There have always been socially relevant films, but until the release of “The Social Network” on Friday, none will have used widespread media/technology as the selling point for their film. Sony/Columbia Pictures, when they greenlit the project, essentially banked on the popularity of Facebook as their means of getting folks in theaters. This weekend, we’ll […]

Longtime film and television actor Tony Curtis (“Some Like It Hot,” “Spartacus”), father of actress Jamie Lee Curtis, passed away from a heart attack in his Las Vegas home yesterday. He was 85.

Can you feel that? Oscar season is getting closer … this Trailer Wednesday features the Coen brothers’ yearly entry, this time a more mainstream film in a remake of the 1969 Western “True Grit.” Then there’s the little period drama that could, “The King’s Speech,” which made waves of Oscar buzz at the Toronto International […]

Money never sleeps, but owls do, only it’s during the day. What I mean by that is, Zack Snyder’s animated film “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” finished modestly (to be nice) and the sequel to “Wall Street” took first at the box office this weekend.

With a subject as delicate, personal and even as controversial as religion, the wisest choice “Jesus Camp” filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady make is to keep their voice and presence out of the film and let their subjects tell the story. Documentaries are always better with some kind of guiding force and a hint […]

After last week’s foursome boosted the box office by a third, another quad enters the fold, once again playing to a diverse crowd. The biggest animated film of the early portion of fall comes out and it’s directed by Zack Snyder. Then there’s a sequel 23 years in the making, a multi-generational all-girls affair and […]

A trio of “The ____” titles doesn’t scream originality, but these Holiday/Winter releases ought to make some waves come wintertime anyway. We start with an awards season boxing drama, which is always worth a look. Mark Wahlberg stars in the true story of “Irish” Mickey Ward for director David O. Russell (“I Heart Huckabees”). Then […]

Four films went at it this weekend and much to the box office’s benefit. Business was up about 32 percent as the Ben Affleck-directed “The Town” took top honors as one of those rare super-successful crime dramas. Of the other new entries, “Easy A” gave Emma Stone some serious pull in future film contract negotiations […]

Ben Affleck’s second feature film as a director — if nothing else — proves he’s no fluke. In all the ways his sincere and revealing debut “Gone Baby Gone” succeeds, so does “The Town.” Both are Boston-based crime dramas that are both touchingly dramatic at times yet gripping at others. More impressive with his work […]

Through much of the beginning of “Easy A,” you have to find all the ’80s teen comedy homages fishy. Maybe director Will Gluck and Bert V. Royal are trying to dress up a classic Hughesian formula with modern banter and social media references. Then, somewhere near the halfway point, comes the admission. Olive, played by […]

One look at this four-poster movie collage and one might say that last weekend was the zombie apocalypse calm before the storm. Three of these four films have built substantial hype: “The Town” marks the second film from director (yes, director) Ben Affleck, “Devil” has a story credit belonging to M. Night Shyamalan and “Easy […]

Very few actresses go from one-time TV guest roles to having their name standing solo at the top of a movie poster, let alone in the span of three years. If you don’t know who Emma Stone is now, you will soon; slowly but surely, she’s changing the face of girls in comedy. The 21-year-old […]

I’m not sure if the same goes for human existence, but in Hollywood, you can usually bet on the “afterlife.” The fourth film in the Resident Evil series earned just what it expected, proving that some fan bases never die. At the same time, 3D did not boost ticket sales significantly: “Afterlife” made only $3 […]

When you watch a film like “Sister Act” you have to wonder how it’s possible Whoopi Goldberg has more different awards (Oscar, Tony, daytime Emmy) than most actors. Quite simply, Goldberg always seems to find warm and genial moments. Although her transformation from the frantic, angry and loud Deloris to that of the inspiring nun […]

The lazy days of September. We saw how weak the box office was Labor Day weekend as people were trying their best to do outdoor activities while it’s still warm. As such, “Resident Evil: Afterlife” is the lone contender in wide release this weekend. Expect Milla Jovovich to sexy her way to the top spot […]