KPCCs film critics Wade Major of boxoffice.com and Tim Cogshell of Boxoffice Magazine review the week’s new film releases including The Switch, Lottery Ticket, Nanny McPhee Returns, The Tillman Story and A Film Unfinished, among others. Later, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Fest. And, will the summer movie season end with a bang... or a whimper? What films would you like to see come out of Hollywood? TGI-FilmWeek!
The 14th annual Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival started Thursday. LALIFF, which continues through August 25th, will showcase feature films, documentaries, shorts, discussions, and industry panels. Festival founder Marlene Dermer joins us to give us the highlights.
Later, we’ve had our prefabricated blockbusters, an installment of a vampire franchise and the usual romantic comedy fare, but the summer of 2010 has felt… well… uneventful at the local cinema. Maybe even dismal. With a struggling economy and soaring temperatures this is a summer when we need air conditioned escapism the most. Inception and the latest Toy Story adventure doth not a summer movie season make. Has Hollywood left us hanging? Will the summer movie season end with a bang or a whimper? What kinds of films should Hollywood be making that they aren’t?
Guests:
Wade Major, film critic, KPCC and boxoffice.com
Tim Cogshell, film critic, Boxoffice Magazine
Marlene Dermer, founder, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival
Full list of films:
The Switch
A single woman learns years later that her best friend donated the sperm she used to have a baby.
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis, Patrick Wilson & Bryce Robinson
Written: by Allan Loeb
Directed: by Josh Gordon & Will Speck
Rated: PG-13
Miramax Films
Lottery Ticket
After winning the lottery, a young man must endure a long weekend with his greedy neighbors before collecting his money.
Starring: Bow Wow, Ice Cube, Keith David, Loretta Devine & Terry Crews
Written: by Abdul Williams
Directed: by Erik White
Rated: PG-13
Alcon/Warner Bros. Pictures
Nanny McPhee Returns
The magical Nanny McPhee helps a young woman run her family farm and teaches her unruly children five life lessons.
Starring: Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans & Maggie Smith
Written: by Emma Thompson
Directed: by Susanna White
Rated: PG
Universal Pictures
The Tillman Story
A documentary about former football player Pat Tillman, who left the NFL to join the military, and was later killed while serving in Afghanistan.
Narrated: by Josh Brolin
Written: by Mark Monroe
Directed: by Amir Bar-Lev
Rated: R
The Weinstein Company
A Film Unfinished
This documentary pieces together the unfinished edit of the longest Nazi propaganda film ever made about the Warsaw Ghetto.
Written & Directed: by Yael Hersonski
In German, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Polish with English subtitles
Rated: R
Oscilloscope
Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child
This documentary chronicles the commercial success and demise of the controversial contemporary artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Directed: by Tamra Davis
Rated: Not Rated
Arthouse Pictures
The Agony and Ecstasy of Phil Spector
This documentary follows the trial of legendary music producer Phil Spector, who was convicted for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
Directed: by Vikram Jayanti
Rated: Not Rated
VIXPIX Films/BBC Arena
Brotherhood
Two former Danish servicemen form a love-affair while training together in a group of neo-Nazis.
Starring: Nicolas Bro, Davic Dencik & Claus Flygare
Written: by Rasmus Birch & Nicolo Donato
Directed: by Nicolo Donato
In Danish with English subtitles
Rated: Not Rated
Olive Films