OPTIMUS PRIME TIME
Explosions. Power ballads. Incoherent plots. That's right, it's Michael Bay time. If you've got a vehicle or military fetish, head on over to Cinemark El Con on Thursday, June 26 for all the mayhem and destruction you can handle. Starting at 6:15 p.m., it's a Transformers double feature. First up is the 2007 live-action movie starring Shia "Bad Publicist" LaBeouf, and at 9 p.m. it's the debut of the latest in the series, Transformers: Age of Extinction, starring Mark "Straight Up Shilling Burgers" Wahlberg. For ticket prices and other information, visit cinemark.com.
TAKING OFF TO TURKEY POINT
The Loft Cinema's been playing the films of the Prince of Puke, John Waters, all month long. They're ending the series run this Thursday, June 26 with the 1990 film Cry-Baby. Starring Johnny Depp as a juvenile delinquent crooner from the wrong side of the tracks, Cry-Baby is a rockin' and rollin' 1950s spin on Romeo & Juliet. Along for the ride are Ricki Lake, Iggy Pop, the scandalous Traci Lords and the notorious Patty Hearst. The film starts at 7 p.m., but show up early for a fashion show by local fashion line Candy Strike. There'll even be a Waters-themed costume contest! Tickets are regular admission.
BODY MELT AND BARF BAGS
On Friday, June 27, the Loft presents The All-Nite Scream-O-Rama. This lineup includes George Romero's masterpiece Dawn of the Dead, Wes Craven's influential A Nightmare on Elm Street, the messy Body Melt from Australia, and several other scare flicks. There's also vintage trailers playing before each film, shocking short films, barf bags and other giveaways. Bring your pajamas and your favorite pillow, this 12-hour festival starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until 7 a.m. Tickets are $13, $15 day of, and $12 for Loft members.
MOVING RIGHT ALONG
If gory and scary horror movies aren't your thing and you're looking to make more of a "rainbow connection," the Loft has something for you too. On Saturday, June 28, prepare your lungs for The Muppet Movie Sing-Along. Sing in harmony along Kermit, Ms. Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band, plus Steve Martin, Madeline Khan, and a very grumpy Orson Welles! The fun starts at 7 p.m., and make sure you enter the "World's Biggest Muppet Fan" contest. Don't miss out on the free rainbow glow sticks! Tickets are $8, and kids younger than 12 and Loft members are $6. For more information, visit loftcinema.com.
HOBO LIFE
Downtown's Exploded View Microcinema has a special one-of-a-kind show on Sunday, June 29. Visual artist and filmmaker Bill Daniel presents a look into the railroad hobo life with his 2005 documentary Who Is Bozo Texino, along with a few other short films. Accompanying him is Ralph White, formerly of the punk-bluegrass band The Bad Livers. White's gonna provide an improv soundtrack. This all goes down at 7:30 p.m. For ticket price and other information, visit explodedviewgallery.org.
