FilmWeek

The topic:
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
The films:
Evil Dead Burn, Wide Release
Moana, Wide Release
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, Wide Release
Mary Oliver: Saved By the Beauty of the World, At Select Laemmle Theaters
Night Nurse, In Select Theaters
The Isolate Thief, In Select Theaters
Mockbuster, Laemmle Glendale & Available on Digital & VOD
The American Southwest, Available on Digital and VOD
Barrio Triste, Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA] & American Cinematheque’s Los Feliz 3

The topic:
Horror movies are having a moment. Two of this year's greatest box office successes are two horror films, each from unknown directors with non-IP scripts and relatively small budgets.

A horror darling: Obsession is the unexpected runaway hit of the summer, having grossed over $400 million worldwide on less than $1 million budget. Now almost two months out from its initial release, it is still playing in theaters nationwide.

Another hit: Backed by the studio A24, Backrooms had a budget of $10 million and has grossed almost $350 million worldwide. Some of its success can be attributed to it being based on a popular 4Chan post that sparked a webseries and several internet games.

Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for LAist, film critic for the Los Angeles Times and host of the podcast ‘Unspooled’
Christy Lemire, film critic for LAist, and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ YouTube and podcast series
Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com

The topic:
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
The films:
Minions & Monsters Wide Release
Young Washington Wide Release
Romería Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Royal [West LA]
Enola Holmes 3 Streaming on Netflix
Reeling Available on Digital & VOD Tues. July 7
Drunken Noodles Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica]|Laemmle NoHo
Lockbox In Select Theaters
The Get Out Available on Digital & VOD
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

The critics:
Charles Solomon, film critic for LAist, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
Christy Lemire, film critic for LAist, and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ YouTube and podcast series
Claudia Puig, film critic for LAist and program director for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The topic:
Criterion released two director-approved 4k restorations for John Waters’ 1988 film Hairspray and his 1977 film Desperate Living. The disc releases include exclusive commentary tracks from Waters and some of the actors as well as bonus interviews.
Waters’ trash cinema: Known for his provocative, camp films, Waters is considered one of the formative directors of gay cinema. His ‘trash trilogy’ of Pink Flamingos (1972), Female Trouble (1974) and Desperate Living (1977) showcased taboos and profanity that garnered Waters a cult following.
Mainstream attempt: But he also brought in a more mainstream audience with his much more tame and accessible film Hairspray (1988) about an overweight teen in Baltimore who dreams of being on a local TV show that features adolescents dancing. And you can’t talk about Waters without talking about his frequent collaborator and drag performer Divine, featured in a majority of Waters’ films. Divine played Tracy’s mother Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. It was his last film role before he died.
Guest:
John Waters, American filmmaker known for his gay, cult classic films that delve into ‘trash’ and taboo
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

The topic:
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
The films:
Supergirl Wide Release
The Invite In Select Theaters|Expands Wide July 10
Jackass: Best and Last Wide Release
Lucky Strike Wide Release
Coroner to the Stars Laemmle Glendale|Available on Digital & VOD July 14
Peter Asher: Everywhere Man Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Laemmle NoHo
Animals in War Available on Digital & VOD|Streaming on Film Movement Plus
Maddie's Secret In Select Theaters
Woody Guthrie and The Ghost of Tom Joad Today Streaming on PBS SoCal
The critics:
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for LAist, and Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor
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