What’s playing? From ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ to ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox,’ here’s our weekend movie picks around LA

If you’re reading this, I think it’s safe to say you’re a podcast listener, LAist reader, and film lover. This means we’ve got something great in store for you this weekend!

It’s time for the American Cinematheque’s annual “Friend of the Fest” program, where they’re inviting folks from their favorite podcasts to present films at three iconic vintage theaters across L.A.

And yes, this year, the presenters include LAist! Victoria Alejandro (hello, that’s me!) will be presenting on behalf of the mini-series Revival House from How to LA.

We’ve got a few picks from that AC series on this list, in addition to some great animated features — a classic Studio Ghibli screening over at Vidiots, a gorgeous Wes Anderson stop-motion film at the New Beverly Cinema, and an Oscar-winning animated comic book movie at the Academy Museum. Read on!

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For the anime fans

Princess Mononoke

Vidiots

Friday, Aug. 23, 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $13, more info here.

Synopsis: A curse, a wolf goddess, a prince, a girl who will do anything to save a forest from destruction. This is a stunning fantasy anime epic from Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki. You really do just have to see it.

For the clever fox family

Fantastic Mr. Fox 

The New Beverly Cinema

Friday Aug. 23 - Sunday, Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $14.25, more info here.

Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. Fox have built a lovely domestic life. Their son, Ash, and their nephew Kristofferson are butting heads, but things are generally nice! Until Mr. Fox gets a little bored with his job as a newspaper columnist and longs for his old days of crime, plotting one last heist. Starring the voice talents of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Owen Wilson and more in this stacked cast, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a marvel of stop-motion animation, and a great story about ego and family togetherness.

For the small bookstore lovers

You’ve Got Mail

Los Feliz 3

Saturday, Aug. 24, 4 p.m.

Tickets are $8-13, more info here.

Synopsis: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in a classic New York City Nora Ephron rom-com! She owns a small bookstore, he runs a chain bookstore, and email is pretty new to the world. While the two business rivals fight in person, they’re unknowingly falling in love online. Will their romance survive? This screening is part of “Friend of the Fest,” and will be introduced by ICYMI’s Candice Lim!

For the Willem Dafoe lovers

To Live and Die in L.A.

The Egyptian

Sunday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10-15, more info here.

Synopsis: If you’ve ever met me, you know I love two things on film. First is a car chase through the L.A. River, something director William Friedkin was a master at. And second is a story of obsession, one where two men can’t stop thinking about outsmarting the other, where a game of cat-and-mouse just keeps escalating. Especially when those two men are as beautiful as Willem Dafoe, playing a dangerous counterfeiter, and William Petersen, starring as a federal agent whose methods get more and more out of hand. What can I say, it’s a good movie! I’ll be introducing this one live at the Egyptian. Come say hi!

For the spider-people

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (3D)

The Academy Museum

Sunday, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10, more info here.

Synopsis: This Oscar-winning film follows New York teen Miles Morales, a whiz-kid navigating private school and puberty… alongside becoming the new Spider-Man. When the universe starts falling apart after a classic comic book villain inciting incident, Spider-Men from all different realities start coming together. It’s a story about friendship, trust, and teamwork told through dazzling and innovative animation. And this screening’s in 3D!