Phfft!

Oct. 31, 2006

I don't know about you, but my heart is breaking: Reese and Ryan are splitting up! Of all the Hollywood marriages, the Witherspoon-Phillippe union seemed the happiest and most likely to endure into old age. What happened? A third party? Ego? I hope they kiss and make up; do you? Can anybody name three movie star marriages that have lasted?

Medicated

Oct. 25, 2006


Look who's talking! Rush Limbaugh attacked Parkinson Disease sufferer Michael J. Fox of ""either (being) off his medication or acting'' because Fox is backing a Missouri Democrat in favor off stem-cell research. Limbaugh didn't like Fox saying "What you do in Missouri matters to millions of Americans _ Americans like me.'' Limbaugh, who "acts'' horrified at drug addiction, required rehabilitation for addiction to "medication.'' Is it time for Limbaugh to retire?

Oscar caliber

Oct. 20, 2006

The Red Bank Arts Theater on White Street just sent in its November-December listings, including a must-see: satirist Christopher Guest's "For Your Consideration.'' It's a comedy about hyping prestige movies for awards. Do you get sick and tired of all the hype? Do you wish movie reviewers would shut up already about what movie should win the Oscar, the Golden Globe, the Independent Spirit, ad nauseum?

Doings

Oct. 19, 2006

Gosh, so much happening on the movie scene, but quantity does not equal quality. Take for example these developments: Matt McConaughey and Lance Armstrong say ""We tried being gay; it wasn't for us!'' Just kidding, they say. They insist there is no ""bro-mance'' between them. And, coming your way next week, still another gross-out movie, "Saw III,' which got an R rating for "strong grisly violence and gore and sequences of terror and torture.'' In other words, the intellects behind this awfulness clearly haven't heard of real world horrors such as Abu Ghraib. Apparently, there is nothing so debased that someone won't try to make a buck off it.

Faux Facts

Oct. 10, 2006

A friend who's a well-known movie critic, cabaret reviewer and author, says both biopics about Truman Capote are inaccurate about his romance with Death Row murderer Perry Smith (of Capote's "In Cold Blood''). The friend knew Capote well (he died in 1984). Moviemakers who invent such sensitive material should be exposed for exploitation, especially when both movies ("Capote,'' "Infamous'') tsk-tsk over Capote exploiting the murderers to make a buck.

Hopes Not Dashed

Oct. 9, 2006

The good news is twofold: Martin Scorsese is back in great form in "The Departed,'' and the public likes it too _ Scorsese's Boston crime movie had his best opening weekend: $27 million. Why did the public make it a hit? Because Leo DiCaprio stars? Because so many critics praised it? Because Jack Nicholson's in it? Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon? If so, now you know why movie stars make huge salaries _ if they can "open'' a movie, they're worth every million.

Blackout Part 2

Oct. 6, 2006

We spoke too soon: Also being kept from reviewers' eyes for next Friday's opening is "The Grudge 2,'' the latest copy of a Japanese series. Why is it that low-budget slashers (""Texas Chainsaw'' is this week's entry) are the first and foremost to be hidden from critics?

Blackout

Oct. 4, 2006

Here we go again: no critics' screenings, this time for ""Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning.'' For once, keeping a movie away from reviewers is a blessing. In the utterly non-essential category, you can't top the ""Chainsaw,'' ""Nightmare on Elm Street'' and ""Friday the 13th'' movie franchises.

Tough Act

Oct. 3, 2006

Kirsten Dunst, who was raised in Brick, is enduring rough notices even before her new feature, ""Marie Antoinette'' opens at movie theaters (Oct. 20). Do you think critics should hold their reviews until opening day?Do you read advance press on a movie? Does it sway you?

High hopes

Oct. 2, 2006

Martin Scorsese has everything going for him in ""The Departed:"" good story, great cast (Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon), and all the production money he needs, so let's see if he's back in form after the disastrous ""Gangs of New York'' and ""The Aviator.'' ""The Departed'' opens Friday;'' tell us if you think Scorsese has regained his stride.