Advance Notice. Hero Complex Film Festival.

Ah, summer: the season of the movie blockbuster. But forget your Green Lanterns and Transformers, let's talk about the classics.

Think Superman, Star Trek, Iron Man. Throw in some Dick Tracy, and now you've got a film festival -- as in the second annual Los Angeles Times Hero Complex film festival, happening June 9-12. The paper's own superhero-comic-specialist-columnist Geoff Boucher will be hosting all the events, which will comprise of the above mentioned screenings coupled with Q&As with some greats, including Warren Beatty, Jon Favreau, Richard Donner and more. There's even a reported extra special message coming about the DC Universe with the screenings of the Superman movies.

Get your tickets now (single and festival tickets still available) and enjoy the true classic superhero.

The Los Angeles Times Hero Complex Film Festival takes place June 9-12 at the Grauman's Chinese Theater, located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood.

--Chau Tu

Etc. Happy Memorial Day.

Happy Memorial Day, readers!

Enjoy the day off, and remember all the men and women whose bravery has kept us safe and free.

A very American way to celebrate: a burger, a summer brew, and some Old-Fashioned Mixed-Apple Pie (can't go wrong with baked goods by Dorie Greenspan).

-- the BEAT

Photo credit: usmemorialday.org

The monthly BEAT: Pasadena. Make Music Pasadena.

All month in our new neighborhood series the monthly BEAT, we've been focusing on some spots special to Pasadena. Now I've got a reason for you to come back to the area later.

June 18th, to be specific. That's the date for Make Music Pasadena, a free music festival set right in the heart of the city. The festival is relatively new, but this year is already boasting a huge and awesome lineup, including Best Coast, Ra Ra Riot, The Morning Benders, Kisses, Zola Jesus, and much much more. And did I mention that it's all free??

Seriously too good to pass up. The bands will be spread out across different stages around the area, outside restaurants and stores, so this'll be the perfect chance to check out 21 Choices or the PMCAor all the other wonderful Pasadena wonders. Oh, and the great music on hand too. Happy Pasadena-ing!

Get more info onMake Music Pasadena here.

--Chau Tu

Drink It. Stark Bar at LACMA [Thirsty Thursdays!].

Ever since Chris Burden's "Urban Light" piece was installed, LACMA's become a great spot to see and visit at night. But there's never been any other real reason to come at that time. Until recently, that is. The museum recently celebrated the opening of a new wing along with the opening of Ray's restaurant and the Stark Bar. Having found ourselves in the neighborhood for the night, D and I stopped in for a nightcap at the Stark Bar and were very pleasantly surprised.

Stark Bar is located right behind the light installation, which provided a nice backdrop to the outdoor space. And with fun comfortable seating at the bar and at tables just beyond, as well as a funky video piece repeating on the TV screens, you're always reminded that you're at a museum -- which I thought was pretty cool. Stark keeps the menu simple and easy (Ray's undertakes the fancier and bigger meals), with cocktails, wine and a small plates menu. We stuck with just the cheese plate, which had great flavors, but the flatbreads our neighbors were having looked quite delicious too. My highlight, though, was definitely the cocktail: the Ray's Swizzle (seen above, with a glass of red wine) was a mixture of rum, lime juice, pineapple syrup, blackberry and orange, and absolutely delightful. Just the right amount of sweetness and alcohol. Plus, the service -- the restaurant and bar are part of the well-respected Patina Group -- was great too.

So if you're ever in the mood for art and cocktails, you really can't beat Stark Bar. But I would go so far that it's worth visiting anytime. And you can't forgo a picture with the lights.

And on a special note: the bar is having a Taste of Stark Bar special going until May 31, where you can have wine for $5, cocktails for $6, and a flatbread and Copper Hook beer for $12, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-6:30pm. And don't forget that the Tim Burton exhibit is set to open this weekend! Enjoy!

Stark Bar is located at LACMA, at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. in Miracle Mile.

--Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

Do It. The Hangover Part II.

For everyone who laughed all through the misadventures of Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug in the summer of 2009, the sequel is out tonight. This time they're in Thailand, and so far I'm hearing all good things.

The Hangover Part II is out at midnight.

As always, drinks (but not too many!) at the Hungry Cat Hollywood are recommended if you're going to the ArcLight.

