The Official Blog of Laemmle Theatres.

blog.laemmle.com

The official blog of Laemmle Theatres

CONTEST: Win an ANOMALISA poster signed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson!

by

ANOM-SOS-BANOMALISA, the latest from Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) opens January 7th in Pasadena and later this month in Claremont and NoHo! We’re excited to offer our customers a chance to win an ANOMALISA poster signed by filmmakers Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson (Moral Orel, Frankenhole).

For ANOMALISA tickets and showtimes, click here.

Enter to win the signed poster using the form below (no purchase necessary). The more tasks you complete, the more you help us spread the word about the film, and the more chances you have to win. The winner will be selected at random and announced on February 1st. Special thanks to Paramount Pictures for making this contest possible!

Win an ANOMALISA poster signed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson

ANOMALISA is the tender and absurdly humorous story of a man crippled by the mundanity of his life. He discovers a possible escape from his desperation in the form of an unassuming sales rep who may or may not be the love of his life. ANOMALISA features the voices of Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan, and David Thewlis. Its stirring strings-based score by Carter Burwell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQkHA3fHk_0

Win a poster signed by Kenneth Branagh and see THE WINTER’S TALE 1/18 & 1/19 at select Laemmle locations

by

We’re excited to screen the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s production of THE WINTER’S TALE as part of our Culture Vulture series January 18th and 19th at select Laemmle locations.  To celebrate we’re giving away a poster signed by Kenneth Branagh himself!

THE WINTER’S TALE screens Monday, January 18th at 7:30PM and on Tuesday, January 20th at 1PM at the Ahrya Fine Arts in Beverly Hills, The Town Center 5 in Encino, the Claremont 5 in Claremont, and the Playhouse 7 in Pasadena. Click here for tickets.

Enter to win the signed poster using the form below (no purchase necessary). The more tasks you complete, the more chances you have to win.

Win a poster signed by Kenneth Branagh and see THE WINTER'S TALE 1/18 & 1/19 at Laemmle Theatres

Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption is re-imagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh. The Winter’s Tale stars a remarkable group of actors, featuring Judi Dench as Paulina, alongside Tom Bateman (Florizel), Jessie Buckley (Perdita), Hadley Fraser (Polixenes), Miranda Raison (Hermione) and Kenneth Branagh as Leontes.

Win this poster for THE WINTER'S TALE signed by Kenneth Branagh. Background persian rug not included =)
Win this poster for THE WINTER’S TALE signed by Kenneth Branagh. Background persian rug not included =)

Anniversary Classics – 2015 Wrap-up, John Ford’s YOUNG CASSIDY to Kickoff 2016

by

Our Anniversary Classics Series closed out 2015 in grand fashion with a sold out 35th anniversary screening of SOMEWHERE IN TIME at the Royal on 12/15. This romantic fantasy cast its spell once again to an appreciative crowd, many of whom had not seen their favorite on the big screen since its original opening in 1980. Through the years it has developed a cult following and after viewing again last night its easy to see why.

Jane Seymour with Michael McClellan and Stephen Farber at the 35th anniversary screening of SOMEWHERE IN TIME.
Jane Seymour with Michael McClellan and Stephen Farber at the 35th anniversary screening of SOMEWHERE IN TIME.

The film’s co-star Jane Seymour and director Jeannot Szwarc entertained the audience with remembrances about making the film and even a few heretofore unknown secrets. Some fans came dressed in period costumes so altogether it was quite a memorable evening!


We will have many more memorable screenings in 2016, and to start the new year off we feature the 50th anniversary of John Ford’s YOUNG CASSIDY, starring Rod Taylor, Maggie Smith and Julie Christie. Our special guest is the film’s Oscar-winning editor, Anne V. Coates, the recipient this year of a lifetime achievement award by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. This screening takes place on January 6, 2016 at 7:00 pm at the Royal in West LA.

More about this and other Anniversary Classics events for 2016 very soon. For the latest updates visit www.laemmle.com/ac or join our Facebook group! Happy Holidays!

The Laemmle Charitable Foundation’s Year in Giving, 2015

by

We’re pleased to report that the Laemmle Charitable Foundation contributed $145,300 to local non-profit organizations in 2015. The upward trend continues this year with a nearly 10% increase over 2014 giving.

This year we continued our sponsorship of the Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition‘s OPERATION FIREFLY at the $10,000 level. This program runs from November through February, setting up bike light distribution points throughout LA County. Free light sets are distributed to riders who are caught out at night without this vital safety equipment. Since many people are riding out of economic necessity, they are unable to afford lights, or can not afford to replace stolen lights. This program helps make our streets safer for the most vulnerable road users.

