The last thing I expected to see tonight: legendary Iranian director Jafar Panahi shooting the Beyond Fest @beyondfest.bsky.social tee-shirt cannon into the Aero Theatre audience. @amcinematheque.bsky.social

Once-in-a-lifetime event thanks to Beyond Fest @beyondfest.bsky.social: director Jafar Panahi is here for the first time since his 2010 arrest, imprisonment, and filmmaking ban by the Iranian government to present his Palme d’Or-winning thriller IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT. @amcinematheque.bsky.social

Tonight’s Beyond Fest @beyondfest.bsky.social screening at the Egyptian Theatre was the West Coast premiere of Aziz Ansari’s delightful feature film directing debut GOOD FORTUNE, followed by a Q&A with writer/ director/ producer/ star Aziz Ansari and co-star Seth Rogen @amcinematheque.bsky.social

This was my fourth Q&A with Guillermo del Toro. He’s practically the unofficial mascot of Beyond Fest @beyondfest.bsky.social

I’m spending the whole day at the Egyptian Theatre for a Beyond Fest @beyondfest.bsky.social triple-feature of CRIMSON PEAK, the black-and-white version of NIGHTMARE ALLEY, and THE SHAPE OF WATER, with a Q&A with director Guillermo del Toro @realgdt.bsky.social @amcinematheque.bsky.social

My second Beyond Fest @beyondfest screening was the US premiere of THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE (in 70mm!), a fascinating epic musical biopic of the woman who brought the Shaker religious movement to America in the 1770s. It was followed by a Q&A with director Mona Fastvold. @amcinematheque.bsky.social

Second viewing in IMAX at the AMC Century City.

Tonight I was reminded why I really shouldn’t wait another 14 years to see The Hold Steady again.

Tonight I’m seeing The Hold Steady for the first time in 14 years! I had a ticket to see them 3 years ago but came down with a bad cold the day before the show.

Today is the 50th anniversary of the release of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, and to celebrate the Academy Museum held a premiere screening of the beautiful new 4K restoration with executive producer Lou Adler and actors Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Nell Campbell in attendance.

Kicking off my 2025 Beyond Fest at the Egyptian Theatre with GOOD BOY, a haunted house horror film seen from the point of view of a dog. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Ben Leonberg, actor Shane Jensen, and star Indy the Dog.

Spending a dreamy evening at the Hollywood Bowl with French duo Air, who are performing their album “Moon Safari” accompanied by an orchestra.

A couple of minutes of Nine Inch Nails for your enjoyment.

On the day that Nine Inch Nails’ awesome soundtrack album for TRON: ARES was released, and almost exactly 3 years after I last saw them at the Primavera Sound LA festival, I’m seeing them at the Kia Forum.

Seeing The Who on their farewell tour at the Hollywood Bowl. I got my ticket for $30!

Saw the wonderful indie romantic comedy THE BALTIMORONS tonight at the AMC Century City followed by a Q&A with writer-director Jay Duplass and writer-star Michael Strassner, moderated by Katie Walsh.

We went to see DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE tonight at the AMC Century City. It was followed by a Q&A with actors Joanne Froggatt (Anna) and Allen Leech (Tom).

From tonight’s premiere of THE LONG WALK at the Egyptian Theatre: screenwriter JT Mollner, producer Roy Lee, and actors Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Judy Greer, Mark Hamill, Roman Griffin Davis, Joshua Odjick, Tut Nyuot, and Jordan Gonzalez.

Actors David Jonsson and Cooper Hoffman introducing tonight’s American Cinematheque/ Beyond Fest premiere of THE LONG WALK at the Egyptian Theatre.

Today the American Cinematheque had a screening of the first episode of the new Apple TV+ miniseries THE SAVANT, followed by a Q&A with star and executive producer Jessica Chastain, who ended the Q&A by declaring her love for the Aero Theatre.

At the Greek to see The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse play a co-headlining show!

Tonight I got to see an advance screening of Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut ELEANOR THE GREAT at the Museum of Tolerance, followed by a Q&A with star June Squibb.

Letterboxd @letterboxd.social reminding me what movies I watched 40 years ago this week (WHAT’S UP, DOC? twice!)

My newest LEGO build is a 1,343-piece Minifigure Vending Machine. Insert a LEGO coin, turn the knob, and it dispenses a ball of minifigure pieces.

