At the beginning of 2018, Lady Bird director Greta Gerwig became only the fifth woman in history to be nominated for a Best Director award at the Oscars. “That’s one hand!” she enumerated to USA Today following her indoctrination into the sadly small mile-high club. It’s a club that unfortunately looks to remain small as most female directors remain out of the awards conversation and new reports emerge that female filmmakers saw their numbers shrink in 2018. But before you write off 2018 as a bad year for women — or at least a step backwards after 2017’s industry-shattering breakthrough success with Gerwig, Patty Jenkins, and more — I implore you to take a closer look. Last year saw Anna Boden, along with Ryan Fleck, taking the helm for Marvel’s upcoming Captain Marvel, and the announcement of Cathy Yan directing Birds of Prey for DC and Warner Bros. And the slate of Sundance darlings were overwhelmingly female-fronted … [Read more...] about 18 Movies Directed By Women in 2018 You Should Watch
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The Year in Film: Some of the year’s best movies never made it to theaters
A scene in Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma features Marco Graf (from left), Daniela Demesa, Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey and Carlos Peralta. Something changed in 2018. It has been coming for some time, but now it's clear, at least for those of us here in the provinces, that there's no bright line border between movies we see in the theater and movies we can watch on our devices. Because most of you did not really have an opportunity to see the year's best movie in a theater. Because it is streaming on Netflix. Sure, there was a token theatrical release, but it didn't play in Arkansas because the distributor had no real interest in making it available. Even if it had, it's difficult to imagine a local exhibitor picking up a movie that anyone with a Netflix password could watch at home. Even if the film in question is one that benefits from being shown in the most immersive environment possible. This created a problem for me, as someone who covers movies for … [Read more...] about The Year in Film: Some of the year’s best movies never made it to theaters
Final goodbye: Roll call of some who died in 2018
In a year filled with heightened political vitriol, two deaths brought the nation together to remember men who represented a seemingly bygone era of U.S. politics. George H.W. Bush was a president, vice president, congressman, CIA director and Navy pilot during World War II, where he flew 58 missions and was shot down over the Pacific. As a politician, he had his fair share of critics and was voted out of office after one term as president. But the Republican reinvented himself in the years after his time in the White House, becoming a fundraiser for disaster relief and forming an unlikely friendship with the man who ousted him from office, former President Bill Clinton. John McCain was a political giant in his own right. He served as a senator for more than 30 years, ran for president twice and spent five years as a prisoner of war after being shot down during the Vietnam War. In captivity, McCain endured torture and even turned down a chance to be released early, denying the North … [Read more...] about Final goodbye: Roll call of some who died in 2018
Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, Oct. 26-Nov. 2
By Holly Andres | [email protected] | Daily News PUBLISHED: October 26, 2018 at 6:00 am | UPDATED: October 26, 2018 at 6:01 am There’s always something fascinating to do in the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area. Here is a sampling of entertainments this week and also save-the-date events to put on your calendar. EVENTS Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain: Haunted mazes, roving characters, shows and scares zones. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 26-27; 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 28. Fright Fest begins at 7 p.m. Minimum age 13 recommended. No costumes or masks allowed. Tickets online $74.99 (Oct. 26); $89.99 (Oct. 27); $53.99 (Oct. 28); haunted mazes wristband $18 (Oct. 26 and 28); $22 (Oct. 27); check website for other options for all tickets online and at the door. 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. 661-255-4100. www.sixflags.com/magicmountain Circus Vargas: “Dreaming of Pirates” theme, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26; 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. … [Read more...] about Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, Oct. 26-Nov. 2
Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, Oct. 19-26
By Holly Andres | [email protected] | Daily News PUBLISHED: October 19, 2018 at 6:00 am | UPDATED: October 19, 2018 at 6:00 am There’s always something fascinating to do in the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area. Here is a sampling of entertainments this week and also save-the-date events to put on your calendar. EVENTS Calabasas Pumpkin Festival: Event includes children’s activities, carnival games, contests, pumpkin patch and pumpkin carving demonstrations, marketplace and live music, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20-21. Tiny Tots Parade, 11 a.m. Oct. 20 (ages 6 and younger in full costume are invited to join the parade around the park to the main stage). Admission $10. Check website for parking and shuttles. Juan Bautista De Anza Park, 3701 Lost Hills Road. www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com Woodland Hills Rock Chippers Gem Show: Event includes exhibits and sales of fossils, gems, jewelry and minerals, demonstrations and silent auctions, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20. Free … [Read more...] about Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, Oct. 19-26