movies

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Did “Star Trek Into Darkness” stumble at the box office?

“Star Trek Into Darkness” opened in the number one spot last weekend and has made a ton of money at the box office. The sci-fi flick will rack up millions more during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Yet, the sequel to “Star Trek” (2009) has disappointed. It’s opening weekend take of $70 million fell far short of “Iron Man […]
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Entertainment Bits: Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy, “The Great Gatsby,” and Barbara Walters to retire

Angelina Jolie’s breast cancer decision A lot of chatter on the Internet today about actress Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy. The Academy Award winning actress, best supporting for the 1999 film “Girl, Interrupted,” went public in a New York Times opinion piece about her genetic risk of breast cancer and how that prompted a major decision to take preventative action. Jolie’s […]
Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Entertainment Bits: Maria Shriver got a new gig, Jackson trial, and “Iron Man 3” rave review

Maria Shriver returns to NBC News Maria Shriver messy break-up and separation from former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, apparently has not hurt her reunion with NBC News. In a press release, NBC announced Shriver “… joins NBC News as a special anchor reporting on the shifting roles, emerging power and evolving needs of women in modern life.” Shriver worked for the […]
Monday, April 29, 2013

Jean Youn: Stars and dream achievers

Which areas do you like most – sports, music, or movies? Do you have any particular favorite star in that area? Stars! Whatever the area may be, it must have some stars for people  to envy as well as love. And so often those who have ascended to stardom are called “dream achievers.” To first generation immigrants like me, those […]
Thursday, April 25, 2013

Entertainment Bits: Disney star gets book deal, hip hop artist hooks movie role, and NBCUniversal plan is a go

Teen TV star scores book offer Disney Channel star, Bella Thorne, is now an actress, singer, dancer, and author. The 15-year-old has a new deal to write a YA, young adult, book series called, “Autumn Falls,” according to Galleycat. Not familiar with Thorne? Well, she’s co-stars in the sitcom, “Shake It Up,” and reportedly has 2.9 million followers on Twitter! […]
Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Entertainment Bits: “Iron Man 3” tickets, Reese Witherspoon, and Matthew McConaughey

Flap over “Iron Man 3” tickets Make no mistake about it, the dispute involving Disney and some of the top theater chains is about money. Big Money. Several chains, including the AMC, are refusing to offer advance tickets for “Iron Man 3,” one of the major releases of the year. Disney wants to re-negotiate it’s deal with these theaters. Not […]
Friday, April 5, 2013

Film critic Roger Ebert 1942 – 2013

A lot of chatter on the Internet  and elsewhere today about the passing of legendary film critic Roger Ebert. He possessed a sharp mind, quick wit, and a passion for movies and writing.  Ebert died yesterday in Chicago after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 and one of the world’s most influential film critics. Ebert took on the job […]
Monday, March 18, 2013

A Strong View: Stop runaway production

  If you are at all familiar with the motion picture industry no doubt you know about runaway production. Entertainment is big business here in Southern California and especially in Burbank. The major and independent studios probably do their best to employ locally. Yet, here in a time of economic deficiencies in the job market; the powers that be, whoever […]
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” makes a short list of important films

The classic romantic comedy film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)  is among the reported cinematic treasures selected for the National Film Registry. The Library of Congress today announced the 25 films picked for the registry in 2012. “Established by Congress in 1989, the National Film Registry spotlights the importance of preserving America’s unparalleled film heritage,” said Librarian of Congress James H. […]