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: That! Guy! Is! Beowulf!
()
It almost feels like summer again as Beowulf comes crashing into theaters with a huge amount of hype. From where I'm sitting, though, that hype actually looks deserved. If 3-D is (once again) the future of film, consider me an early adopter. Combine a technical innovator like Zemekiswith two--and I mean this as a true compliment--odd birds like Avaryand Gaimanand you get a movie that is relentlessly beautiful and compelling.
Love in the Time of Cholera is, of course, an adaptation of Nobel Winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez's seminal novel. We'll see how much of Marquez's trademark magical realism sneaks into the movie. Ordinarily, this isn't a movie I'd be dying to see but the presence of Javier Bardem is a big draw for me. He's as good an actor as we have right now. Watch this right after No Country for Old Men and be awed by his talent.
There was a rumor that Smiley Face was being mishandled by its distributor and headed straight to DVD. Thankfully, that's not the case. Gregg Araki directs Anna Faris as a girl who eats all of her roommate's cupcakes, only to later find out they were liberally laced with weed. This is a steep departure for Araki--a director I hugely admire. Coupled with the delicious Faris, this is a strong #2 on my weekend watch list.
Support for LAist comes from
()
I'm not sure why but there is something deeply familiar about Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I hate to say it feels derivative, but it feels...well, derivative. The only way I can imagine seeing this movie is over Christmas with my niece and nephew, so I'll hold off commenting on it. It was directed by Zach Helm (plus) and stars Dustin Hoffman (big plus) and Natalie Portman (super plus), so maybe it won't be as bad as I'm imagining.
Thanks to Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly enjoys an inexplicably passionate fan base (I always thought Darko was only okay). His newest, Southland Tales was ruthlessly booed at Cannesand suffered through a year of re-shoots and post-production. We'll see if all that extra work and money rescued this cynical look into the future. The presence of Dwayne Johnson and Justin Timberlake does not fill me with confidence, though.
Redacted is the latest from former master Brian De Palma. Reviews have been sharply mixed regarding this fictionalized account of American military atrocities in Iraq. Shot on multiple media formats, this documentary-style film seems to wander in the same territory as De Palma's earlier Casualties of War. Audiences have shunned movies about Iraq lately and I'm guessing Redacted will be the latest victim.
Tickets & Showtimes
Beowulf
Love in the Time of Cholera
Smiley Face
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Southland Tales
Redacted
Reviews
Support for LAist comes from
Beowulf
Love in the Time of Cholera
Smiley Face
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Southland Tales
Redacted
Previews
Beowulf
Love in the Time of Cholera
Smiley Face
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Southland Tales
Support for LAist comes from
Redacted
Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures and Walden Media
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