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Moviegoers, start your guesses: The Umpteenth Annual Laemmle Oscar Contest has begun.

January 25, 2023 by Jordan Deglise Moore 1 Comment

The Oscar nominations are out, and in spite of the fact that Hallelujah, Nope, RRR and Decision to Leave, Dolly De Leon, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, and Danielle Deadwyler were inexplicably excluded, at least Brian Tyree Henry and Judd Hirsch were honored. Anyway, it’s time for our Umpteenth Annual Laemmle Oscar Contest! If you, dear moviegoer, can accurately predict how the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will vote in all 23 categories, (or close to it), you will win movie passes good at all Laemmle venues! The 95th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 12 and we’ll announce the winners soon afterwards. Good luck!

The Top Ten Films of 2022 contest results are in!

January 25, 2023 by Jordan Deglise Moore 1 Comment

And the Top Ten Customer-Chosen films of 2022, in order from 1 to 10, are [drum roll]:

Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Banshees of Inisherin
TÁR
The Fabelmans
RRR
Top Gun: Maverick
Nope
Aftersun
Triangle of Sadness
Decision to Leave

It’s a terrific list, arguably better than the one AMPAS announced this week, which excluded RRR, Nope, Aftersun and Decision to Leave. Films 2-4 and 9, hyperlinked for your convenience, are still in theaters!

Randomly chosen winners for free Laemmle movie passes are:

1) Jodi Siegner

2) Drew McAnany

3) Jacob Berman

Thanks to everyone who played!

Top Ten Films of 2022 contest ends Sunday: Tell us your favorites for a chance to win free movie passes!

January 18, 2023 by Jordan Deglise Moore 3 Comments

Keep those Top Ten contest entries coming. You have until this Sunday, January 22 to give it some thought and enter here. So far, unsurprisingly, it looks like many Laemmle moviegoers are kvelling about Everything Everywhere All at Once, Top Gun: Maverick, and RRR. We’ll have final results next week. You can read Greg Laemmle’s list and leading American film critics’ lists if you need inspiration. Personally, my favorite is Jordan Peele’s spectacular Nope. No doubt my reaction was influenced by the fact that I saw it in a packed, sold-out theater on opening night, because movies are better in theaters!

“If watching a Jafar Panahi film is something of a political act, then it is also a soul-nourishing one.” NO BEARS opens Friday at the Royal, January 20 at the Claremont, Glendale and Town Center.

January 11, 2023 by Jordan Deglise Moore Leave a Comment

A statement from Jafar Panahi, unjustly imprisoned since July 2022 by the fascist theocrats in Tehran:

“We are filmmakers. We are part of Iranian independent cinema. For us, to live is to create. We create works that are not commissioned. Therefore, those in power see us as criminals. Independent cinema reflects its own times. It draws inspiration from society. And cannot be indifferent to it.

“The history of Iranian cinema witnesses the constant and active presence of independent directors who have struggled to push back censorship and to ensure the survival of this art. While on this path, some were banned from making films, others were forced into exile or reduced to isolation. And yet, the hope of creating again is a reason for existence. No matter where, when, or under what circumstances, an independent filmmaker is either creating or thinking about creation. We are filmmakers, independent ones.”

Some of the copious praise for No Bears, the film he finished just before being arrested:

“If watching a Jafar Panahi film is something of a political act, then it is also a soul-nourishing one.” ~ Barry Hertz, Globe and Mail

“[Panahi’s] work has not astonished like this in some time.” ~ Glenn Kenny, RogerEbert.com

“There’s an urgency and a currency to No Bears that is evident even if you didn’t know Panahi is currently serving a six-year sentence for “producing anti-government propaganda,” both of which add a sting to its final act. You leave feeling like you’ve just seen a truly extraordinary late work produced by one of the era’s greatest working auteurs, quickly followed by the sense of experiencing a sucker punch when you remember that the man driving away from the scene of the crime onscreen isn’t able to go anywhere once that screen fades to black.” ~ David Fear, Rolling Stone

“Panahi, whose courage and honesty are beyond doubt, has made a movie that calls those very qualities into question, a movie about its own ethical limits and aesthetic contradictions.” ~ A.O. Scott, New York Times

“It’s a fierce critique of small-town traditionalism and religious dogma. But while this is an angry and ultimately devastating movie, it’s also a surprisingly playful and inventive one.” ~ Justin Chang, NPR’s Fresh Air

“There’s no way to watch this film without feeling mournful, or fearing for the man who made it.” ~ Stephanie Zacharek, TIME Magazine

Contest! Submit your Top Ten Films of 2022 for a chance to win gift cards & read Greg Laemmle on TÁR, RRR, HALLELUJAH and the seven other films on his 2022 Top Ten.

