"Kung Fu Panda 2" breaks new ground in the history of cinema. Everyone knows you can’t use 3-D in the second movie in a series. You have to wait until the third one. Then again the second movie strategy makes sense. All the better to hold up helpless parents at the box office, I suppose. Breaking the 3- D sequel custom appears to be "Panda"’s lone innovation. Otherwise this is one of the ... more >
MOVIES | DVD
No strings attached
With Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline and Cary Elwes
Directed by Ivan Reitman
When does “No Strings Attached” lose all credibility? When its second scene allegedly takes place at a frat house at the University of Michigan and the frat house is loaded with pretty California girls. I went to Michigan. There’s a longstanding saying at Michigan. Nine out of ten girls in the Big Ten are attractive. And the tenth goes to Michigan. How do I account for Lucy Liu? I suspect ... more >
The Green Hornet
With Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz and Cameron Diaz
Directed by Michel Gondry
When small children lay their head on the pillow each night, do they dream of running into a phone booth to change into Seth Rogen? A more popular figure in raunchy comedies than little boys’ daydreams, Rogen is one of the least-likely Hollywood stars to play a superhero. Nevertheless, that’s what we get in "The Green Hornet," played by Rogen as his typical directionless man-child. ... more >
The Illusionist
With Jean-Claude Donda and Eilidh Rankin
Directed by Sylvain Chaumet
"The Illusionist" by Sylvain Chaumet is a bit of a disappointment.The French-born screenwriter and graphic artist gave us “The Triplets of Belleville” in 2003 (nominated for Oscars and Cesars). Remember the namesake tune and the frenetic storytelling around those three sisters in a Paris that everybody knows but no one has seen? Seven years later, anticipation was at an all-time high for us ... more >
Vanishing on 7th Street
With Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton, John Leguizamo and Jacob Latimor
Directed by Brad Anderson
I would’ve expected more from Brad Anderson. The director of the overrated but effective “Session 9” (2001) and “The Machinist” (2004), Christian Bale’s most impressive vehicle since “American Psycho,” knows how to create a creepy mood and ratchet up the tension bit by bit. But the premise of his new film, “Vanishing on 7th Street,” doesn’t lend itself well to subtlety or ... more >
THE COVE – Plight of the dolphins (DVD)
With Richard O'Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Hardy Jones and Michael Illiff
Directed by Louie Psihoyos
Not only is “The Cove” more exciting than any thriller but it’s a heartstopping, disturbing one, showing a situation we can all do something about. As citizens of the world, as unworthy custodians of the planet we live on, and as individuals for whom the environment means not only the possibility of life for future generations but our personal health, this tremendous undertaking should be ... more >
The girl who kicked the hornets’ nest
With Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace and Lena Endre
Directed by Daniel Alfredson
Daniel Alfredson, director of the second “Millennium” film (“The Girl Who Played With Fire”), has delivered again with the final installment of the Steig Larsson/Lisbeth Salander trilogy, “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest.” “Fire” ended with a cliffhanger: the never-say-die heroine—Salander—had just narrowly escaped another attempt on her life before being rescued by ... more >
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