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Pixar Animation Studios has done it again. Not only have they delivered what should prove to be the indisputable Best Animated Feature Academy Award winner come February 28, 2016, but a hot contender as an overall Best Picture nominee with INSIDE OUT. Breaking new ground with storytelling and technology, while retaining the hallmarks of what makes Pixar great, director Pete Docter and the Pixar team boldly go where no one has gone before - into the mind of an 11-year old girl. To say that...
Hard to believe that LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is entering its third decade as one of the crown jewels of film festivals but, officially running June 10th through 18th after a couple pre-fest sneak peaks at DOPE and Pixar's upcoming INSIDE OUT, that's exactly what's happening. And right along with LAFF, is my 21st year of bringing you opening day "Must See Festival Films" coverage. Kicking off the 21st LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is none other than Lily Tomlin and her latest film GRANDMA. Tomlin,...
There really is something for everyone this weekend at the movies with the release of some of the most anticipated films of the summer - INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3, LOVE & MERCY and SPY. SPY SPY is a balls-to-the-wall, mile a minute laugh fest starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law and Bobby Cannavale. Setting SPY apart from other McCarthy comedies which, let's face it, have been less than funny of late, SPY is smart and smartly written with a tightly crafted story and comedy,...
While I never wish ill on anyone or anything (except perhaps an annoying sibling or two), if "the big one" hits California and the San Andreas earthquake fault splits wide open, I won't shed any tears if every print, Blu-ray, DVD, digital coding and anything else that could ever replicate SAN ANDREAS the movie, falls into the abyss. (Joining that can be everything related to the concurrent VOD release, "San Andreas Quake" which is almost a mirror film but with a mother seismologist predicting...
People often complain that today's generation is so "uninspired", or there is nothing in the world today to inspire us to move forward with global unity to better the world in which we live in today or boldly venture forth into new worlds of the future. We have the technology. We have the skills. But where are the dreamers? One need look no further than Brad Bird's TOMORROWLAND for all that is needed to inspire the dreamer in each of us. Inspiring and hopeful, as much a visionary wonder of the...
While my love and admiration for Joss Whedon and the World of Whedon (not to mention the "Avengers" and that irascible Tony Stark aka Robert Downey, Jr.) knows no bounds, when it comes to AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, I have to admit that from a story standpoint and the execution thereof, the Russo Brothers still reign as the current kings in the Marvel world thanks to their inspired direction of "Captain America: Winter Soldier". I know, I know. Shocker to hear from this lover of Whedon and I can't...
The 4th "Affair of The Arts" will take place on May 30 from 11 am to 7 pm and May 315 from 11 am to 6 pm in downtown Culver City at the intersection of Culver Blvd. and Main Street. The free outdoor festival showcases 60 of Southern California's premiere painters, photographers, sculptors, and glass, ceramics and jewelry artists. Visitors can shop the artists or just view. The Affair also features two days of live music, interactive activities for children, snacks and sweets. Downtown Culver City restaurants will be welcoming festival...
With more than 20 films opening this weekend or expanding wider in release, there’s something for everyone. From George Miller’s post-apocalyptic MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, the next chapter in the “Mad Max” franchise which originally catapulted Mel Gibson into the limelight and now elevates Tom Hardy even higher in the cinematic spectrum, to those fabulous acapella Bellas of Barden in PITCH PERFECT 2 to the Dolph Lundgren produced and written (and starring Lundgren and Tony Jaa) SKIN TRADE with a...
This week brings a stunning array of new releases, most in limited release, but all definitely worth more than a look. A particular standout is THE AGE OF ADALINE. Boasting exquisite tonal beauty, THE AGE OF ADALINE is gorgeously lensed by David Lanzenberg and stars Blake Lively in the title role, along with Michael Huisman, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker and a powerhouse emotionally laden performance by Harrison Ford. Directed by Lee Toland Krieger from script by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador...
Christina Noble is a name many may not know but after seeing NOBLE, thanks to not only the subject of the film, but the well crafted storytelling of writer/director Stephen Bradley and indelible life-affirming performances by Dierdre O'Kane, Sarah Greene and Gloria Cramer Curtis as Christina Noble at various points in time, you will not only want to know the name, but the woman. An amazing woman. An inspiring story. A powerful and moving film. Christina Noble was born in the slums of Dublin,...
As you stroll through Downtown Culver City you might notice a new face on the block - ArcLight Cinemas. While maybe not a completely new face, it’s definitely a 21st century upgrade. As related by Gretchen McCourt, Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer of ArcLight Cinemas, “We’ve been operating here in Culver City as Pacific Theatres for a number of years and with the transformation that Culver City has made with the restaurants, with the nightlife, with the activities, it was time...
Lovelier than a dream, this Kenneth Branagh directed Disney's CINDERELLA sets the bar for Oscars 2016 with sumptuous visual splendor complete with Haris Zambarloukos breathtaking cinematography, the lavish grandeur of Dante Ferretti's production design, Sandy Powell's timeless costume designs that sparkle and shine (literally and figuratively), and a sweeping score by Patrick Doyle, all befitting the crown jewel in the Disney legacy. Oh, and did I mention a certain Swarovski-designed glass...
