Movies/TV

09/01/2010

Free screening of 'Astro Boy' at San Jacinto park
Valley-Wide Recreation in San Jacinto will show its final film in this year's Movies in the Park series at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 when it presents "Astro Boy."

The free movie will be shown in the park at 901 W. Esplanade Ave. in San Jacinto.

Snacks will be provided while supplies last.

Information: 951-487-9234.

--Brian Rokos

08/27/2010

Film fest honors bombshell Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch has joined the list of honorees at the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival.

The cinema sex symbol will receive an award at the event's gala, Sept. 19 at Pechanga Resort & Casino, the festival announced Friday in a news release.

08/26/2010

"The Kid: Chamaco" going for a KO
'The Kid: Chamaco" will be showing this weekend in Los Angeles as part of Blockbuster's Maya Indie Film Series. The series features seven films and an international roster of filmmakers.

08/19/2010

'Avatar' returns to movie screens Aug. 27
If you're feeling blue

Paramount Pictures is wrapping up a retro summer ("Iron Man 2," singalong version of the 30-year-old "Grease") with a re-release of James Cameron's 2009 hit "Avatar."

This "special edition" comes with additional footage, almost like a DVD. Except it's in 3-D.

"Avatar: Special Edition 3D" opens Aug. 27.

Parody of 'Twilight' sneaks into movie theaters
Anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of the "Twilight" book and movie series can probably figure out the jokes in advance in "Vampires Suck," a movie that sneaked into theaters on Wednesday.

It comes from the makers of "Epic Movie" and "Meet the Spartans" and, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, is their best work to date.

08/18/2010

Riverside family movie series has three more shows
Three shows left

Riverside Downtown Partnerships "Movies and Music on Main Street" summer series will host three more family movie nights before the end of its inaugural season.

08/17/2010

'48 Hour Film Project' screenings set this week in Riverside
Carol Hernandez combined a team full of students, a camera, a passion for film and a toothbrush into the most enjoyable weekend she can recall.

Oh, and there might have been some sleep in there, too, but not much of it.

Video: Inland filmmakers participate in 48-hour film challenge

08/12/2010

Ferengis and tribbles, oh my
Ferengis and tribbles, oh my

In the world of "Star Trek," the Ferengi aliens are known as greedy beings who look out for only themselves and ways to get richer.

The most famous, or infamous, Ferengi is Quark from "Deep Space Nine." In the show, he runs Quark's Bar, a popular hangout on the space station's promenade.

Filmmakers undergo grueling 48-hour festival competition
We had no script, no money, no experience in film and nothing to lose.

We call ourselves Bumblebee Films, but we're really just a group of friends from the Temecula Valley who always wanted to make a movie.

Video: Inland filmmakers participate in 48-hour film challenge

Video: The 48-Hour Film Festival

'The Expendables' is full of macho men
Midway through a session at last month's Comic-Con starring the cast of "The Expendables," an official from the Guinness Book of World Records presented Sylvester Stallone with a plaque honoring his "Rocky" films as the most profitable sports-movie franchise ever.

'Scott Pilgrim vs.' the box office
He's battled seven evil exes, publishing and even Comic-Con.

Now all that's left for the lovable loser is to take over the movie box office with "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," which opens today.

The action comedy with Michael Cera is based on the series of graphic novels about a slacker who must defeat his girlfriend's exes in order to stay with her.

Photo Gallery: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'

Sitcom star puts on art show in Big Bear Lake
Around the time he walked out of his executive office at the CBS Studios for the last time, Dwayne Hickman decided that it was time for his life to take a turn in a completely different direction.

For much of his life, the former child actor who would later become a television executive had worked at a fast pace and been dependent on so many others in order to find success in his career.

08/10/2010

Help-wanted sign up for the Temecula film festival
The call is out for volunteers to do everything from operating movie projectors to chauffeuring celebrities and counting ballots as part of the 16th annual Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival.

About 250 volunteers will be needed during the festival, which is scheduled from Sept. 15-19 at the Movie Experience Theater in the Tower Plaza Center, organizers said.

08/06/2010

"Gone with the Wind" cast relives memories
"Gone with the Wind" is a gift that keeps on giving to downtown Riverside.

The Civil War epic was shown to movie audiences for the first time on Sept. 9, 1939, at what is now the Fox Performing Arts Center.

Since then, it has returned many times, both in national rerelease and in Fox fundraisers.

A screening tonight at the Fox is sold out.

08/05/2010

Fox sells out screening of 'Gone with the Wind'
Tonight, the hottest ticket in Riverside is a nearly 71-year-old movie.

"Gone with the Wind" is returning to the site where it was first screened for the public, the Fox Performing Arts Center, on Sept. 9, 1939.

That long-ago sneak preview is the Fox's main claim to fame, said Steve Lech, president of the Riverside Historical Society.

08/04/2010

Temecula film fest to honor Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins is going to get footloose in Temecula.

The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival will present Loggins with the "Outstanding Career Achievement Award in Music" at this year's festival in Temecula. He will receive his award at the festival's awards gala on Sept. 19 at the Pechanga Resort and Casino's Grand Ballroom.

07/20/2010

Park district, church to show "The Karate Kid"
BEAUMONT

Now playing: "The Karate Kid"

"The Karate Kid" -- the original -- will be shown Tuesday night at Noble Creek Park in Beaumont. Families are asked to donate $1.

The park is located at 650 W. Oak Valley Parkway and the movie starts at sundown. Seating is on the lawn.

07/16/2010

Celebrity look-alikes needed for Temecula film festival
The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival is looking for celebrity look-alikes for the 16th annual festival, which runs from Sept. 15 to 19 at The Movie Experience in the Tower Plaza.

To apply, send a picture to the festival offices at 27393 Ynez Road, Suite 262, Temecula, CA 92591 or e-mail festival@tviff.com. The deadline for pictures is Aug. 30.

07/15/2010

UCR grad competes to be the total package on ABC's 'True Beauty'
Many people claim they are the total package: a perfect combination of good looks and personality. But Taylor Bills may be able to make the title official Monday.

07/09/2010

Temecula International Jazz Festival begins tonight with Ella Fitzgerald tribute
The Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival kicks off at 5 p.m. today with the first of many acts that will pay tribute to legendary singer Ella Fitzgerald.

07/08/2010

'Sorcerer's Apprentice' opens midweek
See ya real soon

Cross "Fantasia" with "CSI: NY" and you get "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," Jerry Bruckheimer's latest reworking of a Walt Disney classic. It opens midweek in glorious 2-D.

