Even Hollywood's been breached by the midterm elections! Gloria Allred, apparently bored with muckraking the governor's race, has her sights set on Conviction, the new Hilary Swank film where the actress goes from low-life to lawyer to defend her brother from a murder rap. Go rattle your own saber at Inside Job, the Wall Street corruption doc in limited release at the Landmark. Propositions 20 & 27 aim to change the process of redistricting - what a perfect time for a cinematic primer on Gerrymandering! LAist's own Farley Elliott reviewed Gerrymandering earlier this week. His conclusion? The film "very smartly peeks open the heavy lid of political dullness", but it often "lacks a clear message". This critique cannot be applied to I Want Your Money, whose trailer boasts Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, Fox News clips and a cartoon boxing match pitting Obama against Reagan. more ›

Sylvester Stallone continued the late-career resurgence started by Rocky Balboa by virtually willing The Expendables to the top of the box-office heap. The nostalgic piece of pulp hauled in $35M to easily dispatch Eat Pray Love ($23.7M). Last week's champ, The Other Guys, enjoyed a strong hold in its second weekend ($18M | $70.5M) while Inception continued to print money ($11.3M | $248.5M). The wonderful Scott Pilgrim vs. the World failed to catch fire and only earned a disappointing $10.5M. more ›

How odd that the weekend of August 13th would turn out to be the most intriguing one of the summer. Many of you will probably not see Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and that would be a huge mistake. I blame Universal for its lack of buzz because -- trust me -- the movie is so much better than the trailers show. Even if you have never picked up a comic book or played a video game, you will enjoy this sweet, fantastical film. The so-called "guy" movie this weekend is The Expendables. Eh, I'll wait until it goes into heavy rotation on TNT. more ›

I enjoyed but hardly loved The Runaways. Dakota Fanning continues to be badly mis-cast (mostly because she's no longer nearly so compelling an actor) and Kristen Stewart hasn't grown much as a performer since In the Land of Women. Still, Michael Shannon was his usual electrifying self and the story of The Runaways is a great one (though I would have loved to have seen more of Lita Ford!). The Losers surely suffered from the perception of being an A-Team-lite. Let's see if The Expendables suffers a similar fate in a few weeks. Cop Out was plain awful. If only Kevin Smith could be satisfied with the prospect of being nothing more than a brilliant public speaker (as opposed to a mediocre filmmaker). more ›

Showing unexpected strength, Shutter Island held off all comers to claim its second straight weekend at the top of the box office heap ($22.2M | $75M). Yay Marty! Newcomers Cop Out ($18.5M) and The Crazies ($16.5M) placed second and third while Avatar just keeps fucking hanging around ($14M | $706.9M). Percy Jackson & The Olympians: Unusually Long Title is showing good legs in its third week ($9.8M | $71.2M), unlike Valentine's Day which continues to crater ($9.5M | $100.3M). more ›

Some might say I am a Woody Harrelson apologist, but I think I'm just a really big fan. In any case, his latest film opens today and everyone should see it. Defendor is about a mentally unstable man who believes (and acts) as if he's a superhero (think Kick-Ass but more insane). Check out the trailer after the jump and try and tell him it doesn't look hilarious. A Prophet was one of the prestige films to emerge from this year's Cannes Film Festival. It concerns an illiterate man who goes to prison and emerges a criminal. Looks fantastic! It's a shame that so many Angelenos will be turned away by its (gasp!) subtitles. more ›

As the preeminent Keats scholar in my small cadre of illiterate friends, let me say that I was mostly outraged at the shabby treatment accorded the poet by director Jane Campion (LAist review here). I had such high hopes for this film when I entered the screening, but everything was dashed in short order. Gone was any indication of Keats' magnificent intellectual gift. Rather, he was rendered as little more than a simpering poet chasing after Fanny Brawne. Campion would have been better served focusing on Keats' last days in Rome with Joseph Severn. That would have made for some marvelous cinema. I probably liked I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell more than most, but then again I do fucking rule! Tucker Max is obviously a cretin, but the film is mostly a genial, albeit raw rendering of a bachelor party gone terribly south (LAist review here; LAist interview with director Bob Gosse here). It's definitely worth a peek on DVD (assuming there is tons more nudity). more ›

