FilmWeek

The Hays Code, developed by Will H. Hays but most notably supervised by Joseph Breen, had profound impact on the world of American cinema through it’s elimination of any concepts that didn’t match the moral standards of those heading the department. A fascinating outcome in this era, from 1934 to 1968, was the few films that were able to filmmaking trickery to get past these sensors, with many of these moments being outlined in film historian Nat Segaloff ’s new book The Naughty Bits: What The Censors Wouldn’t Let You See in Hollywood’s Most Famous Movies. Filmmakers like Howard Hawks and Billy Wilder were able to find methods of pushing boundaries with risque language and visual euphemisms. So for this week’s FilmWeek Feature, Larry sits down with Nat to discuss this time of censorship, and how some moments in American cinema at the time were able to make it through the censors undetected.  

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this episode, Larry and Desmond talk about what’s making young men so lonely these days... and how their feelings of isolation can lead to even bigger problems.   Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Andy Klein and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.   Blink Twice Wide Release The Crow  Wide Release The Killer  Streaming on Peacock Between the Temples In Select Theaters Strange Darling In Select Theaters Red Island Laemmle Royal Greedy People In Select Theaters Rear Window (70th Anniversary) In Select Theaters  The Secret Art of Human Flight Available on VOD The Other Laurens Available on VOD Incoming Streaming on Netflix   

1960’s exploitation films did so much for the industry, as they created a general roadmap for how to make a commercially successful film. The following decade would bring further proof in the form of “blaxploitation,” a ethnic subgenre that saw Black filmmakers and creatives take center stage in stories that were meant to entertain audiences while also serve as representation in the industry. Although still quite controversial within the community for their explicit storylines, the heros many times were Black protagonists that tried to stick it to the man or shut down criminal enterprises. Given the subgenre’s long history, Boston Globe film critic Odie Henderson looked to chronicle it in his book Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation Cinema. So for our FilmWeek feature, Larry sits down with Odie to discuss the themes and success this subgenre found with audiences and why its impact can still be felt today.

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. In this episode, Larry and Desmond talk about how swearing has changed over the years... becoming more common, less taboo, and moving the dial on what it means to be vulgar today.   Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms. Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms. “Alien: Romulus” Wide Release “My Penguin Friend”  Wide Release “Jackpot!”  Streaming on Amazon Prime “Close to You” Laemmle Royal | Monica Film Center | Laemmle NoHo 7 | Laemmle Glendale “Skincare” In Select Theaters “Sugarcane” Laemmle Royal  “Rob Peace” Monica Film Center | Town Center 5 | NoHo 7  “Untold: The Murder of Air McNair” Streaming on Netflix “The Union” Streaming on Netflix   

“I live my life a quarter mile at a time.” In Los Angeles, many drivers can relate to that famous quote from “The Fast and the Furious,” said by character Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel. The original film brings together a host of references that many Southern California could probably point out. From scenes taking places in areas like Dodgers Stadium, to what is now the San Bernardino Airport, the film has a host of references that locals will get a kick out of seeing on the big screen. Not just that, but it’s fast-paced action sequences and focus on family is why the film has garnered such universal interest.    So LAist thought it’d be great to bring the film to big screen for our most recent FilmWeek screening, this time in partnership with The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana. Following the screening, Larry spoke to film critics Amy Nicholson and Christy Lemire about the film to discuss its significance in our culture. They were also joined the film’s racing consultant, Craig Lieberman, and 2nd unit director Mic Rodgers, to understand all the effort that went into making this movie a high octane blockbuster.

Passing the Mantle is a new podcast from LAist Studios about family, curiosity and the things that change — and stay the same — across generations. From free love to STDs, Larry and Desmond unpack how attitudes toward sex have shifted over the years as young people express more reluctance to get involved than the generations before them.   Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Peter Rainer and Claudia Puig review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.   “Cuckoo”  Wide Release “Borderlands”  Wide Release “Good One”  Landmark Sunset “War Game” Landmark Nuart “Daughters” In Select Theaters | Streaming on Netflix August 14 “The Long Walk of Carlos Guerrero” Laemmle Noho 7 “It Ends With Us” Wide Release “The Conversation (50th Anniversary” Laemmle Royal | Laemmle Glendale | Laemmle Town Center 5  

In prior interviews with documentary filmmaker Jesse Moss on FilmWeek, we’ve spoken to him about what it’s like following kids simulating our branches of government— but in “War Game,” him and co-director Tony Gerber get into a much heavier look at American democracy. The documentary follows former and current public officials, as well as national security personnel, as they try to manage a military coup attempt. With army veterans as the knowledgeable opposition in this simulation, the documentary has viewers questioning what might be the best course of action in an environment that holds so many consequences. Joining us to get into the film is “War Game” co-directors Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss.