Under Your Spell [Special Screenings, April 4-11]

Drive. Photo courtesy Film District

The Beach Bum. The irreverent 2019 stoner comedy follows Moondog (Matthew McConaughey), a rebellious and lovable rogue who lives life large—in a story that only director Harmony Korine (Gummo, Spring Breakers) can do justice. Various theaters; www.fandango.com. Thurs.-Thurs., April 4-11. Visit website for locations, show times and ticket prices; also at Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sat. & Mon.-Thurs., April 11, 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 p.m. $7-$10.

Loving Vincent + The Impossible Dream. It’s a double feature with the first entirely oil-painted feature-length movie and a documentary about the decade-long, painstaking process of producing the 2017 drama. In the former, directors Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman detail the final days of Vincent Van Gogh, as seen through the eyes of a young man delivering the troubled artist’s final letter. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., April 4, 1, 4 & 7 p.m. $7-$10.

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. “Paging Mr. Herman, Mr. Pee-Wee Herman.” Actually, neither he nor Paul Reubens are being honored with these screenings; Frida’s director of the month Tim Burton is. His 1985 cult classic has the eccentric man-child setting off on an adventure after someone snatches his beloved red, customized Schwinn (a.k.a. the greatest bicycle on Earth). The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., April 4, 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 5:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.

Mine vaganti (Loose Cannons). Photo courtesy Fandango

Mine vaganti (Loose Cannons). Italian Movie Night presents Ferzan Ozpetek’s 2010 rom-dramedy about a college student in Rome going home on a break to southern Italy, where he is to tell his family he is gay. But his brother ruins his plans. Regency San Juan Capistrano, 26762 Verdugo St., San Juan Capistrano, (949) 661-3456. Thurs., April 4, 7 p.m. $10.

The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. Originally filmed in December 1968 as a television special, two nights of concert footage capture not only the Stones, but also The Who; Jethro Tull (with future Black Sabbath guitarist Tommy Iommi filling in for the then-recently departed Mick Abrahams); Marianne Faithful; and an all-star jam with John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell. these would be the final live shows for Stones founder Brian Jones, who died within six months of filming. Starlight Cinema City, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, (714) 970-6700; Starlight Triangle Cinemas, 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 650-4300; starlightcinemas.com. Thurs., April 4, 7 p.m.; Fri., 10:30 p.m. Call theaters for ticket prices.

Transform. Marlon Beroit’s movie is about her life and the LGBTQ community. “I’m ready to show everyone my life and everything that made me the person I am today,” Beroit says. “I’m ready to transform.” Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Thurs., April 4, 9 p.m. $7.

The Field Guide to Evil. In this 2018 horror anthology, an array of international filmmakers spin stories that speak to the myths, lore and folktales that have captivated, galvanized and frightened us curled-up-in-ballers for centuries. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., April 4, 10 p.m. $7-$10.

The Chaperone. A Downton Abbey movie scheduled to be released this year reunites series creator Julian Fellowes, director of four episodes Michael Engler and “Countess Crawley” Elizabeth McGovern. But first comes Engler’s new drama that Fellowes adapted from Laura Moriarty’s book and stars McGovern as a teetotaler chaperoning a free-spirited young dancer (Haley Lu Richardson) from Kansas to New York City in the Roaring ’20s. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Opens Fri. Call theater for show times and ticket prices.

Diane. Photo courtesy Sight Unseen Pictures

Diane. In Kent Jones’ new drama, a woman (Mary Kay Place) checks in on sick friends, volunteers at her local soup kitchen and looks after a drug-addicted son. But her generosity and self-sacrifices hide an internal battle caused by her troubled past. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Opens Fri. Call theater for show times and ticket prices.

Black Site. Tom Paton’s indie-genre mash-up is set deep inside an underground military base, where Elite fighters are forced by a supernatural entity to battle an army from another world. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sun., noon; Mon.-Tues., 10:30 p.m.; Wed., 2:30, 5 & 10 p.m.; Thurs., April 10-11, 2:30 & 5 p.m. $7-$10.

The Wind. IFC Midnight presents Emma Tammi’s directorial debut that is billed as an indie horror-western. An unseen force terrorizes a young woman and a couple living on the remote American frontier in the 19th century. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.; Sat., 11:59 p.m.; Sun.-Thurs., April 11, 10 p.m. $7-$10.

Zootopia. Yet another recent toon with funny people voicing animals (or is it vice versa?). A rabbit cop tries to solve a missing-persons case in a city inhabited by anthropomorphic animals (Newport Coast?). Bring swimsuits, towels and your favorite inflatable to this family Flick n’ Float screening, where there will also be music, games, crafts and a concession stand. Sierra Recreation and Fitness Center, 26887 Recodo Lane, Mission Viejo, (949) 859-4348. Fri., 6 p.m. $5; ages 5 and younger, free. RSVP highly recommended.

A Star Is Born. Outdoor Movie Night presents Bradley Cooper’s 2018 feature directorial debut, in which he plays a seasoned musician who discovers and falls in love with a struggling artist (Lady Gaga). As her career takes off, he fights his inner demons. Bring blankets and low-height lawn chairs. Popcorn and valet parking are free; beer and wine are sold. The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 S. Pelican Hill Rd., Newport Beach, (855) 315-8214. Fri., site opens, 7 p.m.; screening, 7:30 p.m. $20. 18+.

Gummo. Photo courtesy Fine Line Features

Gummo. Harmony Korine is represented elsewhere in these listings with his new film Beach Bum, but his directorial debut was this 1997 cult classic about residents of a tiny, tornado-raved Ohio town trying to fill their boring, nihilistic lives. See a young Chlo‘ Sevigny! The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 10 p.m.; Sat., 11:59 p.m. $7-$10.

Stiv. Danny Garcia documentaries featuring late punk icons include The Rise and Fall of the Clash (Joe Strummer) and Sad Vacation (the Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious). Now the filmmaker shifts his focus to Dead Boys and the Lords of the New Church front man Stiv Bators. But Garcia is said to look beyond the artist’s well-known self-destruction to explore Bators’ soul with never-before-seen archival footage and new interviews with former band members and such collaborators as Jimmy Zero, Joey Ramone and Slim Jim Phantom. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sat., 10 p.m. $7-$10.

Howl’s Moving Castle. GKIDS and Fathom Events’ Studio Ghibli Fest 2019 kicks off with monthly screenings of anime classics, including a 15th-anniversary showing of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s 2004 fantasy that scored an Oscar nomination. After being turned into a 90-year-old woman by the vain and conniving Witch of the Waste, teenager Sophie embarks on a quest to lift the curse that takes her to mysterious wizard Howl’s magical moving castle. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Sat., 12:55 p.m. (dubbed in English); Mon., 7 p.m. (English subtitles); Wed., 7 p.m. (dubbed). $12.50.

OC Pride Closet Ball. Isabella Xochitl, Electra Kute and Alessandra Divine host the sixth-annual OC Pride fundraiser, with all proceeds benefitting the “Stand Up, Stand Out” LGBT Pride Festival coming to downtown Santa Ana. Think of Closet Ball as Drag Eye for the New Drag Guy, as contestants who have never performed in drag are paired with drag mentors before taking the stage in hopes of being crowned Ms. Closet Ball 2019. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 7 p.m. $15; VIP (seating center in third, fourth or fifth rows), $30; DIVA! (seating in first and second rows, plus one-on-one meet-and-greet with drag performers and mentors), $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 Midnight Insanity performs. Art Theatre; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $9-$12.

Bolshoi Ballet: The Golden Age. Beamed into theaters from Moscow is this ballet that is set during the Roaring ’20s, when a young fisherman and a local gangster fall head over spats for a beautiful dancer. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Sun., 12:55 p.m. $16-$18; also at Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Sun., 1:15 p.m.; Tues., 7 p.m. $14-$17.

Bomb, A Love Story. Photo courtesy Dreamlab Films

Bomb, a Love Story. Payman Maadi’s 2018 rom-dram is set at the height of the 1988 Iran-Iraq War, with hope, love and affection managing to survive relentless bombing in Tehran. Starlight Cinema City, (714) 970-6700. Sun., 4 p.m. $10-$12.

Drive. Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 crime drama is about a Hollywood stuntman (Ryan Gosling) having second thoughts about moonlighting as a getaway driver for an underworld boss played by Mr. Albert Brooks. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Mon.-Tues., 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.

Noah. Fathom Events and Sight & Sound beam into theaters a staged production of the Old Testament story. Despite impossible odds and the scrutiny of onlookers, Noah sets out to fulfill God’s really specific command. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Tues., 2:30 & 6:30 p.m.; Thurs., April 11, 6:30 p.m. $12.50.

Our Bodies Our Doctors. UC Irvine Gender and Sexuality Studies presents Jan Haaken’s documentary on what it means to be an abortion provider today. They are confronted by political rhetoric, threats of violence and even efforts to criminalize what they do, but Haaken seeks to strike a hopeful tone because of the access to skilled, compassionate care provided to women. She participates in a Q&A after the screening. UC Irvine, McCormick Screening Room, Humanities Gateway 1070, Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Wed., 5 p.m. Free.

The Longest Journey—The Movie. HD-CARE presents this documentary on a family cycling 3,000 miles, 24 hours a day, from coast to coast, to raise awareness of the terminal Huntington’s disease ravishing their matriarch. Light snacks and refreshments are served. UCI, The Cove, 5141 California Ave., Ste. 200, Irvine, (949) 824-4530. Wed., 5:30 p.m. Free, but you must RSVP in advance to Karen Thorburn at KT*********@ya***.com.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Photo courtesy Fathom Events

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. After 25 years of starts and stops and even a documentary that chronicled near disasters during filmmaking (2002’s Lost in La Mancha), Terry Gilliam’s adventure fantasy finally comes to the big screen with a one-night-only event kicking off the theatrical run. A cynical advertising director (Adam Driver) is mistaken for Sancho Panza by an old Spanish shoe maker (Jonathan Price), who believes he is Don Quixote. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $12.50.

Cat Video Fest. It is exactly what the title suggests: silly cat videos. But unlike your YouTube insomnia enablers, the screening of the 70-minute collection, partly benefits Moon Cat Cafe, whose van parked outside includes a café, pussy merchandise and felines up for adoption. Me to the ow. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed.-Thurs., April 11, 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.

Spirited Away. Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning anime fantasy has Chihiro’s mom and dad undergoing a mysterious transformation before the girl is whisked into a world of fantastic spirits, shape-shifting dragons and a wicked witch. Regency South Coast Village, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

Ocean’s 11. A week after showing the 1960 original starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., “The Art of the Heist” Thursday matinee series presents the 2001 stylish remake. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) assembles a colorful crew to pull the ultimate Las Vegas job. You can bring food and drink to the screening, but no booze or it’s lights out. Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., April 11, 1 p.m. Free.

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