07/01/2010

'Eclipse' fans take over Redlands theater
Krikorian Redlands Cinemas 14 was the site of great division this week. There was Team Edwards, and then there was Team Jacobs swarming the theater beginning Sunday morning, three days prior to the midnight Tuesday premiere of "Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

Raw video: Long lines for 'Eclipse'

Photo Gallery: 'Eclipse' opening brings out the Twi-hards

06/29/2010

Fans line up in Redlands to see 'eclipse,' the third Twilight Saga movie
Team Edward scored first place in this competition, and that's no accident.

Video: Fans line up early for 'Eclipse'

06/24/2010

Calling all Trekkers; the summer voyage begins in Riverside
Call it the summer of "Trek" in Riverside.

As part of the new "Star Trek: The Exhibition" at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, 10 of the 11 "Star Trek" films will be screened at the Fox Performing Arts Center.

'Eclipse' opening is turning into a campout
Theater, fans gear up for 'Eclipse'

"Twilight" fans arrived in droves to stake out (no pun intended) tent space at L.A. Live for Thursday's Los Angeles Film Festival premiere of "Twilight Saga: Eclipse." Now Inland theaters are gearing up for the same crowds expected for the release at 12:01 Wednesday, even going so far as to provide porta-potties for campers.

Photo Gallery: 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'

07/23/2010

Watch for live coverage from Comic-Con
Upset about Comic-Con tickets being sold out? We've got you covered.

The Press-Enterprise has a team on the ground in San Diego covering all of the pop-culture madness live.

Everything will be covered from comics, television (with shows like "Psych" and "Burn Notice"), video games and movies (such as "Tron: Legacy" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World").

06/24/2010

Best is yet to come for ShortFest
The Inland desert is a gathering place for filmmakers -- ranging from aspiring to established -- as the Palm Springs International ShortFest wraps up this weekend.

The event, which began Tuesday, features 314 films selected from 3,000 entries worldwide.

The shorts are grouped by theme or content, such as tonight's collection of films directed by or featuring celebrities.

Photo Gallery: Palm Springs International Shortfest

06/23/2010

Forget 'Twilight', teen monsters have made hearts flutter for decades
So, "Eclipse," the latest installment in "The Twilight Saga," hits theaters on June 30. Fan girls and fan boys will line up for everyone's favorite serious teen monster film series.

Will Bella choose Edward the vampire or Jacob the werewolf? Will the good vampires and their werewolf buddies beat the evil vampires who are trying to take over the world? Will Robert Pattinson ever get to have a tan?

06/18/2010

Family movies to be shown for free in Corona this summer
Free movies are being shown at The Crossings in Corona this summer.

The Family Film Festival is being held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays until Aug. 11 at Edwards Corona Crossings, 2650 Tuscany St.

G- or PG-rated are being shown. Meals for children are for sale and seating is limited. Admission is first-come, first-served.

Visit REGmovies.com for more information.

--Leslie Parrilla

06/17/2010

Festival of short films spotlights stars in Palm Springs
Keep it short

The Palm Springs International ShortFest opens Tuesday with 314 films selected from more than 3,000 worldwide entries.

Among them are shorts by movie stars-turned-directors such as Kirsten Dunst and Glenn Close, as well as many stars such as Meryl Streep and Ian McKellan in front of the cameras.

06/08/2010

'Twilight' party ticket discount offered for blood donation
Redlands Community Hospital, LifeStream and the Krikorian Premiere Theaters are sponsoring a "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" premier party.

Inland cities offer free movies for families
Sprawling out on oversized blankets and watching family friendly movies under the stars has become a favorite summer tradition for many in the Inland area.

And it is a tradition that will continue for many families this year in several Inland cities, including Lake Elsinore, Corona, Riverside, and the Pass area.

06/04/2010

Free or cheap family movie showings open for summer
Summer's just around the corner. To keep the kids busy (and out of trouble) and help Mom and Dad go easy on the pocketbook, several movie chains are offering free or very inexpensive family movie specials.

Here's the low-down on a few participating cinemas:

05/26/2010

Inland filmmaker's short screens at Cannes fest
Scott Baker's big break, along with that of his partners, may have needed only six minutes, but in that time he may have moved forward into a filmmaking career that could exceed his dreams.

The former Riverside resident had his film, "Rationed," screened at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in France.

Video: FLIX: Vegan Cannibals Productions

05/20/2010

'Sex and the City' fans to strap on stilettos for premiere parties
Ladies, grab your girlfriends and your Manolo Blahniks.

Fans of "Sex and the City" are welcoming Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte back to the big screen on May 28.

Valerie Arce, of Riverside, is meeting several friends for a viewing party of the original "Sex and the City" movie a couple of days before the sequel opens. She spread the word through Facebook, texting, e-mails and phone calls.

05/14/2010

High school students' animation and video projects will be screened in Menifee on Saturday
About 40 animation and video projects created by high school students will be screened Saturday in the third annual Festival of Animation and Video Entertainment awards event at Mt. San Jacinto College's Menifee Valley campus.

Participating high schools include West Valley in Hemet, Temecula Valley and Rancho Vista, both in Temecula, and Temescal Canyon in Lake Elsinore. Screening starts at 5 p.m.

05/13/2010

'Avatar' producer predicts big things for 3-D
"Avatar" was just the beginning for 3-D, its producer told UC Riverside students this week.

"I think it's only natural," said Jon Landau. "We see our lives in 3-D. ... If you think about it, whether you work on a Mac or a Windows platform, it's the poor man's version of 3-D. You have a window layer on top of a window on top of a window. Why not make them in 3-D space?

Tickets for 'Eclipse,' newest in 'Twilight' saga, go on sale Friday
The next installment in the big screen "Twilight" series opens June 30. Tickets for the midnight premiere of "Eclipse" and subsequent shows go on sale today.

Tickets for the June 29 marathon of all three films are also available for those who need a refresher -- or just want to see three times the Robert Pattinson.

05/12/2010

'Avatar' producer: Magic is made of planning, technology and deals
The producer of "Avatar," which took moviegoers to the mythical planet Pandora, invited UC Riverside students into the world of big-bucks, high-stakes filmmaking on Tuesday.

"You don't need the experience," Jon Landau advised young people trying to launch careers. "All you need is the confidence."

Customers give renovated Fox Cineplex in Banning a thumbs-up
About six months after it reopened, the renovated Fox Cineplex in downtown Banning is drawing rave reviews.

"I think it's great," said resident Mike Riley, who frequented the theater Monday. "The seats are fantastic."

Monday was the first time Steven Recendez of Beaumont had been to the theater since it reopened.

"It looks better," he said. He thought it was somewhat rundown before.

05/09/2010

Friends applaud young 'Iron Man' at Murrieta showing
The matinee performance of "Iron Man 2" at The Movie Experience in Murrieta was packed with fans -- not just of the movie, but of Temecula's 6-year-old Davin Ransom, aka young Tony Stark.

