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Pauline Kael & trash cinema Will Smith's films are the endgame of a critic's take on Bonnie and Clyde Robert Fulford, National Post Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Happy as a clam, rich as a minor Rockefeller, Will Smith turned up recently on a 60 Minutes update of an item from last December. He was there to promote his current movie, Hancock, but his main theme was his huge success and the way he's engineered it. He left me thinking sad and rueful thoughts about, of all people, the late Pauline Kael, the most passionate, stimulating and argument-starting critic in...

The movie industry no longer aspires to portray genuine heroism—even though that's precisely what audiences want to see. A spate of movies about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on terror came out last year, all of them hostile to U.S. involvement and all of them box-office flops. At the time there was a certain amount of soul-searching in the media as to why, when most Americans told pollsters they thought the Iraq war, at least, had been a mistake, they didn't seem to want to go and see movies that sought to show them just how...

More than 20 years of data is in – and the conventional wisdom is wrong. The chances a Hollywood movie will win big at the box office are greatly enhanced by a family-friendly rating and strong moral content, defying the notion the entertainment industry is merely serving up what consumers want when they produce so many R-rated movies full of foul language, sex, drugs and immorality, shows a new study by the Christian Film and Television Commission, publishers of Movieguide. According to the study, G-rated movies averaged nearly $92.2 million, more than 438 percent better than R-rated movies, making only...

Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella, who turned such literary works as "The English Patient," "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Cold Mountain" into acclaimed movies, has died. He was 54. Minghella's death was confirmed Tuesday by his agent, Judy Daish. No other details were immediately available. "The English Patient," the 1996 World War II drama, won nine Academy Awards, including best director for Minghella, best picture and best supporting actress for Juliette Binoche. Based on the celebrated novel by Canadian writer Michael Ondaatje, the movie tells of a burn victim's tortured recollections of his misdeeds in time of war. Minghella (pronounced min-GELL'-ah)...

IT'S hard for Hollywood pacifists like Brian De Palma to capture the hearts and minds of America if Americans won't see their movies. While the public is staying away in droves from “Rendition," “Lions for Lambs" and “In the Valley of Elah," audiences are really avoiding “Redacted," De Palma's picture about US soldiers who rape a 14-year-old Iraqi girl, then kill her and her family.

A ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee sent a letter to the Chairman of the Motion Picture Association today calling the new Iraq war film "Redacted" a shameful view of American soldiers. California Republican Duncan Hunter sent a scathing letter regarding Brian DePalma's new Iraq war film to Motion Picture Chairman and CEO Dan Glickman asking that he not forget that there are heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the United States and Iraqi people. "Unfortunately, Brian De Palma's new movie "Redacted," which opened in several theaters this week, portrays American service personnel in Iraq as uncontrollable...

"My books are about killing God" — Phillip Pullman.Are you concerned with the witchcraft and dark themes embodied in the Harry Potter book and film series? If you are a Christian and your answer is "Yes" then Phillip Pullman thanks you. Sort of. Identifying J.K. Rowling's stories about the boy wizard as covering fire, drawing away the ire of concerned Christians, Phillip Pullman — the author of the best-selling His Dark Materials trilogy -- has been slowly advancing what he identifies as an even more subversive philosophy: the need for children and adults alike to kill God. Of course, Pullman also...

Here's your chance to make a cameo appearance in Fred's Presidential campaign. Make a video telling us why you support Fred Thompson for President and upload it using the form below. We'll share these videos with all of our supporters on Fred08.com, and allow you, and them, to pick the best one. Here's your chance to be a star. Submit your video now. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sure, Fred Thompson is an accomplished lawyer, prosecuting criminals in Tennessee before serving as counsel on the Watergate hearings. And yes, he served the people of Tennessee as a common sense, conservative Senator for eight years....

