SoCal movies, Nov. 15-22: ‘Napoleon,’ ‘Maestro,’ ‘May December,’ ‘Flash Gordon’ and more
SoCal movies, Nov. 15-22: ‘Napoleon,’ ‘Maestro,’ ‘May December,’ ‘Flash Gordon’ and more
Natalie Portman shadows Julianne Moore, Bradley Cooper directs AND conducts, and Joaquin Phoenix meets his Waterloo — eventually
Welcome to the latest edition of TV or Not TV’s curated guide to new and classic movies, events and revivals, film festivals and more screening in LA and OC this week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Able was I ere I saw Elba…
NEW RELEASES
• Opening Wednesday, Nov. 15…
‘How to Ruin the Holidays’ A struggling comic must deal with her fractious family in Arlen Konopaki’s 2023 comedy. With Amber Nash, Colin Mochrie. 93 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com
‘The Symphony of the Holocaust’ Violinist, composer and Holocaust survivor Shony Braun is remembered in his 2023 documentary by Greg DeHart. 71 mins. Not rated. laemmle.com
‘This Much We Know’ Filmmaker Frances Henderson explores Las Vegas’ shockingly high suicide rate in this deeply personal 2022 documentary. 110 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com
• Opening Friday, Nov. 17…
‘Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later’ In this 2023 followup, filmmaker Daniel Peddle catches up with four individuals featured in his groundbreaking 2005 documentary that explored the lives of masculine-presenting individuals of color who were assigned female at birth. 80 mins. Not rated. laemmle.com
‘Fantastic Machine’ Filmmakers Axel Danielson and Maximilien Van Aertryck take a deep dive into the centuries-old origins of our image-obsessed culture in this 2023 documentary. In Swedish, French, German, Arabic, English with English subtitles. 85 minutes. laemmle.com
‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Return with us now to dystopian society of Panem in this 2023 prequel to the YA-centric franchise based on the Suzanne Collins novels. With Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage and Viola Davis. 157 mins. PG-13. Various theaters
‘May December’ Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore star in Todd Haynes’ darkly comic 2023 fable about an actress researching a role for a film based on the story of a woman who made tabloid headlines two decades earlier for her part in an age-inappropriate relationship. 118 mins. Rated R. Various theaters
‘Next Goal Wins’ A recently canned soccer coach is tasked with whipping the world’s worst national team — American Samoa — into fighting shape in Taika Waititi’s fact-based 2023 sports comedy. With Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss and Will Arnett. 103 mins. Rated PG-13. Various theaters
‘Orlando, My Political Biography’ Filmmaker Paul B. Preciado explores gender fluidity through the lens of Virginia Woolf’s groundbreaking 1928 novel in this LGBTQ-themed 2023 documentary essay. 98 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com
‘Thanksgiving’ Horror-meister Eli Roth fleshes out his mock trailer from 2007’s “Grindhouse” into a full-length 2023 slasher flick. With Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae and Gina Gershon. 107 mins. Various theaters
‘Trolls Band Together’ Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake reprise their voice roles in this 2023 entry in the tune-filled, kid-friendly animated franchise based on the popular line of toys. 91 mins. Rated PG. Various theaters
‘When Time Got Louder’ A college-bound freshman explores her newfound freedom while fretting over having left her parents and her autistic brother behind in Connie Cocchia’s 2023 drama. With Willow Shields. 114 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com
• Opening Wednesday, Nov. 22…
‘Maestro’ Bradley Cooper directs and stars in this 2023 biopic about legendary composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein and his longtime love, Felicia Montealegre. With Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke and Sarah Silverman. 129 mins. Rated R. netflix.com
‘Napoleon’ Joaquin Phoenix portrays the French army officer turned military commander turned emperor in director Ridley Scott’s epic 2023 historical drama. With Vanessa Kirby as Empress Joséphine. 257 mins. Rated R. napoleon.movie
Continuing…
‘After Death’ Survivors of near-death experiences share their stories in this faith-based 2023 documentary. Rated PG-13. Various theaters
‘Bella’ Bella Lewitzky, the influential L.A.-based dancer, choreographer and activist activist who died in 2004, is remembered in this 2022 documentary. 98 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com
