Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Weekend Movie Guide: One gem, much coal
()
Photo courtesy of Rialto Pictures
This weekend's new movie offererings are so spectacularly awful that I felt compelled to lead with the dreamy 1961 French classic, Last Year At Mariendbad, which opens this weekend at the Nuart. You'll probably walk out of the theater wondering what in the hell you just saw (it's trippy and plotless), but at least you'll be challenged a little bit. That certainly won't be the case with Jessica Alba's latest snoozer, The Eye. This "horror" movie is, of course, a re-make of a better Japanese film. Please Jesus, make this trend and this actress go away.
Last summer, I raved about Steve Zahn's performance in the very underrated Rescue Dawn. I don't think I'll be doing the same with Strange Wilderness. How Jonah Hill and Justin Long decided to come along for this ride I will never know. I guess actors have mortgages, too. Director Fred Wolf is notable for directing the worst of Adam Sandler's many bad comedies, Little Nicky. Of course, Strange Wilderness looks like The Third Man when measured against Over Her Dead Body. Eva Longoria I understand--she's awful--but why, Paul Rudd? Why?
Support for LAist comes from
()
Photo courtesy of Disney
Pervert alert: parents keep a close eye on your kids at screenings of Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour. Any adult attending solo is cause for concern. I can't pretend to understand the appeal of Miley Cyrus so I won't bother trying. I do find it creepy, though, that parents are comfortable having their kid become such a huge star. Sure, the money's nice, but you are probably ruining the kid's fucking life if history is any guide. Good job, Billy Ray. Looking forward to Miley humiliating herself on reality TV in 5 years.
Caramel is probably the best new movie opening this weekend so, naturally, no one will see it. It's a romantic comedy centering on the lives of five Lebanese women in Beirut. If that didn't excite you enough, the dialogue is spoken in French and Arabic. Caramel was Lebanon's official submission for this year's Oscars but didn't make the cut. Still, it's worth your ticket money if you can steel yourself to see a foreign film.
Tickets & Showtimes
Last Year At Mariendbad
The Eye
Strange Wilderness
Over Her Dead Body
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour
Caramel
Reviews
Support for LAist comes from
Last Year At Mariendbad
The Eye
Strange Wilderness
Over Her Dead Body
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour
Caramel
Previews
Last Year At Mariendbad
The Eye
Strange Wilderness
Over Her Dead Body
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour
Support for LAist comes from
Caramel
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist