News Reports and Movie Reviews

WGA Awards 2019

From Academy Award®-winning director Steve McQueen ("12 Years a Slave") and co-writer and bestselling author Gillian Flynn ("Gone Girl") comes a blistering, modern-day thriller set against the backdrop of crime, passion and corruption. "Widows" is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica (Oscar® winner Viola Davis), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki) and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms. "Widows" also stars Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Daniel Kaluuya, Lukas Haas and Brian Tyree Henry. 

Tags: afi fest, afi fest presented by audi, steve mcqueen, widows

In the wake of the devastated fires that have been affecting the hearts of many throughout Los Angeles, Netflix and AFI had decided to cancel their red carpet event for the premiere of Coen brothers’ new film “The Ballard of Buster Scruggs” on Sunday, November 11 at the TCL Chinese Theater. Despite of the circumstance, the cast, including star Tim Blake Nelson, Zoe Kazan, Stephen Root, Willie Watson, Saul Rubinek, Bill Heck, Grainger Hines, and Chelcie Ross were all in attendance to show their spirit. Actor Paul Dano, Thomas Jane and actress Frances McDormand and Grace Gummer were also on hand to support their friends and significant other. The evening started with a bang when singer-songwriter and star of the film Willie Watson surprised the audience by coming on stage and performed several songs from the movie. The Coen brothers are back at it again in their comfort zone. “Buster Scruggs” is a collection of six short Westerns put together as a two-plus hour film. It is something we’re all way too familiar with from the previous work of Coen brothers. The common themes: the wild west can be extremely cruel, often violent, and always cynical. The film is currently in limited release, but will also stream wide on Netflix on November 16.

Tags: afi fest, afi fest 2018 presented by audi, afi film fest by audi, the ballad of buster scruggs

I really loved Michael's performance . . . . .AFI Fest featured the LA premiere of “The Kominsky Method” at TCL Chinese Theater on November 10th. The cast in attendance included Michael Douglas, Alan Arkin, Nancy Travis, Sarah Baker, Susan Sullivan, Lisa Edelstein, Melissa Tang, Emily Osment, and the legendary Ann-Margret. The 8-episode series by Chuck Lorre will debut this Friday November 16 on Netflix. Creator Chuck Lorre, the “King of Sitcoms” is back at the top of his game. He’s able to transition his comedy genius seamlessly into the streaming platform. The audience laughed at every punch line. It’s addicting and definitely binge worthy. It makes you want to watch the rest of series immediately after the screening. The cast mingled & discussed their roles at the after party reception Roosevelt Hotel. Netflix also set up a photo booth for all the guests in attendance to mimic the poster art.

Tags: afi film fest by audi, michael douglas, the kominsky method

This movie takes place in the South of our country in the 60s and talks about racism . . . . 

Tags: afi fest, green book, viggo mortensen

WE will talk about Racism -  this movie covers the history of it going back to the early 1960's !

Tags: afi film fest by audi, green book

At AFI Fest by Audi had their opening night world premiere of On The Basis of Sex, to a very happy sold out audience ! Our reporter James Huang says " This is a must see movie, and should have some Oscar nominations ! See James Huang "comments" on this movie . . .

Tags: afi film fest by audi, armie hammer, felicity jones, james huang, on the basis of sex

High Voltage

The 6th Annual Ed Asner & Friends Poker Tournament was held last night at The Playa Studios.

AFI Film Fest