FilmWeek

LAist 89.3 | Southern California Public Radio

FilmWeek on AirTalk, hosted by Larry Mantle, is a one-hour weekly segment devoted to films. It offers reviews of the week's new movies, interviews with filmmakers, and discussions on various aspects of the industry. read less

Our Editor's Take

Larry Mantle is the lead host of the podcast FilmWeek. But the veteran radio host is far from being the star of the movie-themed show. If anything, he acts more like an MC here. Mantle ensures that everyone on the panel of experts gets their fair share of air time. That means guests can express their opinion about the newest releases in theaters.

The podcast usually includes a panel of two to three reputable film critics. Christy Lemire hosted the podcast Breakfast All Day and What The Flick on YouTube. Wade Major is the editor-in-chief of the website CineGods. Charles Solomon has written many books about animation and articles for numerous publications. Manuel Betancourt writes about Latin American films for Film Quarterly. Claudia Puig wrote for both USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. Amy Nicholson is the host of Unspooled and wrote for LA Weekly and MTV News. If that's not enough, Andy Klein, Tim Cogshell, Lael Loewenstein, Peter Rainer, and more join the podcast on a regular basis.

Most of the FilmWeek podcast episodes have a set format. They almost feel like a political debate show because the back and forth is so fast. It starts with Mantle presenting the film they wish to discuss on the podcast. Then he hands the microphone to one of the panelists to summarize the plot and offer their opinion. One by one, they say what they loved or disliked about the movie, with Mantle asking leading questions. They are quick, poignant, and don't go into long banters or tangents. Mantle is always there to keep them on track.

With such a structure in place, the critics go over anything from eight to fifteen films. They provide their uncensored opinions and make sure never to give out any spoilers. This makes FilmWeek an excellent podcast for filmgoers who want expert advice on what they should watch that week.

Some episodes feature interviews with the cast and crew of upcoming movies. These episodes are quick-paced as well. FilmWeek has new episodes several times each week.

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FilmWeek: ‘Challengers,’ ‘Bad Faith,’ ‘Humane,’ And More

FilmWeek: ‘Challengers,’ ‘Bad Faith,’ ‘Humane,’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Andy Klein review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms: “Challengers” Wide Release “Boy Kills World” Wide Release “Egoist” Wide Release “Bad Faith” VOD “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story” Laemmle Glendale [Glendale] April 26th | Streaming on PBS May 13 “Uncropped” Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] on April “Little Empty Boxes” Laemmle Monica [Santa Monica] April 26 | Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] April 28 “Humane” The Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] April 26th “ALAM” VOD “Infested” Streaming on Shudder

Episodes

FilmWeek: ‘Challengers,’ ‘Bad Faith,’ ‘Humane,’ And More

FilmWeek: ‘Challengers,’ ‘Bad Faith,’ ‘Humane,’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Andy Klein review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms: “Challengers” Wide Release “Boy Kills World” Wide Release “Egoist” Wide Release “Bad Faith” VOD “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story” Laemmle Glendale [Glendale] April 26th | Streaming on PBS May 13 “Uncropped” Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] on April “Little Empty Boxes” Laemmle Monica [Santa Monica] April 26 | Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] April 28 “Humane” The Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] April 26th “ALAM” VOD “Infested” Streaming on Shudder

FilmWeek Feature: Seven Samurai 70 Years Later: Looking Back At Kurosawa’s Masterpiece & Legacy

FilmWeek Feature: Seven Samurai 70 Years Later: Looking Back At Kurosawa’s Masterpiece & Legacy

One of the most prolific and exceptional filmmakers who ever lived, Akira Kurosawa has an anniversary for his best works. His 1954 film “Seven Samurai” has now hit its 70th anniversary, released on April 26. It’s a film that was voted the 20th best film of all time by prominent members of the film industry who took part in BFI’s Top 225 list back in 2022. ‘Seven Samurai’ followed hits in Kurosawa’s filmography like “Rashomon” and “Yojimbo’... but what’s led to that common sentiment? For this week’s FilmWeek Feature, we talk to LAist film critics Peter Rainer, Tim Cogshell, and Andy Klein about why Seven Samurai is essential viewing for cinephiles and all moviegoers.

