Monthly Archives: December 2010

Donated toys, led by cowboy Woody, attempt an escape in “Toy Story 3.” The movies of 2010 thrilled us, chilled us and nearly killed us. From Harry Potter’s half-swan song to “Black Swan,” from deception to “Inception,” the year’s films provided critics with more than enough ammunition to fire off a top 10 list. Here’s […]

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff (Kevin Spacey), left, discusses a scheme with a shady partner (Jon Lovitz) in “Casino Jack.” Most fans of Kevin Spacey probably know the Oscar-winning actor is a gifted mimic who can replicate celebrity voices with uncanny precision. He once called “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson’s office and ordered premium tickets for himself […]

This photo says it all: “Standing Ovation” is the year’s worst movie. This passing year saw worthy remakes (“True Grit”) and unworthy retakes (“Nightmare on Elm Street”). It saw major talents plunge to career lows, including Kevin Smith (“Cop Out”) and Jackie Chan (“The Spy Next Door”). 3-D pictures didn’t get any help with the […]

Gulliver (Jack Black) towers over the tiny citizens of Lilliput in “Gulliver’s Travels.” I feel a little guilty savaging such a good-natured mess as “Gulliver’s Travels.” I’ll have to get over it. This special effects adventure looks so dark and fuzzy, 2 of its 3-Ds deserted the movie. The technical craftsmanship is so shoddy that […]

Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) spends time with daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) in “Somewhere,” but don’t expect a transcendent emotional moment between the two. Sofia Coppola’s low-wattage character study “Somewhere” begins with a black Ferrari roaring around on a circular track. Around. Around. Around. Around, until it comes to a stop. A man slowly steps out […]

Jack (Robert De Niro), left, Kevin (Owen Wilson) and Greg (Ben Stiller) confront a construction con man (Harvey Keitel) in the sequel “Little Fockers.” Forget about what’s really in that holiday fruitcake. The biggest mystery of the holiday season is how three Oscar-winning actors — the greatest performers of their generation — willingly stood in […]

Marshal Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) helps Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) track down her father’s killer in the Coen brothers’ remake of “True Grit.” “True Grit,” the 1969 western that gave John Wayne his only best actor Oscar, probably ranks high on the list of motion pictures that don’t ever need to be remade. Yet, that […]

Dann and Dan on ‘Yogi’ DANN: I crashed Dan Aykroyd’s poster-signing party at Hollywood Blvd. and got a quick interview. (See the video)

King George VI (Colin Firth) reluctantly takes advice from an Australian speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) to fix his stutter in the fact-based drama “The King’s Speech.” Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” is about many things, but mostly it’s about an insecure man who racks up the courage to put aside his pride to simply ask […]

Micky (Mark Wahlberg) gets some pickup notes from his half-brother trainer (Christian Bale) in Mark O. Russell’s family drama “The Fighter.” David O. Russell’s energized domestic drama “The Fighter” would be more accurately titled “The Fighters,” because it’s not really about a single pugilist, but an entire Massachusetts family of no-nonsense scrappers and offensive hitters. […]