When you think of Islam, you probably don't picture mohawks and leather jackets. That may change after viewing The Taqwacores, a new film about a motley crew of New Yorkers that bring the music to Muhammad and crank it past 12. more ›

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 ›

Following its debut at the Telluride Film Festival, Up in the Air was being heralded as a strong contender for a Best Picture Oscar. The fact that it didn't win anything at last Sunday's ceremony should tell you it wasn't nearly as weighty and significant as early press indicated. Still, it was another solid film by Jason Reitman and another effortless turn by Clooney. 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 ›

In one of the rarest of rare occurrences, a movie in its fifth week of release finally clawed its way to the top of the box office. Paramount pushed Paranormal Activity into over a thousand new theaters and the gamble paid off handsomely as the horror sleeper raked in $22M ($62.4M) to easily win the weekend. Torture porn shit-show Saw VI endured a brutal debut as it pulled in a weak $14.8M (yay!) while last week's champ Where the Wild Things Are stumbled a bit in its second weekend ($14.4M | $53.9M). The formulaic Law Abiding Citizen ($12.7M | $40.3M) and the half-funny Couples Retreat ($11M | $78.2M) rounded out the top 5. more ›

As some of you may know, I am perhaps the world's greatest fan of John C. Reilly. Anything John does (including music), I see (and usually like). Unfortunately, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant may test that theory. Not sure how to say this, but it looks...really, really stupid. Hilary Swank will definitely NOT win an Oscar for Amelia since she's not playing a boy/masculine character. Oh wait, yes she is. Go ahead and give her the Oscar now. I never really watched Astro Boy as a kid and probably won't start now. more ›

I could talk for hours about it, but I'll simply say that Amadeus is the finest movie I have ever seen. From the amazing performances by F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce to the script by Peter Schaeffer (a superior revision of his stage play) to the direction by Milos Forman (who never again came close to this level of artistry) right down to the ballet choreography by Twyla Tharp and the imposing score by Sir Neville Marriner, Amadeus is the purest, most perfect synthesis of all the wonder that is possible with cinema. If you have never seen this wonderful film, rectify that mistake immediately and pick up this Blu-Ray disc. more ›

It almost felt like summer again this weekend as a bloated, crappy movie rang up a huge number at the box-office. Despite seriously sucking balls, continued to do well in its third week ($6.1M/$45.5M). more ›

The new Richard Gere, Diane Lane film "Nights in Rodanthe" opened this weekend. Joel McHale is very excited that the reviews are in and it sounds hot. more ›

If you're only going to see one movie this weekend, make the time to check out Choke. It's dirty. It's funny. It's got the great Sam Rockwell in it. If you are the type that is entertained by mindless tripe, however, you could probably do worse than Eagle Eye. Is it awful? Well, yes. But it is glossy. And there lots of cool (albeit spectacularly unrealistic) stunts. Are you stuck in a loveless relationship and long for the feeling of a wildly romantic chance encounter? Or did you just like ? Nights in Rodanthe might be for you. more ›

[Interested in writing about films and the film business for LAist? Email us here.] more ›

Transformers would have been perfect as a 20-minute demo reel for ILM. Instead, it's a long, dull live-action cartoon. And I still don't understand all the fuss about Shia LaBeouf. He's good. Not amazing. Good. No one saw A Mighty Heart at the theater, but it's worth a rental. Angelina Jolie the Actress has been replaced by Angelina the Star, but she doesn't get in the way of a gripping, horrifying story. No one... more ›

9:00pm Big Brother 8 CBS - Another houseguest gets the boot [who are you betting on Tony Pierce?] 9:00pm i-Caught ABC - Soldiers use of the internet; also, so-called blogebrities who have access to the hottest events - hmmmm, that kinda sounds like our lauded editor Tony Pierce ;-) 10:00pm P.O.V. "The Camden 28" PBS/KLCS - Back in the day, people used to do more than just bitch about the war on blogs -... more ›

"Look honey, I'm classy! I didn't buy your sex directly, I bought this expensive bauble instead!" more ›

Apparently not only is Jared Leto a wannabe rocker, but he is also a wannabe lover - according to Penthouse gal Krista Ayne (pictured, right), Leto's skills are lacking, and he's too busy with his makeup to call a girl back - Page Six India attacks Richard Gere! Effigies of the star are burned on the streets of New Delhi for his recent and taboo public display of affection - TMZ Britney on the road... more ›

Grindhouse - I've already reviewed this movie, so I won't bother rehashing it, but trust me, Grindhouse totally freakin' rocks! Three full hours of beautiful cinematic mayhem. Are We Done Yet? - Ice Cube stars as a beleaguered urban dad who moves with his new wife (Nia Long) and her two kids to their dream house in the 'burbs and is terrorized by a contractor (John C. McGinley from Scrubs). Black Book - Dutch-born... more ›

A Word Or 28: Fox did it again last week. The top 5 most watched programs were a combination of American Idol, Are You As Smart As a 5th Grader?, and House. Tonight - Wednesday - March 14th, 2007 Dick Tracy Marathon (TCM, 5:00 p.m.) The classic from the '40s Clippers @ Rockets (KTLA, 5:30 p.m.) Suns @ Mavericks (ESPN, 6:00 p.m.) Blue Jackets @ Ducks (PRIME, 7:00p.m.) Jericho (CBS, 8:00 p.m.) The Marines... more ›

Photo used with the permission of: Kikuko Usuyama more ›