Akira Kurosawa is one of the world’s most revered directors, his films often cited as inspiration amongst other auteurs. Sometimes that inspiration has led to full-on remakes of Kurosawa’s films, such as Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest (2025), an adaptation of Kurosawa’s High and Low (1963). Other adaptations of Kurosawa’s work include Seven Samurai and Yojimbo. Kurosawa himself liked to adapt pre-existing stories. Many of his films are interpretations of Shakespeare plays. Even High and Low is based on a novel. So how does one go about adapting and remaking a film by a great director like Kurosawa? How is the story updated for new audiences? And what kind of films lend themselves to adaptations? Today on FilmWeek, we discuss Hollywood’s attempts to remake some of Kurosawa’s most beloved films and what makes a good adaptation. Joining Larry Mantle is Peter Rainer, film critic for LAist and the Christian Science Monitor, Tim Cogshell, film critic for LAist, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com, and Charles Solomon, film critic for LAist, Animation Scoop and Animation Magazine.

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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:

Highest 2 Lowest, In Select Theaters

Nobody 2, Wide Release

Americana, Wide Release

Fixed, Streaming on Netflix

The Musicians, Laemmle Royal [Santa Monica] & Laemmle Town Center [Encino]

East of Wall, In Select Theaters

Boys Go to Jupiter, Laemmle Glendale

The Knife, In Select Theaters

Anxiety Club, Streaming on Jolt.film

Songs From the Hole, Streaming on Netflix

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Musician Jeff Buckley’s tragic early death left many shocked. Buckley found success and critical acclaim among music industry pressures, but passed away tragically after releasing only one studio album, Grace. His haunting voice and personal lyrics continue to resonate with fans. In her new documentary, It's Never Over Jeff Buckley, director and producer Amy Berg uses unprecedented access to Buckley’s archives to dispel myths around his life and death and show Buckley’s eclectic approach to music and life. Director and producer Amy Berg joins guest host Austin Cross to talk about her new documentary and Buckley’s legacy.

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Austin Cross and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Beandrea July review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Films:

Freakier Friday, Wide Release

Weapons, Wide Release

Souleymane’s Story, Laemmle Royal

It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, In Select Theaters

Billy Joel: And So It Goes, Streaming on HBO Max

Videoheaven, Los Feliz Theater

Hola Frida, In Select Theaters

My Mother’s Wedding, In Select Theaters

TCB: The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing, Blackstar Film Festival

The Pickup, Streaming on Prime Video

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The war in Ukraine started in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. We watched as civilians sheltered from airstrikes and buildings became ruins in the Oscar award-winning documentary ‘20 Days in Mariupol’, just as the Russians took siege of one of Ukraine’s largest metropolitan areas. Now, three years after the Russian invasion and two years after that film's release, writer, director and producer, Mstyslav Chernov’s follow up documentary, ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ takes us back to the frontline as we follow Ukrainian soldiers on a mission to liberate the small town of Andriivka. Austin Cross sat down with Chernov to talk about the documentary and the importance of capturing the war on camera.

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Austin Cross and LAist film critics Tim Cogshell, Manuel Betancourt and Charles Solomon review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Films:

The Naked Gun, Wide Release

The Bad Guys 2, Wide Release

Happy Gilmore 2, Streaming on Netflix

Together, In Select Theaters

Architecton, In Select Theaters

2000 Meters to Andriivka, Laemmle Royal

Georgia O'Keeffe: The Brightness of Light, In Select Theaters

Folktales, In Select Theaters

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Although nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Henry VIII in the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons, audiences now may know Robert Shaw best for his role as Captain Quint in the 1975 film Jaws. Having been released a decade later, Shaw’s performance as the grizzled shark hunter served as an important role in the Hollywood blockbuster, mixing a drunken tone with a confident look that sold viewers on the idea that he could help defeat any animal. Shaw’s life story— from his work in theatre to his time making movies— is all referenced in a new book written by his nephew titled Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life On The Set Of Jaws And Beyond. For this week’s FilmWeek feature, we sit down with book author Christopher Shaw Myers about his uncle’s work and his new book.

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

Films:

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Wide Release

Oh, Hi! In Select Theaters

Heightened Scrutiny Laemmle Noho July 26|Laemmle Monica Film Center Jul. 27|Laemmle Glendale Jul. 29

The Ride Ahead Streaming on PBS

Last Swim Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Available on VOD

Diciannove Laemmle Glendale|Laemmle Monica Film Center

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young Wide Release [5-Days Only; July 30 to August 3]

Shari and Lamb Chop Laemmle Royal [West LA]|Laemmle Town Center 5 [Encino]

Death & Taxes Laemmle Royal [West LA]

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