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Beth Accomando
Arts & Culture Reporter
Beth Accomando covers arts and culture around San Diego for KPBS News. Beth studied film at UCSD and had her student film Writer’s Notebook screened as part of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s "Forty-Two Emerging Artists" showcase in 1981. She has edited the sequels to "The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" and video documentaries on Billy Wilder and roller hockey.
Beth is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and Online Film Critics Society, and is the past President and former Education Chairperson for the San Diego Film Critics Society. She served as the festival director of Film School Confidential: A Showcase of San Diego Student Filmmaking. In the past she has served on the film selection committee for the San Diego State University Student Film Festival, San Diego International Film Festival and San Diego Latino Film Festival. Now she volunteers as part of The Film Geeks at the Digital Gym Cinema to bring independent and envelope-pushing genre filmmaking to the Media Arts Center San Diego's micro cinema.
Beth has been a film critic for more than 25 years and began at KPBS in 1987. Since 1997 she has been covering independent and international cinema as well as pop culture for National Public Radio and Public Radio International’s The World. She has received numerous Society of Professional Journalist Awards and San Diego Press Club Awards for her radio and web site work at KPBS. She has also received 11 southwestern area Emmy Awards in the categories of producing, writing, and sound design for promotional spots as well as national Pro Max and Telly Awards while working at Fox.
She has a passion for Hong Kong cinema, Japanese monster movies, horror, and film noir. She collects movie posters and toys, and loves putting on a haunted house every year.
Recent Stories by Beth Accomando
After The Pandemic Pause, Tiki Oasis Returns To Celebrate 20 Years
- July 30
- By Beth Accomando
Tiki Oasis returns from quarantine to celebrate its 20th year — at a new location — the recently renovated Town and Country Resort.
Cinema Junkie Episode 212: Crew Call — Stunt Performers Edition
- July 28
- By Beth Accomando
Cinema Junkie pays tribute to the men and women who risk their lives as Hollywood stunt performers. Check out Cinema Junkie's Crew Call: Stunt Performer Edition.
'Old' Serves Up Stale Shyamalan Formula
- July 23
- By Beth Accomando
Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan has a new movie called "Old" and guess what? It has a twist ending, but the director’s surprise endings have now become a familiar trope.
Cinema Junkie Relaunches With Episode On Marvel And Party On YouTube
- July 21
- By Beth Accomando
Since Marvel's "Black Widow" just opened and Comic-Con starts this week, the latest Cinema Junkie episode celebrates pop culture by looking at the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Check out this excerpt and register for the relaunch party.
Comic-Con Is Virtual For One More Show
- July 19
- By Beth Accomando
Comic-Con International, the massive summertime celebration of pop culture, has once again been forced to substitute an online version of the show for an in person one. It runs Friday through Sunday.
'Summertime' Dazzles With Spoken Word Poetry Musical
- July 16
- By Beth Accomando
San Diego native Kelly Marie Tran is a producer on the new film "Summertime." She hosts a quartet of local screenings this weekend.
Cinema Junkie Episode 211: Critical Thinking And The Marvel Cinematic Universe
- July 14
- By Beth Accomando
Cinema Junkie returns from quarantine break with an episode that celebrates pop culture, Since July is the month of Comic-Con we talk about comic book movies focusing on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
'Cinema Junkie' Podcast Relaunches July 14
- July 12
- By Beth Accomando
Cinema Junkie podcast has been on a quarantine break but returns July 14 will new and improved episodes to satisfy your celluloid addiction.
Sandbox VR Lets You Fight Zombies, Alien Bugs, Pirates
- July 7
- By Beth Accomando
Sandbox VR opened shortly before the pandemic hit and has now fully reopened. Located in Mission Valley Shopping Center, the virtual reality gaming facility allows groups of up to six players fight zombies, alien bugs or each other.
After More Than A Year Delay 'Black Widow' Hits Theaters, Disney+ Friday
- July 6
- By Beth Accomando
COVID-19 delayed the release of Marvel’s “Black Widow” for more than a year. But this Friday the wait is over and Natasha Romanoff finally gets her own film on the big screen.