Tree-People_01_p

We believe that water conservation is going to be a long-term issue for Los Angeles, and Tree People has been the leading voice in the community for years on this matter. In addition to our $10,000 donation to Tree People, we continue to support a number of local environmental groups that are helping to make Los Angeles more sustainable. Included here are organizations such as Friends of the Los Angeles River, Heal the Bay, and The Trust for Public Land – Parks for People LA.

Homelessness has become a greater and greater problem.  We hope that it is not a chronic issue (as may be the case with the drought), but it is something that needs to be addressed immediately. Chrysalis and OPCC are two terrific organizations working to address this crisis, and we are proud to offer additional support at this time of increased need …along with our support of Union Station Homeless Services and LA Family Housing.  Also great organizations.

Los Angeles is a great place to live. But it can be better, healthier, more sustainable, and more just. We feel that these organizations are working hard everyday to address the problems that face our community. We are proud to be able to support them with our grants and we invite you to join us and make a year-end, tax deductible contribution.

In 45 YEARS, Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay give a master class in screen acting.

by

On December 23rd we’ll be opening one of the most acclaimed films of the season, 45 Years, starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay.  The veteran actors were both awarded Silver Bears for Best Actor and Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year and this month the Los Angeles Film Critics Association voted to name Ms. Rampling Best Actress of the Year. The film was directed by a relative newcomer, Briton Andrew Haigh, whose perfectly realized 2011 romance Weekend played to great acclaim all over the world. His follow-up feature is 45 Years, a moving, profound and superbly performed look at a marriage and its secrets. The story opens one week prior to Kate Mercer’s (Rampling) 45th wedding anniversary and the planning for the party is going well. But then a letter arrives for her husband (Courtenay). The body of his long-lost first love has been discovered, frozen and preserved in the glaciers of the Swiss Alps. By the time the party is upon them, five days later, there may not be a marriage left to celebrate.

In Time Out London Dave Calhoun wrote, “It’s a film of small moments and tiny gestures that leaves a very, very big impression.” In the New York Post Lou Lumenick mused that “Rampling has never received an Oscar nomination, but she deserves one for this performance. Courtenay, who has two Oscar nods under his belt, rates another one for helping Rampling reach this peak.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg5cpiX18TA

We are thrilled to open 45 Years on December 23rd at the Royal and New Year’s Day at the Playhouse 7 and Town Center 5.

See the Films on the 2016 Oscar Documentary Shortlist at Laemmle and Online

by

The 88th Academy Awards nominations will be announced January 14th but Oscar completionists can get a head start on the Documentary Features category thanks to the Academy’s 15-film shortlist and Laemmle Theaters.

The Academy’s Documentary Branch narrowed the field to 15 from 124 submissions. While we’ve already screened many films, seven will play as morning shows over the next few weeks. Check out the schedule below.

Weekend morning shows:

WE COME AS FRIENDS – 12/12, 12/13, 12/19, 12/20, 12/26, 12/27 at the Royal.

BEST OF ENEMIES – 12/12, 12/13 at the Royal and Playhouse.

THE HUNTING GROUND – 12/19, 12/20 at the Royal and Playhouse.

HEART OF A DOG – 12/26, 12/27 at the Royal and Playhouse.

MERU – 1/2, 1/3 at the Royal and Playhouse.

LISTEN TO ME MARLON – 1/2, 1/3 at the Royal and Playhouse.

THE LOOK OF SILENCE – 1/2, 1/3 at the Royal and Playhouse.

Coming Soon:

Michael Moore’s WHERE TO INVADE NEXT is scheduled to open 2/12/16 in Claremont and NoHo.

Where to see the rest:

AMY – Amazon

CARTEL LAND – Amazon

GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF – Amazon

HE NAMED ME MALALA – Amazon

3 1/2 MINUTES, 10 BULLETS – ???

WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? – Netflix

WINTER ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM – Netflix

Watch all 15 trailers:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-lqVRCBIDPnuegC8n3YLWRVmyQYHemG7

Wonder of Wonders – It’s Fiddler Sing-a-Long Time Again!

by

*** FIDDLER UPDATES  (skip to main article)
We’re pleased to announce an all-star line-up of Fiddler Hosts for 2015!
Also, as in year’s past, we’ll have food trucks out at select locations. Here’s the per-location rundown of what’s shaking in the shtetl:

Ahrya Fine Arts
Dr. Ron Wolfson – author, professor – BUY TIX
BONUS! – Dr. Wolfson will be signing a copies of his new book, The Best Boy in the United States of America: A Memoir of Blessings and Kisses.

