Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Justin Chang, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases. We also discuss the level of responsibility filmmakers have when portraying historical events.
FilmWeek: ‘The Commuter,’ ‘Paddington 2,’ ‘Proud Mary,’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson, Justin Chang, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases.
" Paddington 2 " in wide release
" The Commuter " in wide release
" In Between " at Laemmle's Ahrya Fine Arts
" The Polka King " on Netflix
" The Insult " at Laemmle's Royal
" Saturday Church " at Arena Cinelounge Hollywood
" Proud Mary " in wide release
Movies expanding this week:
" Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri " in selected theaters, check local listings
" The Post " in selected theaters, check local listings
" Phantom Thread " in selected theaters, check local listings
" Darkest Hour " in selected theaters, check local listings
" The Shape of Water " in selected theaters, check local listings
Critics' Hits
Amy: "In Between"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpUVQMDoewU&t=6s
Justin: "Paddington 2"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52x5HJ9H8DM
Mixed Feelings
Amy: "The Commuter"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDshY43Ol2U
Justin: "The Polka King"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWGh7si0Y50
Charles: "Saturday Church"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loHVNlMKAx0
Misses
Amy: "Proud Mary"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ1Zcv54USA
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC and host of The Canon podcast; she tweets
Justin Chang , film critic for KPCC and the Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine
Walking a fine line: To what level of accuracy should historical dramas aspire?
How harmful is it to get your history fix through films like “Apollo 13,” “Ben-Hur,” or, heaven forbid, “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure”?
Journalists, historians and movie fans alike have strong feelings regarding this topic, but Peggy Noonan’s recent article for the Wall Street Journal put a timely twist on the age-old historical accuracy argument – “It is wrong in an age of lies to add to their sum total. It’s not right. It will do harm.” Considering #FakeNews and skepticism regarding the media are commonplace, Noonan’s firm standards are certainly justified.
Yet many would argue that creative liberties are not quite as damaging as some may think, even in truth-muddled times such as these. In a piece directly responding to Noonan’s, Chris Scalia brings up the point that viewers of historical dramas know that what they are watching is a Hollywood-colored version of the event, and that to assume otherwise is a condescension.
So what do you think? Should writers and directors take more cautious approaches when portraying real-life events? Or does prudence suck all the fun out of the film-watching experience?
Call 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Amy Nicholson, film critic for KPCC and host of The Canon podcast; she tweets
Justin Chang , film critic for KPCC and the Los Angeles Times; he tweets
Charles Solomon, film critic for KPCC, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine