FilmWeek

LAist

FilmWeek on AirTalk, hosted by Larry Mantle, is a one-hour weekly segment devoted to films. It offers reviews of the week's new movies, interviews with filmmakers, and discussions on various aspects of the industry.

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Yesterday · 8 min
Feature: Remembering Tim Curry
The topic: Tim Curry, a character actor who created a gallery of delicious, very loony villains for stage and screen, including Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the smug concierge in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, has died. He was 80. Larry Mantle and our FilmWeek critics remember some of Curry’s most iconic roles on the screen and on the stage. The critics: Lael Loewenstein, film critic for LAist Charles Solomon, film critic for LAist, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine Katie Walsh, film critic for LAist, the Tribune News Service and L.A. Times Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
Yesterday · 41 min
FilmWeek: ‘Coyote vs. Acme,’ ‘The Dog Stars,’ ‘Finding Emily’ and more!
The topic: Larry Mantle and this week’s critics review the long-awaited Coyote vs. Acme, starring Wile E. Coyote and the other Looney Tunes. They’ll also talk about Ridley Scott’s newest sci-fi movie The Dog Stars starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin. The films: Coyote vs. Acme, Wide Release The Dog Stars ,Wide Release Finding Emily, Wide Release The Last Blossom, In Select Theaters The Marching Band, Laemmle Royal [West LA], Laemmle Town Center [Encino], Regency Theaters [Laguna Nigel] Dreams in Nightmares, Laemmle Glendale & AMC Burbank Town Center Idiots, In Select Theaters How to Divorce During the War, In Select Laemmle Theaters The critics: Lael Loewenstein, film critic for LAist Charles Solomon, film critic for LAist, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine Katie Walsh, film critic for LAist, the Tribune News Service and L.A. Times Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
August 21 · 18 min
Feature: It’s back to school! Our critics share their favorite school-set flicks
The topic: Summer is over and school is back in session. So we thought we would ask our FilmWeek critics what some of their favorite school-set films are and what makes them so effective in bringing back those school-day memories. Our critics' picks: Cooley High (1975) To Sir, With Love (1967) Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Fame (1980) The Last Picture Show (1971) Carrie (1976) The 400 Blows (1959) Election (1999) Booksmart (2019) Mr Holland’s Opus (1995) The critics: Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
August 21 · 31 min
FilmWeek: ‘Insidious: Out of the Further,’ ‘It Ends,’ ‘Mutiny’ and more!
The topic: Larry Mantle and film critics Peter Rainer and Tim Cogshell talk about the latest installment in the Insidious franchise, and yes, they do recommend you see the preceding five films. They also discuss the documentary The Last Picture Shows, about the handful of independent movie theaters across the U.S. that are slowly dying out. The films: Insidious: Out of the Further, Wide Release It Ends, AMC Burbank & AMC The Grove Mutiny, Wide Release Memory of Princess Mumbi, Laemmle Glendale The Last Picture Shows, Laemmle Royal [West LA] Franz, Landmark Theater [Pasadena] The Magic Faraway Tree, Wide Release Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter, Streaming on Prime Video Learning to Fly, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] The critics: Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
August 14 · 20 min
Feature: Directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio on their Emmy-nominated Mel Brooks documentary
The topic: The two-part documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year-Old Man! has garnered 6 primetime Emmy nominations including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program. Co-directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio join Larry Mantle on FilmWeek to talk about the legendary filmmaker himself (now 100 years-old) and what it was like to talk to Brooks about his generation-defining comedy. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year-Old Man! is available to stream on HBOMax. Guests: Judd Apatow, co-director and executive producer of the two-part HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year-Old Man! Michael Bonfiglio, co-director and executive producer of the two-part HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99 Year-Old Man! Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
August 14 · 29 min
FilmWeek: ‘The End of Oak Street,’ ‘Don’t Say Good Luck,’ ‘Late Fame’ and more!
