• The Grand Illusion is showing Walerian Borowczyk’s erotic horror version of “Beauty and the Beast” entitled The Beast.The L.A. Weekly says the film “tweaks the boundaries between art and porn,” plus it’s a French film made in the late 1970s so you know it’ll be interesting, at least. They’re also running 1972 “Blaxploitation” horror flick Blacula and a 1976 horor flick called J.D.’s Revenge. They’ve got a couple other schlocky horror movies starting Monday, check their site for details.
• The midnight movie at the Egyptian is Another Gay Movie, a gay-themed spoof movie that mocks film conventions in the manner of films like Another Teen Movie. I will not be able to make this one, so someone (who is 18 or older) go and tell me how it is, okay?
• The Simpsons Movie opens wide this weekend but if you’re interested in going to see it you already knew that.
• NWFF presents a story of misjustice: The Trials of Darryl Hunt tells a sad, outrageous story about an unfair trial and and unjust conviction. Starts Friday; on Friday and Saturday Mr. Hunt’s attorney will be on hand to answer audience questions as will a couple of local attorneys.
• Also at NWFF this weekend, “From the Tsars to the Stars: A Journey Through Russian Fantastik Cinema”. The series includes Francis Ford Coppola’s first film ever, a Roger Corman produced reworking of a Russian sci-fi film as well as a number of Soviet sci-fi films from the 50’s on.
• It’s Election time at Cinema on the Lawn
• The classic “mockumentary” This is Spinal Tap is Saturday’s selectin for the Seattle Outdoor Cinema. (I have a friend who can recite this entire movie, from start to finish, off the top of her head. It’s actually kind of impressive.) Across town in West Seattle they’re showing an even funnier film by the same team - Best in Show.
• Also opening wide this weekend: I Know Who Killed Me, starring Lindsay Lohan who is an excellent actor when she’s not off trying to kill her film career.

Upcoming:

• Northwest Film Forum and Three Dollar Bill Cinema present their second annual karaoke challenge in which local filmmakers make karoake videos for their favorite songs and then perform the songs for an audience. Tues, July 31, advance tickets recommended. [brown paper tickets]
• Havana has their own outdoor movie night now on Wednesdays; this coming Wednesday head down for a showing of Dogtown & Z-boys