In spite of being shown at an obscure film festival — SEEFF, or South East European Film Festival — and in spite of dealing with the consequences of now-obscure conflicts that two decades ago dismembered Yugoslavia, “The Constitution,” by Croatian director Rajko Grlić, touches your heart and soul — and lingers in your mind longer [...]
There’s a name missing from the credits to this most entertaining action/quasi-documentary film. It’s Dick Cheney’s. Without his evil genius, the story line of “War Dogs” would not exist. So, thank you, Dick.
Although immoral throughout, it’s a feel-good story. It feels true (it mostly is). In the theater you laugh and enjoy the action and [...]
In a new movie called “Victoria,” director Sebastian Schipper and cast present a one-take, 138-minute travesty of cinema trying to pass as an artistic achievement.
“Victoria” made me sick to my stomach. It’s exceedingly rare that one can use this expression correctly for both its meanings. For public safety, the back of the cinema seats where [...]
As we go through life, we first recall those events or situations that gave us the strongest sensations. From love, to hate, to pain, to fear, to pleasure — it’s the ones that made the deepest impact that first come to mind. As of last Saturday, when I went to see “The Wrecking Crew” at the Nuart Theater on Santa Monica [...]
The “Foxcatcher” movie is a fair recounting of an event that once again proves that truth is stranger than fiction.
Sadly, it feels more like a documentary rather than a feature film. Although the events leading to the tragic denouement are close to the facts, the actors in this drama leave the viewer with a misrepresentation [...]
On Monday I tried out a new restaurant in Westwood. When I came out, I was surprised to see the lights on at the Crest Theatre (it’s been closed for about four years). It was almost 8 p.m., and the movie title was intriguing: “Inside the Mind of Leonardo.” I bought a ticket.
For the younger [...]
Dr. John brought his “Nite Trippers” to Royce Hall on Dec. 6 — and the walls are still reverberating. To quote him: “Such a night!?” And to quote the woman sitting next to me: “I never knew a piano had so many notes.” Let’s be clear — Dr. John is the man who put “forte” in “piano [...]
Ronnie Burkett’s Theatre of Marionettes (a.k.a. The Daisy Theatre) took audiences on a fun emotional rollercoaster this month at the Actors’ Gang venue at the Ivy Substation in Culver City. Although the cars must stay on the same rail every night, there’s enough of a mix in audience participation and raw improv to make you [...]