AMRITSAR, India (AFP) - Indian police said on Monday that an explosion that killed six people and injured 32 in a packed cinema hall in northern India was a "terrorist" bombing. Hundreds of people -- mainly poor migrant workers -- were crammed into the theatre in the industrial city of Ludhiana in Punjab state to watch Sunday's late-night screening of a new Bollywood comedy. "It was a bomb blast. It is a terror act. We are trying to find out the exact nature of explosives used," said a senior police official on condition of anonymity. Police have not named any...

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) Directed by Shekhar Kapur. Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Abbie Cornish, Samantha Morton, Jordi Mollà.From a National Catholic Register review By Steven D. Greydanus A lurid sort of Christopher Hitchens vision of history pervades Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Shekhar Kapur’s sequel to his 1998 art-house hit Elizabeth. The earlier film, which made a star of Cate Blanchett as the eponymous Virgin Queen, celebrated the triumph of bright, happy Elizabethan Protestantism over the dark, unwholesome Catholic world of Bloody Mary. Even so, that film’s church-bashing was tame compared that of this sequel, in which...

DEARBORN--Screen star Fred Thompson muscled into his debut 2008 presidential debate clash with Republican rivals Tuesday, vowing to repel a tide of "Islamic fascism" aimed at bringing down the West. The tough-talking ex-senator and top rivals in party nominating contests, due in three months, pledged to halt Iran's nuclear program, bickered over taxes and sparred over China's alleged trade transgressions. Thompson, 65, the star of internationally syndicated "Law & Order," faced pressure to quell mocking reviews of his performance since belatedly launching an official campaign only last month. "It is a global war -- Islamic fascism has declared it upon...

<p>This action/thriller could have devolved into a giant PC "can't-we-all-get-along" tolerance-fest. Fortunately, except for a line at the end (no, I won't spoil it), it does not. It brings home the lack of freedom present in Saudi Arabia, combined with the best in suspense and action. Although Jamie Foxx is clearly the star, the ensemble that includes Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, and Ashraf Barhoum keeps the focus on solving the terrorist attack on the U.S. compound, not on personalities.</p>

Gibson, De Niro in Polish big budget film project? Friday, September 14. 2007 The most expensive ever big-budget movie is about to be made in Poland. “Victoria” retells the story of the Polish victory in the 1683 Battle of Vienna. Possible highlights include Hollywood cast and “Lord of the Rings” special effects crew. The budget for the movie is to be 200 million zloty (50 million euro). The ambitious plans for the project include asking Mel Gibson to direct and play the part of king Sobieski for 20 million dollars, casting Robert De Niro, as well as getting the famous...

New York, NY (CNS) - Lionsgate has signed "House of Sand and Fog" director Vadim Perelman to direct the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's iconic novel "Atlas Shrugged." According to trade magazine Variety, Perelman will also rewrite a draft of the script penned by "Braveheart" writer Randall Wallace. The latter will remain involved with the project. The film follows, Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive to be played by Angelina Jolie, who strives to keep her family-owned trans-continental railroad company alive amidst worldwide strike involving industrialists and thinkers. Howard and Karen Baldwin ("Ray"), who hold the rights to Rand's most ambitious...

American film icon Woody Allen on Monday said he was devastated to hear Swedish filmmaker and playwright Ingmar Bergman had died, hailing him as cinema's greatest director. "I was very sorry to hear Ingmar passed away," Allen told Swedish daily Aftonbladet's website. "He was a friend and certainly the finest film director of my lifetime," added Allen, who has also expressed great admiration for Bergman in the past. In a 70th birthday tribute in 1988, Allen said Bergman was "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera." Bergman, considered one of the...

Tributes have been pouring in for Ingmar Bergman, one of the most influential film directors of the 20th century, who died on Monday at his home on the Swedish island of Fårö. He was 89. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt hailed Bergman as "one of the great dramatists in this world," and French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to "one of the geniuses of our time." "The dream ended, the music went quiet that night on the island of Fårö, where Ingmar Bergman died," Sarkozy said. "France, a land of the cultural exception that was dear to Ingmar Bergman, honours...

Film historian Geoffrey Macnab reflects on the surprisingly versatile career of director Ingmar Bergman, who has died aged 89.

Film director Bergman dies at 89 Legendary film-maker Ingmar Bergman has died aged 89, according to a Swedish news agency. One of the key figures in modern cinema, his 60-year career has spanned intense classics like Cries & Whispers, The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries. He was nominated for nine Oscars himself, while his films won the best foreign film Oscar three times.

May/June 2007Edition Reel Cinema Current Box Office Reviews Amazing Grace Reviewed by Athelass From acclaimed director Michael Apted ("The World is Not Enough," "Coal Miner's Daughter") comes "Amazing Grace," a moving historical epic about the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce. "Amazing Grace" follows Wilberforce's career through his 20's and 30's, as he and his fellow humanitarians make the issue of slavery a talking point, not only in political circles, but also throughout the country. They wage the first modern political campaign, using petitions, boycotts, mass meetings and even badges with slogans to take their message to the country...

Polish Holocaust heroine in Hollywood movie By Borys Kit Mon Apr 9, 12:00 AM ET LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - A Polish World War Two heroine whose efforts to save about 2,500 Jewish children were largely covered up after the war, will finally have her story brought to the screen. Irena Sendler was a Polish social worker who smuggled children out of the Warsaw ghetto. She kept track of them, as well as their original and new identities, with names hidden in jars. She was arrested in 1943 by the Gestapo, tortured and sentenced to death but was saved on...

March 2007Edition Reel Test of the Month Reel Celebrity of the Month Alan Arkin was probably the biggest surprise on Oscar Night winning the Best Supporting Oscar for his portrayal of a cocaine using grandfather of the “Little Miss Sunshine” . He inconveniently dies as the very dysfunctional family is on the way to the big contest. The family is “running late” so just put him in the back … reminiscent of National Lampoons Vacation.. and they presses on to make the deadline in their clunker van. He at 73 has had a long & varied career with movies...

Got a gift subscription on Netflix. Not having not gone to a movie for some time, I'm lost. I need suggestions for my wife and me. thanks,

Mel Gibson to play Polish King?! Reports have emerged that Mel 'Madmax' Gibson has been approached to play King Jan Sobieski in an epic movie about the 1683 Siege of Vienna. Wroclaw-based producer Mariusz Bielak would like Gibson to both star in and direct the picture, and he is optimistic that the Australian maverick will come on board: 'All the signs show that he is interested in this project and its theme', Bielak was quoted as saying in Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza. "It's his cup of tea.' The film, which has a working title of Victoria (The Victory), is being...

Wajda begins filming Katyn movie 01.12.2006 Krakow comes to a standstill as shooting of Oscar winning director Andrzej Wajda’s new film on the 1940 Katyn massacre begins. Report from Krakow by Robert Kusek The major streets and squares closed. The city veiled in mist and covered with artificial snow. Swastikas on the buildings. Men in Nazi uniforms. Krakow has once again become a location for the shooting of a new movie by Andrzej Wajda – one of the most renowned Polish filmmakers who in 2000 was presented with an honorary Oscar for his outstanding contribution to world cinema.. “Post mortem”...

Los Angeles (AP) - On Sunday, November 26th, New Line Cinema's "The Nativity Story" will become the first feature film ever to premiere at the Vatican, it was jointly announced Thursday by New Line's President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing Rolf Mittweg, and Stefano Dammicco, CEO of Eagle Pictures, the film's Italian distributor. "The Nativity Story" is scheduled for a Dec. 1, 2006 release in the U.S., and will open in territories worldwide throughout the month of December. The premiere, to be held at the Vatican's Aulo Paolo VI (Pope Paul VI Hall), will be attended by "The...

Wajda on Katyn Poland’s renowned film director Andrzej Wajda has begun work on a film about the Katyn massacre of Polish officers by the Stalinist NKVD secret services in 1943. 05.10.06 After the discovery of the mass graves Soviet Russia denied any responsibility attributing the killings of 1943 to Nazi Germany but there was too much evidence pointing to Soviet guilt. Over the years of the communist rule in Poland the Katyn issue had been covered with a cloth of silence. With the coming of the end of 1989 the issue had been acknowledged by Russia with president Gorbachov admitting...

