When I think of my favorite movies of the last twenty years, the most curious inclusion is probably Whit Stillman's The Last Days of Disco. Now that it's been given the Criterion treatment (it's been out of print on DVD for years), I can't recommend it highly enough. If only Stillman would actually write and direct another film (Disco was his last and that was eleven years ago!). I enjoyed Adventureland so much at Sundance that I watched it again when it landed in theaters. Equally sad and sweet and funny, it was poorly marketed as a straight comedy and never really found an audience. I imagine that it will on DVD, though. Sunshine Cleaning was okay, but had that "deliberately quirky" vibe coursing through it. Duplicity was one of several failures earlier this year that probably marked the beginning of the end of the big-budget, adult-targeted film. Shame that. more ›

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I'm not sure if The Edge of Love is any good or not, but any movie that puts Keira Knightly in bed with Sienna Miller is worth my time and money. Race to Witch Mountain, on the other hand, does not. The original Escape to Witch Mountain was corny, badly-staged and maudlin -- in other words, perfect. Sunshine Cleaning is supposed to be very good (reviews have been kind). Just curious why it's been on the shelf for so long. more ›

My first month in Los Angeles, I worked a short stint at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, and one of the Mouse's lesser-known secrets is the large number of foreign exchange workers employed at the snack bar. I remember the Thai teens best; they were all sweet kids, and it's in their honor that I recommend the Thai Film Miracles Festival at the Arclight. Well, them and Tony Jaa, who steps behind the camera between bouts for the sequel to his muay-thai masterpiece Ong-Bak. For those with tastes running more regal, Princess Ubolratana makes her dramatic debut in Where The Miracle Happens, and the oldest surviving Thai film, The King Of The White Elephant, makes a rare theatrical appearance. And to seal the deal, each of these screenings are free with RSVP! more ›

Given the choice of two-profile comedies, audiences chose had a dismal debut ($14M) and will struggle to be profitable. The Alba curse continues. more ›

Steve Carrell is one of the funniest guys on television but it looks like he's dropped another turd on the big screen. It's never a good sign when the preview to a comedy is unable to generate more than a few, soft giggles from audiences, but that appears to be the case for Get Smart. Anne Hathaway is a marvelously appealing actress, but she looks awfully uncomfortable in the role of an action hero. And Dwayne Johnson? Pass. more ›

When Alan Arkin freaks out in the beginning of Little Miss Sunshine, shouting, “Again with the fucking chicken! It's always with the goddamn fucking chicken!” all I could do was stare at the instantly recognizable bucket and think, “How could anyone ever get sick of Dinah’s?” The fried coating is so highly seasoned and crispy. The meat is so juicy and tender. Alan Arkin should consider himself lucky. Dinah’s Fried Chicken has been a Glendale... more ›

What if... Jennifer Hudson doesn't win? Sometimes the one sure thing turns out not to be the one sure thing. Then who wins? The ten year-old. None of the others are in the running, and I say that thinking that Rinko Kikuchi should win, even though I had tons of problems with Babel. Everyone likes the ten year-old. Don't count out the ten year-old. What if... Eddie Murphy doesn't win? Then the theory that... more ›

Any movie where Steve Carell plays a gay, suicidal professor who has proclaimed himself the world's #1 Proust scholar is okay by me. Actually, it's better than okay. Throw in Alan Arkin as a heroin-snorting grandfather (isn't it cool when old people do hard drugs?), Greg Kinnear as a would-be motivational speaker and Abigail Breslin as a little girl with dreams of child beauty pageant stardom, stuff them into a dilapidated Volkswagen bus along... more ›

There is plenty going on out in the big, bad city today, from music and film to art exhibits and readings. LAist recommends wandering out of the apartment in search of entertainment, as tonight is an excellent example of the great things LA has to offer. more ›