FilmWeek

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire, Lael Loewenstein and Maureen Lee Lenker review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The Films: Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu, Wide Release Tuner, AMC Grove & AMC Century City|Expands May 29                                          I Love Boosters, Wide Release           Passenger, Wide Release               Ladies First, Streaming on Netflix                         Saccharine, In Select Theaters                         The Travel Companion, Lumiere Music Hall [Beverly Hills]      Diamonds, Laemmle Royal [West LA]                            Magic Hour, Landmark Nuart [West LA]                    Stolen Kingdom, Laemele Glendale|Available on Digital & VOD Jun 16     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 Topic: Larry Mantle speaks with the stars of the new film Tuner, Leo Woodall and Havana Rose Liu. The plot: Leo Woodall plays Niki, a former music virtuoso now serving as an apprentice to the vivacious but stubborn piano technician Harry Horowitz, played by Dustin Hoffman. Niki suffers from a unique hearing condition that makes him extra sensitive to sound: a useful skill for tuning pianos as well as cracking safes. His condition and secret extracurriculars isolates him from his budding relationship with music composition student Ruthie, played by Havana Rose Liu. Tuner is playing at the AMC Grove and AMC Century City. It expands to more theaters May 29.   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 topic: Movies on film are having a resurgence. Just take late year’s biggest movies: One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Marty Supreme. But the craft of screening movies on film is a dying one, with few projectionists experienced enough to handle the delicate prints.  A film stronghold: In L.A., it's the local repertory theaters that have helped maintain the art of film projection with many offering screenings of old movies on vintage prints. The task may be tedious, but for audiences, it’s a striking viewing experience. Guests: Spencer Christiano, a senior projectionist at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Boris Ibañez, technical director of Vidiots, a repertory theater and DVD/video rental store in Eagle Rock. 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   

Austin Cross and LAist film critics Claudia Puig, Tim Cogshell, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Is God Is, Wide Release Life Hack, In Select Theaters The Propagandist, Available on select digital platforms Decorado, In Select Theaters Silent Friend, AMC Burbank & Laemmle Royal [West LA] American Agitators, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] The Wizard of the Kremlin, In Select Theaters Marty, Life is Short, Streaming on Netflix Obsession, Wide Release The A List: 15 Stories from the Asian and Pacific Diasporas, Streaming on HBO Max 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 topic: Last week, the Academy Awards released new rules for the Oscars. Some of the changes include awarding the director rather than the country for Best International Feature and allowing actors to be nominated for multiple films in the same category, such as Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress.  Other changes: Two of the new rule changes included explicit language about acting performances and screenplays being “demonstratively human” and “human-authored” respectively. These new rules come as the Oscars are planning for a change in venue and a new broadcast partner in YouTube starting in 2029. 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   

Guest host Austin Cross and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Sheep Detectives, Wide Release Mad Bills to Pay: (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo), Laemmle NoHo, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica], and Vidiots [Eagle Rock] Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour, Wide Release W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]|Airs on PBS May 19 at 9 p.m. ET Couples Weekend, Available on Digital & VOD Group: The Schopenhauer Effect Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] & Laemmle Royal [West LA] Mistura, Laemmle Town Center [Encino], Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] & Regal Edwards in South Gate Broad Trip, Streaming on Roku 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   

In order to keep up with the changing film landscape, Canada’s Motion Picture Bureau was re-established as the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). It was helmed by filmmaker John Grierson, known for coining the term ‘documentary.’ Grierson recruited filmmaker and animator Norman McLaren to lead the NFB’s animation division, and under the two of them, the NFB supported pioneering artists pushing Canadian animation and filmmaking forward. This time on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with FilmWeek’s own Charles Solomon, animation historian and critic, about his new book “Animation for the People: An Illustrated History of the National Film Board of Canada.”  

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Christy Lemire, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.   Films: The Devil Wears Prada 2, Wide Release Hokum, Wide Release That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Tears of the Azure Sea, Wide Release Two Pianos, Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Expands Wide May 8 Omaha, Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA]|Expands throughout May Swapped, Laemmle Glendale & Streaming on Netflix Power to the People, In Select Theaters May 3 The School Duel, Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] & Lumiere Music Hall [Beverly Hills] Modern Whore, Available on Digital & VOD Paying for It, Available on Digital & VOD Deep Water, Wide Release One Spoon of Chocolate, In Select Theaters Casa Grande, In Select Theaters   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 TCM Classic Film Festival is back! With films including Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Confessions Of A Nazi Spy (1939), Dangerous Liaisons (1988), The Misfits (1961), and a special Opening Night Gala presentation of Barefoot in the Park (1967) introduced by Jane Fonda. This year’s honorees include actresses Glenn Close and Barbara Hershey, and songwriter and composer Paul Williams. This week on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle is joined by TCM’s SVP of Programming, Charles Tabesh and TCM host, Ben Mankiewicz, to talk about the festival and its film line-up.  The TCM Classic Film Festival is from April 30 to May 3. Festival passes are available at filmfestival.tcm.com. Tickets for individual screenings are also available. 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   

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Beandrea July and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Michael, Wide Release Over Your Dead Body, Wide Release Ricky, In Select Theaters Blue Heron, AMC Burbank & the Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] Just Sing, Laemmle NoHo I Swear, In Select Theaters Something Casual, Laemmle Royal [West LA] April 25|Laemmle NoHo April 24 & 26 Apex, Landmark Westwood|Streaming on Netflix Fuze, Wide Release Kangaroo Island, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] 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   

It's a hard job to explain but seems to be a very easy title to get. The mysterious film producer credit used to go to just a couple people who were integral in a movie's pre- and post-production, but after the consequential Best Picture win for 1998's Shakespeare in Love, the credit of film producer became a title given to people in lieu of other forms of compensation, regardless of how much actual work they contributed to the film. This year marks the PGA's Code of Credits 25th anniversary, created in part due to Shakespeare in Love's unprecedented number of producers. While some "underserving" people may still be credited, the PGA Mark only goes to those who fit their arbitration criteria. On FilmWeek, we delve into the allusive title of "film producer" and how the credit has changed over the years with Deadline senior TV and labor reporter Katie Campione. She's the author of the piece "How ‘Shakespeare In Love’s Best Picture Win Inspired The PGA’s 25-Year Effort To Answer One Question: Who Is A Producer?" 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   

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Mother Mary, In Select Theaters Balls Up, Streaming on Prime Video Steal This Story, Please!, Laemmle Glendale, Laemmle Royal & Art Theatre Long Beach Lorne, Wide Release Normal, Wide Release Erupcja, Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA] Changing Lanes, In Select Laemmle Theaters Mabel, Available on Digital & VOD Immigrant Songs: Yiddish Theater and the American Jewish Experience, Streaming on select platforms A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough, 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   