January 5, 2023 by Jordan Deglise Moore 5 Comments

Have you caught up on the 2022 movies you wanted to see? Regardless, it’s time to submit your Top Ten lists. Tell us which films you liked best here and you’ll be entered into a raffle for free Laemmle gift cards! If you need inspiration, here’s Greg Laemmle on the state of arthouse moviegoing and his favorite features of the last year, with some thoughts about each:

“At some level, the best that can be said is that at least we were open for all twelve months of the year. And after 2020 and 2021, that was a positive. But given that the year both started and ended with Omicron surges, the movie exhibition sector is still not in a post-Covid environment.

“For those of us who have returned to communal moviegoing, there were some memorable movies to see. But overall, we are still dealing with fewer movies in release, less review coverage in the local press of theatrically released films, and distributor marketing campaigns for critically driven films that are still adjusting to the new landscape. There are hopeful signs. But we are still not out of the woods.

“But enough about the business. How about the films! Following is my Top 10. Like all lists, this is a work in progress, given that there are a number of films which I have not yet had a chance to watch. So if you are wondering why something is not included, it may just be that I haven’t gotten around to seeing it…yet!”

#1 – TÁR – I will admit that there is something emotionally unsatisfying about this film. But not every story can be tied up in a neat bow at the end, and such is the case here. The complex character at the center of this tale is a mass of contradictions, and to its credit, the film does not try to smooth out the rough edges. Built around Cate Blanchett’s masterful performance, Todd Field’s film is one that grows richer with each viewing.

#2 – RRR – If my top film is one that requires rigorous viewing, this #2 title is perhaps the polar opposite. But director S. S. Rajamouli is equally in control of his canvas, and the resulting film is again something that provides pleasure after repeated viewing.

#3 – HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG – There have been a number of worthwhile Leonard Cohen documentaries. But in focussing on the lengthy process involved with the creation of his most famous (and most covered) song, this film reveals something about the spiritual quest that each of us go through, and becomes something more than a film about a famous work of art. It is a revelation about the universal search for meaning.

#4 – HOLY SPIDER – Another spiritual journey. But this time, a cautionary tale about how the desire to do God’s work in the world can be corrupted. And all that is wrapped up in a taut thriller that features two great performances.

#5 – LIVING – I’m not a fan of remakes. And given that Akira Kurosawa’s IKIRU is a favorite, there was every reason to dislike this film. And yet, it gets so much right, being both respectful of the original film and understanding the need to bring the tale into a new and different setting. No film delivered as much emotionally in 2022, aided no doubt by Bill Nighy’s tremendous lead performance.

#6 – CORSAGE – Another film that benefits from a masterful lead performance. Vicky Krieps is terrific in this beautifully made costume drama. But as much as we focus on the corsets and gowns from a different era, we are really drawn into the inner life of this complex historical figure. Kudos to director Maria Kreutzer for for the complete film that supports and enhances the lead performance, creating a whole that is so much more than the sum of its parts.

#7 – CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH – Too few people saw this terrific American indie film, the sophomore effort from actor-writer-director Cooper Raiff. That’s a real shame as I found it to be one of the year’s more interesting efforts. You can find it on Apple TV, and hopefully the interplay between Raiff, the emotionally raw Dakota Johnson, and the newcomer Vanessa Burghardt delivers the same punch. I look forward with great anticipation to filmmaker Raiff’s next picture.

#8 – THE BATMAN – Yes, it’s long. Yes, it’s dark. Yes, it is a commercial film. But it is also a work that represents the singular vision of director Matt Reeves, marshalling all the talents both in front of and behind the camera to present his spin on this oft-told tale. I’m an indie guy. But I also believe that Hollywood should be given its due when it gets things right. And with this film (also TOP GUN: MAVERICK and – in a different way – ELVIS), the raw power of studio filmmaking is clear.

#9 – THE NORTHMAN – Director Robert Eggers (THE LIGHTHOUSE) was given a huge budget to make this Nordic tale. That may not have made the most financial sense, but the film itself delivers. Look for big screen revival showings.

#10 – ONLY IN THEATERS – Is it fair to include this on my list? Probably not. But is it fair to exclude it? Director Raphael Sparge’s documentary about the history of Laemmle Theaters, and our struggles over the past few years as we weathered bad box office and then the pandemic is 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, so critics agree that it is a worthy effort. And so many people have approached me at the theatres to say how much they enjoyed the film as well. As we work in the coming year to rebuild our business, this film reminds us how powerful and worthwhile the experience is of seeing a movie with an audience in a movie theatre. And isn’t that something to be thankful for?

Happy New Year and Happy Moviegoing,

Greg Laemmle

Which are the ten best movies of 2022?

December 22, 2022 by Jordan Deglise Moore 1 Comment

We all like a good Top Ten list. They’re fun to make, entertaining to read, and amusing to argue over. In 2003 I included Love, Actually on my Top Ten list and an erudite film critic friend practically did a spit take he was so shocked I would put such an admittedly middlebrow entertainment among my other choices, which were more esoteric and in line with his tastes. But, hey! Enjoy the art you enjoy and don’t be ashamed of it.

