Monthly Archives: January 2013

Jeff Bridges dons John Wayne’s sizable boots in “True Grit,” a grittier Coen Brothers version of the tale that won the Duke his Oscar forty years ago. And if the fit isn’t as snug and the performance not as warm … Continue reading →

A crime epic in two parts, the story of Jacques Mesrine makes for a glittering tour de force turn by Vincent Cassel in the title role. His mesmerizing presence in the center of Jean-François Richet’s two films lifts them above … Continue reading →

Jean-Francois Richet’s two-part chronicle of the gangster Jacques Mesrine is framed within the “Bonnie & Clyde” hail of bullets that ended the notorious gangster’s life. that’s how part one, “Killer Instinct,” of this two part action bio-drama begins. So of … Continue reading →

Back in his heyday, Will Smith used to brag that “July 4 weekend belongs to ME” at the movies. Mark Wahlberg is staking his own claim to a piece of the cinematic calendar. As producer and star, he’s making sure … Continue reading →

“Training Day” becomes “Coming of Age Day” in “LUV,” a clumsily violent attempt at grafting two reliable genres together into one somewhat edgy picture.

“Black Swan” is that rare holiday Oscar contender that is a movie for all seasons, a film that is all things to all people Artful, epic, operatic even, this thriller set in the world of ballet challenges the viewer with … Continue reading →

Peter Weir’s “The Way Back” is an entertaining old-fashioned prison escape movie with a touch of the epic about it. The novelty in this “Great Escape” is that the prisoners — soldiers and political prisoners — are on the run … Continue reading →

A little respect, if you please, for His Satanic Majesty Nicolas Cage. Nobody goes off the deep end like Nic. Nobody gives better value in bad movies than the sleepy-eyed Oscar winner with a gift for picking bad movies. “Drive … Continue reading →

Every now and then I think of Jean-Jaques Annaud, the French director whose eye for the remote, the still-wild corners of the planet, made such films as “Quest for Fire” and “The Bear” marvels of their age. An epic filmmaker … Continue reading →

Michael “Big Action/Bigger Explosions” Bay is producing a new thriller about an ex-military pilot who takes on airborne pirates. The Hollywood Reporter says that it’s titled “Heatseekers,” but apparently Bay isn’t interested in directing it himself. The guy he lined … Continue reading →