During World War II, Hitler recognized the power that Hollywood held as a tool for propaganda. So much so that he sent Nazi agents to L.A. to infiltrate the studios. In his new book, Hollywood vs. Nazis: How the Movie Studios Took on Nazis Infiltrating Los Angeles, author Michael Benson, tells the story of how one entertainment lawyer spearheaded the defense against Hitler’s pro-Nazi propaganda in Hollywood. Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with Benson about his book and this interesting intersection in movie history. 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     

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Beandrea July, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: You, Me & Tuscany Wide Release                                      Exit 8  In Select Theaters                                                            The Christophers AMC Century City|Expands to Select Theaters April 17 [Next Fri]                             Hamlet In Select Theaters                                                         Faces of Death Wide Release                                            The Stranger In Select Laemmle Theaters                                                         ChaO  In Select Theaters                                                                    The Blue Trail Lumiere Cinema Hall [West LA] Apr. 10-12                                                       Birth of the Black Underworld Laemmle NoHo                   Outcome Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA]|IPIC Theaters [Westwood]|Available to Stream on Apple TV+ 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   

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire, Beandrea July and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Drama Wide Release The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Wide Release Fantasy Life In Select Theaters The Addiction of Hope Available on VOD & Digital Our Hero, Balthazar In Select Theaters Kontinental ‘25 Laemmle Royal [West LA] John Lilly and the Earth Coincidence Control Office The Philosophical Research Society & Brain Dead Studios Palestine ‘36 In Select Theaters White With Fear Streaming on the PBS app 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 American Cinematheque, L.A.’s nonprofit film and culture organization, is best known for their curated screenings of cult classic films, filmmaker retrospectives, and festivals like Bleak Week and Beyond Fest. Now, through a new podcast, they are putting actors and filmmakers’ film taste to the test. Every week, artistic director Grant Moninger sits down with a director, actor, or screenwriter and asks them to put together their “perfect” film festival line-up, reflecting on the movies that made an impact on their lives. This week on FilmWeek, Grant Moninger joins Larry to talk about the podcast, his work as AC artistic director, and what programming American Cinematheque has coming up.  “The American Cinematheque Podcast” releases weekly on Thursdays in both video and audio formats, on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. The first two episodes are out now featuring filmmakers Edgar Wright and Mary Bronstein. 

Guest host Austin Cross and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films:  They Will Kill You Wide Release Forbidden Fruits Wide Release Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice Streaming on Hulu Marc by Sofia In Select Theaters The AI Doc: Or How I Became An Apocaloptimist In Select Theaters Alpha In Select Theaters Holy Days In Select Theaters BTS: The Return Streaming on Netflix Refuge Available on Digital & VOD Wardriver Available on Digital & VOD

Project Hail Mary, Ryan Gosling’s new space blockbuster, reached number one at the Box Office last weekend. It’s the second successful book-to-screen adaptation for author Andy Weir, best known for his novel The Martian which also got a movie adaptation in 2015 starring Matt Damon. Weir helped write the screenplays for both films, which could be part of their positive reception. But, turning a book into a well-received film is no small feat, even if you have the author at the helm. Obviously, a two hour movie cannot fit everything included in a 500 plus page book. A while back, LAist host Austin Cross spoke with FilmWeek critic Tim Cogshell on AirTalk about what makes a good book-to-film adaptation. Listeners also called in to share the movies they thought adapted their source material well and the ones that got it all wrong.  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   

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. 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   

It’s the annual FilmWeek Oscar Preview! AirTalk host Larry Mantle and the FilmWeek critics will take us through the major races and rundown the likely winners and where we might see some surprises. Grab your popcorn and join us for this annual favorite. 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   

For a renowned Hollywood icon, there remains a mysteriousness to actress Joan Crawford, which is and always was part of her appeal. But in a new biography, author and film historian Scott Eyman attempts to know the woman behind the screen persona and Hollywood gossip. Through newly discovered archives and interviews with family and friends, Eyman pulls back the layers on one of films’ greatest actresses. On FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with Scott Eyman about his new book Joan Crawford: A Woman’s Face. 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   

Austin Cross and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein, Tim Cogshell and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Bride!, Wide Release Hoppers, Wide Release Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, In Select Theaters  Nawi: Dear Future Me, Laemmle Santa Monica Film Center Dolly, In Select Theaters The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs and Who Has Control, Streaming on Paramount+ War Machine, Streaming on Netflix Pompei: Below the Clouds, Laemmle Royal [West LA] on March 13 Youngblood, In Select Theaters The Optimist: The Bravest Act Is Truth, In Select Theaters March 11 Charliebird, Laemmle Glendale     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   

A child prodigy, Billy Preston began performing at his local church in Los Angeles, but his talents on the keyboard and singing quickly led him to guest appearances on The Nat King Cole Show, and later touring with Ray Charles. Preston was a popular musician in his own right, known for hits like ‘Will It Go Round in Circles,’ and ‘Nothing From Nothing,’ but he also had a reputation for working behind the scenes with icons like Little Richard and The Beatles. Today on FilmWeek we talk with Paris Barclay, the director behind a new documentary on Billy Preston.  Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It is in select theaters.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Scream 7, Wide Release Paul McCartney: Man on the Run, In Select Theaters & Streaming on Amazon Prime Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It, In Select Theaters March 3 Ghost Elephants, In Select Theaters | Streaming on Hulu & Disney+ March 8 Crazy Old Lady, Streaming on Shudder and AMC+ Space Cowboy, Laemmle Royal [West LA] The Bluff, Streaming on Amazon Prime For Worse, Laemmle Royal [West LA] Undercard, In Select Theaters Dreams, In Select Theaters K-Pops!, In Select Theaters 

Brazil has been a rising star in international cinema. The Secret Agent, a political thriller set in 1977 about a researcher trying to escape the country for unknown reasons, is just the latest film from Brazil to gain critical acclaim. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Moura, the film shows the tangible and intangible effects an authoritarian regime imposes on its people. Moura's character Marcelo, spends the film in hiding under an alias as he waits for assistance to get him and his son out of the country. Moura's central performance holds audiences in the precarious situation with him. The film has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best International Feature, Best Lead Actor (Wagner Moura), and Best Achievement in Casting. Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with actor Wagner Moura about the film and its reception abroad. The Secret Agent is still playing in select theaters.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: How To Make A Killing, Wide Release EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, In Select IMAX Theaters|Expands February 27 Redux Redux, In Select Theaters        I Can Only Imagine 2, In Select Theaters      This Is Not a Test, In Select Theaters           Threshold, Streaming on Peacock                       One Mile: Chapter One & Chapter Two, Two films available simultaneously on digital  Blades of the Guardians, In Select Theaters The Dreadful, In Select Theaters                             Diabolic, Available on Digital and On Demand           

