Sandra Miska
‘Girls State’: Promising Young Women Take Center Stage in Absorbing Follow-up Documentary To ‘Boys State’
Amanda McBaine • Published on April 2024
Four years after the release of absorbing political youth documentary “Boys State,” which followed a group of young men in Texas as they set up a mock government, husband and wife documentarian team…
‘La Chimera’: Josh O’Connor Is a Grieving Tomb Raider in Alice Rohrwacher’s Dreamy Italian Fable
Alice Rohrwacher • Published on March 2024
British actor Josh O’Connor, most famous for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Prince Charles in “The Crown,” takes on a very different role in Alice Rohrwacher’s Italian drama “La Chimera.” O’Connor trades in…
‘Femme’: George MacKay and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett Enter Dark Territory in Absorbing Queer Psychodrama
Features • Published on March 2024
A queer man’s quest for revenge following a brutal homophobic attack tensely unfolds in Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s riveting British psychodrama, “Femme.” Nathan Stewart-Jarrett stars as Jules, a Black…
‘One Life’: Anthony Hopkins Is Superb as a Humble Holocaust Hero in Stirring British Biopic
Anthony Hopkins • Published on March 2024
“One Life,” a moving biopic about an Englishman who saved hundreds of Jewish children from the Nazis, had its genesis in a viral video, of all things. The producers saw the video…
‘Problemista’: Tilda Swinton Is a Tornado in Julio Torres’ Wonderfully Surreal Immigrant Story
Features • Published on March 2024
Julio Torres, the former “Saturday Night Live” writer behind sketches such as “Well for Boys,” “Papyrus,” and HBO’s comedy series “Los Espookys,” brings his brand of surreal and whimsical humor to his directorial…
‘Io Capitano’: Matteo Garrone’s Captivating Immigration Story Is About the Journey, Not the Destination
Features • Published on February 2024
In what director and co-writer Matteo Garrone refers to as a reverse immigrant journey, “Io Capitano” tells the story of a 16-year-old Senegalese boy, Seydou (Seydou Sarr), who leaves behind almost everything…
Amy Schumer’s ‘Life & Beth’ Dives Deeper for a Better Second Season
Amy Schumer • Published on February 2024
The adventures of Amy Schumer’s alter ego continues in the second season of “Life & Beth,” Schumer’s Hulu series inspired by her own life. Now settled back in her Long Island hometown,…
‘The Taste of Things’ Director Trần Anh Hùng on Reuniting Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel for His Strikingly Sensuous Love Story
Benoît Magimel • Published on February 2024
French-Vietnamese filmmaker Trần Anh Hùng understands what the most important things in life are. His latest feature, “The Taste of Things,” which won him Best Director at the 76th Cannes Film Festival…
‘The Taste of Things’: Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel Light up the Kitchen in Trần Anh Hùng’s French Romance
Benoît Magimel • Published on February 2024
Late 19th century France is an ideal setting for a romantic drama, but the kitchen is where the real action happens in Trần Anh Hùng’s “The Taste of Things.” This French Oscar…
Booze-Soaked ‘How to Have Sex’ Paints an Unflinching Portrait of Teen Sex and Consent
Features • Published on February 2024
For her feature debut, filmmaker Molly Manning Walker takes an unflinching look at a common rite of passage, spring break, The result is “How to Have Sex,” a coming-of-age drama following a…
National Geographic’s ‘A Real Bug’s Life’ Magnifies the Extraordinary Resilience of Tiny Creatures
A Real Bug’s Life • Published on January 2024
There is much more to Disney+ than superheroes and animated princesses. The streamer’s latest offering, National Geographic’s “A Real Bug’s Life,” is an amusing and educational nature docuseries that takes its name…
Filmmaker Amjad Al-Rasheed on ‘Inshallah a Boy’: ‘None of us are free until we are all free’
Amjad Al Rasheed • Published on January 2024
Being a widow can be hard, and being a widow with a young child presents even more challenges, but Nawal (Mouna Hawa), the protagonist of “Inshallah a Boy,” has the weight of…
Amjad Al-Rasheed’s ‘Inshallah a Boy’ Is an Absorbing Exploration of a Woman’s Plight in an Oppressive Society
Amjad Al Rasheed • Published on January 2024
One woman’s struggle to carve out her own destiny, for herself and for her young daughter, is at the center of “Inshallah a Boy,” a gripping drama from Jordan. In this feature…
‘Mean Girls’ Still Rule the School in Tina Fey’s Musical Remake
Angourie Rice • Published on January 2024
Trends in music, fashion and technology may change through the generations, but certain aspects of being a teen, particularly a young woman, remain timeless. This is evident in “Mean Girls,” the film…
In Illumination’s ‘Migration,’ the Family That Flies Together Stays Together
Awkwafina • Published on December 2023
It is never easy to see one’s ducklings spread their wings and fly away, but the feathered family in Illumination’s “Migration” fly high together in this fun kid-friendly adventure. Kumail Nanjiani leads…
‘Leave the World Behind’: It Might Just Be the End of the World in Sam Esmail’s Apocalyptic Thriller
Ethan Hawke • Published on December 2023
A privileged Brooklyn family’s getaway to the beach turns out to be not so tranquil in writer-director Sam Esmail’s “Leave the World Behind.” Julia Roberts stars as Amanda Sanford, a misanthrope who…
In ‘Eileen,’ Anne Hathaway Is an Alluring Prison Shrink With a Dark Side
Anne Hathaway • Published on December 2023
A small town in 1964 Massachusetts is the less-than-idyllic setting for “Eileen.” Director William Oldroyd’s adaption of Ottessa Moshfegh’s novel of the same name starts off as a drama before it takes…
‘Genie’: Richard Curtis’ Christmas Comedy Is Little More Than a Charming Showcase for Melissa McCarthy
Features • Published on November 2023
British screenwriter Richard Curtis, the man behind beloved classics such as “Love Actually” and “Notting Hill,” brings his talents to Peacock, and the result is the middling holiday fantasy film “Genie.” Melissa…
‘Leo’: Adam Sandler Charms as a Wise Lizard in Netflix Animated Comedy
Adam Sandler • Published on November 2023
Adam Sandler is an elderly iguana with a lot of knowledge to drop on today’s youth in Netflix’s “Leo,” an animated feature from Happy Madison Productions. Sandler, along with legendary “Saturday Night…
Michael Fassbender Is Thrust Into Island Life in Taika Waititi’s Sports Comedy ‘Next Goal Wins’
Features • Published on November 2023
For his latest film, writer-director Taika Waititi found inspiration in the 2014 sports documentary “Next Goal Wins,” and the result is his uplifting, earnest sports dramedy of the same name. Michael Fassbender…
Tig Notoro’s ‘Tig and Friends’ Has a Home at Largo
comedy • Published on August 2016
Born Mathilde O’Callaghan Notaro in Mississippi, Notaro was given the nickname “Tig” as a child. Before getting into comedy, Notaro worked in the music industry, managing bands under the name Tignation Promotions. Notaro’s comedy career took off…
Chris Isaak to Play Fred Kavli Theatre
Associated Press • Published on July 2015
Chris Isaak is best known for his song “Wicked Games,”, which was released in 1989 but didn’t become a hit until a year later when it was featured in the David Lynch film,…
Yusuf/Cat Stevens First U.S. Tour in 35 years to Come Through Nokia Theatre
Hall of Fame • Published on December 2014
Get ready to sing along to “Here Comes My Baby” and “Wild World,” when British singer-songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens performs at the Nokia Theatre on Dec. 14 as part of his first North American…
Los Angeles Ballet to Perform ‘The Nutcracker’ Throughout December
Alex Theatre • Published on December 2014
Nutcracker fans, rejoice! Not only will the Moscow Ballet be performing the beloved Christmas show at The Wiltern on December 21, but also our very own Los Angeles Ballet will be doing…
Moscow Ballet to Bring the ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’ to The Wiltern
Calgary Herald • Published on December 2014
Angelenos’ may not be able to build snowmen, engage in snowball fights, or go sledding come the holiday season, but we will have the opportunity to experience a bit of a Russian Christmas. The…
Sundance Favorite ‘The Green Prince’ Opens in L.A. Dec. 5
Film • Published on December 2014
