This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
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 08/05: Rise of the Planet of the Apes & Bellflower
RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES courtesy 20th Century Fox
My initial reaction to Rise of the Planet of the Apes was "take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty reboot!" In fact, the blockbuster origin story may be the missing link between the classic Apes series & modern moviegoers.
Weta, the New Zealand visual effects house who made their name on Lord of the Rings, brings all the apes to life. Andy Serkis (Gollum), Weta's motion-capture maven, even has a simian skill-set, having worked previously on Peter Jackson's King Kong. The human casting agents didn't monkey around either. James Franco leads some spectacular sapiens including Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), John Lithgow, Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter) & killer character actor Brian Cox.
On the surface, Sundance darling Bellflower shares characteristics of many mumblecore films. The low budget, local production features crew crossing over into cast, and a story aimed at awkward 20-somethings about how awkward it is to be an awkward 20-something. But take a look under the twee hood and you'll find everything these films lack: a car that goes boom! Medusa, Bellflower's car star, sports some serious firepower, in the form of surveillance cameras, smoke-screens & rear-exhaust flamethrowers.
BELLFLOWER courtesy Oscilloscope
It's no picture car either. Filmmaker Evan Glodell (cinematographer for this year's LA Shorts Fest contender Before Breakfast), who plays a guy that builds a post-apocalyptic muscle car, actually built the fully-functional Medusa over the course of filming. Bellflower's bold style & bizarre bleeding of art-into-life-into-art are sure to ignite the screen at the Nuart, blowing away plenty of minds in the process.
Glodell & Medusa will appear for Q&A's after the 7:30 show tonight, tomorrow & Sunday. Should you see anyone flipping any switches, run.
Sponsored message
Are you an adventurous film-goer? Check out our weekly guide to the best of LA's repertory theaters, exclusive screenings & midnight movies!
Wide Release
The Change-Up (Showtimes)
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Showtimes)
Limited Release
Bellflower (Nuart Theatre)
Death By Medicine(Laemmle's Sunset 5)
The Future (ArcLight Cinemas) (The Landmark)
The Harvest (Laemmle's Music Hall 3)
If A Tree Falls: The Story of the Earth Liberation Front (Downtown Independent)
Knocking on the Devil's Door (Laemmle's Sunset 5)
The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll (Laemmle's Sunset 5)
Poverty, Inc. (Laemmle's Sunset 5)
Sholem Aleichem: Laughing In The Darkness (Laemmle's Royal Theatre) (Laemmle's Town Center 5)
The Whistleblower (The Landmark) (Laemmle's Playhouse 7) (Laemmle's Town Center 5)
That's all for this week. See you at the movies!
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
