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 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: The Origin of Wolverine

Sabretooth vs. Wolverine | Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
Despite passionately loving independent films and documentaries, I still get excited when the summer blockbuster season starts -- earlier every year it seems -- and so I'm jazzed to see X-Men Origins: Wolverine. How can anyone justify missing a cinematic rendering of the X-Men? Speaking of independent films, they don't get more so than the works of Jim Jarmusch. I loved Broken Flowers and so seeing Limits of Control is de rigueur. Early reviews are very poor, though. In fact, the awful Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is charting higher amongst a consensus of critics. What ever happened to Jennifer Garner? Wasn't she interesting once?
Battle for Terra is an earnest attempt at doing serious sci-fi, but the animation lacks invention and the story isn't so dynamic. Pass. Micheal Keaton makes his directorial debut with The Merry Gentleman, and it is an excellent one. The lovely Kelly Macdonald co-stars. Porn continues its penetration into mainstream culture as Naked Ambition: An R-Rated Look at an X-Rated Industry cums into theaters. Newcastle is a surfing movie, so I'll see it. Revanche is the best reviewed film of the week. It's got bank robbery, prostitutes, redemption -- in short, it's great. Was nominated for an Oscar. But...it's in a foreign language so no one will see it. Shame that.

Now this is what I call a specific vision. | Photo courtesy of Focus Features
Tickets & Showtimes
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Limits of Control
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Battle for Terra
The Merry Gentleman
Naked Ambition: An R-Rated Look at an X-Rated Industry
Newcastle
Revanche
Reviews
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Limits of Control
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Battle for Terra
The Merry Gentleman
Naked Ambition: An R-Rated Look at an X-Rated Industry
Newcastle
Revanche
Previews
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Limits of Control
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Battle for Terra
The Merry Gentleman
Naked Ambition: An R-Rated Look at an X-Rated Industry
Newcastle
Revanche
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.

-
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.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.