Oscar Nominated Short Films. The Oscars are over, but the screenings continue. Academy Award Best Live Action Short Film nominees: 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. 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 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. The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Live action, Thurs., March 8, 1, 5:30 & 9 p.m.; documentary, Thurs., March 8, 1:30 & 7 p.m.; animated, Thurs., March 8, 3 & 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.
It. ASIP Thursday Night Film Series presents last year’s horror flick that is set in the summer of 1989 in a small Maine town, where a group of bullied kids band together to destroy a shape-shifting, child-terrorizing monster that disguises itself as a clown. Cal State Fullerton, Titan Student Union Titan Theatre, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, (657) 278-2468. Thurs., March 8, 4, 7 & 10 p.m. Free.
Chavela. The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) celebrates International Women’s Day with a sold-out screening of Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi’s documentary about Mexican ranchera legend and LGBTQ icon Chavela Vargas. Born in Costa Rica in 1919, Vargas ran away to Mexico City as a teenager to sing in the streets. By the 1950s, she became a household name in her adopted country, delivering her performances with a raw passion and unique voice. Also a bold, rebellious, sexual pioneer, she was known for having many female lovers at a time when being out in Mexico was dangerous. Onscreen, Pedro Almodvar, Elena Benarroch and Miguel Bos sing Chavela’s praises. Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, (562) 437-1689. Thurs., March 8, 7 p.m. Sold out.
National Theatre Live: Hamlet. Simulcast into theaters is an encore of the 2015 London stage production directed by Lyndsey Turner. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralyzed by looming war, Hamlet (Benedict Cumberbatch) rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening his sanity and the states security. 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, (714) 373-4573; Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20, 26701 Aliso Creek Rd., Aliso Viejo, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, 65 Fortune Dr., Irvine, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, 7501 E. Carson, Long Beach, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., March 8, 7 p.m. $18.
Before We Vanish. It’s a new alien-invasion sci-fi thriller from acclaimed Japanese horror director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Pulse, Cure). Three aliens, who travel to Earth on a reconnaissance mission before a mass invasion, take possession of human bodies, rob them of their essence and leave them unrecognizable to family members. In Japanese with English subtitles. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Thurs., March 15, call for show times. $7-$10.
Have a Nice Day. Chinese animation director Liu Jian’s acclaimed 2017 pulp fiction starts with slacker Xiao Zhang, who is desperate to pay for his fiance’s failed plastic surgery, stealing from his boss a bag with $1 million inside. That sets off a hunt for Xiao and the money—as well as neo-noir filled double crosses. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m.; Sat., 11:45 a.m., 3:30, 5:30 & 10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m., 1:30, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 2:30 & 4:30 p.m.; Wed.-Thurs., March 14-15, 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.
Senior Thesis Cycle 2 Film Screenings. These senior thesis films premiere, but not in this order: Amal; By Rivers Edge; My Daughter Is 14; Year of the Slut; and Reverie. Titles are subject to change. Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, 283 N. Cypress St., Orange, (714) 997-6765; chapman.edu/dodge/. Fri., 7 p.m. Free.
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.” OC Weekly’s Friday Night Freakouts entry is a special “St. Patrick’s Day Show” from Frida’s resident shadowcast K.A.O.S. And Midnight Insanity performs alongside what’s flashed on the Art Theatre’s screen. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 11:30 p.m. $7-$10; also at the Art Theatre, (562) 438-5435. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $8.50-$11.50.
The Met: Live in HD: Semiramide. The Rossini masterpiece of dazzling vocal fireworks returns to the Met for the first time in nearly 25 years. Angela Meade sings the title role of the murderous Queen of Babylon, who squares off in breathtaking duets with Arsace, a trouser role sung by Elizabeth DeShong. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. AMC Orange 30 at the Outlets, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange, (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, 99 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach, (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., 9:55 a.m.; encore, Wed., 1 & 6:30 p.m. $18-$24.
Aus Dem Nichts (In the Fade). Diane Kruger, who was so great alongside Demin Bichir in FX’s The Bridge, was born in Algermissen, Germany, but Fatih Akin’s Aus Dem Nichts is her first German-language film. It won Kruger the best actress prize at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival for playing Katja, whose life falls apart when her husband and their little son die in a bomb attack. Painful mourning turns into a rabid quest for justice in this English-subtitled drama. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m. $8.50-$11.50.
Coraline. Frida kicks off this year’s family classic matinee series with director Henry Selick’s 2009 adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s book. Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is bored and missing her friends after she moves with her parents from Michigan to Oregon. She discovers a small, blocked-off door in her new living room leads to the Other World, which offers an alternative life to the one Caroline knows. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m. $7.
Initial D Legend Part 3: Dream! Crunchyroll presents the third installment from the Initial D Legend trilogy, which is a condensed adaptation of the original manga by Shuichi Shigeno. The anime charts Takumi Fujiwara’s rise as a street racer in Gunma Prefecture. Less thrilling is his day job: delivering tofu for his father’s business. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 1:30 p.m. $12.
Grad Thesis Cycle 1 & 2 Film Screenings. These graduate thesis films premiere, but not in this order: Vox Girl; To Kill a Good Samaritan; Before the Thunder; and Faded. Titles are subject to change. Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Marion Knott Studios, Folino Theater, (714) 997-6765; chapman.edu/dodge/. Sat., 7 p.m. Free.
