Sure, it may not have received the near-universal acclaim of Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs, but I thought Inglourious Basterds was a welcome return to form for Tarantino after the over-long Kill Bill diptych and the dull Death Proof. I really dug The Hangover the first time I saw it, but a second viewing wasn't nearly as satisfying (contrast that with, say, Anchorman which I found far funnier on the tenth screening.) More than any other movie, The Goods suffered from all the Hangover success since it seemed mild in comparison. It's worth a look on DVD, though. The same guys for Taking Woodstock. I was apparently the only one in the world who loved it, but how can you not love Ang Lee? The Mel Brooks Collection on Blu-Ray = perfect gift for Dad. more ›

Writer Dominick Dunne died today at his home in New York, according to the LA Times. The bestselling author of crime-meets-celeb scandal tomes like Another City Not My Own (based on his involvement in the OJ Simpson trial), film producer, and Vanity Fair contributor was 83, and had been battling bladder cancer. Born to an affluent East Coast family, Dunne moved to Los Angeles in the late 50s and worked extensively in television. His writing career took on new proportions following the 1983 murder of his daughter, Dominique. Dunne's only surviving child, son Griffin, is an actor, and his sister-in-law is iconic Californian writer Joan Didion. more ›

Michael Bay, the #11 box-office earning film director, testified for the prosecution in the Phil Spector trial Monday. His appearance sent a shock of excitement through the ice-cold courtroom; I swear even Dominick Dunne perked up. Michael Bay said he remembers Lana Clarkson. He knew her from his days directing videos and commercials for Propaganda, back when he was the kind of guy who had to direct TV ads instead of blowing shit up,... more ›

To hear them tell it, Lana Clarkson had two best friends, Jen and Pie. Jennifer Hayes-Reidl (right) testified last week. Punkin Irene Elizabeth Laughlin, aka Punkin Pie, is testifying today. Why are both of her friends testifying on behalf of the defense? And why are they both so orange? more ›

If you’ve missed all the bright orange book ads and have ducked all the media coverage (New York, The New Yorker, Vogue), you’re one of the few readers who hasn’t heard of The Manny, alleged to be this summer’s Devil Wears Prada: chick-lit for the beach, right-coast division. It’s a simple story: Glam Park Avenue working wife juggles her high-powered network news job, her sullen, money-obsessed lawyer husband, and three adorable children. She hires... more ›