Davin was plays Tony Stark as a child opposite "Mad Men" star John Slattery, who played his father, Howard Stark.

05/07/2010

'CSI' writer/producer encourages Elsinore High students to pursue dreams
David Rambo, a writer and producer for the television show "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," urged seniors at Elsinore High School in Wildomar to focus on what they can do and not on the roadblocks that others may put in their way.

The boy of Iron: Young Temecula actor debuts on big screen in 'Iron Man 2'
Many kids dream of being a super hero, but Temecula's Davin Ransom actually gets to do it -- or at least act like one.

The 6-year-old plays the role of young Tony Stark, who grows up to be the heavy-metal-suited Iron Man in the Paramount Pictures/Marvel Studios sequel, "Iron Man 2."

Among his tasks: "sleeping on my dad's shoulder," Davin said.

05/06/2010

Chickenfoot DVD serves a shot of rock with a comedy chaser
The new DVD "Chickenfoot: Get Your Buzz On" shows why it was such a brilliant idea to name an energy drink Rock Star.

7-Eleven convenience stores are offering 10 collectible "Iron Man 2" cups.
Even though the summer movie season has barely begun, 7-Eleven may already be the box office tie-in champion with its "Iron Man 2" cups.

The convenience store chain is offering a whopping 10 of them: four lenticular Slurpee cups, four Super Big Gulp cups and two molded character mugs.

Mother's Day preview of 'Letters to Juliet'
In a long and distinguished career, Vanessa Redgrave has not done a great many frothy romantic comedies.

Nevertheless, there she is beaming in TV commercials and movie theater trailers for "Letters to Juliet."

The movie opens May 14, but Inland theaters are screening Mother's Day "sneak previews" at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

04/29/2010

Live show makes Groucho's humor timeless
When the Marx Brothers' "Duck Soup" opened first-run at the Fox theater in Riverside on Nov. 26, 1933, it shared the bill with a 20-minute short by torch singer Ruth Etting called "Bye-Gones."

When it returns to the renovated Fox Center for the Performing Arts on May 7, the double feature will be more lavish.

Kenny Rogers kicks off four nights at the Riverside Fox
The Fox Center for the Performing Arts will have four nights of music and comedy in eight days.

Up first is Kenny Rogers, on the heels of celebrating 50 years in show business, performing at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $39-$99.

Humorist David Sedaris, whose skewed tales of his own life have made him a household name to National Public Radio listeners, follows at 8 p.m. Thursday. $37.50-$65.

04/28/2010

Concert movie brings Inland Phish festival to the big screen
A 3-D concert movie filmed in Inland SoCal opens this weekend, but to see it you may need to go on a Phish expedition.

"Phish 3D" is a record of Festival 8. It took place Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at Indio's Empire Polo Club, which over the last two weekends was the site of the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals.

Photo Gallery: Phish Festival 8

04/24/2010

Riverside film fest wraps up this weekend
The moviegoing public has "Experienced the World in 10 Days," embracing the theme of the Riverside International Film Festival. But only two of those days remain.

The eighth annual festival brought about 90 feature films, short-subjects and documentaries to Riverside. It wraps up this weekend with a flurry of critically lauded films and special events at the UltraStar Cinemas at University Village.

04/22/2010

Features and documentaries at the Riverside International Film Festival
The Indian film "7 Days in Slow Motion" will get a special closing-day screening Sunday as the Riverside International Film Festival ends its 10-day run.

The film is about three young students who seize the chance to make a Bollywood film and meet a famous actress after they find a camera belonging to an American tourist.

Also screening at the festival:

04/15/2010

Arrowhead film festival boasts two Hudsons
Operating out of a single location, the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival is admittedly an intimate affair.

And that's just the way the organizers want it.

"People have said year after year 'please don't grow, please don't get bigger, because this is perfect,' " said Mary Dippell, festival president.

Experience world at Riverside film fest
The world comes to the Inland Empire this weekend when the eighth annual Riverside International Film Festival hits the screen.

"Experience the World in 10 days" is the festival's theme, which brings about 90 feature, short subject and documentary films to Riverside.

04/10/2010

Hollywood's Backyard on the Big Screen
Behind movie star Paul Bettany and the vampires he will be hunting in the comic book-based movie "Priest" may be a scene or two that look familiar to visitors of the Soggy Dry Lake in the high desert of San Bernardino County.

And if it weren't for a California tax credit that gave the movie's filmmakers a break, the Inland backdrop may have never reached the big screen.

04/08/2010

'GWTW' actress coming to Fox theater
Ann Rutherford, one of the principals in the cast of 1939's "Gone with the Wind," will visit Fox Center for the Performing Arts, the site where the film was first screened, at 6 p.m. April 16 for the opening gala of the Riverside International Film Festival.

Rutherford, 89, played Scarlett O'Hara's youngest sister, Carreen.

04/15/2010

Features and documentaries at the Riverside International Film Festival
"Bandhobi": South Korea. 107 minutes. A lonely girl runs away from home and encounters a migrant worker named Karim. 11:40 a.m. April 24

"Beyond Limits": USA. 39 minutes. A man born with cerebral palsy struggles to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. 8:45 p.m. Sunday

04/02/2010

Harry Hamlin's Grecian Formula
Since the remake of his 1981 "Clash of the Titans" appeared on the horizon, Harry Hamlin has been talking a lot about his "toga movie."

He poses this question to journalists and sci-fi bloggers as he did to The Press-Enterprise last month on the advent of his trip to Perris Skydiving School for a reality-TV shoot:

03/30/2010

Fans can choose nominees for MTV Movie Awards
Film fans will choose the nominees and winners of the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Viewers of the irreverent awards show can log on to movieawards.mtv.com beginning at noon EDT Monday and submit their choice nominees in 13 categories. Submissions will be accepted until April 9.

Any 2009 film or performance is eligible for consideration in categories including best villain, best fight and best kiss.

03/17/2010

Glen Avon Library hosts former state Supreme Court justice
Cruz Reynoso, the first Latino justice on the California Supreme court, is the special guest at a March 24 showing of the film "Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice" at the Glen Avon Library.

Appearing with Reynoso will be filmmaker Abby Ginzberg.

Reynoso, the child of farm workers, worked as a lawyer and in 1982 was appointed to the California Supreme Court. He was voted out of office in 1986.

03/16/2010

Team Wal-Mart or Team Best Buy? Big box chains offer 'Twilight' bonuses
"Twilight" has a special place in the hearts of the series' fan base, and the DVD release of "New Moon" is so special and big it gets its own release date.

While most DVD releases come out on Tuesdays, this Saturday belongs to Twihards.

