Practically a year to the day after the Ice Cube/Kevin Hart action comedy “Ride Along” opened (becoming 2014’s first box office hit), Hart is back with the romantic comedy “The Wedding Ringer”. He plays Jimmy, the owner of a Best Man service business in which he participates in the weddings of total strangers who don’t […]
Tim Burton’s movies are typically set in fantastical worlds, with wacky characters (usually at least one is played by Johnny Depp), a unique story, and tons of makeup, costumes, and bold colors. Many are calling “Big Eyes”, Burton’s latest, the most “normal” movie he’s ever made. And after seeing this dramedy biopic, based on a […]
In September, Chris Rock’s all-star, R-rated comedy “Top Five” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Following the screening, an all-out bidding war began. Nearly every major studio (except, very likely, Disney) wanted distribution rights. Paramount emerged victorious, buying “Top Five” for $12.5 million and adding another $20 million for marketing. Rock’s been everywhere recently […]
“Foxcatcher” is director Bennett Miller’s follow-up to 2011’s “Moneyball”, making this his second “based on a true story” sports drama in a row. The first trailer was actually unveiled over a year ago (September 2013) because the film was originally scheduled for release last December. However, Sony Pictures Classics decided to take “Foxcatcher” out of […]
Comedy is Bill Murray’s forte. From “Caddyshack” to “Ghostbusters”, “Groundhog Day” to “Garfield”, Murray has made us laugh for decades. In 2003, he took a dramatic turn in “Lost in Translation”, which earned him an Oscar nomination. Now, as a cranky old man in “St. Vincent” – his most buzzed-about role in over a decade […]
Released nearly three years ago, “Dolphin Tale” was a smart, sophisticated and sweet live-action family film with genuine heart. I was surprised when Warner Bros. announced they were making a sequel, wondering if this saga could support a franchise. But since the first film was based on real life events, and more events took place […]
“If I Stay” is the “End of Summer of 2014 Tween/Teen Romantic Tearjerker”. Based on the popular 2009 novel by Gayle Forman, Chloe Grace Moretz (“Kick-Ass”) stars as 17-year-old Mia. She lives with her parents and younger brother Teddy in Portland, Oregon. Mia’s love of music was inherited from her mom and dad, but they […]
“Let’s Be Cops” has one of the most basic, yet original, premises of the year: Two 30-year-old roommates, unsatisfied with their lives and careers, dress-up as cops for a costume party. But the outfits are so authentic-looking (complete with real hand-guns and badges) that everyone thinks they’re actually LAPD. They enjoy the power and attention […]
Clint Eastwood, one of the most-respected actors and directors of his generation, has been in front of and behind the camera for some of the most influential movies of the last half-century. Now he takes centerstage by adding a Broadway musical adaptation to his incredible resume. While not as sensational as the Great White Way […]
It’s the return of the classic Monster Movie with another reboot of “Godzilla”. This installment begins in 1999, one year after the previous big screen version, which was panned by critics and audiences. Following a few scenes in the Philippines, where fossils of a ginormous, dinosaur-like creature have been discovered, the story moves to Japan, […]