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Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Honoring Robert Altman's centennial, plus the week's best movies in L.A.
Hello! I'm Mark Olsen. Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. This week, The Times published a series of articles looking at possible different futures for Los Angeles. Greg Braxton wrote two pieces, including one about Hollywood's long-standing fascination with depicting the destruction of the city, including 'Escape From L.A.' to 'Blade Runner,' 'This Is the End' and many more. Braxton noted, 'In 'Los Angeles Plays Itself,' [Thom Andersen's] 2003 documentary chronicling the portrayal of the city through cinema history, Andersen aims his own wrecking ball. The film's narrator quotes the late Mike Davis, a noted historian and urbanist, when he says that Hollywood 'takes a special pleasure in destroying Los Angeles — a guilty pleasure shared by most of its audience.'' He also specifically examined 'Miracle Mile,' Steve De Jarnatt's 1988 apocalyptic romantic adventure drama featuring the stretch of Wilshire Boulevard from La Brea to Fairfax. The UCLA Film and Television Archive is in the midst of 'Robert Altman's America: A Centennial Review,' a look at the monumental filmmaker's wildly unpredictable body of work to mark 100 years since his birth. The designated home of Altman's personal print collection, the archive will show many of the films in 35mm. Writing when Altman was to receive an honorary Oscar (an occasion that turned out to be just a few months before his death in 2006), Peter Rainer called him 'perhaps the most American of directors. But his Americanness is of a special sort and doesn't really connect up to any tradition except his own.' Comparing Altman to such filmmakers as John Ford, John Huston, Frank Capra, Sam Peckinpah, Howard Hawks and Preston Sturges, Rainer added, 'Altman, who has ranged as widely as any of these directors across the American panorama, is a more mysterious and allusive artist. He is renowned for the buzzing expansiveness of his stories, the crisscrossed plots and people, but what strikes home most of all in this sprawl is a terrible sense of aloneness. … If being an American means being rooted to the land, to a tradition, a community, then it also means being forever in fear of dispossession. Altman understands this better than any other filmmaker. It's what gives even his rowdiest comic escapades their bite of woe.' The series began last week with 'Nashville,' a movie that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and which this column has recently discussed. This Saturday there will be a fantastic double-bill of 1977's '3 Women' starring Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek with 1982's 'Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,' starring Sandy Dennis, Karen Black and Cher. Other pairings include 'M*A*S*H' and 'Brewster McCloud,' 'The Long Goodbye' and 'California Split,' 'Thieves Like Us' and 'Kansas City,' plus 'McCabe & Mrs. Miller' and 'Popeye.' The series concludes with separate screenings of 'The Player' and 'Short Cuts,' which reestablished Altman's vitality in the 1990s. As Times critic Charles Champlin once wrote, 'When Altman's movies are good, they are very, very good, and when they are bad they are infuriating because there is something so arrogantly self-destructive about them.' In a 2000 interview with Susan King for a retrospective at LACMA that included a 25th anniversary screening of 'Nashville,' the often-irascible Altman had this to say about his career. 'There isn't any filmmaker who ever lived who has had a better shake than I did,' he said. 'I have never been out of work and the only thing I haven't made are these big, popular films. I have never wanted to and I never will. I would fail at it. I would be late for work.' The American Cinematheque is premiering a newly-created 70mm print of the director's cut of Steven Spielberg's 1977 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' The film will play at the Egyptian on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then at the Aero on Aug. 29 and Aug. 31. 'Close Encounters' was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Spielberg's first for directing. It won for Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography as well as a special achievement award for its special effects. The story, of course, revolves around a series of sightings of UFOs around the world that leads to a spacecraft being studied in Wyoming and interactions with extraterrestrial beings. The cast includes Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban and François Truffaut. In his original review of the film, Charles Champlin wrote, 'The special effects conceived by Spielberg and executed by Douglas Trumbull and a staff that seems to number in the hundreds are dazzling and wondrous. That's not surprising: The surprise is that 'Close Encounters' is so well leavened with humor. … 'Close Encounters' stays light on its legs, mystical and reverential but not solemn. It is a warm celebration, positive and pleasurable. The humor is folksy and slapstick rather