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

Brazil has been a rising star in international cinema. The Secret Agent, a political thriller set in 1977 about a researcher trying to escape the country for unknown reasons, is just the latest film from Brazil to gain critical acclaim. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Moura, the film shows the tangible and intangible effects an authoritarian regime imposes on its people. Moura's character Marcelo, spends the film in hiding under an alias as he waits for assistance to get him and his son out of the country. Moura's central performance holds audiences in the precarious situation with him. The film has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best International Feature, Best Lead Actor (Wagner Moura), and Best Achievement in Casting. Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with actor Wagner Moura about the film and its reception abroad.

The Secret Agent is still playing in select theaters.

Brazil has been a rising star in international cinema. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27847051/">The Secret Agent</a>, a political thriller set in 1977 about a researcher trying to escape the country for unknown reasons, is just the latest film from Brazil to gain critical acclaim. Directed by Kleber Mendon&ccedil;a Filho and starring Wagner Moura, the film shows the tangible and intangible effects an authoritarian regime imposes on its people. Moura's character Marcelo, spends the film in hiding under an alias as he waits for assistance to get him and his son out of the country. Moura's central performance holds audiences in the precarious situation with him. The film has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best International Feature, Best Lead Actor (Wagner Moura), and Best Achievement in Casting. Today on FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with actor Wagner Moura about the film and its reception abroad.
The Secret Agent is still playing in select theaters.

Feature: Wagner Moura on his role in The Secret Agent

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell and Christy Lemire review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Films:

How To Make A Killing, Wide Release

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, In Select IMAX Theaters|Expands February 27

Redux Redux, In Select Theaters       

I Can Only Imagine 2, In Select Theaters     

This Is Not a Test, In Select Theaters          

Threshold, Streaming on Peacock                      

One Mile: Chapter One & Chapter Two, Two films available simultaneously on digital 

Blades of the Guardians, In Select Theaters

The Dreadful, In Select Theaters                            

Diabolic, Available on Digital and On Demand           

Larry Mantle and LAist film critics <a href="http://www.cinemainmind.com/">Tim Cogshell</a> and <a href="http://christylemire.com/">Christy Lemire</a> review this weekend&rsquo;s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.
Films:
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4357198/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_how%20to%20make%20a%20killing">How To Make A Killing</a>, Wide Release
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35003538/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5_tt_4_nm_2_in_2_q_epic%20">EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert</a>, In Select IMAX Theaters|Expands February 27
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33295741/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_redux%20redux">Redux Redux</a>, In Select Theaters&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34888646/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_i%20can%20only%20imagine%20">I Can Only Imagine 2</a>, In Select Theaters&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35669125/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_this%20is%20not%20a%20test">This Is Not a Test</a>, In Select Theaters&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39636133/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_7_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_threshold">Threshold</a>, Streaming on Peacock&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24326458/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_one%20mile%20chapter%20one">One Mile: Chapter One</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24326462/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_4_tt_7_nm_0_in_0_q_one%20mile">Chapter Two</a>, Two films available simultaneously on digital&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32649961/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_blades%20of%20">Blades of the Guardians</a>, In Select Theaters
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30842022/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%20dreadful">The Dreadful</a>, In Select Theaters&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17348060/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_diabolic">Diabolic</a>, Available on Digital and On Demand &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

FilmWeek: ‘How To Make A Killing,’ ‘EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,’ ‘Redux Redux,’ and more!

A quiet, meditative film about the Pacific Northwest’s logging and railroad industry at the turn of the 20th century is this year’s sleeper hit, accumulating four Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Train Dreams tells the story of Robert Grainier, played by Joel Edgerton, as he helps expand the nation’s railway system, clearing forests alongside nomadic characters. As the film progresses, the audience is transported to the changing landscape of the West, the visuals dreamy like sifting through memories. The film is an adaptation of the novella of the same name written by Denis Johnson. On FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with Train Dreams’ director and co-writer Clint Bentley, who is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay alongside co-writer Greg Kwedar, and the film’s director of photography, Adolpho Veloso, who is nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography.

Train Dreams is nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Cinematography, and Best Achievement in Music (Original Song).

Train Dreams is available to stream on Netflix.

A quiet, meditative film about the Pacific Northwest&rsquo;s logging and railroad industry at the turn of the 20th century is this year&rsquo;s sleeper hit, accumulating four Oscar nominations including Best Picture. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29768334/">Train Dreams</a> tells the story of Robert Grainier, played by Joel Edgerton, as he helps expand the nation&rsquo;s railway system, clearing forests alongside nomadic characters. As the film progresses, the audience is transported to the changing landscape of the West, the visuals dreamy like sifting through memories. The film is an adaptation of the novella of the same name written by Denis Johnson. On FilmWeek, Larry Mantle speaks with <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29768334/">Train Dreams</a>&rsquo; director and co-writer Clint Bentley, who is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay alongside co-writer Greg Kwedar, and the film&rsquo;s director of photography, Adolpho Veloso, who is nominated for Best Achievement in Cinematography.
Train Dreams is nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Cinematography, and Best Achievement in Music (Original Song).
Train Dreams is available to stream on Netflix.

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

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