Anyone looking for a giant dose of Korean fucked-upedness, check out the Downtown Independent Theater on March 10th for their screening of OLDBOY.

Chan-wook Park’s 2003 thriller tells the story of a man locked away in a secret prison for reasons unexplained, only to be mysteriously set free after 15 years, at which point he sets out to politely request some answers.  Or, y’know, yank out some bad dude’s teeth.  Or, in the film’s most famous set-piece, take on an entire hallway full of ruffians armed only with his fists, a hammer, and the kind of volcanic fury I usually feel when Glenn Beck speaks.  This is a revenge saga that goes so far over the top it practically doubles back onto itself like some kind of demented Mobius strip.  (In the first thirty minutes, the main character eats an actual live octopus on camera — and that’s only an, er, appetizer for what comes later.)

The film is being screened as part of the Downtown Independent’s “Enter The Tuesday” series, offering up weekly martial arts masterpieces from all over the planet and free unlimited PBR, which will assuredly make some of OLDBOY’s more ludicrous plot twists go down easier.

To recap: horrifying violence, main guy eats live octopus, free Pabst.  Bring your momma.

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WHAT: OLDBOY screening
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10th, 10 pm
WHERE: Downtown Independent
$$$: $10

The new Lomography Gallery isn’t slacking off when it comes to partying, and what better excuse to have a party than the Oscars? Swing by the gallery before Sunday and fill out your own Oscar ballot in hopes to be on of the 10 people who get the most winners correct. You’ll walk away with your own Oktomat camera that takes 8 pictures in a row to create your own little 8 frame movie. Then on the 7th, head to the gallery at 1pm and take part in a mini-movie making workshop using the Oktomat, Supersampler, and Actionsampler and make a purchase at the store and get a free Lomography Camera Keychain. This will all lead into the Oscars telecast where hopefully you’ll win the contest! The gallery will be serving drinks and don’t worry, they’ve got a lounge for you to sit in and watch in comfort. There will naturally be an after party, with more drinks, a lomography movie screening “Lomo Matrix”, and awards for the Oscar ballot winners! This gallery is quickly turning into my new favorite place!
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WHAT: Oscar Night + workshop and party
WHEN: Sunday, March 7th @ 1PM-post Oscars
WHERE: Lomography Gallery
$$$: Free

Devil’s Night Drive-In, a bi-monthly drive-in movie theater that pops up in downtown L.A., is back at it this month with a special Family Night event, screening John Waters’ Hairspray on March 13^th. The Angel City Derby Girls complete the occasion, carhopping throughout the show and selling classic drive-in goodies like hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos and – of course – popcorn.

As usual, adult tickets are $10, but kids under $12 get in for half-price. They’re taking reservations, but ticket presales stop at 2 p.m. the day of the event, so get yours before there’s no more getting to be got.

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WHAT: John Waters’ Hairspray, Devil’s Night Drive-In
WHEN: Saturday, March 13
WHERE: 240 W. 4th St (at Broadway) Second Floor Roof Parking Lot
$$$: $1o for adults, $5 for kids under 12

Remember when Alice in Wonderland was just a really cool book? (A line stolen from the Twitterverse). No longer, my friends. Ah, well, embrace the blockbuster-Tim-Burton-Madness when it involves a Japanese cosplay cafe and an adult costume party. Next Saturday Royal/T will host an Alice-themed fashion show and a daytime party with lots of sweet treats. They’ve already had a few Alice-themed bashes that I, for one, wish I had attended. To keep your mind in Wonderland, the cafe will offer a $25 tea set starting March 5th, including playing card sandwiches, mini cupcakes with edible “eat me” notes, deep purple macaroons, and a green tea milk blend. Makes me want to throw my own tea party.

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WHAT: Alice in Wonderland Fashion Show/Tea Party
WHEN: Saturday March 6th
WHERE: Royal/T 8910 Washington Blvd, Culver City
$$$: open to the public

This sounds more like a screening that should take place during Halloween, but some of us like to celebrate the gruesome holiday year-round, right? So this film Scar 3D will screen tonight at the Downtown Independent with a Q&A with it’s creators after the film. The film used legit Reel D technology in HD so be prepared for some intense visuals. As you may have guessed, there will be blood. Lots and lots of blood. Apparently during past screenings people have been sent to the hospital and at the least thrown up. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen tonight. The organizers are prepared for all issues with help from a bunch of sexy nurses with smelling salts for those who can’t handle the graphic nature of the film. The movie’s story seems pretty bleh, but I would go just to see if my stomach could handle it. It would make for an interesting Wednesday night, that’s for sure.

