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“I Saw The TV Glow,” the new film by second-time director Jane Schoenbrun, is a story they consider their most personal. The story follows the character Owen, over multiple decades of their own life, re-visiting their identity through the help of an old friend named Maddy. The film brings together elements of childhood nostalgia and horror in this fictional story of one kid who feels different from everyone else in this small town.

Today on FilmWeek, Larry sits down with the film's lead actor, Justice Smith, and its director Jane Schoenbrun, getting into the film’s exploration of identity and dysphoria.

 

‘I Saw The TV Glow’ is now in theaters, check your local listings.

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Lael Loewenstein and Peter Rainer review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.

“The Fall Guy” Wide Release

“Unfrosted” Streaming on Netflix

“I Saw The TV Glow” Wide Release

“Wildcat” AMC Century City 15 [Century City] | Vidiots [Eagle Rock] May 4th 

“Blood in Blood Out (1993)” Streaming on Hulu

“Nowhere Special” Landmark Pasadena Playhouse [Pasadena] | Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] | Laemmle Glendale [Glendale] | Regency Agoura Hills Stadium [Agoura Hills] | Laemmle Claremont [Claremont] 

“The Idea of You” Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

“Evil Does Not Exist” Wide Release

“Who is Stan Smith?”  Landmark Nuart Theater [Sawtelle] | Expands to Laemmle Town Center [Encino] | Laemmle Monica Film Center [Santa Monica] | Laemmle Glendale [Glendale] May 10

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Andy Klein review this weekend’s new movie releases in theaters, streaming, and on demand platforms:

“Challengers” Wide Release 

“Boy Kills World” Wide Release 

“Egoist” Wide Release

“Bad Faith” VOD 

“Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story” Laemmle Glendale [Glendale] April 26th | Streaming on PBS May 13

“Uncropped” Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] on April

“Little Empty Boxes” Laemmle Monica [Santa Monica] April 26 | Laemmle Royal [Sawtelle] April 28

“Humane”  The Alamo Drafthouse [DTLA] April 26th

“ALAM” VOD

“Infested” Streaming on Shudder 

One of the most prolific and exceptional filmmakers who ever lived, Akira Kurosawa has an anniversary for his best works. His 1954 film “Seven Samurai” has now hit its 70th anniversary, released on April 26. It’s a film that was voted the 20th best film of all time by prominent members of the film industry who took part in BFI’s Top 225 list back in 2022. ‘Seven Samurai’ followed hits in Kurosawa’s filmography like “Rashomon” and “Yojimbo’... but what’s led to that common sentiment?

For this week’s FilmWeek Feature, we talk to LAist film critics Peter Rainer, Tim Cogshell, and Andy Klein about why Seven Samurai is essential viewing for cinephiles and all moviegoers.

Go back to the movies with us!

We're still profiling LA's repertory theaters in Revival House cause there are SO MANY to check out! In this episode, we explore a cool space with some deep, messy history.

Fashion label Brain Dead has taken over a site that some would consider....a little cursed. Originally opened in the 1940s as The Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax, the venue was home to premieres and parties. Until a theft and murder shut the theater down.

In the 2000s, it was taken over by Cinefamily, which programmed in that space until allegations of abuse came to light in 2017.

But today, Brain Dead Studios is keeping the lights on for nerds, artists, and skate punks in Los Angeles -- aiming to create an eclectic community space to inspire creatives and show good movies. Take a listen as we explain the history and present of this theater.

Guests: Professor and historian Ross Melnick, Brain Dead founder Kyle Ng  

David and Nathan Zellners’ latest feature, ‘Sasquatch Sunset,’ is an unconventional story about a family of sasquatches living their lives in the woods of California’s Humboldt County. The film’s presentation has qualities not much different than popular live nature cams you’ll find today, making for a narrative that’s less to do with structure and more focused on a “day in the life” of a fictional creature.

 

Today on FilmWeek, we hear about the process of filming “Sasquatch Sunset” with David and Nathan Zellner.