But not how you thought. Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier whose acrobatics were on full display in the silent-era send-up "The Artist" (this year's Oscar winner) became the first dog to leave his prints on Hollywood Boulevard, next to such big-screen royalty as Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable. Dressed in a bow tie yesterday Uggie pressed his paws into the cement in a ceremony that also marked his ... more >
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The Artist slays the Oscars nominations
The world is watching as the silent film races towards Oscar gold
What a coup for Michel Hazanavicius & Co! The French filmmaker's silent film The Artist has just been nominated for a total of ten possible statuettes as was just announced in Los Angeles, including the top award for film, directing, male actor, supporting role by a female, screenplay and musical score. Martin Scorsese's Hugo Cabret is up for eleven possible awards. There's been a lot of ... more >
What mattered in 2011
A rundown of the year's best
Time to take stock, filmwise, of the year that was. My grading system (from 0—none this year though I could barely bring myself to give a 6 to the much-applauded Tree of Life—to 20) helps do a quick scan of the hundreds of films I’ve seen in 2011. What does a film have to be and do to get 20? Keep me consistently engaged, not have any off moment, not have any special goofs or anachronistic ... more >
The Artist
A gem of a film you won't want to miss
Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Béjo and John Goodman
Directed by Michel Hazanivicius
American audiences who would pass on Michel Hazanavicius’s The Artist because a) it’s a silent movie and b) it’s in black and white, will be missing one of the best films in decades. Just like some of its unforgettable elders in the silent-film era, The Artist is funny, touching without being sentimental, with story line and feelings perfectly conveyed without words. If you ever wondered how ... more >