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Center Stage with Mark Gordon

Coming Tuesday November 16, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, November 16th at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guest Peter Miller (JEWS AND BASEBALL: AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY).

JEWS AND BASEBALL: AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY portrays the contributions of Jewish major leaguers and the special meaning that baseball has had in the lives of American Jews. More than a film about sports, this is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, and the shattering of stereotypes.

The story is brought to life through Dustin Hoffman's narration, and interviews with dozens of passionate and articulate fans, writers, executives, and especially players including Al Rosen, Kevin Youkilis, Shawn Green, Bob Feller, Yogi Berra, and a rare interview with the Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax. Fans including Ron Howard and Larry King connect the stories of baseball to their own lives, and to the turbulent history of the last century. Their stories are inter-cut with dramatic and never-before-seen film clips and photos of great Jewish players, unforgettable games, and the broad sweep of American history.

PETER MILLER, DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Peter Miller's previous films include A CLASS APART: A MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS STORY, PBS American Experience 2009; the critically acclaimed SACCO AND VANZETTI, released nationally in theaters in 2007; and THE INTERNATIONALE, shown on PBS and screened at over thirty film festivals. He has been a producer on numerous documentaries by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, including the epic PBS series THE WAR and JAZZ, as well as the Peabody Award-winning FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT. Peter has also been a producer on many other acclaimed documentaries, including THE UPRISING OF '34, PASSIN' IT ON (winner of twenty film festival prizes), and the Academy Award-winning AMERICAN DREAM.

Coming Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, November 9th at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guests Alex Gibney ( CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER ), Andrei Konchalovsky (THE NUTCRACKER IN 3D ) and Doug Block (THE KIDS GROW UP).

You may think you know the story of Eliot Spitzer's downfall-after all, it was covered ad nauseum when the story broke. But everybody got it wrong. From the black socks to Ashley Dupre, Oscar®-winning documentarian Alex Gibney (TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE, who was also nominated for ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM) debunks the myths and gets to the heart of the story with candid and revealing interviews with Spitzer, his powerful enemies and a wild cast of characters from the Emperors Club.

With his newest film, Gibney tackles one of his favorite subjects, greed and power run amok, by exploring the rapid rise and dramatic fall of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. Nicknamed "The Sheriff of Wall Street," when he was New York's Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer prosecuted crimes by America's largest financial institutions and some of the most powerful executives in the country. After his election as Governor, with the largest margin in the state's history, many believed Spitzer was on his way to becoming the nation's first Jewish President.

Then, shockingly, Spitzer's meteoric rise turned into a precipitous fall when the New York Times revealed that Spitzer - the paragon of rectitude - had been caught seeing prostitutes. As his powerful enemies, particularly the guys on Wall Street, gleefully watched Mr. Clean being taken down, his supporters questioned the timing of it all: as the Sheriff fell, so did the financial markets, in a cataclysm that threatened to unravel the global economy.

With unique access to the escort world as well as friends, colleagues and enemies of the ex-Governor (many of whom have come forward for the first time), CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER explores the hidden contours of this tale of hubris, sex, and power.

Magnolia Pictures will open CLIENT 9: THE RISE AND FALL OF ELIOT SPITZER November 5 in New York and November 12 in Los Angeles with a national roll out to follow.

From the imagination of acclaimed Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, the cherished story of The Nutcracker will be brought to life in spectacular 3D this holiday season. THE NUTCRACKER IN 3D follows nine-year-old Mary (Elle Fanning) whose dull Viennese Christmas is suddenly filled with excitement and adventure following the arrival of her beloved Uncle Albert (Nathan Lane) and his gift of an enchanted nutcracker.

On Christmas night, Mary's new friend, The Nutcracker (Charlie Rowe) or "NC," comes to life and takes her on a wondrous journey into his magical world of fairies, sugarplums, and other Christmas toys which come to life. Mary soon realizes that this fantastical kingdom is facing danger from the tyrannical rule of the evil Rat King (John Turturro) and his devious mother (Frances de la Tour). When NC is taken hostage, Mary and her newfound toy friends must uncover the secret of the Rat King to rescue NC and his kingdom.

Based on the story that inspired acclaimed Russian composer Piotr Tchaikovsky to create the music for the iconic ballet, the film includes eight exciting new songs penned by Oscar-winning lyricist and librettist Sir Tim Rice (The Lion King, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar).

THE NUTCRACKER IN 3D will open in theatres November 24, 2010

Laemmle Theatres and Shadow Releasing are pleased to present THE KIDS GROW UP, a funny and deeply moving look at father-daughter relationships, modern-day parenting, marriage and a looming empty nest. Documentary filmmaker Doug Block (51 Birch Street) has captured much of his daughter Lucy's life - and their relationship - on camera. Now his only child is 17 and preparing to leave home for college. Lucy's imminent departure is the springboard for THE KIDS GROW UP.

"A profound, and utterly relatable, contemplation of.... parenthood, aging and youth's swift passing." (Anthony Kaufman, indieWIRE)

The exclusive Los Angeles engagement will begin on Friday, November 12th at the Sunset 5 in West Hollywood.

Coming Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, November 2nd at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guests Frederick Wiseman (BOXING GYM) Stephin Merritt (STRANGE POWERS: STEPHIN MERRITT AND THE MAGNETIC FIELDS), T Authur Cottam ( 52 TAKES OF THE SAME THING, THEN BOOBS).

Laemmle Theatres and Zipporah Films are pleased to present BOXING GYM, documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman's portrait of a boxing gym in Austin, Texas, dwelling on the discipline of training as people from all walks of life aspire to reach their personal best.

Lord's Gym was founded sixteen years ago by Richard Lord, a former professional boxer. A wide variety of people of all ages, races, ethnicities and social classes train at the gym: men, women, children, doctors, lawyers, judges, business men and women, immigrants, professional boxers and people who want to become professional boxers alongside amateurs who love the sport, in addition to teenagers who are trying to develop strength and assertiveness. The gym is a classic example of the American "melting pot," where people meet, talk, and train.

The exclusive Los Angeles engagements will begin on Friday, November 5th at the Sunset 5, Town Center 5 and Playhouse 7 and Saturday and Sunday, November 13th and 14th at the Claremont 5 and Monica 4-Plex.

Songwriter Stephin Merritt always seems to have a Chihuahua on his lap. Performing with the Magnetic Fields since 1991, he has composed some of his generation's most intellectually incisive, whimsical, witty and acerbic music (Merritt has been compared to Cole Porter for his sophisticated use of language). A dedicated, growing army of admirers flocks to the group's concerts and makes Merritt an odd sort of anti-celebrity, one who is happiest not being recognized, whiling away the hours in gay bars on either coast (his favorite place for writing music) or spending a good part of the day soaking up obscure movie classics.

Ten years in the making, the film follows the famously grumpy Merritt and explores his relationship with Claudia Gonson, his creative collaborator and the band's manager. It paints a portrait of an artist whose music brilliantly holds up a mirror to the fears, joys, and insecurities of his time.

RELEASE DATE: NYC (Film Forum)- Wednesday, October 27 / LA (Laemmle Sunset 5) -Friday, November 5.

Coming Tuesday October 26, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, October 26th at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guests Mariana Chenillo (NORA'S WILL), Francis Megahy ( THE BEST GOVERNMENT MONEY CAN BUY ), Heath Michaels ( YEARDLEY ) and Diz White (Haunted Cotswolds).

Winner of 7 Mexican Academy Awards, including Best Picture of the Year! NORA'S WILL is a Mexican Jewish comedy like nothing you've seen before, a truly unique tale about lost faith and eternal love from writer/director Mariana Chenillo.

When Jose's ex-wife Nora dies right before Passover, Jose is forced to stay with her body until it can be buried properly. He soon realizes it's all part of Nora's plan to bring her family back together, leading Jose to reexamine their relationship and rediscover their undying love for each other.

Variety calls the film "warm and entertaining", and it has been charming audiences at film festivals all over the world.

