FilmWeek

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Lael Loewenstein, Wade Major and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.

IN THIS EPISODE

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on-demand platforms.

The joke about Sparks — if you’ve even heard of them — is that it’s the best British band to come out of America. That confusion is why Edgar Wright, the director of “Baby Driver” and “Shaun of the Dead,” wanted to make his first documentary about the group, headed by brothers Ron and Russell Mael. Quite simply, Wright was tired of explaining who the band was and why he loves them. His documentary, called “The Sparks Brothers,” premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. John Horn talked with Wright after its January premiere about his personal connection to the band, how he connected with the brother, the editing process of the documentary and more. The film is in theaters now.

With guest host John Horn

Guest: 

Edgar Wright, director of the new documentary “The Sparks Brothers;” he tweets @edgarwright

Guest host John Horn and KPCC film critics Claudia Puig, Peter Rainer, Lael Loewenstein and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.

Guest host John Horn and KPCC film critics Claudia Puig, Peter Rainer, Lael Loewenstein and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.

"Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It," at Laemmle’s theaters (Newhall, Town Center 5, NoHo 7, Claremont 5, Playhouse 7) and other select theaters 

"Les Nôtres," at Laemmle’s Royal and Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema 

"Rise Again: Tulsa And The Red Summer," premieres on National Geographic June 18 at 6pm PT & on Hulu June 19

"Luca," at the El Capitan Theater (Hollywood) & Disney+

"The Sparks Brothers," in wide release 

"Sisters on Track," on Netflix June 24

"Fatherhood," on Netflix

"Truman & Tennessee: An Intimate Conversation," at Landmark’s Nuart Theater & Virtual cinemas 

"Sweet Thing," Laemmle’s Royal and Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema

"Summer of 85," at Laemmle’s theaters (Playhouse 7, Royal and Town Center 5) 

"12 Mighty Orphans" in wide release

Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.

With guest host John Horn 

Guests:

Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA); she tweets @ClaudiaPuig

Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and film columnist for the Santa Monica Daily Press; she tweets @LAELLO

Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Angie Han, Andy Klein, Tim Cogshell and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.

The documentary “Circus of Books”  tells the story of two book stores, one in West Hollywood and the other in Silver Lake, operated by Karen and Barry Mason, who became accidental book sellers. They also became real pillars of the LGBTQ communties. Rachel Mason is the daughter of the masons and she’s also the filmmaker. Larry talked with Rachel about “Circus of Books” when it was first released on Netflix. Today on FilmWeek, we excerpt a portion of that conversation. 

This conversation aired during FilmWeek’s Saturday broadcast. 

Guest: 

Rachel Mason, director of the Netflix documentary ‘Circus of Books’ and daughter of Circus of Books owners Karen and Barry Mason; she tweets @RachelMasonArt

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Angie Han, Andy Klein, Tim Cogshell and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.

"In the Heights," on wide release & HBO Max

"Holler," at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center (Santa Monica), Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 (Pasadena); VOD (including FandangoNow, Google Play & VUDU)

"A Perfect Enemy," in select theaters (check your local listings)

"Wish Dragon," on Netflix

"Sublet," at Laemmle theaters (Playhouse 7, Town Center 5, Royal); Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema on June 18; VOD on July 9

"The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard," on wide release June 16 (they also have select earlier showtimes June 11 & 12)

"Censor," Laemmle’s Glendale, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (DTLA) and Landmark Westwood; VOD (including iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube) on June 18

"La Dosis (The Dose)," on VOD/Digital (including iTunes & FandangoNow)

"Revolution Rent," on HBO Max on June 15

"The Misfits," In select theaters (including Universal Cinema AMC and Cinemark 18 & XD); VOD/Digital (including Vudu, Google Play) on June 15 

"Take Me Somewhere Nice," at Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema 

"Queen Bees," at Laemmle’s Virtual Cinema, Laemmle’s Theaters (including Glendale, Playhouse 7, Monica Film Center, Newhall & Town Center 5); VOD (including Vudu, Amazon Prime Video & Apple TV)

Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.

Guests:

Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets @CinemaInMind

Andy Klein, KPCC film critic

Angie Han, film critic for KPCC and deputy entertainment editor at Mashable; she tweets @ajhan

Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Wade Major and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.

Movie theaters are starting to reopen, and moviegoers are starting to return. All eight of the Laemmle’s theaters are now reopened, its Glendale location the last to do so a couple weeks ago. Tickets are now on sale for the first time in a year at American Cinematheque theaters, which announced programs at all its theaters, including the Rialto in South Pasadena.  

Last weekend, “A Quiet Place: Part II” opened with very strong box office grosses. And one of the locations that sold a lot of tickets for the sequel was the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown Los Angeles. The Texas-based boutique chain filed for bankruptcy reorganization in early March. Unlike the Arclight and Pacfic theaters, Alamo was able to come back quickly with many of its theaters reopening in May.

KPCC’s John Horn called up Tim League, Alamo’s founder and executive chairman, to talk about his circuit’s return, the future of moviegoing in a streaming era, and whether or not Alamo might be a buyer of the closed Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. 

With contributions from John Horn 

Guest: 

Tim League, founder and executive chairman of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema