Helm This: The Festival of Fakery with Rian Johnson

He nabbed practically a half ton of well-deserved accolades for "Brick" with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and his next effort, "The Brothers Bloom," is headed to theaters in May. But, a special treat: director Rian Johnson's "The Brothers Bloom" is enjoying a pair of advance screenings over two nights at The New Beverly, along with the delicious "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," a flick chosen by Mr. Johnson to be paired with his movie. And, an even specialer, whip-cream-on-top addition: the director himself is slated to appear both nights to introduce the films.

The helmer is also doing a stint as guest programmer at the New Bev for the rest of the week -- part of his "Festival of Fakery" -- if you can't make the screenings on the 18th or 19th; check out the whole schedule to eye his selections. Is there a better gig in the world than being asked to be a guest programmer at the venerable art house, which also boasts, might we add, the butteriest popcorn in town and grainiest, bow-chicka-wowiest trailers? Tarantino has done it. Bogdanovich, too. Sweet.

If we can't make any of the fake-out flicks, we'll likely make "Bloom" when it blooms, as we count ourselves as devotees of anything related to Adrien Brody, exotic locales, offbeat-y hijinks, Rinko Kikuchi, swept-away romance, cocked-to-one-side bowler hats... February 18 and 19; "The Brothers Bloom" screens at 7:30PM, followed by "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at 9:50PM. The New Beverly Cinema, 7165 W. Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles. 323-938-4038