Year's best films were full of unlikely heroesIn a year of darkness and hope, the movies struggled to keep up. Things fell apart, the economic center didn't hold, the man least expected to win the presidency at the start of the year created a narrative of historical inevitability that just grew and grew and grew. The most engrossing drama I witnessed in 2008 may have been at ...
The year's best shook our complacencyIt would have been tough for the movies to top reality in 2008. Where this year was actually momentous, exciting, and strange, the movies often settled for being merely solemn - which was neither enlightening nor entertaining. The super-successful "The Dark Knight" was solemn, but it was also fun, something increasingly, distressingly absent from the year-end movie-going season. If a ...
'Hugo,' 'Artist' inject cinema nostalgia to OscarsAmerican master Martin Scorsese journeyed to France, putting Hollywood's newest technology to work for his dazzling 3-D re-creation of 1930s Paris in "Hugo." French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius came to America, reviving old-time Hollywood with his charming resurrection of early cinema in the silent film "The Artist."
Big Miracle*** Big Miracle If this movie is to be believed, the most riveting and important story of the late 1980s was three migrating California gray whales stranded beneath miles of ice far above the Arctic Circle. Luckily the film needs only to entertain, and that it does thoroughly, with minimal preaching. Praise be. Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski star - along with those animatronic whales, of course. (103 min., PG) (Janice Page)
Charlotte Rampling: The Look*** Charlotte Rampling: The Look Subtitled “A self-portrait through others,’’ this documentary pairs the 65-year-old actress in conversation with friends, artists, and colleagues. The portrait that emerges is of a woman carefully and repeatedly approaching the edges of cliffs, then leaping with abandon. In English, French, and German, with subtitles. (95 min., unrated) (Ty Burr)
Chronicle **1/2 Chronicle A found-footage superhero movie about three high-schoolers who videotape the aftermath of their encounter with a glowing space-rock. Pieces of this are downright brilliant, including the let’s-destroy-downtown-Seattle climax, but the filmmakers can’t decide whether they’re making fun of the genre or just going overboard with it. Paging John Hughes or Gus Van Sant. (84 min., PG-13) (Ty Burr)
The Woman In Black** The Woman in Black How frustrating to be Daniel Radcliffe. One movie after Harry Potter vanquished Voldemort, and it’s like he’s anticipating having to do it all over again. Here he is in this blah ghost story searching a big, dreary house for the source of off-screen sound effects. Radcliffe has an exuberant side, and some of us are getting desperate to see it. (95 min., PG-13) (Wesley Morris)
AD:
The Innkeepers*½ The Innkeepers One problem with a movie devoted to the boredom of two hotel employees is that it risks contagion. Here the employees - played by Sara Paxton and Pat Healy - might be involved in a ghost story. They’re certainly starting in a very dull CW drama. Written and directed by Ti West. With a small, thankless role for Kelly McGillis. (106 min., R) (Wesley Morris)
A Separation **** A Separation A superb work of realism by Asghar Farhadi about a youngish middle-class Iranian woman (Leila Hatami) who leaves her husband (Peyman Moaadi), putting his sick father and their studious and astute 11-year-old daughter (Sarina Farhadi) in the uncertain middle. The request for a divorce sets in motion a chain of small domestic events whose dismaying implications accrue. In Farsi, with English subtitles. (123 min., PG-13) (Wesley Morris)
Albert Nobbs*** Albert Nobbs As the title character, a woman passing as a male butler at an upper-crust hotel, Glenn Close skulks through Edwardian-era Dublin like a eunuch on a stealth mission. Rodrigo Garcia’s drama is cautious to the point of stodginess. Close (who co-wrote the script) gives a fascinating performance, even if Janet McTeer steals the film. (113 min., R) (Ty Burr)
Crazy Horse*** Crazy Horse The 39th film from the legendary documentarian Frederick Wiseman prowls the Paris nude-revue nightclub of the title, watching the ways human beings manufacture the art of desire. His fly-on-the-wall approach yields insights into process from everybody but the dancers themselves. In French, with subtitles. (134 min., unrated) (Ty Burr)
