Many weeks, there can be slim pickings on the DVD aisle. And then there are weeks like this where three, er, fantastic movies top the list. Fantastic Mr. Fox may not rise to the absurd and lunatic levels of Rushmore or The Royal Tennenbaums, but it's a wonderful re-telling of Roald Dahl's seminal children's book. It's that rare thing -- something both children and adults can enjoy (albeit for different reasons). Plenty of critics piled on The Men Who Stare at Goats, but I thought it's daffiness totally worked. The interpretative dance sequence on the Army base was one of the funniest scenes in any movie this year, and I'll say it -- Jeff Bridges did his best work in this movie, not Crazy Heart. While it was mostly overlooked during awards season, Brothers was a solid and depressing piece of drama. Tobey Maguire has never been better, and Natalie Portman solidified her reputation as the best young actress working in studio pictures. Especially in this. Supervan! more ›

For the second week in a row, Avatar blew away the competition to easily capture the box-office crown ($75M | $212.2M). It's presumed challenger, Sherlock Holmes was a distant second ($65.3M) while Dumb Fucking Chipmunk Movie made an obscene amount of money ($50.2M) (presumably, from moronic families trying to keep their bratty kids quiet for a few hours). Adult "comedy" (e.g. not funny) It's Complicated had a decent weekend ($22.1M) while the superb Up in the Air surged in its first weekend of wide release ($11.7M | $24.5M). more ›

In a just world families would be heading out to the multiplex this afternoon to see Terry Gilliam's latest (and Heath Ledger's last) The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Of course, we don't live in such a world so Sherlock Holmes will be getting all of the business. If you want to try something thought-provoking and serious (yeah, I know you don't), check out Police, Adjective. I respect everything about Nancy Meyers other than the actual movies she makes. Her latest is It's Complicated. I will, of course, pass. Apparently, there is some kiddie flick opening today called Dumb Fucking Chipmunks Movie. Probably gonna miss that one, too. more ›

I'm still upset that Dumbledore's funeral was left out of Half-Blood Prince, but this latest installment in the Potter series definitely delivers a gloomier, more adult vibe than any of the previous films. Can't wait until 2/2/10 to see the newest chapter of Lost. Until then, the DVD set of Season 5 will have to do. Best documentary of the year? The Cove. Most important documentary of the year? Hmm...The Cove? Maybe so. Michael Mann's films are required viewing for any cineaste. Public Enemies may not be in the same league as Heat, but it's still a tense, macho ride. Julie & Julia would have benefitted from less Julie and more Julia. more ›

In a surprisingly robust debut, 2012 took in a huge $65M to easily capture the weekend box-office crown. Despite completely sucking, the latest Roland Emmerich disaster pic easily out-distanced last week's champ, Disney's A Christmas Carol which managed to bring in a decent $22.3M in its second frame ($63.2M). Grant Heslov's hilarious The Men Who Stare at Goats grabbed third place ($6.2M | $23.3M), just ahead of indie powerhouse Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire ($6M | $8.9M). The creepy and morbid Michael Jackson's That Was It rounded out the top 5 ($5.1M | $68.2M). more ›

Some critics have derided Wes Anderson as a victim of his own precious taste. His movies take place in "Andersonville" it's said -- a singular, specific world from which he needs to free himself. To that I say, "Pah!". Anderson's latest film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, takes place in the stop-motion animated version of Andersonville and it's, well, fantastic. I can't recommend it highly enough. I can't say the same for 2012. I mean, honestly, how is it really different from The Day After Tomorrow? Sure Richard Curtis is a bit schmaltzy, but I always give extra-credit to the open-hearted. Plus, Pirate Radio has Philip Seymour Hoffman in it so it's worth seeing. more ›

Millions of moronic teenagers pushed The Final Destination to the top of the weekend box-office chart as it snagged a richly undeserved $28.3M (largely due to the inflated price of tickets to the 3D showings). Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds managed to hold onto second place despite forecasts to the contrary ($20M | $73.8M). In a bit of good news, the worthless Halloween II came in below expectations ($17.4M). Surprise hit District 9 continued to perform well ($10.7M | $90.8M) while G.I. Joe rounded out the top 5 ($8M | $132M). more ›

Paramount refused to screen G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra for critics which is usually a huge, obvious warning that the film is an unmitigated disaster. Then again, maybe the studio is still just chafing from the deserved reaming given to Transformers 2: Racist CGI Porn by reviewers. In any case, G.I. Joe is obviously on the "skip" list. The consensus on Julie & Julia (LAist review here) appears to be that the movie would have benefited from more Julia and less Julie. To get a true grasp of what an amazing actress Meryl Streep is, Netflix the following movies and watch them in this order: Doubt, Silkwood, Sophie's Choice, Stuck on You. more ›

Shark Week!! The incredible comedian Louis C.K. will have a recurring role on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" starting with the second episode airing this Fall. This makes the season a must-watch! --- ABC's "At the Movies" is dumping their Benjamins in order to get hosts with journalistic pedigrees back on the show. Co-hosts Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz were regarded as lightweights in a glitzed up version of the long-running series. more ›

The genre of "foodie movies" demands that the Los Angelean viewer have an after-movie plan. If you're seeing Tampopo, make haste for Daikokuya. If it's Soul Food, M&M Soul Food better be no farther than 20 minutes away. And now with Julie & Julia... well really, is there any place in Los Angeles where you can find the exquisite French food featured in the movie? Oh sure, there's Kendall's Brasserie or Church & State. But the best thing about Julie & Julia is that you're gonna wanna cook. Maybe not like Julia Child, but you'll be inspired to break out the pots and pans, and maybe even the pen and paper. more ›

