Aryeh Harris-Shapiro
‘Born in China’ Offers a Moving Look at Family in the Wild
Born in China • Published on April 2017
Disney has come a long way since “White Wilderness,” the infamous 1958 documentary that became notorious for driving lemmings off a cliff to fake a mass suicide. Since 2007’s “Earth” launched the Disneynature…
High-Octane Action and Ridiculous Plot Twists Intersect in ‘Free Fire’
Armie Hammer • Published on April 2017
Fans of high-concept action are in luck. After a decade of Bourne-inflected shaky-cam realism, the commercial success of the “John Wick” franchise has once again opened the door for artsy gunplay and gonzo…
‘The Fate of the Furious’ Proves That the Venerable Franchise Has Plenty Left in the Tank
Charlize Theron • Published on April 2017
This is the point at which the “Fast and the Furious” franchise should be starting to feel tired. Dominic Toretto and his family of street racing secret agents have saved the world time…
‘Life’ Delivers Effective Horror Undermined by Its Emotional Emptiness
Daniel Espinosa • Published on March 2017
The release of “Life” so near “Alien: Covenant” is one of those inauspicious coincidences that have haunted many Hollywood films over the years. “Deep Impact” lost out to…
Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning Shine in Brutal and Boring Western ‘Brimstone’
Brimstone • Published on March 2017
Foreign directors transitioning to English-language fare can sometimes have a tough time, especially if they go through the Hollywood system. Auteurs who stick to their guns, such as Lars von Trier or Bong…
Sam Worthington Attempts a Comeback, Octavia Spencer Plays God in ‘The Shack’
Film • Published on March 2017
Christianity in film can take many forms. You’ve got your Christian-themed mainstream fare like “Hacksaw Ridge,” and “Silence,” your anti-atheist screeds like “God’s Not Dead,” and your innocuous church dramatic comedies like January’s…
Hugh Jackman Puts Wolverine to Rest in the Inspired ‘Logan’
Dafne Keen • Published on March 2017
Hugh Jackman has such a youthful presence in real life that it’s easy to forget just how long he’s been playing Wolverine. Starting with 2000’s “X-Men,” Jackman has reprised the…
Nicolas Hoult and Felicity Jones Team up With Kingsley and Hopkins for Gonzo Action Flick ‘Collide’
Anthony Hopkins • Published on February 2017
Every year, we get a few February releases that exceed expectations. The month is often known as a dumping ground, but people still want to see movies no matter what time of year…
Matt Damon Wades Into Controversy With Chinese-American Crossover ‘The Great Wall’
Any Lau • Published on February 2017
Zhang Yimou’s new action epic “The Great Wall” has faced criticism leading up to its release, all of which can be traced back to a…
Gore Verbinski Returns to Horror With ‘A Cure for Wellness’
A Cure For Wellness • Published on February 2017
Four years after “The Lone Ranger” rode out of the box office, Gore Verbinski is back. The first three films in the “Pirates of the Caribbean”…
Molina and Kaczmarek Take the Trip of Trauma in ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’
Alfred Molina • Published on January 2017
L.A. theatergoers ready to experience three hours of familial suffering are in for a treat. Eugene O’Neill’s epic drama, “Long Day’s Journey into Night” is on its way…
Essential Concert Guide • L.A. Edition • Jan. 30 – Feb. 12
Concert Guide • Published on January 2017
Lea Michele at The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage | Jan. 30 The “Glee” alum will bring her show-stopping voice to the Broad Stage in advance of her upcoming album, “Places”.
Despite the Controversy, ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ Manages to Jerk a Few Tears
A Dog's Purpose • Published on January 2017
The first thing that needs to be discussed when reviewing “A Dog’s Purpose” is the controversy surrounding it, namely a video of alleged animal abuse that was posted…
‘Gold’ Sleepwalks Through Its Outrageous Story
Bryce Dallas Howard • Published on January 2017
It’s clear from the trailers what kind of movie “Gold” wanted to be. The Styx song “Renegade” provides a perfectly cheesy backdrop for what looks to be a…
Alex Clare Opens Up About Ditching the Record Label for New Album and Planting Roots in Jerusalem
Alex Clare • Published on January 2017
Alex Clare is a Bohemian at heart. His views of the world are progressive and it’s clear that he aims towards peace and prosperity. Clare’s latest album “…
Netflix Fur Trade Tale ‘Frontier’ Gets Trapped by Lack of Focus and Repetition
Alun Armstrong • Published on January 2017
Jason Momoa is a star. Anyone who doubted that after his tenure on “Game of Thrones” should be convinced by “Frontier,” Netflix’s new series set…
James McAvoy’s Multiple Identities Own the Screen in M. Night Shyamalan Thriller ‘Split’
Anya Taylor-Joy • Published on January 2017
Night Shyamalan’s new thriller “Split” begins in a startlingly straightforward manner. High school outsider Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy) and two other…
The xx Expand Their Signature Minimalism With Lush Third Album ‘I See You’
Album Reviews • Published on January 2017
From the opening track of The xx’s third album, “I See You,” you know you’re in for something different from the English dance trio. As soon as the…
Tom Hardy Wades Into Corruption and Violence With FX’s Moody, Opaque ‘Taboo’
Anders Engstrom • Published on January 2017
“Taboo” should be an exhilarating show. The story centers on James Keziah Delaney, a former slave trader played by series co-creator Tom Hardy,…
Dropkick Murphys Preach to the Faithful With ‘11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory’
11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory • Published on January 2017
Boston bar-rockers the Dropkick Murphys settled into their niche a long time ago. After being heavily featured in Martin Scorsese’s 2006 Oscar-winner “The Departed,” their single “Shipping Up…