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 7 - The Long Road From Silent Films to Brain Dead Studios

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 7 - The Long Road From Silent Films to Brain Dead Studios

Go back to the movies with us! We're still profiling LA's repertory theaters in Revival House cause there are SO MANY to check out! In this episode, we explore a cool space with some deep, messy history. Fashion label Brain Dead has taken over a site that some would consider....a little cursed. Originally opened in the 1940s as The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax, the venue was home to premieres and parties. Until a theft and murder shut the theater down. In the 2000s, it was taken over by Cinefamily, which programmed in that space until allegations of abuse came to light in 2017. But today, Brain Dead Studios is keeping the lights on for nerds, artists, and skate punks in Los Angeles -- aiming to create an eclectic community space to inspire creatives and show good movies. Take a listen as we explain the history and present of this theater. Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, Brain Dead founder Kyle Ng

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Talks To The Zellners, Directors of ‘Sasquatch Sunset’

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Talks To The Zellners, Directors of ‘Sasquatch Sunset’

David and Nathan Zellners’ latest feature, ‘Sasquatch Sunset,’ is an unconventional story about a family of sasquatches living their lives in the woods of California’s Humboldt County. The film’s presentation has qualities not much different than popular live nature cams you’ll find today, making for a narrative that’s less to do with structure and more focused on a “day in the life” of a fictional creature. Today on FilmWeek, we hear about the process of filming “Sasquatch Sunset” with David and Nathan Zellner.

FilmWeek: ‘Spy x Family Code: White,’ ‘We Grown Now,’ ‘The People’s Joker,’ And More

FilmWeek: ‘Spy x Family Code: White,’ ‘We Grown Now,’ ‘The People’s Joker,’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire, Wade Major, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms: “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” Wide Release “Abigail” Wide Release “Spy x Family Code: White” Wide Release “We Grown Now” Cinemark Baldwin Hills [Crenshaw] & XD, AMC Century City 15 [Century City] “Tiger” Streaming on Disney + “Kung Fu Panda 4” Wide Release & VOD “Dusk for a Hitman” VOD “The People’s Joker” Vidiots April 19 & 20 | The Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] 19-25 | The Frida Cinema [Santa Ana] April 19-25 “City Hunter” Streaming on Netflix April 25th “Hard Miles” Wide Release

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 6 - The Academy Museum's Sister Cinemas

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 6 - The Academy Museum's Sister Cinemas

We're back with another episode of Revival House, but this time we're not heading to a 100 year old theater... The David Geffen and Ted Mann theaters at the Academy Museum of Motion Arts and Pictures are a new addition to L.A's revival programming. In this episode, we explore what the theaters, which only opened in 2021, have to offer our city's moviegoing landscape. And hopefully, we demystify what seeing a movie here is actually like! (Did you know that tickets are only $10? And no, they don't just show Oscar winners.) In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro sits in the red velvet seats of the David Geffen theater with Academy Museum Director of Programming, K.J. Relth-Miller, to talk community access, screening trends, and the power of movie theaters. If you're curious about the Academy Museum, you can check out our other LAist Studios series, The Academy Museum Podcast here. Guests: Academy Museum Director of Programming K.J. Relth-Miller

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Talks to ‘Civil War’ Stars Wagner Moura & Cailee Spaeny

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Talks to ‘Civil War’ Stars Wagner Moura & Cailee Spaeny

‘Civil War’ sees director Alex Garland’s imagined universe of what a second civil war would look like in the United States. Audiences are guided through the film by its main protagonists, a quartet of journalists played by Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, and Stephen McKinley Henderson. Shows the lengths to which these journalists are willing to go, to not only document history but also try and live past it. Today on FilmWeek, we welcome ‘Civil War’ stars Wagner Moura and Cailee Spaeny, to discuss their time working with Garland and developing their characters.

FilmWeek: 'Civil War,' ‘The Old Oak,' 'Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus' & More

FilmWeek: 'Civil War,' ‘The Old Oak,' 'Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus' & More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms: “Civil War” Wide Release “The Old Oak” Leammle Royal April 12th [West LA] “Coup de Chance” Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] & VOD “Sasquatch Sunset” Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] April 12th | Expands April 19th “Arcadian” Wide Release “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus” The Egyptian Theater [Hollywood] April 14 | Laemmle Claremont [Claremont], Laemmle Glendale [Glendale], and Laemmle Monica [Santa Monica] April 15 and 16 | The Frida [Santa Ana] April 17 and 18 “Chicken For Linda” Laemmle Royal [West-LA] April 12 + Select Theaters April 15 “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead” Wide Release “Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill” Wide Release

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 5 - The Highland Theatre says Goodbye

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 5 - The Highland Theatre says Goodbye

