'Brave' Review

Pixar's "Brave" doesn't deserve some of the icy ink it's getting, but it isn't exactly a triumph, either. Still, those ruby red locks are a wonder to watch, and it's nice to see a rare mother-daughter tale in the animation landscape.

My full review of "Brave" is now online at SouthPhillyReview.com. CLICK HERE.

Woody Allen Feature

I had a blast at the press conference for "To Rome With Love," a charming film too many are dismissing as merely "minor Woody Allen." The dais included Allen, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Greta Gerwig, and Ellen Page. Naturally, much of the conversation came back to Woody, who's a fascinating person to share a room with, to say the least.

My feature, of which I'm particularly proud, is now online at Slant Magazine. To read it, CLICK HERE.

'Rock of Ages' Review

Tom Cruise is a hoot as a steretotypical glam-rock god, and Catherine Zeta-Jones knows just how to camp up her uber-conservative character, but Adam Shankman's hectic "Rock of Ages" is otherwise an overlong slice of hectic hackery.

My full review of "Rock of Ages" is online at SouthPhillyReview.com. To read it, CLICK HERE.

Dustin Lance Black Interview

Over at Slant Magazine, I talked politics and film with Dustin Lance Black, the world's youngest-looking 37-year-old, and an increasingly vital figure in gay culture.

Read the full interview HERE.

'Prometheus' Review

At long last, my most anticipated movie of the summer. Did it deliver?

My full review is now online at SouthPhillyReview.com. CLICK HERE.

Revisiting Hollywood Gems

Last month, I whipped a piece for South Philly Review on films that are celebrating anniversaries this year, and are worth a second (or third, or fourth) look. Among them is the great "Black Narcissus."

For the full article, CLICK HERE.

Angelina Jolie as MALEFICENT

Yes! Here's the first still of Ms. Jolie as Maleficent in Disney's new live-action film:

According to a press release that just went out, production commenced on June 13th. Here's the official release info:

     Directed by two-time Oscar®-winning production designer Robert Stromberg (“Avatar,” “Alice in Wonderland”), in his directorial debut, and produced by Joe Roth, “Maleficent” is written by Linda Woolverton (“The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Don Hahn, Matt Smith and Palak Patel. Co-starring in the film are Sharlto Copley (“District 9”), Elle Fanning (“Super 8”), Sam Riley (“On the Road”), Imelda Staunton (“Vera Drake”), Miranda Richardson (“The Hours”), Juno Temple (“Atonement”) and Lesley Manville (“Secrets & Lies”). 
     This is the untold story of Disney’s most beloved villain, Maleficent, from the 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty.” The film reveals the events that hardened her heart and drove her to curse the baby, Aurora. Behind-the-scenes talent includes Academy Award®–winning cinematographer Dean Semler (“Dances with Wolves,” “In the Land of Blood and Honey”), production designer Gary Freeman (“Saving Private Ryan,” “The Bourne Supremacy”), two-time Oscar® nominated costume designer Anna B. Sheppard (“Schindler’s List,” “The Pianist”) and seven-time Academy Award–winning makeup artist Rick Baker (“Planet of the Apes,” “Men in Black”). 
    “Maleficent” is scheduled for a March 14, 2014 release in 3D.