Babies Thursday, April 29, 2010

Cuteness ensues in Thomas Balmes' Babies, a Focus Films documentary capturing the first year in the lives of newborns in four corners of the world: Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and San Francisco. With no subtitles, and not much dialogue, the film compares and contrasts how these kids interact with their environment, how they eat, play, cry and bathe, in ways alike and not alike at all. It's like Koyaanisqatsi, but with babies. Bonus: one lucky ticket holder at this sneak-preview screening wins a gift bag from the Pump Station & Nurtury. American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; Wed., May 5; $11, $9 students & seniors. (323) 466-FILM. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, April 29, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 4:49 PM, ,

The Best of Lezsploitation Sunday, April 25, 2010

Who doesn't love lesbians? Am I right? The proof is in the pudding (yum!) in Triple X Selects: The Best of Lezsploitation, Michelle Johnson's documentary montage of movies made for horny dudes all about horny women. Presented by the UCLA Archive in collaboration with Outfest, the film sizzles with scenes of sapphic seduction as only dirty old men could imagine it, including clips from Chained Girls (1965), Daughters of Lesbos (1968), Venus in Furs (1969), Score (1973), Emmanuelle (1974), and Bare Behind Bars (1980). Boobtastic? You bet. Plus: Just the Two of Us, Barbara Peeters' 1975 lezsploitation classic about neglected housewives who take matters into their own hands. In person: Michelle Johnson, a.k.a. Triple X. UCLA Film & Television Archive, Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; Fri., April 30, 7:30 p.m.; $10. (310) 206-8013. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, April 29, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 12:20 PM, ,

Would California Be Better Off As Its Own Country? Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Considering that most folks who make the trek to California do so either to become famous (by settling here in the Southland) or to live the hippy-dippy life (up north in "Frisco" — ha ha, they hate that!), it may seem downright logical to form our own country, since we surely wouldn't fit in anywhere else. But would we really want to proclaim our independence from the good ol' U.S. of A. as the nation of California? That's the question posed by "Would California Be Better Off As Its Own Country?", a panel talk presented by those nonprofiteers of intellectual conversation Zocalo Public Square. Joe Mathews, senior fellow at the New America Foundation, moderates panelists Bob Hertzberg of California Forward, PoliPoint Press editor Peter Richardson, author Abraham Lowenthal, and historian Robert Cruickshank. California uber alles? Indeed! Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A.; Thursday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.; free. zocalopublicsquare.org. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, April 16, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 11:56 AM, ,

L.A. Beer Festival Thursday, April 8, 2010

The key word here is "unlimited." That's how many 4-ounce pours you get at the L.A. Beer Festival. When it comes to beer, the more the merrier, and this event comes complete with tastings from more than 75 breweries. Not to name drop, but seriously: Fat Tire, Stella Artois, Killian's Irish Red, Hollywood Blonde, Allagash White, Blue Moon, Newcastle, Sudwerk, Mighty Arrow, and countless more (we could count, but math is hard, especially when you're drinking). Although not included in the admission price, food trucks (of course!) will be on scene, including NomNom, Tastymeats and Border Grill, serving up savory pairings to the endless liquid gold. Tribute bands too, but let's not kill that buzz. Sony Studios, 10202 Washington Blvd., Culver City; Sat., April 10, 1-4 p.m. & 5-8 p.m.; $40 per session; advance tickets only, not sold at the door. Tickets at drinkeatplay.com/labeerfest. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, April 9, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 11:55 AM, ,

Japan Film Festival Saturday, April 3, 2010

Typically offbeat yet full of human spirit, the 2010 Japan Film Festival samples the latest in Japanese cinema: Ramen Girl, Yatterman, The Miracle of Light, Paco and the Magic Book, Sakura Sakura and Sideways. So what's the story? Ramen Girl's heroine is desperate to cook the perfect noodle, but her sensei is one tough nut, and she's not even Japanese (she is, in fact, Brittany Murphy). Yatterman mixes the best and worst of Sailor Moon and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, while The Miracle of Light explores the healing power of colors. Paco's the portrait of an eccentric hospital, Sakura's the story of the first Japanese-American marriage, and Sideways brings it all back to California with a remake of the 2004 Napa Valley tale. Check the JFFLA website for filmmakers in attendance; this is Hollywood, after all. (Screenings over the next two weekends also at the Nakano Theater in Torrance and the Starplex 5 in Irvine.) New Beverly, 7165 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; Sat.-Sun., April 10-11; info at jffla.org/2010/en/schedule/. $12 per screening. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, April 9, 2010.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 3:37 PM, ,