Many retailers are pulling out all the stops offering different "Twilight"-related material to go along with the DVD.

03/12/2010

How the famous got punked
Over the years, "Little Billy" learned much from the country's top minds.

03/11/2010

Coming at you: More 3D movies than ever
John Clendenen, 36, is practically a movie studio's dream.

The Riverside resident doesn't own a TV, and on a recent Friday he bought two tickets to the IMAX 3-D showing of "Alice in Wonderland" at the AMC Tyler 16 in Riverside for himself and his daughter Geneveve, 8.

Photo Gallery: 3-D Movies in 2010

Put on your 3D glasses for explosion of movie dazzlers
The range of 3D movies announced for 2010 goes beyond the realm of talking dogs -- although they are represented.

These features are on the calendar for coming months.

"Hubble": March 19. Warner Bros. and IMAX promise to take viewers on a journey to distant galaxies as viewed through the lens of the space telescope.

Photo Gallery: 3-D Movies in 2010

03/07/2010

'Avatar' director wins different award from Temecula-area environmentalists
The award winners won't be announced until tonight, but "Avatar" writer and director James Cameron already has one in his pocket.

It's not an Oscar, but the Temecula Environment Award for Outstanding Social Responsibility in Media.

03/04/2010

California Theatre showcases its Wurlitzer with 'Thief of Bagdad'
The California Theatre of the Performing Arts will give its mighty Wurlitzer a workout this weekend at a screening of "The Thief of Bagdad."

The 1924 silent movie stars Douglas Fairbanks, Hollywood's first action superstar, and was directed by Raoul Walsh.

03/03/2010

Riverside International Film Festival unveils 2010 poster
Artwork by Don Daniels has been chosen for the poster of the Eight Annual Riverside Film Festival.

Banff Film Festival set for March 31 in Redlands
The Banff Mountain Film Festival will screen at 7 p.m. March 31 at Redlands High School's Clock Auditorium, 840 E. Citrus Ave., Redlands.

The film festival, which showcases independent films about mountain culture and the environment, is held each November, then a variety of the films go on a World Tour. More than 700 people attended last year's Inland showing.

03/01/2010

'Alice' comes in three formats: 2D curious, 3D curious or 3D curiouser
"Alice in Wonderland" will be popping up like mushrooms after rain at Inland theaters.

Most venues will have 12:01 a.m. shows on Friday.

Tim Burton's film uses the Lewis Carroll books as a jumping-off point for his vision, which judging from movie stills makes James Cameron's "Avatar" planet look like a strip of lawn in Riverside's Fairmount Park.

Photo Gallery: "Alice in Wonderland"

02/26/2010

San Bernardino library schedules teen events in March
Teens will be able to watch movies, catch up on social networking and play video games during March at the San Bernardino Public Library.

The library will show movies in the Bing Wong Auditorium at 3 p.m. Tuesdays. From March 7 to 13, teens will be able to update MySpace and Facebook pages. The Beatles Rock Band video game will be available at 3:30 p.m. March 11 and 3 p.m. March 25 in the Literacy Department.

02/22/2010

'Hurt Locker' takes 6 prizes at UK film awards
LONDON -- Britain's love of the underdog triumphed Sunday as intimate war drama "The Hurt Locker" beat 3D spectacular "Avatar" to take six prizes, including best picture, at the British Academy Film Awards.

Kathryn Bigelow won the best-director battle with "Avatar"'s James Cameron, her ex-husband, for her intense depiction of a bomb-disposal squad in Iraq.

Photo Gallery: BAFTA film awards

02/19/2010

UC Riverside hosts a film festival with a French twist
The Tournées Festival at UC Riverside, which is running through Feb. 25, is screening films as part of a network of French film festivals across the United States funded by the French American Cultural Exchange Council (FACE).

02/17/2010

NEW ON DVD: 'Law-Abiding Citizen' is a blast
Taking a cue from the movie side of the business with only one big release this week, "Shutter Island," the DVD end has one big release: "Law Abiding Citizen."

The film, which stars Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler, follows a man who seeks revenge against the justice system when the murderer of his family gets set free.

Butler plays the grieving father and Foxx as the lawyer he is going after.

02/07/2010

'Twilight' star Facinelli bedazzles thousands of fans in Temecula appearance
"Twilight" mania descended upon The Promenade mall in Temecula on Saturday afternoon -- and no, Twihards, you didn't miss the premiere of "Breaking Dawn."

02/04/2010

'Avatar' sails past 'Titanic' in U.S. sales
James Cameron's "Avatar" has sailed past his blockbuster "Titanic" to become No. 1 on the all-time domestic box-office chart.

"Avatar" climbed to $601.1 million domestically on Tuesday, putting it a fraction ahead of the $600.8 million haul for "Titanic."

02/02/2010

TapouT attracts filmmakers to Grand Terrace
TapouT's plant in Grand Terrace was the scene of movie world premiere on Monday with a red carpet running through a warehouse past shelves of T-shirts to a brand-new movie theater.

The Charles "Mask Lewis Theater is named in honor of the late co-founder of the mixed martial arts clothing manufacturing business. Lewis died in a Newport Beach car crash in March.

Photo Gallery: "Unrivaled" Film Premiere at TapouT

01/30/2010

Corona short film screens at San Diego festival
Corona-based filmmakers will have their work shown this weekend at the 2010 San Diego Black Film Festival.

"Carpool" was directed by Courtney Brandon. The 10-minute film was shot in four days in Riverside and Chino, according to producer Vivian Brandon.

It tells the story of a young woman whose life is complicated by having a boyfriend in prison.

01/27/2010

Disney community lines up membership events for 2010
D23, Disney's official community for its fans, has scheduled several special events for its members throughout 2010.

Among them are two-hour, behind-the-scenes tours of the studio lot and the Walt Disney Archive in Burbank on Feb. 13, April 10, Aug. 14, and Nov. 13.

There will also be a party at Disneyland on March 10 and screenings of classic movies such as "Pollyanna" and "The Sign of Zorro."

Michael Jackson's 'This is It' makes it to home video
The range in new releases this week in DVDs has to be a retailer's dream come true.

Four notable releases and a DVD for almost everyone.

"This is It" DVD.

The big release of the week is the Michael Jackson concert film/documentary "This is It."

01/26/2010

Hemet Theatre, saved from fire, is still threatened
One of the Inland Empire's oldest movie theaters has been as significant a part of growing up for San Jacinto Valley residents as their first kiss, first taste of independence and first job.

And so when Oneida Montemayor-Barrera heard a rumor that the 442-seat Hemet Theatre on Florida Avenue had burned down Wednesday, "I felt like I lost someone," she said.

