You've tracked the rotating light-cycle billboards on Santa Monica & Westwood all year. You've listened to the Daft Punk-composed soundtrack all month. You've visited the pop-up shop at Royal/T. You may have even stole a peek at San Fernando Valley spoof Pron. Finally, Tron: Legacy bursts off the screen this weekend! The blockbuster sequel to the cult sci-fi hit screens in 3D, but to really get in the game, try and catch an IMAX 3D screening or the props exhibit at El Capitan. more ›

In honor of Rob Marshall's beautiful flop, I considered only listing nine DVDs today (of course, the idea did first come to me when I realized how crappy a release week it was but still...). However, some digging and reaching helped unearth the usual fifteen titles that I think are worth a look. The aforementioned Nine landed at the box office like a lead balloon, but its musical numbers are more richly dressed and orchestrated than the over-praised Chicago. Daniel Day-Lewis resides in the very top tier of working actors, and Marion Cotillard and Penelope Cruz are as exquisitely talented as they are beautiful. So why did it tank? Probably because most people would rather spend their hard-earned treasure on crap like Leap Year and The Tooth Fairy. Shame that. more ›

After months of speculation, audiences will finally be able to see Avatar today. Will it live up to all of the hype? How could it? I expect the usual Cameron film -- rigorously applied and dazzling visuals with a script aimed at those with an 8th grade reading level. I don't care if buzz hasn't been great -- I can't wait to see Nine. Folks, Daniel Day-Lewis is the best actor on the planet! You've got to see this one! Let's hope that a wrong is righted this year and Jeff Bridges is awarded an Oscar for his fantastic work in Crazy Heart. Long, long overdue. Emily Blunt is fast becoming the English Anne Hathaway: a young actress with serious chops who can anchor a film. Young Victoria looks sumptuous. The less said about Did You Hear About the Morgans? the better. Hugh Grant was once a wonderful comedic actor. Once. more ›

Australia is the sort of sprawling, epic film that I typically lap up like gravy on a biscuit. Something about it just felt flat, though. Probably the presence of the icy, tight-faced Kidman who continues to defy belief by getting prominent roles in big-budget films despite being proven box-office poison. I would have watched London Yorkshire Terriers, but I refuse to watch Beverly Hills Rat Dogs. I wonder if Alan Moore hates this "digital comic" version of his graphic novel as much as he hates EVERY OTHER adaptation of his work. more ›

There's something incredible at the corner of Olympic and La Cienega. Something shocking. And inspiring. Everything in this town traces back to the cinematic, and yet truly independent film promotion is rare (mini-majors like Fox Searchlight don't count). Which is why I'm entranced with Polanski, opening this Valentine's weekend at Laemmle's Sunset 5. Taking its cue from The Room, the brazen billboard sports writer/producer/director/actor Damian Chapa (of Street Fighter & Under Siege fame) gazing deep into the viewer's soul as he forces himself onto a little girl. It's doubtful the production will help the tragic auteur's legal situation (there's a reason this gift is wrapped with "Unauthorized"), it should make for quite the Valentine. Go with someone you love. more ›

Despite not being terribly funny, opened to a relatively disappointing $12.3M ($18.5M). more ›

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Readers of made only a ripple at the domestic box-office. It should do much better on DVD as a wider audience discovers this wonderful, heartbreaking film. more ›

Wow! Most weeks I'm happy if there are a couple of new DVDs worth picking up. Today, I count at least eight that would be solid editions to any library. even though it inexplicably got better critical attention. Has Ang Lee ever made the same movie twice? Is he the most under-appreciated major director working today? Can you say the same thing about Paul Haggis--only in reverse? Having seen the Don Rickles special several times on HBO, let me tell you something--go buy it, you schmuck.
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One of my favorite films of 2007 arrives to DVD today, , rectify that mistake today by buying the new, juicier version. more ›

