KPCC film critics Lael Loewenstein of Variety and Claudia Puig of USA Today discuss the week’s new films, including Eat, Pray, Love; The Expendables, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World; Lebanon and more. Later, critic Peter Rainer shares tales from Ingmar Bergman week on the Swedish island of Faro. And Larry and the critics mark the passing of actress Patricia Neal. Later, do personal journeys translate to film?
Guests:
Claudia Puig, , film critic, KPCC and USA Today Lael Loewenstein, film critic, KPCC and Variety
Full Film Details:
Eat Pray Love [trailer] In her travels to India, Italy and Bali, a newly divorced woman tries to steer her life in a new direction. Starring: Julia Roberts, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, Billy Crudup & Javier Bardem Written: by Ryan Murphy & Jennifer Salt Directed: by Ryan Murphy Rated: PG-13 Columbia The Expendables [trailer] A team of aging mercenaries is hired to overthrow a corrupt dictator in South America. Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin & Terry Crews Written: by David Callaham & Sylvester Stallone Directed: by Sylvester Stallone Rated: R Lionsgate Scott Pilgrim vs. the World [trailer] Based on a series of comic books, a musician must defeat his dream girl’s seven ex-boyfriends in order to win her over. Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh & Jason Schwartzman Written: by Michael Bacall and Edgar Wright Directed: by Edgar Wright Rated: PG-13 Universal Pictures Lebanon Four Israeli soldiers suffer inside their deteriorating tank during the first Lebanon War. Starring: Reymond Amsalem & Ashraf Barhom. Written & Directed: by Samuel Maoz In Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles Rated: R Sony Pictures Classics Most Valuable Players This documentary follows three high school musical theater troupes as they compete for a coveted award on live television. Written: by Christopher Lockhart Directed: by Matthew Kallis Rated: Not Rated Canyonback Films Mugabe and the White African In this documentary, a white farmer challenges the discriminatory land reform program of Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe. Directed: by Lucy Bailey & Andrew Thompson Rated: Not Rated First Run Features Peepli LIVE A politician sarcastically suggests that two poor farmers should commit suicide in order to save their land in the Indian village of Peepli. Starring: Rizwan Ahmed, Nigel Lindsay, Kayvan Novak, Raghubir Yadav, Malaika Shenoy Written & Directed: by Anusha Rizvi & Mahmood Farooqui In Hindi with English Subtitles Rated: Not Rated UTV Communications Animal Kingdom A seventeen year-old boy, from a crime-ridden Australian family, is caught in a dangerous conflict. Starring: Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgarton & Guy Pearce Written & Directed: by David MichÔd Rated: R Sony Pictures Classics Live tweeting this week's reviews: