Episodes
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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 -
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
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Missing episodes?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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The topic:
Austin Cross and LAist film critics Charles Solomon, Manuel Betancourt, and Katie Walsh review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
The films:
Toy Story 5 Wide Release
The Death of Robin Hood Wide Release
Girls Like Girls Wide Release
Leviticus In Select Theaters
Enongo Streaming on Indie Pix Unlimited
Rose of Nevada Landmark Nuart [West LA]
She's the He Laemmle Glendale|Lumiere Music Hall [West LA]
Burt Available on Digital & VOD
Color Book Landmark Pasadena Playhouse|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
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The topic:
The new film Burt tells the story of Burt Berger, a 69-year-old musician in LA living with Parkinson's who reconnects with an adult son he never knew he had. The film was shot over seven days in Los Angeles on a micro-budget of $7,000.
A personal story: Director and co-writer of the film, Joe Burke’s own father is living with Parkinson’s. A portion of the proceeds will go to Parkinson’s Community Los Angeles.
Where to watch: Burt is available on VOD on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
Guest:
Joe Burke, co-writer and director of the film Burt
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Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Charles Solomon, Christy Lemire, and Maureen Lee Lenker review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
The films:
Disclosure Day, Wide Release
Jinsei, In Select Theaters
The Furious, In Select Theaters
The Little Sister, Laemmle Glendale & Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]
I am Frankelda, Laemmle Glendale & Streaming on Netflix
Stop! That! Train!, Wide Release
Boy George & Culture Club, Available on Digital & VOD
Underland, Laemmle Glendale
This Tempting Madness, 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
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The topic:
Documentary Magazine, published by the International Documentary Association (IDA), released a list of what it determined to be the 25 greatest documentaries of the 21st Century.
How the list was made: Documentary polled 300 documentary filmmakers and producers, critics, programmers, and academics, asking them to name three documentaries they deemed the “greatest.” Each documentary had to be released after January 1, 2000.
Notable picks: Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing (2012) sits in the number spot, garnering the most votes. Other films that made the list include No Other Land (2024), the most recent release on the list, and The Gleaners and I (2000), the oldest release.
Guest: Manuel Betancourt, film critic for LAist and assistant editor of Documentary Magazine. He also contributes regularly to Variety and The AV Club
Check out Documentary’s full list 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
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Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Claudia Puig and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
The films:
Masters of the Universe, Wide Release
Renoir, Laemmle Nuart [West LA]
Scary Movie, Wide Release
Carolina Caroline, In Select Theaters
The Currents, Laemmle Royal [West LA]
Time and Water, Laemmle Royal [West LA] & Laemmle Glendale
Office Romance, Streaming on Netflix
Savage House, Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Laemmle Town Center [Encino]|The Frida Cinema [Santa Ana]
Chum, Laemmle Glendale|Available on VODVisit 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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The Topic:
Marilyn Monroe’s life and career has been dissected and displayed for almost a century. But for such a pervasive and enduring figure, Monroe’s true internal life remains mysterious: was she forced into her “dumb blonde,” “bimbo” persona, or did she use it to her advantage? Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in-between.
The exhibit: In honor of what would be her 100th birthday, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures attempts to portray Monroe as she was with their exhibition Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon. The exhibition displays Monroe’s most famous costumes and other paraphernalia from her most iconic films as well as personal items that may help reveal the woman behind the camera.
Details: The exhibition opens May 31st and will run through February 28, 2027. You can find more information here.
The guest: Sophia Serrano, associate curator for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures who curated the Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon exhibition.
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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Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Wade Major, along with guest critic William Bibbiani review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
The films:
Backrooms, Wide Release
Power Ballad, In Select Theaters| Expands wide June 5
Pressure, Wide Release
The Last Viking, Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Available on digital & VOD
Propeller One-Way Night Coach, Streaming on Apple TV+
Ask E. Jean, Landmark Nuart [West LA]
Been Here Stay Here, Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]|Laemmle Glendale
Rafa, Streaming on Netflix
The Breadwinner, Wide Release
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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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.”
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