01/14/2010

Film pays tribute to Martin Luther King in song
TUNEFUL HISTORY LESSON

'Soundtrack for a Revolution" is a natural fit for Martin Luther King Day.

The documentary traces the history of the civil rights movement from Rosa Parks' bus protest to King's assassination through the prism of the spirituals that activists sang to fire up their spirits.

Four more days left for the Palm Springs International Film Festival
By now, most of the movies at the Palm Springs International Film Festival have screened at least once.

But there are four more days of movies coming up and a few surprises left.

The festival concludes on Martin Luther King Day with a reprise of audience favorites selected from questionnaires handed out at each screening.

Titles of audience favorites were not available at press time.

Boxing film premiere brings San Bernardino native back to the IE
in the ring

San Bernardino native Kirk Harris said his time as an Inland boxer prepared him for his latest film.

"Chamaco" will get its U.S. premiere at 7:30 Saturday at the Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs.

Youthful filmmaker turns out award-winning feature
All over it

The youngest director at the Palm Springs International Film Festival said he made his film in 24 days, which is three days more than the number of years he has been on earth.

Xavier Dolan is also the screenwriter, producer, art director and star of "I Killed My Mother," which at 20 gives him at least one more hat than Orson Welles wore on "Citizen Kane" when he was 24.

01/13/2010

Filmmakers heat and serve 'Expecting Mary' to audiences
Producer Kim Waltrip seems to like it hot. Her feature "Adopt a Sailor" was shot in August, 2007, with her Palm Desert home dressed to resemble a New York apartment.

Photo Gallery: Film 'Expecting Mary' will premiere in Palm Springs

01/09/2010

Pentagon Papers figure attends film screening in Palm Springs
Daniel Ellsberg, notorious in 1971, received a VIP welcome at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Friday.

Ellsberg altered the course of U.S. history when he released 7,000 pages of sensitive, smuggled information about the Vietnam War known as the Pentagon Papers to The New York Times and other news media.

01/05/2010

Stars come out for Palm Springs Film Fest gala
Tuesday evening got a little brighter in the Coachella Valley when the 21st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival kicked off with its awards gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

When stars such as Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood stepped out of limousines, flashes snapped and fans cheered from behind barricades across the street.

Video: Celebs arrive for the Palm Springs film festival

Photo Gallery: Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala

Video: Mariah Carey stirs up Palm Springs Film Festival

Photo Gallery: Backstage at the Palm Springs film festival awards gala

01/02/2010

Movie industry heads Inland to Palm Springs International Film Festival
The movie industry renews its Inland ties next week with the arrival of the 21st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Beginning Wednesday, the festival will screen 189 films from 70 countries.

More than a third of them will be premieres. Organizers say they are presenting seven world premieres, 11 North American premieres and 57 U.S. premieres.

01/01/2010

Lineup of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Jan. 5-18, 2009
"1981," Canada -- Coming-of-age tale about an 11-year-old liar. Director: Ricardo Trogi

"About Elly," Iran -- Drama about upper-middle-class Tehranis on a seaside holiday. Director: Asghar Farhadi

"Adrift," Vietnam -- Story of tangled loves in modern Vietnam. Director: Bui Thac Chuyen

12/30/2009

Quentin Tarantino, Marion Cotillard to be honored at film festival
Oscar winners Quentin Tarantino and Marion Cotillard have been added to the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Tuesday .

Cotillard will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Actress Award and Tarantino will receive the Sonny Bono Visionary Award.

Photo Gallery: Palm Springs film festival honoree Marion Cotillard

Special Section: Palm Springs Film Festival

12/29/2009

Academy library hosts new members of movie history

Tim Allen goes 'Crazy' directing first feature
Tim Allen makes his directorial debut in the comedy "Crazy on the Outside," which opens Jan. 8. He also stars in the movie.

12/22/2009

Guy Ritchie hopes hard work pays off with 'Holmes'

12/21/2009

Avatar pulls in $9.5 million on IMAX screens
IMAX Corp. said Monday the film "Avatar" made $9.5 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend in 178 of its theaters in the U.S.

Tom Ford swaps fashion for film with 'Single Man'
Fashion designer Tom Ford has made a seamless transition to filmmaker with "A Single Man," the soulful, immaculately styled story of a grieving college professor in 1960s California.

Family says Brittany Murphy was ill days before death

12/22/2009

Dancer pays $4K to stay in 'Christmas Story' house
A reality TV star gets to spend a couple of nights living like Ralphie in the house used for the movie "A Christmas Story."

12/19/2009

IMAX arrives: Riverside theater gets Avatar-propelled upgrade
With the opening of director James Cameron's "Avatar" an IMAX screen has come to Riverside.

Friday, AMC Tyler 16 theater unveiled its new IMAX theater to audiences with screenings of the film in 3D.

12/18/2009

Santa Claus conquers the morons: Worst Christmas movies ever
Everyone has a favorite moment from a special Christmas movie.

Lionel Barrymore snarling at James Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life." Little Natalie Wood striding into her dream home in "Miracle on 34th Street." And, of course, Flick trying desperately to remove his flash-frozen tongue from the metal pole in "A Christmas Story."

So bad he's brilliant
In some not too far-fetched parallel universe, Jeff Bridges really might be living the life of a boozy country singer.

Bridges seems like the real thing in "Crazy Heart," rasping out songs in the comfortable remnants of a whiskey-and-tobacco-seared voice that you might swear you've heard on a hundred jukeboxes in a hundred anonymous roadhouses.

A hit that misses
When a film brashly asserts that it will change moviemaking forever, one feels the urge to either take its "king of the world" arrogance down a notch or hail it as the masterpiece it claims to be.

But what if there's a third option?

Odd number
Title-wise, the musical "Nine" registers half a digit higher than "8 ½," the Federico Fellini masterpiece that inspired the stage show that was the source for this new movie version.

On a scale of 1 to 10, though, "Nine" comes in somewhere around a 5, maybe 5 ½.

Carlo Ponti's mom returns to the big screen
Loren back on the big screen



Sophia Loren, who in recent years has been in the city of San Bernardino more frequently than she has been on American movie screens, returns to the cineplex for the first time since 1995's "Grumpier Old Men" in "Nine."

Studios hope ensemble cast will boost Blu-ray
Although prices for some Blu-ray players dropped below $100 this holiday season, customers are hesitating to jump into the next-generation video format. Even people who already own Blu-ray players are still buying movies on DVDs.

One big reason: Blu-ray discs won't play on standard DVD players found in cars, computers and bedrooms.

UCR scientist to talk on role in 'Avatar'
Jodie Holt, a UC Riverside scientist who provided botanical expertise for Pandora, the extraterrestrial moon in James Cameron's new film, "Avatar," will participate in a Q&A Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Edwards Ontario Palace Stadium 22 & Imax.

