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The absurdly funny bearded fatty known as Zach Galifianakis presents the flat out absurd with Bruce Robinson’s 1987 Brit comedy Withnail & I at The Cinefamily on Fairfax. Part of the Upright Citizens Brigade’s ongoing Comedy Death Ray series.

From The Cinefamily:

“Richard E. Grant gives not only one of the greatest comedic performances on film of the last few decades, but also one of the best on-screen drunks ever in Bruce Robinson’s criminally underseen Withnail & I, which comes to the Cinefamily in a rare 35mm screening, hosted by one of our favorite funny people, Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover)! Grant and Paul McGann breathe boozy, riotous life into the duo of Withnail and Marwood, two out-of-work actors in late ’60s London who decide to take a break from their drug-and-drink-riddled squalor, and head out to the country for some R&R — only to encounter something even more distressing in the form of predatory Uncle Monty (a scene-stealing Richard Griffiths). This cracked classic plays like a big screen version of “The Young Ones” as filtered through the cracked sensibilities of late-era Beatles; alternately funny, creepy and poignant, Withnail & I is pure brilliance.
Dir. Bruce Robinson, 1987, 35mm, 107 min.”

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The funniest foul-mouthed female making fart jokes today, Sarah Silverman brings her special brand of raunch to The Cinefamily on Fairfax as she screens Charles Grodin and Martin Short in the role he was born to play in the not-so-classic-grown-man-as-ten-year-old-boy comedy Clifford. Part of the Upright Citizens Brigade’s ongoing Comedy Death Ray series at The Cinefamily .

From The Cinefam:

“Hide the children, Clifford is coming home! In the early 1990s, The Universe noted that modern American studio comedies were severely lacking in terms of maniacal, piss-yer-pants derangement. Naturally, this problem had to be rectified. Quickly. Summoning all of its ubiquitous power, The Universe decreed that 44-year-old Martin Short would portray a psychotic, dinosaur-obsessed 10-year-old (and would be framed on-screen either with weirdo forced perspective or simply on his knees, like “Dorf”), Charles Grodin would shit several hundred bricks, and “jokes” involving plutonium, toupées, facelifts and inappropriate sexuality would be utilized. Salvation was imminent. Clifford was born! Easily one of the most bizarre films of its decade produced for the mainstream, Clifford delivers intentional comedy as quasi-unintentional surrealism, and the result is a righteous, baffling descent into hilarity for all the wrong (right?) reasons. Twenty years from now, this film will be heralded by a new guard of WTF-film enthusiasts — so here’s your chance to beat ‘em to it. Sarah Silverman and Paul F. Tompkins will both be at the Cinefamily to participate in the comedians’ post-screening discussion panel!!!!“

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One of the funniest comedians making people laugh today, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin, presents a film by one of the funniest comedians of all-time when Albert Brook’s Modern Romance screens tonight at The Cinefamily for their ongoing Comedy Death Ray series in conjunction with the Upright Citizens Brigade. A comedy about a Los Angeles film editor who can’t seem to find love? It’s funny because it’s true…sigh…

From the Cinefamily:

“Jeff Garlin, co-star of the long-running “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and director/star of the middle-age romance I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With, comes to the Cinefamily to present one of his favorite films, the sublime ‘81 Albert Brooks relationship comedy Modern Romance. In a brilliant zeitgeisty skewering of aimless West Coast proto-yuppie ennui, Brooks stars as a befuddled, slightly clueless film editor whose emotional self-flagellation blocks him from enjoying even the simplest of love’s pleasures. With a wonderful performance that reveals endless subtle levels of mental hand-wringing, Brooks is a full-bodied flaw machine who revels in feeling lousy because it’s his comfort food — and as well, his breezy, slow-burn directorial touch applies the perfect kind of “Carter-era hangover” satirical heft to the standard rom-com format. As Garlin says, Albert Brooks does it so well that “Modern Romance is the only movie that ever made me feel good about being neurotic.”

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Need some funny to start off your week? Try some Comedy Death Ray on for size as the Upright Citizen’s Brigade continues their screening series at The Cinefamily on Fairfax with Friday the 13th part III with live commentary from Super High Me’s super stoned comedian Doug Benson.

From the film Family:

“Doug Benson (Super High Me, “Best Week Ever”) slides on in to the Cinefamily to present a unique spin on a beloved horror franchise classic. We all know Friday The 13th Part 3 is perhaps the most satisfying film in the legendary franchise (Jason gets his hockey mask! Hippies and bikers! All that creepy stuff in the barn!). We also know that Larry Zerner delivered the series’ most endearing non-Jason performance, in the form of practical jokester/big-time nerd/venerated thespian “Shelly.” Now, imagine that you’re sitting in a theater as the film unspools — and Shelly is sitting right next to you, giving you juicy behind-the-scenes gossip. Yep, this nerd’s wet dream is real! Join Doug and Larry for a once-in-a-lifetime Friday The 13th happening — that is, a live commentary for Part 3, in which the two men will enjoy a fantastic repartee, discuss the film, and feasibly discover the impetus behind such classic lines as, “I’m not an asshole — I’m an actor.” The film won’t be screened in 3-D, but c’mon — it’s SHELLY.”