Yesterday, famed and veteran Los Angeles fashion designer, Mr. Blackwell, talked up his worst-dressed women list, just released this morning, with LAist. He began the annual list 48 years ago. "I was sick of the ugly clothes that were being presented in the fashion industry and as dress designer I wanted to express my opinion. I never expected it to be this big." more ›

When Sharon Stone wears a gown that looks like she's been shot or Lindsay Lohan goes out in public in an insanely sheer dress, Mr. Blackwell considers their candidacy for his annual top 10 worst dressed. Countless actresses and singers made questionable wardrobe choices in 2007. The overexposed, the under-dressed, and the over-the-top take center stage in this yearly ritual. Tomorrow Mr. Blackwell, the well-known fashion critic and designer, will unveil his 48th Annual Worst-Dressed Women list. LAist asked Mr. Blackwell about dressing movie stars, his favorite style icon, and of course our fascination with fashion disasters. more ›

Atonement hits theaters this weekend as one of the few, definite contenders for an Academy Award. It bears all the traditional hallmarks of an Oscar-caliber film: lavish period piece (check), excellent source novel (check), epic scope (check), high-powered English cast (check), nude scene from Keira Knightley (double check). Those critics who've already seen it have been generous with praise, so I'm expecting nothing less than a winner. It's virtually certain that The Golden Compass... more ›

Let's get this out of the way immediately--if you are a fan of Philip Pullman's --the ending of the first book has been pushed to the next film and two characters have been spared from death. more ›

The buzz on ? more ›

Nicole Kidman reveals details about her previous miscarriages and subsequent adoptions- Metro More Anna Nicole baby daddy drama - Explosive accusations in Rita Cosby's new tell all book of Larry Birkhead and Howard K Stern being lovers is setting off defamation lawsuits...I personally can't wait to read it - NY Post Jerry Lewis pulls an Isaiah Washington, using the "F" word during his live annual telethon for muscular dystrophy - TMZ Bill Murray explains his... more ›

My roommate wanted something sweet to eat. I suggested Natas Pastries next to Casa Vega on Ventura Blvd. Later that day he told me that was the best éclair he had in his life. "Wow," he said, "where did this place come from?" Nearly four years ago, Fatima Marques, a native of Lisbon, Portugal, searched Los Angeles for pasteis de nata, the most famous of Portuguese pastries. She discovered a void in the city’s... more ›

Friday Night "The Odessa File" (TCM, 5:00 p.m.) TCM presents an evening of spy movies starting with "The Odessa File", followed by "The Quiller Memorandum" "NHL Hockey" (PRIME, 7:00 p.m.) Blackhawks @ Ducks "NBA Basketball" (Fox Sports, 7:30 p.m.) Raptors @ Lakers "Ice-T's Rap School" (VH1, 9 p.m.) Season finale. "Real Time with Bill Maher" (HBO, 11 p.m.) Season finale. "Charlie Rose" (PBS, 11:30 p.m.): The Dixie Chicks and others, well, not other chicks,... more ›

Madonna wants a new toilet seat at each arena for her current world tour. "The seat has to be inspected by her people, then installed - with an unbroken seal - by plumbers before every gig." - IDLYITW more ›

You've heard that the South Park Scientology episode was pulled. Trey Parker and Matt Stone wrote, in a statement to Variety, "So, Scientology, you may have won this battle, but the million-year war for Earth has just begun! Temporarily anozinizing our episode will not stop us from keeping Thetans forever trapped in your pitiful man-bodies. Curses and drat! You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu!!!" (via MTV news) Well, Xenu's now up one over the forces of L. Ron, thanks to YouTube. more ›

This year, the great and noble Mr. Blackwell (as far as we know, he has no proper first name) has decreed that the worst dressed woman from 2004 was none other than the lovely and talented Nicollette Sheridan. LAist treats this announcement with great disdain. Miss Sheridan rarely wears clothing in the first place, so how can she even qualify for such a dubious honor? The same can be said for one Paris Hilton, who frequently flaunts her "ladyflower" at pubic, er, public functions and therefore, by our standards, should not be eligible for this list. more ›