The Loft
Cult Classic. They say the third time's the charm, and when the first two attempts in a trio are as fantastic as The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II, then the third time is fated to be a masterpiece. And Army of Darkness, the follow-up to that astonishing cliffhanger-of-an-ending in Evil Dead II, is a perfect example of this. It's playing at 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. When Ash Williams finds himself, his Oldsmobile and his totally wicked chainsaw arm transported to the Middle Ages, the short story is that hilarity ensues. The slightly longer story is that Ash takes on an army of darkness, a hard-to-pronounce incantation, a new love interest and a mission to get back to the present. For the full-length story, you'll have to go see it at The Loft.
Mondo Monday. Let's all come together to Hail Satan one last time for the last Mondo Monday hit of October, The Devil's Rain, showing at 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30. "Heaven help us all when THE DEVIL'S RAIN," reads the theatrical poster, and heaven help us all, indeed: Vincent Canby in The New York Times, called this film "as horrible as watching an egg fry," and Roger Ebert hailed it as "painfully dull." But as you watch William Shatner try to escape the devil, John Travolta melt into a puddle of waxy goo and a series of irrational explosions go off, you'll have to be the judge.
The Rocky Horror Halloween Bash! So, it's not exactly news that the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show is playing at The Loft, but this is special. It's to honor the freakiest night of the year (a few days early) with pre-show games, some spooky giveaways, a costume contest with a $100 grand prize and a virgin sacrifice! And, with this being the 38th year of this Halloween extravaganza, the celebration is now the same age as the ever-relevant Kourtney Kardashian and Pete Wentz.
The International Ocean Film Tour Vol. 4. The ocean is perhaps the most mysterious and beautiful part of our planet, and it definitely takes first in terms of covering the most surface area. This movie evening will present some of the most beautiful ocean scenes and inspiring characters across seven films, ranging in length from three minutes to 40 minutes. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the deep blue (or come as close to it as you can, living in Arizona) at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29.
New. You've probably heard that Christopher Robin, the sole human character in A.A. Milne's beloved Winnie the Pooh series, was based on a real person—Milne's son, in fact. But in Goodbye Christopher Robin, which begins showing on Friday, Oct. 27, audiences have a chance to learn about him, and about how his dad's sudden catapult to success affected the family when all eyes turned to the author and his muse.
New. The Florida Project, which begins showing on Friday, Oct. 27, examines the effects of compassion, the realities of those living on the margins of American society and the tenacity of (in a break from the usual) a young daughter's love for her mother. Director Sean Baker delivers in this follow-up to the acclaimed 2015 Tangerine, which was shot using three iPhones. Back with better equipment and some standout new actors, Baker tells a story about how, even in a big scary world, life can be pretty wonderful if you choose to look at it like a 6-year-old.
Can You Dig This? In a special screening at Las Milpitas Community Farm, 2405 S. Cottonwood Lane, reflect on whether or not you might be able to dig it, and hear the story of people who can. The free 6 p.m. screening on Friday, Oct. 27 tells the story of a group of gardeners who are part of an urban gardening movement exactly where you'd least expect it, in South L.A. Can a connection to the earth and all of its colors and forms of life generate a new way of being for people in a grey city where life is sometimes seen as disposable? Without spoiling anything, we'll just say that it can. Preceded by a short film by Flowers and Bullets, with Geronimo's Revenge Food Truck arriving at 5:30.
Casa Video and Casa Film Bar
Winona's Beetlejuice Birthday Party. For Halloween weekend, Casa Film Bar invites you to dress up as your favorite Winona for a night where she'll be up on screen the whole time (Beetlejuice plays at 7). The problem is, how do you pick a favorite Winona? Do you go for those Lydia Deetz bangs in Beetlejuice? The wide-eyed, snowy-haired Kim Boggs from Edward Scissorhands? Or the ever-gorgeous/possibly mental Joyce Byers in Stranger Things? The possibilities are endless, and there will be a prize for the best-dressed Winona! Nhu Lan Vietnamese Food Truck will be there from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 28, Casa Video and Casa Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Facebook.com/events/134117220659282.
Halloweentown. In the mood for a casual Sunday matinee and some Debbie Reynolds? Get over to Casa Film Bar at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29 for a special screening of the Disney classic. Dress up as a character from the movie, or dress up as whatever you want (just keep it kid friendly), or—if you're a huge square—don't dress up at all. Enjoy the series of hijinx that take place when the Pipers take a bus to Halloweentown, including collecting ghost sweat, staving off passes from a goblin and thawing the townspeople. Facebook.com/events/484851211885999.
Harkins Theatres Tuesday Night Classics
Halloween. Before Jamie Lee Curtis was the face of yogurt, she was Arnold Schwarzenegger's awkward bombshell of a wife in True Lies. But before that, she made her big screen debut in Halloween, the 1978 slasher that introduced the world to Michael Myers and holds up surprisingly well. Watch a night of babysitting and teenage antics go awry on Tuesday, Oct. 31, the only date that makes sense to show this movie. Join Donald Pleasance, P.J. Soles, Nick Castle and the gang for a night of screamy, squirmy terror.
