Tom Hanks Gives ‘Greyhound’ Just Enough Steam to Keep WW-2 Drama Afloat
Tom Hanks newest movie effort takes place aboard a U.S. Navy Destroyer–aka the USS Keeling— on convoy patrol during the battle for the Atlantic in World War II....
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Nicolas Roeg’s Strange Collaboration With David Bowie Defined Their Careers
British Director Nicolas Roeg passed over the weekend at 90. I first became aware of him, as did many others, for his directorial work on David Bowie’s 1976 movie “The Man Who Fell to Earth.”...
Sci Fi Often Gets Short Shrift on TV, But Finding New Life on Cable, Streaming
Sci Fi on TV has always had a rough go of it. I guess the most successful examples are “Star Trek” and ABC drama “Lost,” with “The X-Files” riding close behind. TV’s last big, sci fi epic, the time-traveling show “Timeless” was cancelled once, then renewed, than cancelled again....
Joanna Bonaro’s Good ‘n Screwed Eyes Neglected TV Niche, 40-Plus Women
New Yorker Joanna Bonaro wrote, produced and stars in “Good ‘n Screwed,” a half-hour series about the trials and tribulation of a woman suddenly divorced and back in the dating pool. A self-confessed “Sex And The City” fan, Bonaro has cast a perfect tale for today directed at women over 40. The cast features Robert Funaro (“The Sopranos,” “The Sinner”) and Armen Garo (“Gotham”), with Suzanne H. Smart, Warren Bub, Lori Hammel, Deborah Unger and Ernest Mingione....
Dakota Johnson Tries to Figure Out Dating, Sex, Life in ‘How to Be Single’
Dakota Johnson and Drew Barrymore were enough to pique my interest in their new movie “How to Be Single,” even though I’m pretty jaded about all these young-adult movies. Demographically speaking, they are a bit out of my comfort zone. Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie and Leslie Mann co-star with Damon Wayans Jr., Nicholas Braun and Jake Lacey (HBO’s “Girls”)....
Jupiter Ascending: Pure Wachowski, Dazzling, Confusing, Frustrating
Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum and Eddie Redmayne deliver some cringe-worthy moments and idiotic dialogue in their new film “Jupiter Ascending,” but the critics who have savaged are overlooking the dazzling effects and ambitious possibilities from Directors Lana and Andy Wachowski. There are mesmerizing moments in the film just like their last outing “Cloud Atlas.”...
Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall Stick it to ‘The Judge’ (Video!)
Robert Downey Jr.’s “The Judge” is a tad predictable as courtroom dramas go, and god knows, we've seen a slew of those on the big screen over the years. But this is no Judge Judy, thanks to solid performances. Billy Bob Thorton plays a vengeful prosecutor with solid support from Vera Framiga, Vincent D’Onofrio, Dax Shepard and “Gossip Girl” Leighton Meester....
Katie Holmes, Celebs Hit Marvel’s Superhero Extravaganza (photos!)
“Marvel Universe Live!,” a new arena extravaganza from Feld Entertainment, debuted last night (Aug 13) at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, bringing together Marvel top characters, from Spider Man to The Avengers and the X-Men. At the VIP pre-party, actress Katie Holmes was spotted with cancer kids from the Sunrise Day Camp in Wyandanch, NY. Also spotted in the crowd were “Jersey Boys” actor Donnie Kehr, Russian-gymnast Nastia Liukin and actress Irina Pantaeva, Miss Teen USA, K. Lee Graham and Miss USA, Nia Sanchez. Liev Schreiber, supermodel Karolina Kurkova, Boston Celtics player Rajon Rondo and former Gossip Girl “Kelly Rutherford” also made appearances. ...
Johnny Depp Transcends His New Sci-Fi Stinker, ‘Transcendence’
Johnny Depp remains one of the most puzzling and intriguing actors on the scene today. His latest film, “Transcendence,” won’t do a thing to change that perception. He delves into the science fiction mystery thriller with typical Depp intensity–profound, curious and 100 percent engaging. The movie marks the feature film directorial debut of Oscar-winning cinematographer Wally Pfister (“Inception,” “Dark Knight”), who works with a stellar cast that includes Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Cilliam Murphy, Cole Hauser and Morgan Freeman....
Carson Daly Comes of Age With Growing Role on ‘Today’ Show
When Carson Daly left MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL) in 2002, he was something of a running-gag in the media. The show had run its course. Even “Saturday Night Live” had a skit lampooning TRL. “I’m Carson Daly and I’m a tool,” said the actor portraying him to hoots. Daly, 40, certainly introduced a gazillion music stars, including a young Christina Aguliera, but as with everything in TV, his time came and seemingly went....