The topic: Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Maureen Lee Lenker review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The films: The End of Oak Street, Wide Release Don’t Say Good Luck, Streaming on Netflix Late Fame, Laemmle Royal [West LA] The Wrong Girls, Wide Release If These Walls Could Rock, Available on Digital Six the Musical Live!, In Select Theaters Union County, Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA] The Brink of War, Wide Release The critics: Christy Lemire, film critic for LAist, and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ YouTube and podcast series Maureen Lee Lenker, LAist film critic and freelance journalist formerly of Entertainment Weekly who's written for Gold Derby, The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and Turner Classic Movies. She's also the author of three novels set in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
August 7 · 18 min
Feature: Why some of the greatest romance movies started as novels
The topic: In a follow up to her book But Have You Read the Book?, author Kristen Lopez focuses on romance movies that were adapted from or inspired by famous works of literature. From beloved classics like Anna Karenina to modern cult favorites like Bridget Jones’ Diary, But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition will give you the perfect reading (and corresponding watch) list for the summer. Guest: Kristen Lopez, freelance entertainment journalist and author of the new book But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition
August 7 · 31 min
FilmWeek: ‘One Night Only,’ ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,’ ‘Tony’ and more!
The topic: Larry Mantle and the critics discuss the confusing intricacies at play in the society of One Night Only and the impressive storytelling and meta-commentary behind writer-director Jane Schoenbrun’s latest film Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Larry also reminisces on his interview with Anthony Bourdain following Kitchen Confidential. That time in Bourdain’s life is portrayed in the new biopic Tony. The films: One Night Only, Wide Release Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, In Select Theaters Tony, In Select Theaters Ice Cream Man, Wide Release Mr. Hero, In Select Theaters Cookie Queens, In Select Theaters Olmo, In Select Theaters The Last House, Streaming on Netflix Above and Below, Available on VOD Aug 25 The critics: Amy Nicholson, film critic for the Los Angeles Times and host of the podcast ‘Unspooled’ Tim Cogshell, film critic at the Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com
July 31 · 23 min
We talk to an IMAX projectionist about The Odyssey IMAX 70mm craze
The topic: Don’t understand the 70mm IMAX craze for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey? LAist host Julia Paskin talked to Taylor Umphenour, one of L.A.’s top IMAX projectionists, on FilmWeek to understand why the format is becoming a filmmaker favorite and why audiences are clamoring to theaters to see The Odyssey in the largest format possible. Guest: Taylor Umphenour, IMAX projectionist Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency
July 31 · 25 min
FilmWeek: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ ‘I Want Your Sex,’ ‘Middle Life,’ and more!
The topic: Julia Paskin and the LAist film critics talk about the fourth installment to the Tom Holland Spider-Man series that takes an introspective look at the superhero, and they applaud Olivia Wilde’s performance as a sexually dominant boss in Gregg Araki’s new film I Want Your Sex. The films: Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Wide Release I Want Your Sex, Wide Release Wild Inside, In Select Laemmle Theaters Everybody Calls Me Mike, Available on Indiepix The Samurai and the Prisoner, Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA] The Best Pizza is in LA, Available on VOD Middle Life, Laemmle Glendale The critics: Lael Loewenstein, film critic for LAist Maureen Lee Lenker <like ‘link’>, freelance journalist who's written for Gold Derby, The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and Turner Classic Movies. She was previously at Entertainment Weekly for nearly nine years. She's also the author of three novels set in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency
July 24 · 29 min
FilmWeek: ‘Motor City,’ ‘Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender,’ ‘Her Private Hell,’ and more!