Find out the ABC's of 'Avatar'
Deep in the jungle forests of the planet Pandora, film director James Cameron has planted a message.

It is as timeless as any that humankind has become accustomed to here on the planet Earth, encompassing good versus evil, a struggle for freedom over tyranny and of doing the right thing for man and nature despite culture, morphology and overwhelming odds.

Oscar winner Jennifer Jones dead at 90
Jennifer Jones, the beautiful, raven-haired actress who was nominated for Academy Awards five times, winning in 1943 for her portrayal of a saintly nun in "The Song of Bernadette," died Thursday. She was 90.

Sarah Jessica Parker Q&A: New movie, New Yorker

12/17/2009

UCR botanist helped make the alien world for Avatar more believable
At this week’s cast and crew premier of the new James Cameron film “Avatar,” most of the audience was probably caught up in the action and characters on the distant fictional moon, Pandora, a lush rain forest-like world.

Carlo Ponti's mom returns to the big screen
Loren back on the big screen



Sophia Loren, who in recent years has been in the city of San Bernardino more frequently than she has been on American movie screens, returns to the cineplex for the first time since 1995's "Grumpier Old Men" in "Nine."

Big Macs unlock the world of 'Avatar'
'Avatar': I'm lovin' it

McDonald's has gone from San Bernardino drive-in to global domination. But that's not enough.

Today's release of "Avatar" takes McDonald's into outer space -- and into the mind of James Cameron.

UCR scientist to talk on role in 'Avatar'
Jodie Holt, a UC Riverside scientist who provided botanical expertise for Pandora, the extraterrestrial moon in James Cameron's new film, "Avatar," will participate in a Q&A Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Edwards Ontario Palace Stadium 22 & Imax.

Find out the ABCs of 'Avatar'
Deep in the jungle forests of the planet Pandora, film director James Cameron has planted a message.

It is as timeless as any that humankind has become accustomed to here on the planet Earth, encompassing good versus evil, a struggle for freedom over tyranny and of doing the right thing for man and nature despite culture, morphology and overwhelming odds.

Will Cameron's mix of FX and emo pay off?
It's got characters with blue skin and inspired a Happy Meal.

But "Avatar" isn't "The Smurfs."

It's a PG-13 fantasy film from James Cameron, and some say it's his biggest and boldest creation.

Santa Claus conquers the morons: Worst Christmas movies ever
Everyone has a favorite moment from a special Christmas movie.

Lionel Barrymore snarling at James Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life." Little Natalie Wood striding into her dream home in "Miracle on 34th Street." And, of course, Flick trying desperately to remove his flash-frozen tongue from the metal pole in "A Christmas Story."

Robert Wagner to talk about memoir
Morongo Casino Resort and Spa is launching a celebrity authors series with Robert Wagner, who has starred in three TV series and appeared in notable films from the 1953 "Titanic" to "Austin Powers."

Wagner will discuss his 2008 memoir, "Pieces of My Heart" at 2 p.m. Saturday. His daughter Katie Wagner will join him.

Hugh Grant returns to films after 2-year absence

Clooney, Streep, Bullock among SAG Awards nominees
"Up in the Air," "Precious" and "Inglourious Basterds" led the Screen Actors Guild Awards with three nominations each Thursday, among them honors for George Clooney, Diane Kruger and Mo'Nique.

Palm Springs film festival reveals what it will be screening
"The Last Station" will be the opening film of the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 7.

The announcement was made Wednesday in a press release that included a big chunk of the two-week-plus event.

The festival plans to announce the rest of its schedule on Monday.

12/16/2009

Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, dies at 79
Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney whose powerful behind-the-scenes influence on The Walt Disney Co. led to the departure of former chief Michael Eisner, has died. He was 79.

Once an underdog, Reitman now an Oscar favorite
Two years ago, director Jason Reitman's "Juno" was the consummate Oscar underdog. An independent film without A-list stars, it went on to earn four Oscar nominations, winning best screenplay for Diablo Cody.

12/15/2009

'Nine' adds up few numbers shy of Fellini
Title-wise, the musical "Nine" registers half a digit higher than "8 1/2," the Federico Fellini masterpiece that inspired the stage show that was the source for this new movie version.

'Up in the Air' leads Golden Globes with 6 noms
The recession-era tale "Up in the Air" led Golden Globe film contenders Tuesday with six nominations, among them best drama and acting honors for George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick.

12/14/2009

NY Film Critics name 'The Hurt Locker' best film
The Iraq war drama "The Hurt Locker" added to its award-season momentum, winning best film from the New York Film Critics Circle.

Johnny Depp can't get used to winning awards
Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp suspects he'll never get used to receiving awards for his acting work.

Downey turns supersleuth in 'Sherlock Holmes'
Robert Downey Jr. is an actor at the top of his game — already a big-screen superhero, now an iconic super-sleuth.

'Basterds,' 'Nine' among top Critics' Choice picks
"Inglourious Basterds" and "Nine" lead contenders for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards with 10 nominations each, including best picture, the Broadcast Film Critics Association announced Monday.

'Princess and the Frog' hops to No. 1 with $25 million
"The Princess and the Frog" earned a big wet kiss from family audiences as the animated musical leaped to No. 1 with $25 million in its first weekend of nationwide release, according to studio estimates Sunday.

12/11/2009

Documentary peeks at Fidel Castro's human side

Reitman, Burnett, Renner add to Palm Springs Film Festival honorees
The Palm Springs International Film Festival has beefed up the presence of two year-end movies at its opening gala.

One of them, "Up in the Air," is already among 2009's most acclaimed films. The other, "Crazy Heart," opens next week.

Photo Gallery: Jeremy Renner of 'Hurt Locker' to be honored by festival

Special Section: Palm Springs Film Festival

Effects wow but story limps in 'Avatar'
When a film brashly asserts that it will change moviemaking forever, one feels the urge to either take its "king of the world" arrogance down a notch or hail it as the masterpiece it claims to be.

12/10/2009

Cameron's 'Avatar' has premiere in London
James Cameron's sci-fi extravaganza "Avatar" was getting its public premiere in London Thursday, and the movie industry is watching intently to see whether it will match the success of the director's blockbuster "Titanic."

12/09/2009

Miss. girl voices princess-to-be in Disney film
Elizabeth Dampier doesn't get the royal treatment at home, even though the 5th grader plays a princess-to-be on the big screen.

Hollywood breaks revenue record of $9.68 billion
Hollywood has set a new box-office record as the year's domestic ticket sales head beyond $10 billion for the first time.

'New Moon' director defends woman in film's taping
The director of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is coming to the defense of a Chicago woman facing prison time for videotaping part of the film.