Patches is having a very mellow #NationalDogDay

Thanks to the American Cinematheque, tonight I finally get to see REBEL RIDGE, one of my favorite films of 2024, on the big screen at the Aero Theatre (I’ve only seen it on Netflix), followed by a Q&A with director Jeremy Saulnier (BLUE RUIN, GREEN ROOM).

One last surprise before leaving Iceland: ran into Scottish strongman Luke Stoltman in the security line at Keflavík Airport.

We’re halfway through our Iceland trip, and our last day in Reykjavík was devoted to the Reykjavík Pride Parade. 🏳️‍🌈 The last time we celebrated Pride in a foreign country was almost exactly 20 years ago, when we were in Amsterdam for Canal Pride in August 2005.

Waiting in line for a famous Icelandic hot dog made from lamb, beef, and pork (it’s delicious). It’s 9:45pm and the sun is still out. Also, someone put a Harris/Walz sticker on a lamppost next to the hot dog stand.

We’ve arrived in Reykjavík and have already visited The Settlement Exhibition, which features the ruins of a 9th Century Viking long house that is literally beneath our hotel. Also, I found a Sbarro!

LAX->ORD->KEF (you might have to Google this)

Perfect Sunday morning with an American Cinematheque screening at the Aero of the Emmy-nominated documentary WILL & HARPER, followed by a Q&A with subject Harper Steele. @amcinematheque.bsky.social

An evening with director John Woo after the premiere of the 4K restoration of his action masterpiece HARD BOILED at the Egyptian Theatre.

Tonight’s American Cinematheque/ Beyond Fest screening at the Egyptian Theatre is the 4K restoration of perhaps my favorite action film, HARD BOILED, followed by a Q&A with legendary director John Woo.

Happy #NationalMuttDay from Patches!

A year after George and I saw her second-to-last Jazz & Piano show in Vegas, tonight I’m seeing Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM Ball at the Kia Forum.

Hanging out in the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures before the museum’s free screening of my problematic fave INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM in 35mm.

At the Greek Theatre for the first time this year to see Father John Misty, with Lucinda Williams and Hamilton Leithauser (of The Walkmen) opening.

The Q&A after tonight’s American Cinematheque/ Beyond Fest screening of TOGETHER at the Aero Theatre not only featured writer-director Michael Shanks but also actor-producer Alison Brie!

Tonight’s American Cinematheque/ Beyond Fest screening is the new body horror film TOGETHER, followed by a Q&A with writer-director Michael Shanks.

Back at the Egyptian Theatre for a screening of Jacques Tati’s spectacular comedy PLAYTIME (my first time seeing it on the big screen!) as part of the American Cinematheque’s Ultra Cinematheque 70 fest.

The American Cinematheque’s Ultra Cinematheque 70 fest continues with a screening of INCEPTION in 70mm at the Aero Theatre.

Singer-songwriter Fancy Hagood has been one of my favorite musicians for the past few years, and tonight I got to see him play his first Los Angeles headlining show at the Peppermint Club, complete with Chappell Roan and Robyn covers!

At the Hollywood Bowl to see one of my favorite film composers, Alexandre Desplat, conduct the LA Philharmonic. Among his scores that will be performed are THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, GODZILLA (2014), THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, and THE SHAPE OF WATER.

The American Cinematheque’s Ultracinematheque 70 fest continues at the Egyptian Theatre with a screening of a 70mm print of KOYAANISQATSI cinematographer Ron Fricke’s astonishing 1992 non-narrative documentary BARAKA, which was originally filmed in 70mm Todd-AO. I’ve only seen this movie on DVD!

The American Cinematheque’s annual Ultra Cinematheque 70 Fest is underway, and tonight they’re showing a 70mm print of John Ford’s THE SEARCHERS at the Aero Theatre.

Tonight the Academy Museum screened my all-time favorite movie, James Cameron’s THE ABYSS, in 70mm, albeit the theatrical cut (I much prefer the 3-hour Special Edition). The screening was preceded by introductions by producer Gale Anne Hurd, and visual effects supervisors John Bruno and John Knoll.

Celebrating five years since we adopted this sweet weirdo from the animal shelter. All of these photos of Patches were taken today.

My latest completed LEGO set is the 2,049-piece Tumbler Batmobile from Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. I actually built most of this set a few weeks ago only to discover that there was a bag of pieces missing. The very helpful LEGO customer service sent me a replacement bag over the weekend.