Sex, Lies and Videotape

All at once, if that’s how you like it: What to do June 12-18

Comments (0) By L.A. Weekly Staff Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

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FILM

Mitch Hedberg and Marilyn Chambers: Separated at birth?

Chuy and Chelsea: In and proud

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Hooray for Holy Land!
The Israel Film Festival celebrates its 24th year as the largest showcase of Israeli cinema in the United States. Continuing through June 18, it features more than 30 films, documentaries and TV dramas, offering filmgoers the rare chance to see movies — in their U.S. and West Coast premieres — such as Lost Islands (June 13, 14, 17 and 18), Israel’s highest-grossing and most honored film last year. The festival hosts an encore presentation of the Academy Award–nominated Waltz With Bashir (June 15), as well as Legend in the Dunes (June 16), in honor of the centennial celebrations of the founding of Tel Aviv. From filmmaker Yaakov Gross, Legend showcases the 40 dramatic years which have defined the once-small neighborhood that grew into one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Fine Arts Theatre, 8557 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Laemmle Fallbrook 7, 6731 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills. www.israelfilmfestival.com. —Steven Zeller

COMEDY

The Angry Divorcé
“When you’re an asshole and your wife leaves you, there’s a part of you that thinks, ‘Good for her. That took a lot of guts to leave me,’” reasons beleaguered standup, author and Air America Media host Marc Maron. “I’m a little jealous. I’ve been trying to leave me for years. I had her convinced that this intense mixture of neediness, hostility and fear of abandonment was passion. Now, the jig is up.” Really, who would ever want to break from a marital union so blessed with unpredictability? (Maron’s second wife would.) Scorching the Earth is a one-man show that promises the official verbiage, “explores the concepts of love, need, hate, sex, anger, as well as the choice between humility and bitterness. And cats . lots of cats.” As a social critic, Maron has taken the world to task over the course of three albums and numerous specials brimming with cerebral, unapologetic ire. When he targets his own emotional shortcomings, however, the result is honest and cathartic. Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hlywd.; Fri., June 12, 8 p.m.; $8. (323) 908-8702. —Julie Seabaugh

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

CONVENTION

Bongs, Schlongs and Other Phallic Things
Doobies or boobies? This weekend, you don’t have to choose. Under one roof, you can hit (pot humor!) both Erotica L.A. and the THC Expo. At the former, tons of porn actors (yes, I call them “actors”) will be on hand (not on your hand, sir). Best name: Faye Runaway. Also, the Pleasure Chest presents sex seminars. Sample topic: “Expanding Your Orgasm: Backdoor Basics and Beyond With Amy Sung.” At the latter, you can listen to talks by Aaron McGruder (“Boondocks” comic), Julia Butterfly Hill and many others, and have a really hard time choosing your new bong. Both at Los Angeles Convention Center, 1101 N. Figueroa St., dwntwn. Erotica L.A.: Fri.-Sun., June 12-14; $35; three-day pass $75; www.erotica-la.com. THC Expo: Sat.-Sun., June 13-14; $10; www.thcexpo.com. —Libby Molyneaux

FILM

The Other Marilyn
Though adult-film icon Marilyn Chambers is no longer with us (she died in April at age 56), her legend lives on as the embodiment (and what a body!) of a seminal moment in the history of pornography (yes, I said seminal): Chambers starred in Behind the Green Door, the Mitchell Brothers’ landmark 1972 XXX film, which set the ball(s?) rolling for porn’s evolution into mainstream entertainment. The pervs behind the Grindhouse Film Festival screen an X-rated Tribute to Marilyn Chambers and her many talents (including but not limited to frenzied fellatio and manic masturbation), as featured in the psychedelic hardcore of Behind the Green Door, 1973’s Resurrection of Eve, and an assortment of trailers and clips. Settle into your seat, unbutton your raincoat and take it all in, slowly, then faster, and with lotion if you like. Special guests include veteran porn director Fred J. Lincoln and adult-entertainment advocate William Margold. New Beverly Cinema, 7165 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; Sat., June 13, mid.; $7. (323) 938-4038. —Derek Thomas

DANCE/FILM

Dances With Films
Is it any surprise that the film capital of the world has spawned one of the premier dance-film festivals in the world? The eighth annual Dance Camera West opened downtown last weekend, but moves west this week, erupting in full bloom with its signature blend of eclectic filmed dance screening at intriguing venues all over metro L.A. Start Saturday afternoon at the Skirball Cultural Center with a free showing of the BBC-produced The Dancing Room, capturing the choreography of Kate Flatt, with music by the Hungarian band Muzsikas, then head to Westwood, where UCLA’s Hammer Museum hosts three free screenings, including a documentary on choreographer Jerome Robbins (7 p.m.). Sunday at the Hammer features four short films commissioned by Experimental Media & Performing Arts Center (2 p.m.) and documentaries on choreographers Akram Khan and Emio Greco (6 p.m.). Next week, head to Hollywood for the Choreography Media Honors panel discussion and artists’ reception, then to the Valley for a screening of Latin American dance films. The festival concludes at Griffith Park’s Autry Museum, with dance films on First Nation and Native American dance. For festival details: www.dancecamerawest.com. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Bel Air; Sat., June 13, 2:30 p.m.; free. (310) 440-4500 or www.skirball.org. Also at UCLA Hammer Museum, Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Wstwd., Sat., June 13, 7 p.m.; Sun., June 14, 2 & 6 p.m.; free. (310) 443-7000 or www.hammer.ucla.edu. —Ann Haskins