In 1981, two UCLA students wondered why Los Angeles didn’t have its own LGBTQ film festival like those in San Francisco and New York – so they set out to create their own. Since then, the festival has grown into Outfest, Los Angeles’ preeminent LGBTQ film festival, and one of the oldest across the country. […]
Category Archives: Film & TV
Movie review: Slow pace of ‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ offset by dramatic end, nostalgia
This post was updated July 27 at 10:25 a.m. “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” is an ode to Los Angeles in 1969, showcasing both glamorous fame and hidden pockets of violence. But if you’re expecting an overtly provocative film from Quentin Tarantino, you might want to take a cue from 1960s hippie culture […]
‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ production crew restores 1960s Westwood
This post was updated July 27 at 10:25 a.m. A current UCLA student thrown back in time to 1969 still could’ve enjoyed a snack from Stan’s Donuts. They might be shocked, however, to find a quaint Italian cafe in place of the beloved neighborhood Starbucks. Thanks to Quentin Tarantino’s new feature, “Once Upon a Time […]
TV review: ‘Big Little Lies’ season 2 delivers underwhelming plot despite strong acting
The courtroom showdown between Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep was the soap opera equivalent to the Super Bowl. Celeste (Kidman) finally turns the tables on conniving mother-in-law Mary Louise (Streep) in a cathartic face-off that establishes an early, palpable tension. But despite the unquestionable star power, the climax of the “Big Little Lies” season two […]
Screening series explores continued impact of runaway productions on Hollywood
Before World War II, most American films were created in Los Angeles. But following the war, Daniel Steinhart said it was cheaper to film overseas than in Hollywood. The assistant professor of cinema studies at the University of Oregon curated the UCLA Film & Television Archive’s screening series titled “Runaway Hollywood: Global Production in the […]
San Diego Comic-Con unites fans, studios, pop culture in single bound
About 135,000 people descended on the San Diego Convention Center this weekend to celebrate the 50th annual Comic-Con. San Diego Comic-Con celebrates a wide array of pop culture media over four days every July. Like many conventions, panels were hosted by industry professionals either in celebration or with an aim to educate fans about different […]
Album review: Beyoncé celebrates African culture and new film in ‘The Lion King: The Gift’
This post was updated July 21 at 10:07 p.m. The circle of life continues with Beyoncé’s new album, “The Lion King: The Gift.” “The Lion King” was first released in 1994. Twenty-five years later, the Disney classic is receiving new life with this week’s release of the live-action iteration of the film. And, fittingly, Beyoncé […]