than cerebral, as if to confirm that our encounter is with a populist vehicle.' Jean-Luc Godard, Anna Karina and 'Vivre sa vie' in 35mm Anyone looking to prepare for the upcoming release of Richard Linklater's 'Nouvelle Vague,' about the making of Jean-Luc Godard's 'Breathless' and a snapshot of Paris at the moment of the French New Wave, might well want to check out Sunday's 35mm screening of Godard's 1962 'Vivre sa vie' at the Los Feliz Theatre. Starring Anna Karina, then in the midst of a tempestuous marriage to Godard, the film features what may be her greatest performance as Nana, an aspiring actress who finds herself drawn into the world of prostitution. The film stretches from the manic joy of her dancing around a pool table to the quiet devastation of seeing her tear-stained face as she watches a movie. There's also an utterly heart-wrenching conclusion. In an appreciation of Karina after her death in 2019 at age 79, Justin Chang wrote, 'We often speak admiringly of a performer's screen presence or charisma. Karina possessed something more: flinty intelligence and deadpan wit, dark feline eyes that could project playfulness and melancholy without her saying a word. She incarnated both a matter-of-fact toughness and an expressive glamour worthy of a silent screen star.' 'Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues' The Aero Theatre will have a rare screening of 1972's 'Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues' in 35mm on Sunday afternoon. Director Paul Williams and actors Barbara Hershey and John Lithgow will be on hand for a Q&A moderated by screenwriter Larry Karaszewski, who recently declared it 'the best 1970s movie you've never heard of.' Adapted from a novel by brothers Michael Crichton and Douglas Crichton (credited as 'Michael Douglas'), the story involves a Harvard student (Robert F. Lyons) who takes a job from his best friend (Lithgow, in his film debut) delivering marijuana across the country. Along the way he meets a woman (Hershey) and after she gets busted by a corrupt cop (Charles Durning), he tries to set things straight. 'Romy and Michele's High School Reunion' and 'Grosse Pointe Blank' On Saturday and Sunday, the New Beverly Cinema will have a double-bill of two comedies from 1997: David Mirkin's 'Romy and Michele's High School Reunion' and George Armitage's 'Grosse Pointe Blank.' With a screenplay by Robin Schiff adapting her own play, 'Romy and Michele' is about two friends (Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino) who concoct a plan to impress everyone at their 10-year high school reunion by lying about how successful they are. The film also features clothes by 'Clueless' costume designer Mona May. In his original review, Jack Matthews wrote, 'The dead-pan performances of Sorvino and Kudrow, who played Michelle in the original play, are perfect. Romy and Michelle are cartoon characters, but the actresses make them both real and enormously sympathetic. … Beneath the endless silliness of the movie beats a real heart, and its theme of loyal friendship keeps propping it up every time the thin walls of the story seem about to collapse. Though 'Romy and Michelle' doing Tucson doesn't take us much further than Beavis and Butt-head doing America, the ride, and the company, are a lot more fun.' From a screenplay by Tom Jankiewicz, D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink and star John Cusack, 'Grosse Pointe Blank' features Cusack as a succeful hit man attempting to attend his 10-year high school reunion and rewin the heart of an old girlfriend (Minnie Driver). That is, until a cadre of competing assassins and federal agents all show up as well. In his original review, Kenneth Turan drew comparisons to Armitage's earlier caper comedy 'Miami Blues,' writing, 'A wild at heart, anarchic comedy that believes in living dangerously … Clever enough to make jokes about Greco-Roman wrestling and make them funny, 'Grosse Pointe Blank's' greatest success is the way it maintains its comic attitude. Working with a smart script and actors who get the joke, director Armitage pulls off a number of wacky action set pieces. Even if you think you've heard actors say, 'I love you, we can make this relationship work,' in every conceivable situation, this film has a few surprises in store.' U.S. premiere of 'Onda Nova' in 4K Also on Sunday, Mezzanine will have the U.S. premiere of a 4K restoration of the 1983 Brazilian film 'Onda Nova,' which translates as 'New Wave.' Directed by Ícaro Martins and José Antonio Garcia, the film was withheld by the Brazilian dictatorship and only released there after a lengthy legal battle. It is thought to have never before screened in the U.S. Women's soccer was banned in Brazil until 1979, and women were only allowed to start teams in 1983, the year 'Onda Nova' was produced. The film brings a defiantly queer and anarchically rebellious attitude to the story of a group of women on a newly formed soccer team and features special appearances by figures involved in Brazil's struggle for freedom, including musician Caetano Veloso, journalist Osmar Santos and well-known male athletes Casagrande and Wladimir.
