KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

Matthew Vaughn ‧ 2017 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 15m ‧ R

THE MOVIE

Your very own favorite chav-turned-Bond returns for a second go-around of this tongue-in-cheek subversion of super-spy tropes. Expect: absurdist violence, knowing winks, and umbrellas that fire rockets. Don't expect: good taste, subtle humor, feminism.

Special bonus: Channing Tatum.

THE VENUE

What better place to launch another epic year of MJFF than one the world's largest IMAX screens, housed in Hollywood's historic Grauman's Chinese Theater, no less. Itself a star of many movies, the theater is the perfect combo of outdated Orientalism and military-grade American technology for these turbulent geopolitical times.

THE GUEST

Once again hogging the top spot as your opening night wingman, your darling husband and all-round super cool human Edward Jenkins will be joining you for this inaugural screening. Please allow him to empty his pockets into your bag and love you until the end of time.

DIRTY DANCING

Emile Ardolino ‧ 1987 ‧ Drama/Romance ‧ 1h 55m ‧ PG-13

THE MOVIE

Our Friday throwback slot takes a sharp turn away from the cyberpunk mania of last year's winner Akira and into steamier territory. Here comes a different side of the same decade: and in the Age Of Nostalgia, what is a film festival without a shot of '80s silver-screen saccharine? Take a trip back in time to the days when the dancing was dirty and the Swayze was sweaty, and still your beating heart. 

THE VENUE

Welcome to the Rooftop Cinema Club, LA's premier location for watching movies on a tiny screen, unprotected from the elements. But with loveseat deckchairs, bottomless popcorn, and complimentary champagne, this is truly the casual-but-classy movie lovers' casual place to love movies, classily. Get snug and tuck yourself in for a night under the stars and amongst the smog. 

THE GUESTS

Coming to you all the way from shimmering San Rafael, the adored super-duo of Natalie and Jacob will be returning for their 2nd year at MJFF, and once again we're making them watch movies outdoors like the free spirits they are. They skipped Burning Man this year, so expect them to use this celebratory opportunity to crossdress, swill Moonshine, and make dreams come true.

TANGLED

Nathan Greno & Byron Howard ‧ 2010 ‧ Fantasy/Comedy/Music ‧ 1h 40m ‧ G

THE MOVIE

Onwards marches the never-ending procession of movies about Disney Princesses that threaten to consume your every waking moment. And what better place to treat yourself to yet another children's computer-animated musical fairytale than your very own birthday celebration? Get ready for dreams to come true and also get ready to watch this movie every day for about six months once your son gets ahold of it. Yes, spoiler alert: you're taking Dash.

THE VENUE

Journey deep into the lair of the dark arts masters at Disney's own El Capitan Theater, owned and operated by the House Of Mouse since the wayback days of sinister political alliances long-since erased from the history books. What deep spell will they weave, mixing their celluloid sigils into a bricks-and-mortar cauldron of archetypal illusion? Ready your psychic defenses.

Special bonus: take a photo with Rapunzel after the movie, or you're a bad mum.

THE GUEST

Here he comes: it's Dashiell Jenkins: Princess aficionado, Dory finder, and Disney CEO-in-the-making. It's a special occasion: your first trip to the movies as mother and son. Will he patiently watch this new and unfamiliar feature with the wide-eyed gaze of an entertained innocent? Or will he ruin your time together by crawling under chairs, shouting at people, and generally acting like a miniature anarchist? It's control VS chaos under the Disney dome! 

STRONGER

David Gordon Green ‧ 2017 ‧ Drama film/Biography ‧ 1h 59m ‧ R

THE MOVIE

It wouldn't be another year of MJFF without a most-worthy biopic starring one of your favorite leading men. Dear Jake is surely going to take you to new emotional depths with his Oscar buzz portrayal of Boston Marathon survivor Jeff Bauman. Ready your heartstrings, prepare your hankies.

THE VENUE

We're not done with Hollywood yet... welcome to the Cinerama Dome, aka the Arclight Hollywood. Yes, they have a massive domed auditorium that is a modern marvel of the movie theater landscape, but you'll be at the back somewhere in a much smaller screen without a dome. Sorry.

THE GUEST

Self-professed scaredy cat Christina Gregory passed on some of our riskier features, so we offered her a movie about bombings and PTSD. Not one to suffer a dud, she holds the distinction of being the only MJFF special screening guest to stage a walk out. An uncompromising audience.

GOOD TIME

The Safdie Brothers ‧ 2017 ‧ Crime/Drama ‧ 1h 41m ‧ R

THE MOVIE

We pride ourselves on our tightly crafted programming here at MJFF, and it is in this spirit that we are proud to bring you Good Time, a film you wanted to see so badly that five others films were moved around to accommodate it into the schedule, after dark, in the only theater still showing it. 