‘The Creator’ A former special-forces soldier (John David Washington) is tasked with hunting down the mysterious developer of an advanced artificial intelligence in “Rogue One” filmmaker Gareth Edwards’ atmospheric 2023 sci-fi fable. With Ken Watanabe, Allison Janney and Gemma Chan. Rated R. Various theaters
‘The Delinquents’ A bank employee in Buenos Aires hatches a scheme to feather his retirement nest in Rodrigo Moreno’s acclaimed 2023 comedy-drama. In Spanish with English subtitles. Not rated. Laemmle
‘Dream Scenario’ Nicolas Cage stars as a college professor who inexplicably starts showing up in the dreams of students, friends, colleagues and others in this 2023 fantasy comedy directed by Kristoffer Borgli. With Julianne Nicholson, Michael Cera, Tim Meadows and Dylan Baker. 100 mins. Rated R. Various theaters
‘The Exorcist: Believer’ The devil’s in the details in David Gordon Green’s 2023 sequel to William Friedkin’s blockbuster 1973 supernatural thriller based on the William Peter Blatty novel. With Leslie Odom Jr. and original “Exorcist” co-star Ellen Burstyn. Rated R. Various theaters
‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ A pizza parlor’s ursine mascot and his animatronic pals go haywire in this 2023 horror comedy based on the video game series. Various theaters. Rated PG-13. Various theaters
‘Four Daughters’ This acclaimed 2023 documentary from Kaouther Ben Hania mixes interviews and dramatic reenactments to tell the story of a Tunisian woman and her children, two of whom became radicalized by the Islamic State terrorist group. In Arabic with English subtitles. Not rated. Opens Thursday, Nov. 2. Laemmle Royal
‘A Haunting in Venice’ Director and star Kenneth Branagh returns as Agatha Christie’s mustachioed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in this 2023 mystery tale. With Tina Fey and Michelle Yeoh. Rated PG-13. Various theaters
‘The Holdovers’ “Sideways” filmmaker Alexander Payne and co-star Paul Giamatti reunite for this 2023 comedy about an instructor at a New England prep school tasked with supervising a motley crew of campus-bound students over the holidays. Rated R. Various theaters
‘It’s a Wonderful Knife’ A beloved holiday classic gets a teen slasher-flick twist in Tyler MacIntyre’s 2023 horror comedy. With Jane Widdop, Justin Long and “Community’s” Joel McHale. 90 mins. Rated R. Various theaters
‘Journey to Bethlehem’ Jesus, Mary and Joseph! The story of the Nativity gets a musical makeover in this family-friendly 2023 tale. 98 mins. With Fiona Palomo and Antonio Banderas. 98 mins. Rated PG. Various theaters
‘The Killer’ Michael Fassbender plays a meticulous and methodical assassin who goes on the lam after a rare screw-up makes him a wanted man in director David Fincher’s globetrotting 2023 action thriller. With Tilda Swinton. Rated R. Various theaters
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone head the cast of Martin Scorsese’s epic 2023 historical drama about a series of murders of Native Americans in the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma after oil was discovered on tribal lands. 206 mins. Rated R. Various theaters
‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ Daisy Ridley (“The Force Awakens”) stars as a woman on a mission to confront a notorious criminal who just so happens to be her father in Neil Burger’s 2023 thriller. Ben Mendelssohn also stars. 108 mins. Rated R. Various theaters
‘The Marvels’ Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) is back in action — with a little help from her friends — in Nia DaCosta’s 2023 sci-fi sequel set in the MCU. With Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani and Samuel L. Jackson. 105 mins. Rated PG-13. Various theaters
‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ Your kids’ favorite canine heroes suit up for this animated 2023 adventure based on the popular TV series. 95 mins. Rated PG. Various theaters
‘Priscilla’ The life and times of Priscilla Presley, wife of music legend Elvis Presley, are dramatized in this 2023 biopic written and directed by Sofia Coppola and based on the memoir “Elvis and Me.” Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi star. 110 mins. Rated R. Various theaters
‘Rustin’ Colman Domingo portrays the late, great civil-rights activist Bayard Rustin in this star-studded 2023 bio-drama directed by George C. Wolfe. Rated PG-13. Opens Friday, Nov. 3. Various theaters