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WHAT: Scar 3D
WHEN: Tuesday, February 24th @ 8:30 pm
WHERE: The Downtown Independent
$$$: $5 for members, $10 regular

Indie classics & 80’s flashbacks grace the screen at the New Beverly Cinema this month.  In operation for over 30 years, it offers refuge from the Hollywood world of 30-second intervals and overly action-packed sequences to provide familiar faces and quotable lines at a fraction of the cost.  Here’s what’s in store for you:

Join guest-programmer, Jason Reitman (best known for his director roles on Juno and Thank You for Smoking) as he highlights such decade decadents as: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Boogie Nights among others the 19^th-22^nd.

For a nitty-gritty night full of rare 35mm cult/exploitation films and trailers, plus a free DVD raffle, be sure to check out February’s edition of the Grindhouse Film Fest and enjoy: Penitentiary III & Disco Godfather on the 23^rd.   50’s swooners and crooners are proposed a full night of the amazing Judy Holliday the 26^th-27^th with the award-winning, Born Yesterday and fifties-favorite, It Should Happen To You.

Regardless of your mood, this revival house will leave you cinematically-satisfied with enough left in your pocketbook for noodles and sake after the show. Granted, you could fall into full-on nostalgia-arrest, but with every showing a double feature at just $6-$8 a pop, won’t it be worth it?

View the full calendar HERE.

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WHAT: double-feature flashback flicks
WHEN: daily
WHERE: New Beverly Cinema
$: $6-$8, plus free DVD raffles

It’s getting close to that time of year again, duderinos.

No, I’m not talking about the long days of summer, I’m talking of course about Lebowski Fest, Southern California’s premiere celebration of All Things Dude Related.

This year’s fest takes place beginning on April 2^nd at The Wiltern for The Big Lebowski Movie Party. The festival continues through the 3^rd for a day of bowling at Cal Bowl.

So grab your white Russian and share your favorite quotes and more with other fans of the movie… but this isn’t Vietnam – there are rules. Tickets are a must, and they’re available online via Ticketmaster. Though you can get a 2-Day Achievers Pass, you also have the option of picking up tickets for the individual day events as well. You should probably get yours in advance, unless you want to be the only one polishing your bowling shoes outside of the lanes.

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WHAT: Lebowski Fest
WHEN: Friday April 2^nd // Saturday, April 3rd
WHERE: The Wiltern // Cal Bowl
$$$: $19.99 // $25.00 // $39.99 for a weekend pass. Tickets available here.

More Valentine’s festivities coming ‘atcha: first up, David Lynch’s Wild at Heart screening at the Downtown Independent at 10:30pm on the 14th for $10 or $25 for two tickets and two beers! Next, the 3rd Annual Lovers and Strangers Valentine’s Art and Music Festival at the Echoplex, presented by the Hear Gallery, Solid Gold, and Everyday. Four bands will perform, lots of DJs, artists, catering by Bold Tacos, photobooths, and live documentary filming. Takes place the 13th at 8pm, 18+, $8 before 10pm, $10 after. Finally, City Sip LA (that tiny wine bar on Sunset in Echo Park known as “wine for the people”) is hosting a beer tasting on V-day featuring 8 beers, cheese, and chocolate for $35 per person. Shouldn’t be too hard to get laid with that combination. 4:30pm-6:00pm. Enjoy the so-called holiday.

*this is by no means an all inclusive roundup

WHAT: ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day
WHEN: Feb. 13th-14th
WHERE: the Downtown Independent, CitySip LA, the Echoplex
$$$: $8-$35

If you don’t have any friends throwing Superbowl parties or if you wouldn’t even watch the Superbowl but feel left out of the mass partying, why not go to the Downtown Independent to watch it on the big screen? It will give you something to do Sunday afternoon, and you’ll get to experience the awesome new theater which I hear has swank, comfy and romantic seats. Seating begins at 2:30pm, accompanied by pretty cheap beer, chicken wings, and nachos. Also, you can stick around after the game and watch their current movie selection- Bronson- for only $5. Best of all, admission for the game screening is FREE.

WHAT: the Superbowl on the big screen
WHEN: Sunday 2:30pm-7:30pm
WHERE: the Downtown Independent, 231 South Main St., Downtown LA
$$$: free admission

Okay, this movie looks amazing. Panique au village (A Town Called Panic) is only playing at the Nuart until Thursday and I, for one, am making time to go. Cowboys, Indians, horses, a punk rock soundtrack, French voice over, and animation that reminds me of Science of Sleep? I’m sold. You should be too.

