This weekend, Edward James Olmos promotes Latin American activist cinema with LACMA's Contested Visions series. The Cinefamily hosts unhinged sci-fi writer Harlan Ellison & crazy creeper Crawlspace. USC previews horror for free! And more! more ›

I couldn't get through a hundred pages of the book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but I enjoyed the hell out of the movie. I actually have high hopes for the American re-make (purely because of Fincher), but seriously wonder whether the darkness of the Swedish version will be preserved. I mean, are American audiences ready to see a woman rape her rapist with a blue dildo? I'm a sucker for cop films (and Richard Gere), so I'm probably over-rating Brooklyn's Finest. Still, it's definitely worth at least your rental dollars. I admired A Single Man more than I actually enjoyed it. Tom Ford is clearly an accomplished visual stylist, but the film felt slightly cold and austere. I wanted to love it, but I only liked it. Whenever I can talk about Battlestar Galatica, I will talk about Battlestar Galactica. So...Battlestar Galactica! more ›

If you have somehow avoided watching Battlestar Galactica up till now (and God damn you if that's the case), you can finally watch it as God (e.g. Ron Moore) intended: the complete series on Blu-Ray. Sure, it's expensive but how could you more wisely spend your money? On health insurance? On fucking food? Please! I love everything that Werner Herzog even walks past, so naturally I loved Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Nicolas Cage is in full freak mode (see trailer here for proof) and Werner's direction is as daffy and counter-intuitive as ever. Is Peter Jackson trying to assume the dick mantle from George Lucas (click the link!)? Today we get The Lords of the Rings trilogy in Blu-ray, but it's only the theatrical editions. I'm sure in a few months we'll get another high-priced version of the extended editions in Blu-Ray. Sigh. Greed. Party Down! more ›

79-year-old math teacher Jaime Escalante, who was portrayed by Edward James Olmos in the 1987 movie Stand and Deliver, had died, according to news wire sources. The former East L.A. Garfield High School teacher, known for teaching his students calculus--a notion other teachers thought was ridiculous--was battling bladder cancer. Earlier this month, Olmos solicited donations to help pay for treatments, noting that he was "seriously ill." Escalante was born in 1930 in Bolivia and later moved to Los Angeles, earning a mathematics degree at Cal State LA. A mural of Escalante and Olmos can be seen on Wilshire Boulevard next to MacArthur Park. R.I.P., Mr Escalante. more ›

The inspiring story of math teacher Jaime Escalante and students whose lives he touched at East L.A.'s Garfield High was immortalized in the film 1987 Stand and Deliver. Now the actor who played Escalante is hoping his celebrity will help inspire others to contribute funds to aid Escalante in his fight against cancer, according to KTLA. more ›

This may be the twentieth time I've declared this in this space, but one more time can't hurt: watch Battlestar Galactica! It may not be the best show of the last ten years, but it's as good as any. How a floundering NBC never thought to scoop it up from its little Syfy sister and air it on the big network still astonishes me. Whatever Works isn't nearly as good as recent Woody Allen gems Vicky Cristina Barcelona or Cassandra's Dream, but it's good for a few laughs. Is Chris Hitchens the best damn debater on TV? Yep! Is three Monty Python DVDs in one week too much? Nope! Who would thought that The Big Lebowski would produce such an underground sensation? My money would have been on Raising Arizona or Miller's Crossing. more ›

It may seem like a thankless struggle at times, but I will not rest until everyone who needs to see Battlestar Galactica has seen Battlestar Galactica. I don't think there has ever been a show so great that has been viewed by so few. Remedy that today! I sort of like the graininess of my current Spinal Tap DVD, but if you'd rather see Nigel, David, Derek and, uh, Liam in delicious 1080P than today is your day. I was excited about the prospect of a live-action Green Lantern movie right up to the point where Ryan Reynolds became involved. I like Ryan in light comedies, but he is all wrong for the Lantern Corps. I mean, Sinestro would just completely kick his ass! Finally, I urge everyone to do their patriotic duty by clicking on the Sarah Palin link and donating today! more ›

I've said it over and over again but is a perfectly stupid title for a perfectly stupid film. Toupee alert! more ›

It ain't Pixar, but . more ›

I don't know about you but I am steamed--DAMN STEAMED--that Kevin Smith made a movie called Zack and Miri Make a Porno and exempted Elizabeth Banks from what I feel is a compulsory nude scene. Fail, Kevin Smith! Fail! The Haunting of Molly Hartley looks generic, stupid, unscary--you name it. Listless teens will probably eat it up while groping each other. Bruce Campbell is rightfully a screen icon for his years of B-movie excellence. Everyone in L.A.owes him a debt of gratitude so please go see My Name Is Bruce. more ›

Before playing William Adama in Battlestar Galactica, Edward James Olmos was mostly known for his portrayal of Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver. Based on real life events, the movie follows Escalante as he enters James Garfield High in Los Angeles and makes a difference on the young tough kids through his teachings of mathematics. Kinda like Dangerous Minds but with no Coolio. more ›