While the weekend’s big new release, “Need for Speed”, has some entertaining action sequences, it isn’t a great car racing movie. However, this genre has had some high-powered entries over the past few years – some clear winners and some clunkers. “The Fast & Furious” series has been incredibly popular and successful since it took […]

The Mouse House is on the verge of becoming the Big Cheese in theaters around the country. Four big releases from studios under the ginormous Disney umbrella are opening over the next six weeks. Yes, 4 in 6 weeks! How will they stack-up against each other and the rest of the competition? “Need for Speed” […]

The 86th Oscars is in the books. Thoughts on the show and the results: – While the broadcast went 3:34 it moved along pretty well. No outrageously long speeches or dragged-out presentations. – Ellen did a nice job. The selfie that crashed Twitter will go down as her top highlight from the evening. – The […]

It’s time for my “86th Annual Academy Awards” predictions. While there are many films nominated, only 4 of the Best Picture nominees will be recognized. Space adventure “Gravity” will take home the most Oscars, with 6, but not the Best Picture crown. “12 Years a Slave” will follow with 4 wins, followed by three for […]

The 86th Annual Academy Awards feature a few good battles: Jennifer Lawrence vs. Lupita Nyong’o for Best Supporting Actress, U2 vs. Pharrell vs. “Frozen” for the Original Song title and the three-way Best Picture race between “12 Years a Slave”, “American Hustle”, and “Gravity” that will still be raging until the final envelope opens on […]

Jimmy Fallon’s premiere week as new host of “The Tonight Show” is a classic case of “So Far So Good”. The former “Late Night” host and SNL alum has succeeded in succeeding 22-year emcee Jay Leno (for now), moving operations back to The Big Apple for the first time in over four decades. Jay and […]

It’s that time of year again: THE 2014 LCJ MOVIE AWARDS – honoring the finest work on the silver screen in 2013. For the first time, there are two double nominees in the four major acting categories (Amy Adams and Tom Hanks), as well as six Supporting Actor and Cinematography nominees. Bradley Cooper, Judi Dench, […]

While in California last month for the Critics Choice Movie Awards, I was invited to take an incredible, inside tour of the Sony Pictures Animation and Imageworks studios in Culver City. From the street you’d never know that behind some hedges and a small iron fence is the home of the talented filmmakers of such […]

With so many movies and so little time – only 3 weeks away – which Academy Award nominees are must-sees before the big night? Here are my top picks: 1. “AMERICAN HUSTLE” – Tied with “Gravity” with the most nominations (10), including the major six categories (Picture, Director, all 4 acting), David O. Russell’s fun […]

After 22 years, Jay Leno’s incredible run as host of “The Tonight Show” is coming to an end Thursday night. I was fortunate enough to be a guest on the show twice, Feb. ’11 and ’12, talking movies and giving my Oscar predictions. These were two of the best nights of my career as a […]