Herr Claus may be the most sought-after German this week, but his countryman Herzog is also comin' to town. He'll see you, sleeping or awake, at the Downtown Independent, for a screening of his latest, My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done. If two Herzog films in one season isn't enough of a treat, gorge yourself on the other names in this celluloid sack: Willem Dafoe, ChloÎ Sevigny, Michael Shannon, Udo Kier, Brad Dourif & Grace Zabriskie. The only thing keeping the partridge from the pear tree is that executive producer David Lynch is just an ornament on the marquee, not a key player. Maybe next time, if we're good little boys and girls. more ›

"It's Christmas Eve in L.A." begins the 1988 trailer for the Bruce Willis action flick Die Hard. That's right: Die Hard takes place at Christmas, and for some, it happens to be their favorite Christmas movie. Forget Bing Crosby's crooning and Ralphie's BB gun when there's Officer John McClane's "Yippee-ki-ay, mother--" uh, well, you know the rest. more ›

I can understand people disagreeing with Michael Moore's political beliefs, but his talent as a documentary filmmaker is unquestioned. This is a man who knows exactly how to move an audience. His latest, Capitalism: A Love Story, deals with the thieves that populate our financial industry. If all you are looking for are some good laughs, buck up and a buy a ticket to I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (LAist review here). I think you'll like it more than you expect. Sheesh, could Surrogates look any more obvious and silly? Pass. more ›

Tonight legendary Southern rockers the Allman Brothers Band will be concluding a two-night stint at the Greek Theatre with the Doobie Brothers. The buzz from last night's antics, Tom Petty and Bruce Willis joining onstage to jam, is still lingering across the internet. Winston-Salem-bred singer-songwriter/pianist Ben Folds is poised to headline the Hollywood Palladium. Denver-based singer-songwriter Jill Sobule (LAist Interview), best known for her 1995 single "I Kissed A Girl," will be gracing Largo at the Coronet. And, lastly, electronic shoegazer Anthony Gonzalez, otherwise known as M83, will be taking over the Glass House in Pomona. But we strongly suggest doing whatever it takes to get into the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre to catch local alternative rock outfit Jane's Addiction. Cleveland-bred industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails are slated to co-headline. more ›

Election [Blu-ray] more ›

If you're tired of Zac Efron or Vanessa Hudgens (I don't know how but then again I haven't seen the first two), here is one more reason to go see this movie if you already haven't. Thanks to Willis' appearance on the Late Show, we get a chance to see this clip without having to pay for the ticket stub. more ›

As expected, Marky Mark's had a surprisingly strong start on Friday before tailing off slightly as the weekend continued. Apparently, Americans just can't get enough of their flawed yet heroic president, George W. Bush. more ›

There are delicately few films that choose to tackle the other side of the silver screen. There’s something strangely cannibalistic about the whole process, as behemoth studios coil inside themselves to capture the blood and guts that go into any motion picture. Perhaps it’s cathartic, and allows the greater movie industry to shed it’s old cinematic skin and move forward, off into the underbrush. more ›

movie as much as it does a big, dumb Hollywood action movie. I miss the old, non-invulnerable John McClane. Zeppelin party at my house! Bring the sharks! more ›

Aside from pseudo-news trash there's no new programming on tonight and even late night is all repeats. On this last night of a 3-day weekend, I'd make some nice drinks and hunker down to watch TCM's lineup. 5:00pm La Jetee TCM - This short film by Chris Marker is the inspiration for Terry Gilliam's 12 Monkeys but without all that Bruce Willis starpowercrap. Excellent montage of beautiful B&W photographs is totally compelling. 5:30pm Point... more ›

Sole is a rapper who as a teenager was already blowing off major record deals, because he thought having an album produced by Jermain Dupree was lame. He set forth making rap music for the advanced listener, and choosing never to pander what TRL, MTV, and Record Executives want to cram down all of our throats. Being one of the co-founders of anticon places sole on a special branch of the family tree of hip-hop.... more ›

Pixar's Ratatouille was tops at the box office this weekend, raking in a healthy 47.2 million dollars. While that number was well below previous Pixar films like Cars (60 milllion) and The Incredibles (70 million), it was more than enough to take down Bruce Willis and Live Free or Die Hard which pulled in 33.1 million. Both movies enjoyed across-the-board good reviews and should show decent legs in the coming weeks. more ›

