L.A. Times - Movie News

'Men in Black 3' a blast from the past, critics say

By Oliver Gettell — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:27:00 PDT

Review: Wes Anderson finds near perfect balance in 'Moonrise Kingdom'

By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT

The writer-director's humanism and surrealism blend well in the fable starring young talents Kara Hawyard and Jared Gilman with Bill Murray, Frances McDormand and Bruce Willis.

It seems fitting that "Moonrise Kingdom,"arguably Wes Anderson's most grown-up film yet, is a warm and funny fable about kids on the cusp.

Cannes 2012: Ken Burns' 'Central Park Five' explores famous crime

By Kenneth Turan — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:02:00 PDT

The film uses extensive interviews with the five men and their families to show exactly how this disturbing miscarriage of justice happened.

'Chernobyl Diaries': Horror movie and travel book depict extreme tourism

By Rebecca Keegan — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:54:00 PDT

Twenty-six years after the worst nuclear accident in history, Chernobyl is suddenly hot again -- at least culturally.

A Second Look: John Cassavetes' touch is clear in 'Too Late Blues'

By Dennis Lim, Special to the Los Angeles Times — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT

The 1961 film centers on the price of artistic independence, something the actor and filmmaker greatly valued.

Independence is a crucial part of the legend of John Cassavetes, the original Method actor turned DIY filmmaker. For that reason his early forays into studio directing — he made 1961's "Too Late Blues" for Paramount and 1963's Stanley Kramer-produced "A Child Is Waiting" for United Artists — are usually thought of as footnotes at best, or compromised failures at worst (a view that has been ascribed to Cassavetes himself).

Review: Bland frights in 'Chernobyl Diaries'

By Mark Olsen, Special to the Los Angeles Times — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT

The Oren Peli-produced 'Chernobyl Diaries' has a hard time scaring up much thrills with dull characters and a rote horror formula.

The Oren Peli-produced 'Chernobyl Diaries' has a hard time scaring up much thrills with dull characters and a rote horror formula.

Mark Duplass, that hard-working actor whose name you don't know

By Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT

He's in several films, including the coming 'Safety Not Guaranteed,' and continues to make movies with 'mumblecore' brother Jay.

Barefoot and bleary-eyed, Mark Duplass opened the door to his office, an apartment in Los Feliz. "I feel like I'm stoned," the 35-year-old actor said, apologizing for his appearance and trying to wipe the sleep out of his eyes.

Cannes 2012: With 'Cosmopolis,' Rob Pattinson seeks acting cred

By Steven Zeitchik — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:58:00 PDT

"Twilight" stars Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson have sex multiple times in Cannes (separately, and on screen) but it's a very different kind of lovemaking.

Review: A far out trip to the past in 'Men in Black 3'

By Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times Film Critic — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 PDT

In the new installment of the space-alien policing series, Will Smith and Josh Brolin (as a younger Tommy Lee Jones) are chasing a bad alien in 1969, and the new mission makes for a campy, fun film.

"Men in Black 3" has got the MIB mojo back — well, most of it anyway. With Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones once again suited up and sporting shades as agents J and K, and a casting coup in Josh Brolin playing K's younger self, the latest alien crisis is good trippy fun as the fate of Earth, and '60s retro style, hang in the balance.

That 'Look of Love' between LACMA and Hollywood

By Reed Johnson, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:44:00 PDT

The L.A. institution has a costarring role in the film, the latest sign of a healing relationship between filmmakers and the museum.

The L.A. institution has a costarring role in the film, the latest sign of a healing relationship between filmmakers and the museum.