KPCC film critics Henry Sheehan, Andy Klein and Charles Solomon join Larry to review the week’s new film releases including The Adjustment Bureau, Rango, Strange Case of Angelica, Beastly, Hall Pass and more. TGI-FilmWeek!
Guests:
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and henrysheehan.com
Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and Brand X
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC; animation critic, author and historian for amazon.com
FILMS REVIEWED
The Adjustment Bureau
A young politician encounters a shadow organization that controls the future when he threatens their plan by falling in love.
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and John Slattery
Written and directed by: George Nofi
Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick
Rated: PG-13
Universal Pictures
Rango
A chameleon plays the role of a Wild West sheriff and defends a town plagued by bandits.
Starring the voices of: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina and Bill Nighy
Written by: John Logan
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Rated: PG
Paramount Pictures
Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune
A documentary about the tumultuous life and career of folk singer and activist Phil Ochs.
Starring: Joan Baez, Tom Hayden, Christopher Hitchens and Peter Yarrow
Written and directed by: Kenneth Bowser
Not Rated
First Run
Strange Case of Angelica (O Estranho Caso de Angélica)
A young man is hired to shoot memorial photographs of a beautiful young woman who has just died and falls in love with his subject.
Starring: Pilar López de Ayala, Filipe Vargas and Ricardo Trêpa
Written and directed by: Manoel de Oliveira
Not rated
The Cinema Guild
I Saw the Devil (Akmareul Boatda)
(Nuart)
An elite undercover agent searches for the serial killer who murdered his fiancée.
Starring: Byung-hun Lee, Min-Sik Choi
and Gook-hwan Jeon
Written and directed by: Kim Jee-Woon
Not Rated
Magnet Releasing
Heartbeats
(Les Amours Imaginaries)
Two friends meet a charming young man at a dinner party and fall into a love triangle.
Starring: Xavier Dolan, Marie Camille
and Niels Schneider
Written and directed by: Xavier Dolan
Not Rated
IFC Films
Take Me Home Tonight
A slacker MIT graduate attempts to woo his high school crush at a colossal party.
Starring: Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler
Teresa Palmer and Michelle Trachtenberg
Written by: Jackie and Jeff Filgo
Directed by: Michael Dowse
Rated: R
Relativity Media
Beastly
A modern “Beauty and the Beast” in which a popular teen tries to find true love after his face is transfigured.
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens, Mary-Kate Olsen and Neil Patrick Harris.
Written and directed by: Daniel Barnz
Based on the novel by Alex Flinn
Rated: PG-13
CBS Films
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
A dying man recalls significant people and places from his past.
Starring: Thanapat Saisaymar and Janjira Pongpas
Written and directed by:
Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Not Rated
Strand Releasing
Spooner
(Sunset 5 and Regency South Coast)
A man tries to win his dream girl before his parents kick him out on his 30th birthday.
Starring: Matthew Lillard, Nora Zehetner, Christopher McDonald and Shea Whigham
Written by: Lindsay Stidham
Directed by: Drake Doremus
Rated: R
Moving Pictures Film and Television
Hall Pass
Two men are given a one week free pass by their wives to do whatever they please.
Starring: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer,
Christina Applegate and Richard Jenkins
Written by: Pete Jones, Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly and Kevin Barnett
Directed by: Peter and Bobby Farrelly
Rated: R
New Line Cinema
DVDs
127 Hours
Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Megamind
Starring the voices of: Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill and Brad Pitt
Directed by: Tom McGrath
Bambi (Blu-Ray release)
Starring the voices of: Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander and Bobette Audrey
Directed by: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, David Hand, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield and Norman Wright
