Last year’s Animation Block Party. (Photo: Flickr)
It’s the tenth anniversary of the Animation Block Party. The animated-film festival kicks off Thursday at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with Adam Green & Binki Shapiro, Hooray for Earth, Tim Harrington of Les Savy Fav, and animations by Nickelodeon, Pixar and the Cartoon Network. This year’s edition features a screening of ‘90s cult hit “Beavis and Butt-head Do America,” a day of children’s cartoons, a night of graphic design and music videos, and a tenth anniversary party at BAM with ping pong, a photo booth, a DJ, food, booze and carnival games.
Here are the festival screenings we’re reel psyched about, and other films on our to-see list.
MONDAY
“Brewed in Brooklyn” + Q&A with filmmakers John Weber and Kim Bjorheim
Take a look inside Brooklyn’s brewing industry and learn about the boozing history of the county from the time it was the brewing mecca of the world, to the opening of Brooklyn Brewery 25 years ago, up to the current homebrew craze. Your ticket gets you one free beer.
Brooklyn Brewery, 79 N. 11th St., Williamsburg; 8 p.m.; $10
MONDAY-THURSDAY
“Only God Forgives”
Ryan Gosling and Nicolas Winding Refn team up for the second time (the first was 2011’s Drive) for this violent tale of a drug dealer in Bangkok’s underworld out to avenge his brother’s death (kind of) — at his mother’s request. It moves a little slowly, and the dialogue leaves something to be desired, but the visuals and soundtrack are worth the ride (even if it is at half the speed of Drive).
Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg; 5:30, 7:45 and 10 p.m.; $11
WEDNESDAY
NewFilmmakers presents a night of science fiction and fantasy
Curated by Dan Abella of the Philip K. Dick Film Festival
Two sets of short sci-fi and fantasy films followed by the feature film “That’s Beautiful Frank,” shot right here in the Lower East Side. A New York French futurist performance artist is pressured by his theater manager to sell more tickets, prompting him to purchase a black-market handgun and go on a crime-spree.
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave., East Village; 6 p.m.; $10
“The Craft” + performances by La Misma, Potty Mouth and Divorce Money
Catholic schoolgirls turn into witches in this ‘90s classic about a girl who relocates to Los Angeles from San Francisco and falls in with an odd crowd.
McCarren Park, Corner of Bedford and N. 12th, Williamsburg; 6 p.m.; free
THURSDAY
“Head”
The hilarious psychedelic adventures of The Monkees. Written by Jack Nicholson with cameos by Toni Basil, Frank Zappa, Dennis Hopper, Sonny Liston and more.
Videology, 308 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg; 8 p.m.; free
FRIDAY
Animation Block Party at Rooftop Films
An outdoor screening of 15 short animated flicks plus live music, and an after party at Matchless with open bar. Films include “Loud Boy,” “Passer Passer,” “I Am Tom Moody” and more.
Greenpoint High School for Engineering and Automotive Technology, 50 Bedford Ave., Greenpoint; 8 p.m.; $13
“Drug War”
Hong Kong director Johnnie To created this visually stunning thriller about a drug lord who’s been captured and can only avoid the death penalty one way: ratting out his cartel. A burned-out police team works with their unreliable source in a series of twists and turns to try to shut down the drug trafficking circuit.
IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave., West Village
“Breaking the Girls”
Sara is fired from her job after Brooke rats her out for stealing from the tip jar. She befriends Alex who suggests that Sara murders Nina (Alex’s stepdad’s wife) in exchange for her killing Brooke. Sara thinks it’s a joke until Brooke is found dead and all hell breaks loose. An erotic, low budget thriller of the late night variety complete with lesbian sex scenes, murder, blackmail and suspense.
IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave., West Village
SATURDAY
Animation Block Party: Tom Stathes’ Cartoons on Film + Q&A
Tom Stathes is a collector of rare cartoons shorts and has amassed a collection of thousands of old films in 16mm, 35mm and even 28mm format. He’ll be showcasing a few favorites like “Farmer Alfalfa Sees New York,” “Felix the Cat Trips Thru Toyland” and “Fireman Save My Child.”
BAM Rose Cinemas, 321 Ashland Ave., Fort Greene; 4:30 p.m.; $13
SUNDAY
“Die Nibelungen”: “Siegfried” / “Kriemhild’s Revenge”
Die Nibelungen is a two-part series of silent films by Australian director Fritz Lang, originally released in 1924. It’s 280 minutes of dragon slaying, love triangles and watching that fine line between good and evil inherent in all dark heroes. Sundays are meant for marathon movie watching, and this will be quite the marathon.
Spectacle Theater, 124 S. 3rd St., Williamsburg; “Siegfried” at 1 p.m., “Kriemhild’s Revenge” at 4 p.m.; $5