Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 342
It’s a powerhouse of cinema this weekend with social commentary, activism, action and an historical biopic all brought to life thanks to riveting, well-crafted and intelligent filmmaking. From the mind-blowing, blood letting mutilation and government manipulation in SICARIO to the eye-opening wonders of this beautiful world and man’s need to take responsibility for his own actions to save ourselves from extinction as eloquently shown in RACING EXTINCTION to a kick ass young adult dystopian post-...
The Oscar race just got real with the release of Oren Moverman’s TIME OUT OF MIND. Boasting a tour de force performance by Richard Gere that is arguably the finest of his career, and one which should potentially garner him a Best Actor nomination, and unparalleled cinematography by Bobby Bukowski, TIME OUT OF MIND should be assured not only recognition comes awards time, but secure a place in the annals of cinematic excellence. TIME OUT OF MIND is masterful. George is lost; lost to society and l...
It's Game, Set, Match for BREAK POINT! For many, the game of tennis can be as boring as watching paint dry, or a ball endlessly bounce. For others, it’s an exciting, riveting, emotionally charged sport with nuance, intelligence and skill. What that means is that making a film set in the world of tennis is pretty much going to align with one of those perceptions. In the case of BREAK POINT, it’s definitely the latter as co-writers Jeremy Sisto and Gene Hong together with director Jay Karas del...
I can’t remember the last time there was a weekend with two action films opening that had me this excited. The first, NO ESCAPE, solidifies what I first suspected back in 2001; that Owen Wilson does some of his best work when he goes “behind enemy lines”. The second, UNSULLIED, marks the directorial debut of former NFL star, Simeon Rice, and proves he is a winning force to be reckoned with both on and off the gridiron! NO ESCAPE Stepping out of their known comfort zone, with NO ESCAPE the Broth...
A big summer for horror fans as the “Summer of Blumhouse” continues with SINISTER 2! Already providing us with “Insidious Chapter 3", “The Gallows” and “The Gift”, Blumhouse continues to terrorize us with genuine jump in your seat fright with SINISTER 2. And as we know from other Blumhouse banner franchises, one need not have seen the first film to appreciate and understand the sequel. However, just to bring you up to speed, 2012's “Sinister” introduced us to Bughuul, a demon of imposing physi...
With the big summer blockbusters behind us, now is the time to sit back and take a look at some little gems you might ordinarily miss in your movie-going adventures. The past few weeks, I’ve shared some engaging and insightful “Must See” documentaries with you as well as a variety of narrative and animated features. This week I continue that path with a look at the inspiring and visually arresting documentary MERU and a lovely little indie which premiered at Los Angeles Film Festival now makin...
It’s a mix and match weekend at the movies with something for everyone’s taste. And while there is some sweetness to be had, some of the tastes are proving a bit bitter. KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET A soulful and contemplative film of real beauty is the animated KAHLIL GIBRAN’S THE PROPHET. Based on nine of Gibran’s 26 philosophies set out in the best selling “The Prophet”, director Roger Allers taps into the talents of nine different animators, each with a different style, to create a mont...
It’s a big week for documentaries! Although showing on perhaps only one screen within a multiplex theatre and in specialty theatres like The Landmark which cater to these indie gems, each of this week’s documentaries are more than worth your attention. Informative, educational, eye-opening and entertaining, all are high on my “Must See” list for the year. BEST OF ENEMIES The 1968 presidential race forever changed the way television would provide election coverage; not to mention saving a lagging...
These are the weeks when tentpoles are out, you’ve seen them at least once, and now you have a chance to see some new and overlooked gems. Not to be missed (and we’ll talk about them on my weekly show “Behind The Lens” and in my online reviews) are gems like the masterful and exquisitely crafted MR. HOLMES starring Sir Ian McKellan, Woody Allen’s IRRATIONAL MAN which is one of his most satiric, funniest and delightful romps to come around in a long while with a cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix...
It’s long been said that the best gifts are the ones in little packages; uh, or for the ladies out there, those little “Tiffany Blue” boxes (you know what I mean!). Well, Marvel has now joined the ranks of giving one of its biggest and best gifts in the smallest power-packed package ever - ANT-MAN. The film may be smaller scale than what we’ve seen in recent years from Marvel/Disney with “The Avengers”, “Iron Man” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchises, but it has the biggest heart I’ve...
With summer in full swing and the kids out of school and parents looking for some entertainment for not only the kids, but themselves and something they can do as a family, movies are a traditional respite. The problem becomes, however, finding that family friendly entertainment beyond the guaranteed awesomeness of Disney and Pixar which, by the way, is in top form this summer with “Inside Out.” (If you haven’t seen “Inside Out” yet, run to your nearest theatre as fast as you can). But this...
Pixar Animation Studios has done it again. Not only have they delivered what should prove to be the indisputable Best Animated Feature Academy Award winner come February 28, 2016, but a hot contender as an overall Best Picture nominee with INSIDE OUT. Breaking new ground with storytelling and technology, while retaining the hallmarks of what makes Pixar great, director Pete Docter and the Pixar team boldly go where no one has gone before - into the mind of an 11-year old girl. To say that...
Hard to believe that LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is entering its third decade as one of the crown jewels of film festivals but, officially running June 10th through 18th after a couple pre-fest sneak peaks at DOPE and Pixar's upcoming INSIDE OUT, that's exactly what's happening. And right along with LAFF, is my 21st year of bringing you opening day "Must See Festival Films" coverage. Kicking off the 21st LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is none other than Lily Tomlin and her latest film GRANDMA. Tomlin,...
There really is something for everyone this weekend at the movies with the release of some of the most anticipated films of the summer - INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3, LOVE & MERCY and SPY. SPY SPY is a balls-to-the-wall, mile a minute laugh fest starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law and Bobby Cannavale. Setting SPY apart from other McCarthy comedies which, let's face it, have been less than funny of late, SPY is smart and smartly written with a tightly crafted story and comedy,...
While I never wish ill on anyone or anything (except perhaps an annoying sibling or two), if "the big one" hits California and the San Andreas earthquake fault splits wide open, I won't shed any tears if every print, Blu-ray, DVD, digital coding and anything else that could ever replicate SAN ANDREAS the movie, falls into the abyss. (Joining that can be everything related to the concurrent VOD release, "San Andreas Quake" which is almost a mirror film but with a mother seismologist predicting...
People often complain that today's generation is so "uninspired", or there is nothing in the world today to inspire us to move forward with global unity to better the world in which we live in today or boldly venture forth into new worlds of the future. We have the technology. We have the skills. But where are the dreamers? One need look no further than Brad Bird's TOMORROWLAND for all that is needed to inspire the dreamer in each of us. Inspiring and hopeful, as much a visionary wonder of the...
While my love and admiration for Joss Whedon and the World of Whedon (not to mention the "Avengers" and that irascible Tony Stark aka Robert Downey, Jr.) knows no bounds, when it comes to AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, I have to admit that from a story standpoint and the execution thereof, the Russo Brothers still reign as the current kings in the Marvel world thanks to their inspired direction of "Captain America: Winter Soldier". I know, I know. Shocker to hear from this lover of Whedon and I can't...
With more than 20 films opening this weekend or expanding wider in release, there’s something for everyone. From George Miller’s post-apocalyptic MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, the next chapter in the “Mad Max” franchise which originally catapulted Mel Gibson into the limelight and now elevates Tom Hardy even higher in the cinematic spectrum, to those fabulous acapella Bellas of Barden in PITCH PERFECT 2 to the Dolph Lundgren produced and written (and starring Lundgren and Tony Jaa) SKIN TRADE with a...
This week brings a stunning array of new releases, most in limited release, but all definitely worth more than a look. A particular standout is THE AGE OF ADALINE. Boasting exquisite tonal beauty, THE AGE OF ADALINE is gorgeously lensed by David Lanzenberg and stars Blake Lively in the title role, along with Michael Huisman, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker and a powerhouse emotionally laden performance by Harrison Ford. Directed by Lee Toland Krieger from script by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador...
Christina Noble is a name many may not know but after seeing NOBLE, thanks to not only the subject of the film, but the well crafted storytelling of writer/director Stephen Bradley and indelible life-affirming performances by Dierdre O'Kane, Sarah Greene and Gloria Cramer Curtis as Christina Noble at various points in time, you will not only want to know the name, but the woman. An amazing woman. An inspiring story. A powerful and moving film. Christina Noble was born in the slums of Dublin,...
As you stroll through Downtown Culver City you might notice a new face on the block - ArcLight Cinemas. While maybe not a completely new face, it’s definitely a 21st century upgrade. As related by Gretchen McCourt, Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer of ArcLight Cinemas, “We’ve been operating here in Culver City as Pacific Theatres for a number of years and with the transformation that Culver City has made with the restaurants, with the nightlife, with the activities, it was time...
Lovelier than a dream, this Kenneth Branagh directed Disney's CINDERELLA sets the bar for Oscars 2016 with sumptuous visual splendor complete with Haris Zambarloukos breathtaking cinematography, the lavish grandeur of Dante Ferretti's production design, Sandy Powell's timeless costume designs that sparkle and shine (literally and figuratively), and a sweeping score by Patrick Doyle, all befitting the crown jewel in the Disney legacy. Oh, and did I mention a certain Swarovski-designed glass...
Under the guiding eyes of boots-on-the-ground executive producers Todd Lieberman and Dave Hoberman, along with producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher (among others), and with the energizing and fully sensory stimulating direction of Robert Schwentke (taking the reins from “Divergent” director Neil Burger) and with the blessings of author Veronica Roth, INSURGENT diverges from the printed pages of the second installment of the Roth books, resulting in a film that is pure HIGH OCTANE, EDGE OF YOU...
Seems that not just spring has sprung, but so has the movie box office which is jam-packed with a multiplicity of new releases in limited and wide release this month. This week I turn your attention to two films: TRUE STORY - based on the true story of a killer and a journalist and, UNFRIENDED - conceived by the innovative and cutting edge Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov, sheds a frightening light on the internet, Skyping, instant messaging with some horrifying results. UNFRIENDED As...
No one brings inspirational real life stories to film like Disney, especially when those stories center around sports. Be it horses, baseball, football or any other sport, you know you will be moved, you will be inspired, you will be entertained, but more importantly, you will learn something about a person or lives well lived and hard fought, about overcoming odds and finding that "winning spirit." And then there's Kevin Costner. With the recent "3 Days to Kill", "Draft Day", "Black or White"...