The Pacific Art Guild will meet Wednesday, May 6 at 7 pm in the Community Room, Westchester Civic Center, 7166 W. Manchester Avenue. Guests are welcome. The guest demonstrator for May will be Iris Carignan. Born in Georgia, Iris attended art school and took lessons primarily in California. The vibrant colors of her impressionistic style express both passion and tranquility. Many of her paintings have water as a subject, hence the name of her studio, Still Water. Iris will demonstrate a landscape in pastel....
Under the guiding eyes of boots-on-the-ground executive producers Todd Lieberman and Dave Hoberman, along with producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher (among others), and with the energizing and fully sensory stimulating direction of Robert Schwentke (taking the reins from “Divergent” director Neil Burger) and with the blessings of author Veronica Roth, INSURGENT diverges from the printed pages of the second installment of the Roth books, resulting in a film that is pure HIGH OCTANE, EDGE OF YOU...
Seems that not just spring has sprung, but so has the movie box office which is jam-packed with a multiplicity of new releases in limited and wide release this month. This week I turn your attention to two films: TRUE STORY - based on the true story of a killer and a journalist and, UNFRIENDED - conceived by the innovative and cutting edge Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, sheds a frightening light on the internet, Skyping, instant messaging with some horrifying results. UNFRIENDED As...
No one brings inspirational real life stories to film like Disney, especially when those stories center around sports. Be it horses, baseball, football or any other sport, you know you will be moved, you will be inspired, you will be entertained, but more importantly, you will learn something about a person or lives well lived and hard fought, about overcoming odds and finding that "winning spirit." And then there's Kevin Costner. With the recent "3 Days to Kill", "Draft Day", "Black or White"...
Let's just get it out there now so there's no mistaking. Nicholas Sparks is Nicholas Sparks is Nicholas Sparks. You know what you're going to get (for the most part) when you pick up a Sparks novel or sit down to watch a Sparks adaptation on the big screen. You know there will be beautiful scenery with lots of sun, lots of greenery, lots of rain (literally and metaphorically), lots of tears and lots of very fine looking people. You also know that in probably 75% of the cases, generations will co...
Beginning Friday, April 17 Buddy Powell's COMMERCIAL ACTING for ADULTS will be offered every Friday at Temple Akiba Conference Room. Temple Akiba is at 5243 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. The class meets 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Classes are ongoing. Enrollment is open. Class Fee is $10 per weekly class. Nearly every day in Los Angeles television commercials are produced. Nearly every commercial produced is seeking new faces to promote products. Baby boomers currently comprise the largest demographic of...
by debbie lynn elias This week, I want to shed light on some indie gems that everyone should be on the lookout for, be it in the smaller art house-type theatres or on VOD. Each bodes strong female voices and performances, the latter two - MAN FROM RENO and APARTMENT TROUBLES - find directors pushing the envelope and developing their own skill sets and storytelling techniques, while, EFFIE GRAY, takes us back in time to 19th century London and the story of a scandalous female historical figure....
This week, I want to shed light on some indie gems that everyone should be on the lookout for, be it in the smaller art house-type theatres or on VOD. Each bodes strong female voices and performances, the latter two - MAN FROM RENO and APARTMENT TROUBLES - find directors pushing the envelope and developing their own skill sets and storytelling techniques, while, EFFIE GRAY, takes us back in time to 19th century London and the story of a scandalous female historical figure. EFFIE GRAY Leave it...
I don't know if it's because I'm getting older or Al Pacino us just getting better, but between his recent tour de force in "The Humbling" and now DANNY COLLINS, I have fallen in love with him as an actor. The nuance that he brings is electrifying and emotionally enticing and fulfilling and never moreso than as DANNY COLLINS. Written and directed by Dan Fogelman, DANNY COLLINS is, as the screen credits playfully note, "Kind of based on a true story a little bit." That true story is a real...
Let's just start by saying, Colin is King! We have always known that Colin Firth is the perfect romantic leading man, the perfect "Single Man", a man among men who can tug at the heartstrings and make women swoon as easily as lead a country into battle, but who knew he was an action hero! One look at Firth in KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE and it's pretty clear who the next James Bond should be. Firth is fabulous as he blends the gentility, style, propriety, manners and elegance of the perfect Bri...
Time for rebirth and rejuvenation with another trip to Jaipur, India to visit with "The Dames"(Judi and Maggie, collectively, as they are referred to by screenwriter Ol Parker) and company, all of whom we find are still happily residing as their respective characters at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. When we last saw our favorite group of British retirees, each had left their native England to head to what was advertised as a luxurious retirement hotel in Jaipur - the Best Exotic Marigold...
Ringing my bell with laughter is THE WEDDING RINGER. Directed by Jeremy Garelick and co-written by Garelick and Jay Lavender, THE WEDDING RINGER goes into what is, in many respects, virginal best man territory, putting Kevin Hart and Josh Gad together for one of the best bromances ever and some of the biggest laughs you'll see on screen. Calling on the likes of Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Ken Howard, Mimi Rogers, Olivia Thirlby, Jenifer Lewis and Cloris Leachman, comedy veterans rush the end zone and...
Hot off Oscar-weekend, this week brings a fresh crop of films to tickle your film fancy. David Cronenberg and screenwriter Bruce Wagner collaborate to bring us the delicious (albeit polarizing) "Maps to the Stars" with newly minted Oscar-winner Julianne Moore, John Cusack, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson, Olivia Williams and Evan Bird in this tale of a dysfunctional, incestuous Hollywood family. As is expected in a Cronenberg film, and a Wagner script or novel, the envelope is pushed, metaphor...
