THINGS TO CHECK OUT // MOVIES AROUND LA
There are quite a few fun lil’ screenings popping up around town over the next week or so. 1970s existentialist filmmaker Monte Hellman has been out of the game for some years, but he’s bringing his latest to the 
Egyptian next weekend. The film is called Road to Nowhere and it stars Shannyn Sossaman as an actress in a film-within-the-film where reality and fantasy blur, intrigue ensues, and the globe is spanned. Leading up to this is a half-week’s worth of the director’s past films such as the legendary Two-Lane Blacktop and the great, underappreciated Cockfighter. Warren Oates has long been a personal favorite and he stomps major terra in this one even with a role that is largely mute. Also, there will be the two early Hellman-helmed Jack Nicholson vehicles Ride in the Whirlwind and The Shooting. With the Lakers struggling in the playoffs it might be the last chance to see Jack for a while!
Over at the New Beverly next week are Mike Leigh’s two most recent entries, Another Year and Happy-Go-Lucky. If you’re new to Leigh or at least these films, they actually complement each other quite nicely, with the latter’s optimistic tone blanketing the dark forebodings of the former. Subsequent days will see a revival of Raising Arizona as well as the 1980s Italian horror classics Demons and Demons 2, both of which happen to boast some great heavy metal and new-wave soundtracks. “Surprise guests” will be in attendance.
What really gets my blood pumping, though, is New Bev’s screening on May 16 of Shane Carruth’s absolutely classic independent sci-fi film, Primer. Why this film is not enshrined in praise and airlifted to dire cinemas across the nation is beyond me. In its brisk running time it manages to expertly recreate a very familiar world, the suburbs, and then ever-so-casually introduce the dilemma of time travel in such a manner that exudes real wonder, intelligence and even actual possibility. Cast will be there as well for audience discussion. This is a must-see, have-to-go, call-the-babysitter event!
Happy viewing!