Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Peter Rainer and Lael Loewenstein review this week’s new movie releases including “The Huntsman: Winter’s War,” “A Hologram for the King,” “Elvis & Nixon” and more. Plus, we'll speak with The Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday about the challenges of writing fair critiqes. TGI-FilmWeek!
FilmWeek: ‘The Huntsman’ sequel, ‘Elvis & Nixon’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Peter Rainer and Lael Loewenstein review this week’s new movie releases including “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” in wide release, “A Hologram for the King” starring Tom Hanks set in Saudi Arabia, “Elvis & Nixon” about, well, a historical meeting between Tricky Dick and the king of rock and roll , and more.
TGI-FilmWeek!
Peter's Hits
- " Elvis & Nixon "
- " A Hologram for the King "
- " The Meddler "
- " Hockney "
Lael's Hits
- " The Meddler "
- " Hockney "
- " Our Last Tango "
This Week's Misses
- " A Hologram for the King "
- " The Huntsman: Winter's War "
- " Nina "
- " Men & Chicken "
Guests:
Peter Rainer , film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Lael Loewenstein , film critic for KPCC
Visceral reactions to movie stars taints movie critiques
Irrationally loving or hating particular movie stars is understandable for average moviegoers, but Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday is wrestling with the integrity of her arbitrary dislikes, such as for the increasingly popular Rose Byrne.
Hornaday divulges : "[E]ven while finding things to admire in her performances, I have yet to feel the Byrne. Which underscores an occupational hazard for film critics who are routinely asked to appraise the work of actors who, through no lack of talent or fault of their own, just happen to leave the reviewer cold."
While Byrne is hardly polarizing for culture vultures, other actors are famously lightning rods: Anne Hathaway, Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler among them.
How do movie critics offer fair critiques of performers they hate, and avoid fawning reviews for their star crushes?
Guest:
Ann Hornaday , Chief Film Critic, The Washington Post; she tweets from