Matt Lauer Facing Fate He Doesn’t Deserve on Today Show
I’ve known Matt Lauer for years, beginning when he was an anchor, with Jill Rappaport of all people, on the locally syndicated show “People Are Talking.” It’s sad to see what’s happening now as he teeters on the brink of a total career meltdown....
Reflections on Two Summer Blockbusters: Dark Knight, Skyfall
The latest James Bond film “Skyfall” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” were two of last year’s blockbusters, but I only got around to seeing them recently. I’m glad I waited. It allowed me to put the films in perspective without all the hype. In my opinion, one soared, while the other left me a little deflated....
Jeff Lipsky's Acerbic Comedy Plumbs Human Emotions (video)
Jeff Lipsky’s raw and revealing new movie “Molly’s Theory Of Relativity,” is about how someone’s life can change on a dime. The real and unreal come together as his characters look for ways to get on with their lives and find out things about themselves they never fully realized. ...
Charlie Sheen Loses it in Roman Coppola's 'Charles Swan' (watch!)
Charlie Sheen’s new movie, “A Glimpse Inside The Mind of Charles Swan III,” is as crazy as his real life meltdown. Instead of a rant-filled national “torpedo of truth” tour, fueled by tiger juice and goddesses, it all unfolds in his head. His best friend, Kirby, played by Jason Schwartzman and manager, Saul, played by Bill Murray, try to help. But it seems they do more harm than good. Patricia Arquette plays his long suffering sister Izzy....
Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit Scores' on Superior Direction (video)
I never read The Hobbit nor the “Lord of the Rings” series, but when the opportunity came to see a screening of “The Hobbit,” I jumped at the chance. I was dazzled not so much by the story, but by director Peter Jackson’s epic work. Elijah Wood, who appears briefly as Frodo, was good. But Martin Freeman in the titular role as the young Bilbo Baggins is spot-on, Gollum is brilliantly essayed by Andy Serkis....
Tom Hanks 'Cloud Atlas' a Moving, Evocative Oscar Contender (video)
Tom Hanks’ “Cloud Atlas” is a veritable whirlwind of clever coincidences; stories intertwine, characters appear, die and then re-appear. Everything is connected. How many movies take place in 1849, 1936, 1973, 2012, 2144 and the post-apocalyptic 24th century? Based on the best-selling novel by David Mitchell, the film intertwines drama, mystery action and enduring love through a single storyline that unfolds over some 500 years. The cast includes Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Xun Zhou and Keith David, with Susan Sarandon and Hugh Grant....
Ben Affleck's 'Argo' a Harrowing Tale Well Told, Well Acted
When actor Ben Affleck turned into a director of note with his brilliantly staged “The Town” two years back, audiences and Hollywood took note. It was a tense, tautly realized effort, with an exemplary cast. His latest effort, “Argo,” is another finely textured and nuanced story, with excellent performances by his coterie of actors. The movie is filled with excellent actors from John Goodman, Alan Arkin and Bryan Cranston to Tate Donovan....
Clint Eastwood's 'Trouble With Curve' Is No Empty-Chair Speech (video)
Clint Eastwood’s Republican National Convention antics two weeks back put an uncomfortable magnifying glass on all his recent activities. But at 82, he hasn’t lost his marbles yet, judging by his new movie “Trouble With The Curve.” Strong performances by the always-enchanting Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake, plus stalwarts like John Goodman, Robert Patrick and Matthew Lillard, give the film great rhythm. It worked like a charm....
Will Ferrell's 'The Campaign' Could Be Summer Sleeper Hit
“The Campaign,” starring an outrageously funny Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, rivals last year’s comedy movie of the summer, “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” a sleeper film starring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone. What I liked about “Crazy” was the taut dialogue–relevant and funny–great acting and great direction by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. “The Campaign” scores on all those factors. ...
J.J. Abrams' Sci-Fi Show 'Fringe' Gets New Life from Fox
Lost-wunderkund J. J. Abrams’ show “Fringe” has been nothing short of brilliant for almost of all its four seasons. Fox finally announced it’s renewing the epic show for a shortened-13-episode season. It was the right call. Truth be told, the current season has been its weakest yet, with a reveal of an alternate universe (always cause for concern!). Yet the acting by principals Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson and, in particular, John Noble, is just off the charts....
Winchester
Winchester has been an entertainment insider for several decades. He’s served as an agent; manager and PR strategist for some of the biggest acts in entertainment. His coterie of inside sources is virtually unmatched. Hence the need for a certain anonymity to protect the innocent and informative.