A quiet, meditative film about the Pacific Northwest’s logging and railroad industry at the turn of the 20th century is this year’s sleeper hit, accumulating four Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Train Dreams tells the story of Robert Grainier, played by Joel Edgerton, as he helps expand the nation’s railway system, clearing forests alongside nomadic characters. As the film progresses, the audience is transported to the changing landscape of the West, the visuals dreamy like sifting through memories. The film is an adaptation of the novella of the same name written by Denis Johnson. On FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with Train Dreams’ director and co-writer Clint Bentley, who is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay alongside co-writer Greg Kwedar, and the film’s director of photography, Adolpho Veloso, who is nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography. Train Dreams is nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Cinematography, and Best Achievement in Music (Original Song). Train Dreams is available to stream on Netflix.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Lael Loewenstein review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Wuthering Heights, Wide Release        Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, In Select Theaters      Crime 101, Wide Release                               Nirvanna: The Band–The Show–The Movie, In Select Theaters                                 Calle Malaga, Laemmle Town Center [Encino] & Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]             Starman, Laemmle Glendale                                Cold Storage, In Select Theaters                Trango, Available on VOD on Documentary+                      By Design, In Select Theaters                       

Writer-director Joachim Trier makes award-winning films that strike an emotional chord with audiences. Probably best known for his previous film The Worst Person in the World (2021), starring Renate Reinsve and co-written by Eskil Voght, Trier recreates that magic with his latest work Sentimental Value, about two sisters and their relationship with their estranged director father. Trier teamed up with Voght once again to co-write the screenplay and Reinsve plays the lead, marking the third film the director and actress have worked on together. Stellan Skarsgard stars alongside Reinsve as her character's father. Sentimental Value has nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best International Feature, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. We speak with writer-director Joachim Trier about the film and why it has resonated so much with audiences. Sentimental Value is playing in select theaters.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.  Films: Dracula, In Select Theaters                                                Sirāt, AMC Burbank & Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA]                                            Pillion, In Select Theaters                           Jimpa, In Select Theaters                                 Natchez, Laemmle Glendale                                   Kokuho, AMC Citywalk [Hollywood]| Expands to select theaters February 20th                                A Useful Ghost, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]                                     Queen of Chess, Streaming on Netflix                  Solo Mio, In Select Theaters                            The President’s Cake, Laemmle Royal [West LA]                 The Strangers – Chapter 3, In Select Theaters          The Love That Remains, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Glendale        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 Hollywood system was never a secret, even in the Golden Age. A young girl would be discovered, plucked from a small town in the Midwest, made over to look “the part” of a movie star, and then wholly become one as one of the major studios “it girl.” Although the idea of what a “star” is has changed over the decades to reflect societal ideals of each decade, the process and effects remain the same. The same is true for the film A Star is Born, which has been adapted four times. The original was released in 1937 starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, and follows the Hollywood machine of making a movie star. Over the subsequent versions, music was introduced, first with the 1954 adaptation where Judy Garland tries to become a leading lady in a Hollywood musical. The 1976 and 2018 versions modernize the commentary by setting it in the music industry with Barbara Streisand and Lady Gaga starring respectively. These differences and what they say about each era of the entertainment industry are explored in the book “A Star is Reborn: The Most Filmed Hollywood Story of Love Found and Lost.” On FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with the author Robert Hofler. “A Star is Reborn” is on sale now.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Lael Loewenstein review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Also joining us on FilmWeek to talk about the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and some of the films being shown is program director for the festival and LAist film critic, Claudia Puig. Films: Send Help, Wide Release The Moment, In Select Theaters A Poet, Laemmle Royal [West LA] Miracle: The Boys of '80, Streaming on Netflix Pike River, Lumiere Cinema [Beverly Hills] Islands, In Select Theaters Shelter, In Select Theaters      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 LA Times released a list of the best 101 films set in Los Angeles. The number one spot went to the 1974 film Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, with the backdrop of a 1930’s Los Angeles. Second place went to David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (2001), and some other notable picks include Blade Runner (1982), Her (2013), Tangerine (2015) and Boyz n the Hood (1991). Joining Larry Mantle on FilmWeek to discuss some of the more surprising films included and their personal favorites are LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt, assistant editor of Documentary Magazine, and one of the contributors to the LA Times’ Best LA Movies list, and Wade Major, film critic for CineGods.com and author of the “Hollywood Heretic” Substack. You can read the LA Times’ 101 Best LA Movies list here.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Peter Rainer, Tim Cogshell and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. And we remember the beloved animation director Roger Allers, known best for co-directing Disney’s The Lion King, and award-winning actress Joan Plowright. Films: Mercy, Wide Release Mr. Nobody Against Putin, Streaming on the Kino Film Collection Arco, AMC Burbank & AMC Century City H is for Hawk, In Select Theaters Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!, Streaming on HBO Max Disneyland Handcrafted, Streaming on Disney+ Sound of Falling, Laemmle Royal [West LA] Cosmic Princess Kaguya, 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     

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: 28 Years Later: the Bone Temple, Wide Release                        The RIP, Streaming on Netflix                                      Night Patrol, In Select Theaters                            The Shadow of the Sun, Laemmle Glendale              Young Mothers, Laemmle Royal [West LA]                   A Private Life, Laemmel Royal [West LA], AMC Burbank, & AMC The Grove                         Sheepdog, In Select Theaters                              Obex, Laemmle NoHo                                           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 new film Sheepdog was over a decade in the making. Writer, director, and star, Steven Grayhm, spent 14 years talking to veterans about their mental health struggles after returning home, and families of veterans who have taken their own lives. The film follows combat veteran, Calvin Cole (played by Grayhm), as he goes through court mandated therapy. His therapist, played by Oscar-nominated actor Virginia Madsen, is new to the job, still finishing her schooling. Madsen’s connection to the film is also a personal one. On FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with filmmaker Steven Grayhm and actor Virginia Madsen about the making of Sheepdog and their respective emotional connections to the film. Sheepdog is playing in select theaters.  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     

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. And we remember Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr. Films: Dead Man's Wire, AMC Burbank & AMC Grove|Expands Jan. 16                                   Greenland 2: Migration, Wide Release                      I Was a Stranger, In Select Theaters                                        All That's Left of You, Laemmle Royal [West LA]                             The Mother and the Bear, Laemmle Glendale              Homegrown, Available on VOD                                      The Forgotten Occupation, Lumiere Cinema [West LA] Jan 10 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     