‘Subject’ What’s it like to be the subject of a documentary? That is the subject of this 2023 documentary featuring protagonists from such classic docs as “The Staircase,” “Hoop Dreams” and “Capturing the Friedmans.” Directed by Camilla Hall Jennifer Tiexiera. Not rated. Opens Friday, Nov. 3. Laemmle Glendale
‘What Happens Later’ David Duchovny and Meg Ryan play former lovers of a certain age who just never quite got over each other in this 2023 rom-com directed by Ryan. Rated R. Opens Thursday, Nov. 2. Various theaters
FESTIVALS, EVENTS & REVIVALS
‘The Good Girl’ Director Miguel Arteta Will be on hand for a screening of his 2002 comedy drama that starred Jennifer Aniston as an unhappily married wife/retail worker in a small Texas town. With Jake Gyllenhaal, John C. Reilly and Zooey Deschanel. Laemmle Royal, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. $16. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com
‘Scarface’ Say “hello” to Al Pacino as Cuban refugee-turned-Miami drug lord Tony Montana in Brian De Palma’s hyperviolent 1983 remake of the classic 1932 gangster flick. With Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Various venues and prices. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. fathomevents.com
‘Before Sunrise’ Two attractive young strangers (Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke) share a nocturnal ramble around Vienna in Richard Linklater’s 1995 romantic drama; presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. Free; no advance reservations; first come, first served. cinema.ucla.edu
‘The Strangler (L’Étrangleur)’ A delusional serial killer and a determined police detective play a game of cat and mouse on the mean streets of Paris in Paul Vecchiali’s little known yet highly influential 1970 thriller. Alamo Drafthouse, 700 W. 7th St., downtown L.A. Various showtimes, Nov 17 thru 22. $9-$18. drafthouse.com
‘World of Apu’ A screening of Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed “Apu Trilogy” concludes with the master filmmaker’s 1959 drama that follows our young hero into adulthood. In Bengali with English subtitles. Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; no reservations needed; doors open 30 minutes prior to screening. Free with museum admission ($15, $18; ages 18 and younger and students with ID, free). nortonsimon.org
‘Flash Gordon’ The UCLA Film & Television Archive presents, in its entirety, a new restoration of the entire 13-episode 1936 sci-fi/fantasy serial starring Buster Crabbe that famously inspired the “Star Wars” franchise. The Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, with a 30-minute pre-show talk by the Lucas Museum’s Ryan Linkof at 5:30 p.m. Free; no advance reservations; first come, first served. cinema.ucla.edu
‘Saving Private Ryan’ Tom Hanks leads a squad of American G.I.’s on a mission of mercy in 1944 France in 25th anniversary screenings of Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1998 WWII drama; Matt Damon also stars. Various area venues and prices. 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19; 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20. fathomevents.com
‘Dirty Dancing in Concert’ A live band performs the songs from the soundtrack to accompany a screening of the nostalgic 1987 coming-of-age tale set starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze and set at a Catskills resort in the early 1960s. Fred Kavli Theater, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 21. $25 and up. bapacthousandoaks.com
‘Ultra Cinematheque 70: Hollywood’ at the Egyptian Recently restored to its former glory, the venerable venue continues to celebrate by screening a raft of classic films as well as more recent fare — “Lawrence of Arabia,” “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Boogie Nights,” “Nope” and so on — and all in sumptuous 70mm. Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Various times, Nov. 10 through 21. $17. americancinematheque.com
‘Babette’s Feast’ A French refugee turned housekeeper (Stéphane Audran) spices things up in a dreary village in 19th century Denmark in Gabriel Axel’s Oscar-winning 1987 fable based on a story by “Out of Africa” author Isak Dinesen; in Danish, Swedish, French with English subtitles. Laemmle Theaters. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22. 102 mins. Rated G. laemmle.com
‘Rush to Judgement’ New 4K restoration of Emile de Antonio’s black & white 1966 documentary that called into question the Warren Commission’s findings in the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on that dark day in Dallas, November ‘63. Alamo Drafthouse, 700 W. 7th St., downtown L.A. 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22. $18. drafthouse.com