The exclusive Los Angeles engagements will begin on Friday, October 29th at the Royal in West L.A. and the Town Center 5 in Encino.

THE BEST GOVERNMENT MONEY CAN BUY? is the first behind-the-scenes, comprehensive, non-partisan examination of the system of lobbying in Washington, DC.

The cost of election campaigns has spiraled out of control, to the extent that, on average, our representatives spend more than 25% of their time fund-raising. Even our Presidents regularly interrupt the nation's work in order to spend time fund-raising!

Raising funds to get elected - that's the key interface between lobbyists and Members of Congress.

The number of registered lobbyists has more than doubled since 2000; their fees have also increased by 100%; and in 2006-7 they spent a staggering $13.5 million per day. Over the past six years, they have spent more than $13 billion. Would it be naive to conclude that the interests whose money they channel into the political process, expect nothing in return for it?

Veteran documentary film-maker, British-born Francis Megahy, makes a journey of discovery as he tries to answer some questions which puzzle him: who provides the money? What effect does it have? How is it connected to the financing of political campaigns? And most crucial, is it in the public interest?

Laemmle Theatres and Dalton Pictures are pleased to present YEARDLEY, a provocative and disturbing new indie drama about a narcissist who risks personal destruction because he cannot think beyond his own sexual needs.

After ending an office affair, Jeff Yeardley (Jesse Bernstein) is accused of sexual harassment and fired. Soon his wife leaves with their child and files for a separation. Unable to accept her choice, he fights to reunite his family and is quickly subjected to the intrusive eye of the courts, visitation supervisors and social workers who monitor and second guess all of his decisions. To make matters worse, his money is running out, and he can't land a new job.

Desperate to rebound from this devastating situation, Jeff accepts work from his friend at a call center and falls victim to a scheme by two unscrupulous and manipulative women. He is led on a journey of moral discovery where every decision he makes changes his life in ways he could never imagine. As he falls into a downward spiral of lust and betrayal, the consequences are dire, and he must overcome his selfishness if he's to win back his family or else be doomed to a much worse fate.

The exclusive Los Angeles engagement will begin on Friday, October 29 at the Sunset 5 in West Hollywood.

Spine-chilling tales of ghosts, ghouls and the undead have been gathered here from every corner of the Cotswolds revealing, in heart stopping detail, this region's unexplained events and the creepy elements that lurk just beneath its rolling hills and beautiful vistas.

These stories, illustrated with more than sixty photographs include: King Charles I's headless haunting of Chavenage House; the ghost of Warwick Castle as he emerges from his portrait; the ghouls of the Ram Inn, the most haunted building in Britain; the banshee of Banbury Cross; and a ghostly Guy Fawkes and his conspirators who still plot to blow up Parliament.

In this volume, descriptions of Cotswold architecture and history are woven into thrilling stories of supernatural happenings, promising those with an interest in the paranormal terrifying dreams for years to come.

Coming Tuesday October 19, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, October 19th at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guests Shannon Keith (SKIN TRADE) and Israel Luna and Willam Belli (TICKED OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES).

Fur is sexy, beautiful, sensuous and luxurious. Nothing feels better against your skin, and beautiful, sexy, successful people wear it. Fur is also environmentally friendly and is therefore a sustainable resource. These are the campaigns the fur industry uses to get people to commit the ultimate atrocities permitted against animals. Consumers are misled by retailers who assure them that animals used for fur are humanely euthanized, intentionally hiding the reality of how the animals are hideously killed. Step inside the world of SKIN TRADE. Hundreds of hours of interviews with insiders, designers, leaders and celebrities compiled in a heart punching documentary directed and produced by award winning director Shannon Keith. This film lends a voice to the voiceless whose skin is ripped from them while often still alive. Understand what makes this savage industry tick and what it will take to change it.

The film has earned multiple awards since its Los Angeles premiere in June, including Best Documentary and Best Director for filmmaker Shannon Keith at the Los Angeles Movie Awards, Award of Merit for Feature Documentary from The Indie Fest, and Media of the Year from the Institute for Critical Animal Studies.

