Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases.
FilmWeek: ‘The Current War: Director’s Cut,’ ‘Black and Blue,’ ‘17 Blocks’ and more
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Amy Nicholson and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases.
- "
The Current War: Director’s Cut
" in wide release
- “The Frame’s” John Horn spoke with director Alfonso Gómez-Rejón earlier this week. You can listen to the interview here .
- " Black and Blue " in wide release
- " 17 Blocks " at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center
- " Western Stars " in select theaters
- " Countdown " in wide release
- " Frankie " in ArcLight Hollywood & Laemmle’s Royal
- " The Kill Team " at Laemmle’s Music Hall
- " Paradise Hills " at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center
- " Fantastic Fungi " at Laemmle’s Monica Film Center
- " Going Attractions: The Definitive Story Of The Movie Palace " at Laemmle’s Playhouse, Laemmle’s Royal, Laemmle’s Town Center & Laemmle’s Claremont
- " Girl On the Third Floor " at Laemmle’s Music Hall
CRITICS' HITS:
Tim: "Western Stars" & "17 Blocks"
Amy: "The Current War," "Girl On The Third Floor" & "Fantastic Fungi"
MIXED FEELINGS:
Tim: "Black And Blue" & "Countdown"
Amy: "The Kill Team" & "Frankie"
MISSES:
Tim: "Paradise Hills"
Amy: "Going Attractions"
Guests:
Amy Nicholson , film critic for KPCC, film writer for The Guardian and host of the podcasts ‘ Unspooled ’ and the podcast miniseries “ Zoom ”; she tweets
Tim Cogshell , film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com ; he tweets
ReelAbilities Film Festival Highlights Films Made By, With, And About People With Different Abilities
Much of the discussion surrounding Hollywood’s efforts to be more inclusive and more accurately represent the people that make up the industry has rightfully centered around women and people of color, but the actors, writers and filmmakers who make up the entertainment industry’s large contingent of differently-abled members are making sure their voices are heard and their work is seen on the big screen as well.
The second annual ReelAbilities Film Festival kicks off on Friday and runs through Sunday at the Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood and showcases features, shorts and panel discussion all featuring actors, writers, directors and others in the film industry with disabilities. The festival kicks off on Friday evening with a special screening of this year’s critically-acclaimed film “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” starring Zack Gottsagen as a young man with down syndrome who escapes his residential home to follow his dream of attending a professional wrestling school. There’s also a screening of the once-banned 1932 cult classic “Freaks” from director Todd Browning, restored to its original 1:33 aspect ratio. The festival was founded in New York ten years ago and has since expanded to cities around the U.S.
Today on AirTalk, Larry Mantle talks with the festival’s co-director Michael Dougherty as well as actor R.J. Mitte, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 3, about the mission behind the festival, the films they’ll be showcasing this year, and hear their take on how the entertainment industry is including differently-abled actors and filmmakers in its move to be more inclusive and more accurate in representation.
ReelAbilites Film Festival: Los Angeles 2019 will take place October 25-27 at the AMC Universal CityWalk. For tickets, and to see the festival schedule, click here .
Guests:
Michael Dougherty, co-director of the ReelAbilities Film Festival: Los Angeles 2019
RJ Mitte , actor best known for his roles as Walter White, Jr. on AMC’s “Breaking Bad” and Campbell Bingman on ABC Family’s “Switched at Birth”; he tweets