Guest Contributor

Last Remaining Seats (LRS), a classic film series organized by the Los Angeles Conservancy, takes center stage this May and June in downtown’s historic Broadway theatre district. The event includes three historic movie palaces, the Orpheum, Million Dollar and the Los Angeles theatres for six different shows, four of which have already sold out. Since 1987, the series offers an answer to Angelenos seeking out both classic architecture and classy film.

When it comes to ventriloquism, my knowledge is pretty hollow. The only bits I could throw off the top of my head are Charlie McCarthy and the Anthony Hopkins thriller Magic. Enter I'm No Dummy, filmmaker Bryan W. Simon's invigorating introduction to the world of venting (as performers dub it). The loving tribute documentary spotlights puppets, performers, vintage TV clips and even a guided tour of the world's only venting museum to trace the roots...

- by Lyle Zimskind Two plays that just opened in LA are being performed not in typical theater spaces, but rather in fully furnished private homes on quiet streets in unassuming neighborhoods. The Filament Theatre Co. is presenting the west coast premiere of a drama called second in three different rooms of a large house in Echo Park (with spectacular views in two directions from the bedroom, by the way). Full Disclosure, a new work developed by the Chalk Repertory Theatre, is currently playing at a smaller house (but check out the nice-sized swimming pool and putting green in the backyard) near Lake Balboa, way deep in the heart of the San Fernando Valley.

Film festival season approacheth! Since this isn't Phoenixist, we can start with the Hola Mexico Film Festival. The festival opens Thursday at the Arclight with gritty crime drama Bitten Bullet (if you habla Espanol, Edward James Olmos introduces the film in this clip) and, for aficionados, the Opening Night Fiesta featuring Bostich & Fussible of Nortec Collective...

In an attempt to wipe the slate clean-slash-lower my various chemical tolerances, I am currently abstaining from coffee, booze, sugar and just about anything else worth digesting. With this "cleanse" comes a certain level of manufactured self-pity that I feel entitled to drag around with me like a tacky diaper bag. As I plopped down into the cushy theater seat and unloaded my ammo -- two oranges, one banana and one orange and banana fruit juice -- I opened up my press kit and the internal dialogue began...

The world's biggest democracy brings the world's biggest films to center stage, as the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles returns to the Arclight. This year, the line-up boasts Bollywood blockbusters My Name is Khan (presented in its international director's cut), 3 Idiots (the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time), Kaminey and...

"You should go to this screening tonight, Jessie. it's right up your alley," my amazing boss offered while downing his daily breakfast of diet coke and movie blog sites. "Cool, what's it about?" I half-ass asked, knowing full well I'd go almost anywhere for free. "It's a new indie about a couple in New York. Made on the cheap - exactly your thing. I'll get you on the list with a plus one." "Perfect!" I...

Jessie Kahnweiler: Hi Henry, thanks so much for speaking with me today. How are you? (robotic voice saying, "call recording on") Henry Jaglom: Wait, wait a moment, I think someone is trying to say something. JK: Yes, that's just the audio recording beginning. Is that okay? HJ: Of course. (Interviewer begins to praise subjects new play, 45 Minutes from Broadway, to which subject praises interviewers review of the play = this verbal love fest continues...

Tomorrow night (April 8) the Hammer Museum in Westwood presents its very own homage to the bicycle with the program Bike Night at the Hammer! The free event will include valet bike parking, vegan food and a screening of the seminal biking classic, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Also in the works is a “super secret guest,” whose identity remains a mystery even to this reporter.



Two different plays that opened their world premiere runs in Los Angeles this past weekend both begin with the news that a Republican is about to become president. In Sheila Callaghan's Lascivious Something a young Greek woman tells...