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson temporarily banned from driving in UK after speeding violation
Emma Watson is temporarily hitting the brakes on driving. Watson, who is known for her iconic role as Hermione Granger in the " Harry Potter" film franchise, has been banned from driving in the United Kingdom for six months, according to U.K. Press Association. The actress's driving ban stems from an incident in July of last year when Watson allegedly drove 38 mph in a 30 mph zone in Oxford, England, according to the PA. At a sentencing hearing Wednesday in the U.K., a judge added three points to Watson's license, which resulted in a ban that bars her from driving for six months. The actress had nine points on her license prior to the speeding incident, according to the PA. In the U.K., a six month driving ban can be issued if a driver accumulates 12 or more penalty points on their license within a three-year time period, according to the U.K. government's website. Watson, 35, was also ordered to pay a fine of 1,044 pounds -- approximately $1,400 -- at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court. Watson did not attend the hearing Wednesday. Her lawyer told the court the actress is a student and is, "in a position to pay the fine." A representative for Watson did not immediately reply to ABC News. Watson is currently a student at Oxford, where she's working toward a master's degree in creative writing, according to the BBC. Watson portrayed Hermione Granger in all eight "Harry Potter" movies alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, subsequently starring in a number of films including "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," "This Is the End," "Colonia," "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Circle." In 2019, she starred as Meg March in the Greta Gerwig-directed film "Little Women" alongside Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep and more.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'The Office' Star Announces He's Quitting Comedy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Craig Robinson has been a regular fixture in the world of screen comedy for years, in everything from sitcoms like "The Office" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" to films like "Pineapple Express" and "This Is the End". But now Robinson says he's leaving comedy behind for good. The "Hot Tub Time Machine" star put out two different videos on his Instagram account about this huge life change. In the first video, Robinson said, "Just want you to hear it from me. I am quitting comedy, but not for nothing. It's been an amazing run, and y'all been amazing and wonderful. But I'm following something bigger. So, you know, thank you so much. I love you, and stay tuned." Read More: 'Buffy' Reboot Star Teases Return of Dead Characters The caption to the video mentioned Robinson working on "something huge" and named it his "true calling." The cast of "The Office" which aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013. The cast of "The Office" which aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013. NBC Robinson released a video the following day, asking for advice because he had encountered "a few bumps in the road." He captioned the video, "Turns out having a dream and building a business with your friends are two VERY different things. I can't go into detail just yet, but for real though any help would be huge." So far the celebrity world has turned out to voice their support to Robinson as well as a few jokes. Robinson's "The Office" co-star Kate Flannery commented on one of his posts, writing "We love you, craig!!! Go big, my friend!!!" "Scream" alum David Arquette wrote "I hope it involves Music! You're brilliant at whatever you chose to do." Meanwhile, Howie Mandel joked, "Being a dancer is tough, but go for it." Former talk show host Arsenio Hall wrote, "You been called to preach? 'If loving you is wroo0ng, – – – I don't wanna be riiiiiight'!" Including upcoming projects, Robinson has 100 acting credits listed on IMDb, starting in 2001. His credits include "Ghosted", "Dolemite Is My Name", "The Cleveland Show", "American Dad!", "Krapopolis", "Reno 911!", "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story", "Knocked Up", "Big Mouth", and more. Along with his comedy and acting career, Robinson has shown a passion for music. Since 2007 he's been a member of the funk/hip-hop/R&B band The Nasty Delicious. Speaking on Vulture's Good One podcast, Robinson said, "When I am with the band, I feel like I can fly — like being at an Earth, Wind & Fire concert. Sometimes I'm a straight musician, sometimes I'm doing comedy and music, sometimes it's straight comedy and the band is quiet. It's all-encompassing." More TV: 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Canceled 'Harry Potter' Reboot Series Casts Four of Its Best Villains