Some Kind of Republican Was John Hughes really in favor of teen rebellion? By Michael Weiss Posted Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006, at 4:36 PM ET As far as adult teen whisperers go, John Hughes has enjoyed a remarkable staying power. Anyone who grew up in the '80s—or just caught the decade on reruns on rainy Saturday-afternoon television—can probably remember high school as much for its unique misery as for the Breakfast Club references it evokes. Hughes was in his 30s when he became successful, and he managed to make teen cinema intentionally funny and less condescending toward its core audience,...

"The only modern way to describe a World War I dogfight is to imagine a knife fight in a phone booth," says Tony Bill, who directed "Flyboys," which MGM is releasing today. The film tells the tale of the Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of American pilots who volunteered to fight for France in the early days of World War I.

From the flickering beginnings of motion pictures to the multiplex-filling offerings of today, alcohol has played a major role in the movies.

“Blazing Saddles” “Airplane!” “There’s Something About Mary” “Caddyshack” “Love and Death” “Kentucky Fried Movie” “Team America: World Police” “Porky’s” “Song of the South” “Bad Santa”

Nevermind Superman's sexual orientation. Here's another identity-related question that is likely to spark controversy as the Man of Steel soars into theaters nationwide this Fourth of July weekend in Warner Bros. Pictures' "Superman Returns": Is Superman still American? Ever since artist Joe Shuster and writer Jerry Siegel created the granddaddy of all comic book icons in 1932, Superman has fought valiantly to preserve "truth, justice and the American way." Whether kicking Nazi ass on the radio in the '40s or wrapping himself in the Stars and Stripes on TV during the Cold War or even rescuing the White House's flag...

Most of what comes out of Hollywood these days is rubbish, although occasionally one does find a few gems (e.g., Chariots of Fire, Hoosiers, Driving Miss Daisy, Babe, October Sky, A Walk to Remember). Many movies that could be enjoyed by children and adults are often spoiled by raw language (My Cousin Vinny), taking God’s name in vain (Cinderella Man and The Aviator), inappropriate language (Searching for Bobby Fischer and O Brother Where Art Thou?), sexual situations (Dr. Strangelove, Doc Hollywood, You’ve Got Mail, The Natural, My Big Fat Greek Wedding), and violence (Tombstone, The Godfather1). Some movies will add...

Hollywood takes on Russia school massacre -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big News Network.com Friday 19th May, 2006 (UPI) Universal Studios and Image Entertainment are joining forces to make a Hollywood film about the terrorist attack on a school in Beslan, Russia. The studios secured the rights to The School, an article about the tragedy written by New York Times reporter C.J. Chivers for Esquire magazine, the Moscow Times reported Friday. Chivers' article centers around a father shot and left for dead on the day of 2004 attack that killed 331 people, mostly children. Image Entertainment producer Brian Glazer said in a statement The...

Katyn: the post mortem 15.05.2006 Renowned film director, Andrzej Wajda, has begun work on a major film about the 1940 Katyn massacre of over 20,000 Polish officers by Soviet forces. After the discovery in 1943 of the mass graves Soviet Russia denied any responsibility, attributing the killings three years earlier to Nazi Germany. But the evidence pointing to Soviet guilt is overwhelming, say most independent historians. During communist rule in Poland the Katyn issue was covered by a cloth of silence. With the coming of the end of the regime in 1989 the issue was acknowledged by Russia, with President...

