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FilmWeek

FilmWeek: 'The Disaster Artist,' 'Wonder Wheel,' 'Loveless,' and the 50th anniversary of 'The Graduate'

Seth Rogan (L) and James Franco (R) in "The Disaster Artist"
Seth Rogan (L) and James Franco (R) in "The Disaster Artist"
(
Justina Mintz
)
Listen 49:07
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Justin Chang review this weekend’s new movie releases. Author Beverly Gray also stops by the studio to discuss her newest book, "Seduced By Mrs. Robinson: How 'The Graduate' Became the Touchstone of a Generation."
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Justin Chang review this weekend’s new movie releases. Author Beverly Gray also stops by the studio to discuss her newest book, "Seduced By Mrs. Robinson: How 'The Graduate' Became the Touchstone of a Generation."

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Justin Chang review this weekend’s new movie releases. Author Beverly Gray also stops by the studio to discuss her newest book, "Seduced By Mrs. Robinson: How 'The Graduate' Became the Touchstone of a Generation."

FilmWeek: ‘The Disaster Artist,’ ‘Wonder Wheel,’ ‘Loveless,’ and more

Listen 29:00
FilmWeek: ‘The Disaster Artist,’ ‘Wonder Wheel,’ ‘Loveless,’ and more

Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire and Justin Chang review this weekend’s new movie releases.

Critics' Hits

Christy: "Princess Cyd" & "The Disaster Artist"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMHPnO1polw&t=35s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMKX2tE5Luk&t=1s

Justin: "Mary and the Witch's Flower," "The Other Side of Hope" & "Loveless"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqUKano2Hm4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxHzwXLJzhI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6QmSPNeNzk

Mixed Feelings

Christy: "Voyeur"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTAYqsT05Dc

Justin: "Love Beats Rhymes"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJVWKAG7aV4

Misses

Christy & Justin: "Wonder Wheel"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFM0UqX9MJ8

Guests:

Christy Lemire , film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of YouTube’s “What the Flick?”; she tweets

Justin Chang , film critic for KPCC and the Los Angeles Times; he tweets

‘Mrs. Robinson, this conversation is getting a little strange’: 50 years later and ‘The Graduate’ still beguiles

Listen 19:01
‘Mrs. Robinson, this conversation is getting a little strange’: 50 years later and ‘The Graduate’ still beguiles

What began in 1967 as a small, abstract comedy, “The Graduate” has since become a cinematic classic securely positioned in the American film canon.

In addition to catapulting a relatively unknown Dustin Hoffman to fame, the dark horse movie also saw an extended theater release along with seven Academy Award nominations. Fifty years later, author Beverly Gray celebrates the archetypal indie comedy in her book “ Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How ‘The Graduate’ Became the Touchstone of a Generation .”

Gray’s book closely examines the film and the inescapable cultural context in which it was made. Late 60’s angst regarding sex, work and marriage all become personified in Benjamin Braddock’s bumbling attraction to Mrs. Robinson, and Gray dives into how this controversial relationship affected moviegoers and film critics alike. The book also reveals never-before-heard details about “The Graduate’s” production, from deciding who to cast to the accidental brilliance behind Mike Nichols’ final bus scene.

Larry sits down with author Beverly Gray to discuss their mutual love for the movie and the surprising facts she learned while writing a book about it.

American Jewish University’s Whizin Center for Continuing Education is having a screening of ‘The Graduate’ this Sunday, December 3rd at 3 p.m. followed by a Q&A session with Beverly Gray. Check seat availability and reserve your tickets here .

Guest:

Beverly Gray , author, entertainment journalist and a teacher at UCLA Extension’s Writer’s Program, her latest book is “ Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How ‘The Graduate’ Became the Touchstone of a Generation