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What’s playing? From ‘Love & Basketball’ to ‘Jackass: The Movie,’ our weekend movie picks around LA
The auditorium of the New Beverly Cinema.
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Julie Leopo
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LAist
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As we welcome the final month of summer (hello, Leo season!), there is still no better time to hide away in the air conditioning and see a movie on the big screen. We’ve got five weekend picks for you at cool movie theaters all around town.
I caught Robot Dreams a few weeks ago before it left mainstream theaters and can’t recommend a new release more highly. And as a horror-lover, that Jennifer’s Body and Drag Me To Hell double feature is truly calling to me — those are two stone-cold classics. But this week, you’ll find me tucked in at the historic Egyptian theater, ready to fill in the gaps of my Paul Thomas Anderson knowledge. A 9:30 p.m. 70mm screening of an absurd Thomas Pynchon novel? Be still, my English major heart.
For the blood and guts girlies
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Jennifer’s Body + Drag Me To Hell
New Beverly Cinema
Friday, Aug. 2, at 6:30 and 8:40 p.m.
Tickets are $14.25 and include admission to both films, more info here.
Synopsis: What an ideal double feature to take us back to 2009. First, watch Megan Fox’s iconic turn as the titular man-eating cheerleader. Then, stay tuned for Sam Raimi’s classic “you’ve been cursed” flick, following a woman who’s about to have it all… until she makes a choice at work that upends her life. Two movies about the evils of patriarchy and capitalism, all wrapped up in curses and blood, but in a fun way. A perfect Friday night!
For the lovers
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Love & Basketball
The Academy Museum
Saturday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10, more info here.
Synopsis: This decade spanning love story between two basketball players set in South L.A. has become a beloved classic for a reason. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s feature film debut is a romantic sports drama that still feels like nothing else. Starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan, and featuring Regina Hall, Alfre Woodard, Gabrielle Union, and Tyra Banks, the cast (and the soundtrack!) are absolutely stacked.
A new theater opens this weekend
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Milagro Cinemas is opening this weekend in Norwalk! Moctesuma Esparza, producer on films like "Selena" (1997) and community activist is opening a cinema tailored for the Latino community. Historically underrepresented in film, Latinos have been the biggest box office spenders this summer. The state-of-the-art theater, equipped with 4K laser projection and Dolby Atmos sound opens on August 2nd.
For the jackasses
Jackass: The Movie
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Brain Dead Studios
Saturday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $13, more info here.
Synopsis: He’s Johnny Knoxville, welcome to Jackass. There’s not really a plot, aside from friendship. You know the drill, Jackass started a reality TV show on MTV featuring nine friends doing crazy stunts and gross pranks. It ran from 2000-01, and in 2002 they made a feature length film and the franchise ran for another 20 years. And Spike Jonze produced it? The guy who directed Being John Malkovich and Her? Wild.
For the more melancholy friends
Robot Dreams
Vidiots
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Friday, Aug. 2 — Sunday, Aug. 4, at 4:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $11, more info here.
Synopsis: It’s the 80s and Dog lives alone in Manhattan. He orders and assembles Robot, a companion, and they live it up together joyfully as their friendship deepens. After a mishap, Dog is forced to leave Robot’s side. Honestly, the less you know about this one going in, the better. This silent Spanish film has a simplistic, beautiful and colorful animation style that holds so much emotion. You can definitely take your kids, but you might have to explain why you’re crying at the end.
For fans of a confounding mystery
Inherent Vice
The Egyptian
Sunday, Aug. 4, at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12-17, more info here.
Synopsis: Los Angeles in the 70s, a stoner private investigator, and a missing ex-girlfriend. Director Paul Thomas Anderson adapting a Thomas Pynchon novel. You’re not gonna get a lot of answers here, but you are gonna get an absurd journey starring Joaquin Phoenix, projected in beautiful 70mm.
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