Los Angeles Top 5 (2/8/13–2/14/13)

L.A. is the greatest city on earth to watch movies. Here are this week’s best picks.

1)  Point Blank/The Killers at The Aero (FRIDAY 2/8, 7:30PM)

Is this the manliest double feature ever? Screened as part of the American Cinematheque’s Call In The Marine: Lee Marvin on the Big Screen, this first double in the series is quintessential ’60s machismo, courtesy of WWII veteran and bona fide badass, Lee mother effin’ Marvin. Cranking up the cool factor is the appearance of Marvin’s The Killers co-star and awesome name-haver Clu Gulager, as well as a Dwayne Epstein, author of the authoritative biography of the actor, Lee Marvin: Point Blank. Lee Marvin plays an icy killer in both flicks, most iconically in Point Blank, an unauthorized adaptation of Donald Westlake’s Parker novels that would also inspire the films Payback with Mel Gibson and Parker with Jason Statham. The Killers is a nice slice of neo-noir from the great, underrated action director Don Siegel, another adaptation of the Hemingway short story of the same name and the 1946 film version with Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner. Strap in for a night of unmitigated badassery. Buy your tickets here.

2) Miami Connection at Cinefamily (SATURDAY 2/9, 10PM)

The reputation for Miami Connection‘s exquisite badness is daunting, indeed. Ain’t It Cool gave it possibly the greatest review ever, calling it “proof that God exists.” If you worship at the altar of bad/great, neon-colored ’80s movies, here you will find Nirvana. I surely can’t do more justice to its “plot” than description on IMDb, which reads: “A martial arts rock band goes up against a band of motorcycle ninjas who have tightened their grip on Florida’s narcotics trade.” Motorcycle-riding ninjas. Karate rock bands. Florida drug trade. It’s like the filmmakers put everything awesome/terrible in a blender, sprinkled it liberally with acid wash jeans and pressed play. Having not seen the film yet, I don’t know if Miami Connection lives up to its epic–and growing–reputation, but all word so far points to this being THE cult movie of 2013. You’re gonna want to get there early. Buy your tickets here.

3) Annie Hall at Cinefamily (MONDAY 2/11, 7:30PM)

This is another of the Greg Proops Film Club screenings, a series of classics handpicked by the comedian and presented with commentary and discussion before and after the feature. I’m certainly biased here, as I consider Annie Hall the greatest romantic comedy ever made and one of only a handful of truly perfect films. During the Valentine’s week, it’s perfect anti-romance viewing. The evolution of a breakup has never been more sweet, funny, heartbreaking and hilarious. It’s a romance about two people falling out of love, which somehow makes the whole thing that much more meaningful. It also features the largest collection of Woody Allen’s best, most quotable jokes (“and such small portions!”). Annie Hall is so funny, in fact, you almost forget it’s breaking your heart and making you feel all the feelings, you’re laughing so hard. Buy your tickets here.

4) Desert Fury at LACMA (TUESDAY 2/12, 1PM)

Take a long lunch on Tuesday to check out this rare color Western/film noir starring Burt Lancaster and Lizabeth Scott at the LACMA. I don’t know much about the film, but the Wikipedia description–“Desert Fury has fast and furious dialogue, dark secrets and outraged face slappings”–makes it sound incredible. Scripted by the great A.I. Bezzerides (Kiss Me Deadly) and helmed by the underrated noir director Lewis Allen, Desert Fury seems like the kind of genre-bending, B-movie misfit cinephiles live for. Sex, murder, gambling and mother-daughter rebellion blend in this pulpy flick that was shot amidst the dust and heat of the Arizona desert. More than worth ditching work for. Buy your tickets at the door.

5) The Apartment at Arclight Pasadena (WEDNESDAY 3/13, 6:30PM)

If you’ve procrastinated on your Valentine’s Day plans, never fear, the Arclight is here! Screened Valentine’s Eve, Billy Wilder’s 1960 film makes the perfect romantic movie date for you and your special, 35mm classic movie-loving loved one. Screened as part of the classic romance retrospective Love, Lust and Laughter, other films in the series include Casablanca, Brief Encounter and West Side Story. The Apartment, however, is one of the only films screening in 35mm, which makes it extra special. A sweet love story between a corporate drone (Jack Lemmon) and an adorable elevator girl (Shirley MacLaine), the picture blends sex and humor with the one-of-a-kind wit of Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot). Screened in 35mm. Buy your tickets here.

If you make it out to any of these screenings, let us know how it went in the comments section. Happy viewing, Los Angeles!