FilmWeek: KPCC film critics Peter Rainer and Lael Loewenstein join Larry to review the week’s new film releases including Bridesmaids, The Big Bang, Everything Must Go, Hesher, Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird and more. TGI-FilmWeek!

Guests:

Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and Christian Science Monitor

Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety

Films Reviewed:

Bridesmaids

A group of bridesmaids is led by the maid of honor down a wild path of hijinks and debauchery.

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne
and Wendi McLendon-Covey
Written by: Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo
Directed by: Paul Feig
Rated: R
Universal Pictures

The Big Bang

A private eye faces danger and intrigue on a complicated job to locate a missing stripper.

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Thomas Kretschmann, William Fichtner
and Sam Elliott
Written by: Erik Jendresen
Directed by: Tony Krantz
Rated: R
Anchor Bay Films

Everything Must Go

After falling off the wagon an alcoholic tries to kick off his new life with a yard sale.

Starring: Will Ferrell, Rebecca Hall, Michael Pena,
Christopher Jordan Wallace and Laura Dern
Written and directed by: Dan Rush
Rated: R
Roadside Attractions

An Invisible Sign

A girl who had a troubled childhood and found solace in math grows up to teach the subject to children.

Starring: Jessica Alba, Bailee Madison, Chris Messina and J.K. Simmons
Written by: Pamela Falk and Michael Ellis
Directed by: Marilyn Agrelo
Not rated
IFC Films

Hesher

A misanthropic vagrant settles down when he meets a widow and her son.

Starring: Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rainn Wilson
Written and directed by: Spencer Susser
Rated: R
Wrekin Hill Entertainment

The First Grader

A true story about an 84-year-old Kenyan villager goes to school for the first time.

Starring: Oliver Litondo and Naomie Harris
Written by: Ann Peacock
Directed by: Justin Chadwick
Rated: PG-13
National Geographic Films

The High Cost of Living

A car crash changes the lives of a drug dealer and pregnant woman.

Starring: Zach Braff, Isabelle Blais and Patrick Labbe
Written and directed by: Deborah Chow
Not rated
Tribeca Film

Skateland

A coming of age story in small town Texas in the early nineteen eighties.

Starring: Shiloh Fernandez, Ashley Greene and Heath Freeman
Written by: Anthony Burns, Brandon Freeman and Heath Freeman
Directed by: Anthony Burns
Rated: PG-13
Freestyle Releasing

The People vs. George Lucas

A documentary that adopts a courtroom debate style to put George Lucas on trial for continually tweaking his beloved Star Wars films.

Starring: John Barger, Ahmed Best and David Brin
Directed by: Alexandre O. Philippe
Not rated
Exhibit A Pictures, Quark Films

Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird

A documentary that examines the author and novel as national treasures.

Starring: Oprah Winfrey, Tom Brokaw, Anna Quindlen and Jon Meacham
Written and directed by: Mary McDonagh Murphy
Not rated
First Run Features