The topic: Julia Paskin and the LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The films: Motor City, In Select Theaters Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, Streaming on Paramount+ Her Private Hell, Wide Release Hadestown: The Musical, In Select Theaters Sheep in the Box, AMC Century City|Expands to more theaters July 31 Nothing to See Here: Watts, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, In Select Theaters Cruel Hands, Laemmle Glendale & Available on VOD The Kidnapping of Arabella, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] & Laemmle NoHo The Dink, Streaming on Apple TV+ Lars Shrike Walks the Night, Streaming on Digital Correction: In the original broadcast for the review for American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, Lou Diamond Phillips was incorrectly credited for the role of 'El Pachuco' in the 1978 Mark Taper production of 'Zoot Suit'. The character 'El Pachuco' was played by Edward James Olmos. The critics: Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com Charles Solomon, film critic for LAist, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency
July 24 · 19 min
New doc ‘Nothing to See Here: Watts’ brings rival gangs together in pact to stop violence
The topic: The documentary Nothing to See Here: Watts takes viewers through the lives of community members as they experience violence, decades long gang rivalries, and neglect from city services. How it was made: Twenty participants were given iPhones to film themselves and their community over three years. The filmmakers included gang members, community activists, students, victims of violence, and police officers. They all later came together to decide what ultimately made the final cut. The first screening: The first screening of the film was presented to active members of the rival gangs in Watts in an effort to bring about talks of peace. We see the discussions unfold as decades long rivalries come to a halt to protect their collective community. Guests: Cornelius Wills, gang interventionist and mentor with Soledad Enrichment Action and Bounty Hunter Blood gang member Quiana Williams, mother of Sean Reynolds, a student who was shot in Watts Tim Pearce, retired LAPD gang officer who served in Watts and South Central LA Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
July 17 · 29 min
FilmWeek: ‘The Odyssey,’ ‘Reading Lolita in Tehran,' 'Heartstopper Forever’ and more
The topic: Larry Mantle and LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The films: The Odyssey, Wide Release Reading Lolita in Tehran, Laemmle Royal [West LA] The Floaters, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Town Center [Encino] Horsegirls, Laemmle NoHo Remake, Laemmle Royal [West LA] Sherman’s March, Laemmle Royal [West LA] Heartstopper Forever, Streaming on Netflix Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
July 17 · 20 min
The Odyssey: Christopher Nolan talked to us about making a 2,800-year-old story feel new
The topic: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is turning out to be the event of the summer, with screenings selling out at theaters a year in advance. Nolan shares how he adapted the Greek epic for a modern audience. On what makes a successful adaptation: “If somebody watching the film who read the poem in high school or something, who doesn’t know it that well but knows it pretty well — if that person feels that my additions or my allusions actually were from the poem, then I think I've succeeded.” The dialogue: “I’m not having the actors speak with mid-Atlantic or some British accents the way Hollywood in the 50s or 60s often did… We want it to be more accessible than that.” The sound and score: “[Ludwig Göransson] is trying to create a soundscape that is as much a part of the sense of place as the sound effects. So in a way we’re trying to blur the boundaries completely between music and sound effects.” New technology: “This blimping system, it’s essentially a high-tech box you put the [70MM IMAX] camera in and it silences it. And so for the first time ever, we could do the entire film that way.” Does the format matter? “They’re all drawn from this massive negative, so they can be as sharp and clear as possible. We’re able to fill the screen with the brightest and clearest image no matter what format you see it in. Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
July 10 · 29 min
FilmWeek: ‘Moana,’ ‘Evil Dead Burn,’ 'The American Southwest’ and more
The topic: Larry Mantle and LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The films: Evil Dead Burn, Wide Release Moana, Wide Release Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, Wide Release Mary Oliver: Saved By the Beauty of the World, At Select Laemmle Theaters Night Nurse, In Select Theaters The Isolate Thief, In Select Theaters Mockbuster, Laemmle Glendale & Available on Digital & VOD The American Southwest, Available on Digital and VOD Barrio Triste, Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA] & American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz 3 Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
July 10 · 20 min
Horror movies are bringing audiences back to theaters. But how long can it last?
