FILM NOTES: 20th anniversary of “Mean Girls” hits theaters in October | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The Clinton Presidential Center kicks off its “Commanding the Screen” watch party series, in collaboration with the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, with a screening of 2009’s “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” 8 p.m. Saturday at the Main Street Pocket Park, 711 Main St., Little Rock. Admission, popcorn and water are free; attendees can take their own favorite movie theater snacks and beverages. Visit clintonpresidentialcenter.org/events.

In the PG-rated film, the sequel to “Night at the Museum,” Ben Stiller once again plays Larry Daley, this time trying to rescue some old friends while the Smithsonian Institution comes alive. Robin Williams plays President Theodore Roosevelt.

The film series is in conjunction with the Clinton Center’s current exhibit, “Commanding the Screen: The American Presidency in Film and Television,” on display through March 23 at the center, 1200 President Clinton Ave.

‘Mean Girls’ is back

Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures are bringing the 2004 film “Mean Girls” back to big screens to mark the 20th anniversary of its release:

◼️ 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Colonel Glenn 18 and Movie Tavern in Little Rock, the Towne Center in Conway, the Central City 10 in Hot Springs, the Jonesboro Towne in Jonesboro, the Texarkana 14 in Texarkana, the Razorback Cinema in Fayetteville and the Pinnacle Hills in Rogers.

◼️ 4 and 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the same theaters (4 p.m. only in Jonesboro, Fayetteville and Rogers).

Film historian and critic Leonard Maltin provides a special introduction. Ticket information is available at tinyurl.com/3nhj46rf.

Lindsay Lohan plays Cady Heron, a teenager who, having lived in Africa with her zoologist parents, braves the wilds of a suburban high school. She is taken under the wing of the popular clique, the Plastics, led by cool and cruel Regina George (Rachel McAdams). The film co-stars screenwriter Tina Fey, Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Franzese and Amy Poehler.

Oct. 3 is the date within the film that Cady’s crush, Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett), asks her what day it is — giving rise to “Mean Girls Day,” in which devotees wear pink, share quotes and “celebrate the magic of the Plastics,” according to a news release.

See ‘Saw’

And Fathom Events is marking the 20th anniversary of the horror film “Saw” with a nationwide theatrical release of an unrated version:

◼️ Oct. 20, 4 and 7 p.m. at the Riverdale and Colonel Glenn 18 in Little Rock, Cabot 8 in Cabot, the Harrison 8 in Harrison, the Jonesboro Towne in Jonesboro, the Texarkana 14 in Texarkana, the Razorback Cinema in Fayetteville and the Pinnacle Hills in Rogers and 2 and 7 p.m. at the Central City 10 in Hot Springs and the Searcy 8 in Searcy.

◼️ Oct. 23, 7 p.m. at the Riverdale and Colonel Glenn 18, the Jonesboro Towne and the Texarkana 14, 4 and 7 p.m. at the Cabot 8 and the Harrison 8.

The screenings feature bonus content: Tobin Bell, who played John Kramer, discussing “Saw” fandom. For ticket information, visit fathomevents.com/events/saw-20th-anniversary.