This week, the real world marks the closing arguments in the court case against Prop. 8. Fittingly, the reel world responds with the premiere of documentary 8: The Mormon Proposition, at Laemmle's Sunset. Produced by former Mormons, and narrated by Milk scribe Dustin Lance Black, the film follows the money and the movement that pushed the legislation into being. To put the struggle in a historical perspective, the Nuart features Stonewall Uprising. The doc is the first to share the stories of Stonewall rioters, and in this spirit, the Nuart hosts Stonewall participant John O'Brien at Friday's evening show. We've come a long way, but there's still quite a ways to go. more ›

There's nothing particularly great about Black Dynamite (it's no I'm Gonna Git You Sucka!), but it is a hell of a lot of fun. The normally dour Michael Jai White has a great time as the titular hero, and any movie featuring the fantastic Charlotte Stokely is worth a look. Remember when Gerard Butler was an intriguing actor on the rise -- around the time as Dear Frankie? Now it looks as if he's just cashing checks to pay for big houses. Sad. There's a great story about how the Weinstein Brothers leveraged The Secret Policeman's Ball to first build Miramax. Given the precarious state of the Weinstein Company, is Private Party yet another spin-off? Few directors have had a better run at a studio than Clint Eastwood has had at Warner Brothers. Wish I had that life. Big day at Criterion today. Open your wallets! more ›

The season 3 premiere of FX's It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is the pick of the night. This is arguably Danny DeVito's best work since L.A. Confidential and his best comedy work in almost 20 years. While it's true that since it's cable the cast can say "shit" and "asshole" but that's not a gimmick the show relies on too much. What the show does follow is what made Seinfeld a success - it's a... more ›

586 New Releases on the wall, 586 New Releases! Take 16 down, pass em' around... Monty Python - Monty Python and the Holy Grail [Bonus Tracks][REMASTERED] (Sony Legacy) Sly and the Family Stone - Collection [Box Set] (Sony) CocoRosie - Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn (Touch & Go) Madlib - Other Side: Los Angeles (DeAf Dumb & Blind) Blonde Redhead - 23 (4AD) Bright Eyes - Cassadaga (Saddle Creek) Laura Veirs - Saltbreakers (Nonesuch)... more ›

Monday P.J. O’Rourke signs On the Wealth of Nations 7pm @ Book Soup Adam Gopnick reads Through the Children's Gate 7:30pm @ Skirball Cultural Center Tuesday David Mamet signs Bambi vs. Godzilla 7pm @ Book Soup Edward Humes signs Monkey Girl 7pm @ Vroman’s Norman Mailer discusses Castle in the Forest with David Ulin 7:30pm @ Writers Guild Theater Daveed Gartenstein-Ross presents My Year in Radical Islam 7:30pm @ Barnes & Noble Santa Monica... more ›

Photo used with the permission of: Kikuko Usuyama more ›

FRIDAY more ›