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Reacher season 4 recasts Jay Baruchel with Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette
Production on the fourth season of Prime Video's hit action series Reacher is underway, with Alan Ritchson set to return as the iconic Jack Reacher. However, the show has undergone a casting shake-up following the departure of Jay Baruchel due to an undisclosed personal matter. As first reported by Deadline, Baruchel, 43, was originally cast to play Jacob Merrick, a small-town police officer. But just weeks after the casting announcement, he exited the production, prompting a swift recast. Actor Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette has now taken over the role. Rodriguez-Marquette is best known for his performance as Chris Lucado in HBO's Barry. Baruchel, known for roles in How to Train Your Dragon, This Is the End, and BlackBerry, has not publicly commented on his departure or the circumstances behind it. He has been married to Rebecca-Jo Dunham since 2019. Season 4 of Reacher is slated for release in 2026 and is based on Lee Child's 2009 novel Gone Tomorrow, the 13th book in the bestselling Jack Reacher series. The show debuted in 2022 and quickly gained a strong following, with Ritchson's portrayal of the title character receiving praise for aligning more closely with the physicality of the literary version than previous screen adaptations. Tom Cruise previously played Jack Reacher in two feature films, beginning in 2012 under the direction of Christopher McQuarrie. Actor Jai Courtney, who appeared in the first film, recently reflected on missing out on the lead role for the TV series. Speaking to Forbes, he praised Ritchson's performance and expressed admiration for the actor's growing career, particularly his upcoming role in Netflix's War Machine alongside Courtney himself. Despite the casting change, anticipation remains high for the upcoming season.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Dave Franco brought a 'great vibe' to The Studio, says Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen wrote 'The Studio' with Dave Franco "specifically" in mind for a role. The 39-year-old actor plays a fictionalised version of himself in the TV comedy series, and Seth has revealed that he relished working with his long-time friend. Seth, 43 - who co-created the show - told People: "Honestly, there were very few people that could have filled the roles that the people had filled because we really specifically were catering the stories to certain traits that celebrities have." In the show, Dave's character attends a party in Las Vegas ahead of the studio's big Cinema Con presentation. And Seth was convinced that Dave was perfect for the role. He said: "With Dave, it's like, who do you believe would be in a Ron Howard movie? It's a pretty dramatic movie, who could do that? But also, we knew that he would come back and do this truly ridiculous, stupid thing later in the season." Seth also revealed that Dave brought a great "vibe" to the show's set. The Hollywood star - who previously worked with Dave on 'Superbad', the 2007 comedy film - said: "Dave is the best. "Dave's first, I think, on-camera thing was 'Superbad'." By contrast, James Franco - Dave's brother - previously confessed that his friendship with Seth is "over". The 47-year-old actor enjoyed a hugely successful partnership with Seth for many years, creating movies such as 'Pineapple Express', 'This Is the End' and 'Sausage Party' together - but their friendship collapsed after James was accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour by a number of women. James - who reached a $2 million sexual misconduct settlement in 2021 - told Variety: "I haven't talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it's over. And not for lack of trying. I've told him how much he's meant to me." James has been shunned by Hollywood in recent years. However, the actor appreciates that he's still able to work in the entertainment business. The actor - who has received treatment for sexual addiction - explained: "I'm so grateful to be working. "I did go through a lawsuit, and during that lawsuit I wasn't working. But then COVID hit so everybody wasn't working. So, I don't know, it was all … I mean, we were all kind of in it. So it was sort of like, 'I don't know what I am.' "But I did certainly use the time to, I hope, good purpose. And whatever had been going on with me before, I had to change my whole way of life."