Revival House is breaking format for this episode, and we’re saying goodbye to a historic first-run movie theater. The Highland Theatre in Highland Park was one of the only movie theaters in Northeast LA. A designated historic cultural monument, the exterior will remain intact, but its future is uncertain. In this episode, How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro chats with host Brian De Los Santos about community memories, the history of the theater, and what might be next… Links we mentioned in this episode: Eastsider LA Los Angeles Theatres Guests: Highland Park Independent Film Festival co-founder and executive director, Marita De La Torre; historian and film professor Ross Melnick, and local employee Denise Hernandez

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Talks To Amanda McBaine & Jesse Moss, Directors Of Documentary ‘Girls State’

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Talks To Amanda McBaine & Jesse Moss, Directors Of Documentary ‘Girls State’

A new documentary, directed by Emmy-award-winning directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, looks into the decision-making of 500 civically engaged teen girls in Missouri who go through the process of electing their peers to different branches of government. This follows the 2020 documentary “Boys State,” which won them their Primetime Emmy, following teen boys in Texas building their democratically-elected government. For this week’s FilmWeek feature, we talk to Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss about their second look into teen-led governments and the takeaways they got from their subjects in ‘Girls State.’ “Girls State” releases on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 5.

FilmWeek: ‘Monkey Man,’ ‘The Beast,’ ‘Kim’s Video’ And More

FilmWeek: ‘Monkey Man,’ ‘The Beast,’ ‘Kim’s Video’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Peter Rainer and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms: “The First Omen” Wide Release“Monkey Man” Wide Release“The Beast” AMC Burbank 16 [Burbank] + Landmark Sunset [Hollywood]“The Greatest Hits” AMC Burbank Town Center 8 April 5th | Streaming on HULU April 12th“Girls State” Streaming on Apple TV+“Farewell, Mister Haffmann” Laemmle Royal [West LA] + Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino]“Housekeeping for Beginners” AMC Century City + The Grove [Mid City]“Scoop” Streaming on Netflix“Le Samourai (4K Re-Release)” Laemmle Royal + Laemmle Glendale [Glendale]“Música” Streaming on Amazon Prime“Kim’s Video” Alamo Drafthouse DTLA [DTLA] + Vidiots [Eagle Rock]

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 4 - The Gardena Cinema's Fight to Stay Open

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 4 - The Gardena Cinema's Fight to Stay Open

As we continue our series "Revival House," How To LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to the South Bay of LA. We're checking out the Gardena Cinema, which pivoted to revival screenings relatively recently. The theater has been owned by the Kim family since 1976, and is now a non-profit run by Judy Kim and a team of 40 volunteers. Kim has saved the cinema from closures a handful of times now, and has also built up an incredible community of folks dedicated to keeping the cinema running. Join us as we explore this theater's past and future. Guests: Theater owner Judy Kim and volunteers Adela Tobon, Bill DeFrance, Cifen, and Conor Holt.

FilmWeek: ‘Godzilla x Kong The New Empire,’ ‘DogMan,’ ‘Femme’ And More

FilmWeek: ‘Godzilla x Kong The New Empire,’ ‘DogMan,’ ‘Femme’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Amy Nicholson and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms:“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” Wide Release“Wicked Little Letters” AMC The Grove 14 + AMC Century City 15|Expands April 4th [Next Thursday]“Californie” Available to stream on Film Movement Plus “Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in Two Pieces” Streaming on Apple TV+ “The Beautiful Game” Streaming on Netflix“DogMan” In Select Theaters“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” Streaming on HULU “Asphalt City” In Select Theaters“In The Land of Saints and Sinners” In Select Theaters“Lousy Carter” Alamo Drafthouse DTLA [DTLA] + Available on VOD Platforms“The Lie: The Murder of Grace Millane“ Available on VOD Platforms“The Listener” Available on VOD platforms“Femme” AMC The Grove [Beverly Hills]

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Mantle’s Interview With Author Joseph McBride

FilmWeek Feature: Larry Mantle’s Interview With Author Joseph McBride

From the film noir classics “Double Indemnity” and “The Lost Weekend,” to the comedies of “Sunset Boulevard” and “Some Like It Hot,” Billy Wilder’s nearly five-decade film career dove into the milieu of then-contemporary American life through character-driven stories which garnered the filmmaker seven Academy Awards and 22 nominations. His work often pushed beyond the boundaries of mainstream culture, particularly during Hollywood’s Hays Code era — a period of self-censorship within the film industry —, and helped to usher in new ways for filmmakers to approach controversial subject matters. Today Larry chats with author Joseph McBride about his new book “Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge.''

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 3 - Vidiots Brings 60,000 DVDs and a New Theater to a Historic Space

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 3 - Vidiots Brings 60,000 DVDs and a New Theater to a Historic Space

Neon! Mullets! Video stores! Relive the 80s with us... As we continue our series "Revival House," How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to Eagle Rock to check out Vidiots. The iconic video store opened in Santa Monica in the 80s, and closed its doors in 2017. But, Vidiots reopened last year in the historic Eagle theater. And yes, all of its 60,000 DVDs made the move too. Vidiots has made renting a movie cool again – and you can check out any DVD in their massive catalog for just $3. And, the renovated theater will be hosting screenings as part of the new Los Angeles Festival of Movies this coming April. Check out the past and present of Vidiots and the Eagle theater with us. Guests: Executive director Maggie Mckay, founding member and filmmaker Noah Segan, programmer Saila Reyes, and film professor and theater historian Ross Melnick.

FilmWeek: ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,’ ‘Shirley,’ ‘Late Night with the Devil’ And More

FilmWeek: ‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,’ ‘Shirley,’ ‘Late Night with the Devil’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Peter Rainer and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms: “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” In Select Theaters “Immaculate” In Select Theaters “Road House” Streaming on Amazon Prime “Limbo” Laemmle Monica Film [Santa Monica] “Shirley” Streaming on Neflix “Remembering Gene Wilder” Laemmle Royal [West LA] + Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino] “Do Not Expect Too Much From The End Of The World” Laemmle Royal [West LA] “Late Night with the Devil” In Select Theaters “Free Time” The Landmark Westwood [Westwood]

FilmWeek Feature: Julio Torres

FilmWeek Feature: Julio Torres

PROBLEMISTA is a new A24 comedy about an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life. As time runs out on his work visa, Alejandro attempts to get his erratic art-world outcast boss, played by Tilda Swinton, to be that cosigner. She becomes his only hope to stay in the country. The film premiered at SXSW in 2023 where it was nominated for the Audience Award. It stars Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, RZA, and Isabella Rosselini narrates the film.

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 2 - The New Beverly Cinema, Always On Film

HTLA Presents: Revival House: Part 2 - The New Beverly Cinema, Always On Film

As we continue our series "Revival House," How to LA producer Victoria Alejandro is taking us to The New Beverly Cinema over in Fairfax, where movies are always on film. The theater, owned by Quentin Tarantino, has a long history as complex as LA's. Join us as we explore the building's history and discover what makes it a special place to catch a double feature today. Guests: Theater and operations manager Jules McLean, projectionist Danielle Wakin, and film professor and theater historian Ross Melnick.

FilmWeek: ‘American Dreamer,’ ‘Irish Wish,’ ‘The Animal Kingdom’ And More

FilmWeek: ‘American Dreamer,’ ‘Irish Wish,’ ‘The Animal Kingdom’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Wade Major, Charles Solomon, and Andy Klein review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms: “Knox Goes Away” In Select Theaters “American Dreamer” Laemmle’s Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] + Town Center 5 [Encino]|Available on VOD Platforms “Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training” In Select Theaters “Irish Wish” Streaming on Netflix “The Animal Kingdom” The Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA]|Available on VOD Platforms “Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (Re-Release)” In Select Theaters For Two Days Only On March 17th & March 20th “French Girl” Regal Long Beach [Long Beach] | Available on VOD Platforms March 19th “The Prank” In Select Theaters “Snack Shack” In Select Theaters “Exhuma” In Select Theaters “Hundreds of Beavers” Laemmle Royal [West LA] + Laemmle Glendale [Glendale]

FilmWeek Feature Larry’s Interview With Christopher Nolan About OPPENHEIMER

FilmWeek Feature Larry’s Interview With Christopher Nolan About OPPENHEIMER

Chrisptopher Nolan is known for his film epics that demand to be seen in theaters on the big screen with their breath-taking visuals and intricate plots. His latest film, Oppenheimer, although Nolan’s first biopic, is no exception. The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” (2005) by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, and tells the story of the scientist who invented the atomic bomb. The film is shot on IMAX® much like his previous works and maintains Nolan’s signature storytelling that plays with time and our perception of it. Joining us on FilmWeek to discuss the new film Oppenheimer and the legacy of the man behind it is the film’s writer and director Christopher Nolan. NOTE: This interview originally aired on July 21, 2023