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Film Critic
Chief film critic for MTV; Former chief film critic for LA Weekly
PROFILE
Amy Nicholson
Guest
FROM Amy Nicholson
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
As Spider-Man, how does Tom Holland compare to Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire? Our critics review “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” where Peter Parker is in high school and serves as an intern to Tony Stark; “A Ghost Story,” starring Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck; and “The Little Hours,” about a servant who runs away from his master and takes refuge at a convent in the Middle Ages.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
With women at the helm, 'Wonder Woman' wows Our critics review the long-awaited “Wonder Woman” blockbuster, starring Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins; “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,” based on a popular children’s book series; and “Band Aid,” about a couple who hopes to alleviate their marriage problems by forming a band together.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
'The Great Wall:' Political satire or just another action flick? Our film critics review “The Great Wall,” set in China and starring Matt Damon; the horror anthology “XX,” which features women writers, directors and lead actors; and another thriller called “A Cure for Wellness.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Escapism at the movies this weekend Our film critics discuss The Love Witch; Ang Lee’s take on the veterans experience in Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk; the alien flick Arrival, starring Amy Adams; and the black comedy Elle.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What to see at the movie theater this weekend New releases at the cinema this weekend include: “Deepwater Horizon,” a film based on the explosion on an oil rig that led to the BP oil spill in 2010; Tim Burton’s “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children;’ “Napoleon Dynamite” director Jared Hess’s new flick, “Masterminds,” and Cannes indie fave “American Honey.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
New releases to check out this long weekend Labor Day is upon us and even though it’s the end of summer movie season, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of movies coming out. What should you head to the cineplex for this long weekend? Film critics Roth Cornet and Amy Nicholson give Press Play their picks.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
New Films to Escape With This Weekend For those looking for escapism this weekend, the family-friendly animated film “The Secret Life of Pets” is coming to the local cineplex. But if raunchy is more your thing, “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” may be the flick for you.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Summer Blockbuster Season in Full Swing It’s only May, but summer blockbuster season is in full swing. Big studios are betting on more of the familiar, with another X-Men film and an Alice in Wonderland sequel opening this weekend. What new movies are coming to a cineplex near you?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Movies, Just in Time for Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is the Sunday after next, and nothing says “I love you” to dear old mom more than another holiday-themed comedy from director Gary Marshall. We’ll talk about that and the other movies coming to your local cineplex in our weekly film segment .
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Friday Film: 'Star Wars' Madness and More Star Wars is the Death Star of film this week, annihilating news of all other movies. But we’re going to change that in this week’s Friday film segment, where we round up several new releases! What other movies are brave enough to go up against the Star Wars juggernaut at this weekend’s box office?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Friday Film: Our Brand is Crisis, Burnt and more There are plenty of thrills and chills at the movies this weekend with Halloween upon us, though not from necessarily horror films. You’ll find a terrifying look into the mind of a political operative; what it’s like to be trapped in a kitchen with a megalomaniac; and, of course, zombies.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Film Roundup: 'Mission Impossible,' 'The End of the Tour,' and 'Vacation' Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go to the movies this weekend. We’ll help you pick your ticket.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Friday Film: 'Jurassic World' and More A long-awaited blockbuster, “Jurassic World,” drops this weekend. Does the movie revive the franchise, or just rehash it? After that, it’s all indie counterprogramming at the box office this weekend. We discuss it all and get recommendations (and warnings) in this week’s Friday film segment.
Recommended
Design and Architecture
Farewell LA freeways, Peter Shire is back Angelenos don't want more freeways but we seem not to want mass transit either. Metro has killed the 710 freeway extension, and bus and train ridership is down across the region. What's the future of getting around in LA? And, Peter Shire is having a comeback. What attracts a new generation to his playful ceramics and furniture?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Accusations of lying fly between James Comey and White House During his testimony Thursday, former FBI Director James Comey accused President Trump and other White House officials of lying when they said the FBI was in disarray and its staff had lost confidence in him. President Trump’s lawyer said Comey was wrong -- that the president never asked for his loyalty, and never asked him to back off the investigation into former NSA director Michael Flynn.
The Business
In 'Speechless,' Scott Silveri combines comedy, family & disability Scott Silveri has written and produced sitcoms for more than 20 years. In all that time, he never encountered a TV family that looked anything like the one he grew up in -- with a mom, a dad...and a brother with cerebral palsy. He changed that with his show Speechless on ABC. Silveri tells us about looking to his own past for stories, and why he was determined to make a family comedy and not just a "disability show."
Good Food
'Dandelion and Quince,' food and crime, 'All About Eggs' Sarah Lohman talks about the murder and historic recipes that form the backbone of her new book, “Ohio 1910,” and Rachel Khong shares highlights from Lucky Peach’s last cookbook, “All About Eggs.” Michelle Mckenzie tells us how to cook oft-forgotten fruits, veggies and herbs, and Jonathan Gold reviews AR Cucina in Culver City. Plus: raspberries at the market and a special guest DJ set from Alton Brown.