Yearly Archives: 2013

Veteran producer Edward R. Pressman is no stranger to tragic scandal. He was the producer of “The Crowe,” and I recall him getting pretty choked up when we talked about the confluence of events that led to Brandon Lee’s accidental … Continue reading →

As he approaches his 60s, Liam Neeson is more in demand for action films than he’s ever been. “Run All Night” is a script he’s signed onto. Now Deadline.com reports that he may reunite with his “Unknown” director, Jaume Collet-Serra, … Continue reading →

As I mentioned in my review of “Gangster Squad” last week, the screenplay was plainly built around classic Western conventions — one Western film in particular. That would be “The Magnificent Seven,” which of course was based on “The Seven … Continue reading →

It’s a filthy place, this “Broken City.” Even the people called “good guys” have their dark side, their dirty secrets, their tragic flaws. And the “bad guys?” They’re all over the New York papers, all over New York cable news … Continue reading →

“Take Me Home Tonight” is a ten-years-too-late comedy. It’s ’80s nostalgia vamped up by people who were too young to have lived through the actual ’80s, but entirely too old to be playing college kids nostalgic for their ’80s high … Continue reading →

Perhaps the time is right for a glib, predictable and comforting sermon about life after a layoff. “The Company Men” will connect with anyone for whom “the new reality” of today’s economy hits close to home.  But anyone looking for … Continue reading →

“Welcome to the Rileys” is a movie about life after death.  Not the supernatural sort, but the life that those left behind choose to live after a loved one dies. Well cast and nicely acted, it’s another piece of the … Continue reading →

What I was saying about this New York Times story the other day re: China’s involvement in/censorship of Hollywood product continues to bear fruit. Even James Bond, who didn’t do much that would offend Chinese sensibilities in “Skyfall,” has fallen … Continue reading →

It’s movie Thursday on the Open Mike radio show, so I’ll be talking Oscars and Arnold, Marky Mark and Mama with Mike Bianchi and Brian Fritz at about 745. You can listen online, or tune to 740 The Game on … Continue reading →

Director worship is very much in evidence with reviews of this weekend’s movie releases. Critics don’t care for the Hughes brothers — Allen “Book of Eli” Hughes in particular. So “Broken City” is cut no slack. They love South Korean … Continue reading →