THE VENUE

A local institution for discerning cinemagoers since 1934, the Los Feliz 3 has retro charm, a flavorful locale, and badass neon signage. Boasting a dedicated team of operators, make sure to stop and say hi to Eddie, Supervisor of Theatre Operations, who has been running the show since the '80s.

THE GUEST

Los Angeles' latest craze Kate Marriage is sweeping the city with her unrelenting appetite for wanton hedonism and general disregard for the traditions of the civilized world, making her a perfect partner for this high-octane slice of outlaw cinema. This is her local theater, to boot. You're on her turf now!

mother!

Darren Aronofsky ‧ 2017 ‧ Mystery/Drama ‧ 2h 1m ‧ R

THE MOVIE

Just when you thought this weekend was all fun and games and Jake Gyllenhaal, out comes a show-stopper that is upsetting audiences across the country. Ready yourself for a searing slice of psychological horror so unsettling that you might just walk out of the theater in confusion and digust. No one ever said that film festivals are supposed to be fun...

THE VENUE

The Landmark considers itself Los Angeles' premier location for beard-stroking film appreciation, and with their opulent golden decor and fancy pants attitude, what better place to scar yourself for life with an irresponsible piece of damaging filmmaking masquerading as avant-garde sophistication. Hit their "upscale wine bar", The Wine Bar, to steel your nerves.

THE GUEST

Who better to guide you through the dark corridors of Darren Aronofsky's latest than Sir Nino Kind himself, king of battling evil with irreverence and anarchy. Pulling double duties as MJFF's unofficial creative director, this most-decorated of Starcrew members will ground you firmly in reality with his enthusiastic asides, rambunctious popcorn-munching and fidgeting limbs.

INGRID GOES WEST

Matt Spicer ‧ 2017 ‧ Drama/Comedy ‧ 1h 37m ‧ R 

THE MOVIE

While your own children frolic in the pristine parks of Playa Del Whatnot, you'll be enjoying this cautionary tale of disturbed youth in the upside-down paradise of our new home, Venice Beach. Featuring a dark turn from Aubrey Plaza, could this blackly comic trip into the world of social media voyeurism emerge as a dark horse festival winner?

THE VENUE

Kicking off our day of Westside screenings, we take a trip to the sanitized sanctum of Santa Monica, and of today's visits to an Arclight theater. Boasting 500k members, Arclight aims to provide the best moviegoing experience possible with attention to design and detail. Or, as one Yelp reviewer put it, "small screens, bad service, crummy chairs, no refills".

THE GUEST

Prince of the Dark, Keeper of Youth, Bringer of Internet, Trevin "Yung Valentine" Valentine, aka Lil Cupid, will take a break from being a stellar godfather to accompany you on this morning mission into the dark heart of Instagram and internet fame. A perfect combo. He might even regale you with tales of his rap career.

MOTHERLAND

Ramona S. Díaz ‧ 2017 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 34m ‧ NR

THE MOVIE

Obligatory documentary time! And as if you needed reminding that you're a mother while enjoying a weekend designed to help you escape the pressures of parenting, here's another movie with "mother" in the title. And this one is all about babies and giving birth! Just don't get any ideas yo. We have enough crazy creatures running around.

THE VENUE

It's taken 38 years for the motion picture industry to recognize that you need your own theater, but the time has come: welcome to the Monica Film Center. Don't let the fancy exterior and arty trappings shake your confidence: this is YOUR film center. Use your phone, smoke cigs, and talk throughout the feature. No one can stop you now.

THE GUEST

Who better to accompany you on this cinematic journey into the world's busiest maternity ward than fellow mother, filmmaker, and totally pregnant person Lucy Runewitsch. A fine way to prepare for the incoming arrival!

Special bonus: a short Q&A with director Ramona S. Díaz will follow the screening.

THE BIG SICK

Michael Showalter ‧ 2017 ‧ Romance/Comedy ‧ 2h 4m ‧ R 

THE MOVIE

Wrapping up another year of the MJFF with a critically-adored, true-story romantic comedy might seem like an easy win, but life is never easy. After all the fast-paced thrills and emotional turbulence of the weekend, this might just be the film that breaks you. And that's OK. We all cry at the end of a good festival.

THE VENUE

For our last screening, we head to glorious Culver City! And to yet another Arclight Theater! Why? Because it's the only place showing this adored movie! We are out of options! Do you know how hard it is to throw a film festival in September, right in between the summer rush and awards season? You're lucky we're not watching The Emoji Movie.

THE GUEST

As a final treat to close out this weekend of cinematic joy, we welcome our special mystery guest to this Sunday night screening - a special guest who may or may not be your husband and MJFF Chairman Edward Jenkins - the only candidate truly qualified to hold your hand and give it a little squeeze while the tears roll down your soft cheeks.