Film Critic
Chief film critic for The Wrap and co-host of the podcast Linoleum Knife
PROFILE
Alonso Duralde
Guest
FROM Alonso Duralde
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Emily Blunt gives A+ performance in ‘Mary Poppins Returns,’ a B- movie Our critics review DC’s “Aquaman,” starring Jason Momoa as heir to the Atlantis throne; the latest live-action Transformers film, “Bumblebee;” Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” where the Banks kids have grown up with children of their own.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
‘Die Hard,’ ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and other classic Christmas favorites This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first “Die Hard,” a Christmas favorite. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” turns 25 this year. “Love, Actually” is 15 years old. We talk about those, and some other old holiday classics and why they endure.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
‘The Advocates:’ a look at LA homelessness Our critics review “Halloween,” the 11th installment in the franchise, which picks up right after the 1978 original; “Mid 90s,” about a 13-year-old skater with a tough home life and new group of friends in LA in the ‘90s; “Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” with Melissa McCarthy as celebrity biographer Lee Israel; and “The Advocates,” a documentary about…
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
As an actor in the original ‘Predator,’ is Shane Black perfectly suited to direct its remake? Our critics review “The Predator,” a reboot of the old Schwarzenegger alien movie; “A Simple Favor,” a comedy starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively; “Lizzie,” where Chloe Sevigny plays Lizzie Borden, a woman who allegedly hacked her father and stepmother to death with an axe in the late 19th century; “White Boy Rick,” starring Matthew…
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
'The Bookshop:' the most NPR movie ever? Our critics review a remake of the 1973 Steve McQueen-Dustin Hoffman movie “Papillon;” “The Happytime Murders,” a Muppet movie starring Melissa McCarthy and Elizabeth Banks; “The Bookshop,” about a widow who opens a bookstore in a small conservative town; “Support the Girls,” starring Regina Hall as the owner of a Hooters-like sports bar.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What to watch at Outfest? Outfest opened at the Orpheum Theatre downtown on Thursday night, and continues through July 22. The film festival features LGBTQ-oriented stories. This year, two-thirds of the movies are by people of color, transgender filmmakers, and women.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Josh Brolin starts a 'war with everyone' in 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' Our critics review “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” in which drug cartels are trafficking terrorists across the US-Mexico border; “Uncle Drew,” a street basketball comedy; and “Leave No Trace,” about a father and his daughter whose idyllic lives in Oregon are changed.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Another week, another Marvel movie Our critics review “Deadpool 2,” an action comedy sequel about a sarcastic crime-fighter; “Book Club,” a feel-good movie about four lifelong friends who make bold life choices after reading “Fifty Shades of Grey;” and “First Reformed,” a drama about a former military chaplain struggling with the death of his son.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What's up with the giant flying wolf in 'Rampage?' Our critics review “Rampage,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a primatologist who shares a strong bond with a gorilla; “Truth or Dare,” another horror film from Blumhouse Productions; “The Rider,” which won the Art Cinema Award at Cannes, and follows a rodeo cowboy who suffers a near-fatal head injury.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How well does Alicia Vikander pull off Tomb Raider? Our critics review the “Tomb Raider” remake, this time starring Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft; “Love, Simon,” starring Nick Robinson as a gay, still-closeted high school kid; and “Ramen Heads,” a documentary about ramen in Japan.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Transgender woman takes the lead in 'A Fantastic Woman' Our critics review the Oscar-nominated “A Fantastic Woman,” about a transgender cabaret singer in Santiago who’s dealing with the death of her lover, and is barred from the funeral; “On Body and Soul,” the only Oscar nominee with a woman director; “Winchester,” a horror film based on the mystery house in San Jose.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What movies should you watch this Christmas? Christmas movies are hard to avoid on TV, even if you don’t celebrate the holiday. You know the classics, such as ”It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Story.” There are less traditional Christmas favorites like “Home Alone” and “Love Actually.” But maybe you’re looking for something more obscure to get you in the spirit.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What does 'Call Me By Your Name' contribute to queer cinema? Our critics review Pixar’s “Coco,” which follows young musician Miguel as he enters the Land of the Dead; “The Man Who Invented Christmas,” about how author Charles Dickens created “A Christmas Carol;” “Call Me By Your Name,” an Italian summer love story between two men; and “Darkest Hour,” starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in 1940 during…
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
In 'Brad's Status,' is Ben Stiller a loveable sad sack? Our critics review “Brad’s Status,” which stars Ben Stiller as Brad, who has a midlife crisis as his son tries getting into Harvard; “Strong Island,” a Netflix documentary about the filmmaker’s brother who was killed in 1992; the Belgian film “The Unknown Girl;” and “Mother!,” starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem as a married couple.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Is it worth seeing 'The Dark Tower' if you haven’t read the Stephen King books? Our film critics discuss “Detroit,” which centers on the Detroit riots of summer 1967 the Algiers Motel incident that left three black men killed; “The Dark Tower,” adapted from the series by Stephen King and starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey; and “Kidnap,” an action flick with a female lead.
Recommended
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
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.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
LAUSD teachers strike starts -- how long will it last? Thirty-one thousand LAUSD teachers, nurses, librarians, and counselors went on strike this morning. They want a salary increase, smaller class sizes, and the hiring of more staff. The district says it can’t afford all that. We see what happened on the picket lines.