Daily Archives: January 5, 2013

In the late 18th century, as America was on the cusp of revolting to free itself from the tyranny of arbitrary rule by people born to the privilege and laws, medicine and freedoms constrained by religious superstition, Europe was, state … Continue reading →

  “Robot & Frank” may be the oddest credit in Frank Langella’s sixty years on stage and screen.

Most movie musicals, even in the Age of Glee, still face that awkward moment when somebody — say her name is “Sherrie Christian” — riding a Greyhound, bursts into “Motoring” by Night Ranger, and the rest of the bus bursts … Continue reading →

The bland lead the bland through a sea of New Year’s revelers and Times Square product placement in “New Year’s Eve,” Garry Marshall’s bloated all-star follow-up to his “comeback,” Valentine’s Day.

 Five films, over $660 million at the worldwide box office, you have to hand it to “Resident Evil.” In ten years, it has become, while few who enjoy good films have noticed, the most successful video game film franchise in … Continue reading →

 “To Rome With Love,” Woody Allen’s latest stamp on his European work visa, is a film not without its charms. But they are so few and far between that the film’s raison detre stares you in the face for a … Continue reading →

You don’t think of empathy as something you have to teach your child. They’re born with it, you’d guess. Or life itself will teach it to them. Laurie Bonner (Anna Gunn) didn’t take that chance. A widow and a single … Continue reading →

  “Red Dawn” is a lot funnier than you remember.

  The image of Edgar Allan Poe passed down to us is that of a dour, pale and morbid drunkard, a poet haunted by lovers who died in his arms. But he was also a playful wordsmith, an eviscerating critic, … Continue reading →

The hunters become the hunted in the blink of an eye in “The Raid: Redemption,” a neck-snapping/leg-stabbing lead and blood-spattered action overdose from Indonesia. It’s an orgy of beautifully shot and choreographed brawls, shootouts and knife fights, perhaps the cinema’s … Continue reading →