<<< August 2010 >>>

Sunday, August 1 – 7:30 PM ROCK-STEADY

Double Feature: HEAVY METAL, 1981, Sony Repertory, 90 min. Dir. Gerald Potterton. The artwork of Heavy Metal magazine reaches the screen in a series of dazzling episodes created by a variety of top animation studios. Classic rock tracks by Cheap Trick, Journey, Black Sabbath and others co-exist with a superb (and criminally underrated) Elmer Bernstein score to create a feast for the eyes and ears.

AMERICAN POP, 1981, Sony Repertory, 96 min. Dir. Ralph Bakshi. The bouncing and bruising story of four sets of fathers and sons, this is Bakshi’s musical cruise through rock’n roll history, fueled by classic tunes from Gershwin, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Seger, and dozens of others. Buy Tickets

COLIN FITZ LIVES!, 2010, Baby Shark Inc., 91 min. Dir. Robert Bella. Every year on the anniversary of rock idol Colin Fitz's death, something bizarre happens at his gravesite. Hired to stand sentinel by the grave, two bizarro, mismatched guards watch as an odditorium of fans come and go, including awesome supporting performances by William H. Macy, Martha Plimpton and John C. McGinley. One of the greatest films you’ve never seen, this film event is not to be missed! Discussion following with director Robert Bella and actor William H. Macy. Website | Trailer | Buy Tickets

Friday, August 6 – 7:30 PM

Larry Karaszewski Presents! Double Feature: MAN’S FAVORITE SPORT?, 1964, Universal, 120 min. "Listen to Rock Hudson's Sleeping Bag - Talk!" This later-era Howard Hawks classic stars Rock Hudson and Paula Prentiss as Roger and Abby, two headstrong overachievers wrangled into the ultimate battle of the sexes when Roger, the leading expert on sports fishing, is entered in a local fishing contest. The problem? Roger's never fished in his life. Delightful mayhem ensues as Roger and Abby unskillfully deal with the great outdoors. Trailer 

THE BLACK MARBLE, 1980, Stuart Lisell, 113 min. Dir. Harold Becker. Paula Prentiss is a cop who falls in love with her new partner (Robert Foxworth), but his alcoholic struggle to deal with the realities of his work creates a major obstacle. Adapted from a novel by Joseph Wambaugh. With James Woods, Harry Dean Stanton and Christopher Lloyd. Discussion between films with actress Paula Prentiss. Trailer | Buy Tickets

Sunday, August 8 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature: RACING WITH THE MOON, 1984, Paramount, 108 min. Dir. Richard Benjamin. The lives of friends Sean Penn, Elizabeth McGovern and Nicolas Cage are about to be changed forever by World War II in this elegiac gem from director Richard Benjamin. Astonishing 1940s period detail and a knockout cast (Michael Madsen, Crispin Glover and Dana Carvey are just a few of the supporting players) make this a must-see. Trailer | Buy Tickets

THE LAST OF SHEILA, 1973, Warner Bros., 120 min. Herbert Ross directs the ultimate puzzle movie! Producer James Coburn throws a party on his yacht for his friends and enemies: a struggling screenwriter (Richard Benjamin) and his rich wife (Joan Hackett), a down-at-his-heels former A-list director (James Mason), a fading starlet (Raquel Welch), her gigolo boyfriend (Ian McShane) and an acid-tongued agent (Dyan Cannon). But murder is afoot. Discussion between films with Richard Benjamin. Trailer | Buy Tickets

Wednesday, August 11 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature: TRAIL STREET, 1947, Warner Bros., 84 min. Dir. Ray Enright. Marshall Bat Masterson (Randolph Scott) arrives just in time to keep a Marshall-less and draught-ridden Kansas town afloat. But the local farmers are convinced they want to high-tail it out of there – can Masterson convince them to stay and help him fend off a vicious gang of outlaws? Also starring Anne Jeffreys as the local beauty, Ruby Stone.

RIFFRAFF, 1947, Warner Bros., 80 min. Dir. Ted Tetzlaff. When Pat O'Brien learns of a map leading the way to rich oil fields, he has to keep one step ahead of the thieves who want to get their hands on it. Luckily, he's got resourceful nightclub singer Maxine (Anne Jeffreys) to help him out. Discussion between films with actress Anne Jeffreys. Buy Tickets

STATE FAIR, 1962, 20th Century Fox, 118 min. Dir. Jose Ferrer. This bright and cheery CinemaScope 1960s remake relocates the state fair from Iowa to Texas and employs the charms of musical golden girl Ann-Margret as a singer who threatens to lure hometown boy Wayne (Pat Boone) away from his long-time girlfriend. Enjoy "Our State Fair," "It Might as Well Be Spring" and all the gloriously infectious Rodgers & Hammerstein tunes all over again! Discussion following with actor Pat Boone. Clip | Buy Tickets

DUEL, 1971, Universal, 88 min. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Originally broadcast as a television film (and later expanded for theatrical release), DUEL stars Dennis Weaver as a businessman crossing a stretch of deserted highway, who finds himself terrorized by a malevolent, unseen truck driver. Nerve-wracking suspense and superb, turbo-charged action in the best MAD MAX vein, from 25-year old gunslinger Steven Spielberg!

THX 1138, 1971, Warner Bros., 88 min. George Lucas' first (and most adult) picture outdoes 1984 and Brave New World in painting a bleak, dehumanized future where every person is given pills to quiet emotions, eliminate sex drive, increase work production and prevent the questioning of authority. With Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasance. Buy Tickets

FOURTH ANNUAL PRIME CUTS EVENT, 120 min. Co-hosted by the Television Academy and American Cinema Editors. Top television editors discuss their craft. This year’s panelists and moderator to be announced upon nomination announcements Read about previous year's event. Free to the public – first come, first seated.

