By this time Monday, the dust will have settled and it is possible that The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will set a record for largest opening weekend ever. While it's fair to say that the film is the best (e.g. least shitty) of the series, one must also mention that the entire Twilight phenomenon continues to impart awful lessons about emotionally abusive and obsessive relationships to millions of young women across America. It's weirdo Mormon lessons should be alternately shunned and ridiculed. If you are indeed an actual (and not ironic) fan of the series, the same applies to you. Get off my lawn! more ›

Following its debut at the Telluride Film Festival, Up in the Air was being heralded as a strong contender for a Best Picture Oscar. The fact that it didn't win anything at last Sunday's ceremony should tell you it wasn't nearly as weighty and significant as early press indicated. Still, it was another solid film by Jason Reitman and another effortless turn by Clooney. more ›

In a rare feat, The Blind Side managed to top the box office chart for the first time in its third week of release. The feel-good football story took in $20.4M ($129.2M) to easily top feel-bad vampire story New Moon ($15.7M | $255.6M). The horribly depressing Brothers was a distant third ($9.7M). The resilient Christmas Carol ($7.5M | $115M) and the god-awful Old Dogs ($6.9M | $33.9M) rounded out the top 5. more ›

The best film opening this weekend -- possibly even the best film of the year -- is Jason Reitman's Up in the Air (LAist review here). Clooney is likely a shoe-in for a Best Actor nod. I had similar hopes for Brothers, but early reviews have been mediocre. Can't imagine Jim Sheridan missing badly, but I guess we'll see. All signs point to Everybody's Fine being a, well, fine film. I'm bothered by that dull title, though. Armored? Pass. Across the Hall? Pass. Breaking Point? Pass. Serious Moonlight? Anyone still care about Meg Ryan? Next! more ›

Up in the Air is a comedy-drama directed by Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking and Juno.) It is an adaptation of the 2001 novel of the same name, written by Walter Kirn. According to Reitman, “The movie is about the examination of a philosophy -- what if you decided to live hub to hub, with nothing, with nobody?” Well, what if the “you” was George Clooney? In that case, you would be dressed as dapper as could be, wantonly leaving women in your wake as you fly on to your next destination. more ›