Countless rappers have been inspired by the 1983 gangster epic “Scarface,” pilfering the themes of lavish living and outlandish buying from the film about the excesses of the Cuban drug lord, but Jay-Z has taken cinematic inspiration one step further: He based an entire album on a film that hadn’t even come out yet.
Author Archives: Teddy Phuong
Fun, diverse film series reels in movie lovers
In a city that lives and breathes movies, the film series “Reel Talk with Stephen Farber” is a simultaneously educational and entertaining option for Los Angeles cinephiles.
Screen Scene: “Lust, Caution”
How does one follow up an Oscar-nominated film about two cowboys who fall in love?
Soundbite: Talib Kweli
The success of “Get By” was probably the worst thing that could’ve happened to Talib Kweli.
Soundbite: Pharoahe Monche
Eight years after he first implored us to get up ““ among other things ““ on “Simon Says,” Pharoahe Monch returns with his sophomore album “Desire.”
UCLA filmmaker goes to roots for thesis film, wins Spotlight Award
Filmmaker Thouly Dosios has taken an improbable path from Athens to Los Angeles and back again to Greece. Her thesis film, however, has taken a ride straight to the top of the awards circuit.
Bruin beats out brainy competition for title
Two grueling days of competition, 15 contestants and a giant check later, “Jeopardy!” has a new champion.