Movies

Arthouse movie listings for December 2-8, 2009

A A A Comments By Michael Leaverton and Hiya Swanhuyser Wednesday, Dec 2 2009

To submit a listing, e-mail film@sfweekly.com.

Om Shanti Om, one of the most popular Bollywood movies of all time, plays Sunday at 2 p.m. at YBCA.

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4 Star. Thrillville: Black Christmas and theremin lounge band Project Pimento. Thu., Dec. 3, 8 p.m. www.thrillville.net. 2200 Clement (at 23rd Ave.), 666-3488, www.hkinsf.com/4star.

Artists' Television Access. The Battle for Whiteclay: Mark Vasina's documentary about the Pine Ridge Reservation. Thu., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. $6. The Young Honduran Revolution: Johannes Wilm's documentary about political activity in Tegucigalpa. Fri., Dec. 4, 8 p.m. $6. "Passive/Aggressive": Group screening curated by Southern Exposure art gallery. Sun., Dec. 6, 5 p.m. $5-$15. Wasteland Utopias: Experimental films by David Sherman. Sun., Dec. 6, 8 p.m. $6. 992 Valencia (at 21st St.), 824-3890, www.atasite.org.

Castro Theatre. "Samuel Goldwyn Presents": A 16-film series. See more in Night and Day. Dec. 2-10. 429 Castro (at Market), 621-6120, www.thecastrotheatre.com.

Dark Room Theater. Bad Movie Night: The Polar Express: CGI craziness. Sun., Dec. 6, 8 p.m. $5. 2263 Mission (at 18th St.), 401-7987, www.darkroomsf.com.

Excelsior Branch Library. The Letter: Bette Davis is a killer — or is she? — in William Wyler's 1940 film. Mon., Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. 4400 Mission (at Cotter), 355-2868, sfpl.lib.ca.us.

Femina Potens. "Open Eyes: Queer Film Friday": Local film series; screenings are followed by wine and vegan cookie receptions including question and answer sessions with the filmmakers. Also features a visual open mike: Submit short (five minutes or less) films or video pieces at 7:30 p.m. First Friday of every month. 2199 Market (at Sanchez), 864-1558, www.feminapotens.org.

Mechanics' Institute Library. CinemaLit's "The Altman Cometh – The Films of Robert Altman": Gosford Park. Fri., Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m. 57 Post (at Market), 393-0101, www.milibrary.org.

Red Vic Movie House. Taking Woodstock: Ang Lee takes a peripheral look at the fest. Wed., Dec. 2, 2, 7 & 9:20 p.m. Zombieland: Woody Harrelson and some zombies. Fri., Dec. 4, 7:15 & 9:15 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 5, 2, 4, 7:15 & 9:15 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 6, 2, 4, 7:15 & 9:15 p.m.; Mon., Dec. 7, 7:15 & 9:15 p.m. $6-$9. Xanadu: Olivia Newton-John on roller skates. Tue., Dec. 8, 7:15 & 9:15 p.m.; Wed., Dec. 9, 2, 7:15 & 9:15 p.m. 1727 Haight (at Cole), 668-3994, www.redvicmoviehouse.com.

Roxie Theater. The Beaches of Agnès: Agnès Varda's recent semi-autobiographical documentary. Through Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m.; Through Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m.; Thu., Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. The Men Who Stare at Goats: Grant Heslov's feature about secret government psy-ops. Through Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Defamation: Yoav Shamir's documentary about anti-Semitism. Through Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Capitalism: A Love Story: The new Michael Moore. Through Dec. 3, 8:45 p.m.; Through Dec. 7, 8:45 p.m.; Through Dec. 6, 4:35 p.m.; Thu., Dec. 10, 8:45 p.m. Art & Copy: Doug Pray's documentary about advertising. Through Dec. 3, 8:45 p.m. William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe: Emily Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler's documentary about their father. Dec. 4-7, 7 p.m.; Thu., Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Everything Strange and New: Reviewed on page 24. Fri., Dec. 4, 7 & 9:15 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 5, 3 & 5 p.m.; Dec. 5-10, 7 & 8:45 p.m. Take It to the Limit: Peter Starr's motorcycle documentary. Proceeds benefit a prostate cancer awareness group. Tue., Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. 3117 16th St. (at Valencia), 863-1087, www.roxie.com.

San Francisco General Hospital. Life Before the Lifeboat: San Francisco's Courageous Response to the AIDS Outbreak: Documentary featuring local activists and doctors. Through Dec. 2, 2, 3, 4 & 5 p.m. free. 1001 Potrero (at 22nd St.), 206-8000, sfghed.ucsf.edu.

SFMOMA. "The Cockettes on Film, at 40!": Scrumbly and the gang. See more in Night and Day. Thu., Dec. 3, 7 p.m. $7-$10. 151 Third St. (at Mission), 357-4000, www.sfmoma.org.

VIZ Cinema. Fine, Totally Fine: Irresistible Japanese underachievers. Through Dec. 3. $8-$10. 1746 Post (at Webster), 525-8600, www.newpeopleworld.com.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. "Tropical Vulture": A collaboration between George Kuchar and Mexican contemporary artist Miguel Calderón. Through Jan. 10, 2010. $5-$7. "The Joy of Life" film series: Parade: Jacques Tati's delightful film of circus acts. Thu., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Om Shanti Om: Farah Khan's Bollywood spectacular. Sun., Dec. 6, 2 p.m. 701 Mission (at Third St.), 978-2787, www.ybca.org.