Livin’ Large | Action Jackson

Directed by Michael Schultz, the subject of a recent Wexner Center retrospective, Livin’ Large is a fascinating comedy about a young Black reporter who dreams of being an anchorman. He has to balance his desire for success with his fears of selling out, which materialize in visions of his whiteface alter ego. Terrence “T.C.” Carson (best known for his role as Kyle Barker on Living Single and his voice work as Mace Windu for Star Wars: The Clone Wars) is excellent as the anchorman and Hancock contributes a post-”Rockit” score. (96 mins., 35mm)

A cult classic of 1980s action movies, Action Jackson features the icon Carl Weathers as the titular Detroit cop hot on the heels of an auto executive’s criminal, scumbag son (played mercilessly by Craig T. Nelson). Weathers pitched the character to producer Joel Silver while on the set of Predator and the film features many of the same supporting actors as that film (as well as Silver’s next movie, Die Hard). If you want cheesy one-liners, explosions (many of them!), Pointer Sisters songs, and vintage 1980s production design, get your ticket now because this movie won’t let you down. Chances are very good that this is the only movie that featured the late, great Vanity AND Sharon Stone AND Bill Duke together! From a career in the NFL to playing Rocky’s Apollo Creed; from early Adam Sandler movies to The Mandalorian; from Toy Story’s Combat Carl to Arrested Development’s “Carl Weathers,” the man has truly made our lives better. The movie’s score bridges '80s and '90s action movies with Hancock providing the snappy detective music and Michael Kamen providing the more sweeping orchestral music. (96 mins., 35mm)

• See the complete Soundtrack by Herbie Hancock lineup.