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Articles by Eric Althoff

American actor Richard Gere, left, movie director Joseph Cedar, center, and Israeli actor Lior Ashkenazi, stand for a photo before a press at then premiere of the "Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer," movie in Jerusalem, Thursday, March 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)

Israeli filmmaker Joseph Cedar makes political thriller with Richard Gere in ‘Norman’

Filmmaker Joseph Cedar just could not get Norman Oppenheimer out of his mind. The New York-born writer-director who was raised in Israel created the character amid another screenplay he was writing, but quickly realized that the small-time New York political operative was more interesting than the other characters surrounding him. So much so that his new film, "Norman," was named for him.

May 3, 2017
A scene from "American Wrestler: The Wizard." (Variety)

Trump travel ban criticized by Iranian-American producer of ‘American Wrestler’

Ali Afshar and his family escaped the Iranian Revolution, emigrating to Northern California while they were still able. Then-young Ali sought to fit in with a new culture, surrounded by people who knew little, if anything, about Iran or its history. Now an actor and film producer, Mr. Afshar will see his own life story dramatized on screen when Warner Bros. releases "American Wrestler: The Wizard" for one day only this Wednesday.

May 1, 2017

Pod DC hotel opens in Washington

Pod DC has officially opened its doors in Chinatown, where the property will host District restauranteurs Ian and Eric Hilton's Crimson Diner & Whiskey Bar at ground level and Crimson View on the property's rooftop. Both bars will offer cocktails and Southern cuisine.

May 1, 2017
(soundtrack-movie.com)

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘How to Be a Latin Lover’ a hilarious romp

The entertaining, craftily realized "How to Be a Latin Lover" stars veteran Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez as Maximo, an aging Lothario fond of scamming rich women of a certain age into marriage in order to reap the benefits upon their passing. However, as the film, co-written by Chris Spain and Jon Zack, opens, Maximo finds that his raisin of a wife is leaving him for a much, much younger man (Michael Cera, for once not playing a loser).

April 27, 2017

Artist streaming fees lobbied for at ASCAP’s ‘We Write the Songs’ event

The ASCAP Foundation hosted songwriters, singers and composers at the Library of Congress Tuesday for the annual "We Write the Songs" event. Wednesday the artists then met with legislators for ASCAP's "Stand with Songwriters" Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, an event whose aim is to urge lawmakers to update federal music licensing regulations for the modern music marketplace.

April 27, 2017
The Revolution. (Chicago Tribune)

Prince percussionist Bobby Z. discusses The Revolution tour

It's been a year since Prince died suddenly at his Minnesota home, and while the music world will likely never be the same, the Purple One's former bandmates aim to keep his legacy alive. The Revolution, the ensemble that famously backed Prince in the film "Purple Rain," rolls into Silver Spring, Maryland's The Fillmore Thursday to pay tribute to its departed bandleader.

April 25, 2017

‘Veep’ actor Paul Scheer part of 1893 Pepsi cocktail mixing event

Comedian Paul Scheer, who is appearing on the political comedy "Veep" this season, recently teamed up with award-winning bartender Pam Wiznitzer for a special event in New York to celebrate the unveiling of two new Pepsi-Cola 1893 flavors, Black Currant Cola and Citrus Cola.

April 23, 2017
Norman Lear takes a call on his phone from filmmaker Heidi Ewing, who co-directed the documentary "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You," live during a Q&A at Ebertfest Sunday, April 22, 2017, in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. (Eric Althoff/The Washington Times)

Norman Lear takes live call during Q&A at Ebertfest

In an instance of life imitating art, Mr. Lear -- shown in one scene of film to be constantly working, answering phones in the middle of meeting with cast members -- had his cellphone ring during the Q&A. Before answering the call, he explained that he was keeping a promise to his children, to whom he said it would always be on. On the other end was Ms. Ewing, co-director of the doc. He put her on speaker.

April 22, 2017
Isabelle Huppert (center) was presented with a "Golden Thumb" award by Chaz Ebert (right) at Ebertfest 2017 Friday. (Eric Althoff/The Washington Times)

Isabelle Huppert awarded Golden Thumb award at Ebertfest 2017

French thespian Isabelle Huppert, hot from her Oscar nomination for best actress for the thriller "Elle," was on hand for a screening of the film at Ebertfest Friday evening. "I don't think you can really prepare" for a role like this, Miss Huppert said of Michele, the middle-aged woman who is violently raped at the outset of "Elle," and then begins a dangerous cat-and-mouse game to trap her assailant.

April 22, 2017
Chaz Ebert (second from left) and "They Call Us Monsters" director Ben Lear (second from right) discuss the film following a screening at the 19th annual Ebertfest in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, April 21, 2017. (Eric Althoff/The Washington Times)

Ebertfest Day 3 opened by Chaz Ebert, widow of critic Roger Ebert, with juvenile prison documentary

Three documentaries are playing at the festival for the first time, Ms. Ebert said, introducing Ben Lear, who made the documentary "They Call Us Monsters," about a screenwriting teacher who attempts to reach juvenile defenders in California's jails awaiting trials as adults for rather horrific crimes. "I think that the issue that he tackled is so important in our society today, and under the new administration, it's even more important," she said.

April 21, 2017