Miss Bala*** Miss Bala An action-packed tale about the Mexican drug trade, “Miss Bala’’ is a gritty account of the effect of daily violence on one young woman. Laura Guerrero (Stephanie Sigman), an aspiring beauty pageant contestant, becomes the unwitting pawn of a drug cartel. Despite the grim subject matter, the film is more lurid thriller with art-house flourishes than a documentary. (113 min., R) (Loren King)
The Grey** The Grey It’s cheap the way this movie wants to be both a Liam Neeson “Quit Taking My Stuff’’ movie and an existential thriller about survival. We’ve come to see Neeson danse-macabre with wolves. Instead, we get a lot scenes of men being sad that they have no idea where they are and that there are no women to have sex with. Those moments aren’t bad, but they’re not enough, either. (117 min., R) (Wesley Morris)
One for the Money** One for the Money Katherine Heigl plays Stephanie Plum, the bounty-hunting heroine of Janet Evanovich’s best-selling detective series. Like Heigl, the director, Julie Anne Robinson, is a veteran of “Grey’s Anatomy,’’ and the movie has the by-the-numbers efficiency of a decent TV series, and about as much flavor. An exception is Debbie Reynolds, who does her demented-twinkle bit as Stephanie’s grandma. (106 min., PG-13) (Mark Feeney)
Man on a Ledge*1/2 Man on a Ledge People cheer the plot twists in this lousy movie about a fugitive (Sam Worthington) threatening to jump off a building. None of the actors has anything to do. You could cast this movie with potato chips and still get cheers when one of the bad guys is cuffed. With potato chips, you understand. With Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, and Ed Harris. (102 min., PG-13) (Wesley Morris)
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close*** Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close The 9-year-old protagonist (Thomas Horn) of Stephen Daldry’s movie is a handful. Mostly for an audience tasked with watching him whirl across seemingly every inch of New York’s five boroughs. The film’s whimsy and cuteness should exasperate, but there’s great, poignant urgency at its center, much of it courtesy of Horn and Max von Sydow, who plays his elderly sidekick. With Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and Viola Davis. Based on Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel. (129 min., PG-13) (Wesley Morris)
Underworld Awakening 3DVampires and werewolves are back at each other’s throats in “Underworld Awakening,’’ a sequel seemingly eager to assert that monster mashes are about B-movie chills not “Twilight’’ melodrama.
Red Tails** Red Tails George Lucas produced this action movie about Tuskegee Airmen stationed in Italy during World War II. This is a story people have waiting decades to see, so it’s no fun feeling responsible to run out and see a movie that isn’t very good. It means well, but it’s too basic to be rousing or even heartening. Directed by Anthony Hemingway. With Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Terrence Howard. (125 min., PG-13) (Wesley Morris)
Schwarzenegger joins Stallone in 'The Tomb'It's an action superstar reunion: Arnold Schwarzenegger is joining Sylvester Stallone for the thriller "The Tomb."
Schwarzenegger joins Stallone in 'The Tomb'It's an action superstar reunion: Arnold Schwarzenegger is joining Sylvester Stallone for the thriller "The Tomb."
AD:
Capsule reviews of `Journey 2,' `Safe House'"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" -- There's little mystery to this island. This 3-D sort-of sequel wears its formula-for-dollars purpose with pride, delivering a dash of cinematic nonsense that represents Hollywood calculation at its shrewdest and most shameless. Again poking Jules Verne's remains with a sharp stick, the producers of the 2008 hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth" ...
Gary Busey files for bankruptcy in Los AngelesCourt records show Gary Busey has filed for bankruptcy and is listing more than $500,000 in estimated personal debts.
Taiwan's 'Love' features Taiwan-China romanceTaiwan and China may be drawing ever closer after decades of estrangement, but a pair of star-crossed lovers from opposite sides of the Taiwan Strait encounter huge difficulties in communicating with each other in a new Taiwanese film.
Dog-on-it: Another Hollywood award showWith Uggie stealing hearts in "The Artist," snagging the spotlight at celebrity events and reportedly preparing for a sketch with Oscar host Billy Crystal, Hollywood really has gone to the dogs this year. There's even a brand-new award show honoring canine performers.
Dierks Bentley returns 'Home' to mainstream soundDierks Bentley, "Home" (Capitol Nashville) A banjo kicks off Dierks Bentley's new album "Home," recalling a backwoods sound prevalent on his previous, bluegrass-inspired album "Up on the Ridge."
London premiere for 'Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'Dame Judi Dench and Dev Patel brought an Indian adventure to a chilly London with the world premiere of their new film, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."
Forget fast food toys: 'Lorax' gets green tie-insThe Lorax, perhaps the most famous anti-industrial crusader from children's literature, is getting support from companies that are willing to go green.
Disney to open new area inspired by 'Cars' in JuneDisney officials say a new area called Cars Land will open in June at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim.
Testimony ends in trial over Globes broadcast dealTestimony concluded Tuesday in a trial that will decide whether the Golden Globe Awards remain on NBC through 2018 with a federal judge strongly urging both sides to settle before a ruling is necessary.
Review: Harrelson rages in weary LA noir 'Rampart'The crazy eyes and idiosyncratic drawl of Woody Harrelson are enough to carry the dirty cop study "Rampart," but even such powers as those can't make engaging this weary L.A. noir.
Review: 'Journey 2' sinks Verne's isle in 3-D muckThere's little mystery about "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island." This 3-D sort-of sequel wears its formula-for-dollars purpose with pride, delivering a dash of cinematic nonsense that represents Hollywood calculation at its shrewdest and most shameless.
Eastwood: A maverick who does politics his own wayThe plot seemed familiar: A hotshot Hollywood filmmaker shills for a bailed-out car industry, yet another limousine liberal going to bat for big government.
AD:
3 art works from Liz Taylor collection snag $21.8MThree top works from the late Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor's art collection have sold at a London auction for nearly 14 million pounds ($22 million), the auctioneer Christie's said Tuesday.
3 art works from Liz Taylor collection snag $21.8MThree top works from the late Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor's art collection have sold at a London auction for nearly 14 million pounds ($22 million), the auctioneer Christie's said Tuesday.
Mel Gibson likely won't testify at deputy's trialA civil jury will likely not hear directly from Mel Gibson about the night of his drunken driving arrest because his testimony doesn't appear relevant to a deputy's claim that he was discriminated against because of the traffic stop, a judge said Tuesday.
London premiere for 'Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'Dame Judi Dench and Dev Patel brought an Indian adventure to a chilly London with the world premiere Tuesday of their new film, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."
'Amazing Spider-Man' footage teased for fans"The Amazing Spider-Man" dropped in on hundreds of fans Monday. Sony Pictures teased the latest incarnation of the web-slinging superhero, which doesn't arrive in U.S. theaters until July 3, at preview events held Monday at movie theaters in 13 cities spanning the globe, including Mexico City, Berlin, Rome, Paris and Moscow, with the cast and filmmakers appearing in Los Angeles, ...
'Chronicle' tops box office over 'Woman in Black'Both the action film "Chronicle" and Daniel Radcliffe's ghost story "The Woman in Black" performed above expectations on Super Bowl weekend.
Clooney, Pitt, other pals gather for Oscar lunchGeorge Clooney says the best thing about Academy Awards nominations is not necessarily the prizes. It's hanging with old and new friends.
US, Australian filmmakers die in helicopter crashAward-winning American cinematographer Mike deGruy and Australian television writer-producer Andrew Wight have died in a helicopter crash in eastern Australia, their employer National Geographic said.
Travolta, Sandler, more make Super Bowl picksJohn Travolta had the Super Bowl score wrong -- but his prediction was right. The movie star had this prediction when asked for a winner of the battle between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants : "37-34, Giants." In the end, the score was 21-17 Giants.
Cannon says he is completely healthy after illnessWhat do you do after recovering from a serious illness? If you're Nick Cannon, you celebrate by attending the Super Bowl.
Undersea documentarian Mike deGruy dies in crashMike deGruy, an award-winning cinematographer who spent three decades making documentary films about the ocean, was killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Australia. He was 60.
