The short film was once a cornerstone of the theatrical experience (think "The Twenty", only worth watching). A cinematic laboratory, short films test talents & technologies, often in less time than it takes to read this column. In an age of digital streaming, the LA Shorts Fest offers a rare opportunity to see these small films back on the big screen. The 15th annual fest begins tomorrow at the Sunset 5, and runs through the 29th. more ›

I enjoyed everything about Invictus -- the cast, the story, the filmmaker -- except the actual movie. Frankly, it was just dull. At the opposite end of the spectrum, I am very angry at Americans right now for throwing good money at the vile Valentine's Day. You know what happens now, right? They're going to make another "themed" movie like this -- New Year's Eve. And then another one. And another. When will you people ever learn? You suck. Extraordinary Measures felt more like a movie of the week than something that needed to be seen in theaters, but it did give us, "I already work around the clock!!!" Will that awful line reading supplant this beauty? The Messenger is quality filmmaking, but get ready to be depressed upon watching it. more ›

A trio of newcomers stormed the box-office this weekend, thoroughly knocking down the mighty Avatar from its lofty aerie. The rancid and cynical Valentine's Day led the pack with a well undeserved $52.4M. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: Very Long Title pulled in a solid $31.1M to edge out the better-than-expected The Wolfman ($30.6M). After that it was the aforementioned Avatar ($22M | $659.6M) and the moronic Dear John ($15.3M | $53.1M). more ›

Sure the reviews haven't exactly been stellar, but I'm really looking forward to The Wolfman. Benicio + Tony + Emily + (most importantly) Rick Baker = my ass in the seat opening weekend! Thank God it is rated R for "bloody horror violence and gore." I'm sick and tired of these PG-13 horror flicks. Some might say that Valentine's Day is a cynical attempt to cash in on an all-star cast even though the underlying film is, in fact, awful. Oh wait, I would be saying that. Please avoid this film, America! more ›

Critics were predictably tough on X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but I preferred it to all the other hyper-budgeted blockbusters of the summer (with the possible exception of Harry Potter 6, though I'm still not happy about the elision of Dumbledore's funeral). Gambit could have been better conceptualized, but Hugh Jackman owns the role of Wolverine more than any actor owns any superhero role. Granted, that's not exactly saying a whole hell of a lot, but still -- he fucking rocks it. Jessica Biel + English Period Comedy = Better Than You Might Think. Of course, Colin Firth smoothes all edges so it may not be such a grand accomplishment. Grace = worst movie I saw at the Sundance Film Festival. Avoid at costs unless you love zombie babies! more ›

Large swaths of red-blooded American males have been waiting for this moment since March of 2000 (NSFW) and today that moment finally arrives -- Jessica Biel is nekkid in a movie (unbelievably NSFW)! Of course, by all accounts Powder Blue is a terrible film, but why let something like that stop you from buying it, right? It surely can't be any worse than the week's "big" release, New in Town. What has happened to Renee Zellweger? Not every notable 70s movie was actually good. Zabriskie Point will make you laugh but not in a good way. Forever Strong has two things going for it: it's about rugby and it stars the amazing Gary Cole. more ›

While it was expected to be a close race, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian ($53.5M) easily topped Terminator Salvation ($43M) to capture the weekend box office crown. Both of these borderline movies will surely be blown out of the water next week by the absolutely fantastic Up (saw it; loved it). Star Trek slipped to third but still had a strong weekend ($21.9M/$183.5M), managing to edge last week's champ Angels & Demons ($21.4M/$81.5M). Newcomer Dance Flick finished fifth with a decent take of $11.1M. more ›

I was never a huge fan of the Terminator movies, so I wasn't too upset about the mythology-raping that goes on in Terminator Salvation. For me it was just good, loud fun with cool robots and Moon Bloodgood's amazing cleavage. During a family visit over Christmas I was snookered into seeing the first Night at the Museum. That will not be the case with the dreary-looking Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Yes, the flicks are stupid, but I am a fan of whatever the Wayans' brothers touch so I'll queue up for Dance Flick. In shame. more ›

When times are tough, can Santa and Bleebo save Christmas? Watch Jessica Biel and David Koechner try. more ›

Jessica Biel and Santa with a patient at CHLA. more ›

Britney Spears's new friend and advisor Sam Lufti may be charged in a Los Angeles court this week for ramming his car into a process server's Range Rover who was hired by Kevin Federline to subpeona Lufti back in August - US Weekly more ›