GONE WITH THE WIND, 1939, Warner Bros., 222 min. Dir. Victor Fleming. In Civil War-era Georgia, Southern vixen Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) only has eyes for sensitive Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) - but wise-cracking hellraiser Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) is determined to win her heart, even if it means surviving the burning of Atlanta. Trailer | Buy Tickets

Wednesday, August 18 – 7:30 PM

Presented by the Consulate General of Belgium in Los Angeles, In Cooperation with Flanders Image and Wallonie Bruxelles Images, With the Support of E.L.M.A. (European Languages and Movies in America):

Los Angeles Premiere! PRIVATE LESSONS, 2008, Haut et Court, 105 min. At once wickedly funny and acerbically tense, director Joachim Lafosse's ace coming-of-age tale centers on Jonas (an excellent Jonas Bloquet), an aspiring tennis player who is rapidly flunking high school. In order to better his grades and ensure the continuation of his career on the tennis courts, Jonas seeks the tutorship of an older boy, Pierre. But Pierre has more wisdom to impart to Jonas than meets the eye, and the duo's "private lessons" quickly move from academics to more taboo subjects. "PRIVATE LESSONS more than confirms the rising talent of 33-year-old Belgian writer-director Joachim Lafosse." - Justin Chang, Variety Trailer | Buy Tickets

Thursday, August 19 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature: ORCHESTRA WIVES, 1942, 20th Century Fox, 98 min. Dir. Archie Mayo. Life is dreamy when Connie Ward (a terrific Ann Rutherford) is swept off her feet by Bill (George Montgomery), a dashing trumpeter in town with the Gene Morrison Band (a thinly veiled Glenn Miller Orchestra). But Connie soon finds that the other bandmates’ wives are determined to make her miserable. Includes Glenn Miller classics "Kalamazoo" and "People Like You and Me," among others! Clip

WASHINGTON MELODRAMA, 1941, Warner Bros., 80 min. Dir. S. Sylvan Simon. Philanthropic industrialist Calvin Claymore (Frank Morgan) takes a lobbying trip to Washington and finds himself implicated in a murder. The intrigue and politics get more and more complex as Calvin works to solve the crime and get his bill passed. Ann Rutherford shines as Claymore’s daughter, who gets involved with a reporter on the story. Discussion between films with actress Ann Rutherford. Buy Tickets

THELMA AND LOUISE, 1991, MGM Repertory, 128 min. Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) take a fishing trip to get away from their dead-end relationships, only to end up dispatching a would-be rapist. This results in a cross-country rampage on the lam from the law, all culminating in one of the most daring, simultaneously uplifting/downbeat climaxes ever recorded on film, due in no small part to Ridley Scott’s expert direction and Callie Khouri’s gutsy script. With Harvey Keitel and a young Brad Pitt in his breakout role. Discussion following with screenwriter Callie Khouri. Trailer | Buy Tickets

Thursday, August 26 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature: "Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa," 2006, BBC, 79 min. Michael Sheen excels as Kenneth Williams, the wildly popular British comic and star of the much-loved CARRY ON films. A consummate entertainer loved by everyone but himself, Williams could create a thousand voices and characters and yet was unable to live comfortably within his own skin. Sheen garnered a well-deserved BAFTA nomination for his performance.

CARRY ON CAMPING, 1969, MGM Repertory, 88 min. Dir. Gerald Thomas. The 17th film in the classic long-running British comedy series finds Sid and Bernie (Sid James and Bernard Bresslaw) a little frustrated by their prudish girlfriends; they decide that a camping holiday to a nudist colony will be just the trick. Things get a little jumbled on the way to all the naked people, and the foursome instead end up encountering some of the strangest (and most hilarious) characters ever, including Kenneth Williams as the hysterically unforgettable Dr. Soaper, headmaster of the Chayste Place Finishing School. Discussion between films with actor Michael Sheen. Trailer | Buy Tickets

HEATHERS, 1988, 103 min. Shy Veronica (Winona Ryder) aspires to become a member of the most popular clique in school, but instead joins forces with a quirky rebel (Christian Slater) who gleefully plots to kill off the cool kids and make it look like suicide. Director Michael Lehmann perfectly delivers a razor-sharp tone and screenwriter Daniel Waters jams the piece with quotable (and often hilariously profane) dialogue. Discussion following the film with director Michael Lehmann and screenwriter Daniel Waters. Trailer | Buy Tickets

Saturday, August 28 – 7:30 PM

Unifrance Presents, with the Support of the French Film and TV Office, French Embassy, Sponsored by TV5: French Actor Romain Duris In Person! Double Feature: THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED (DE BATTRE MON COEUR S’EST ARRETE), 2005, New Yorker Films, 108 min. Jacques Audiard’s (A PROPHET) French-language remake of James Toback's FINGERS retains that film's premise - the story of a concert pianist employed by the mob - but takes it in a more contemplative, romantic direction. Romain Duris is superb as the hero, whose life grows increasingly complicated as he tries to remain true to himself. Trailer

IN PARIS (DANS PARIS), 2006, IFC, 92 min. Dir. Christophe Honoré. When Paul (Romain Duris) gets dumped by his girlfriend, he moves back home with his dad and womanizing brother; the result is a charming meditation on love and its disappointments. "A genuinely honest, unpretentious and delightful, small film... the pic's understanding of depression, embodied by the chameleon-like Romain Duris, is as accurate as it is unadorned by artifice." – Jay Weissberg, Variety Discussion between films with actor Romain Duris. Trailer | Buy Tickets