Claremont 5
Cantor Paul Buch – BUY TIX

NoHo 7
Craig Taubman – entertainer, community organizer – BUY TIX
FOOD TRUCK – The Deli Doctor (truck food welcome inside the theater)

Playhouse
Gary Wexler – blogger, public speaker – BUY TIX
FOOD TRUCK – Hungry Nomad (truck food welcome inside the theater)

Royal
Naomi Ackerman – actress, social activist – BUY TIX
BONUS! – Naomi will be joined by BARBARA ISENBERG who will be signing copies of her book TRADITION!: The Highly Improbable, Ultimately Triumphant Broadway-to-Hollywood Story of Fiddler on the Roof, the World’s Most Beloved Musical.
FOOD TRUCK – The Hurricane Kitchen (truck food welcome inside the theater)

Town Center 5
Cantors Herschel Fox & Phil Baron – BUY TIX

See below to find out more about our hosts.

—————————————————–

Wonder_of_Wonders_edit_2Will the matchmaker make you “the perfect match?” There’s only one way to find out … join us this year for our 8th annual FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Christmas Eve SING-A-LONG!

(Scroll down to watch the event trailer.  For tickets, visit Laemmle.com/Fiddler).

This year, the popular Fiddler program has been extended to more venues to accommodate demand including, for the first time, the recently reopened AHRYA FINE ARTS in Beverly Hills.

In addition to exuberant movie and song, the evening will feature TRIVIA with PRIZES being awarded to Fiddler buffs with the quickest recall.  Dressing in COSTUME is not required, but highly encouraged!  Will the best costume will garner a prize?  That will be up to the emcee.

Craig_pix_01_edit_lr_crop_4_p
CRAIG TAUBMAN will be hosting at the NoHo 7
Ron_Wolfson_pix_02_crop_p
RON WOLFSON will be hosting at the Fine Arts

Speaking of which, we’re very excited to announce two new, dynamic hosts for this year.  Acclaimed Jewish singer-songwriter and founder of the Pico Union Project CRAIG TAUBMAN will be bringing his signature blend of charisma and high-powered energy to the NOHO 7.  Over in the city side, professor, author, and community mensch Dr. RON WOLFSON will be headlining at the stunning AHYRA FINE ARTS in Beverly Hills. Wolfson is most recently the author of The Best Boy in the United States of America: A Memoir of Blessings and Kisses offered by Jewish Light Publishing. You can’t go wrong with either of these incredible gentlemen!

Our own Greg Laemmle is enthusiastic as ever about the Fiddler experience, declaring that “Christmas Eve isn’t just Chinese food anymore!”  Furthermore, “we welcome all those in the community who are looking for an alternative Christmas Eve experience.”

He continues, “This is your once-a-year chance to be the star of the shtetl. Join voices with friends and neighbors and sing your heart out alongside Fiddler’s screen legends. And it’s okay if you haven’t memorized all the songs. We provide the lyrics.”

Song highlights include the iconic “TRADITION”, “IF I WERE A RICH MAN”,  “TO LIFE”, “SUNRISE SUNSET”, “DO YOU LOVE ME?” and “ANATEVKA”, among many, many more.

Don’t miss the buggy! Those who wish to attend the program are advised to purchase tickets in advance as the program has traditionally sold to capacity.

See you in the shtetl…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnuyNaOEBt4&feature=youtu.be

Fiddler Hosts – 2015

Ron_Wolfson_pix_02_crop_p

Dr. Ron Wolfson at the Ahrya Fine Arts (Beverly Hills)
Renowned educator and author DR. RON WOLFSON will be our host at the Fine Arts in Beverly Hills. Wolfson is a Fingerhut Professor of Education at the American Jewish University and, most recently, author of The Best Boy in the United States of America: A Memoir of Blessings and Kisses offered by Jewish Lights Publishing. A pioneer in the field of Jewish family education, Dr. Wolfson is a frequent scholar-in-residence for synagogues and communities and a co-founder of Synagogue 3000. He is also the author of the well-known Art of Jewish Living book series.

Craig_pix_01_edit_lr_crop_4_pCraig Taubman at the NoHo 7 (North Hollywood)
Beloved Jewish singer/songwriter and community builder CRAIG TAUBMAN will be our host at the NoHo 7 venue in North Hollywood. Taubman is renowned for original compositions and live performances that speak to the Jewish American experience. He is the originator of events such as Friday Night Live, The Big Jewish Tent, and A Sacred Noise, among others. Most recently, he founded the Pico Union Project, an interfaith community center near L.A.’s downtown that celebrates diversity and unity within the framework of art, music, and worship.