The topic: Horror movies are having a moment. Two of this year's greatest box office successes are two horror films, each from unknown directors with non-IP scripts and relatively small budgets. A horror darling: Obsession is the unexpected runaway hit of the summer, having grossed over $400 million worldwide on less than $1 million budget. Now almost two months out from its initial release, it is still playing in theaters nationwide. Another hit: Backed by the studio A24, Backrooms had a budget of $10 million and has grossed almost $350 million worldwide. Some of its success can be attributed to it being based on a popular 4Chan post that sparked a webseries and several internet games. Guests: Amy Nicholson, film critic for LAist, film critic for the Los Angeles Times and host of the podcast ‘Unspooled’ Christy Lemire, film critic for LAist, and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ YouTube and podcast series Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.
July 3 · 31 min
FilmWeek: ‘Minions & Monsters,’ ‘Young Washington,’ ‘Romería’ and more
The topic: Larry Mantle and LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The films: Minions & Monsters Wide Release Young Washington Wide Release Romería Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Royal [West LA] Enola Holmes 3 Streaming on Netflix Reeling Available on Digital & VOD Tues. July 7 Drunken Noodles Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]|Laemmle NoHo Lockbox In Select Theaters The Get Out Available on Digital & VOD Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency The critics: Charles Solomon, film critic for LAist, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine Christy Lemire, film critic for LAist, and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ YouTube and podcast series Claudia Puig, film critic for LAist and program director for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
July 2 · 17 min
Feature: Two of John Waters’ iconic films get a 4k restoration with Criterion
The topic: Criterion released two director-approved 4k restorations for John Waters’ 1988 film Hairspray and his 1977 film Desperate Living. The disc releases include exclusive commentary tracks from Waters and some of the actors as well as bonus interviews. Waters’ trash cinema: Known for his provocative, camp films, Waters is considered one of the formative directors of gay cinema. His ‘trash trilogy’ of Pink Flamingos (1972), Female Trouble (1974) and Desperate Living (1977) showcased taboos and profanity that garnered Waters a cult following. Mainstream attempt: But he also brought in a more mainstream audience with his much more tame and accessible film Hairspray (1988) about an overweight teen in Baltimore who dreams of being on a local TV show that features adolescents dancing. And you can’t talk about Waters without talking about his frequent collaborator and drag performer Divine, featured in a majority of Waters’ films. Divine played Tracy’s mother Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. It was his last film role before he died. Guest: John Waters, American filmmaker known for his gay, cult classic films that delve into ‘trash’ and taboo Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency
June 25 · 30 min
FilmWeek: ‘Supergirl,’ ‘The Invite,’ ‘Jackass: Best and Last' and more!
The topic: Larry Mantle and LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The films: Supergirl Wide Release The Invite In Select Theaters|Expands Wide July 10 Jackass: Best and Last Wide Release Lucky Strike Wide Release Coroner to the Stars Laemmle Glendale|Available on Digital & VOD July 14 Peter Asher: Everywhere Man Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Laemmle NoHo Animals in War Available on Digital & VOD|Streaming on Film Movement Plus Maddie's Secret In Select Theaters Woody Guthrie and The Ghost of Tom Joad Today Streaming on PBS SoCal The critics: Lael Loewenstein, film critic for LAist, and Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency
June 25 · 19 min
Feature: Interview with musician and producer, Peter Asher, the focus of a new documentary
The topic: The new documentary Peter Asher: Everywhere Man shines a spotlight on the man behind some of America's most famous singer-songwriters. The man: Asher started as a performer himself in the 60s pop duo Peter and Gordon. Despite some hit songs, Asher decided to step off the stage and became a producer and manager for acts including James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and Carole King, just to name a few. The documentary: The new documentary chronicling Asher's life is directed by Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine. The film includes exclusive interviews with Asher. You can see Peter Asher: Everywhere Man at the Laemmle Royal in West LA and the Laemmle NoHo in North Hollywood. Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

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