This is the finest film in 13 years as a film critic that I can't wholeheartedly recommend simply because it's too real for sensitive viewers to endure. Those taking that risk will be rewarded with the most powerful film so far in 2006; those who can't will be understood.Is it too soon for a movie about Sept. 11, 2001? Is it an offensive idea to dramatize the flight of United 93, one of four airlines hijacked that day by al-Qaida terrorists, and the only one that didn't reach its target after the passengers fought back? Whether filmmaker Paul Greengrass explores...

film director Richard Fleischer, son of animation pioneer, Max Fleischer, passed away in his sleep last evening. He was 89. Mr. Fleischer, who had just released his teling of his father's career in OUT OF THE INKWELL: MAX FLEISCHER AND THE ANIMATION REVOLUTION, in June had been in failing health for the better part of a year. He leaves behind a most impressive body of work in films including 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, BARABBAS, FANTASTIC VOYAGE, DR. DOOLITTLE, TORA, TORA, TORA, SOYLENT GREEN, THE JAZZ SINGER (with Neal Diamond), CONAN THE DESTROYER, and RED SONJA.

ROME, MARCH 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Hollywood still doesn't get it -- judging by the recent Academy Awards. So says Legionary Father Jonathan Morris, a news analyst for the Fox News Channel. He offers the U.S.-based television station ethical perspectives on current events. The Ohio-born priest, stationed in Rome, shared with ZENIT his views on what the recent Oscars say about the state of the U.S. film industry. Q: Were the recent Academy Awards in line with the type of movies people are actually watching? Could you cite examples? And what do those figures indicate? Father Morris: There has been a...

TORONTO, Ontario, March 15, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A Quebec film celebrating homosexuality swept the Canadian Genie awards on Monday night. C.R.A.Z.Y. is a film about a young gay man growing up with four brothers in a large Catholic family. The story is set in suburban Quebec during the 60’s. Following the trend set by the gay cowboy movie Brokeback Mountain, C.R.A.Z.Y. was nominated for 12 awards and won ten of them. The film won for best picture, best director and leading actor.The film’s director, Jean-Marc Vallee, describes the story as “a mystical fable about a modern-day Christ-like figure.” Presumably, he...

Interview With Brent Bozell ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, MARCH 15, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Hollywood should have the courage to promote traditional values in movies and television because it would find a willing audience, says a media expert. Brent Bozell, 49, is a lecturer, syndicated columnist, television commentator, businessman, publisher, father of five and the founder and president of the Parents Television Council, a Hollywood-based organization dedicated to restoring responsibility to the entertainment industry. ZENIT approached Bozell, a graduate of the University of Dallas, for his insights into the media. Q: Recently a plan was proposed in Congress to require cable-TV firms to offer...

WASHINGTON (Hollywood Reporter) - The U.S. House of Representatives has approved child-safety legislation that includes a provision bringing some legitimate film and TV productions under the same federal-reporting requirements as X-rated films. Under a provision inserted in the Children's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act, the legislation would require "any book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape or other matter" that contains a simulated sex scene to come under the same government-filing requirements that adult films have to meet. Currently, any filmed sexual activity requires an affidavit that lists the names and ages of the actors who engage in the act. The...

John Paul II hits Polish movie screens 02.03.2006 ‘John Paul the Second’, the American-Italian-Polish film co-production directed by John Kent Harrison is having its Polish premiere tonight in Krakow and Wadowice, the hometown of the late Pope. The first screening of the Polish version is being attended by top state, Church and political figures. Among the guests of honor are the film’s director John Kent Harrison and actor Jon Voigt who plays the title role of the Polish born Pope. Contrary to the American and Italian version, which put greater stress on John Paul as a political leader, the Polish...

Polish director Wajda makes film on Katyn atrocity Wed 15 Feb 2006 1:43 PM ET By Erik Kirschbaum BERLIN, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Celebrated Polish director Andrzej Wajda said on Wednesday he aims to finish a film close to his heart this year about the 1940 Soviet massacre of 15,000 Polish soldiers, including his own father, in the Katyn forest. Wajda, in Berlin to collect a lifetime achievement award from the Berlin Film Festival, said most Poles always knew it was a Soviet atrocity even though propaganda during World War Two and afterwards wrongly tried to pin the blame on...