Herschel Fox_prCantor Herschel Fox
at the Town Center 5 (Encino)
For over three decades, HERSCHEL FOX (top) has shared his knowledge, talent, and Yiddishkeit with Temple Valley Beth Shalom (Encino) and the greater L.A Jewish community. Born in Europe and raised in Winnipeg, Canada, among Holocaust survivors, he became a cantor at the age of 13.  In his early career, he performed in Yiddish theater, opening for Molly Picon, Fiddler’s “Yente the Matchmaker” for many years. Fox teaches classes in Yiddish language, culture and song, prayer and the art of the cantor.

Phil Baron_prCantor Phil Baron
at the Town Center 5 (Encino)
Also of VBS (Valley Beth Shalom), cantor PHIL BARON (left) is the son of a violinist and the grandson of a Vilna rabbi. Before becoming a cantor, he took a successful detour into children’s entertainment, where he had over 300 original songs recorded – nearly 200 of these by the Walt Disney Co. He co-created two television series for Jewish children, Bubbe’s Boarding House, and the multiple award-winning series Alef…Bet…Blast-off! As a vocalist he has been featured with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra and the New Orleans Philharmonic.

Gary Wexler_prGary Wexler at the Playhouse 7 (Pasadena)
GARY WEXLER is a USC Adjunct Professor in the Masters program at the Annenberg School of Communication, teaching both Nonprofit Marketing, as well as Advertising and Copywriting. Wexler’s first career was as a Clio-winning copywriter for ad agencies such as Chiat-Day, DDB-Needham and others with clients ranging from Apple to Coca Cola. He since made the switch to the non-profit world, working with over 1000 nonprofits, including the foundations of Steven Spielberg, the Ford Foundation, United Ways and Jewish Federations. Today, he is an active blogger, consultant, seminar leader, and public speaker.

Naomi Ackerman_prNaomi Ackerman at the Royal (West L.A.)
An actress, social activist, and special education teacher, NAOMI ACKERMAN’s credits include theater, musicals, films, television as well as being an accomplished street performer and professional clown. She was a founding member of View Points an Arab Jewish dialogue theater produced by the Shimon Peres Center for Peace. In addition, she wrote, directed and performed the acclaimed one woman show Flowers Aren’t Enough. In 2011 she founded The Advot Project, transforming the lives of incarcerated girls in the L.A. probations system through drama instruction. This garnered her KCET’s Local Hero Award in 2014.

Paul Buch_prCantor Paul Buch at the Claremont 5 (Claremont)
Cantor PAUL BUCH has served Temple Beth Israel in Claremont since 2003. He came to the cantorate after a 25 year career in TV and film production in Los Angeles, New York, and Portland. In addition to his cantorial duties, Buch is President of the Claremont Interfaith Council and serves on the Faith-Based Roundtable of the Pomona Unified School District. He is also Chair of the City of Claremont’s Human Relations Committee and serves on an advisory committee at the Claremont School of Theology. This will be his third consecutive year as our Fiddler host in Claremont!

 

Strength in numbers: Join a group ride to the NoHo for BIKES VS CARS this weekend!

by

Bikes vs Cars, which we’ll open at the NoHo 7 on Friday, depicts a global crisis that we all deep down know we need to talk about: climate, earth’s resources, cities where the entire surface is consumed by the car, an ever-growing, dirty, noisy traffic chaos. The bike is a great tool for change, but the powerful interests who gain from the private car invest billions each year in lobbying and advertising to protect their business. In the film we meet activists and thinkers who are fighting for better cities by “being the change:” bicycling and advocating for bicyclists’ safe and equal access to our public roads. Sharing the road with motorists can actually be a daunting prospect for many cyclists who are aware of the many instances where accidents have occurred and resulted in injury or worse. Anyone involved in such an incident may want to reach out to a lawyer for help with getting a settlement in a car accident case – medical bills can be costly and so can replacing damaged goods so you’ll want to make sure you get what you deserve.

https://vimeo.com/116966445
This weekend you can meet those people and take a bike ride with them. The filmmakers and distributor are planning several fun events during our run of the film. Details are being collated on the film’s Facebook page but the basics are these: The 7:45 PM screening on Friday, December 4th is a fundraiser for the awesome non-profit Bicycle Kitchen. People are planning multiple group rides to the NoHo, the largest of which will be from the Golden Saddle Cyclery in Silver Lake. Additional ride involvement from other shops: Pure Fix Cycles group ride from their shop in NoHo; Elohssa Cycling group ride from NoHo; SWAT (She Wolf Attack Team), Mom Ridaz & Fix Fixie will join a feeder ride.
Also, filmmaker Fredrik Gertten will participate in a Q&A’s following the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7:45 PM screenings. The Tuesday December 8th, 7:45pm screening will be hosted by VisionLA Film Festival. After the screening there will be a panel discussion with representatives from Los Angeles’ upcoming bike share program, planned launch date mid-2016.