There are few actors that I will watch just to watch. Even if the movie is bad, I'll still dutifully buy my ticket, buy my popcorn and relax into the row on the rail at the Landmark. Denzel Washington is one of those actors. The Book of Eli is not a great film, but it is a solid piece of entertainment that is worth your rental or purchase dollars. Who knew that Unthinkable would cause such controversy? Michael Cera really -- REALLY -- needs to find different roles. He was perfect in Superbad and Arrested Development, but the nebbish thing is getting very old. Who would buy a Kendra Wilkinson DVD? I mean, other than this one? more ›

I really like Denzel Washington, but the only movie I'm interested in seeing this weekend is 44 Inch Chest. Seriously, have a look at this cast of grizzled English masters: Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson! How can you miss that? Plus, the story is right up my alley: a group of old friends plot to rough up one of their wife's lovers. Cheers to that! more ›

Back in June I wrote, "Movies open every week in Los Angeles, and LAist always tries to let you know about as many of them as possible. Some films, though -- at least I think so -- deserve a special mention because a) they don't have a huge marketing budget supporting them; b) they are the kinds of provocative films that more people should see and c) they are the kinds of films that the worst toadies in corporate America don't want you to see." The film I was referring to was Food, Inc., and it is available today on DVD. It changed the way I eat. It may just do the same for you. On to lighter fare: G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra was a horrible, horrible film, but at least it wasn't as bad as Transformers 2. That's got to count for something, right? Proof that studios can still make big-budget films that are actually good: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. more ›

Raunchy bachelor-party comedy The Hangover topped the box office for a surprising second straight weekend as it dropped only 26% from its strong debut ($33.4M/$105.3M). Pixar's delightful Up presented a strong challenge in its third week to finish a close second ($30.5M/$187.1M) while superb newcomer The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 finished third with a slightly underwhelming $25M. After that, it was the dreadful Night of the Museum 2: Jesus, We Suck ($9.6M/$143.4M), the reasonably funny Land of the Lost ($9.1M/$34.9M) and Eddie Murphy's epic shitfest Imagine That ($5.7M). Someone, please stop Eddie Murphy. more ›

I'm surprised that reviews haven't been better for the re-imagined version of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. It is, by all rights, a superior film to the original from the 70s. Moon may not be as funny as Solo, but it does cover similar territory. How can you not love Sam Rockwell? There will be no hot dogs served at the screening of Food, Inc.! Repeat -- no hotdogs! Has Eddie Murphy really come to this? Imagine That looks awful, awful, awful. Francis Ford Coppola is finally a true independent filmmaker. Tetro proves yet again, though, that he probably could use some pressure from above. Seriously, some people need studio interference to thrive. more ›

With the Golden Globes just days away, now's your last chance to catch up. Best Picture contenders duke it out with directors in tow and--in the red corner--Best Supporting Actress nominee Marisa Tomeiiiii! The Best Foreign Language noms continue their rounds of the American Cinematheque; the films at the Aero and the filmmakers at the Egyptian. Swedish director Jan Troell is particularly vigilant, blazing a one-man invasion through these events and LACMA. After the awards, feed your jingoism with all-American auteurs Dennis Hopper, Stan Brakhage and Clint Eastwood. more ›

If you're as excited as I am about was only a half-success. more ›

Wow! Most weeks I'm happy if there are a couple of new DVDs worth picking up. Today, I count at least eight that would be solid editions to any library. even though it inexplicably got better critical attention. Has Ang Lee ever made the same movie twice? Is he the most under-appreciated major director working today? Can you say the same thing about Paul Haggis--only in reverse? Having seen the Don Rickles special several times on HBO, let me tell you something--go buy it, you schmuck.
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In other news, a desperate NBC has ordered a pilot of the BBC's cars & celebs series, Top Gear. The show has been running on BBC America for a couple years now, I've seen a few episodes, notably one with Ewan McGregor. The show may be amusing depending upon which celebrities they line up, but it's no American Idol. Again, instead of coming up with something original, we're forced to watch rebranded concepts from overseas. more ›

The list is a little long this week since I'm including the Christmas Day openers. Having already raved about yesterday, I'll lead off with what some are calling the best horror film of the year, The Orphanage. For any horror fan who's tired of torture porn and bad Japanese re-makes, this is the movie for you. Grim and spare, it's a horror film for adults and Spain's foreign-language entrant for next year's Oscars. more ›

There was a welcome flight to quality this weekend as movie-goers finally gave some love to a good flick. pulled in $39.1M and looks to be a hit for DreamWorks Animation. more ›

This weekend is one of those weekends where--if you love movies--you'll be hard-pressed to choose which one (or two) to see. Most will probably settle on American Gangster, and I don't see anything wrong with that. Couple two powerhouse actors (Denzel & Crowe) with a reliable director (Ridley), add a compelling story that has slipped through the cracks for years and you have what looks to be a great, studio picture. If, like the... more ›

In celebration of his new album, American Gangster, a collection of songs inspired by the movie starring Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe, Jay-Z is lining up five shows across the country at intimate venues. Luckily for us, Hova is kicking it off right here. On November 6, the same date the album drops, the DefJam CEO takes the stage at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. Tickets go on sale Friday, for the price... more ›

Earlier this year, International Creative Management (ICM) and Creative Artists Agency (CAA) moved their offices from Beverly HIlls to within the city limits of Los Angeles in Century City. Score one for LA where expensive high power lunches turn in to tax revenue for city coffers (we're talking "a side of assorted mushrooms sells for $21 and a Wagyu rib-eye costs $98"). One problem though, Century City choices were slim for Hollywood agents: The... more ›

Singer/dancer/menswear icon Andre 3000 of Outkast will play singer/dancer/comedian Sammy Davis Jr. in a new biopic about the entertainer's romance with screen siren Kim Novak. Back in the mid-50s when quaint terms like "anti-miscegenation" were used to sugarcoat racist laws, Davis was an up-and-coming singer with a couple of albums under his belt, while Novak was a rising actress grinding her way through Columbia Studios' starlet machine. He had yet to join the Rat... more ›

Most Angelenos know that when it comes to Lakers supporters, a certain fan is As Good As It Gets. He's not only one out of A Few Good Men, he's The Shining example of a superfan. Now the NBA -- yes, the league itself -- has Departed from convention and ranked the Top 10 Celebrity Lakers Fans. They'd have been Cuckoo to place any other Joker at the top of this list.
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Tuesday Night "Rachael Ray's Thanksgiving in 60" (FOOD, 6:00 p.m.) If you're in need of last minute T-giving ideas watch this evil little sprite dish them out "Beauty and the Beast" (IFC, 6:00 p.m.) Director Jean Cocteau's 1946 surreal take on the fairy tale. Hey, at least I'm not pushing you to watch Eisenstein's "Alexander Nevsky" at 9:25 p.m. "NHL Hockey" (PRIME, 7:00 p.m.) Sharks @ Ducks "NBA Basketball" (the CW or FSW, 7:30... more ›

Because it isn't UCLA football. There isn't much to say other than that. College football has kicked off once again, and like every other Bruin I have to put up with yet another season of Trojan banter. I get to watch every citizen in this great city jump on the Trojan bandwagon once again as well. I feel as though I'm the only person who is completely uninterested in watching a winning team continue... more ›

This LAist contributor would watch a BMW ad if it promised Clive Owen, so we happily handed over the $ to see Inside Man yesterday without complaint. Plus Denzel Washington? Crime thriller — whatever. We know a chick flick when we see one. more ›