Anyone see the "Doctor Who" presentation at Comic-Con? Yesterday the series got an award from the Guinness Book of World Records as "the most successful sci-fi series". Did anyone watch the "Doctor Who" premiere last night? Also at Comic-Con, a bunch of details of the "Lost" season finale, including the fact that there will essentially be a reunion of all the characters. more ›

Does Stephen Daldry have the goods on a large majority of Academy Award voters? I mean seriously, how else does a fine, but limited movie like The Reader get nominated for an Oscar instead of more thrilling work like, say, The Wrestler? (I could say the same thing about The Hours a few years ago -- something is rotten here.) As a devout non-fan of Sin City, I was glad to see that the visually identical The Spirit died a quick critical and box-office death. I like comic book/graphic novel movies, but maybe it's time to take a break from it all. How is it that a relatively mediocre TV show like Wings featured four dynamite actors? Amazing. more ›

If you are looking for an evening of light entertainment with the whole family, what better choice is there than Doubt? I love priest-rape dramas. Are you like me -- do you marvel at the rare ability of Adam Sandler to not ever make you laugh at anything? Ever. As far as I'm concerned, Keanu Reeves probably would have done a better job of playing the giant robot in The Day the Earth Stood Still than his human counterpart. Yes Man = another slip down the rope for Jim Carrey. The bottom is sneaking up on you, Jim! I wish my life was like Donkey Punch (eg. hot, naked babes on big yachts). Just without all the rape and murder. more ›

You know how some movies are better because of the audience in the theater with you? I think that's why I enjoyed ?) more ›

In Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood has finally fused his many previous cinema personas into something both grand and elegant. It belongs in the Oscar conversation (plus Clint sings!). Doubt was timelier when it opened onstage years back, but how do you miss anything featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep ( excepted)? The Day the Earth Stood Still might be worth watching if virtually anyone other than Keanu Reeves inhabited the central role. He's a likable schlumpf in a role that demands an actor with a quiet and menacing charisma. Michael Shannon anyone? more ›

In the entertainment world, the leap from stage to screen can often be a tumultuous one. There are tantalizingly few Dustin Hoffman-Willie Lowman shining stars to help playwrights navigate the dark and treacherous cinema seas. There are no Angels in America lighthouses with which to shore up for a time. Which is why, sad to say, many a play-to-film adaptation simply s(t)inks. more ›

Is there anyone in America who didn't see ($10M/$56.4M). more ›

It's already a foregone conclusion that The Dark Knight will set some sort of record this weekend at the box-office. The only question is how much it will eventually make. 130 million bucks? 140 million? More? The buzz surrounding the film has been almost universally positive so expect a great time as you settle into your seat and enter the dark world of Batman and the Joker. Ledger's final performance is one for the ages. more ›

If you somehow missed both had top-drawer casts and the imprimatur of quality. Both were also awfully dull. Tom Cruise takes another step down from his previous perch of box office invincibility. more ›

The Los Angeles Michelin ratings are out! No three-star restaurants for LA, and many Angeleno foodies are already complaining about the non-starred status of places like Lucques, Grace, and JAR. They couldn't get Ackroyd? Meryl Streep will be playing Julia Child in the upcoming movie adaptation of the book "Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen." The sequel will be based on Carol Cooks Keller, hopefully. The kids over at... more ›

With one very notable exception, it's a fairly dull weekend in the movie world. That exception, of course, is the sterling No Country for Old Men. After several misfires (Intolerable Cruelty, The Ladykillers, The Man Who Wasn't There), the Coen Brothers are back with their best film since The Big Lebowski. Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones all give superb performances in this adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name.... more ›

Unless you are a hardcore devotee of the 3-camera sitcom format (How I Met Your Mother, etc.) then Monday has somehow turned into NBC night. Check out late night offerings as you can while the writer's strike gains traction - Letterman and Conan have good guests. 8:00pm Chuck NBC - TV Junkie 8:00pm Pick 9:00pm Carol Burnett: A Woman of Character PBS - For some she's an annoyance, for many she's a classic, if you're... more ›

Don't forget to check out my interview with Glenn Close if you haven't yet. Damages is the pick of the night of course, but there's some other gems out there. 8:00pm Matt Lauer Reports NBC - I'm not a huge fan of Matt Lauer or NBC news reporting but it should be interesting to see him grill Senator Larry Craig about his wide stance. 9:00pm Frontline: Cheney's Law PBS/KCET - A look at the Cheney... 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 ›

I love movies. I love clothes. And because I don't watch enough reality TV shows to have an unhealthy dose of schadenfreude in my life, I love stories about evil bosses who receive their comeuppance. So I was, of course, dying to see The Devil Wears Prada. I am a girl after all. My lady friends who were lucky enough to have attended advance screenings or rushed to the theater on opening weekend all... more ›

Who doesn't love the dramatic skills of Meryl Streep? Who doesn't think Anne Hathaway isn't the cutest thing? And who doesn't think the director of several episodes of "Sex and the City" and "Entourage" (including the pilot) will probably put together a good film? more ›

FRIDAY more ›

Appearing at UCLA's Royce Hall tonight and tomorrow night only is Charlie Kaufman's amazing new theater experience, "The Theater of the New Ear". We highly suggest that you run, not walk, to your nearest UCLA box office, or some online venue and purchase tickets. Los Angeles is usually one of the last rungs on the theater ladder, getting touring shows months (sometimes years, sometimes never) after they have appeared on the east coast. Don't miss out, this is a true blue opportunity. more ›

THURSDAY more ›

WEDNESDAY more ›