WHAT: Panique au village
WHEN: until Thurs. the 4th at 5:20, 7:30, and 9:40
WHERE: the Nuart theater
$$$: however much movie tickets go for these days

Well, the rain is back. Spend a night watching a couple movies indoors in a place that’s not your living room! Tonight the Hammer Museum is screening two movies centering around comic artist Robert Crumb, best known for his satirical and subversive style of drawings based around the American mainstream. Showing first is American Splendor, starring Paul Giamatti as Harvey Pekar, an ordinary man who gains inspiration by Crumb’s underground comic book’s success. Second is The Confessions Of Robert Crumb, a 1987 commissioned documentary from the BBC featuring interviews of Crumb as he discusses some of his life’s various misadventures.

Admission is free with tickets available one hour before showtime, so get there early and carpool since parking at the museum is available for only $3 after 6pm.

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WHAT: Showing of American Splendor and The Confessions Of Robert Crumb
WHEN: Tuesday, January 26th at 7pm
WHERE: The Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, 90024
$$$: Free!

Sleep in on Saturday morning and then make your way to the Egyptian Theater for a panel discussion with the directors of the Golden Globe nominees for foreign language (minus Pedro Almodovar) presented by the American Cinematheque and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Who’s up for the award?  Besides Mr. Almodovar, it’s Giuseppe Tornatore, Sebastian Silva, Jacques Audiard, and Michael Haneke.  Even if you’ve never heard of them, rest assured that their films are top-notch and they probably have some very interesting insights into the global film industry.

And, if you’re feeling very enthusiastic about foreign film, go to the Spielberg Theater at the Egyptian tonight, tomorrow or Saturday to see a showing of the amazing German film, The Baader Meinhof Complex.  So, so worth your time!

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WHAT: Golden Globe Foreign-Language Nominees Seminar (and screening of The Baader Meinhof Complex)
WHEN: Seminar at 1 PM on Saturday, 1/16, Screenings at 7:30 tonight, Friday, and Saturday
WHERE: The Egyptian
$$$: Free seminar!!!

The two filmmakers don’t have a ton in common (not that I know anything about film..), but tonight and tomorrow night, at the New Beverly Cinema, they’ll be joining forces. For just $7, you’ll be treated to a double feature of Bergman’s Hour of the Wolf and von Trier’s Antichrist.

I haven’t seen either movie, nor do I know too much about them. What I do know, however, is that Antichrist is very graphic, and one of those movies that’ll leave half of you hating it, and the other half confused as to why you thought it was brilliant. As for Bergman’s film, well, it’s Ingmar Bergman. Just go watch it.

Since I don’t really have info on the movies, I’ll include the trailers for your enjoyment.

Antichrist is on first at 7:30, followed by Hour of the Wolf at 9:35.

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WHAT: Antichrist / Hour of the Wolf
WHEN: Thursday, January 7th & Friday January 8th @ 7:30PM
WHERE: New Beverly Cinema
$$$: $7

Right after I wrote the title to this post, I realized how awkward it must be to be famous.  I mean, what if Michael Cera is bored and wondering what to do around LA and then comes here to see that our suggested activity is to go and meet him?  I guess he must be over it by now, but I digress…

If you have no plans tomorrow evening, GO TO THE HAMMER.  Michael Cera will be there because it’s hosting a free sneak preview screening of his newest movie, Youth in Revolt.  The film is definitely worth seeing, so either you can go tomorrow night for zero dollars (and have a chance to meet and befriend Michael Cera and Director Miguel Arteta) or you can wait a while and pay $15 to see it at the Grove.  The choice is clear.

Though the screening doesn’t start ’til 7, our tipster (thanks Maritza!) suggests you get there by 6 at the latest or you probably won’t get in.  Use the extra hour to grab a drink and dinner at Hammer Cafe — happy hour lasts ’til 7.

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WHAT: Youth in Revolt Screening
WHEN: Thursday, January 7th @ 7 PM
WHERE: Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum
$$$: Free!

Get a sneak peak of this year’s Renaissance Pleasure Faire at The Egyptian Theatre. The courtyard will be “magically transformed into an Elizabethan village with food and merchants, performers and craft demonstrations”. There will also be fine clothes, fun games, toys from Hallowed Tree, and traditional music that is sure to make you laugh and have a merry old time. As with the regular faire, this sampling will be filled with villagers, knights, kings, and queens! To top it all off, the theatre will show the award-winning animated film, The Secret of Kells at 1pm, and end the day at 5pm with a double-feature of Excalibur (1981) and Knightriders (1981).
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WHAT: Renaissance Faire Sneak Peak + Appropriately themed films
WHEN: Saturday, January 9th @ 12pm-7pm
WHERE: The Egyptian Theater
$$$: $7-$11