Palestinian files $110M libel suit over 'Bruno'
A Palestinian shopkeeper and father portrayed as a terrorist in the movie "Bruno" is suing film star Sacha Baron Cohen, David Letterman and others for libel and slander.

Eastwood, Freeman back in saddle for 'Invictus'
Nelson Mandela made it clear that Morgan Freeman was the man he would want to play him in a film.

12/08/2009

Gervais says stars in for teasing at Golden Globes
Ricky Gervais said he plans to play it loose and off-the-cuff as host of next month's Golden Globes, with Frank Sinatra and his pals as role models.

Hollywood counters reality with decade of escapism
In an era that brought harsh reality home with the war on terror and an economy gone bust, Hollywood became more of a dream factory than ever, embracing fantastic escapism at a time when audiences needed it most.

Can Cameron deliver Titanic results on 'Avatar'?

12/07/2009

Palm Springs film festival honors Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges, whose catalogue of movie characters runs the gamut from "The Last American Hero" to "The Big Lebowski," will get one of the Palm Springs International Film Festival's bigger, more heroic awards.

Bridges is this year's recipient of the Desert Palm Achievement Award. In year's past, the award has gone to such actors as Sean Penn, Daniel Day-Lewis and James Stewart.

Photo Gallery: PS Film Festival to honor Jeff Bridges

'Blind Side' eclipses 'New Moon' with $20 million weekend
The Warner Bros. sports tale had been runner-up for the previous two weekends to Summit Entertainment's vampire romance "New Moon," which fell to second place with $15.7 million.

12/04/2009

Awards watch: Animation
Films such as Focus Features' "Coraline," Fox Searchlight's "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and the independent "Mary and Max" stand out as personal visions that are as closely identified with the personalities and tastes of their creators as anything released this year. And, with enough qualifying films to fill five nomination slots instead of three, it's more likely than ever that multiple styles will fight it out to the end for the big prize.

DiCaprio set for animated feature

12/03/2009

NBR names 'Up in the Air' best film of year
"Up in the Air" was named best picture from the National Board of Review and won a total of four awards.

All-star cast promotes premiere of musical 'Nine'
Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Daniel Day-Lewis have appeared in London at the world premiere of the Hollywood movie "Nine."

Oliver Stone says greed is legal in 'Wall Street 2'
Hollywood filmmaker Oliver Stone is again taking on the financial world in a sequel to 1987's successful "Wall Street," but this time he said greed is not only good — it's legal.

12/02/2009

New 'toon continues Disney trend toward diversity
For most of the last century, the Disney 'toon heroine was as white as, well... Snow White, the studio's first feature-film superstar, who marked her debut in 1937's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

12/01/2009

Clooney's 'Up in the Air' flies true
The rather whiny tone of Walter Kirn's "Up in the Air" vanishes in Jason Reitman's extreme makeover of this travelogue comedy about a guy who traipses across America, firing people for a living while greedily counting the miles built up in his frequent-flyer program.

11/30/2009

Temecula singer to be memorialized in film
In a sense, Elizabeth "Bipsy" Amirian wrote her own movie.

In journals, songs and blog posts, the Temecula woman chronicled her troubled past and spiritual rebirth.

It's a work that ended too soon. On Feb. 12, the 27-year-old who was preparing to release her first CD was killed, prosecutors allege by her fiancé, in a Temecula mall parking garage.

11/29/2009

Season's specials, movies
The creative forces behind "Yes, Virginia" know they face daunting odds.

At this time every year, TV programmers serve up shiny, new holiday-themed fare, only to have viewers discard most of it like crumpled wads of gift wrap. When it comes to seasonal fare, the stuff that's new rarely generates the same interest as the tried-and-true.

Director kept 'Road' focused on dad, son
Halfway through the filming of "The Road," director John Hillcoat made a difficult decision: No matter what, he was going to remain faithful to Cormac McCarthy's novel, about a father and son traveling across a post-apocalyptic landscape -- even if such a promise meant shooting a seemingly unfilmable scene involving cannibals and a baby.

Social (networking) butterfly celebs learn pitfalls of baring all in public
So, you fail to take a deep breath and to count to 10 -- and you post something you probably shouldn't on Twitter or Facebook, or somewhere else online.

Hopefully, it blows over without doing too much damage. But what if you're famous and have thousands, if not millions of virtual followers?

Vampires Reconsidered
I attended Career Day at Highgrove elementary where a young lady told me how much she loves to read. About vampires.

I don't live in a coffin. I know vampires are the rage. But I've always been wary of proponents of any liquid diet.

11/25/2009

AMC Tyler theater goes IMAX
Big-time blockbusters coming to Riverside are about to get a little bit bigger.

The AMC Tyler 16 movie theater at the Galleria at Tyler is adding an IMAX screen.

IMAX uses digital sound, theater geometry and super-clear images to basically surround viewers in a movie.

'Old Dogs' proves a mangy mongrel

Bruni-Karkozy says 'yes' to Woody film proposal
Woody Allen has successfully courted France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Kingsley to play Mogul emperor who built Taj Mahal
Ben Kingsley, famous for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Indian independence hero Mohandas Gandhi, is reaching deeper into the country's history with a new role as the Mogul emperor who ordered the construction of the Taj Mahal.

11/24/2009

'Ninja Assassin' sports a dull blade

'Princess and the Frog' is a hearty hop
"Princess and the Frog" isn't the second coming of "Beauty and the Beast" or "The Lion King." It's just plain pleasant, an old-fashioned little charmer that's not straining to be the next glib animated compendium of pop-culture flotsam.

11/25/2009

AMC theater in Riverside adds an IMAX screen
By the time James Cameron's 3D film "Avatar" debuts on movie theater screens Dec. 18, fans in auditorium No. 1 at the AMC Tyler 16 in Riverside will have an up-close experience, for an extra price.

The auditorium has been retrofitted with an IMAX screen, curved and positioned closer to the audience, and an audio system to match, said AMC spokesman Justin Scott.

11/23/2009

Weekend Report: 'New Moon' opens with deafening howl
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" dawned with a hot-blooded estimated $140.7 million on approximately 8,500 screens at 4,024 sites over the weekend, charting as the third highest-grossing opening behind only "The Dark Knight" and "Spider-Man 3" and the biggest of 2009.

Bulls escape on set of film starring Cruise, Diaz
Seven bulls being used on the set of a film starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz have broken free in Spain and slightly injured two people.

11/22/2009

Owner's family adds detail to tale of wallet found during Banning theater's makeover
Mystery solved.

The former wife of Clyde W. "Lefty" Mize has been located. And she is ready to claim his wallet, which turned up recently during the remodeling of the Old Fox Cineplex Theatres in Banning.