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What do you get when you mix The Cinefamily with the Upright Citizen Brigade’s Comedy Death Ray screening series with Mad Men’s John Hamm? Why a healthy does of Dustin Hoffman in drag in Sydney Pollack’s 1982 comedy Tootsie of course!

From the Cinefamilia and John Hamm:

“Jon Hamm: he is a man. A “Mad Men” kind of man. A sexy man. A smart man. And, as those who’ve seen his SNL appearances can testify, a funny man. For May’s Comedy Death-Ray night, Jon’s picked one of the seminal smash comedy hits of the ’80s, one ripe for rediscovery — and one that wasn’t afraid to provide a yin of social relevance (in this case, the maturation of feminism into a new decade) to balance out its absurdist, farcical yang. In Jon’s words: “Tootsie is an adult comedy — that is to say, a comedy made for adults. Not that there is anything wrong with people getting hit in the nuts and ‘bros’ high-fiving each other over bad puns, but this is an exceedingly well-written, well acted, well directed comedy that is about something that most adults can relate to, all while couched in a crazy high-concept conceit that makes for a very funny, and surprisingly moving movie.”

Also…just a reminder at how seriously funny John Hamm can be when he’s not selling commercials in the 1960’s:

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The Cinefamily’s continuing Comedy Death Ray series continues to kill. This time young Michael Cera presents Freebie and the Bean starring Alan Arkin and James Caan in what Cera says “has to be the best buddy-cop film of 1974″.

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The 2nd weekend of the new year brings a plethora of group shows to Los Angeles along with a Hamburger weekender.

• Gallery 1988 on Melrose has been pumping out art shows depicting some of our most recognizable pop culture heroes and villains over the years (I AM 8-BIT, Crazy 4 Cult, Lost, etc.) so it comes as no surprise that our favorite childhood muscle bound bowl-cut hero from Eternia has over 100 artists making pieces of him and his pals for the show Under the Influence: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)

• You Can Heal Your Life! at the Circus Gallery on Lexington that is at their group show which features the works of Sister Corita among others. Curated by Emma Gray, the “art works in this show seek to address issues of religion, spirituality and self-help through performance, sculpture, painting, video and printmaking.“

(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)

• For animal and art lovers alike, Thinkspace in Silver Lake is putting out A Cry For Help, a group show of over 100 artists with the goal of raising awareness about the plight of animals in our modern world. *20% of all proceeds will be donated to Born Free USA.

(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)

• New Image Art on La Brea is run by some amazing women (Marsea Goldberg, Amber Abramson) so it should come as no surprise that their current group show features some of today’s powerful women photographers with the group show Put Your Finger on the Button. Included in the show are two of my favorite photographers, regardless of sex, the awesome Cheryl Dunn and lovely Deanna Templeton (who you may have both seen in our film Beautiful Losers).

(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)

• Speaking of Deanna Templeton, her husband Ed Templeton will be featured in the show for the Japanese publication Megane Zine at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery off of Melrose. In addition to a limited edition HVW8 x Megane t-shirt designed by Ed for sale, comic zine’s will be given free to the first 20 people on January 9th.

(Click image for more info and full artist lineup)

• And finally wrap up your weekend with family, laughter and Hamburger as the Cinefamily on Fairfax extends their Comedy Death Ray series with Neil Hamburger’s tribute to Frank Sinatra, Jr. I repeat Frank Sinatra, JUNIOR. In honor of Frank Jr.’s birthday, Hamburger has assembled this evening of rare, vintage Frank Jr. TV variety specials and film appearances!

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Close out the summer this Labor Day weekend with art openings, saving our state parks by dancing your ass off and watching classic movies in unusual places around Los Angeles.

• Brooklyn based artist Jon Vermilyea brings an Attack From Space with art and a new silkscreen book to The Secret Headquarters in Silver Lake.

• Fresh friends at Fresh Pressed host Michael C. Hsiung and his cast of mythical creatures for an opening and live screenprinting of select works in Los Feliz.

• Picnicing, beer tasting and “beautiful baby” watching at the Barnsdall Art Park for an outdoor movie night featuring Jon Favreau’s Los Feliz inspired Swingers.

