PROFILE
FROM April Wolfe
'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.”
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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?
Previewing James Comey's blockbuster testimony Former FBI director James Comey testifies Thursday in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but his opening statement has been released. In it, he says he felt pressured by Donald Trump to declare loyalty to him and publicly clear him of any wrongdoing in the Russia investigation.
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.
Shaking up the USDA, 'The Beef Cookbook' and 'Tartine All Day' Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.