife (Doris Day) take matters into their own hands when their son is kidnapped by assassins planning to execute a foreign politician. Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

Creepshow. Stephen King, who collaborated with the late George Romero on this spooky anthology, appears in one story as a rural fellow who has a too-close encounter of the third kind. There’s also frightful segments on: a monster that escapes from a holding cell; a husband (Leslie Nielsen) who gets back at his cheating wife; and a homeowner (E.G. Marshall) with a very intense bug problem. Fullerton Public Library, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., Oct. 17, 1 p.m. Free.

The Secret Life of Pets 2. Chris Renaud and Jonathan del Val’s newish animated comedy continues the tale of dog Max (voiced by Patton Oswalt), bunny rabbit Snowball (Kevin Hart) and their pet friends leading secret lives after their owners leave for work or school. Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, (949) 646-8845. Thurs., Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. Free.

Psycho. Siegel continues A Night at the Movies’ Halloween series with the 1960 Hitchcock classic that must be among the most influential and blatantly ripped-off movies of all time. It’s about the uncomfortably close relationship between motel manager Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and his rocking chair-bound mother at a time when folks are disappearing. Bowers Museum; bowers.org. Thurs., Oct. 17, 6 p.m. $35-$55 (for the series, which runs through Oct. 24).

The Exhibition Room Silent Film Series. The speakeasy, which one enters with a password and through a phone booth, and Long Beach Heritage Museum continue their semi-regular screenings of silent films. On the screen will be spooky cinema in honor of Halloween, and in your tummy will be featured spirit Copper & Kings Absinthe. (Note to self: Uber!) The Exhibition Room—Long Beach Craft Cocktails, 1117 E. Wardlow Rd., Long Beach, (562) 826-2940; www.theexhibitionroom.com. Thurs., Oct. 17, 8 p.m. $20. 21+.

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