South Korean director Park Chan-wook is considered one of living legends working today, known for his dark comedies inspired by film noir like his breakout hit Oldboy. His work also plays with shifting tones, like the paranoia and romance in the 2022 film Decision to Leave. Chan-wook’s newest film No Other Choice continues this pattern, melding the dark tone of a crime thriller with the slap-stick of a comical farce. The film stars Lee Byun-hun as a paper company employee who has just been laid off. Desperate to maintain his identity as a working man, he takes drastic measures to eliminate his competition in the job market. This time on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with director Park Chan-wook about his new film No Other Choice and how he decides what films to make at this stage in his career. Park Chan-wook is accompanied by his interpreter Jiwoon Lee. You can see No Other Choice in select theaters. 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     

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Amy Nicholson and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.   Films: Marty Supreme Wide Release Song Sung Blue  Wide Release No Other Choice In Select Theaters|Expands January The Testament of Ann Lee In Select Theaters|Expands January Anaconda Wide Release The Plague At Select Laemmle Theater locations|Expands Wide Jan 2   Goodbye June Streaming on Netflix Father Mother Sister Brother  Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA]|Expands Jan. 9    The Choral AMC Burbank & Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Expands to select theaters Jan. 15

Rental Family explores the unique phenomena of Japanese rental family agencies through an underemployed American actor living in Tokyo. Anchored by Brendan Fraser’s empathetic performance, Rental Family explores the lyricism of loneliness and the solace we can find in connection. Joining Larry to talk about Rental Family are director and co-writer of the film HIKARI and lead actor Brendan Fraser. 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            .

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.  Films: Avatar: Fire and Ash, Wide Release The Housemaid, Wide Release The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, Wide Release Is This Thing On?, In Select Theaters The Voice of Hind Rajab, Laemmle Royal [West LA] David, Wide Release   Franz, Laemmle Monica [Santa Monica] All Operators are Currently Unavailable, Laemmle NoHo Breakdown: 1975, Streaming on Netflix Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?, Streaming on HBO Max   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.            .

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Pantone as a company is synonymous with our ideas around ‘color.’ They set the standard for what we expect “olive green” or “electric blue” to look like. But what about the man behind the iconic Pantone color square, each with a unique I.D. number? In the new documentary The King of Color, director Patrick Creadon focuses on the man who created Pantone’s Matching System, Lawrence Herbert. Creadon joins FilmWeek host Larry Mantle to discuss the legacy of Herbert and how a documentary about a niche subject like color matching gets off the ground.  The King of Color is playing at the Regal Paseo theater in Pasadena.   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            .

 Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Five Nights at Freddy's 2, Wide Release The Secret Agent, AMC Century City 100 Nights of Hero, Wide Release                                     Fackham Hall, Wide Release                                         The Chronology of Water, Laemmle Royal [West LA] Cutting Through Rocks, Laemmle Royal [West LA]; Laemmle Town Center [Encino]                        Zodiac Killer Project, Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA]; Laemmle Glendale The Tale of Silyan, Laemmle Monica Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, Wide Release                        Man Finds Tape, Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA]; Available on VOD                                         The New Yorker at 100, 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                   

Horror films have been a consistent draw for movie theaters, even in a post-pandemic, streaming world. And one of the most well-known production studios in horror is Blumhouse. The production house came on the scene in 2009 with Paranormal Activity, a low-budget found-footage film that became a smash hit spawning a franchise. Blumhouse would repeat this formula with The Purge and Insidious franchise. Now, Blumhouse is known for its more crowd pleasing scary movies like M3GAN and Five Nights at Freddy’s (with the highly anticipated sequel releasing this week), but the studio has also taken risks on up and coming directors like Jordan Peele and Damien Chazelle. So, how does a horror production house continue to survive and turn a profit in today’s film industry? And why does horror seem to be a safe bet for box office returns. Joining us to discuss the current horror movie landscape is Abhijay Prakash, president of Blumhouse.  You can read all about Blumhouse’s rise in their new book Horror’s New Wave: 15 Years of Blumhouse. 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            

For our most recent FilmWeek screening event, where we show quintessential L.A. films across the city, we went to the family-owned Garden Cinema to present the Coen Brothers’ classic The Big Lebowski. The 1998 noir-comedy opened to mixed reviews during its initial release, but has since gained cult status and even mainstream praise. In 2014, it was designated a "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” film and added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. After the screening, Larry Mantle spoke with LAist FilmWeek critics Christy Lemire and Wade Major about the impact of the film and their personal love for ‘The Dude.’ 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

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Manuel Betancourt and Charles Solomon review the latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery In Select Theaters Nov 26|Streaming on Netflix Dec 12 Hamnet In Select Theaters Nov 26|Expands Dec 5 Zootopia 2 Wide Release Nov 26 Eternity In Select Theaters Nov 26  A Magnificent Life Laemmle Royal [West LA] Closes Nov 27      Cactus Pears Laemmle Royal [West LA] Nov 28 Outerlands Available on VOD Nov 26 Angel's Egg Alamo Drafthouse DTLA Nov 26|Egyptian Theater Nov 28 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

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Wicked: For Good, Wide Release Rental Family, Wide Release Left-Handed Girl, In Select Theaters|Streaming on Netflix Nov. 28 Rebuilding, AMC Century City|AMC Burbank Out of Plain Sight, Laemmel NoHo Auction, Laemmle Town Center [Encino]|Laemmle Royal [West LA] Manas, Laemmle Glendale The Making of a Japanese, Available on 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

Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve earned international recognition for her performance in the Joachim Trier film The Worst Person in the World. After roles in Hollywood in Presumed Innocent and A Different Man, Reinsve and Trier have reunited in their new film Sentimental Value about a theater actress and her estranged film director father in Oslo. Larry Mantle speaks with Renate Reinsve about her approach to acting and her latest film.   You can see Sentimental Value in select theaters now. It will expand to more theaters Friday. Nov. 28. 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

Actor Cesar Romero is probably best known for his role as The Joker in the 1960s Batman series, a portrayal that would later define the character and cast a large shadow over future screen adaptations. But well before Romero put on the green wig and red lipstick, he had a successful and varied career. He acted alongside the Rat Pack in Ocean’s Eleven and Carmen Miranda in Week-End in Havana. Most of his roles fell into the ‘Latin Lover’ stereotype, a mold he did not fit in his everyday life. Yet, despite on-screen limitations, Romero was still able to imbue each character with a sense of humanity. In the new biography Cesar Romero: The Joker is Wild, author Samuel Garza Bernstein goes in depth about Romero’s life pre-Hollywood, his career pre-Joker, and his 1980s renaissance as an A-list TV actor. On FilmWeek, Larry speaks with Garza Bernstein about Romero’s legacy. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Jay Kelly In Select Theaters|Streaming on Netflix Dec 5  The Running Man Wide Release Come See Me In The Good Light Laemmle NoHo|Streaming on Apple TV+ The Carpenter’s Son In Select Theaters Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Monica Film Center Bunny Lumiere Cinema [West LA]|Available on VOD Selena y Los Dinos Laemmle NoHo|Streaming on Netflix Nov 17 Bull Run Galaxy Mission Grove Theatre [Riverside]|Available on VOD & Digital Platforms Serious People Laemmle Glendale|Available on VOD & Digital Platforms Dec 16 Stationed at Home Available on VOD & Digital Platforms Being Eddie Streaming on Netflix Trap House In Select Theaters 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!

