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(04/15/11 8:26am)
From the network that airs such astounding dramas as “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad,” comes a noir-styled, multilayered crime thriller. Adapted from a popular 2007 Danish television show called “Forbrydelsen,” AMC’s “The Killing” is a new murder-mystery drama that centers upon the show’s promo and underlying question: Who killed Rosie Larsen?
(04/13/11 6:12am)
The elements presented in “Hanna” are nothing that viewers haven’t seen before. The government agent who has a change of heart and the top-secret research project that goes askew are commonly used throughout the CIA thriller genre. However, the way they are presented in “Hanna” is unique. Director Joe Wright (“Pride and Prejudice” (2005), “Atonement” (2007)) steps away from his usual period dramas to direct a film that combines chase thriller with classic fairy tale. With radiant performances, well choreographed action scenes and an invigorating score by the Chemical Brothers, “Hanna” is an imperfect film that still manages to capture the viewer’s attention from start to finish.
(04/08/11 7:05am)
Here’s an equation. Take Kate Winslet, cast her as the lead role as a strong, independent woman in an HBO miniseries and add drama, period costumes and specific period detail. The result is absolute Emmy and Golden Globe bait.
(03/28/11 5:38am)
Whether they need a focus booster or just want to feel trippy, students are taking them.
(03/25/11 7:32am)
Matthew McConaughey has spent the past few years making disappointing romantic comedies, acting as an adult Taylor Lautner with his shirt off half the time. However, in “The Lincoln Lawyer,” he finally keeps his clothes on for the entire film, allowing viewers to pay less attention to his abs and more to his acting talent.
(03/22/11 9:10am)
“Battle: Los Angeles” tries its best to come off as “Independence Day” (1996) meets “Black Hawk Down” (2001), but instead it feels more like “Skyline” (2010), only a tad better. The movie introduces itself as a two-hour-long Marine recruiting attempt packed with war movie clichés and unnecessary dramatic sequences. The use of trembling images ruins the action scenes and acts as a distraction from the thrills the movie supposedly presents.
(03/16/11 6:04am)
Chemistry between lead actors is a very important factor to consider while making a romance film, and “The Adjustment Bureau” strongly benefits from the on-screen spark between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. George Nolfi makes a successful debut into directing by blending romance, hope and conspiracy into a heady mix.
(03/14/11 6:34am)
"Beastly" is the perfect single-word definition of this contemporary take on the classic story of "Beauty and the Beast." Once the movie began, it was hard to escape the complete clutter of a script, along with the juvenile emotions and ultra-campy performances. Sorry, but there are no talking household objects or catchy songs to dance to; "Beastly" just contains plenty of unconvincing romance complemented by immature acting.
(03/03/11 9:28am)
Rating: A-
(03/02/11 9:58am)
Grindhouse films are known for being absolute guy-bait with their scenes of blood, booze and breasts. They require audiences to completely empty their minds and enjoy endless streams of gun battles, female nudity, flying body limbs and smart-mouthed dialogue.
(02/25/11 8:38am)
This year’s Oscar race has basically come down to a two-horse race. At first, it seemed like “The Social Network” would be the obvious front-runner for the Best Picture award. However, after winning the three major guild awards and leading with the most nominations this year, “The King’s Speech” has become the most likely film to win Best Picture at the Oscars and lowered the “The Social Network” to underdog status.
(02/22/11 8:52am)
With some of the most successful movie franchises centering solely on teen vampires, werewolves and wizards, why not start a franchise on teen aliens?
(02/16/11 8:28am)
The original cast members of “Friends” have all had their hands busy since the show ended back in 2006.
(02/15/11 8:58am)
What was expected to be an assimilation of “The Lord of the Rings” (2001) and “Gladiator” (2000) is actually a somber, muscle-bound spoof on “300” (2006) from a 10-year-old boy’s limited imagination.
“The Eagle” is based on the popular 1950s young adult novel “The Eagle of the Ninth,” which shows in its corny one-liners.
(02/10/11 8:29am)
Character development, unique premise make FX show best of its kind
(02/09/11 10:32am)
Critics have said that January is the worst month of the year for movies.
This year, February is off to a pretty irregular start with the release of the underwater action-thriller “Sanctum.”
(02/02/11 9:17am)
Let’s not all go to Hollywood. American Idol has been a talent-finding phenomenon for the entire 10, no wait, the first seven, no, the first four seasons since its debut back in 2002.
(01/25/11 9:11am)
MTV has a reputation of airing shows that deal with teen extremes.
(01/24/11 7:34am)
“How well do you know a person?”
(01/18/11 8:17am)
Throughout the years, television has maintained a productive relationship with the sport of boxing,
from HBO documentaries to pay-per-view events. The big screen has also taken its share of jabs at the genre with films like “Raging Bull” (1980), “Rocky” (1976) and, currently, “The Fighter” (2010). FX’s new boxing drama, “Lights Out,” takes its own approach to the genre as it focuses less on the sport and more on the life of the man who steps in the ring. “Lights Out” categorizes itself along the lines of a family drama about a boxer who is forced into retirement and is dealing with problems within his family. Holt McCallany (“Men of Honor,” “Three Kings”) stars as Patrick “Lights” Leary, a heavyweight champion who has been retired for five years. His final fight ended with a knockout by Richard “Death Row” Reynolds (Billy Brown) after Leary failed to finish off his badly hurt opponent. Leary also shows symptoms of pugilistic dementia, also known as “boxer’s dementia,” which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Now, he is facing money problems, including his daughters’ private school tuitions, poor investment choices and the costs of running a boxing gym owned by his father (Stacey Keach). It leads Leary to work as a hired muscle for the shady businessman Hal Brennan (Bill Irwin). More complications arise within the family when Leary’s comeback fight with Reynolds is announced. “Lights Out” does little to glorify the sport of boxing. It focuses mainly on Leary’s midlife crisis and the hardships that force him to become involved in unlawful activities. Upcoming episodes of the drama will deal with the family’s life struggles, including the possibility of losing their house due to unpaid mortgages. Overall, those who tune into the show expecting to see a series of boxing matches may end up disappointed.“Lights Out” demonstrates a strong sense of development as the story slowly approaches the comeback point for Leary. Audiences see Leary slowly begin to make the wrong decisions in order to provide for his family. The story unfolds when his comeback match is announced, despite promising his family he would never fight again. It really helps the show that Holt McCallany is cast as “Lights” Leary. Not only does he have the obvious physique of a washed out ex-champ, he also successfully manages to stay compelling during every minute of the pilot episode. At the same time, the audience sees a man torn between the responsibilities in the family and his hurt pride as a result of the last fight of his career. Leary proves himself to be a caring man, yet he shows grim satisfaction in breaking the arm of a dentist to collect a debt.Another strong aspect of “Lights Out” comes from the universally outstanding performances from supporting cast members, despite their characters making the boxing-drama clichés within the story known. Catherine McCormack plays Leary’s wife, Theresa, who gives him an ultimatum: Either he quits fighting or he loses his family. She becomes frustrated with Leary when she learns he is scheduled for a comeback match. Pablo Schreiber stars as Leary’s brother, Johnny, who constantly mismanages his own money and finds small jobs for Leary. “Lights Out” probably won’t satisfy viewers’ expectations, and it fails to be convincing at times. But it provides plenty of gripping, gritty drama that will keep viewers interested up to the final round. The series airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX.