Culture
‘Black or White’ explores shadings in issues of race and addiction
The new drama starring Kevin Costner avoids stereotypes and easy answers, but its appealing characters are deployed mostly as stand-ins for recognizable social groups and tendencies.
‘Strange Magic’ strong on dance numbers, weak on romance
Disney's animated riff on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a pleasing jaunt but it's hobbled with a story by George Lucas.
Movie review: Mortdecai
The action comedy "Mortdecai" (Lionsgate) tries to evoke the genius of British novelist P.G. Wodehouse while also conjuring up the sort of movies parodied by the "Austin Powers" series.
Books explore what makes urban Catholic schools successful
The books "Putting Education to Work" and "Anointed Moments" tell the stories of Catholic schools that have had success in serving minority students in urban areas.
Roll your eyes at ineptitude of ‘The Boy Next Door’
As a vehicle for its star, Jennifer Lopez, the trashy thriller is basically a garbage truck. If the movie weren't so offensive, it'd be laughable, writes our reviewer.
‘Still Alice’ could have been better, still
The real depredations of Alzheimer's disease and its toll on the families of the afflicted are not on display in the flawed film, despite a sensitive and appealing performance by Julianne Moore.
‘American Sniper’: Hero as courageous, and wounded, warrior
Director Clint Eastwood's sober drama escorts viewers through both the agonizing dilemmas and the longer-term complexities that confronted America's most celebrated sharpshooter in Iraq, the soldier on whom the film's action centers.
Movie review: Paddington
Hollywood offers a belated Christmas gift in "Paddington" (TWC-Dimension), a delightful, warmhearted comedy for the entire family.
Movie review: Blackhat
In the rapidly expanding, increasingly menacing world of cybercrime, hackers bent on fomenting chaos are known as blackhats.
Movie review: Inherent Vice
The meandering plot of "Inherent Vice" (Warner Bros.) is perhaps better appreciated in the 2009 Thomas Pynchon novel on which the film is based.