FilmWeek

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.