O.C. in Movies: All We Gotta Do Is Act Naturally

Thanksgiving weekend brings the final movie deluge of the year. As always, some will be Oscar-worthy, some Oscar Mayer-worthy. What makes the current crop unusual is the high number that involve Orange County issues or personalities. A questionable marketing strategy, perhaps, but Hollywood must know what it’s doing.

Here’s a thumbnail sketch of current and soon-to-open films:

“Fight Club”--With a raucous mob of townspeople cheering on their favorites, sweaty Yorba Linda City Council members meet twice a month in pitched battle to discuss longtime City Manager Arthur Simonian. Rated R for language.

“The Bone Collector”--This riveting tale serves up potent dosages of intrigue, accusations and denials as it traces the scandal in UC Irvine’s Willed Body Program. In some theaters, this film is shown as a double feature with “Random Hearts.” Not for the squeamish.

“End of Days”--A big-budget action-adventure flick in which unsuspecting commuters ride the Metrolink between Orange County and Los Angeles. Surprise ending has left preview audiences gasping.

“Anywhere but Here”--Featuring some of the most impassioned acting seen in many years, South County political leaders living in the flight path of the proposed El Toro airport take their anti-airport message to the voters in this prequel to next year’s planned release of “Fear of Flying.”

“Tumbleweeds”--Rival film to “Anywhere but Here” and rushed into holiday release by El Toro airport supporters. This black-and-white offering, evoking the stark cinematography and bleak landscapes of “The Grapes of Wrath,” gives the filmmakers’ vision of what the El Toro site will look like if voters scotch the airport plan.

“Deuce Bigelow”--The latest venture into sports cinema. In this one, the Anaheim Angels uncover Deuce Bigelow, a one-time prep phenom who can throw a baseball 100 mph but who complicates the team’s desire to sign by undergoing a sex-change operation. For mature audiences.

“42 Up”--This oddly titled independent film follows the misadventures of colorful Newport Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Horatio Fleming, who pioneered breast augmentation surgery in the county and subsequently becomes one of the richest men in the world.

“Light It Up”--Poking fun at religious solemnity and taste, this lighthearted “mockumentary” zeros in on TV evangelists Paul and Jan Crouch as they cavort in their high-voltage gilded cage next to the 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa.

“Man on the Moon”--The Dennis Rodman Story, starring Rodman as himself and featuring the entire Newport Beach Police Department in cameo roles.

“A Force More Powerful”--The true story of the he sues/she sues battle between talk-radio giant Dr. Laura Schlessinger and an Orange County surf-wear shop owner. Joan Rivers, in a performance that is already generating Oscar buzz, stars as Dr. Laura.

“Sleepy Hollow”--A series of unexplained catnappings in Laguna Woods, the county’s senior-citizen enclave, doesn’t rouse the Sheriff’s Department. Octogenarian seniors, played by Walter Matthau and Bea Arthur, take it upon themselves to solve the crimes, with hilarious consequences.

“Dogma”--A behind-the-scenes look at the Orange Unified School District trustees, at home and at board meetings, as they confront their fears in allowing a Gay-Straight Alliance Club for high schoolers.

“The Hurricane”--Equal parts comedy and drama, this biography of former Orange County Congressman Robert Dornan stars Robert Duvall in the lead role. Duvall, who stirred audiences in 1997’s “The Apostle,” plays Dornan in his older years. Johnny Depp plays the younger Dornan, with a flourish.

“All About My Mother”--A madcap flick with dark-comedy undertones in which Stephanie Shea and her mother, Irvine Mayor Christina Shea, torment local police in a series of capers.

Dana Parsons’ column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Readers may reach Parsons by calling (714) 966-7821 or by writing to him at the Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or by e-mail to dana.parsons @latimes.com.