Friday, July 4

AFI Fest Day Four: Social issues not foreign to international films

One of the most fascinating things about the American Film Institute Festival is the crowd of foreign filmmakers on show. With a host of international selections comes a host of international viewpoints. Read more...

Photo: International selections make up a significant part of AFI Fest and this year’s included the feudal black comedy “Aferim!” (top left), the heartbreaking “Mustang” (top right) and the widescreen splendor of “Ixcanul” (bottom). (HI Film Productions, CG Cinéma and La Casa de Production)


AFI Fest Day Three: Absurdity and sensationalism at AFI Fest

Michael Moore said he prefers nonfictional film when he introduced his newest documentary, “Where to Invade Next,” at the Egyptian Theater on Saturday evening. The world, both cinematically and otherwise, is too fictional, and documentaries help balance things out, he said. Read more...

Photo: The third day of the AFI Fest featured the hallucinatory scenes of “The Forbidden Room” (top left), the humanizing “Where to Invade Next” (bottom left) and the absurdist reality of “Chevalier” (right). (Buffalo Gal Pictures, Dog Eat Dog Films, Faliro House Productions)


Movie Review: ‘Spectre’

He races a vintage Aston Martin through narrow streets, has gorgeous girls fall into his arms, all while sipping a dry martini, shaken, not stirred. His name is Bond, James Bond. Read more...

Photo: (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)


AFI Fest Day Two: From Angelina Jolie’s “By the Sea” to draconian-setting of “The Lobster”

For the 2015 American Film Institute’s opening night gala, director Angelina Jolie showed off the slow-burner to end all slow-burners. “By the Sea” features Jolie and husband Brad Pitt as a married couple trying to recuperate after several years of lackluster love and non-interaction by staying at a oceanside hotel in France. Read more...

Photo: (Universal Pictures, Film4, AFI Fest, Dark Sky Films)


AFI Fest Day One: Three must-see entries

Over 75 films are being shown this year at the American Film Institute Festival. AFI is Los Angeles’ largest annual celebration of independent films from around the world, in addition to American prestige pictures just in time for the end-of-year Oscar season. Read more...

Photo: (Diaphana Films)


Lights, Camera, Political Action: ‘Swing Vote’

Flip on a news channel and you’re likely to see characters with perfectly coiffed hair making fantastical claims directly to camera. But how far does this connection between political figures and entertainment go? Read more...

Photo: The 2008 film “Swing Vote” depicts two middle-aged white male presidential candidates. (Walt Disney Pictures)


Reels, Notes and Takes: Week 6

There’s no better place to keep a finger on the pulse of arts and entertainment happenings than Los Angeles. The A&E world is alive – it’s always buzzing, sometimes ready to implode with a hint of a surprise album or a celebrity’s controversial statement. Read more...



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