Sir Roger Deakins is the award-winning cinematographer behind the films Bladerunner: 2049, 1917, and No Country for Old Men (just to name a few). Although those behind the camera often do not reach the heights of mainstream recognition, Deakins is the rare case of a cinematographer becoming a household name, considered one of the greatest of all time. In his new book Reflections: On Cinematography, Deakins steps into the light, sharing memories from his time in art school and working on music videos, to his longstanding career in film, working alongside directors such as the Coen Brothers and Denis Villeneuve. Larry Mantle speaks with cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins about his memoir and his decades spent behind the camera on some of the most influential films. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Lael Loewenstein review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Predator: Badlands, Wide Release                                     Sentimental Value, In Select Theaters                                       Train Dreams, In Select Theaters|Streaming on Netflix Nov. 21                                        Die My Love, In Select Theaters                                          Nuremberg, Wide Release                                            Christy, In Select Theaters                                                            Lost & Found in Cleveland, In Select Theaters                        Peter Hujar’s Day, Laemmle Royal [West 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!

Despite only lasting four short years from 1930 to 1934, the pre-code era of Hollywood’s Golden Age produced films that pushed the boundaries of cinema and storytelling, even by today’s standards. Hollywood classics including King Kong (1933), Freaks (1932), and Grand Hotel (1932) all came out during this time, just before the enforcement of the Production Code in 1934. Films of the pre-code era explored themes of sexuality, outlaws, racial identity, and class disparity. In a new book released in partnership with Turner Classic Movies, film historians and creators of Pre-Code.com, share their 50 must-see movies from the pre-code era. Joining us on FilmWeek to discuss some of the best films of the early 1930s, is Kim Luperi, film historian and co-author of the book Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood’s Untamed Era (1930-1934).   Kim Luperi will be at Book Soup in West Hollywood Sunday, November 2 for a book signing event. You can get more information about the event here. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Peter Rainer, Tim Cogshell, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.   Films: Nouvelle Vague In Select Theaters|Streaming on Netflix Nov 14 Love+War Laemmle Monica Film Center|Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu Nov. 7  Ballad of a Small Player Streaming on Netflix  Little Amélie or the Character of Rain In Select Theaters      Anniversary In Select Theaters      Stitch Head In Select Theaters      Wisdom of Happiness Laemmle Royal [West LA]      The White House Effect Streaming on Netflix  Hallow Road In AMC Theaters      Chainsaw Man–The Movie: Reze Arc In Select Theaters      The Wrecker Available on 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Bugonia, In Select Theaters Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere In Select Theaters Hedda The Culver Theater [Culver City]|Streaming on Prime Video Köln 75 Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Town Center [Encino] Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost Laemmle Royal [West LA]| Streaming on Apple TV+ Mr. Scorsese Streaming on Apple TV+ The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Streaming on Hulu Shelby Oaks In Select Theaters 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 Rocky Horror Picture Show created a blueprint for other initially unsuccessful films to find second lives through fervent fans. Its unapologetic celebration of difference continues to resonate on the 50th anniversary of the film. In the new documentary Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, director Linus O’Brien delves into the phenomenon of “Rocky Horror” through interviews with major players including director Jim Sharman, actors Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon, and O’Brien’s father, Richard O’Brien, the creator of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. O’Brien joined Larry on AirTalk to discuss his documentary.  Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror is playing at Vidiots in Eagle Rock now through Oct. 29. You can find showtimes here. 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!

Bruce Lee’s martial arts work on the silver screen made him a household name in America at a time when those of Asian descent were rarely seen in media. His very presence served as a complicated and nuanced representation for this underseen group. Now, a new book traces the life of Lee and argues his short life had an even greater impact on the world than had been previously considered. Today on AirTalk, Larry speaks with the author of Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America Jeff Chang, about the book and Lee's legacy. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Tron: Ares, In Select Theaters Roofman, Wide Release Kiss of the Spider Woman, In Select Theaters A House of Dynamite, In Select Theaters If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, In Select Theaters After the Hunt, In Select Theaters Urchin, AMC Burbank & AMC Century City Orwell: 2+2=5, Landmark Nuart [West LA] John Candy: I Like Me, Streaming on Amazon Prime The Alabama Solution, Streaming on HBO Max The Woman in Cabin 10, Streaming on Netflix Vicious, Streaming on Paramount+ 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!

From Scream Queens to Final Girls, women have been at the center of horror cinema since its rise in the late 60s. Violence on screen mirrored the violence real women faced off screen. From the allusions to reproductive control in Rosemary’s Baby, to the undertones of domestic violence in The Shining, horror’s female protagonists cannot be divorced from political and social commentary. In her new book “Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism (1968-1980), Eleanor Johnson, professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University, views some of our most popular scary movies through a feminist lens. And once you see the themes of women’s oppression, it’s hard to look at a horror film the same way again. This week on FilmWeek, Larry speaks with Johnson about her new book and reanalyze some horror classics together. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Smashing Machine, Wide Release Anemone, In Select Theaters                                                                                The Lost Bus, In Select Theaters & Streaming on Apple TV+ Play Dirty, Streaming on Amazon Prime                                                                        Fairyland, Landmark Sunset [West Hollywood] The Ice Tower, Laemmle Glendale                                                                 Are We Good?, AMC Americana [Glendale] & Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] Viva Verdi, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]                                                             Coyotes, In Select Theaters Good Boy, In Select Theaters                                                                          Norita, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]               Stripped for Parts, Streaming on PBS.org and PBS app                                                                    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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: One Battle After Another Wide Release Eleanor the Great In Select Theaters All of You Laemmle NoHo|Streaming on Apple TV+ Dead of Winter In Select Theaters Predators Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Alamo Drafthouse DTLA Strange Journey - The Story of Rocky Horror In Select Theaters Plainclothes Landmark Sunset [West Hollywood] All the Devils Are Here Available on VOD Adulthood Laemmle Glendale|Available on 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!

