FILM: The epic 13 Assassins takes place at the end of the samurai era in 1844, featuring thirteen swordsmen who are enlisted to assassinate a sadistic lord, who rapes and kills with impunity, before he can gain more power, "culminating in one of the bloodiest, muddiest swordfights ever put to film." (6:30 and 9:30 p.m., Landmark Embarcadero Cinema, 1 Embarcadero Center)

LITERARY: Humorist and regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me!, Roy Blount Jr., will be at the JCC tonight talking about his new book, Alphabetter Juice, in which "Blount compiles his own facetious lexicon of terms that pique his interest and prod him into a ramble." A must-read for word lovers! (7 p.m., Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street)

DESIGN: Grassroots is the theme for May's Pecha Kucha event, focusing on how design can be used for social, environmental, or even political activism and change. Proceeds will benefit the programs at Red Poppy Art House. (8:20 p.m., 330 Ritch, 330 Ritch)