LA has a diverse cast of characters. Whether it's the characters with stirring stories or interesting occupations or the people who are just simply characters, this town has them all. In an effort to get to know some of those characters a little better, we've created "Seven Questions with..." If you have a suggestion for a future Seven Questions subject send us an email. more ›

There was a great deal of buzz when word first broke that acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee would be making a documentary about Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant. On paper, a prominent director known for his love of the game of basketball giving audiences a rare look inside the life of one of the greatest players on the planet sounded like a slam dunk. Unfortunately, ESPN Films' Kobe Doin' Work was not that at all. more ›

Wow! How bad of a release day is it when 12 Rounds and Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience are the two high-profile releases? Ugh. For the first time in I don't know how long, I couldn't find 20 DVDs worthy of inclusion in this space. Two Lovers is probably the best pick, but it suffers from a surfeit of Gwyneth Paltrow. Maybe the most intriguing DVD out today is Transmorphers: Fall of Man. I'm sure it sucks, but any film that piggy-backs on the marketing largess of the rancid Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is aces in my book! more ›

I could talk for hours about it, but I'll simply say that Amadeus is the finest movie I have ever seen. From the amazing performances by F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce to the script by Peter Schaeffer (a superior revision of his stage play) to the direction by Milos Forman (who never again came close to this level of artistry) right down to the ballet choreography by Twyla Tharp and the imposing score by Sir Neville Marriner, Amadeus is the purest, most perfect synthesis of all the wonder that is possible with cinema. If you have never seen this wonderful film, rectify that mistake immediately and pick up this Blu-Ray disc. more ›

It almost felt like summer again this weekend as a bloated, crappy movie rang up a huge number at the box-office. Despite seriously sucking balls, continued to do well in its third week ($6.1M/$45.5M). more ›

Matt Belknap is changing the way people experience comedy. As founder of Aspecialthing.com , Matt's created a place where comedy nerds, whether they be fans or the artists themselves, can discuss the art form they love so much. But Belknap isn't only a comedy fan. He runs See You Next Tuesday at the UCB Theater, is producer of and panelist on Never Not Funny, one of the I-Tunes picks for best Podcasts of '06 and '07, and founder of Aspecialthing Records, which in 2007 put out comedy albums by comedians Jen Kirkman, Paul F. Tompkins, Jonah Ray, and The Sklar Brothers. LAist got a hold of Matt's email and sent him a few questions about his plans for AST, his thoughts on comedy, and got some details on what new AST releases are planned for 08. more ›

Matt Belknap is changing the way people experience comedy. As founder of Aspecialthing.com , Matt's created a place where comedy nerds, whether they be fans or the artists themselves, can discuss the art form they love so much. But Belknap isn't only a comedy fan. He runs See You Next Tuesday at the UCB Theater, is producer of and panelist on Never Not Funny, one of the I-Tunes picks for best Podcasts of '06 and '07, and founder of Aspecialthing Records, which in 2007 put out comedy albums by comedians Jen Kirkman, Paul F. Tompkins, Jonah Ray, and The Sklar Brothers. LAist got a hold of Matt's email and sent him a few questions about his plans for AST, his thoughts on comedy, and got some details on what new AST releases are planned for 08. more ›

- Bono checked out two burlesque sets at Ivan Kane's Royal Jelly this week - Net Music Countdown - Jason Schmidt to the Dodgers, best signing all winter? - Fox Sports - How to turn forgotten election signs into anti-government freeway signs - Freeway Blogger - LA Councilman stands on the corner of Venice & Lincoln to shout out traffic cures - Daily Breeze - Spike Lee to direct film about the '92 LA... more ›

Did anyone really think that Jay-Z was going to stay retired? All his records were multi-platinum, his girlfriend is multi-platinum, hell, bro burped the other day and it went gold. Last year he put the rocking chair back in the garage, and now he's back and teaming up with the NBA talking about his "truths". Tonight's Midnight Movie is directed by Spike Lee in the back of a limo as the Jigga man waxes... more ›

Six Degrees doesn't start at 10:00 pm. It starts at 10:01 pm. Ohhhh, but LA Times says 10:02 pm. Now that's true drama. Does it really matter? No. That's because at 10:00 pm, a Los Angeles based show begins. Spike Lee directed this pilot episode of Shark. 8 pm My Name Is Earl (NBC) 8:30 pm The Office (NBC) 9 pm Grey's Anatomy (ABC) 10:01 pm Six Degrees (ABC) 9 pm CSI (CBS) 10... more ›

When the Levees Broke HBO, tonight, 8pm The easiest thing that Spike Lee could have done in tackling the documentary about last year's tragedy in the Gulf Coast was pile-on to the Bush and Brownie bashing. He could have put a Michael Moore hit piece on FEMA and the President and also thrown the New Orleans Mayor and Louisiana Governor under the bus. Lord knows there were enough witnesses, enough news reports, and enough... more ›

Female teachers who have had sex with their students, Oprah - 3pm (ABC) Channel 4 News Special - LAUSD: Battle for Control - 5pm (NBC) Dodgers @ San Diego Padres - 7pm (KCAL) Weeds "Cooking With Jesus" 7pm (Showtime) Gene Simmons Family Jewels "Food or Sex" - 7pm (A&E) "This is Paris" - the making of Paris Hilton's record - 10pm (VH-1) Prison Break, Season Premiere - 8pm (FOX) When the Levees Broke, parts... more ›

This LAist contributor would watch a BMW ad if it promised Clive Owen, so we happily handed over the $ to see Inside Man yesterday without complaint. Plus Denzel Washington? Crime thriller — whatever. We know a chick flick when we see one. more ›

Orange County's Movieland Wax Museum is, eh, liquidating its inventory. Marilyn, Arnie, Michael J. Fox and the Little Rascals could all be yours at the March 11 auction. A lot of these figures were obviously made a while ago: Michael Jackson is brown. Stars start at $500; extras $100. You could almost get a live extra to stand around for that, although you'd have to buy him lunch. more ›

This week's installment of Good Grove/Bad Grove was going to focus on the impact the Grove shopping complex at Fairfax and Third has had on other local businesses, and as it turns out, our timing couldn't be more apt. As anyone who attempted to see the exclusive L.A. engagement of She Hate Me this week (anyone?) discovered this past Sunday, the struggling AMC Beverly Connection cinemas breathed their last breath and, without any warning, closed their doors. more ›