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're able to put aside the anti-Semitic | uber-Catholic ravings of Mel Gibson, he can still be a very effective actor, particularly when cast in his wheelhouse role: a crazy cop bucking the system. Edge of Darkness is a pitch-dark drama about a father hell-bent on avenging his daughter's death. Sure, it's overly plotty, but I dug it. The same can't be said for Legion -- a silly meditation on angels and prophecy and farts (okay, I was tuned out by the end so maybe that last part didn't actually happen). Will the vampire craze just die out already? Daybreakers was a needless addition to an over-supplied genre. I don't miss Daria as much as I miss the ground-breaking Beavis & Butthead, but it's still funnier than anything currently being broadcast on MTV. more ›

Despite a mediocre critical reception, Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland demolished Avatar's opening weekend record for a 3-D film by taking in a mammoth $116.3M at the box office. Fellow newcomer Brooklyn's Finest was a very distant second with $13.5M, just edging previous stalwart Shutter Island ($13.3M | $95.8M). After that it was the painful Cop Out ($9.1M | $32.3M) and heavyweight Avatar ($7.7M | $720.1M). more ›

I confess to being a little confused by the enthusiasm for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland since my enjoyment of Burton's work has steadily waned over the years. For me, he peaked with Ed Wood. Despite all the lovely visual filigree that decorates his work, I find that I'm never particularly surprised by any of his films anymore. Sure, I'll see Alice in Wonderland, but that's mostly to see if Mia Wasikowska is as good an ingenue as she appears to be. What I certainly will see is Brooklyn's Finest. Despite mediocre reviews, I'm a total sucker for cop movies (Street Kings -- yes, fucking Street Kings -- has been on heavy rotation at my place lately.) It will be good to see Richard Gere back in uniform after the awesome Internal Affairs. Long overdue! more ›

Avatar continued its long slog towards ultimately topping Titanic by easily winning this weekend's box-office race ($48.5M | $429M). Sherlock Holmes was a very distant second but has proven to be a solid hit for Guy Ritchie ($16.6M | $165.1M). Unfortunately, the same can be said for Dumb Fucking Chipmunk Movie which is still bringing in unfit parents and their bratty kids ($16.3M | $178.1M). Daybreakers was the best performer of the films released this weekend ($15M) while It's Complicated managed to top ($11M | $76.3M) another newbie, the crappy Leap Year ($9.1M). more ›

Some may be getting tired of Michael Cera's act, but not me. I admit it can be a bit one-note, but that note is a perfect one. His latest film, Youth in Revolt, reaches theaters today (LAist review here). See it! Are you as tired of vampire movies as I am? If not, then Daybreakers is for you. Amy Adams was once a scrappy actress who chose great parts and nailed them. Now she's in Leap Year. Sad. more ›

In ten years, we'll remember this movie for introducing Olivia Thirlby | Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight more ›

We leaf through various calendars so you don't have to. more ›

I'm ashamed to admit how long it took me to finally catch Sidney Lumet's latest film, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. After all, Lumet is one of the true grandmasters of the craft (he directed his first significant film, 12 Angry Men, over fifty years ago!). What's more, the cast he brought together for Devil is absolutely top-notch: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, Albert Finney and Rosemary Harris. Worst of all,... 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 ›

Watching Nip/Tuck has always been a dirty and guilty pleasure. Season five of the show returns tonight on FX and McNamara/Troy are moving the business to our own Los Angeles (as if you haven't been pummeled incessantly by the promos for the last month, and particularly during the World Series). The overpromotion irritates me a bit because it can set up what has been a pretty good show for a fall. Since Nip/Tuck has always... more ›

Jesse Harris, New York based singer/songwriter’s new album Feel, definitely has one doing just that. Not only is Feel his 7th album to date, he just recently wrote and composed, but not performed the entire soundtrack to Ethan Hawke’s film The Hottest State. While the soundtrack for the film has Harris performing just two of the songs and the likes of Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, M.Ward, Norah Jones and Cat Power taking hold of the others, Feel is entirely Harris from beginning to end, and that’s a good thing. more ›

You want a little more variety in your life? How about checking out the diverse theater scene around town? Here are just five of the shows opening this weekend: Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical Yes, you read that right. The ’70s porn classic comes to the stage at the Key Club. Key Club. 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 310-274-5800. Tickets are $35-$55. Opens tonight at 8 pm. Runs Thursdays in August. Godislav A young... more ›

Remember being young and in total desperate I’m going to die without you love? That exact and exquisite pain is what The Hottest State, Ethan Hawke’s film based on his first novel (out in the 1990’s) is all about. Hawke produced and directed the film that meanders its way through present day, 1970’s flashbacks, music sequences, and hot sex scenes through the eyes of William Harding, a sensitive and emotional twenty-one year old actor trying to make his mark in New York City. The film follows the weeks, that’s right only weeks, that William meets and fall in love with beautiful if not slightly frigid singer/songwriter Sarah and hence has his heart broken. I’m not spoiling anything here- Hawke gives it away in the first minutes of the film - “within a year I would be left heartbroken” a narration tells us. Despite knowing this, we still go on William’s journey through mad, crazy, all-consuming lust and love to all-consuming sadness, anger, and heartbreak. Easily recognizable. more ›

A Word or 44: The first 1/2 of the "24" season premiere was quite good even though I don't understand how Jack found the terrorist dude before his house got blown up. Also, was there some anal play going on between Jack and the first terrorist guy? Kinky. Tonight - Monday - January 15th, 2007 "Lawrence of Arabia" (TCM, 5:00 p.m.) Quite possibly the best movie ever made. "Hamlet" (IFC, 6:00 p.m.) Classic Shakespeare... more ›

LAist is feeling a little bit depressed at the current selection of new films playing at the local cineplex. We're just feeling a little bit taken advantage of, and you're about to read why. more ›

LAist wasn't quite sure what to make of Trey Parker, Matt Stone and their patriotic puppets when we first got wind of earlier this year, but after catching an early screening last night at the Paramount lot, we may just have to take one for the team. more ›

Okay, so the Grove may not have booked J-Lo, who's kind of like the Tiffany of today, but they do have K-Lo and L-Lo. That's "American Idol" Kimberly Locke and soundtrack songstress Lisa Loeb to you. They'll be performing live this Wednesday at 7:00 PM. more ›