PROFILE
FROM Alicia Malone
Is ‘Old Man & The Gun’ the right way to go out for Robert Redford? Our critics review “The Old Man & The Gun,” with Robert Redford playing a bank robber; “Hell Fest;” a horror movie where three couples go to a traveling carnival; “Bad Reputation,” a documentary about Joan Jett and The Runaways; “Monsters and Men,” a drama about the aftermath of a police shooting; “All About Nina,” about a comedian who moves to…
Spielberg takes on gaming with 'Ready Player One?' Our critics review “Ready Player One,” a blockbuster set in a dystopian future where people try to escape to a virtual reality game; “Acrimony,” starring Taraji P. Henson as a wronged woman seeking revenge; “Outside In,” about a man recently released from prison.
Is Jack Black over the top in 'Polka King?' Our critics review “Paddington 2,” the second live-action adaptation of the iconic British children’s book; “The Polka King” on Netflix, starring Jack Black as a Polish immigrant and polka band leader; and “The Commuter,” starring Liam Neeson as an insurance salesman who meets a stranger on a train.
‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is like ‘Clue’ on a train Our critics discuss “Murder On the Orient Express,” starring Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and Michelle Pfeiffer; the Christmas comedy “Daddy’s Home 2;” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” about a mother who tries solving her daughter's murder.
Can 'Marshall' teach more about Thurgood Marshall's personal life than history books? Our critics review “Marshall,” starring Chadwick Boseman as the first African-American Supreme Court Justice; “78/52,” a documentary about one of the most famous scenes in cinema history; “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women,” a superhero origin story; and more.
What to expect from Telluride Film Festival 2017 The Telluride Film Festival kicks off today. It’s not as glitzy as Venice, Toronto or Cannes, but it has a good track record of hosting future Oscar winners. We look at what’s being screened there this weekend. Our critics also weigh in on new releases out today: “I Do...Until I Don’t,” “Tulip Fever,” and “Dolores.”
Does 'The Glass Castle' film adaptation live up to the memoir? Our film critics review “The Glass Castle,” an adaptation of a memoir by former gossip columnist Jeannette Walls, about her childhood and vagabond family; “Ingrid Goes West,” which stars Elizabeth Olsen as an Instagram influencer; and “The Trip To Spain,” starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon.
'Transformers: The Last Knight' links to legend of King Arthur Our critics review the latest installment in the “Transformers” franchise, where Optimus Prime is gone and a war is on between humans and transformers; “The Bad Batch,” in which the world’s undesirables are cast off into the desert to be chased by cannibals; and the romantic comedy “The Big Sick.”
Captain Jack Sparrow returns, and Netflix gets booed at Cannes Our critics review the fifth franchise of “Pirates of the Caribbean;” “War Machine,” in which Brad Pitt plays General McMahon and Ben Kingsley portrays Hamid Karzai; and “Baywatch,” a film adaptation of the old David Hasselhoff series. We also look at what’s been going on at the Cannes Film Festival.
Is '50 Shades Darker' steamy or tedious? Our movie critics review new films, including the sequel to “Fifty Shades of Grey;” “A United Kingdom,” a love story starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike; and the much anticipated “The Lego Batman Movie.”
Film Roundup If you need a break this weekend from the spectacle that is the presidential campaign, there are lots of new films to check out. Ben Affleck stars in “The Accountant.” Everyone’s favorite giant angry reptile is back in “Shin Godzilla.”
Movies: 'Ghostbusters' and More One word: “Ghostbusters!” Yes, it’s finally here. In our weekly look at the latest movie releases, our critics talk about the all-female reboot. Also this week, Bryan Cranston returns to the world of drugs in the thriller “Infiltrator”; and Woody Allen’s latest, “Cafe Society,” starring Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg.
Friday Film: 'Entourage,' 'Insidious: Chapter 3' and More It’s a bro-down this weekend at the movies. Entourage, the movie based on the HBO series, is coming. Or, if you’re not into male entitlement, perhaps Spy with Melissa McCarthy is the movie for you. We talk about those and more new releases in this week’s Friday film segment.
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Rethinking public school funding in California LAUSD teachers are striking for the second day. Many people are questioning the state’s model for funding schools. California spends around $10,800 per pupil, which is less than the national average. But maybe that money could be better spent if the district itself were smaller and more manageable.
How the teachers strike affects low-income minority students Negotiations are back on between the teachers and LAUSD. We look at what they should be talking about with an education consultant who’s seen both sides. Also, what happened at two Central LA school where teachers met with parents?
The West Has Islam Dangerously Wrong University of Michigan professor and author Juan Cole explores our biggest misconceptions about the world's second-largest religion.
As teachers strike, political heavyweights bide their time The L.A. teachers' strike is now well underway and both sides are waiting to see who will budge. Others are looking to their elected leaders, from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti to newly minted Governor Gavin Newsom, for help. But can they make a difference, especially with an issue that has so much at stake?