Our undying devotion to simultaneous movie releases has earned us a small share of hate mail over the years, especially from folks in the movie theater business. Our complaining about the crowds, the inconvenience, and most importantly, the cost really gets on their nerves. They make all manner of excuses for what goes on in theaters. The high prices of concessions, we're told, stems from two factors. First, they say, movie theater employees earn more on average than your man at McDonald's, so you shouldn't expect the price to compare with Chez McDo. More importantly, they claim that the movie...

rating: 3 out of 4 Director: Eli Roth Cast: Jay Hernandez, Derek Richardson, Eythor Gudjonsson, Barbara Nedeljakova Screenplay: Eli Roth MPAA Classification: R (gore enough to make you gag on that morning's breakfast) I can't attest to honestly enjoying Hostel. In fact, I often had to resist the reflexive temptation to leave. The film is simply disgusting. I worried that my fellow audience members would be drenched in a fresh, steaming coat of my own vomit, to be absolutely truthful. Someone asked Writer/Director Eli Roth after the screening how he managed to convince the MPAA into an R-rating. Roth laughed...

A list of remakes of previously-released films. We have editorially decided to narrow this list to remakes of popular movies produced in the United States. There is a slew of American remakes of foreign films, but those can be more appropriately considered "adaptations" rather than pure remakes. We may create a separate list for these adaptations in the future if there is enough demand. Feel free to contact us or post a message to the forum.

With attendance down and movies popping up faster on DVD, theater chains are scrambling to pry you off the couch -- trying everything from discount tickets to curbs on rude patrons. Their fight to stay relevant in the flat-TV era On a recent Friday night, some patrons of Pacific Theatres' The Grove Stadium 14 in Los Angeles were in for a rude awakening: Their 7:20 p.m. screening of "The Family Stone" in theater six was being invaded by the 7 p.m. show of "King Kong" in theater seven. During a teary life-and-death passage of "The Family Stone," a loud, earth-rattling...

'King Kong' Mighty But No Monster... click here to READ THE FULL REPORT RELATED BOX OFFICE LINKS ALL TIME - TOP DECEMBER OPENINGS 2005 GROSSES | ALL TIME GROSSES MOVIE REVIEWS King Kong | Brokeback Mountain | Narnia Mrs. Palfrey | Rent | Walk the Line > MORE REVIEWS << PREVIOUS Stay tuned for daily updates... NEXT >> Rank* Title (Click to view chart) Monday 12/19 Tuesday 12/20 Wednesday 12/21 Thursday 12/22 1 THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE 3,680 $4,654,664 -52.6% / $1,265 $117,824,308 / 11 $4,915,049 5.6% / $1,336 $122,739,357 / 12 $4,940,386...

The Movie: Ronnie Earle, on a Mission from God The Texas DA is inspired by the Bible to prosecute Tom DeLay. A new film featuring Travis County, Texas prosecutor Ronnie Earle as he pursued the investigation that led to the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay portrays Earle less as a partisan figure than as a messianic leader on a mission to rid American politics of the "evil" influence of money. A copy of the still-unfinished film, entitled The Big Buy, was obtained by National Review Online Friday. On several occasions in the film, Earle engages in monologues on...

Actor Don Adams Dies at 82 Monday, September 26, 2005 LOS ANGELES — Don Adams (search), the wry-voiced comedian who starred as the fumbling secret agent Maxwell Smart in the 1960s television spoof of James Bond (search) movies, "Get Smart," has died. He was 82. Adams died of a lung infection late Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (search), his friend and former agent Bruce Tufeld said Monday, adding the actor broke his hip a year ago and had been in ill health since.

VENICE (Reuters) - Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain," a tale of homosexual love in the wilds of Wyoming, won Venice's Golden Lion on Saturday, beating film festival favorite George Clooney in the race to take the top prize. The latest film by the director of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is adapted from a short story by Annie Proulx and stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as love-struck cowboys whose forbidden affair begins in 1963 and ends 20 years later. Lee describes "Brokeback Mountain" as a story of love against adversity. Independent and low-budget, like several U.S. entries at the festival, it...