As a part of our ongoing tribute to cinema legend David Lynch, we are adding three encore screenings of Blue Velvet, his surrealist 1986 masterwork.
The film follows Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan), a college student who returns to his small hometown of Lumberton after his father is injured. While walking, he discovers a severed human ear and becomes involved in investigating its origins. As Jeffrey dives deeper into the dark world of crime, voyeurism, and desire, he struggles with the blurred lines between innocence and corruption, while also developing a romantic relationship with Sandy (Laura Dern), a local cop’s daughter. Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper also star in this unforgettable trip into the dark underbelly of suburban life, a trademark attributed directly to David Lynch to this very day.
Blue Velvet is a touchstone for modern surrealist cinema and is widely discussed in film studies for its exploration into its psychological complexity, and the intersection of innocence and corruption. It garnered Lynch an Oscar nomination for both Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, but its grip on modern pop culture branches far beyond its accolades.
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Jump into the fantastical world of time travel with original The Time Machine (1960), followed by the documentary The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal, following the life and times of its director! Stick around for the intermission as we discuss both films with the producer/director of the documentary, Mr Arnold Leibovit!
Experience the groundbreaking special effects and visionary storytelling of George Pal, one of the most innovative filmmakers of his time. The Time Machine — a thrilling adaptation of H.G. Wells’ timeless novel — takes you on an unforgettable adventure through time, where a daring inventor (Rod Taylor) uses his fantastic creation to travel into the far-flung future. Witness an incredible journey that bridges centuries in vivid Technicolor, and marvel at Pal’s imaginative world-building, which set the standard for future sci-fi cinema.
Then, go behind the scenes with The Fantasy Film World of George Pal, a documentary celebrating the creative genius behind such classics as War of the Worlds and The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. Before E.T. and Star Wars, there was George Pal. The documentary covers the five-decades life and career of the Academy Award-winning producer-director whose vision and groundbreaking works continue to inspire the filmmakers of today. Presented are interviews with the stars and filmmakers whose lives he touched, along with famous movie scenes, rare footage, and original artist’s renderings.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind double feature that brings both the magic of the past and the fantasy of the future together in a way only George Pal can deliver!
This screening is a exclusive arrangement with Warner Brothers Motion Pictures. Thank you to them for making it possible!
Doors – 2:00PM
The Time Machine – 3:00PM
Intermission + Q&A – 5:00PM
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal – 5:30PM
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The second entry into our Hallucinations series is Def By Temptation!
Joel grew up in the church but has recently started questioning his beliefs. After sensing a supernatural presence from his deceased father, Joel becomes compelled to visit his cousin in New York. But shortly after arriving, they become embroiled in a series of mysterious homicides of local men, all of whom were last seen in the company of a mysterious and beautiful woman. Beautifully photographed by Ernest Dickerson (Do The Right Thing) and starring Kadeem Hardison (I’m Gonna Get You Sucka) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), this sole directorial effort from child actor James Bond III is a macabre, neon-tinged portrait of late 1980s Brooklyn. The movie blends supernatural horror and religious mysticism, punctuated by an electrifying hip hop and R&B soundtrack. Newly restored from the original 35mm camera negative!
Hosted by Polygon’s editor-in-chief Chris Plante, Hallucinations is a monthly event that spotlights movies that challenge our expectations of story, style, and “good taste”. Plante will introduce each film with some behind-the-scenes history and critical context. With Hallucinations, The Frida Cinema wants to build a communal space for lovers of Weird Cinema. We invite guests to bond over films that change what we expect from the medium, the world, and themselves. So come early, stay late, make friends, and watch something strange, surprising, or just shamelessly sick.
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Our second Volunteer of the Month is Ryan O’Flaherty, who has chosen Bill Duke’s 1992 crime thriller Deep Cover!
Laurence Fishburne stars as Russell Stevens, an idealistic police officer recruited by a federal agent (Charles Martin Smith) to go undercover in Los Angeles and infiltrate a powerful drug syndicate. Adopting the alias “John Hull,” Stevens rises through the ranks of the criminal underworld, forming an uneasy partnership with drug-dealing lawyer David Jason (Jeff Goldblum). As Stevens becomes entangled in the duplicity of his mission, he struggles to reconcile his sense of justice with the seductive power of the world he’s infiltrating.
With its intense performances, sharp dialogue, and exploration of systemic corruption, Deep Cover is both a gripping crime saga and a searing critique of the drug war’s ethical complexities.