On December 5, “The Green Prince” will finally be released out of the festival circuit bubble and granted a limited release. This gripping documentary details the true story of Mosab Hassan Yousef, the…
Spectacular Rubens: Triumph of Eucharist on Display at Getty
Annibale Carracci • Published on December 2014
Many great artists of the past have made their mark creating vibrant religious art, and Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens is no exception. In the early 1620s, he designed a series of tapestries, “The…
Xu Bing Debuts his Exhibit ‘The Language of Xu Bing’ at LACMA
Art • Published on December 2014
When one thinks of a person who works with words, they almost always envision a writer typing away at a laptop. However, words can also be visual art, as Chinese artist Xu Bing will…
Christine Corday to Bring Protoist Series to LACMA
Art • Published on December 2014
Art and science will intersect this month at the LACMA when Christine Corday: Protoist Series, Selected opens on December 13. This will be the first solo presentation of Christine Corday’s art at an…
Capital Cities to Perform in Their Hometown of Los Angeles
antiMusic • Published on November 2014
Indie-rock band, Capital Cities, will be performing at the Fonda Theatre on November 20 and 21. However, less than six years ago, in 2008, members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian met through a Craigslist ad.
Carey and Daniels Reunite for ‘Dumb and Dumber To’
ABC7 • Published on November 2014
A lot of memorable films came out in 1994, “Forrest Gump” and “Pulp Fiction,” just to name a few, but only one of the cinematic gems from that year is getting a sequel, and that…
Cold War Kids to Play The Regent
Cold War Kids • Published on November 2014
Cold War Kids, an indie rock group based in Long Beach, will be performing at The Regent Theater on Nov. 18. Having started in 2004 in downtown Fullerton, Cold War Kids’ original…
Pierre Huyghe to Bring Avant Garde Exhibition to LACMA
Art • Published on November 2014
Just a week after the arrival of the celebrated painting “Greece on the ruins of the Missolonghi” by Eugène Delacroix, the museum will debut the first major retrospective of avant-garde French artist Pierre Huyghe on…
‘The Old Woman’ Starring William Dafoe is Coming to UCLA
Brooklyn Academy of Music • Published on November 2014
Those who like their theater a bit on the Russian and avant-garde side are in luck. The theatrical production “The Old Woman,” based on a story by the Russian author Daniil Kharms, is coming…
All-Male Dance Company BalletBoyz to Perform in Los Angeles
balletboyz • Published on November 2014
When thinking of ballet, one often imagines young women prancing around in tutus to elegant music. Well, ballet enthusiasts and casual fans will have their expectations defied when all-male dance company BalletBoyz visit the…
Foster the People are ‘Coming of Age’ and Coming to Shrine Auditorium
Foster the People • Published on November 2014
Hailing from Los Angeles, Foster the People will be playing the Shrine Auditorium on Nov. 14. Having risen to fame in 2010 with hit “Pumped Up Kicks,” the band formed in 2009 after…
Delacroix’s ‘Greece on the ruins of the Missolonghi’ on Display at LACMA
Art • Published on November 2014
Sometimes a painting is more than just a painting, such is the case with “Greece on the ruins of the Missolonghi,” one of the most celebrated French paintings, ever. This masterpiece by Eugène…
Photographer Larry Sultan to be Remembered at LACMA
Art • Published on November 2014
The late Californian Photographer Larry Sultan will be remembered at LACMA with the show “Larry Sultan: Here and Home.” The first retrospective show of the artist’s work, “Here and Home” will run from…
Discover Transit Art on Metro Art Moves
213 Nightlife • Published on November 2014
During your daily commute, you may be surprised to see beautiful works of art on display at underground train stations. What you may not know is that since 1989, Metro has commissioned artists of all…
Batsheva Dance Company Celebrates 50 Years at UCLA
Batsheva Dance Company • Published on October 2014
Move over, Russia and England, some of the best dancers in the world happen to live in Tel Aviv, Israel, and they’re coming to Los Angeles this month. The Batsheva Dance Company will stop by…