‘Summer’ and no ‘Speidi’
Go on and talk about: “(500) Days of Summer.”
To celebrate the first day of summer (and promote its upcoming picturesque, downtown L.A.-set romantic comedy starring indie darlings Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel), Fox Searchlight has teamed up with street vendors across the city to hand out freebies to the first 500 people who arrive at the Sprinklesmobile, Cool Haus ice cream, Kogi’s taco truck, Pink’s hot dogs and more. A tasty reminder to catch the Sundance film when it premieres in July -- it won over many during the January fest. @FoxSearchlight on Twitter has the up-to-the-minute details. (Today)
--
You should be talking about: Regina Spektor.
Because the music video for her latest single, “Laughing With,” is simply mesmerizing. The red-headed chanteuse’s new album, “Far,” is long overdue. (Tuesday)
--
Could it be time to talk about: Pete Yorn’s “Back and Forth”?
“Funny and unhappy” is the way Yorn describes his latest, a collection of his most mellow tunes yet, written alongside producer Mike Mogis, of Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley fame, in Omaha. Does he earn indie street cred? Listen and learn. (Tuesday)
--
Better late than never to talk about: “My Dinner With Andre.”
You have to be in the right state of mind for it, but now is an especially good time to get in the mood. A special Criterion edition DVD of the landmark 1981 film revolving around one very long conversation -- a sometimes whimsical, sometimes despairing confessional on love, death, money and everything in the middle, between writer-stars Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn -- is out, featuring new interviews with the creators. Pour the wine and get situated. (Tuesday)
--
Tough not to talk about: “The Hurt Locker.”
Director Kathryn Bigelow shot the film, about a special unit of the Army charged with disarming roadside bombs on the streets of Baghdad during the Iraq war surge, over 44 days in the Middle East. The result hits especially close to home -- a stand-out and timely war movie. (Friday)
--
And thankfully, you don’t have to talk about: “I’m a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here!” Because the season finale has arrived. Happy day! It probably won’t be the last we’ll hear from villains Spencer and Heidi -- yet another season of “The Hills” is on the way -- but still, a small victory for viewers this week. (Wednesday)
-- Denise Martin
More to Read
Only good movies
Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.