Tonight the Cinefamily brings you some of “the best and most bizarre” Christmas cartoons from way back in the day, when cartoons were shown in movie theatres. Some highlights include “Peace On Earth (about a post apocalyptic world destroyed by war and overtaken by fuzzy wuzzy little mice and bunnies) and the uber-traumatic Little Match Girl (one of the darkest Hollywood cartoons ever made)”. In these classic shorts shown on 35mm and 16mm prints, you’ll see some recognizable faces like Rudolph as well as Popeye, Tweety Bird, and Howdy Doody. The organizers also encourage you to bring your own egg nog to enjoy during the screening!

If you can’t go tonight, check out there Mondo Christmas screening on Christmas day, the last event until January 5th. This night will be packed with footage of “department store Santas, misguided movie tie-ins, exhumed cartoons and aborted holiday specials”. The main event will be a 16mm screening of Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. I know, how can you possibly miss out on this? It’s not every Christmas you get a chance to see aliens kidnap Santa to supply the children of Mars with gifts on this very special day.

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WHAT: Christmas Cartoon Chaos/Mondo Christmas
WHEN: Tuesday, December 22nd @ 8PM/Friday, December 25th @ 8PM
WHERE: The Silent Movie Theater
$$$: $13/$12

Next Thursday brings a special edition Flux Screening at the Billy Wilder Theater in the Hammer Museum. Mia Doi Todd’s new video “Open Your Heart,” directed by none other than Michel Gondry, will premiere along with shorts from Keith Schofield, Allison Schulnik, Stefan Nadelman and Radical Friend, all of whom will make an appearance. Doi-Todd is a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter, whose other videos may be viewed here. The night will end with a performance by Mia and Michel. The event is free, although RSVP is recommended, and the Hammer bar and cafe will be open.

WHAT: Michel Gondry music video debut for Mia Doi Todd
WHEN: Thursday Dec. 17th 7pm
WHERE: Hammer Museum
$$$: free

Tonight, the American Cinematheque is blowing up the internet. That’s right, they will have a special screening of many of the internet audience’s favorite Funny or Die clips up on the big screen. You do have to pay to see this, but how often will you get to watch Zach Galifinakis’ Between Two Ferns on a massive screen in front of you? Not too often, that’s for sure. I’m positive it will be a really funny night and get a big turn out so don’t wait until the last minute to decide if you want to experience the Internet blown up!
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WHAT: American Cinematheque Blows Up The Internet
WHEN: Friday, December 11th @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Aero Theatre
$$$: $7-10

Save the date of December 6th because GuerrilLA Drive-In is screening The Muppet Christmas Carol for free downtown! We’ve posted about GuerrilLA’s free screenings before, and I think the Muppet’s are a perfect excuse to get a group of friends together, pile into a car with some warm and toasty treats (booze), and prepare for an evening of magical movieness and vegan hot dogs! That’s right, our friends the Frankenstand will be there, as they always are, steaming up vegan sausage with all the fixings- cilantro, cilantro, cilantro. Check out this article in LAWeekly about the drive-in; it really is a guerrilla operation. At the noted time, a car pulls up with electronic equipment, everyone tunes into 104.7 to pick up the movie’s score, and the screening commences on the wall of a downtown building. Sounds like the holiday spirit to me.

WHAT: GuerrilLA Drive-In- The Muppet Christmas Carol
WHEN: 8pm Sunday Dec. 6th
WHERE: 1032 S. Main St. Downtown LA!
$$$: Free! (bring cash for a Wolf dog)

This Sunday Spike Jonez will be having a book signing as well as a Q & A session at Family on Fairfax.  This is all to promote the new book about the making of the movie Where the Wild Things Are.  Please enjoy the description from the Family website:

“HEADS ON AND WE SHOOT unveils the unique collaboration behind Where the Wild Things Are -the combined work of Maurice Sendak, Spike Jonze, Dave Eggers, and all the cast and crew. The book design is heavily image-based, a mix of early sketches, storyboards, character designs, and extensive behind-the-scenes photographs that show both incredible live-action puppetry and computer animation. The text includes forewords by Jonze and Eggers, interviews with the cast and crew, stories from on and off the set, and early drafts of the screenplay. The resulting book will be simultaneously a beautiful object for collectors, an insider′s guide for devotees, and an intimate window into the creative process.”

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WHAT: Spike Jonez Book signing and Q & A
WHEN: Sunday, November 15th, 5pm
WHERE: Family book store
$$$: Free (If you want something signed I imagine you have to buy the book $40)