PROFILE
FROM April Wolfe
How does Benedict Cumberbatch do as the Grinch? Our critics review the newest adaption of “The Grinch,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones and Pharrell Williams; “El Angel,” a movie about an Argentinian serial killer; “Overlord,” a zombie thriller produced by J.J Abrams; “The Girl in the Spider’s Web,” starring Claire Foy; and “Outlaw King,” a Netflix original starring Chris Pine.
'Ocean's 8:' all female stars, but a male director? Our critics review “Ocean’s 8,” an all-women installment of the heist franchise, with an all-star cast including Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Anne Hathaway; the horror movie “Hereditary;” and “Hotel Artemis,” about a hotel/hospital for criminals, starring Jodie Foster.
Will 'The Insult' win the Oscar for Best Foreign Film? Our critics review “Hostiles,” in which an Army general has to escort a Cheyenne chief home; “A Futile and Stupid Gesture,” a biopic about one of the founders of National Lampoon; and “The Insult,” which received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.
Oscar nominations are out -- it's a big day for 'The Shape of Water' “The Shape of Water” leads this year’s Academy Awards nominations with 13, including best picture and best director. We talk about the big contenders, and whether the Time’s Up movement factored into this year’s nominations.
With one reporter left at LA Weekly, what's next for the paper? Wednesday, new owners at the LA Weekly laid off nine of the paper’s 13 editorial staffers. There isn’t much clarity on what’s next for the publication. The new owners remain mostly a mystery -- they’ve kept their identity veiled through a newly created company named Semanal Media.
Is there still an appetite for 'Saw' movies? Our critics review “Jigsaw,” the first movie in the “Saw” series in 10 years; “All I See Is You,” in which Blake Lively plays a blind woman who regains her sight; “Suburbicon," directed by George Clooney and starring Matt Damon and Julianne Moore; “Novitiate,” about a young woman who joins a convent in the 1960s.
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.
How filming rape scenes affects actors and producers We’re seeing a lot more rape scenes these days, especially on TV. Think “Game of Thrones,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Room.” That means there are more people -- in front of and behind the camera -- who are in the business of simulating sometimes brutal scenes.
In 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,' how well does Vin Diesel play Baby Groot? Our critics review “Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2,” starring Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana; “The Lovers,” about a husband and wife who each have an affair; and “3 Generations,” about a trans boy played by Elle Fanning.
'One Week and a Day' combines grief and humor Our critics review “The Circle,” starring Emma Watson and Tom Hanks; “One Week and a Day,” which focuses on a couple mourning their son who just died, apparently of cancer; and “Sleight,” about a young street magician and drug dealer trying to make a better life for the magician’s little sister.
21 years later, the 'Trainspotting' guys are back Our critics review the live-action reboot of “Beauty and the Beast,” starring Emma Watson; “T2 Trainspotting,” with Ewan McGregor and Jonny Lee Miller; and the new Terrence Malick film “Song to Song.”
'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.”
Recommended
Raining money in Sacramento: Gov. Newsom unveils his first budget Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled his first budget, which includes billions of more dollars for schools, poor families, and the homeless. Newsom says he’s going to “lean in” where others are backing away. He’s also promising more funds for fire protection and for communities that have lost a big property tax base.
How do physicians assistants and nurse practitioner come with physicians on meaningful outcomes? It is high time to throw out the current model of medical training and look to designing a health care system that really works and is affordable.
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.