Widely credited with creating the modern summer blockbuster in 1975, Steven Spielberg's Jaws has captured the imaginations (and entered the nightmares) of audiences ever since. For Jaws’ 50th anniversary, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has created an all-ages experience: combining unprecedented behind-the-scenes access and interactive elements. The unique structure of the exhibit will take visitors scene by scene through the film, exploring the iconic story in an entirely new way. Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle is joined by Jenny He, Senior Exhibitions Curator, to talk about the exhibit and the film’s enduring legacy. Jaws: The Exhibition is open at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures now through July 26, 2026. You can get more information and tickets for the exhibition here.   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!

“Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao’s drama about William Shakespeare’s marriage and the death of their 11-year-old son, won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, putting it on an enviable track to Academy Awards contention. This might’ve been the biggest headline for the festival, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Joining us this morning to help round up the festivities is Claudia Puig, film critic for LAist and program director for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Claudia Puig review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. They also share thoughts on the passing of film icon Robert Redford, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 89. Films: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Wide Release   Him, Wide Release   Another End, In Select Theaters and Available on VOD A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant, Laemmle Claremont 5, Monica Film Center, Newhall, Glendale, and Town Center 5 The Summer Book, Laemmle Town Center [Encino] Xeno, In Select Theaters Democracy Noir, Laemmle Monica Film Center Waltzing With Brando, In Select Theaters  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!

This Is Spinal Tap ushered in a new wave of genre films with its satirical, mockumentary style. It is hailed as a classic, having found its way into the U.S. Library of Congress' National Film Registry. And if that isn't proof enough, the Criterion Collection is releasing a director-approved 4k restoration of the film. Now, over forty years later, the band is back together for one last show. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues finds bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (all reprised roles by Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) reuniting on stage after much time apart. Along with documentarian Marty DiBergi, the band tries to recapture the magic that was in the original This Is Spinal Tap. Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle is joined by Rob Reiner, co-writer and director of both films to talk about the legacy of the original This Is Spinal Tap for both film and music, and the unique task of continuing that legacy four decades later. SPINAL TAP II: THE END CONTINUES is in Wide Release and available in IMAX theaters. A Director-Approved 4K UHD edition of THIS IS SPINAL TAP will be released from the The Criterion Collection on Tuesday, September 16. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire, Tim Cogshell, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Long Walk, Wide Release    Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, Wide Release                               Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, In Select Theaters                          Demon Slayer–The Movie: Infinity Castle, Wide Release                                                                     The History of Sound, In Select Theaters                                                                                   The Baltimorons, Laemmle Royal [West LA]                                                                Riefenstahl, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Town Center [Encino]    Clemente, Laemmle Monica         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!                                                    

In our age of surround sound and IMAX theaters emphasizing the importance of sound effects and mixing in movies, it’s easy to forget that for film history’s first thirty years, movies were silent. A new film festival is aiming to fix that. In partnership with the American Cinematheque, Retroformat Silent Films and Mount Saint Mary’s University are hosting the first annual Los Angeles Silent Film Festival. The festival will take place at the American Cinematheque Los Feliz theater from September 12 to September 14, and include the world premiere of the World Restoration Premiere of ‘He Who Gets Slapped’ (1924) starring Lon Chaney, Sr., John Gilbert and Norma Sheare and the Los Angeles Restoration Premiere of ‘Kid Boots’ (1926) starring Clara Bow and Eddie Cantor. Each of the screenings will be accompanied by a live score selected and played by Musical Director Cliff Retallick and guest artist Andrew Earle Simpson. The festival will allow audiences to experience silent films as they were originally intended. Joining us on FilmWeek to talk about the festival and the importance of silent film preservation is Thomas Barnes, president of Retroformat Silent Films and one of the co-founders of the Los Angeles Silent Film Festival.   You can find out more about the festival and purchase tickets here. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Conjuring: Last Rites, Wide Release   Twinless, In Select Theaters                                     The Threesome, In Select Theaters    Preparation for the Next Life, Alamo Drafthouse DTLA Tinā, In Select Theaters   Hamilton, Wide Release  The Cut, Laemmle NoHo Love, Brooklyn, In Select Theaters                                                                                                                                                    

A24 has solidified itself as the "indie darling" of film studios, gaining a sizable cohort of devotees (many of them young) who rep the studio's merch like fans of a rock band. Started in 2012, A24 made a name itself by releasing smaller art-house and art-house adjacent films in a time when the mid-size movie was quickly being shuffled from theaters to streaming. Some of the studio's early successes include Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, Barry Jenkins' Moonlight, and Robert Eggers’ The Witch. The latter being a prime example of A24's unique business model: mid-budget movie gets a mid-size release with some edgy, digital-first marketing to turn a mid-size profit. But, as A24 has grown, so has its movies' budgets. We probably won't see an A24 Superman anytime soon, but the studio’s more recent in-house productions and festival acquisitions show a trend away from the indie films that helped set it apart. Today on FilmWeek, Larry speaks with culture editor for the New Yorker, Alex Barasch, about the rise and evolution of A24. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Beandrea July and Claudia Puig review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Caught Stealing, Wide Release The Roses, In Select Theaters The Thursday Murder Club, Streaming on Netflix Sign ‘o’ the Times, In Select IMAX Theaters A Little Prayer, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Town Center [Encino] Clearing the Air: The War on Smog, Streaming on PBS Griffin in Summer, Lumiere Cinema [Beverly Hills] Vice is Broke, Streaming on Mubi 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!

Ron Howard's filmography is diverse, a product of a four decades-long career in Hollywood. He has directed Oscar-winning dramas such as A Beautiful Mind, audience pleasing comedies including Splash and more recently, documentaries. Yet, despite his vast filmmaking career, Howard's newest film Eden, still manages to offer something different from the director. Based on a true story, the film follows a group of German settlers in the 1930s who travel to the Galapagos Islands looking for escape. Escapism soon turns to survival and a struggle for power. The film stars, Jude Law, Vanessa Kirby, and Ana De Armas. Director and producer, Ron Howard, joins Larry Mantle on FilmWeek to discuss the film Eden and how it fits into Howard’s larger legacy as a filmmaker.  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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig, Christy Lemire, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.   Films: Honey Don’t!, Wide Release Ne Zha II, Wide Release Eden, In Select Theaters Relay, In Select Theaters Splitsville, AMC Century City|AMC The Grove KPop Demon Hunters (Sing-a-Long), In Select Theaters Lurker, In Select Theaters Checkpoint Zoo, In Select Theaters Devo, 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!

