When you think of Sasha Grey, a number of things might come to mind: violent sex. Playing a prostitute for Steven Soderbergh. Going buck naked on "Entourage." But if you don't immediately conjure up an image of her reading a storybook to a group of first-graders, you will now. TMZ reports that Grey was brought in to Emerson Elementary School in Compton on November 2 as part of the Read Across America program... more ›

Thousands of miles, 12 set visits, 4 award shows, 2 conventions, 2 colleges, and 1 benefit. Those were the statistics for LAist last year in covering the adult industry, headquartered in the San Fernando Valley. more ›

Film festival season approacheth! Since this isn't Phoenixist, we can start with the Hola Mexico Film Festival. The festival opens Thursday at the Arclight with gritty crime drama Bitten Bullet (if you habla Espanol, Edward James Olmos introduces the film in this clip) and, for aficionados, the Opening Night Fiesta featuring Bostich & Fussible of Nortec Collective... more ›

I thoroughly enjoyed The Informant! and am actually really looking forward to catching it again on DVD. If only Soderbergh would spend all his time making flicks like it and no time making flicks like this. It is by no means a good movie, but Dead Snow was a rollicking horror of a film (though a lack of solid nudity does penalize it substantially). How can you beat Nazi zombies? The less said about Jersey Shore, the better. It's just dumb assholes. It's not ironic; it's not a guilty pleasure; it's a show about dumb assholes. I'm probably as big an Adam Scott fan as there is (LAist interview here). Check out The Vicious Kind today! Was Richard Kelly a one film wonder? The Box would seem to indicate so (as if Southland Tales didn't scream it). Bloodbath!!!!!!! more ›

To any who haven't heard the grisly news, Artie Lange is recovering from an awful suicide attempt back east. As a longtime fan of The Howard Stern Show, I hope he gets back back to a healthier place soon. Let me get this straight -- Magnolia and Boogie Nights on Blu-ray on the same day? Can I call in sick to work? More stuff like Che, Steven. Less like this shit. How can you not love Kirby Dick? Anyone who outs self-hating conservatives is aces. I would watch Damages just to watch Rose Byrne floss her teeth. How is it that Ricky Gervais can't not make great TV shows, but can't get close to making an entertaining movie? I wish the wonderful Kate Beckinsale of Cold Comfort Farm and The Last Days of Disco would replace her current, soulless incarnation. Dorf! And they're still making Blair Witch titty-based parodies? What year is it? more ›

With the ongoing recession and continued threat of piracy, 2009 may have been tough for the multi-billion dollar adult industry, but it was also Sasha Grey's most prominent thus far. With the leading role in Steven Soderbergh's labeled her "The Dirtiest Girl in the World" and Fleshbot included her in their Top Ten Crush Objects of 2009 (NSFW). So it's no surprise that she will be honored with The Jenna Jameson Crossover Star of the Year at the AVN Awards this Saturday at the Pearl Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. more ›

Last Wednesday, the nominations for the AVN Awards, considered the Oscars of the adult industry, were announced. Hosted by Digital Playground's Kayden Kross and Wicked Pictures' Kirsten Price, the 2010 edition will take place on January 9th inside the Palms Casino Resort at the Pearl Theater in Las Vegas. As in previous years, it will be held the week of the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, which will be on January 7th-10th at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. more ›

I have often criticized Steven Soderbergh for wasting his time, talent and energy on crap like the Oceans series. If only he would dedicate his life to things like The Informant!, which looks incisive and hilarious. Matt Damon, on the other hand, will likely never hear an unkind word from me. All he does is make superb and brave choices. Seriously, when was the last bad or dull movie in which Damon starred? Jennifer's Body looks like cynical, wordy, pseudo-clever tripe to me. Diablo Cody -- go away. Megan Fox -- go away. more ›

LAist favorite Sasha Grey has been quite a media sensation due to her leading role in Steven Soderbergh's , with film critic Roger Ebert even observing that "I haven't seen any of [her adult work], but now I would like to see one, watching very carefully, to see if she suggests more than one level." more ›

If the AVN Adult Movie Awards are the Oscars of the adult industry, then the X-Rated Critics Organization (XRCO) Awards would be the equivalent of the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. more ›

LAist has been fortunate to run into pornstar and mainstream crossover artist Sasha Grey (MySpace) already a few times this year -- at AVN's Adult Entertainment Expo and Adult Movie Awards as well as Vivid-Alt's release party. more ›

NOTE: See LAist's coverage of world premiere and UC Irvine's Sociology 69: Sociology of Sexuality. more ›

Believe it or not, Ocean's Thirteen actually out-Grindhouses Grindhouse. Not in violence or cursing or explosives per se, (it does have a PG-13 rating), but in hearkening back to the good ol' days when movies were fun, dagnabit, Clooney and co. have Tarantino beat. Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Thirteen is the most kinetic and most fun of the Ocean series, and there are far worse ways you could spend two hours... more ›

Ocean’s Thirteen continues the series’ cynical tradition of putting famous actors in sleek, stylish clothes and having them act cool. That’s really all there is to say. If you’ve seen either Ocean’s Eleven or Twelve, then you’ve basically already seen Ocean’s Thirteen, too. It’s almost tragic that a filmmaker as talented as Steven Soderbergh is spending years of his career turning out what is essentially disposable entertainment. more ›

After a week without a sequel, we're back at it with the lovable scoundrels of "Ocean's 13". Sure, watching the same group of guys we've seen plunder Vegas and steal a Faberge egg plan another elaborate heist is rehashing already trodden ground, but I'll be damned if it isn't a good time. Add to that a torture-porn and another insufferable CG toon about penguins and we're in for an interesting weekend. more ›

Special Screenings & Limited Releases Jean-Luc Godard's Two or Three Things I Know About Her opens for a week-long run at the Nuart in West L.A. Saturday at 7:30pm The American Cinematheque screens a real, live 70mm print of Lawrence of Arabia at the Aero in Santa Monica. See this movie on the big screen the way it was meant to be seen! Major Releases The Good Shepherd & The Good German -- I... more ›

Music journalist James Greer has influenced a generation of music fans via his work in "Spin" magazine. more ›