FresnoBee.com: Movie News & Reviews

The Hollywood Reporter's best stories of the week

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:25:44 PDT

The Hollywood Reporter's list of its 10 best stories of the week: Read comments

Famous fictional mobsters

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:40:42 PDT

As mobster Tony Soprano, James Gandolfini had the kind of role that reached the very heights of popular culture - a character so famous we end up quoting him, comparing real-life people to him and knowing more about him than our own friends and neighbors. Gangsters have long made for some of the most colorful and quotable characters in TV and movie history. Here are a few who top the list: Read comments

Capsule reviews of new movie releases

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:11:54 PDT

"World War Z" - Might there be a real zombie apocalypse one day? The way zombies have invaded our pop culture the last several years, it's maybe a bit less implausible than it once was. What IS increasingly quite plausible, alas, is a global pandemic, and "World War Z," the long-awaited Brad Pitt thriller, cleverly melds that real-life threat into the more fanciful zombie premise. Talk about more bang for your buck: Once you've settled back into your seat after a good snarling zombie chase, there's nothing like the thought of a SARS outbreak to get the blood racing again. Despite the much-discussed production delays and budget overruns, this movie, based on the 2006 novel by Max Brooks (son of Mel), is pretty much what you'd want in a summer blockbuster: scary but not-too-gross zombies, a journey to exotic locales, a few excellent action scenes, and did we mention Pitt? As Gerry Lane, a former U.N. investigator called upon to save the planet, Pitt is a calm, intelligent presence amid the insanity. The most impressive scene is at the beginning, as the streets of Philadelphia are suddenly overrun by packs of wild, raging zombies. For an hour, the action is swift: North Korea, Israel, a harrowing plane crash. The final act takes place on a dramatically smaller scale, and at a slower pace. Oh, a reminder: Turn off those cellphones. After all, it's not just your movie-going partner you'll annoy here. Cellphones also happen to awaken zombies. Consider yourself warned. PG-13 for intense frightening zombie sequences, violence and disturbing images. 116 minutes. Three stars out of four. Read comments

'Man of Steel' promoted from the pulpit

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:11:55 PDT

Seems Warner Bros. has taken movie marketing to a whole new level - even higher than a bird or a plane. Read comments

Joss Whedon makes a Shakespeare film in 12 days

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:18:49 PDT

MIAMI - If man is indeed a giddy thing - as William Shakespeare suggests in "Much Ado About Nothing," insinuating we are impulsive beyond all reason - then Joss Whedon may be the giddiest man of all. After all, he's the director who decided to make a quick movie in his down time between shooting his first big-budget film and editing it; the screenwriter who dared to adapt a play from the greatest wordsmith in the English language; the optimist who thought: Hey, yeah, let's shoot a Shakespearean comedy at my house; it'll be fun. Read comments

Brad Pitt tries to build a better blockbuster

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:13:51 PDT

Brad Pitt wanted to build a better blockbuster. Read comments

Ellen Page connects with her character in 'The East'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:08:49 PDT

MINNEAPOLIS - Ellen Page became a star and best-actress Oscar nominee at 20 for playing a pregnant teen in "Juno." Her lifestyle, however, is not the expected A-list cliche of heedless consumption and bling binges. Read comments

Movie guide: Capsule listing of current releases

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:13:50 PDT

Ratings by the Motion Picture Association of America are: (G) for general audiences; (PG) parental guidance urged because of material possibly unsuitable for children; (PG-13) parents are strongly cautioned to give guidance for attendance of children younger than 13; (R) restricted, younger than 17 admitted only with parent or adult guardian; (NC-17) no one younger than 17 admitted. Read comments

Movie guide alt: Independent, limited release and foreign-language films

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:13:50 PDT

Edward Furlong charged with assault in LA

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:26:07 PDT

'Terminator 2' star Edward Furlong has been charged with assault after a May 21 incident in which his girlfriend called police and reported he attacked her. Read comments