This is a roundabout way of saying we’ll be collecting your Top Ten lists the first week of 2023. We’ll include the entry form in that week’s newsletter and, assuming he catches up on the buzzy films he hasn’t seen yet, Greg Laemmle’s Top Ten list. By submitting your list you’ll be entered into a raffle for free Laemmle gift cards!

For inspiration, here are some Top Ten lists the nation’s leading film critics have submitted and — good news! — many of the titles — No Bears, One Fine Morning, EO, and Return to Seoul — are either now playing or coming soon so you can see them as they were meant to be seen, theatrically. They are hyperlinked below.

Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times
1. No Bears
2. Aftersun
3. The Eternal Daughter
4. Tár
5. Benediction
6. Decision to Leave
7. Kimi
8. Crimes of the Future
9. One Fine Morning
10. EO
11. Nope

Manohla Dargis, New York Times

1. EO
2. Petite Maman
3. Nope
4. No Bears
5. Kimi
6. The Eternal Daughter
7. Happening
8. Decision to Leave
9. Expedition Content
10. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

From NO BEARS. Courtesy of Sideshow and Janus Films.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Tár
The Fabelmans
The Batman
Bros
Navalny
Holy Spider
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Vengeance
Turn Every Page: The Adventures of Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb
13: The Musical

Peter Debruge, Variety

Tár
Saint Omer
Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Playground
The Batman
Corsage
Happening
After Yang
The Whale
You Won’t Be Alone

Alissa Wilkinson, Vox

1. Tár
2. Aftersun
3. No Bears
4. Return to Seoul
5. Riotsville, USA
6. We Met in Virtual Reality
7. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
8. Emily the Criminal
9. The Cathedral
10. Top Gun: Maverick

The critics of RogerEbert.com

1. The Banshees of Inisherin
2. The Fabelmans
3. Decision to Leave
4. Tár
5. Aftersun
6. Nope
7. No Bears
8. Everything Everywhere All at Once
9. RRR
10. Babylon

Join our tradition: SING-ALONG FIDDLER ON THE ROOF tickets are going fast!

December 21, 2022 by Jordan Deglise Moore Leave a Comment

So few movies stand the test of time and can delight wildly different audiences even decades after their release. Fifty-one years later, Fiddler on the Roof is one of those few. All of which is to say that tickets for our Christmas Eve Sing-Along Fiddler on the Roof screenings at six of our seven theaters are going fast. There is still room for those who want to come out and celebrate, but act soon. Bring your Hanukkah menorah (and candles) to the theatre and help celebrate the miracles in our lives, not least of which is the “Wonder of Wonders” that Laemmle Theatres is still open after a year of closure and two years of halting recovery. Are brighter days ahead? Who knows. But I’m betting on yes. So buy a ticket, and I’ll feel as “If I Were a Rich Man” because there are still people who value the “Tradition” of seeing a movie in a movie theatre! ~ Greg Laemmle

The 80th Golden Globes Award nominees at Laemmle.

December 14, 2022 by Jordan Deglise Moore Leave a Comment

If you’re not yet caught up with some of the standout art films of 2022, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced its nominations for the 80th Golden Globe awards, they’re a handy to do list. The Banshees of Inisherin (now playing at the NoHo with a return engagement starting Friday at the Monica Film Center and Town Center) received the most nods, with eight, including Best Film (Musical or Comedy), Best Director and Screenplay for Martin McDonagh, and acting nominations for Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan.

Triangle of Sadness (now playing at the Monicas with a return engagement in Glendale slated for December 23) earned Best Film (Musical or Comedy) and Best Supporting Actress for Dolly De Leon. Todd Field and Cate Blanchett were honored for TÁR with Best Film (Drama), Screenplay and Actress (Drama) nominations. We’re currently playing TÁR in Santa Monica. Now in its eighth week at the Laemmle Glendale, Decision to Leave (South Korea) got a Best non-English language film nomination. Now in its fourth week, we have The Menu (Best Actor and Actress – Musical or Comedy nods for Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy) Claremont, Glendale and Santa Monica. We open Sam Mendes’ Empire of Light this Friday at the NoHo, Newhall, Claremont, Town Center, Glendale and Monica Film Center. Olivia Colman got a Best Actress (Drama) nomination for her role.

Finally, we have films by three of the five nominees for Best Actor (Drama) coming soon: Brendan Fraser in The Whale (starts December 21 at the NoHo and January 20 at the Claremont, Newhall and Town Center; Hugh Jackman in The Son (starts January 20 at the Claremont, Newhall, NoHo, Glendale, Town Center and Royal; and Bill Nighy in Living (December 23 at the Royal and January 13 at the Newhall, Claremont, Glendale, and Town Center.

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