ArcLight Hollywood has 12:01 a.m. and 12:05 a.m. screenings.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Do It. Mandy Ingber at Whole Foods Pasadena.

Mandy Ingber will be at the Arroyo Parkway Whole Foods in Pasadena tonight for a lecture and Yogalosophy DVD signing. Even if you're not interested in purchasing a DVD, show up to listen to what the renowned fitness guru has to say, and bring questions!

Jennifer Aniston, widely admired for having one of Hollywood's hottest bodies, is a longtime devotee of Ingber's yoga practice.

Time & location: May 24 at 6:30 p.m., 465 South Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena.

RSVP to sparr.marketing@wholefoods.com, subject line "RSVP for Mandy Ingber Event".

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: sourcesanddesign.com

Do It. 'Back to the Future' at Big Bar.

We here at the BEAT are big fans of Alcove Cafe and its new sister bar, Big Bar. But if you somehow haven't gotten a chance to visit the beautiful outdoor restaurant and enjoyed some of the new fancy concoctions they're putting together there, you've now got a pretty great excuse.

That would be Big Bar's first-ever outdoor movie screening, featuring none other than Marty McFly and the Delorean in Back to the Future. Yep, they'll be draping a huge 12-foot screen over the garden patio and letting everyone enjoy the outdoors with special cocktails on the menu. And if you come dressed up as your favorite character, there's a chance for a huge prize.

Summer's officially getting kicked off this weekend, so why not celebrate early with this fun outdoor screening? Show up early (there are no reservations being made for movie seating), and you can enjoy some happy hour specials too.

Walk-In Theatre Night Under the Stars with Back to the Future is happening tonight at 8pm at Big Bar, located at 1927 Hillhurst Ave. in Los Feliz.

--Chau Tu

The Monthly BEAT: Pasadena. 21 Choices.

A delicious frozen yogurt is a great afternoon treat, and/or perfect for a nighttime stroll. Old Pasadena's Colorado Boulevard is a beautiful street for a drink, dinner, and window shopping--especially with some fro yo in hand.

The options are endless at 21 Choices--it's like Cold Stone Creamery but with frozen yogurt, so any flavor can be combined with any toppings (and they have a TON) and it's all mixed together to make your own unique (or not so unique, just make it chocolate chip, if that's your style) dessert.

Enjoy!

21 Choices is located at 85 West Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. Info: (626) 304-9521

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: la.eater.com

Check It. Midnight in Paris.

If you like Woody Allen films, do yourself a favor and run to the nearest theater to see Midnight in Paris this weekend.

The opening is, like many Allen films, a love letter to a city--in this case, Paris. The Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, sidewalk cafés, etc. His vision, captured by Cinematographer Darius Khondji, is truly beautiful. Allen says he would live in Paris if he didn't live in New York.

He first came up with the title, which he thought was "very romantic", and went from there, thinking, "What goes on at midnight in Paris?".

Owen Wilson is perfect as Gil, a Hollywood screenwriter who's thinking he might prefer a simpler life in Paris writing novels. While there with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), and her parents, he has some magical adventures at the midnight hour. I don't want to reveal much more, because it will be much more fun to see for yourself.

Other stars in the film include Marion Cotillard, Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Michael Sheen, and France's First Lady, Carla Bruni.

This is a real Woody Allen gem, and I'm already looking forward to watching it over and over again.

Other favorites:

Annie Hall (of course)

Manhattan

Manhattan Murder Mystery

Match Point

Midnight in Paris opens tomorrow, Friday May 20, in Los Angeles and New York.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credits: Sony Pictures Classics

Do It. Mondrian Sessions at Skybar.

We've written about the excellent concert series put on by IAMSOUND Records at the Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel in the past. And if you missed such excellent acts like Jens Lekman and Lykke Li perform intimate sets at a location that is L.A. to its core (plus, can you beat that view?), you've got yet another chance.

The spring series of the Mondrian Sessions is about to begin. Light Asylum kicks it off tomorrow with a set at 8pm. Then look out for performances from buzzworthy acts like Cults and Dirty Beaches.

It's all free, but you have to RSVP, and you should do it early, as these events are rightfully popular and fill up. RSVP doesn't guarantee your entry, either, so make sure you show up early. Check the Mondrian's Facebook page for likely more band announcements soon.

Mondrian Sessions will be taking place at Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel, located at 8440 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu