Lake County News Sun

Despite triteness, ‘Warrior’ shines

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:46:46 -0500

★★★ “Warrior” is one of those movies that, if you were to describe it to friends in an attempt to tell them how much you enjoyed it, would sound ridiculous. Do it anyway. Implausible and far too reliant on coincidence, with a mixed martial arts tournament the setting for the climax (almost the entire second half of the movie, actually), director and co-writer Gavin O’Connor’s movie is nevertheless gripping and emotionally satisfying. Outstanding performances by Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton are a big part of the reason why. Hardy is as good an actor as there is working …

Review: Batman series ends as epic letdown

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:32:00 -0500

Christopher Nolan concludes his Batman trilogy in typically spectacular, ambitious fashion with “The Dark Knight Rises,” but the feeling of frustration and disappointment is unshakable.

2012 movie preview: Can anyone beat a pair of queens?

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:08:00 -0500

Hollywood has some jokers (“The Three Stooges”) and a deuce (“The Expendables 2”) to deal, and you can always bet on “Men in Black.”

5 fantastic films

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:52:18 -0500

Associated Press reviewers Christy Lemire and David Germain saw the same films in 2011, but they clearly weren’t seeing the same pictures.

Kermit glad to be back with pals on the big screen

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:18:45 -0500

It’s not easy being green — or staging a comeback. That’s exactly what Kermit the Frog and his pals are attempting with “The Muppets,” their first big-screen foray since “Muppets in Space” orbited theaters in 1999.

Jaguar rescued from poachers stars in Brazil movie

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:56:00 -0500

SAO PAULO(AP) — An endangered spotted jaguar rescued from poachers is one of the stars of a soon-to-released feature film shot in the Brazilian Amazon, officials said Thursday. The 15-month-old jungle cat named Catarina plays the mother of a lost cub found by two children in “Taina 3” — an adventure story about an 8-year-old Indian girl who dreams of becoming a warrior and battles a timber smuggler bent on exploiting the rainforest. Natalia Lima of Ibama, the enforcement branch of the Environment Ministry, said agents in the city of Coari rescued Catarina in March from poachers who intended to …

Finite incantatem: ‘So many tears’ as Harry Potter casts his last spell

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:30:51 -0500

CINDY PEARLMAN: From the first moment, he was pure magic. Except, he was the only one who didn’t know it. Now “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” opens Friday. “There were so many tears,” Daniel Radcliffe says of shooting the final scene. “I was very sad.”

Dennis Quaid making waves in ‘Soul Surfer’

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:10:51 -0500

He’s not the youngest dude catching a wave. At age 57, Dennis Quaid is still in fine form playing the father of a brave young athlete in “Soul Surfer.” Quaid is quick to give his anti-workout tips. “First, there is only one reason I look like this these days: total vanity,” he says.

‘Rango’ and cash: Reptile gets the green

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 22:18:00 -0500

“Rango” has lassoed the top spot at the box office.

Photos: Oscars red carpet arrivals

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:06:00 -0500

Tonight’s the night for the stars to shine -- or not. It’s Oscar night in Hollywood. How did the stars do with their dresses, hair and accessories?

Banksy welcome at Oscars, but will he show?

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:50:00 -0500

The question that’s kept Oscar observers guessing since nominations were announced last month — Will Banksy show up? — remains unanswered.

Quick Flicks

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:06:40 -0500

Wondering whether to see a movie? Then check out what film critics have to say about some of the box office’s top flicks including “Sanctum.”

Elton John finds peace with baby, gnomes

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:12:00 -0500

Unlike most frantic new fathers, Elton John isn’t stressed out about the two very different offspring in his life: newborn Zachary Jackson Levon and “Gnomeo & Juliet,” an animated film that he’s been parenting for more than a decade.

Quick Flicks including ‘The Rite’

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:28:14 -0500

Wondering whether to see a movie? Then check out what film critics have to say about some of the box office’s top flicks including “The Rite.”

Portman rings in 2011 with awards, 4 movies, baby

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:14:00 -0500

For Natalie Portman, 2011 is already shaping up to be an unforgettable year. The actress is getting big awards buzz for her turn as a ballerina gone mad in “Black Swan.”

Critics Germain, Lemire pick top films of 2010

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:23:14 -0500

The top 10 films of 2010, according to AP Movie Writer David Germain: 1. “Winter’s Bone” — Yes, there’s a banjo, yet director Debra Granik’s country-noir gem is anything but the usual backwoods tale loaded with white-trash cliches.