• Go to the Fuck Yeah Fest and help save our state parks while enjoying the musical stylings of the Black Lips, No Age, Tim and Eric and many more F-Yeahers at the Los Angeles State Historic Park.

• Buff Monster brings a Heavy Metal Ice Cream Smile to the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City just in time to cool off and close out the summer.

• Be there for Being There at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery as Cinespia presents the 1979 dramedy (and original Forrest Gump) directed by Hal Ashby (Harold and Maude) starring Peter Sellers.

• Enjoy your day off while watching the recently departed John Hughes’ 1986 classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Also at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

• Also on Saturday night, The Cinefamily on Fairfax and Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show) has an adventure for you should you choose to accept it: Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure directed by Tim Burton. Screening as part of the Upright Citizens Brigade’s Comedy Death Ray series.

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A few things to do in Los Angeles when you’re not swimming in swimming pools, swimming at the beach, or swimming in your sorrows with alcoholic beverages this weekend:

• Savannah Snow goes to Reform School in Silver Lake with her charming little show Charming Cobras. See the preview here.

• Explore Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite with a video screening and group show featuring Paper Rad, Souther Salazar, Ben Bigelow, and many more at Synchronicity Space on Melrose. Check the trailer below.

• The Cinefamily presents Experiments in Nature as Aska Matsumiya and The Moonrats (along with Warpaint) provide a live score to science films, experimental films, and nature footage at The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax.

• Mid-City Arts celebrate their one year anniversary with a massive group show featuring some of LA’s finest graffiti artists. Including live painting by the infamous CHAKA, DUSTER (Style Wars), RETNA, and more.

• And finally, end your weekend with some laughter as The Cinefamily presents Comedy Death Ray (Upright Citizens Brigade) presenting Fred Armisen (SNL) presenting Claude Lelouch’s 1974 romance Toute Une Vie (And Now, My Love), which chronicles three love affairs over three generations.

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This weekend’s events and openings look swell and all but you know the whole world will be dancing their collective asses off to the music of Michael all weekend long. So tonight, you gotta leave that 9-5 up on the shelf and just enjoy yourself!

• The LA Film Festival pays tribute to some of the most iconic music videos that completely raised the bar with Where It Was At: A Propaganda and Satellite Films Tribute featuring classic clips from Spike Jonze, David Fincher, Mark Romanek, Stephane Sednaoui, and more. Also, the Propaganda Class Reunion, with many of the co-founders and early executives, will follow the Friday, June 26 screening!

• The Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax conclude their Comedy Death Ray (Upright Citizens Brigade) series with Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric presenting David Byrne’s 1985 quirky look at Texas with True Stories. Bonus: Tim and Eric will be presenting a sneak preview of some of their latest sketch work from their hilariously creepy show, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

• The second installment of Subliminal Project’s Park Life series brings together a diverse group of creatives for the opening of The New Utopia at Echo Park’s Studio Number One. Featuring Shepard Fairey, Amanda Fairey, Florencio Zavala, Cleon Peterson, Zach Gibson, Kristian Henson, Casey Ryder, Jesselisa Moretti, Simon Steinhardt, Philip Lumbang, Ernesto Yerena, Marissa Textor, Adrianne Read, Jeremy Kaplan, Fighting, Seth Ferris, Sage Vaughn, Maya Hayuk, Michael Muller, Mansi Shah, Tanya Rubbak, Gail Swanlund, Jeremy Landman, Nicholas Bowers, Spencer Elden, Z James, Edwin Bethea, Eric Elms, The Date Farmers, Devin Gallagher, HelloVon and more…

• APAK (husband and wife duo of Aaron Piland and Ayumi Kajikawa Piland) bring their magical little creatures to Hollywood’s Tinlark Gallery with their Rainbow Garden.

• Korin Faught’s hauntingly beautiful paintings come to the Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City with her solo show Echo.

• INVADER and WK Ineteract dually attack New York’s Jonathan Levine Gallery with their respective solo shows Top 10 and Motion Portrait.

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• Jack Long goes long with his latest paintings for his show Singing Her to Sleep at Giant Robot’s New York shop.

• And finally on Sunday, come to Silver Lake and Hunt and Gather in a garden filled with one of a kind treasures culled from the collections of local collectors.

More from the locals:

“Local Silverlake peeps have come together to put their items on display. There’s gonna be music, $1 refreshments (margaritas, mimosas, & lemonade) and the CUTEST KITCHEN BOUTIQUE selling HOMEMADE VEGAN BAKED TREATS and CANNED GOODS.

Other items you will find on your hunt: VINTAGE bags, shoes and clothing. ANTIQUES, HANDCRAFTED CLOTHING, RECORDS, BOOKS, HANDMADE TERRARIUMS, ORGANIC APOTHECARY PRODUCTS, ORIGINAL ART and so much more!”

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