In tonight's Extra, Extra, a man says he killed his dad with a sledgehammer, Gwyneth Paltrow fights with the New York Times and the Occupy Wall Street protesters tell Mayor Bloomberg why they're grateful. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.
Extra, Extra: Man Claims He Killed His Dad With a Sledgehammer
Extra, Extra: Swimming in Frigid Waters, Hangover Cures from Rich People, and Oscar Predictions
In tonight's Extra, Extra, a group of bold San Pedrans brave the chilly New Year's ocean, Gwyneth Paltrow has some truly thrilling ideas for hangover cures, and Oscar season is upon us. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.
Gwyneth Paltrow Talks About Hip-Hop Culture and 'Tanning' in Santa Monica in the 1960s
By now, you've probably heard Gywneth Paltrow rap N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" (if you haven't, here's the clip). In a recent interview with Steve Stoute, the actress bumps up her street cred even more.
Gwyneth Paltrow Goes a Lil' Bit Country on Walk of Fame
In what handily became a photo-op to promote her upcoming turn as a downtrodden country star (is there any other?) in the film Country Strong, actress Gwyneth Paltrow was on hand on Hollywood Boulevard today to receive the 2,427th star on the Walk of Fame.
Joining her was country singer and Paltrow's co-star Tim McGraw for the unveiling ceremony for the sidewalk star located in front of Madame Tussauds, according to ABC7.
Box Office Review: Iron Man Kills Robin Hood!
While by no means a flop, Robin Hood does bear the scent of an under-performer this morning. The latest Ridley Scott | Russell Crowe collaboration only managed to steal $37.1M in its debut, placing a distant second to the mighty Iron Man 2 ($53M | $212M). Female counter-programming didn't exactly work for Letters to Juliet which only garnered $13.8M in its opening frame. Romantic "comedy" Just Wright was even worse at $8.5M, while powerhouse How to Train Your Dragon continued to print money ($5.1M | $208M).
Box Office Review: Ironman 2 Blasts Competition!
There was never any doubt that Ironman 2 would dominate the box office this weekend. The only question was whether it would top The Dark Knight for the largest opening ever. Nope! Despite the largest theater booking in history, Ironman 2 only (only?) managed to bring in $133.6M. That tally squashed the awful A Nightmare on Elm Street ($9.1M | $48.5M) and the resilient How To Train Your Dragon ($6.7M | $201M). The sturdy Date Night continued to print money ($5.3M | $80.8M) as did the nauseating The Back-up Plan ($4.3M | $29.4M).
Weekend Movie Guide: He is Iron Man!
The natural inclination amongst civilized folk is to resist the bloated blockbusters that trample into theaters every summer. Surprisingly, that sentiment hasn't really applied to Iron Man 2. I imagine that's because of the tremendous good will accorded to Robert Downey Jr. I didn't love Iron Man 2 as much as Iron Man (click here), but it's still a solid piece of popcorn entertainment. There probably won't be a more adorable film this year than Babies. That will either bring you into the theater or keep you away (it will bring me in).
DVD Tuesday: Worst Tuesday in How Long?
Wow! How bad of a release day is it when 12 Rounds and Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience are the two high-profile releases? Ugh. For the first time in I don't know how long, I couldn't find 20 DVDs worthy of inclusion in this space. Two Lovers is probably the best pick, but it suffers from a surfeit of Gwyneth Paltrow. Maybe the most intriguing DVD out today is Transmorphers: Fall of Man. I'm sure it sucks, but any film that piggy-backs on the marketing largess of the rancid Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is aces in my book!
Weekend Movie Guide: Shop! Kill! Kill!
Considering the downward-trending turbulence of our current economic environment, now might not be the best time to release a movie that so glories in conspicuous consumption like Confessions of a Shopaholic. Then again, it has the winsome Isla Fisher so it might be worth a look. Clive Owen rules. Naomi Watts sort of rules. Considering that, why can't I get excited about The International. It just feels so...generic. Oh, great. Another classic horror film is getting raped, er, re-packaged, er, re-made for today's audiences. The new Friday the 13th "film" better have copious amounts of gore and pointless nudity. And when are they re-doing Leprechaun?
