FILM&TV:
“Barbarella” Landmark Nuart Theatre
July 16, midnight
All fans of Uma Thurman in “Kill Bill” owe it to
themselves to go see the original kick-ass queen Jane Fonda in this
classic sci-fi futuristic fantasy. Need one more reason to go? John
Phillip Law (who plays Pygar, the blind angel), is scheduled to
make an appearance at this late- night screening. For more
information, log on to http://www.landmarktheatres.com.
“Dial M for Murder” and “North by
Northwest” New Beverly Cinema July 12 ““13
One is about a man mistaken as a spy trying to survive and the
other is about an ex-tennis professional’s botched murder
attempt of his wife. This double feature of Hitchcock thrillers is
sure to leave you wanting more. For more information, log on to
http://www.michaelwilliams.com/beverlycinema.
“The Assistant” MTV July 12, 10:30
p.m.
Anyone who could put up with being terrorized by Andy Dick for
an extended amount of time deserves to have his or her own TV show.
The premier of Dick’s spoof on Donald Trump’s
“The Apprentice” is bound to be funny to those of us
sick of the whole wave of reality television. Visit www.mtv.com for
more information.
“Spider-Man 2″ ArcLight Cinemas,
Hollywood July 16
This isn’t your ordinary screening ““ all summer long
the ArcLight is featuring special “21+” screenings for
those who like to enjoy a cocktail or a beer or both while taking
in a movie on the big screen. But sorry, kiddos, this one’s
for the adults only so make sure and bring ID. Check out
www.arclightcinemas.com for details.
“Dreaming Cinema: The Films of Bernardo
Bertolucci” LACMA July 16 ““ August 14
If you weren’t overly impressed with “The
Dreamers” but recognized its artistic potential, be sure to
check out some of the other films from famed director Bernardo
Bertolucci, king of the pretty, sexy, plotless film. Complete with
70 mm prints of a few of his films, LACMA’s retrospective
seeks to remind people why they liked Bertolucci in the first
place, and prove to younger audiences that “The
Dreamers” wasn’t all about the sex, even if it was. Log
on to www.lacma.org for more information.
MUSIC:
Modest Mouse Avalon Hollywood July 18, 8
p.m.
Modest Mouse is the newest “it” indie rock band to
grace MTV and radio airwaves across the nation. You’ve been
hearing their quirky song “Float On” wherever you go,
so why not head out to Hollywood and hear it because you chose to?
Call the Avalon Hollywood at (323)462-8900 for more
information.
Maroon 5 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater July 17,
7:30 p.m.
It’s a well-known fact that these boys have gone from
Rieber dining hall to being a hit band on MTV. The band is playing
with John Mayer, so it’s definitely worth the trek to cheer
on these former Bruins. Tickets are $35.50-$45.50. Visit
www.ticketmaster.com for more information.
Pepe Aguilar Greek Theatre July 14-15, 7:30
p.m.
This Mexican superstar began his career at age 3 in Madison
Square Garden. Now a leading artist in the Latin music scene,
Aguilar will give Angelenos two days to try and catch a show.
Tickets are $35.50-$85.50. For more information, visit
www.greektheatrela.com.
LeAnn Rimes Greek Theatre July 13, 7:30
p.m.
LeAnn makes sure that Angelenos have an opportunity to catch
some country pop tunes this summer, even though we are 2,000 miles
from Nashville. Visit www.greektheatrela.com for more
information.
Sarah McLachlan Staples Center July 14, 7:30
p.m.
Don’t miss this opportunity to watch McLachlan take over
the Staples Center, replacing basketballs with her calming tunes to
create a peaceful ambiance atypical of the arena. Visit
www.ticketmaster.com for more information.
THEATER&ARTS:
“Cookin’ at the Cookery: The Music and Times of
Alberta Hunter” Geffen Playhouse Through August 1
This new jazz musical chronicles the life of blues legend
Alberta Hunter, who, after early success in Chicago, spent most of
her life performing in Europe. She did return to the United States
though, at age 82, to perform at the Cookery in Greenwich Village,
cementing her status as one of the most important blues musicians
ever. Check out www.geffenplayhouse.com for more information.
“Stones In His Pockets” Mark Taper
Forum Through July 18
The play has been around for a while (it won London’s
Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 1999), and you only have one
more week to see it if you haven’t already. In a way,
it’s the perfect Los Angeles theater piece: it’s cheap
to produce (there are only two actors), and it’s about
Hollywood (or at least about a Hollywood production that shoots in
a small town in Ireland). Take note: You don’t need a big
production to make a good product. Visit www.taperahmanson.com for
more information.
“Serenity and Terror in Vermeer, and
After” Getty Center July 18, 4 p.m.
Veteran New Yorker writer Lawrence Weschler uses his new book,
“Vermeer in Bosnia,” to springboard a lecture about the
historic role of artists as surveyors of both peace and carnage in
times of war. A discussion with John Walsh, the Getty
Museum’s director emeritus, will follow the lecture. The
afternoon does require a free reservation, which can be made on the
Getty Center’s Web site at www.getty.edu.
Robin Lynn Williams Book Soup July 15, 7
p.m.
Presenting and signing copies of her new novel, “The
Assistants,” Williams is the latest disgruntled Hollywood
employee to turn her experiences into a gossipy tell-all. The
novel, about five personal star assistants who have to deal with
their employers’ egos while trying to make it big themselves,
could only have come from a former star assistant, but after
reading it, don’t expect too many stars to be calling
Williams offering her a job. Then again, that’s probably
exactly the way she wants it. Check out www.booksoup.com for more
information about the meet-and-greet signing.
“Re-inventing Photography”: A Conversation
with John Baldessari MOCA July 14, 7 p.m.
Listen to John Baldessari, an internationally renowned
conceptual artist, talk about his work and the place still
photography occupies in today’s world, especially as digital
cameras and easy photography flood the popular market. Plus,
he’ll be interviewed by Michael Kimmelman, the chief art
critic at The New York Times, so you know the evening will be
sufficiently pretentious. If you get bored, just try to count the
number of wire-framed glasses in the room. Tickets are $10 and can
be purchased at www.nytimes.com/timestalks.