So is anyone NOT buying Knocked Up this week? There's something like 5 different versions in Amazon's top 25 bestsellers right now. Wow. The TV Set is a great movie that about 400 people saw when it was in theaters. I had a near-private screening one afternoon at the Santa Monica Laemmle. Next is really only interesting if you're a Nicholas Cage hairpiece connoisseur (like myself). Evening has an incredibly raunchy nude scene with... more ›

Adam Sandler and Kevin James, although not gay, have great on-screen chemistry in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Throw in one of the best comedic performances of Sandler's career and you've got a movie that everyone is going to be talking about this weekend. Perhaps it's his recent foray into serious roles that has made Sandler a more seasoned actor, bringing fresh ideas and nuances into his comedic performances -- whatever it is, his character in this movie is sure to please everyone. more ›

Despite his recent slash amazing drunken video release, David Hasselhoff was granted sole custoday of his two teenage daughters - CBC Skating with Celebrities star Kristy Swanson pulls a Tanya Harding and was arrested for assaulting her boyfriend (and former skating partner's) ex- wife - People Angelina Jolie and the kids take a fathers day shopping trip - She also speaks about potentially repairing her estranged relationship with her own father Jon Voight - Just... more ›

7:13 - Saddest Realization of the Night: Although this was theoretically an awards show, it was in actuality a two-hour commercial for Transformers. I don't know how much of what happens on stage makes it to air, but the live feed in the Blogghetto was all Transformers, all the time. It's enough to make me hate the movie and hope it flops. Not that there's a chance of that happening. 7:10 - Best Moment... more ›

5:46 - Total number of celebs who have visited the Blogghetto: 0. 5:44 - It's time for the next movie spoof, something about the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. 5:41 - Sacha Baron Cohen (looking handsome as ever) berates Will Ferrelll for not calling him after their tender on-set moment in Talladega Nights. He pulls Will Ferrell in for a long, shameless lip-lock that leaves them both rolling on the floor like fictional teenagers in a... more ›

5:30 - I can hear the press people and the MTV handlers trying to corral Jack Nicholson in the next tent over, which apparently isn't easy to do. We here in the Blogghetto have been promised by MTV that they will try to get as many celebs as possible in here. You know you're low on the totem pole when even Shia LaBeouf is too big to talk to you. 5:26 - Dane Cook... more ›

5:09 - Cue Vegas-style dancers and an old people's choir singing songs that are deliberately bleeped out. 5:06 - Sarah on Paris Hilton: "To make Paris Hilton more comfortable in jail, I hear they're going to make the bars of her cell out of penises." Big laughs. "I just worry she'll snap her teeth." Even bigger laughs. Cut to a very unamused Paris Hilton. 5:05 - Sarah announces that Paris Hilton will soon be... more ›

- 9,000 people a month turn in their California driver's licenses for Arizona ones - LAT - LA coach builders + Mini Coopers = Mini Cooper limos - bornrich - The only thing worthwhile in the holier-than-thou feature about author Roger Kahn who wants to pretend that there's something wrong with betting on your own team, is this quote by Jim Murray about Pete Rose: "Did Rose bet on the game?" Murray once asked... more ›

Avril talks sh*t about Britney and her ability to "deal with it" - The Sun Speaking of Britney, look at her ridiculous attempt of going incognito to the Lakers game - TMZ Hip Hop feud alert - Timbaland calls Scott Storch a bitch - NY Post Tara Reid's boobies spilling out of her bikini - Egotastic! Meredith Vieira admits to panic attacks and fighting off "mental gremlins" - Page Six Back when she was involved... more ›

- Mayor and Police Chief booed this morning at a multi-million dollar groundbreaking - Daily News - Girls Gone Wild's Joe Francis gets 200 hours of community service over 2 years and must pay a half million in fines for creative bookkeeping and quasi kiddie porn since he admitted to filming underage girls getting naked. So LAist asks, does this make him a Sex Offender? - LAT - Paris Hilton pleads no contest on... more ›

Tonight - Tuesday Lakers @ Rockets (CBS2, 5:30 p.m.) If the NBA consolidated these two they'd be the Lockets which sounds better anyway, what the hell is a Laker, some kind of ship? "Friday Night Lights" (NBC, 8:00 p.m.) Cheerleader competition becomes the focus for the town as well as additional male viewers of the show. "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas: 40th Anniversary" (ABC, 8:00 p.m.) I'm a mean one, so you'd... more ›

We try to hold cool contests for you here several times a month, but nothing's better than a good old-fashioned auction. What good is having money unless you're gonna spend it? more ›

Rapper Tone Loc turns 40 today. Music geek favorite Robyn Hitchcock is 53. more ›