4/20 Weekend

Celebrate 30 years of F Gary Gray's comedy classic Friday, the opening film of our 4/20 Weekend! The film follows Craig and Smokey, two guys in Los Angeles hanging out on their porch on a Friday afternoon, smoking and drinking, looking for something to do. That's it. That's the plot! Friday has become a beloved cult film and certified Frida Cinema favorite, known for its specific portrayal of life in South Central Los Angeles, and mixing humor with social commentary. The film’s dialogue and characters, especially the laid-back protagonist Craig (played by Ice Cube) and the eccentric Smokey (played by Chris Tucker), have left a lasting impact on pop culture, with memorable quotes that are often repeated in everyday conversations. Bye Felicia!

Our 4/20 Weekend takes a colorful turn as we presented the oft-maligned 2003 live-action version of The Cat In The Hat! During a rainy day, and while their mother is out, Conrad and Sally, and their pet fish, are visited by the mischievous Cat in the Hat. Fun soon turns to mayhem, and the siblings must figure out how to rid themselves of the maniacal Cat. Directed by Bo Welch (Production Designer on Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands) and shot by Emmanuel Lubezki (Children Of Men, Gravity, The Revenant, The Tree Of Life, Birdman), The Cat In The Hat was largely panned by critics upon its release despite its all-star cast, with many criticizing the film for not capturing the magic and whimsy of Dr. Seuss's original story. But as we all know, cats have nine lives, and we're willing to try to give it one more!

Our annual 4/20 weekend tradition continues as we do our third annual Scooby-Doo + Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed double feature! Scooby-Doo: When the Mystery Inc. gang is invited to Spooky Island, a popular amusement park, they soon discover that the attractions aren't the only things that are spooky. Strange things are happening, and it's up to Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma to uncover the truth behind the mysterious happenings. Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed: After solving their last mystery at Spooky Island, the Mystery Inc. gang is back in Coolsville, where they are being honored with their very own exhibit at the Coolsonian Criminology Museum. However, when a masked villain steals costumes of classic monsters on display and brings them to life, the gang must come out of retirement to solve the case. If you've got the munchies for Scooby Snacks, we've got exactly what you need, one night only at The Frida Cinema!

Continue celebrating our 4/20 Weekend at The Frida with David Byrne's True Stories from 1986! A small but growing Texas town, filled with strange and musical characters, celebrates its sesquicentennial and converge on a local parade and talent show. Directed by and starring David Byrne of Talking Heads, True Stories is a borderline-experimental film that has gradually gained recognition as a cult classic over the years. Its reputation, while not as widely known as some major mainstream films of the era, has steadily grown, particularly for its quirky blend of humor and social commentary. Oh...and did we mention it has an amazing soundtrack?

Our 4/20 Weekend keeps on groovin with Paul Thomas Anderson's 2021 coming-of-age dramedy Licorice Pizza! The story follows Gary Valentine and Alana Kane, two young people growing up, running around, and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley in 1973. Licorice Pizza was hailed as one of the best films of 2021. It earned a number of nominations and awards, including three Academy Award nominations (Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Original Screenplay). Critics praised its direction, screenplay, and the performances of its leads, Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman. The film's blend of humor, charm, awesome soundtrack, and tender moments stood out and was exactly what film fans wanted post-Pandemic lockdown.

Our 4/20 Weekend comes to a close with the legendary 3 hour documentary Woodstock. This pick comes directly from Finn, who is our second Volunteer Of The Month for April! An intimate look at the Woodstock Music & Art Festival held in Bethel, NY in 1969, from preparation through cleanup, with historic access to insiders, blistering concert footage, and portraits of the concertgoers; negative and positive aspects are shown, from drug use by performers to naked fans sliding in the mud, from the collapse of the fences by the unexpected hordes to the surreal arrival of National Guard helicopters with food and medical assistance for the impromptu city of 500,000. Two nights only. Don't miss this epic picture of peace, music, and love on the big screen!