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Software Review: Movie Magic Budgeting

February 8, 2010 | By Norman Berns
Software Review: Movie Magic Budgeting

The Magic is back. Shelving their own eponymous software, Entertainment Partners has resurrected Movie Magic. And whether you’ve stayed with the standard or updated to EP Budgeting, this version is designed to make you feel perfectly at home. And there lies both the good news and the bad. There are several new features, but the... »

Dollies, Cranes & Camera Heads

January 11, 2010 | By Jim Udel

In this digital age, it’s refreshing when an old-school source book for motion picture equipment hits the shelves. The tome, aptly titled Dollies, Cranes & Camera Heads is the brainchild of IA grip, Mike Uva. Written with a folksy-wisdom and ease belying his many years of experience in the biz, the author provides insider... »

Up in the Air

December 18, 2009 | By Len Klady
<em>Up in the Air</em>

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) has an amiable disposition that belies the fact that it’s best to stay out of his path. You see he’s a high-priced assassin. Not the typical sort of movie killer that shoots to kill, but a contemporary gun for hire who walks into a corporate boardroom and systematically calls in... »

The Young Victoria

December 18, 2009 | By Len Klady
<em>The Young Victoria</em>

The enduring image of Queen Victoria, whose reign dominated the bulk of the 19th century, is of a benevolent, elderly grandmother. Though she was still in her teens when she took the throne (and held it for seven decades) the novelty of photography has etched in our minds that part of her life that... »

The City of Life and Death

November 23, 2009 | By Len Klady
<em>The City of Life and Death</em>

In 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army invaded and subjugated the people of China in what was to be a precursor of the atrocities of the Pacific theater of the Second World War. The most infamous aspect of the campaign has become known as the Rape of Nanjing. Figures vary but all sources admit hundreds... »

Red Cliff

November 23, 2009 | By Len Klady
<em>Red Cliff</em>

The third century was not a time for sissies, especially in the vast expanses of China’s Han dynasty. For good or ill, the Emperor’s Prime Minister Cao Cao (Zheng Fengyi) is hot to create a unified nation and he’s prepared to amass a million-man army to quash the autonomy of its most prominent Kingdoms. »

Vantage Point

November 12, 2009 | By Len Klady
<em>Vantage Point</em>

There’s nothing particularly wrong with Vantage Point, a political thriller revolving around the kidnapping of the American president. And there’s nothing especially compelling, riveting, novel or informative about this exercise in the anxiety rising genre. It’s not unlike an episode of the series 24, but without the attitude or urgency that’s made the television... »

The Pink Panther 2

February 8, 2009 | By Len Klady
<em>The Pink Panther 2</em>

The Tornado has struck. The insidiously clever cat burglar has stolen the likes of The Shroud of Turin, the Imperial Sword of Japan and, lest we forget, France’s glorious gem The Pink Panther. The world can only hold its breath as it awaits the assembly of the greatest international detectives to crack the case.... »

Confessions of a Shopaholic

February 8, 2009 | By Len Klady
<em>Confessions of a Shopaholic</em>

The very title of this new comedy more than strongly suggests a note of irony. “Shopaholic” is the sort of slyly contrived word that’s meant to generate a smile. But one doesn’t have to dig too deeply to find that this is a real term and a certifiable addiction and from time to time... »

Slumdog Millionaire

January 11, 2009 | By Len Klady

The most fanatic moviegoers reside in the world’s largest democracy—India. It also happens to be the only other filmmaking nation with a global reach, and for decades it’s been primed to produce a crossover success on the scale of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. In the meantime there’s Slumdog Millionaire, a film made in Mumbai... »



Director Series

Joe Johnston Conjures The Wolfman

February 2010 | By Scott Essman

Joe Johnston Conjures <em>The Wolfman</em>

Former Industrial Light and Magic art director Joe Johnston became a feature film director over 20 years ago when he came aboard... »



Danish Director Blends Comedy and Tragedy in An Education

January 2010 | By Mary Ann Skweres

Danish Director Blends Comedy and Tragedy in <em>An Education</em>

The critically acclaimed film, An Education, which garnered the Audience Award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, has quietly slipped into Oscar contention. From... »


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Exclusive Film Reviews

Up in the Air

December 2009 | By Len Klady

<em>Up in the Air</em>

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) has an amiable disposition that belies the fact that it’s best to stay out of his path. You see he’s... »



The Young Victoria

December 2009 | By Len Klady

<em>The Young Victoria</em>

The enduring image of Queen Victoria, whose reign dominated the bulk of the 19th century, is of a benevolent, elderly grandmother. Though she was... »


View More Film Reviews