Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire, Peter Rainer and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases. We also explore how the B-movies of the 1970s revealed a greater cynicism in America in the era of Watergate and the Vietnam war.
FilmWeek: ‘Annabelle: Creation,’ ‘The Glass Castle’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire, Peter Rainer and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases including:
- " Annabelle: Creation " in wide release
- " The Glass Castle " in wide release
- " The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature " in wide release
- " Good Time " at ArcLight Hollywood and The Landmark
- " Ingrid Goes West " at ArcLight Hollywood
- " The Trip to Spain " at The Landmark
- " Whose Streets? " at Regal L.A. Live Stadium
- " In This Corner of the World " at Laemmle's Monica Film Center and Laemmle's Playhouse
- " Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry " in select theaters including several Regal, Edwards and Laemmle's theaters
Critics' Hits
- Christy: "Annabelle: Creation," "Good Time" & "Ingrid Goes West"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KisPhy7T__Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVyGCxHZ_Ko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP4vD1tWbPU
- Peter: "The Trip to Spain" & "Ingrid Goes West"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTvy8ab1NSo
- Charles: "In This Corner of the World"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDPRMcZs5Lw
Mixed Feelings
- Christy & Peter: "The Glass Castle"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eud7sJehLI
Misses!
- Charles & Christy: "The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2alTj9PCzkA
Guests:
Christy Lemire , film critic for KPCC and RogerEbert.com ; co-host of YouTube’s “What the Flick?;”she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
What 70s B-movies teach us about the cynicism of the decade
The term 70s cinema implies true film classics like The Godfather or Taxi Driver. But film critic Charles Taylor believes there’s more to be learned about the decade through its B-movies.
In his new book, “ Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-In Near You ,” he takes a deeper look at the 70s movies not considered classics, including Prime Cut, Citizens Band, and Eyes of Laura Mars, arguing that each tells a story about the cynicism of America in the wake of Watergate and Vietnam. Today’s movies, he says, are less meaningful, lacking the depth and honesty of these films.
FilmWeek sits down with Taylor to explore the 70s films he deems so significant, and how things have changed since then.
Guest:
Charles Taylor, film critic and author of the book, “ Opening Wednesday at a Theater Or Drive-In Near You: The Shadow Cinema of the American '70s ” (Bloomsbury USA, 2017)