FilmWeek

LAist 89.3 | Southern California Public Radio

4.3 (298)
TV & FILM
UPDATED WEEKLY

FilmWeek on AirTalk, hosted by Larry Mantle, is a one-hour weekly segment devoted to films. It offers reviews of the week's new movies, interviews with filmmakers, and discussions on various aspects of the industry.

1D AGO

Feature: ‘John Wick’ filmmaker Chad Stahelski talks Oscars’ inclusion of Best Stunt Design category

Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’s Board of Governors announced it would add a new category to its awards ceremony starting 2028– Achievement in Stunt Design. This serves as a major win for the many stuntmen and stuntwomen who’ve lobbied for such an award, with their line of work having existed since the inception of film. Although stunts from the likes of Buster Keaton won’t ever be able to win such an award, there are plenty of recent films that have drawn crowds for their stunts. Whether it be the Mission Impossible or John Wick films, well-designed action sequences have kept moviegoers’ attention, which makes rewarding their stunt designers a great decision as we inch closer to the 100th annual Academy Awards. For this week’s FilmWeek feature, Larry and this week’s critics discuss this news with filmmaker and longtime stuntman, Chad Stahelski. Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!

17 min
1D AGO

FilmWeek: ‘The Wedding Banquet,’ ‘Sneaks,’ ‘The Ugly Stepsister,’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Amy Nicholson and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Sinners Wide Release The Wedding Banquet In Select Theaters Sneaks Wide Release The Legend of Ochi In Select Theaters|Wide Release on April 25 The President's Wife Laemmle Royal [West LA] | Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino] | Landmark Pasadena The Shrouds In Select Theaters| Wide Release on April 25 High Art [4K Restoration] Laemmle Noho 7 [North Hollywood] The Ugly Stepsister In Select Theaters Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing In Select Theaters Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!

33 min
APR 11

Feature: ‘Warfare’ directors Alex Garland & Ray Mendoza discuss realist filming approach to their new feature

In their second project together, writer-directors Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s Warfare strikes a much different tone than last year’s Civil War. Garland’s solo writing and directing project, with Mendoza on as a military supervisor, served as a thematic look at the political divide found in the United States— Warfare, despite using similar thematic elements, takes a much more realist filming approach to the war in Iraq. Warfare follows a platoon of Navy SEALs in 2006 Iraq, going through the process of scouting insurgent territory, and eventually finding themselves in a gunfight with people they often identify as MAMs (military-age males). Told using the memories of those involved in this real event, the film isn’t focused on making a political statement on the war itself as much as it is putting together a chain of events that helps viewers understand one story a part of the greater picture of the war in Iraq. The film takes these stories and uses an ensemble cast of up-and-coming actors to help put together a linear story, with D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai notably portraying Mendoza, who was one of the Navy SEAL team members involved. Joining us, to discuss their directorial partnership and the work that went into telling this story as truthfully as possible, are Warfare writer-directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland.

28 min
APR 11

FilmWeek: ‘Warfare,’ ‘The Amateur,’ ‘Neil Young: Costal,’ And More

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein, Charles Solomon, and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. Warfare Wide Release The Amateur Wide Release King of Kings In Select Theaters One to One: John & Yoko In Select Theaters | Expands April 18th Neil Young: Costal In Select Theaters April 17 [One-Day Only] Pets Streaming on Disney+ Kaiju No. 8 Mission Recon In Select Theaters [Three-Day Event: April 13, 14 and 16] Not Just A Goof Streaming on Disney+

22 min
APR 4

FilmWeek: ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ ‘Freaky Tales,’ ‘Janis Ian: Breaking Silence,’ and more

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Beandrea July review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on-demand platforms. A Minecraft Movie Wide Release Freaky Tales In Select Theaters Janis Ian: Breaking Silence Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] We Were Dangerous Lumiere Music Hall [Beverly Hills] Julie Keeps Quiet Laemmle Glendale A Nice Indian Boy In Select Theaters The Friend In Select Theaters Viet and Nam Laemmle Glendale William Tell In Select Theaters The Luckiest Man in America In Select Theaters Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!

32 min
APR 4

Feature: What’s your favorite fight scene in a movie?

Executing a fight scene requires a lot of attention to detail, but spending time to get the right fight choreographer and stunt doubles to execute their vision can make for a rewarding watch. In the case of stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski, his directorial debut John Wick helped spark a franchise that moviegoers love due to its well-choreographed action. Although the series has become a common example of great fighting, there’s a whole host of other examples that date back decades. Hong Kong action cinema has given so much to the action genre, having helped popularize high-speed martial arts fighting for international audiences; through this style of filmmaking, audiences were introduced to filmmaker John Woo and actor Jackie Chan. Joining us to share their extensive knowledge of fight scenes are Tim Cogshell and Andy Klein. Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!

17 min
MAR 28

FilmWeek: ‘Death of a Unicorn,’ ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island,’ ‘Thank You Very Much,’ and more

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on-demand platforms. Death of a Unicorn Wide Release Ballad of Wallis Island AMC Burbank 16|AMC Burbank Town Center 6| AMC Century City 15 Grand Tour In Select Theaters Thank You Very Much In Select Theaters The Penguin Lessons In Select Theaters Being Maria Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA] Audrey’s Children In Select Theaters

33 min
MAR 28

Feature: Fandango releases study highlighting moviegoing, summer box office

Earlier this week, American entertainment company Fandango published a study that surveyed moviegoers, casual and loyal, on their viewing habits. Insights ranged from the way they learned about movies, to what amenities made the theatrical experience most worthwhile. With CinemaCon— a yearly event comprised of theater chain owners— happening next week in Las Vegas, we thought it’d be good to dig into this data and break down what’s driving moviegoing this year. Joining us, alongside our critics Lael Loewenstein and Manuel Betancourt, is Deadline business editor Dade Hayes.

16 min

See All (102)

Larry Mantle

Host

4.3

out of 5

298 Ratings

Love the show most of the time but…

07/10/2023

JMS32205

I cannot listen when Andy Klein is on. He gives away way too much plot. He’s not reviewing movies…he’s ruining them for people that haven’t seen them.
Frustrating show

12/30/2024

AndJusticeForAnimals

I hate to say it, but I cannot listen to it when Tim Cogshell is on. If I see that it’s going to be an all female reviewer show then I will listen, but so often Tim and another reviewer, can’t remember his name, give way too much away and it’s just uncomfortable for me to listen to. I’m an AFI grad, love film, but there are months I won’t listen to this one.
Commercials way too loud.

11/24/2024

GoodGood Soul

I remember when there were no commercials. Then they started adding more and more. And the audio on them is super high. I'm no longer going to listen. I cannot stand the changes in the audio settings!
Excellent show, but adding junk to my feed

04/24/2024

patconnor

I hate to hit Filmweek with a 3-star rating, as I love the show and look forward to it every week. I dinged the 2 stars because HTLA or whatever is sneaking their show into my feed! One “preview” episode is ok, and a lot of podcasts do this. But SEVEN episodes of a show that’s only tangentially related to the podcast I signed up for? No thank you. Bad LAIST. Bad.

FilmWeek on AirTalk, hosted by Larry Mantle, is a one-hour weekly segment devoted to films. It offers reviews of the week's new movies, interviews with filmmakers, and discussions on various aspects of the industry.