Movie Review: Two Lovers
Just in time for Valentine's Day is the release of Two Lovers, an emotionally-charged, quiet drama by director James Gray. At the center of the story is Leonard Kraditor (Joaquin Phoenix), a depressed thirty-something who is forced to move in with his parents after a painful, life-threatening break-up with his fiancé. With a nowhere job at his family's dry cleaning business, very few friends and an unintentionally abrasive nature, Leonard is truly a sad sight to behold. That is, until two very different women drop into his life and he experiences an awakening, stepping outside the boundaries he's laid down for himself and living life on the edge.
Box Office Review: Speed Racer crashes, burns!
On Friday I surmised that to fall to an embarrassing third.
Box Office Review: Marvel-ous!
No one doubted that adventures well into the next decade.
Weekend Movie Guide: I Am Iron Man
What else can I say about Iron Man that I didn't say in my rave yesterday? According to the great Nikki Finke, it looks like it's going to be a monster hit so I guess I don't need to encourage you to go see it. I'll actually be seeing it again this weekend because I failed to stay through the entire end credit roll and see the rumored Nick Fury (Sam Jackson) cameo at the end. Don't make the same mistake.
Movie Review: Iron Man
I won't keep you in suspense a moment longer: is a rousing start to the summer movie season. It succeeds not only as a visually dazzling popcorn movie, but as a human drama about a man forced to finally consider his former and future place in the world. Great credit must be given to two crucial players in the film: director Jon Favreau and the wildly counterintuitive choice of actor Robert Downey Jr. as the film's hero.
Screening Alert: Iron Man
If you absolutely can't wait until 12:01 am on May 2nd to see what's looking to be the summer's first big blockbuster, the Aero Theater in Santa Monica is holding a charity screening of on May 1st at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and proceeds go the Aero Building Fund Donation. If seeing the movie early with a group of passionate fans isn't encouragement enough, director Jon Favreau will also be there for a Q & A following the screening (don't tell Don Murphy). There are also strong rumors that other members of the cast will show as well. Sound good so far? There is one catch. You need to buy your tickets at the Aero box office. They will not be available on-line at Fandango. More details about the movie here.
DVD Tuesday: I will have vengeance!
Though it did decent business at the box office, I'm thinking that was obviously too elliptical for anyone to completely puzzle out, but I still liked it. Brian Van Holt is always aces in my book and Emily Rose was a revelation in a small role.
Standing on my Knees @ The Gardner Stages
Back when I was taking acting classes in the Valley, I had a classmate who wasn’t that talented, but was nevertheless very taken with his own ability. One day, I looked into his car and saw that it was a complete disaster area in the backseat. When I commented on the mess, he shot back, “It’s not messy – it’s artistic.”
Wednesday Gossip Quickie
Lindsay Lohan was busted by her medical director for using drugs while in rehab - Female First Speaking of Lindsay, she should be getting a visit from her estranged father, Michael Lohan, any day now as part of her "healing process" - NY Post As Owen Wilson recovers from his suicide attempt, pal Courteny Love is openly blaming Wilson's hard partying pal and her former lover Steve Coogan for being a bad influence on Owen's...
Free To Be... You And Me
Free to Be… You and Me is a cult classic for many kids of the 1970's. Gwyneth Paltrow even credits this film as one of her inspirations to become an actor. Hey man, whatever floats your boat. First released in November 1972, and later in 1974 as a television special, "Free to Be...You and Me" featured songs and stories to illustrate and define core values such as individuality, tolerance, and happiness with one's identity.
New DVD Tuesday - Mike Mignola, Ryuichi Hiroki, Paul Mooney, Clint Eastwood
Recommended After Innocence - Jessica Sanders directs this documentary detailing the stories of seven men who were wrongfully imprisoned for decades (some of them on death row) before finally being exonerated by DNA evidence. The Amazing Screw-On Head - This animated 30-minute pilot (I can only hope there will be more episodes) based on the comic book by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is full of awesome animation (it closely mimics Mignola's style), witty dialogue,...
Everybody is Talking About Sky Captain
Since then, the advertising has taken a turn for the worse, dubbing it as the film that "everybody is talking about" and then serving up three huge-fonted quotes from "he-should-be-dead-already" movie critic Gene Shalit. That's right, the desperate marketing and publicity people at Paramount would rather plug the raving-mad review of a 60+ relic over Internet reviews from people who know what they're talking about. 60-Second Preview and Ain't It Cool News beat Shalit anyday.

