Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Justin Chang and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases. We also discuss the film 'Crazy Rich Asians' and its impact on Asian-American representation in Hollywood.
FilmWeek: ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ ‘Mile 22,’ ‘Alpha’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Justin Chang and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases.
" Crazy Rich Asians " in wide release
" Alpha " in wide release
" Mile 22 " in wide release
" Madeline's Madeline " at Nuart Theatre
" Skate Kitchen " at ArcLight Hollywood
" Minding the Gap " at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center
" The Wife " at ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark
" Juliet, Naked " at ArcLight Hollywood & The Landmark
" We The Animals " at The Landmark
CRITICS' HITS
Christy: "Crazy Rich Asians" & "We the Animals"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ-YX-5bAs0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjhRQapyfvE
Justin: "Skate Kitchen," "Alpha" & "Minding the Gap"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT1izrIxoos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIxnTi4GmCo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqtw5rek5y8
MIXED FEELINGS
Christy: "Madeline's Madeline"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_ezPTjSSPw
Justin: "The Wife" & "Juliet, Naked"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81IM0loH7o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1nNWXhBWLw
MISSES
Justin: "Mile 22"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJU6S5KOsNI
Guests:
Justin Chang , film critic for KPCC and the Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Christy Lemire , film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of YouTube’s “What the Flick?”;she tweets
How ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is a game changer for representation in Hollywood
It’s been 25 years since a major motion picture centered around an Asian American story hit the big screen.
It’s no wonder, then, that the release of “ Crazy Rich Asians ” has been described as a movement for the Asian American community. The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, puts Asian-American talent at the forefront— an important shift from prior representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood, which has been largely restricted to stereotypical or supporting roles .
Although widely celebrated, the film has also received criticism for not properly representing the complex society in Singapore. Others have also expressed disappointment with the casting of a biracial lead. Still, with a $30 million budget and box-office projections at around $26 million, the film remains a gamechanger to many, and hopes for two sequels in the future are next.
We discuss the significance of the movie with film critics Justin Chang, Jen Yamato, and Christy Lemire.
Guests:
Justin Chang , film critic for KPCC and the Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Christy Lemire , film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of YouTube’s “What the Flick?”;she tweets
Jen Yamato , film reporter for the Los Angeles Times; she tweets