"Girls just want to have fun, and God help anyone who rains on their parade in TICKED-OFF TRANNIES WITH KNIVES, a knockoff/sendup/homage/burlesque of '70s-exploitation movies that suggests what might have happened if Eli Roth had directed "Paris Is Burning." So far over the top it can barely see the ground, "Trannies" is a classic midnight movie that's...sure to attract a cult aud. Any innocents wandering in unawares will require immediate resuscitation." (John Anderson, Variety)

The exclusive Los Angeles engagement will begin on Friday, October 22nd at the Sunset 5 in West Hollywood.

Coming Tuesday October 12, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, October 12th at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guest Jeff Reichert, Writer/Director of the new film GERRYMANDERING.

Right now, across the country, our two major political parties are gearing up for a once-a-decade war whose winner will control Congress for the next ten years, and possibly more. There will be battles in every state, and each will be kept carefully hidden from the prying eyes of average voters who only become more disenchanted with their government with each meaningless election.

Democrats and Republicans collude to keep these skirmishes private so that they can maintain total control over the ultimate political weapon: the ability to directly determine the outcome of elections. Why bother stuffing ballots when they can just draw districts?

For the first time, Gerrymandering exposes the most effective form of manipulating elections short of outright fraud. After the 2010 Census is finished, will you know where your district went?

Jeff Reichert recently served as Senior Vice President of Magnolia Pictures where he developed release campaigns for some of the most theatrically successful documentaries in recent years including the Academy Award-nominees Capturing the Friedmans, Enron: the Smartest Guys in the Room, Jesus Camp and No End in Sight, and the Academy Award-winning Man on Wire among many other fiction and non-fiction features. He is the co-founder and editor of the popular online film journal Reverse Shot.

Coming October 5, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, October 5th at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guests John Curran (STONE) and Drake Doremus (DOUCHEBAG).

A seasoned corrections official and a volatile inmate find their lives dangerously intertwined in Stone, a thought-provoking drama directed by John Curran and written by Angus MacLachlan. Stone features powerful performances by Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro and Oscar® nominee Edward Norton, and a startlingly raw, breakout performance from Milla Jovovich as the sexy, casually amoral woman they both desire.

As parole officer Jack Mabry (De Niro) counts the days toward a quiet retirement, he is asked to review the case of Gerald "Stone" Creeson (Norton), in prison for covering up the murder of his grandparents with a fire. Now eligible for early release, Stone needs to convince Jack he has reformed, but his attempts to influence the older man's decision have profound and unexpected consequences for them both.

Stone skillfully weaves together the parallel journeys of two men grappling with dark impulses, as the line between lawman and lawbreaker becomes precariously thin. Golden Globe® winner Frances Conroy completes the superb ensemble as Madylyn, Jack's devout, long-suffering spouse.

Set against the quiet desperation of economically ravaged suburban Detroit and the stifling brutality of a maximum security prison, this tale of passion, betrayal and corruption examines the fractured lives of two volatile men breaking from their troubled pasts to face uncertain futures.

STONE opens in Los Angeles on Friday, October 8

The week Sam Nussbaum is to be married, his fiancée questions why his only brother, Tom, isn't coming to the wedding. Unsatisfied with his lame reply, she surprises Sam by bringing the brothers together. Sam is not happy, but he rarely is-unless he's telling someone what to do. When it's revealed that Tom has only been in love once-with his fifth-grade girlfriend-Sam insists they go find her. It soon becomes evident that their journey is simply an excuse for Sam to avoid his impending commitment.

If you haven't deciphered the derivation of the title by now, stick with it. The fresh writing and original characters will reveal it all. Douchebag will make you squirm, laugh, and get pissed off-all at the same time.

Outstanding breakout performances bring an authenticity that would be impressive even from seasoned actors. Drake Doremus's clever, straightforward filmmaking keeps the story buzzing in this offbeat comedy that gives a modern twist to sibling rivalry.

DOUCHEBAG opens in Los Angeles on Friday, October 8

Coming Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tune in Tuesday, September 21 at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guests Matt Reeves (LET ME IN) and Chris D'Arienzo (BARRY MUNDAY).

Chloë Grace Moretz (Hit Girl in Kick-Ass) stars as Abby, a mysterious 12-year-old who moves next door to Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road), a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school. In his loneliness, Owen forms a profound bond with his new neighbor, but he can’t help noticing that Abby is like no one he has ever met before. As a string of grisly murders grips his wintry New Mexico town, Owen has to confront the reality that this seemingly innocent girl is actually a savage vampire.

Let Me In, a haunting and provocative thriller written and directed by filmmaker Matt Reeves (Cloverfield), is based on the best-selling Swedish novel Låt den Rätte Komma In (Let The Right One In) by John Ajvide Lindqvist, and the highly acclaimed film of the same name. The film’s score is by Oscar®-, Emmy®- and Grammy®-winning composer Michael Giacchino (Up, “Lost”).

Let Me In marks the return of legendary British horror brand Hammer Films and is the first movie to come out from the studio in over 30 years. Let Me In stars Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Road), Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Elias Koteas (Shutter Island) and Cara Buono (“The Sopranos”). The film is produced by Simon Oakes (Wake Wood), Alex Brunner (The Resident), Guy East (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines), Tobin Armbrust (The Resident), Donna Gigliotti (The Reader), John Nordling (Let the Right One In) and Carl Molinder (Let the Right One In). Executive producers are Nigel Sinclair (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines), John Ptak (The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus), Philip Elway (Dear John) and Fredrik Malmberg (Mutant Chronicles). Co-producer is Vicki Dee Rock (My One and Only). Director of photography is Greig Fraser (Bright Star). Production designer is Ford Wheeler (After.Life). Costume designer is Melissa Bruning (Love Ranch). Original music is by Michael Giacchino (Star Trek).

In Barry Munday, a suburban wanna-be ladies man, wakes up in the hospital after being attacked in a movie theater, only to realize that he is missing one of his most prized possessions... his testicles. To make matters worse, Barry learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't remember having sex with. With this being Barry's last chance to ever be a father, Barry reaches out and embraces the journey of parenthood and the onslaught of bumps that face him along the way. Filled with an ensemble of unusual characters, Barry Munday is the surprisingly heart-warming tale of a guy who finds it took losing his manhood to be a better man.

Coming Tuesday September 21

Tune in Tuesday, September 21 at 7PM (PST) as KXLU Los Angeles proudly presents Center Stage with Mark Gordon featuring special guest Nathaniel Brown who is featured in Gaspar Noe's ENTER THE VOID.

One of the most anticipated cinematic events of the year, Gaspar Noe's ENTER THE VOID is a visionary thrill ride that's riveted audiences at the Cannes, Toronto, Sundance and SXSW film festivals. The long-awaited follow up to his controversial IRREVERSIBLE, ENTER THE VOID is an immersive and mind-bending experience. Nathaniel Brown and Paz de la Huerta star in a visceral journey set against the thumping, neon club scene of Tokyo, which hurls the viewer into an astonishing trip through life, death, and the universally wonderful and horrible moments between.

The long-awaited follow up to his controversial Irreversible, ENTER THE VOID is an immersive and mind-bending experience. The film is a visceral journey set against the thumping, neon club scene of Tokyo, which hurls the viewer into an astonishing trip through life, death, and the universally wonderful and horrible moments between.

"An exceptional work... What largely distinguishes it, beyond the stunning cinematography, is that this is the work of an artist who's trying to show us something we haven't seen before" - Manohla Dargis, The New York Times

"There's no way to summarize the paranoid, terrifying and surpassingly beautiful lysergic odyssey between life and death on which Noé takes us... one of the most mind-blowing and ambitious feature films ever made." - Andrew O'Hehir, Salon

IFC Films presents ENTER THE VOID, showing at Landmark's Nuart Theatre from Friday, September 24 through Thursday September 30, 2010.