Page 6 June 15, 2017 EL SEGUNDO HERALD Entertainment Check It Out Film Review The Six Things We’re Looking Forward to Most at This Year’s LA Film Festival By Morgan Rojas, Ryan Rojas and H. Nelson Tracey for www.cinemacy.com The 2017 LA Film Festival kicked off yesterday, and we here at Cinemacy can’t wait to return to the fest filled with promising screenings, conversations, red carpet events, and much more (free yoga on the festival lawn!). Running through next Thursday, the 22nd annual LAFF showcases 48 feature films, 51 short films, 15 high school short films and 10 short episodic works representing 32 countries. In anticipation of the event, Cinemacy’s staff writers have made a list of the six things we’re most looking forward to in this year’s program. If you can’t make it out, be sure to follow Cinemacy as we cover the festival from start to finish on Instagram (@cinemacy), Twitter (@cinemacyspeaks) and Facebook (@cinemacyspeaks)! Morgan’s Pick: Coffee Talks One of the most alluring events that the festival offers aren’t even the movies, but rather the conversations with some of the industry’s inspiring talents. Taking place at the Kirk Douglas Theatre on June 18, the Coffee Talks are a series of one-hour conversations with a panel of different people working in the industry--including directors, actors, screenwriters and composers. These events have always been a highlight for us, and this year we couldn’t be more excited to sip our latte with director Justin Simien (Dear White People), Zal Batmanglij (The OA, The East) and more to be announced. Ryan’s pick: G-Funk While I admit that I’m not the most wellversed fan of hip-hop music, I, like most people, grew to see another side of the rap music scene in 2015’s summer breakout hit Straight Outta Compton, which cinematized an untold story about this pivotal moment in art, culture, politics and music. One of the major artists of this late ‘80s–early ‘90s-era LA rap scene was Warren G. The documentary G-Funk chronicles the music’s rise and friendship between Warren, Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg as they create the essential style of West Coast hip-hop. What’s more, the film was directed, shot and edited by Chapman University (from where Cinemacy’s staff writers hail) graduates. G-Funk screens at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel on June 16, and will be followed by a live performance by none other than Warren G himself. Nelson’s pick: Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators Dare I say I’m curious to see how this film is? Unbeknownst to me, the creators of the timeless children’s storybook character Curious George escaped Nazi Germany in order to bring their character to light.Monkey Business is a multimedia documentary, and hopefully my enthusiasm for the wave of recent boundary-pushing non-fiction films (Nuts!, Tower) carries over to this unique film, playing on June 17. Further assuring that Monkey Business is something of quality, the film has already been picked up for distribution by indie favorite The Orchard. Morgan’s pick: And Then I Go Twelve-year-old actress Royalty Hightower first hit the film scene in the 2016 movie The Fits, where she gave a tour de force performance as the protagonist Toni. In my review of the film, I stated, “Remember her name--Royalty Hightower is just getting started,” and I’m happy to say that I was right. In And Then I Go, playing on June 16 Hightower appears alongside Melanie Lynskey, Justin Long and more in the drama about the hardships of adolescence and the powerful bonds of friendship. Ryan’s pick: Patti Cake$ t seems like I’m looking forward to a hip-hop-themed festival. Following GFunk, the fictional movie on my must-see list is one that I missed when it made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Patti Cake$, which screens on June 19, tells the story of an unlikely rapper who finds her voice as a one-of-a-kind hip-hop legend. This looks like a confident, brash and entertaining film, which is always fun to watch with an audience. Nelson’s pick: Anything (which takes on a double meaning) First, the Mark Ruffalo-produced drama Anything, which features longtime character actor John Carroll Lynch (The Founder, Fargo) in a rare leading role. Lynch’s protagonist, named Early Landry of all things, moves in with his sister after losing his wife and finds himself attracted to her neighbor, Freda. While we can imagine what sort of complications can arise from this synopsis, I’m sure that there’s much more ahead for this film, playing on June 17 The second part of “Anything “is the festival itself. LAFF is an amazing event for discovering hidden gems. I saw my favorite film of 2015, Victoria, by complete chance without knowing anything beforehand and it is still a film I frequently mention today. This atmosphere of unknown excitement is what attracts me more than any specific title. You’ll be in good hands with almost “Anything “you see, so take this as a chance to seek out new, independent films! To see all the latest lineup announcements, including pass, ticket and event information, visit tickets.lafilmfestival.com. • LA Film Festival Lighted Sign, Courtesy of Film Independent How to Surprise a Dad By Jean Reagan and Illustrated by Lee Wildish, Superhero Dad By Timothy Knapman, and My Dad Used to Be So Cool By Keith Negley Reviewed by Katrena Woodson, Teen and Young Reader Librarian, El Segundo Public Library This week, I will be reviewing some picture books that are perfect to get you ready for Father’s Day. The first picture book is titled How to Surprise a Dad by Jean Reagan and illustrated by Lee Wildish. This is perfect for young readers who are four to eight years old. This duo previously gave us the New York Times Bestselling books How to Babysit Grandpa and How to Babysit Grandma, and now they are back at it again with another handy how-to guide. A My Dad Used to Be so Cool by Keith Negley. brother and sister team up in order to show readers a variety of ways to surprise a dad from reorganizing his shoes to inventing something new just for him. The “Special Day surprises” are distinguished from the everyday surprises, making this book an obvious choice for Father’s Day. The next picture book is Superhero Dad by Timothy Knapman. In this book, a small blond boy describes all the different ways Superhero Dad by Timothy Knapman. See Check It Out, page 8 How to Surprise a Dad by Jean Reagan and Illustrated by Lee Wildish. Katrena Woodson. Sunday June18 From all of us at Herald Publications
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