Akira Kurosawa is one of the world’s most revered directors, his films often cited as inspiration amongst other auteurs. Sometimes that inspiration has led to full-on remakes of Kurosawa’s films, such as Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest (2025), an adaptation of Kurosawa’s High and Low (1963). Other adaptations of Kurosawa’s work include Seven Samurai and Yojimbo. Kurosawa himself liked to adapt pre-existing stories. Many of his films are interpretations of Shakespeare plays. Even High and Low is based on a novel. So how does one go about adapting and remaking a film by a great director like Kurosawa? How is the story updated for new audiences? And what kind of films lend themselves to adaptations? Today on FilmWeek, we discuss Hollywood’s attempts to remake some of Kurosawa’s most beloved films and what makes a good adaptation. Joining Larry Mantle is Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor, Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com, and 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.   Films: Highest 2 Lowest, In Select Theaters Nobody 2, Wide Release Americana, Wide Release Fixed, Streaming on Netflix The Musicians, Laemmle Royal [Santa Monica] & Laemmle Town Center [Encino] East of Wall, In Select Theaters Boys Go to Jupiter, Laemmle Glendale The Knife, In Select Theaters Anxiety Club, Streaming on Jolt.film Songs From the Hole, 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!

Musician Jeff Buckley’s tragic early death left many shocked. Buckley found success and critical acclaim among music industry pressures, but passed away tragically after releasing only one studio album, Grace. His haunting voice and personal lyrics continue to resonate with fans. In her new documentary, It's Never Over Jeff Buckley, director and producer Amy Berg uses unprecedented access to Buckley’s archives to dispel myths around his life and death and show Buckley’s eclectic approach to music and life. Director and producer Amy Berg joins guest host Austin Cross to talk about her new documentary and Buckley’s legacy. 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!

Austin Cross and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Freakier Friday, Wide Release Weapons, Wide Release Souleymane’s Story, Laemmle Royal It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, In Select Theaters Billy Joel: And So It Goes, Streaming on HBO Max Videoheaven, Los Feliz Theater Hola Frida, In Select Theaters My Mother’s Wedding, In Select Theaters TCB: The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing, Blackstar Film Festival The Pickup, Streaming on Prime Video 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 war in Ukraine started in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. We watched as civilians sheltered from airstrikes and buildings became ruins in the Oscar award-winning documentary ‘20 Days in Mariupol’, just as the Russians took siege of one of Ukraine’s largest metropolitan areas. Now, three years after the Russian invasion and two years after that film's release, writer, director and producer, Mstyslav Chernov’s follow up documentary, ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ takes us back to the frontline as we follow Ukrainian soldiers on a mission to liberate the small town of Andriivka. Austin Cross sat down with Chernov to talk about the documentary and the importance of capturing the war on camera.   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!

Austin Cross and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Manuel Betancourt and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Naked Gun, Wide Release The Bad Guys 2, Wide Release Happy Gilmore 2, Streaming on Netflix Together, In Select Theaters Architecton, In Select Theaters 2000 Meters to Andriivka, Laemmle Royal Georgia O'Keeffe: The Brightness of Light, In Select Theaters Folktales, In Select Theaters   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!

Although nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Henry VIII in the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons, audiences now may know Robert Shaw best for his role as Captain Quint in the 1975 film Jaws. Having been released a decade later, Shaw’s performance as the grizzled shark hunter served as an important role in the Hollywood blockbuster, mixing a drunken tone with a confident look that sold viewers on the idea that he could help defeat any animal. Shaw’s life story— from his work in theatre to his time making movies— is all referenced in a new book written by his nephew titled Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life On The Set Of Jaws And Beyond. For this week’s FilmWeek feature, we sit down with book author Christopher Shaw Myers about his uncle’s work and his new book.   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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Wide Release Oh, Hi! In Select Theaters Heightened Scrutiny Laemmle Noho July 26|Laemmle Monica Film Center Jul. 27|Laemmle Glendale Jul. 29 The Ride Ahead Streaming on PBS Last Swim Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Available on VOD Diciannove Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Monica Film Center BTS Army: Forever We Are Young Wide Release [5-Days Only; July 30 to August 3] Shari and Lamb Chop Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino] Death & Taxes Laemmle Royal [West 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Amy Nicholson, Charles Solomon, and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms! Films: I Know What You Did Last Summer Wide Release Eddington In Select Theaters Smurfs Wide Release Afternoons of Solitude Laemmle Monica Film Center Finally Dawn Laemmle Glendale | Available on VOD Sunday Best Streaming On Netflix July 18 Bury Me When I’m Dead Available on VOD Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 [3-Days Only, July 20, 23-24] Wall to Wall 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!  

What was originally a creature feature that metaphorically gets into the horrors of nuclear bombs, Godzilla has now become a media icon that’s lasted for more than 70 years. In Steve Ryfle’s new book, Godzilla: The First 70 Years: The Official Illustrated History of the Japanese Productions, the author digs into the well-known monster's filmography and the significance each adaptation carried. It takes you through the monster’s many nemeses and friends, as well as the special effects work that would eventually win the property its only Academy Award. Joining us to discuss the first 70 years of Godzilla is Steve Ryfle, former LA Times reporter and author of the book Godzilla: The First 70 Years: The Official Illustrated History of the Japanese Productions.   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!

A couple of weeks back, the New York Times released an expansive project, with a focus on determining the best films released in the 21st century. Having polled 500 people in the film and entertainment industry, asking each person about their top 10 favorites, they released many of the topline results. In a separate ask to its readers, over 200,000 people contributed their ballots. Both lists included similar films, and notably held Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite as it’s consensus number 1 pick. This week on FilmWeek, Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell stick with us to discuss their thoughts and reactions on the ‘best films of the 21st century’ lists. We’re also joined by New York Times pop culture reporter and awards season columnist, Kyle Buchanan, to discuss the New York Times’ project.   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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Superman Wide Release Kill The Jockey Laemmle NoHo 7 Apocalypse in the Tropics Laemmle Monica Film Center |Streaming on Netflix July 14  To a Land Unknown Laemmle Royal Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight AMC Burbank|Laemmle Royal Sovereign Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino]|Laemmle Monica Film Center|Available on VOD Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story Streaming on Hulu & Disney+ Daniela Forever Alamo Drafthouse DTLA The Last Class Landmark Nuart Theatre   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!

As we enter the second half of the year, and the 4th of July weekend, our critics Manuel Betancourt and Lael Loewenstein will take some time to recap what’s been released this year so far and talk about their favorite films that have been released as of now.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Lael Loewenstein review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Jurassic World: Rebirth Wide Release 40 Acres In Select Theaters Nobu Laemmle Monica Film Center The Old Guard 2 Streaming on Netflix Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print Streaming on Max Heads of State Streaming on Prime Video In The Mood For Love Laemmle Royal [West LA]| Laemmle Glendale Igualada Premieres July 7 on PBS| Streaming on PBS until October 5   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!

