Monthly Archives: August 2014

The film version of “The Giver” is briskly directed in bright, confident strokes, scripted to emphasize its thought-provoking qualities and acted by players, young and old, who are “all in” on the future they’re portraying. As adaptations of Young Adult … Continue reading →

The laughs are loud, lewd and low in “Let’s Be Cops,” a spoof of cop “buddy pictures” that is pretty much the definition of “an August comedy.” The last month of summer is typically a dumping ground for titles studios … Continue reading →

Lauren “Betty” Bacall died today, TMZ just confirmed. She was 89 years old, one of the last survivors of Hollywood’s film noir era, Bogie’s widow. “You know how to whistle, don’t you?” We do. “Key Largo,” “The Big Sleep,” “To … Continue reading →

He just turned 25. So there’s no calling Daniel Radcliffe “kid” any more. But there is something of the “kid in a candy store” to his wide-ranging choice of roles in the short time since he hung up Harry Potter’s … Continue reading →

  I was in a screening tonight when I learned Robin Williams had taken his life. It was for “The Giver,” and the screening format was a red carpet telecast of the NYC premiere, to be followed by nationwide preview … Continue reading →

Some movies are built for mass appeal, and some aim smaller, “festival films” they’re called. “Frank” feels like a “festival film” aimed squarely at one festival, the one that is the setting of its third act. Here’s an eccentric tragicomedy, … Continue reading →

Mixed Sundance notices for the film, but not for K-Stew. Put a girl in uniform…