We get a double dose of the fantastic Steve Buscemi this weekend: hosting "Saturday Night Live" and doing his regular gig as Nucky Thompson on "Boardwalk Empire." --- Sneak clip of "After Lately" + TV news & The TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan for your weekend. more ›

The months-long wait to see Kick-Ass is almost over! Can't wait! May see it twice this weekend. Sure it may be nihilistic and inappropriate (e.g. the obvious sexualization of a pre-teen Chloe Moretz), but God damn if it doesn't feel full of energy and evil wit. Plus, it features good Nic Cage (as opposed to bad Nic Cage). What I won't see is the astonishingly unnecessary re-make of Death at a Funeral. It begs the question: can Chris Rock translate his unique comic persona into anything other than dull, generic films? Our mess of an educational system is put under the microscope by a privateer in The Cartel. Bring your conservative friends! more ›

There may no longer be a country for old men, but Handsome Harry proves there's still kino for them. Harry plants itself proudly in the old boys' club, where women are no good, sons are all-too-wayward and there's nothing a bottle of scotch won't fix. When retired sailor Harry Sweeney (Jamey Sheridan) receives once-crewmate Tom Kelly (Steve Buscemi)'s dying wish for redemption, he becomes like a ghost, slipping in and out of old friends' lives and haunting them with memories of hidden violence. The disquieting man-to-man vignettes draw handsomely from the old school of independent film. Director Bette Gordon emphasizes a story rarely told, rather than than hip aesthetics or snarky dialogue. It's even got the once-obligatory open ending. Preserve the endangered species of mid-budget adult drama - head over to Laemmle's Sunset any time this weekend and check it out. more ›

Youth In Revolt is a hilarious adaptation of C.D. Payne’s epic 499-page novel of teenage angst. The film is directed by Miguel Artera (Chuck & Buck, The Good Girl) who seems to be at one with himself when infusing tales with quirky protagonists, such as Michael Cera’s Nick Twisp. more ›

Has anyone been watching "Sons of Anarchy" and "Nip/Tuck" on FX? The motorcycle gang drama (see our interview with series creator Kurt Sutter and series star Katey Sagal) seemed to get back on track last night after last week's somewhat scatter-brained and ridiculous plot turns (gang members riding around as back up for the deputy police chief? Randomly shooting up cars without repercussions? etc.). Tonight we have another round of the pseudo-pornographic "Nip/Tuck" which can range from being a pointed indictment of our superficial culture to being an overwrought train wreck of excess. We admit to being a rubbernecker that just can't not watch it. At least FX is presenting some non-pedestrian series and it appears that it's getting viewership as a reward with these programs earning impressive ratings for scripted programming. more ›

I wasn't completely sold on the idea of having so many different actors portray Bob Dylan in makes much more sense. more ›

Steve Buscemi really is a minor miracle. As I'm looking through his prolific resume on IMDB, I can't find an instance where I didn't enjoy his work. Sure, he's had his clunkers (Mr. Deeds, Domestic Disturbance) and has even fallen under the dark spell of Voldythingy, er, Michael Bay (Armageddon, The Island), but somehow Buscemi always seems to emerge untainted by the mediocrity surrounding him. And when he gets a great role (here, here, here, here, here), he utterly delivers. In short, you don't find many Steve Buscemi-haters. more ›

It's the first real day of the LA Film Festival so naturally a lot of films have sold out. But take heart--there are plenty of things to see. As of this morning, stand-by tickets are still available for Interview. Directed by Steve Buscemi and starring Buscemi and Sienna Miller, Interview tells the story of a journalist interviewing a celebrity that he doesn't particularly like (imagine that?). An adaptation of Theo Van Gogh's 2003 film of the same name, Interview received glowing reviews when it premiered at Sundance in the winter and is definitely worth your time. It plays at 2:00 p.m. at the Landmark Regent Theater. more ›

A Word or 20: No network or cable channel has made a compelling reason to stay inside this Memorial Day Weekend and watch TV. Tonight - Friday - May 25, 2007 Cubs @ Dodgers (Prime, 7:30 p.m.) The Henry Rollins Show (IFC, 8:00 p.m.) Steve Buscemi pushes new films Interview and Delirious, and discusses his years as a firefighter and working at Ground Zero. In a 'Letter' to Michael Chertoff Rollins reflects on the... more ›

We aren't the only ones sorry to see Chris Penn go; there have been tons of tributes and goodbyes. Still no news of what might have been the cause, but according to the Santa Monica Daily Press, some neighbors thought he was staying up late and acting erratically. Hey, blogland is all about erratic behavior and late nights. more ›

It appears that today will be a quiet day—not much going on the world of arts and entertainment, though what is going on is well worth your time. LAist encourages everyone to get out of the house and enjoy the last waning days of summer as we creep toward Labor Day. more ›