VALENTINE’S DAY

As mechanical as an artificial heart, as predictable as SoCal weather, as forced as the Bataan march, as unfunny as a mass layoff, VALENTINE'S DAY wastes talent like a canary wastes seed. Ashton Kutcher and Taylor Swift give it a go, but the rest of the something- for-everyone cast is barely there. This isn't a … Continue reading VALENTINE’S DAY

THE STEPFATHER

An underappreciated gem, THE STEPFATHER is not a remake but the latest iteration of the boogeyman classic. Remarkably nuanced in its journey from "normal" to psycho, the characters are both interesting and well- acted. Penn Badgely is too old for the part but has the makings of a movie star. And though Dylan Walsh doesn't … Continue reading THE STEPFATHER

IT’S COMPLICATED

IT'S COMPLICATED, but it's not entirely convincing, and it's much too long. The latest movie for the over-50 set (paging About Schmidt, hi there, Something's Gotta Give) has high-gloss performances from its three leads, especially Baldwin. But only of John Krasinski can it be said that every scene he's in he made me laugh out … Continue reading IT’S COMPLICATED

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF

15-year-olds who fantasize that their adolescent minds and underdeveloped bodies are more than a match for Greek gods and hot mortals will love PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS (which sounds like a 50's doo-wop group). The rest of us will find THE LIGHTNING THIEF time stolen. The effects and monsters are fun in a Ray … Continue reading PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF