Donnie Darko (dir: Richard Kelly, 2001, cert 15)
The incredible cult classic has been playing with our minds for 15 years. Mind bending time warping existential angst or pretentious claptrap? Whatever your position there is no denying this is a film of extraordinary metaphysical power. From the moment Frank in his tattered rabbit costume announces to our titular hero that the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds the film proceeds to usurp, undermine and traduce all expectations in a dizzying maelstrom of concerted head fuckery. Like a hook in your unwitting brain it will drag you screaming to an ending you will barely comprehend. Maybe the biggest subversion of expectation is Patrick Swayze’s motivational speaking paedophile. A truly great film.
Tue 17 Oct 7.30pm at Birmingham LGBT, 38-40 Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1EQ Free www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk

Crumbs (dir: Miguel Llansó, 2015, cert U) + Q&A
Ethiopia’s first post-apocalyptic sci-film ‘Crumb’ fills the excellent Yellow Wednesday slot at Impact Hub this month, with the theme for the event being Afrofuturism. The travails of Birdy and Candy, survivors of ‘The Big War’, make for surreally compelling viewing. Look out for Santa Claus. Following the screening there will be a discussion panel featuring Birmingham’s own Juice Aleem, writer Florence Okoye and Afrofuturist Reuben Sherriffe.
Wed 18 Oct 6.30pm at Impact Hub, 58 Oxford Street, Birmingham B5 5NY £5 www.eventbrite.co.uk

Carry Greenham Home (dir: Beeban Kidron, 1983, cert 15) + Q&A
It’s hard to imagine in the current bland political climate but the eighties was a simmering hotbed of radical politics and meaningful rebellion before Thatcher wielded all the arms of the state to crush it with relentless brutality. The miner’s strike, New Age Travellers, Wapping, poll tax riots and the women of Greenham Common. Beeban Kidron lived at the Greenham Common site for several months whilst making her film and it is a powerful push back against the media vilification of the protesters. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Sally Payen, Lynette Edwards and Mandy Fowler.
Wed 18 Oct 7pm at at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH £9 macbirmingham.co.uk

Empire Records (dir: Allan Moyle, 1995, cert 12A)
Whilst Empire Records may be a little slight as a film, for a reflection of what the nineties were all about just stick a cultural thermometer into its big well meaning heart. Can the eponymous record store survive a day of relentless surprises, fight off the ‘man’ and the takeover by the evil Music Town franchise? Likeable and fun. The screening will be preceded by an introduction from B Film academic Michael Samuel.
Thu 19 Oct 8pm at The Electric Cinema, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DY £9.50 www.theelectric.co.uk

From Noya (dir: Daniel Anderson, 2016, cert 12) + Q&A
Interesting screening of Daniel Anderson’s acclaimed short film From Noya, which has a chilling prescience in the current political climate with funding for mental health being stripped irresponsibly to catastrophic levels. Noya’s depression pushes her to the brink of despair before she seeks help and finds perspective. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director and a panel of leading specialists within the Mental Health field plus spoken word performances from Dan Man and Jade Laurie Hart.
Fri 20 Oct 6.30pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH £5 macbirmingham.co.uk

Little Shop of Horrors (dir: Frank Oz, 1986, cert PG)
Muppeteer extraordinaire Frank Oz directs the rock musical version of Roger Corman’s 1960 original. Rick Moranis is perfect as the befuddled and easy to manipulate florist Seymour Krelborn feeding humans to the mysterious plant Audrey II. Filled with riotous songs, cheesy set pieces and some great cameos, our favourite being the late great John Candy, Little Shop of Horrors is a blast. Now please excuse us we’re off to listen to Wink Wilkinson’s Weird World on the radio.
Fri 20 Oct 9pm at The Mockingbird, The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £5 veezi.com

Rocky Horror Picture Show (dir: Jim Sharman, 1975, cert 15) + after party
“Prepare the transit beam,” it’s time to dig out the suspenders, basque and high heels. The greatest B-movie musical of all time is screening for two nights at The New Alex theatre, with their own Dr. Frank-n-Furter host and exclusive late night party. Tim Curry is uproariously camp as alien transvestite Frank-n-Furter, creating a perfect male creature and encouraging copious bed hopping between his sexually repressed guests. Kitsch with a thousand capital Ks and an obvious influence on punk fashion. Richard O’Brien’s baby is as much fun today as it was 40 years ago!
Fri 20 Oct & Sat 21 Oct 8pm at at The New Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham B5 4DS £20 www.atgtickets.com