What’s New and Good in Entertainment: July
Corralling what’s new and good each month in entertainment news (and everything in between)
Women’s History Month has passed, but its sentiment stays solid as women continue to fight for fairness in 2018 and beyond. Contributions made by women in film are of particular importance to The Los Angeles Film School, and this month we’re spotlighting what to watch from notable women in film.
FILM
Movies
LEAVE NO TRACE
Everyone knows of Jennifer Lawrence. But who exactly gets credit for putting Jennifer Lawrence—ahem, J Law, on the map? That would be filmmaker, Debra Granik.
Yes, the Hunger Games trilogy left its thumbprint on pop culture and propelled Lawrence into her now star status. But we should give credit where credit is do, and Debra Granik is responsible for launching the young star’s movie career. Granik’s 2010 film adaptation of the novel, Winter’s Bone, starred Jennifer Lawrence who was only 19 years old at the time. The film grossed triple its budget, earned four Oscar nominations and put Lawrence on the map.
After an 8-year “hiatus”, Granik, who released only one documentary in the meantime, steps out debuting her newest film, Leave No Trace. The movie is about the bond between a father and his teenage daughter and the unconventional life he’s set out for them to have in woods. Their existence is pretty much unknown until a simple mistake leads to their discovery. The movie is set for wide release in theaters July 29.
GENERATIONAL WEALTH
Lauren Greenfield’s latest documentary, Generational Wealth, is an extension of her photography project with the same title. Over her 25-year photography career, Greenfield explores our current culture’s obsession with wealth and status. She documents this sad reality through her exhibits, a book and soon-to-be-released film. Her work dives into a more distorted “American Dream” and the harsh realities that come with keeping up appearances at all costs. She explores topics such as consumerism and materialism in a capitalist society. The Amazon Studios film will release in theaters July 20.
QUEEN SUGAR
Most people probably don’t know that Ava DuVernay didn’t start filmmaking or even use a film camera until she was 32. Even as an industry “late bloomer”, DuVernay has found enormous success as a director, producer and writer on films such as Selma, 13th, and A Wrinkle in Time. But you might not have seen her acclaimed TV show, Queen Sugar on OWN, which is currently in its third season. Queen Sugar tells the story of three siblings, who move to Louisiana to claim an inheritance and save the family’s sugar-cane farm. The all-female directing team makes this family drama unique and one to watch this month. Season 3 airing now on OWN. Catch up on seasons 1 and 2 on Hulu.
SHARP OBJECTS
Author Gillian Flynn teamed up with HBO to turn her debut novel, Sharp Objects, into a series for the network. Flynn’s dark novel follows the story of Camille Preaker (played by Amy Adams) on her journey back to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to report on several murders of young children. If you’ve read or watched Gone Girl, than this is definitely on the list of shows to queue up in July. The series premiere starts Sunday, July 8.
MUSIC
LA-based DJ duo and LARS alumni, Dillon Weiss and Jacob Allen from Fick Stigure, open for Village People in Palm Springs on Saturday, July 14. If you aren’t familiar with Fick Stigure, their style is a mash-up of House, Progressive House, Trap, Bass and Dubstep. Follow Fick Stigure on Instagram for updates.
Tickets are on sale now at a discounted price for LAFS and LARS students. To receive the discounted ticket price, students must call 310-498-5757.
Show Date: 7/14/18
Location: Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa
Tickets on sale now: LARS/LAFS discounted tickets. Must call 310-498-5757
Drake released a new album and broke streaming records on both Apple Music and Spotify. Five things people learned (and kinda already knew) on first listen.
Image credit: Slate.com
What is RnBass? One of our students, Deamber Parker, sat down with the creator of RnBass to find out what this newly created genre is about. In case you missed it, check out the Q&A here.
GAMING
Want to know what’s new and good in the gaming world? Check out the newest game releases.
Mushroom Wars 2
Raise your hand if you are both excited and mystified by Hideo Kijoma’s newest project, Death Stranding? Good. We are, too. This project is the first from Kijoma’s new production house, Kijoma Productions. And it’s left a lot of eager fans in the dark.
Here’s everything known about the game so far. It’s, not much.