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Our In Defense Of… series continues with Ben Stiller’s 1996 black comedy The Cable Guy, our Film Club Manager Bobby Thornson’s pick!
The film follows Steven Kovacs (Matthew Broderick), a mild-mannered architect who moves into a new apartment after a breakup. Hoping to set up his cable TV, he encounters Chip Douglas (Jim Carrey), an eccentric and overly friendly cable installer who quickly insinuates himself into Steven’s life. Initially amused by Chip’s antics, Steven soon realizes that Chip’s desire for friendship comes with increasingly invasive and dangerous consequences. As Chip’s behavior escalates, Steven finds himself caught in a web of manipulation and chaos.
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Film Club Members are invited to an exclusive screening of Army of Shadows, Jean-Pierre Melville’s gripping depiction of the French Resistance during World War II.
The film follows Philippe Gerbier (Lino Ventura), a stoic resistance leader, as he navigates the perilous world of espionage and betrayal while fighting against Nazi occupation. Alongside a dedicated group of comrades, including the fearless Mathilde (Simone Signoret) and the resourceful Jean-François (Jean-Pierre Cassel), Gerbier undertakes covert operations, rescues, and assassinations, all while facing the constant threat of capture and execution.
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Join us at the Frida Cinema on Thursday, February 6th as we celebrate seventeen years of Rendezvous! To celebrate this milestone, they have partnered with our friends at Severin Films to bring you Jess Franco’s 1981 horror/gore classic, Bloody Moon (Die Säge des Todes).
Banned in several countries, this film is a wild crowd pleaser that we are excited to experience with all of you. Doors will open at 7:30 with Rendezvous DJs providing the pre-show soundtrack, followed by the film at 8:30. After the movie, stick around for DJs, trailers, and highlight reels. Additionally, there will be a Severin merch table and copies of Gerhard Heinz’s iconic soundtrack on a gatefold double LP for sale (courtesy of Mystic Vault Records). It’s Franco February at the Frida! Come join us!
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Our hearts continue to ache with the passing of visionary filmmaker David Lynch, as we present Wild at Heart, his 1990 romantic black comedy.
After serving prison time for a self-defense killing, Sailor Ripley (Nicolas Cage) reunites with girlfriend Lula Fortune (Laura Dern). Lula’s mother, Marietta (Diane Ladd), desperate to keep them apart, hires a hitman (J. E. Freeman) to kill Sailor. But he finds a whole new set of troubles when he and Bobby Peru (Willem Dafoe), an old buddy who’s also out to get Sailor, try to rob a store. When Sailor lands in jail yet again, the young lovers appear further than ever from the shared life they covet.
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Barry Gifford, Wild at Heart earned a mixed reception upon release but has since been reassessed a key entry in Lynch’s filmography.
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Nicolas Winding Refn’s stylish 2011 action drama Drive is finally back at The Frida Cinema! And this time around, we’re screening it as part of our LA Fires Fundraiser series. Ticket proceeds from this special screening will be donated to American Red Cross California Wildfires Disaster Relief Fund.
Driver (Ryan Gosling) is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he’s been warming up to a pretty neighbor named Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son Benicio (Kaden Leos). When Irene’s husband (Oscar Isaac) gets out of jail, he enlists Driver’s help in a million-dollar heist. The job goes horribly wrong, and Driver must risk his life to protect Irene and Benicio from the vengeful masterminds behind the robbery.
Impressing critics and audiences alike with its potent combination of striking cinematography and graphic violence, Drive is regarded as one of the definitive portrayals of LA of modern cinema.
For more information on the Red Cross’ California Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund, please visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/about-us/our-work/california-wildfires-response-january-2025.html
Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid.
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See It On 16mm is back at The Frida to unspool their 16mm print of the creepy holiday horror classic Black Christmas!
Holiday movies are sentimental and uplifting, but surprisingly devoid of knife murders? Black Christmas is the perfect remedy for this problem. When sorority sisters Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, and Andrea Martin find themselves under attack from a foul-mouthed killer, it’s up to police chief John Saxon to even the odds. But what about Keir Dullea, the brooding art-school pianist? Could he have something to do with the mutilation rampage? There’s only one way to find out!
Black Christmas is a terrifying tradition around these parts that makes us feel all warm and fuzzy during the jolliest time of year. If you’ve never given it a chance, make sure to right those wrongs this holiday season!
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