As we enter the second half of the year, and the 4th of July weekend, our critics Manuel Betancourt and Lael Loewenstein will take some time to recap what’s been released this year so far and talk about their favorite films that have been released as of now.

As we enter the second half of the year, and the 4th of July weekend, our critics <a href="https://laist.com/people/manuel-betancourt">Manuel Betancourt</a> and <a href="http://www.lafca.net/members/lael_loewenstein.html">Lael Loewenstein</a> will take some time to recap what&rsquo;s been released this year so far and talk about their favorite films that have been released as of now.

FilmWeek on AirTalk, hosted by Larry Mantle, is a one-hour weekly segment devoted to films. It offers reviews of the week's new movies, interviews with filmmakers, and discussions on various aspects of the industry.

Reviews of the week's new movies, interviews with filmmakers, and discussion.

FilmWeek

Feature: FilmWeek critics share their top picks for 2025 so far

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Amy Nicholson and Manuel Betancourt review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

 

Films:

Marty SupremeWide Release

Song Sung Blue  Wide Release

No Other Choice In Select Theaters|Expands January

The Testament of Ann Lee In Select Theaters|Expands January

AnacondaWide Release

The Plague At Select Laemmle Theater locations|Expands Wide Jan 2  

Goodbye June Streaming on Netflix

Father Mother Sister Brother  Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA]|Expands Jan. 9   

The ChoralAMC Burbank & Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Expands to select theaters Jan. 15

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critic/amy-nicholson/movies">Amy Nicholson</a> and <a href="https://laist.com/people/manuel-betancourt">Manuel Betancourt</a> review this weekend&rsquo;s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
&nbsp;
Films:
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32916440/">Marty Supreme</a> Wide Release
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30343021/?ref_=fn_t_1">Song Sung Blue </a>&nbsp;Wide Release
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1527793/?ref_=fn_t_1">No Other Choice</a> In Select Theaters|Expands January
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34819091/?ref_=fn_t_1">The Testament of Ann Lee </a>In Select Theaters|Expands January
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33244668/?ref_=fn_t_1">Anaconda</a> Wide Release
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32792934/?ref_=fn_t_1">The Plague</a> At Select Laemmle Theater locations|Expands Wide Jan 2&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35766629/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_in_0_q_Goodbye%2520June%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520%2520">Goodbye June</a> Streaming on Netflix
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31189315/?ref_=fn_t_1">Father Mother Sister Brother </a>&nbsp;Landmark Nuart Theater [West LA]|Expands Jan. 9&nbsp; &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31851518/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_in_0_q_The%2520Choral">The Choral</a> AMC Burbank &amp; Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Expands to select theaters Jan. 15

FilmWeek: ‘Marty Supreme,’ ‘Song Sung Blue,’ ‘No Other Choice,’ and more!

Rental Familyexplores the unique phenomena of Japanese rental family agencies through an underemployed American actor living in Tokyo. Anchored by Brendan Fraser’s empathetic performance, Rental Family explores the lyricism of loneliness and the solace we can find in connection. Joining Larry to talk about Rental Family are director and co-writer of the film HIKARI and lead actor Brendan Fraser.

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency            .

<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14142060/">Rental Family</a> explores the unique phenomena of Japanese rental family agencies through an underemployed American actor living in Tokyo. Anchored by Brendan Fraser&rsquo;s empathetic performance, Rental Family explores the lyricism of loneliness and the solace we can find in connection. Joining Larry to talk about Rental Family are director and co-writer of the film HIKARI and lead actor Brendan Fraser.
Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.preppi.com/LAist" data-stringify-link="http://www.preppi.com/LAist" data-sk="tooltip_parent">www.preppi.com/LAist</a> to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; .

Feature: Director Hikari and star Brendan Fraser on their film Rental Family

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Peter Rainer, and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. 

Films:

Avatar: Fire and Ash, Wide Release

The Housemaid, Wide Release

The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, Wide Release

Is This Thing On?, In Select Theaters

The Voice of Hind Rajab, Laemmle Royal [West LA]

David, Wide Release 

Franz, Laemmle Monica [Santa Monica]

All Operators are Currently Unavailable, Laemmle NoHo

Breakdown: 1975, Streaming on Netflix

Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?, Streaming on HBO Max

 

Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.            .

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics <a href="http://www.cinemainmind.com/">Tim Cogshell</a>, <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critic/peter-rainer/movies">Peter Rainer</a>, and <a href="https://www.rottentomatoes.com/critic/charles-solomon/movies">Charles Solomon</a> review this weekend&rsquo;s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.&nbsp;
Films:
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1757678/">Avatar: Fire and Ash</a>, Wide Release
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27543632/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_7_nm_0_in_0_q_The%2520Housemaid%2509">The Housemaid</a>, Wide Release 
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23572848/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_The%2520SpongeBob%2520Movie%253A%2520Search%2520for%2520Sq">The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants</a>, Wide Release
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28083456/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_in_0_q_Is%2520This%2520Thing%2520On%253F">Is This Thing On?</a>, In Select Theaters
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36943034/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_in_0_q_The%2520Voice%2520of%2520Hind%2520Rajab">The Voice of Hind Rajab</a>, Laemmle Royal [West LA]
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15678738/">David</a>, Wide Release &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17070412/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_in_0_q_Franz">Franz</a>, Laemmle Monica [Santa Monica]
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32467085/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_0_in_0_q_All%2520Operators%2520are%2520Currently%2520Unavailabl">All Operators are Currently Unavailable</a>, Laemmle NoHo
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38985973/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_Breakdown%253A%25201975">Breakdown: 1975</a>, Streaming on Netflix
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36591196/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_0_in_0_q_Counting%2520Crows%253A%2520Have%2520You%2520Seen%2520Me%252">Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?</a>, Streaming on HBO Max
&nbsp;
Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.preppi.com/LAist" data-stringify-link="http://www.preppi.com/LAist" data-sk="tooltip_parent">www.preppi.com/LAist</a> to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; .

Feature: FilmWeek critics share their top picks for 2025 so far

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