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'Peeples' peeps pleasant, but all too forgettable May 9, 2013 12:00 AM
The people of "Peeples" make a better impression than most collections of oddballs in the weary mold of comedies centered on meeting the prospective in-laws. They still overstay their welcome, though. This is broad comedy, but nowhere near as broad — or boorish and shrill — as producer Tyler Perry's own family adventures (for disclosure's sake, there are screechy relations here, but Perry's Madea fortunately isn't among them).
Luhrmann celebrates style over substance in misconceived adaptationMay 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Despite an impressive performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, Baz Luhrmann's faithful adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's great American novel celebrates style over substance abuse. So we get a flamboyantly superficial film that grants equal importance to slow-motion shots of a woman's car-struck body flying through the air as it does Fitzgerald's dissection of the death of the American dream.
Strong characters at heart of 'Love'May 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann warns readers that Paramount Pictures won't give critics advance screenings of "Star Trek Into Darkness," and that's not a good sign. He also criticizes the Ratings Administration in his film notes segment, plus reviews two films, the Christian-themed "King's Faith" and the Danish rom-com "Love is All You Need" featuring an impressively mature performance by former 007 Pierce Brosnan.
New 'Star Trek' movie beams up Fremd grad May 7, 2013 12:00 AM
In college, Palatine native Jon Lee Brody thought his life was laid out with his girlfriend. "My plan was to marry this girl, go to law school, become a corporate lawyer and raise a family. That was the plan," he said. But when she abruptly ended the relationship, Brody moved to LA to become an actor. He plays a security guard in the upcoming "Star Trek Into Darkness."
Will Downey suit up again after $175M ‘Iron Man 3’ haul? May 5, 2013 12:00 AM
“Iron Man 3” has raced to a worldwide total of $680.1 million. That includes $175.9 million in its second weekend overseas, where the film has rung up $504.8 million so far. But could the franchise survive without Robert Downey Jr.? “I honestly don’t know how you can go on with that character without Downey,” said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst with box-office tracker Hollywood.com. “I think he’s as important to this franchise and to Marvel as any actor is to any character.”
DVD previews: ‘Jack Reacher,’ ‘Safe Haven’ May 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Coming out on DVD are "Jack Reacher," starring Tom Cruise, along with the romantic drama "Safe Haven."
‘Silver Linings Playbook’ out on DVD May 3, 2013 12:00 AM
One of the best films of the year, the inspirational "Silver Linings Playbook" was nominated for seven Academy Awards. The film, starring Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, is now out on DVD.
Sequels lead remakes, franchises in dominating summer cinemaMay 3, 2013 12:00 AM
There's a lot of No. 2 coming to theaters this summer. "Despicable Me 2." "Grown-Ups 2." "Kick-Ass 2." "RED 2," "Smurfs 2," "V/H/S 2." Most of them will be in 2-D. Yet, we have a few bright spots of ingenuity and creativity on the summer docket. We can look forward to more than a dozen documentaries, along with some intelligent-sounding works of science fiction. So here comes the annual Daily Herald Guide to the Summer Movies.
Lohan enters rehab at Betty Ford Center May 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Lindsay Lohan's sentence called for her to spend three months at a lockdown rehab facility and also receive 18 months of psychotherapy to avoid a return to jail.
Studios go direct to fans for social-media boost May 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Sometimes you just can't wait for Comic-Con — whether you're a fan or a filmmaker. With the summer movie season now beginning in early May ("Iron Man 3" opens Friday), studios are co-opting the July pop-culture convention's model of stoking interest in anticipated films by bringing sneak-peeks of new material directly to super fans, who then, it is hoped, spread their enthusiasm via word-of-mouth and social media.
'At Any Price' digs deep May 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Dann Gire reviews Ramin Bahrani's new drama "At Any Price," shot in Illinois and Iowa with lots of local talent. The story is as much about the dehumanization of the American farming community as it about Dennis Quaid's character mishandling the priorities of his own soul. Dann also interviews Quaid and the director to find out how the star wound up in this film. The answer is Ellen DeGeneres.
3rd time's a charmer for 'Iron Man' May 1, 2013 12:00 AM
Writer/director Shane Black clearly doesn't want viewers moseying off to the powder room or concession stand during the 135-minute running time of his extended Marvel comics caper, "Iron Man 3." So, he straps booster rockets to every scene, climaxing with a frenetic, fiery fight sequence so intensely unrelenting and visually busy that tedium, if not downright numbness, threatens to set it.
Candice Bergen producing film on ventriloquist father Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Candice Bergen is producing a film about her late father, the famed ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. The big-screen project will tell the story of Bergen's dad and his ventriloquist's dummy that became an unlikely celebrity, spokeswoman Heidi Schaeffer said.
Ironclad friendship for Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
There's something of the old married couple about Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr., though they're married to other people. They've known each other for 20 years, through bad times (his) and good (hers all along and now his, too). They're cozy and comfy sitting down together for an interview, shifting easily between talking about their Marvel Studios superhero sequel "Iron Man 3."
'Iron Man 3' rules world; 'Pain & Gain' takes U.S.Apr 28, 2013 12:00 AM
"Iron Man 3," the Marvel Studios superhero sequel starring Robert Downey Jr., got a head-start on its domestic launch next Friday with a $195.3 million opening in 42 overseas markets, distributor Disney reported Sunday. Director Michael Bay's "Pain & Gain," a true-crime tale of bodybuilders on the make, muscled into first-place domestically with a $20 million debut.
DVD previews: ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ ‘The Guilt Trip’ Apr 27, 2013 12:00 AM
New movies coming out on DVD include "Silver Linings Playbook" and "The Guilt Trip."
Navajo latest translation for ‘Star Wars’ Apr 27, 2013 12:00 AM
A team of five Navajo speakers spent 36 hours translating the script for "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope," and now they're looking for fluent Navajo speakers to fill some two dozen roles.
Matthew McConaughey says he’s listened to critics Apr 26, 2013 12:00 AM
Matthew McConaughey, who's getting praise from critics for his role in the new movie "Mud," says he's found a way to make negative reviews a positive learning experience. McConaughey won best supporting male actor at the Independent Spirit Awards for 2012's "Magic Mike." He also received the best supporting actor honor for "Magic Mike" and "Bernie" at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. But there have been some misses for the 43-year-old actor. He says he's learned a lot from the criticism.
Suburban movie theaters get swankier, expand offerings Apr 26, 2013 12:00 AM
The waiter refills your wineglass and sets down a plate of food, maybe a modern Mediterranean dish. After eating, you lie back in your oversized plush chair — a seat you selected ahead of time, online — and put your feet up. Wrapped in a blanket, you watch a new release on the big screen, enhanced by the latest digital effects. Welcome to suburban moviegoing in 2013.
‘Impossible,’ ‘China Beach’ out on DVD Apr 25, 2013 12:00 AM
Naomi Watts was nominated for an Academy Award for her terrific performance in "The Impossible," a harrowing and exciting drama based on a true story. It's now out on DVD.