I never thought it was possible that an awful trailer for a film could turn out to be better than the actual movie. But, as he seems to do in every film – whether as a wacky character, or in a wild costume, or just with his performance – Johnny Depp has stunned me yet […]
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 […]
Only a few months after the original “Taken” was released in January 2009, star Liam Neeson’s wife, Natasha Richardson, died following a tragic skiing accident. Since then Neeson has starred in more than 20 movies, the majority of which are intense, heart-pounding action movies. He’s said that these films, such as “Clash of the Titans”, […]
Several films in recent years have dealt with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease, but none so effectively and tragically as “Still Alice”. Based on the best-selling novel by Lisa Genova, “Still Alice” stars Julianne Moore plays the title character, a Columbia University professor of linguistics, who, at the age of 50, is diagnosed with […]
“Cake” is quite a departure in the career of star Jennifer Aniston. First of all, it’s a drama. Most of the films Aniston has done have been over-the-top, romantic comedies. And before that, of course, she became a star on the TV sitcom “Friends”. Next, “Cake” deals with difficult subjects: pain, suicide and death. And […]
After seeing 2014’s most controversial and talked-about movie (that almost wasn’t a 2014 movie), the R-rated Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy “The Interview”, it’s clear North Korea’s concerns about the film’s concept and content are justified. It’s uncertain if high-ranking officials or Kim Jong-un have actually seen the film, or if their outrage was simply triggered […]
“The Gambler” is a remake of the 1974 James Caan film. 40 years later, Mark Wahlberg, who holds similar A-list status as Caan did back then, takes on the title role of literature professor by day; high-stakes gambler (and loser) by night. Whether he’s starring in a quality movie (such as last year’s “Lone Survivor”) […]
If you dare go “Into the Woods”, there’s a lot you will find: A star-studded ensemble cast as fairy tale characters who have been raised to rhyme. A story entangled in intrigue, hope, joy and sadness. And more than 20 high-powered, often in-your-face, full throttle, Stephen Sondheim musical productions. Unfortunately, only a handful truly work. […]
“Unbroken” tells the true story of Olympian and WWII veteran Louis Zamperini, who survived a plane crash that put him and two fellow soldiers adrift at sea for 47 days, and then two years in the brutal conditions of Japanese prison camps. All of this was chronicled in author Laura Hillenbrand’s 2010 best-selling book of […]
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 […]