Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Angie Han, Christy Lemire and Charles Soloman review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms. Also on the show, John Horn talks with the film "Coup 53's" director and co-screenwriter and we preview his interview with Samantha Bee.
FilmWeek: “The One And Only Ivan,” “Tesla,” “Coup 53,” And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Angie Han, Christy Lemire and Charles Soloman review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.
" The One & Only Ivan " on Disney+
" Tesla " at the Mission Tiki Drive-In Theater & VOD (iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube & DirecTV)
" Coup 53 " at Laemmle's Virtual Cinema , UCLA Film & TV Archive Virtual Cinema & LA Creative Pro User Group Virtual Cinema
" Words On Bathroom Walls " at The Vineland Drive-In Theater
" Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula " at The Vineland Drive-In Theater
" Cut Throat City " at The Vineland Drive-In Theater
" The 24th " at Laemmle's Virtual Cinema & VOD (iTunes, FandangoNow & Vudu)
" Desert One " at Laemmle's Virtual Cinema & VOD September 4th
Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here .
Guests:
Angie Han , film critic for KPCC and deputy entertainment editor at Mashable; she tweets
Christy Lemire , film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘ Breakfast All Day ’ podcast; she tweets
Charles Solomon , film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
10 Years And A Personal Connection: Director And Writer Discuss What It Took To Make ‘Coup 53’
Director Taghi Amirani wanted to shine a light on Britain’s involvement in the 1953 coup that overthrew then prime minister of Iran, Mohammad Mossadegh. The documentary “Coup 53” released this week on the anniversary of the events. According to the New York Times , British involvement isn’t a secret, and the United State’s involvement has also been acknowledged.
The documentary uses Amirani’s personal connection and desire to track down information to detail the events, capturing the director and writer throughout his work on the investigation. It also uses archival footage that spans across years creating the narrative that leads up to the overthrow. While the film investigates the details of a historic event, it leaves room for dialogue around the existing impacts to today. Larry speaks with Amirani and co-writer Walter Murch about the newly released film, what it took to visually capture the events and how Amirani’s personal connections with Iran and Britain played into the storytelling.
Guests:
Taghi Amirani , director and co-writer of “Coup 53”; he tweets
Walter Murch , co-writer of “Coup 53”
How To Laugh During A Pandemic, Samantha Bee Talks What It’s Like Making Comedy Right Now
We could all use a good laugh right now. Comedian and TV host Samantha Bee included. The pandemic has upended our lives and in times of distress, we look to comedy to help provide us with momentary relief. But with the entertainment industry at a stand still and studios halting their production, it’s been an adjustment for entertainers like Bee to continue trying to make audiences smile.
The comedian’s late night talk show “ Full Frontal With Samantha Bee ” has been operating at Bee’s house, with the host performing the show in her own backyard. When and how to go safely back to normal production is something Bee has been thinking a lot about. But for the time being, audiences are getting used to her show’s change of scenery. John Horn spoke with the comedian about what that change to a “work from home” operation has been like, the need to support POC creatives, and the challenges to making comedy in the midst of a pandemic for the podcast “ Hollywood, The Sequel .”
With contributions from John Horn
Guest:
Samantha Bee , comedian and host of “ Full Frontal with Samantha Bee ” on TBS; she tweets