PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS •CALENDAR• –CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 bacchuskitchen.com Jazz violinist and Spanish resident Maureen Choi and her quartet perform a concert of music at the intersection of jazz and Spanish cultures, starting with a three-course dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are $85. Visit maureenchoi.com for tickets. Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320, vromansbookstore.com Lauren Kate discusses and signs “The Orphan’s Song” at 7 p.m. TUESDAY Cancer Support Community 76 E. Del Mar Blvd., Ste. 215, Pasadena (626) 796-1083 cscpasadena.org City of Hope Provost and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Steve Rosen discusses how to build awareness among patients and caregivers about talking with their health care teams about personalized medicine testing, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and inheritable cancers from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Free, but call for reservations. Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge (818) 949-4200, descansogardens.org Descanso’s annual World Rhythms world music series features Angel City Chorale from 6 to 7 p.m., included in Descanso admission of $9 general admission, $6 for students and seniors, $4 for children 5 to 12, free for those 4 and younger. Pasadena Civil War Round Table Pasadena Public Library, Central Branch 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena pasadenacwrt.org The Round Table discusses “Before the Shooting Started—The Causes of the Civil War,” featuring Pepperdine University Professor of History Stewart Davenport. Topics include anti-and pro-slavery forces, irreconcilable ideas between the two sides, economic, social and religious differences between the two and other topics. It starts at 7:15 p.m., free and open to the public. Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320, vromansbookstore.com Tanja Hester discusses and signs “Work Optional: Retire Early the Non-Penny-Pinching Way” at 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY One Colorado 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena (626) 564-1066 onecolorado.com June Wine Wednesdays feature wine flights hosted by Sage Vegan Bistro & Brewery. Guests can enjoy live music in the courtyard, all starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday’s event features rosé flights for $16. Live music is salsa by the Iris Sanda Band. The music is free. Check in at the courtyard bar by 6:15 p.m. for tickets. Pasadena Playhouse 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena (626) 356-7529 pasadenaplayhouse.org The play “Good Boys,” by “Riverdale” creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa opens at 8 p.m. The intense drama is set in 1988 at a private prep school, involving a model student, in the mold of his father, a disturbing video tape and a privileged family facing difficult choices. It continues at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through July 21. Tickets are $25 and up. Pasadena Public Library, Central Branch 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena (626) 744-4066 pasadenapubliclibrary.net Free films screen at 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Wednesday’s film is “Calendar Girls” (2003). Sierra Madre Playhouse 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre (626) 355-4318 sierramadreplayhouse.org The Playhouse continues its series of classic movie musical screenings with “Gold Diggers” (1933), starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 per film. The Rose 245 E. Green St., Pasadena (888) 645-5006 wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com Make your own music with karaoke in the Lobby Lounge at The Rose Wednesday through Saturday night. Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-5320 vromansbookstore.com Elizabeth Pomeroy discusses and signs “Glen Dawson: Mountaineer and Bookman” at 7 p.m. Wine & Song Americana Singer/Songwriter Music Series Arroyo Seco Golf Course 1055 Lohman Lane, South Pasadena blueguitar.club Brad Colerick’s weekly music series features Ike’s Creek and Alice Howe at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 general admission, $17 for table seating. n 22 PASADENA WEEKLY | <strong>06.20.19</strong>
