American Blackout. Documentary look at the voting irregularities of 2000 and 2004, irregularities the Republicans insist had no significant bearing on the final results and certainly won't be a problem in this election. And if you don't believe them, you're a terrorist. Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, 117 N. Sycamore Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 667-1517. Fri., 8 p.m. Free, but RSVP required.
Black Narcissus. Deborah Kerr, Jean Simmons and Sabu star in Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's 1947 drama about a group of Anglican nuns struggling to establish a religious community in the Himalayas. Short subjects, cartoons and other goodies are also on the bill. Long Beach School for Adults Auditorium, 3701 E. Willow St., Long Beach, (562) 997-8000, ext. 7198. Fri., 7 p.m. $1 materials fee.
The Emmitt Till Story. Documentary about the tragic story of Emmett Louis Till, a 14-year-old black boy who was visiting relatives along the Mississippi Delta in 1955 when he was murdered for whistling at a white woman. Education 2000+ Bookstore, 309 Pine Ave., Long Beach, (562) 435-1199; www.edunow.com. Thurs., Nov. 9, 7 p.m. Free.
The Films of Elizabeth Subrin. Documentary filmmaker Elisabeth Subrin appears at this screening of a selection of her short films. Shulie is an examination of Second Wave feminism, while Swallow looks at anorexia and depression. There's also a preview of Subrin's latest film. It's the latest show in the UC Irvine Film and Video Center's Los Angeles/Experimental Film Series. UCI Humanities Instruction Building, Room 100, Campus N W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.humanities.uci.edu/fvc. Thurs., Nov. 2. Screening, 7 p.m.; reception, 6:30 p.m. $3-$5.
Harold and Maude. Harold (Bud Cort) is a hapless rich boy who passes the time by concocting elaborate suicide rituals. Enter Maude (Ruth Gordon), a septuagenarian free spirit. The pair strike up a bizarre but touching friendship that eventually blossoms into something . . . gross. Even if, as a preacher in the film puts it, the thought of Cort's young body commingling with Gordon's withered flesh, sagging breasts and flabby buttocks makes you want to vomit, you could still find yourself charmed by this peculiar little gem. Bay Theatre, 340 Main St., Seal Beach, (562) 431-9988. Fri., 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 6 p.m.; Mon., 8 p.m.; Wed., 8 p.m. $6-$8.
Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers. Documentary filmmaker Robert Greenwald (Outfoxed) takes you inside the lives of everyday people who have been forever changed as a result of profiteering in the reconstruction of Iraq. Education 2000+ Bookstore, 309 Pine Ave., Long Beach, (562) 435-1199; www.edunow.com. Thurs., Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. Free.
Macario. Ignacio Lpez Tarso stars in Roberto Gavaldn's 1960 film about the Mexican Day of the Dead, screening as part of the Cultural Stage of Art's own Day of the Dead celebrations. Cultural Stage of Art, 410-B W. Fourth St., Ste. 4, Santa Ana, (714) 543-1370. Sat., 6:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
Maquilapolis.Filmmakers Vicky Funari and Sergio de la Torre appear at the screening of their documentary on the sweatshops of Tijuana. Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 759-1122; www.ocma.net. Thurs., Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m. Free.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Midnight Insanity presents Richard O'Brien's cult classic, glam-rock, horror musical. On the freakin' Queen Mary, of all places. Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 694-4411 or (562) 235-8053; www.midnightinsanity.com. Sat., midnight. $8; tickets go on sale at 10:30 p.m.
The Searchers. John Ford arguably kicked off the revisionist western genre with this thoughtful and gorgeously executed film, starring John Wayne as a surly, racist old man out to kill his niece for being “corrupted” by the Comanche. While most of Wayne's nearly 250 movies are historical curiosities at best today, a handful—mostly the films he made with Ford—still stand as worthwhile pictures in their own rights. Of these, The Searchers easily makes the shortlist. Perhaps not-so-coincidentally, it is an anomalous picture in Wayne's career, one in which the darkness implicit in all of his characters comes to the fore. Pierside Surfcity, 300 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, (714) 969-3151. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $7.
The Spook Who Sat by the Door. Film version of Sam Greenlee's cult hit novel about a black man who overcomes tremendous opposition to join the CIA, only to find that once he's got the job, he's relegated to making copies and giving tours. Education 2000+ Bookstore, 309 Pine Ave., Long Beach, (562) 435-1199; www.edunow.com. Mon., 7 p.m. Free.
Undoing. Korean-American Director Chris Chan Lee appears for this screening of his brand-new, neo-noir picture set in LA's Koreatown. The film follows a man who returns to Koreatown itching for revenge and his friend and mentor, a retired gangster, who is just as desperate to put the world of crime behind him.UCI Humanities Instruction Building, Room 100, Campus N W. Peltason drs., Irvine, (949) 824-7418; www.humanities.uci.edu/fvc. Thurs., Nov. 9. Screening, 7 p.m.; reception, 6:30 p.m. $3-$5.
Mail your press releases (and a videotape, 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.
