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.

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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

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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.

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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] 

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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.

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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    

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!