PW OPINION PW NEWS PW LIFE PW ARTS •FILM• BY CARL KOZLOWSKI Total Winner ‘THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO’ SPOTLIGHTS HUGELY TALENTED NEWCOMER JIMMIE FAILS It’s no secret that San Francisco is beset with all manner of troubles these days, from rampant homelessness to terribly unsanitary conditions in much of its prime locations. Yet its huge hills and beautiful historic architecture still hold a magical allure for millions, and a young actor-writer named Jimmie Fails makes a dramatic stand for its preservation in the stunning new drama “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.” Fails has come out of seemingly nowhere with the film, in which he plays a somewhat fictional version of himself and co-wrote the story with his best friend and director, Joe Talbot. The story follows Fails and his best friend, Monty (Jonathan Majors), as Jimmie tries desperate and inventive measures to reclaim his childhood home after 12 years when its owners are forced to leave the premises. Jimmie has had the deck stacked against him his entire life, with a mother who abandoned him years ago and a father who is a former junkie and subsists by making and selling pirated DVDs in a dingy hotel room. Monty is stuck working in a fish shop while dreaming of becoming a playwright, and spends much of his time outside of work listening to the conversations and arguments of the people he sees on the streets around him. When Jimmie realizes that the older white couple who took over the house when his family fell apart are being evicted due to a familial property dispute, he and Monty break in and start squatting there. He has always been told his grandfather built the fantastical house, and even manages to reclaim his grandfather’s assortment of odd furniture and other possessions to fill its massive empty space. On the one hand, this brings Jimmie great happiness. On the other, it also creates a Jimmie Fails, left, and Jonathan Majors in “The Last Black Man in San Francisco“ slow-building tension as they struggle to remain unnoticed and wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. “Last” doesn’t rely much on conventional narrative, but rather is a mesmerizing visual poem and mood piece that grabs viewers from the start and never lets go. Co-writer and director Joe Talbot, the real Fails’ reallife best friend, kicks things off with an aweinspiring opening sequence in which Jimmie and Monty hop on the same skateboard and soar through the streets of San Francisco on their way to work. As they zip through the streets and soar up and down its incredible hills, numerous images of the people they pass are freezeframed or slow-motioned as they stare at the two young friends flying by. This visual trick and many others are employed by Talbot throughout the film, creating a unique look from start to finish that recalls and even surpasses the dazzling cinematography of Spike Lee’s visionary early work. With Emile Mosseri’s stirring musical score that combines orchestral power with a jazzy undertone, “Last” becomes a feast for the senses. Fails is making his literal feature film debut here as both writer and actor, and the result caused a sensation at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. In fact, The Hollywood Reporter critic Todd McCarthy regarded it as “by far the best narrative film I saw at Sundance…Every scene is fresh and unpredictable, visual poetry and realism are exquisitely woven together.” Such high praise is richly deserved, and if you’re looking for an intelligent and compelling film amid the bombast of summer blockbusters, this is likely your best bet of the season. n “THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO”: A FLICK FINDER SHOWTIMES Friday June 21 to Thursday June 27 Note: Times are p.m., and daily, unless otherwise indicated. All times are subject to change without notice. PASADENA ACADEMY 6 1003 E Colorado Bl, (626) 229-9400. Princess Mononoke Tues. only, 7:30 p.m. IPIC THEATERS AT ONE COLORADO PASADENA 42 Miller Alley, (626) 639-2260. Men in Black: International Fri.-Sun., 1, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 1, 4:15, 7:30, 10:30 p.m.; Wed. 1:20, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 p.m. Rocketman Fri.-Tues., 1:15, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15 p.m.; Wed. 1:10, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15 p.m. The Secret Life of Pets 2 Fri. 1:15, 3:45, 6:45, 9:15 p.m.; Sat. 1, 3:45, 6:45, 9:15 p.m.; Sun. 1:05, 3:45, 6:45, 9:15 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 1, 3:45, 6:45, 9:15 p.m.; Wed. 1, 3:30, 6:30, 9 p.m. Shaft Fri.-Wed., 1:45, 4:45, 7:45, 10:45 p.m. Toy Story 4 Fri.-Sun., 12:30, 12:45, 3:30, 4, 6:30, 7, 9:30, 10 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 12:40, 12:45, 3:30, 4, 6:30, 7, 9:30, 9:45 p.m.; Wed. 12:45, 1, 3:45, 4, 6:45, 9:30, 10 p.m.; Thurs. 12:50, 3:50, 6:45, 9:45 p.m. LAEMMLE’S PLAYHOUSE 7 673 E Colorado Bl, (626) 844-6500. Kinky Boots the Musical Tues. only, 7 p.m. The Taming of the Shrew Mon. 7:30 p.m.; Tues. 1 p.m. Yesterday Thurs. only, 7:20, 10:10 p.m. ARCLIGHT PASADENA 14 280 E Colorado Bl, (626) 568-8888. Annabelle Comes Home Tues. 5, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45 p.m.; Wed.-Thurs., 11 a.m., 1:15, 3:30, 5:45, 8, 10:15 p.m. Child’s Play Fri.-Sun., 10:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 p.m. Toy Story 4 Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m., 4:45, 7, 9:15 p.m. Toy Story 4 3D Fri. 3:30 p.m.; Sat. 1:15, 3:30 p.m.; Sun. 3:30 p.m. Yesterday Thurs. only, 7, 9:30, 12 midnight GLENDALE PACIFIC GLENDALE 18 The Americana at Brand,322 Americana Way, Glendale (818) 551-0218. Annabelle Comes Home Tues. 5, 7:30, 10 p.m.; Wed. 11:45 a.m., 2:15, 5:30, 8, 10:30 p.m.; Thurs. 11:45 a.m., 2:20, 5:30, 8, 10:30 p.m. Child’s Play Fri. 5:45, 8 p.m.; Sat. 5:45 p.m.; Sun. 5:50, 8:05, 10:20 p.m. Toy Story 4 Fri.-Sat., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1, 2, 3:30, 4:30, 6, 7, 8:30, 9:30, 11, 12 midnight; Sun. 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1, 2, 3:30, 4:30, 6, 7, 8:30, 9:30 p.m. Yesterday Thurs. only, 7:15, 10 p.m. UA LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE 1919 Verdugo Bl, (818) 952-1940. Annabelle Comes Home Tues. 5, 7:50, 10:30 p.m.; Wed.- Thurs., 11:50 a.m., 2:30, 5:10, 7:50, 10:30 p.m. Toy Story 4 Fri.-Thurs., 11:10 a.m., 4:30, 7:10, 9:50 p.m. Toy Story 4 3D Fri.-Thurs., 1:50 p.m. Yesterday Thurs. only, 7, 9:50 p.m. ARCADIA AMC SANTA ANITA 16 Westfield Shoppingtown Mall,400 Baldwin Ave, (888) 262-4386. Anna Fri.-Thurs., 10:30 a.m., 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 p.m. Annabelle Comes Home Tues. 5, 8, 11 p.m.; Wed.- Thurs., 11:25 a.m., 2:15, 5, 7:45, 10:30 p.m. Child’s Play Fri.-Thurs., 10:15 a.m., 12:45, 3:15, 5:45, 8:15, 10:45 p.m. Forrest Gump 25th Anniversary Sun. 3, 7 p.m.; Tues. 3, 7 p.m. Kinky Boots the Musical Tues. only, 7 p.m. Men in Black: International Fri. 10:45 a.m., 12:15, 1:30, 3:15, 4:30, 7:30, 10:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10:45 a.m., 12:15, 1:30, 3:15, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15 p.m.; Tues. 7 p.m. Men in Black: International 3D Fri.-Sun., 6:15, 9:15 p.m. MET Summer Encore: La Boheme (2010) Wed. only, 7 p.m. The Secret Life of Pets 2 Sat. only, 11 a.m. Shaft Fri.-Sun., 10:30 a.m., 1:30, 4:15, 7:15, 10:15 p.m. Toy Story 4 Fri.-Sat., 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30, 2, 3:15, 4:45, 6, 7:30, 8:45, 10:15, 11:30 p.m.; Sun. 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30, 2, 3:15, 4:45, 6, 7:30, 8:45, 10:15, 11:15 p.m.; Mon. 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:15, 1:45, 4, 4:30, 6:45, 7:15, 9:30, 10 p.m.; Tues. 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:45, 1:15, 3:30, 4, 6:45, 9:30 p.m.; Wed.-Thurs., 10:30 a.m., 1:15, 4, 6:45, 9:30 p.m. Toy Story 4 3D Fri.-Sun., 10:45 a.m., 1:30, 4:15, 7, 9:45 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs., 11:30 a.m., 2:15, 5, 7:45, 10:30 p.m. Toy Story 4: The IMAX 2D Experience Fri.-Sun., 10:15 a.m., 1, 3:45, 6:30, 9:15 p.m.; Mon. 10 a.m., 12:45, 3:30, 6:15, 9 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m., 1:45, 4:30 p.m. ALHAMBRA EDWARDS ALHAMBRA RENAISSANCE STADIUM 14 & IMAX 1 E. Main Street, (626) 300-0107. Annabelle Comes Home Tues. 5, 7:35, 10:15 p.m.; Wed.- Thurs., 9:45 a.m., 12:25, 3:05, 5:45, 8:25, 11 p.m. Child’s Play Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m., 12:30, 3, 5:30, 8, 10:30 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m., 12:30, 3:05, 5:30, 8, 10:30 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs., 10 a.m., 12:30, 3, 5:30, 8, 10:30 p.m. Forrest Gump 25th Anniversary Sun. 3 p.m.; Tues. 7 p.m. Kinky Boots the Musical Tues. only, 7 p.m. Met Summer Encore: La BohËme Wed. only, 1, 7 p.m. Paddington 2 Tues.-Wed., 10 a.m. Teen Titans GO! to the Movies Tues.-Wed., 10 a.m. Toy Story 4 Fri.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m., 12:10, 2:50, 5:30, 8:10 p.m. Toy Story 4 3D Fri. 10:45 p.m.; Sat.-Thurs., 10:50 p.m. Toy Story 4: The IMAX 2D Experience Fri.-Thurs., 11:10 a.m., 1:50, 4:30, 7:10, 9:50 p.m. Yesterday Thurs. only, 7, 9:55 p.m. n Enjoy the show. For more reviews, check out pasadenaweekly.com <strong>06.20.19</strong> | PASADENA WEEKLY 23
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