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: the Musical—Le Mouvement Final! Sailor Moon is a Japanese shojo manga series by Naoko Takeuchi that was serialized as an anime in the 1990s. But what is showing onscreen now is an HD presentation of a live stage musical in which Usagi and the super-idol group the Three Lights join forces in Sailor Moon’s final battle for the future of the galaxy. Presented in Japanese with English subtitles. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 3:30 p.m. $15.
The Royal Opera House: Tosca. Dan Ettinger conducts a cast led by Adrianne Pieczonka, Joseph Calleja and Gerald Finley in Puccini’s operatic thriller that is directed by Jonathan Kent. After painter Mario Cavaradossi helps a fugitive escape, sadistic Chief of Police Scarpia tortures Cavaradossi within earshot of his lover, the singer Tosca. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446; Regency South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Sun., 12:55 p.m.; Tues., 7 p.m. $15.
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie. Anime fans are treated to a digitally remastered version of the 2004 box-office hit and the never-before-seen first episode of the sixth Yu-Gi-Oh! anime series, Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS, both dubbed in English. In the flick, heroic Yugi squares off against archrival Kaiba in an adventure in which the danger is amped up because the imaginary monsters in their playing cards become ferociously real . . . and then an old evil enters the fray. AMC Downtown Disney, 1565 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 776-2355; 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 Anaheim Hills 14, 8030 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim Hills, (714) 282-5953; Edwards Big Newport 6, 300 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26, (844) 462-7342; Edwards Westpark 8, 3735 Alton Pkwy., Irvine, (844) 462-7342; www.fathomevents.com. Sun., 12:55 p.m.; Mon., 7 p.m. $12.50.
Mulholland Drive. David Lynch’s creepy 2001 neo-noir mystery screens as part of Chapman University’s “Los Angeles in Film and Fiction” series at Frida. Rita (Laura Harring) is involved in a car crash on Mulholland Drive in Hollywood with two men who are apparently evil. One man dies, yet Rita remembers nothing, not even her name. Perky wannabe starlet Betty (Naomi Watts) helps her search Los Angeles for clues. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sun., 1 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 7 p.m. $7-$10.
Sonic Sea. The Ocean Institute and Festival of Whales host the screening of this documentary, which is followed by an audience Q&A with co-director/co-producer Daniel Hinerfeld. The film posits that oceans are a sonic symphony and their sounds are essential to the survival and prosperity of marine life. But as the footage shows, manmade ocean noise threatens this fragile world. Produced by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Imaginary Forces, in association with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Diamond Docs, the film is narrated by actress Rachel McAdams; features music by Sting; and includes as talking heads Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Paul Spong, Dr. Christopher Clark and Jean-Michel Cousteau. A cash bar and food trucks are available before and during the film. The Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, (949) 496-2274. Sun., 6 p.m. $10.
The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Frida theater manager Andy’s birthday is celebrated with one of his favorite films. A town’s sheriff (Burt Reynolds), who frequents a historical whorehouse, fights to keep it running when a TV reporter targets it as the Devil’s playhouse. Dolly Parton and Dom DeLuise co-star in the 1982 musical comedy. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.
Dr. Zhivago. It’s been 53 years since David Lean’s epic hit the silver screen. A Russian poet/physician (Omar Sharif) lives through the hardships of World War I, followed by the October revolution. How about his love life? Well, though married to his cousin (Geraldine Chaplin), he falls in love with the wife (Julie Christie) of a political activist (Tom Courtenay). Regency South Coast Village, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $8.50.
Sorry, Wrong Number. Barbara Stanwyck claimed that the terror she played in the bedroom scenes of Anatole Litvak’s 1948 noir film made her hair begin to prematurely gray. I wonder if all the times I saw those scenes over the years is what made my hair begin to prematurely gray. Stanwyck, as a woman who is confined to her bed, overhears on the telephone what she thinks is a murder plot and tries to prevent it. Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards and Ed Begley Jr.’s father co-star. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own light snacks and covered beverages, but alcohol is not allowed. Fullerton Public Library, Osborne Auditorium, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6327. Thurs., March 15, 1 p.m. Free.
The Breakfast Club. ASIP Thursday Night Film Series presents this 1985 John Hughes film that is filled with parts that will make you wince, especially when the Brat Packers attempt to get deep. Cal State Fullerton, Titan Student Union Titan Theatre, (657) 278-2468. Thurs., March 15, 4, 7 & 10 p.m. Free.
Terrifier. Horror site DreadCentral.com launches a new series with this spinoff of the 2013 horror anthology All Hallows’ Eve, both of which were written and directed by Damien Leone. On Halloween night, maniacal Art the Clown terrorizes three young women—as well as anyone else who crosses his path. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., March 15, 10 p.m. $7-$10.
OC Weekly Editor-in-Chief Matt Coker has been engaging, enraging and entertaining readers of newspapers, magazines and websites for decades. He spent the first 13 years of his career in journalism at daily newspapers before “graduating” to OC Weekly in 1995 as the alternative newsweekly’s first calendar editor.