Monthly Archives: November 2018

It only cost $75 million, Deadline.com says. So a $66-70 million weekend (Deadline notoriously under-estimates kids’ movies Saturday take) ensures Universal will make bank on its latest big screen version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” “The Grinch” as they … Continue reading →

Start-up distributor STX is dabbling in animation, too. Their MO — throw money at “names” of dubious cinematic merit — applies to the animated side, too. Janelle Monae, Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Gabriel Iglesias, Wanda Sykes, Emma Roberts and Blake … Continue reading →

“Astral” is a British thriller in the “Ouija” mode, young people creeped out by what they stumble into exploring the “other” world. Shot quickly and on the cheap (12 days, limited locations), it plays like a prospectus for a bigger, … Continue reading →

Filmgoers have lots of choices at Fandango.com or in the line at their favorite cineplex box office this weekend. The holdover “Bohemian Rhapsody” should continue the Queen revival. But “The Grinch” gives families with small children something to go see, … Continue reading →

“Overlord” grafts World War II combat movie cliches onto zombie and Frankenstein “Give my creature LIFE!” cliches, a D-Day with Monsters mashup with splendid firefights, digitally dazzling airdrop action and gruesome as all get out Nazi Walking Dead effects. It’s … Continue reading →

It’s a Lars von Trief horror film, but really — aren’t they all? It looks monstrous. Dillon’s most challenging film since “Factotum,” I’d say. “The House that Jack Built” is a serial killer tale starring Dillon, with Bruno Ganz is … Continue reading →

Pettyfer makes his directing debut in this Southern Gothic noir. Juliette Lewis is mama in prison, Robert Patrick is the jaded local sheriff, Nicola Peltz is the ex-con’s sister in this adaptation of a Tawni O’Dell novel. “Back Roads” may … Continue reading →

The “Paranorman” and “Coraline” and “Kubo and the Two Strings” folks are having Annapurna distribute this comedy, featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry. Yes, there’s a hint of “Smallfoot” about it. … Continue reading →

Glad Universal got “The Grinch” out before Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph” sequel. I’m sure they are, too. Whatever these inside-video-games/characters’ interior lives comedies hold for kids, they’re great fun for adults who get the references, the jokes and the whole digital … Continue reading →

Committed runners talk about getting “in the zone,” the “zen” nature of the exercise, letting your mind go places unconnected to the path your body is covering one step at a time. But can it lead to a higher consciousness? … Continue reading →