Fact: John McClaine would beat the piss out of Jack Bauer. I know what you're gonna' say: "But c'mon Henry, Jack withstood Chinese torture. They've got that water on the forehead trick and shit" Oooh, Big deal. I bet Jack wouldn't trade 15 nights of Chinese torture for a single night in Nakatomi Plaza. If you've even seen the preview for this movie, you may have noticed that John McClaine surfs a goddamn jet... more ›

6:36 - Total Number of Celebs Who Have Visited the Blogghetto: 1. 6:34 - Dane Cook visits us in the Blogghetto. Despite my lack of interest in his comedy, he seems like a laid back, personable dude. Even though I like capping on him, I really don't dislike him. He gamely answers questions, revealing why he won't be in the upcoming Transformers movie. "I know this is going to sound like complete balderdash," he... more ›

So there I am last night, in my non air conditioned house, trying to put my makeup on while simultaneously trying to sip my pre-date glass of wine and not have a complete hissy fit because I keep sweating off all of my concealer. Why does it feel like one hundred degrees at nine o’clock at night? After numerous attempts to position myself under my ceiling fan at the best angle to get the most wind on my sweaty, non date-ready face, I scrapped my plan and decided to move locations. I couldn’t concern myself with outfit choices at that moment, so I just went ahead and threw on the same one I wore on Sunday night with Bachelor #1. Of course I washed it…fine, febreezed it. I headed out to my car, turned on the radio and blasted the AC to the highest it could go and finished the getting ready process in my driveway. That was better. Sans runny make-up I headed to the bar Bachelor #2 and I had decided on the day before feeling all nice and chilly in my vehicle. more ›

Apparently not only is Jared Leto a wannabe rocker, but he is also a wannabe lover - according to Penthouse gal Krista Ayne (pictured, right), Leto's skills are lacking, and he's too busy with his makeup to call a girl back - Page Six India attacks Richard Gere! Effigies of the star are burned on the streets of New Delhi for his recent and taboo public display of affection - TMZ Britney on the road... more ›

A Word or 157: It's all about the Prime Time tonight. The Office and 30 Rock have a real chance at getting some serious viewership since both Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy are simply rehash episodes (even though they are billed as 'New'). Tina Fey has been hitting everything from Good Morning America to Conan (and Baldwin made an appearance on Letterman last night) in an attempt to push 30 Rock more - it's... more ›

Sometimes I feel like the Gossip Roundups should be renamed the Britney Roundups... Like when she visited a hair salon this weekend to discuss extension choices to attach to her short do once it grows out a little more, she's having major hair shaving regret- Star Or her first brunette wigged-post rehab outing to a dance class and then sushi with girlfriends - People Clearly, dance class and sushi were not dramatic enough, because... more ›

In what could turn out to be a long, expensive, and revealing lawsuit, Tommy Lasorda, the great former manager of the LA Dodgers, swears that he will sue if the tell-all autobiography "Secrets of a Hollywood Super Madam" is released on Thursday. Hollywood madam Jody "Babydol" Gibson was popped eight years ago for pimping out high-priced hookers, porn stars, and Playboy models throughout 16 states. She was given three years but served less than... more ›

Stomp the Yard - I'm a sucker for movies that end in dance-offs. DJ, a troubled street-dancer from Los Angeles, avoids jail by enrolling in a black college in Atlanta where two rival fraternities both want a piece of his talent, so they can win a national step show competition. Meagan Good (Brick, D.E.B.S.) plays his love interest. more ›

Tony Bennett's 80th birthday celebration starring Marc Anthony, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, George Clooney, Billy Crystal, Quincy Jones, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis and Paul Newman @ The Kodak more ›

Tarfest begins today! Four days of films, music, and tar at the LaBrea Tar Pits - Tarfest.com Beck's new album is too cool for the UK charts. Because you can use stickers to design your own cover, it's got an "unfair" advantage on the other cds, the Brits say. Beck begs to differ. - Billboard How do you fight downtown gentrification? Involve a 75 year old nun - LA Times Boy-crazy Foley's behavior wasn't... more ›

Paris, 2010. The French government, plum out of ideas about what to do with its crime-ridden housing projects, has surrounded them with a high concrete wall topped by razor wire. Drugs have taken over the ghetto. Except for one apartment block, where wiry Leïto is fighting to keep the nasty dudes at bay — even if it means stealing a load of cocaine and washing it down the tub. more ›