FilmWeek

This week features Tim Cogshell, a film critic known for his insights on emerging cinema, and Lael Loewenstein from LAist, praised for her sharp reviews. They dive into the heartfelt narratives of 'Friendship' and 'Nonnas', blending humor with poignant family themes. The discussion of 'Fight or Flight' unveils its wild plot and comedic brilliance with Josh Hartnett. They also touch on the themes and execution of films like 'Henry Johnson' and 'Magic Farm', highlighting the rich tapestry of storytelling in contemporary cinema.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Lael Loewensteinreview this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Thunderbolts* Wide Release Rust Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino] | Available On VOD  Bonjour Tristesse In Select Theaters Havoc Streaming On Netflix  Another Simple Favor Streaming On Amazon Prime  The Surfer In Select Theaters Monty Python and the Holy Grail In Select Theaters Two-Days Only [May 4 & May 7] Free for All: The Public Library Streaming on PBS.org and PBS’s YouTube Channel Electra 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 2005 sci-fi blockbuster Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith celebrated its 20th Anniversary this year with a notable achievement, with its re-release earning $30 million at the domestic box office. Being the biggest money-making example of a re-release this year, it shows why anniversaries for beloved films mean so much to audiences. Although not as much of a moneymaker, the 20th Anniversary re-release of Pride and Prejudice was able to make $3 million close its opening and close to $6 million total. To widen the scope to other decades-old movies, other beloved films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Jaws are making their way back to theaters to honor their respective 50th anniversaries. Joining us to get into this wide scope of film anniversaries is our film critics Lael Loewenstein and Manuel Betancourt. 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!

Oscar voters will no longer be able to skip watching some of the nominated films. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Monday announced that members will from now on be required to watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round of Oscar voting. Up until now, Oscar voters had only been encouraged to watch the nominees and vote in categories they felt qualified in. But in recent years, what films get watched by academy members has been increasingly seen as a significant factor in what wins. At the same time, the publication of anonymous Oscar ballots has often featured members confessing that they didn’t get around to watching some notable films or not finishing lengthier nominees.    In other news — many appearances by the faces of the entertainment industry, from filmmakers of all different backgrounds, the Criterion Closet will get an extended appearance in Los Angeles, as a mobile  version of the closet will be available for cinephiles to visit. With more than 1200 films in its official collection of Blu-rays, the Criterion Collection has been one of the leading physical media distributors. So with the closet arriving in Los Angeles, we thought it’d be worth checking in on the physical media industry with Dominic Patten, senior editor & tv critic at Deadline. We’ll also hear from Peter Rainer, who add their insights and discuss their favorite physical media.   With files from the Associated Press

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. The Accountant 2 Wide Release Cheech and Chong’s Last Movie In Select Theaters Drop In Select Theaters | VOD April 29 The Trouble with Jessica Laemmle Royal [West LA]| AMC DINE-IN Ontario Mills 30 Pink Floyd at Pompeii - MCMLXXII In Select Theaters | Available on IMAX screens Sunday, April 27 Killer of Sheep (1978) Laemmle NoHo 7  April In Select Theaters Blue Sun Palace Laemmle Glendale | Laemmle Monica Film Center On Swift Horses  In Select Theaters  *Correction: In the review for Cheech and Chong's Last movie, Peter Rainer accidentally refers to Shelby Chong, Tommy Chong's ex-wife, in the back of the van as "Cheech’s ex-wife." 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!

  Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’s Board of Governors announced it would add a new category to its awards ceremony starting 2028– Achievement in Stunt Design. This serves as a major win for the many stuntmen and stuntwomen who’ve lobbied for such an award, with their line of work having existed since the inception of film. Although stunts from the likes of Buster Keaton won’t ever be able to win such an award, there are plenty of recent films that have drawn crowds for their stunts. Whether it be the Mission Impossible or John Wick films, well-designed action sequences have kept moviegoers’ attention, which makes rewarding their stunt designers a great decision as we inch closer to the 100th annual Academy Awards. For this week’s FilmWeek feature, Larry and this week’s critics discuss this news with filmmaker and longtime stuntman, Chad Stahelski.  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. Sinners Wide Release The Wedding Banquet In Select Theaters Sneaks Wide Release The Legend of Ochi In Select Theaters|Wide Release on April 25 The President's Wife Laemmle Royal [West LA] | Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino] | Landmark Pasadena  The Shrouds In Select Theaters| Wide Release on April 25 High Art [4K Restoration] Laemmle Noho 7 [North Hollywood] The Ugly Stepsister In Select Theaters  Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing 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!  

In their second project together, writer-directors Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s Warfare strikes a much different tone than last year’s Civil War. Garland’s solo writing and directing project, with Mendoza on as a military supervisor, served as a thematic look at the political divide found in the United States— Warfare, despite using similar thematic elements, takes a much more realist filming approach to the war in Iraq. Warfare follows a platoon of Navy SEALs in 2006 Iraq, going through the process of scouting insurgent territory, and eventually finding themselves in a gunfight with people they often identify as MAMs (military-age males). Told using the memories of those involved in this real event, the film isn’t focused on making a political statement on the war itself as much as it is putting together a chain of events that helps viewers understand one story a part of the greater picture of the war in Iraq. The film takes these stories and uses an ensemble cast of up-and-coming actors to help put together a linear story, with D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai notably portraying Mendoza, who was one of the Navy SEAL team members involved. Joining us, to discuss their directorial partnership and the work that went into telling this story as truthfully as possible, are Warfare writer-directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein, Charles Solomon, and Peter Rainer  review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Warfare Wide Release The Amateur  Wide Release  King of Kings In Select Theaters One to One: John & Yoko In Select Theaters | Expands April 18th  Neil Young: Costal In Select Theaters April 17 [One-Day Only] Pets Streaming on Disney+ Kaiju No. 8 Mission Recon In Select Theaters [Three-Day Event: April 13, 14 and 16] Not Just A Goof Streaming on Disney+  

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Beandrea July review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on-demand platforms. A Minecraft Movie Wide Release Freaky Tales  In Select Theaters  Janis Ian: Breaking Silence  Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]  We Were Dangerous Lumiere Music Hall [Beverly Hills] Julie Keeps Quiet  Laemmle Glendale   A Nice Indian Boy In Select Theaters The Friend In Select Theaters Viet and Nam Laemmle Glendale  William Tell In Select Theaters The Luckiest Man in America 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!