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 04/20: Two Cute Kids: One Genius, One Chimp
Cutie pies will rise! Image courtesy Disney.
()
Few can resist the charms of baby animals. If last year's Planet of the Apes and Project Nim left you swearing off simians forever, Disney's latest Earth Day extravaganza Chimpanzee will bring you back into the fold. The film "stars" Oscar, a lovable scamp more curious than George, and his family band as they play in the forest and discover their world. Things get hairy when rival chimps raise a ruckus, but we have a sneaking suspicion everyone will share a hearty laugh over a banana split later. As with last year's release of African Cats, a portion of opening week ticket sales goes back to conservation efforts - in this case the Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga Natural Reserve in the Republic of Congo.
The cute kid quotient reaches critical mass in Jesus Henry Christ. Canadian teen Jason Spevack (who played another little Oscar in Sunshine Cleaning) is Henry James Herman, test tube tot turned boy genius. At the tender age of 10, he's already applying for college - although he soon applies himself toward searching for his father (Michael Sheen, Midnight in Paris). He & Henry's mother (Toni Collette, Little Miss Sunshine) are less-than-favorably acquainted, and his daughter (Samantha Weinstein, a bunch of Canadian TV) is none too pleased to share the spotlight with a half sibling. Will this new-found family stick together, or just stay weird? Jesus Henry Christ opens at several Laemmles locations and is available on VOD.
Support for LAist comes from
That's all for this week. Consider yourselves lucky ones.
Wide Release
Chimpanzee (Reviews) (Showtimes)
The Lucky One (Reviews) (Showtimes)
Think Like a Man (Reviews) (Showtimes)
Limited Release
California, 90420 (Reviews) (Laemmle's Noho 7) (Laemmle's Playhouse 7)
Darling Companion (Reviews) (The Landmark) (Arclight Hollywood)
The Fields (Reviews) (Laemmle's Noho 7)
Fightville (Reviews) (Laemmle's Music Hall 3)
Goodbye First Love (Reviews) (Laemmle's Playhouse 7) (Laemmle's Royal Theatre)
Hit So Hard: The Life And Near Death Story Of Patty Schemel (Reviews) (Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex)
Jesus Henry Christ (Reviews) (Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex) (Laemmle's Town Center 5)
Marley (Reviews) (Cinefamily @ Silent Movie Theatre) (Laemmle's Noho 7) (Laemmle's Playhouse 7)
My Way (Reviews) (Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex) (Laemmle's Noho 7) (Laemmle's Playhouse 7)
Surviving Progress (Reviews) (Nuart Theatre)
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
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist