Mark Olsen writes about all kinds of movies for the Los Angeles Times as both a feature writer and reviewer. He creates a regular series on independent, documentary and foreign language films under the banner of Indie Focus, also curating and hosting the Indie Focus Screening Series. His work has also appeared in Film Comment, the New York Times, LA Weekly, Sight & Sound and other publications. He is from Kansas.
Latest From This Author
Also this week: Ann Magnuson and Susan Seidelman with “Making Mr. Right,” Robert Frank and Rudy Wurlitzer’s “Candy Mountain” and a Nicole Holofcener double feature.
Nov. 8, 2024
Also this week: GuadaLAjara Film Festival, 30 years of Giant Robot and a 35mm nitrate screening of “Blonde Venus,” starring Marlene Dietrich.
Nov. 1, 2024
Starring Raúl Briones and Rooney Mara, the latest film from Alonso Ruizpalacios searches for signs of life in the intense work of running a not-great restaurant.
Oct. 31, 2024
The title star of ‘Being John Malkovich’ looks back on the ‘iffy call’ to make the movie that would introduce audiences to future Oscar winners Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman.
Oct. 29, 2024
Also this week: AFI Fest rolls along, Alonso Ruizpalacios in-person for a retrospective and screenings of ‘Heaven’s Gate’ and ‘The Boy Friend.’
Oct. 25, 2024
In Screen Gab No. 153, our resident ‘SNL’ buffs break down the series’ 1975 premiere, the creators of ‘South Park’ save a beloved Mexican restaurant and more.
Oct. 18, 2024
Also this week: Writer-director Sean Baker returns with his Palme d’Or-winning “Anora,” and the Micheaux Film Festival lands in Culver City.
Oct. 18, 2024
Also this week: Tarsem’s “The Fall” restored in 4K, Rita Moreno at the Academy with “West Side Story” in 70mm, and Bennett Miller’s 1998 debut “The Cruise.”
Oct. 11, 2024
As part of this year’s Beyond Fest, the stars and director of the 1994 movie reunited after a screening to discuss the making of an unexpected action classic.
Oct. 9, 2024
Also this week: Road movies, including ‘Paper Moon,’ ‘It Happened One Night’ and ‘Two for the Road,’ plus a Guy Maddin retrospective that includes his new ‘Rumours.’
Oct. 4, 2024