Although the Hays Code and Lavender Scare served as a deterrent to queer representation in cinema, many filmmakers still found ways to include queer themes into their works. In his new book Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness, film historian Michael Koresky collects examples of these early queer projects and helps provide context to their development. Detailing the use of queer innuendos and development of Hays-code approved stereotypes, the book shares how films like The Children’s Hour and Rebecca served as some of the earliest examples of LGBTQ-themed cinema. Joining us to discuss their book, early films with queer themes and the filmmakers behind them, is Michael Koresky, author of the new book Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness. ‘Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness’ is out now, click here for more information. 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!

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: F1: The Movie Wide Release M3GAN 2.0 Wide Release Sorry, Baby In Select Theaters AMC| The Grove 14| AMC Century City 15 Familiar Touch  Laemmle Glendale My Mom Jayne Streaming on Max Enigma Streaming on Max Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything Streaming On Hulu Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore Laemmle NoHo 7 Off the Grid Lumiere Music Hall [Beverly Hills]| VOD Union Streaming on PBS App until August 31, 2025 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!

Celine Song, writer-director of the new film Materialists, uses a similar framework that garnered her a lot of admiration from moviegoers. In her feature directorial debut, Past Lives, the lead character Nora struggles to manage a love triangle, only for her to discover what the differences are between these lives she’s romanticized. In Materialists, Lucy deals with a similar problem, although the film spends a lot more time on why we date, and the equations we come up with in our head to find ‘the one.’  Today on FilmWeek, we’re joined by Materialists writer-director Celine Song, and getting a sense of how she created this world that reflects today’s dating culture.

Guest host Austin Cross and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Correction: A previous version of this episode had errors related to a review of the film Found Footage: The Making of the Patterson Project, which partially referenced another found footage film. The inaccurate review has been removed from the episode. The episode also mentioned that the film 28 Years Later is the first sequel Danny Boyle has directed. He directed T2 Trainspotting, which is a sequel to his film, Trainspotting. 

On May 31, the FilmWeek team hosted a screening of the 1962 Robert Aldrich film What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Larry got up on stage for a conversation with FilmWeek and LA Times critic Amy Nicholson, and UCLA film historian Jonathan Kuntz.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt, Christy Lemire, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Life of Chuck In Select Theaters|Expands June 13 Ballerina Wide Release  Karate Kid: Legends Wide Release Dangerous Animals Wide Release The Ritual Wide Release I Don’t Understand You In Select Theaters Bad Shabbos Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino] |Laemmle Royal [West LA] Barron’s Cove Laemmle Monica Film Center We Are Guardians Laemmle Monica Film Center|Art Theatre [Long Beach] June 21 Pavements Alamo Drafthouse DTLA|The Frida Cinema [Santa Ana]

FilmWeek: ‘The Phoenician Scheme,’ ‘Bring Her Back,’ ‘Mountainhead,’ ‘Lost in Starlight,’ and More Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein, Beandrea July, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: The Phoenician Scheme In Select Theaters| Expands June 6 (next Friday) Bring Her Back Wide Release Mountainhead Streaming on Max May 31 Lost in Starlight Laemmle Glendale|Streaming on Netflix Ocean with David Attenborough Laemmle Monica Film Center|premieres on National Geographic Channel on June 7|Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu starting June 8 Bono: Stories of Surrender Streaming on Apple TV+ Ghost Trail Laemmle Royal May 30 Book of Joshua: Walls of Jericho Streaming on VOD Tim Travers & the Time Travelers Paradox Laemmle Glendale

Charles Burnett talks ‘Killer of Sheep’ 4K restoration, and the film’s lasting influence After a theatrical release in select theaters by Janus Films, the Criterion Collection now introduces the new 4K restoration of Charles Burnett’s 1977 feature debut film, Killer of Sheep, into its library. The film follows a family in Watts, with the father in this household being Stan, who works in a slaughterhouse. Burnett's understanding of working-class family dynamics makes for a story that’s as relatable as it is emotionally devastating at moments. These complex themes portrayed in film have served as inspiration for the likes of Barry Jenkins, whose Oscar-winning film Moonlight offers a similar blend of cinematic storytelling through the lives of adults and children. We’ll dig deeper into the film by speaking with its filmmaker, Charles Burnett. The 4K restoration of ‘Killer of Sheep’ is out now in Blu-ray and 4K UHD; to read more about the special features included, and to purchase the film, click here.

Feature: Bleak Week returns for Year 4, we talk to programmers behind the festival This year marks the 4th year of the American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair, a weeklong festival dedicated to screening films with dark and bleak themes. In this year’s lineup, you’ll find screenings of Michael Haneke’s English adaptation of Funny Games, the Soviet anti-war film Come and See, and Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata’s Grave of the Fireflies. You’ll also find that the Year 4 lineup includes introductions/Q&As with the likes of Bill Hader, Elliot Gould, and Brady Corbet. Outside of the usual festival screenings here in Los Angeles, the American Cinematheque has partnered with other arthouse theaters across the country, and even The Prince Charles Cinema in London. Joining us to discuss this year’s iteration of the festival is Chris LeMaire, lead programmer on the American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week, and Grant Moninger, American Cinematheque’s Artistic Director. We also have our critics, Charles Solomon, Claudia Puig and Peter Rainer, commenting on what about the festival has allowed it to garner interest. Bleak Week runs from June 1-7. You can find this year’s Bleak Week lineup by clicking here or on bleakweek.com 

  FilmWeek: 'Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning,' 'Lilo & Stitch,' 'Drop Dead City,' and more Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig, Charles Solomon, and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Films: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning Wide Release Lilo & Stitch Wide Release Drop Dead City Laemmle Monica Film Center| Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino] Jane Austen Wrecked My Life In Select Theaters | Expands May 30 Into the Wonderwoods Available on VOD The New Boy In Select Theaters|Lumiere Cinema Beverly Hills The Surrender Streaming on Shudder Sister Midnight Alamo Drafthouse DTLA|Landmark’s   Correction: In this episode, Larry refers to Peter receiving first place in criticism from the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ), but he meant to refer to the Society for Features Journalism (SFJ).

For those who grew up during the British Rock Invasion of the 1960s, you’re probably familiar with many of the names who made their way through the U.S. charts, one such being the psychedelic rock band The Zombies. For a lot of younger generations— their name might not ring a bell— but it might not take too long into their hit song Time of the Season to understand just how important of a band they are. A new feature by filmmaker and musician Robert Schwartzman titled Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary tells the life and legacy of the band, with in-depth interviews with band members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent. For this week’s FilmWeek feature, we air an interview Austin did with filmmaker Robert Schwartzman and The Zombies frontman, Colin Blunstone.