11/21/2009

Dream comes true as legions of 'Twihards' donate blood
The idea came to Nikyah Thomas-Peiffer in a dream.

The results were like a dream come true.

Hundreds of people lined up to donate blood across the street from the Krikorian Theater in Redlands on Friday afternoon, part of a campaign by Redlands Community Hospital to tie in the good deed with the opening day of the vampire and werewolf film "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

11/20/2009

'2012' a home run with patriotic fans in China
"2012," currently No. 1 in the U.S., is also No. 1 in China, grossing $17.2 million here since it opened Nov. 13.

11/21/2009

Short films duke it out at festival
This weekend in Riverside, a battle of filmic proportions will take place.

The Knight of Shorts Film Festival returns and filmmakers fight to win the title of Knight of Shorts Champion.

At the festival, the audience will vote for their favorites which then move on in a tournament-type setup. Think of it like a short film version of March Madness, just without the statistics and complicated brackets.

Twi-hards wait long hours for transfusion of fresh Twilight
When the doors opened to the movie-theater lobby at 11:22 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Plaza, Cal State San Bernardino student Misty Vu, 19, ran in with a look of victory.

11/20/2009

'New Moon' plays it by the book
The moon may be new, and the director may be different (Chris Weitz takes over the reins from Catherine Hardwicke), but otherwise, the second installment of the "Twilight" saga remains, for better or worse, exceptionally faithful to its 2008 beginnings.

Want some turkeys with your turkey?
Thanksgiving will be a big day for leftovers -- in movie theaters.

"New Moon," "A Christmas Carol" and other films suitable for family gatherings will still be packing cineplexes. And there's always "2012."

Joining them on Wednesday are three new releases.

Let's see how they fit into your holiday ritual.

11/19/2009

15 documentary features make Oscar's short list
Of the 89 documentary films eligible for Oscar consideration this year, 15 were selected for a short list of potential nominees. And Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" wasn't one of them.

Capsule reviews: 'Twilight,' 'Blind Side' and more

Jason Reitman documents promotion of his new film
ason Reitman, the director of "Juno" and "Thank You for Smoking," has spent much of October and November promoting his new film, "Up in the Air," all the while documenting the process.

Disney's 'The Princess and the Frog' comes with extras
Seeing "The Princess and the Frog" at Walt Disney Studios isn't the only way to get on a back lot -- tickets are free for "The New Adventures of Old Christine" at Warner Bros. across the freeway in Burbank.

It is, however, the only way to see "The Princess and the Frog" on the West Coast before it opens nationwide on Dec. 11.

11/18/2009

'Twilight' sequel goes worldwide
Summit Entertainment's sequel "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" will have a ferocious box office bite as it unspools today in a pack of foreign territories before opening in the U.S. at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Zhang considers war drama, romance as next project
Looking for a new project after finishing a comedy, Zhang Yimou is considering adaptations of novels set against China's Cultural Revolution and the Japanese invasion in World War II, his assistant said Wednesday.

Cage uncuffs inner bad cop for 'Bad Lieutenant'

11/16/2009

Fan frenzy at LA premiere of 'New Moon'
Thousands of fans from as far away as New York filled the streets near UCLA on Monday, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite undead stars attending the evening premiere of "New Moon" — the second film in the "Twilight' vampire saga.

'Twilight' hunks part of film's heartthrob history
The "Twilight" series itself is about first love. "New Moon" centers on Bella Swan, an ordinary teenager in love with the mysterious Edward Cullen (Pattinson), who comes from a family of vampires. Edward is romantic and otherworldly, and though he literally hungers for her, he's gentle and protective. But he leaves and Bella finds comfort with her loyal, longtime friend Jacob Black (Lautner), whom she later discovers belongs to a lineage of werewolves.

Lauren Bacall, two others receive early Oscars
Actress Lauren Bacall, B-movie king Roger Corman and "Godfather" cinematographer Gordon Willis each received Oscar statuettes during the black-tie banquet at the Grand Ballroom above the Kodak Theatre, the same room where the annual post-Academy Awards Governors Ball is held.

'2012' has worldwide box-office bang of $225 million
Doom spelled dollars at the box office as the global-disaster tale "2012" opened at No. 1 domestically with $65 million and pulled in $225 million worldwide.

Courtney Cox ready to shriek again in 'Scream 4'

11/13/2009

Scorsese earns DeMille lifetime honor at Golden Globes
Director Martin Scorsese is receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement at the Golden Globes.

Film honors NYC defense attorney William Kunstler
The documentary, "William Kunstler: Disturbing The Universe," by Emily and Sarah Kunstler, is being released at theaters in New York on Friday and Los Angeles this month.

Next 'Saw' horror movie to be in 3-D
Indie Hollywood studio Lionsgate said on Thursday it was moving ahead with "Saw 7," which will be in 3-D.

McGraw to perform at San Manuel
On Nov. 20, the morning after his Inland concert, Tim McGraw opens in Sandra Bullock's third movie of the year.

Publicity photos for "The Blind Side," from Warner Bros., show the country star without facial hair, bling and the black hat that usually hides the top of his head.

"The Blind Side" is an inspirational football film.

Fans gear up for next chapter in 'Twilight' saga
The next chapter in the "Twilight" saga begins in theaters on Nov. 20, and "Twi-hards" already are making plans.

"New Moon" features a heartbroken Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) as she struggles through her senior year of high school after Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) disappears from her life in an attempt to protect her from the dangers of the vampire world.

11/12/2009

Lucy Liu film highlights child trafficking
Actress Lucy Liu, who has produced a film about children sold into the sex trade in Cambodia, says the fight against human trafficking will be long.

11/11/2009

Review: 'Pirate Radio' rolls when it should rock
The best thing to say about Richard Curtis' "Pirate Radio" is that it's all about the music, man. The Kinks, the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, Jimi Hendrix — these are the stars of "Pirate Radio," and the well-chosen songs are the main thing keeping the film afloat.

Fox opening hardly late
Fans of bargain movies in Banning likely will have only 10 more days of enduring television reruns and renting flicks at video stores.

The Fox Cineplex Theatres in Banning, which closed Aug. 24 for extensive renovation, is expected to open Friday, Nov. 20, with new coats of blue, gold and royal purple colors.

'Twilight' fans urged to give blood at Redlands movie opening
Heads up, Twihards.

Here's a chance to turn your "New Moon" obsession into a good deed. And get some cool swag, too.

A Redlands Community Hospital marketing manager's fascination with author Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight Saga" -- a tale of vampires, werewolves and teenagers set in the Pacific Northwest -- has led to a novel approach to a blood drive.

Review: The end not soon enough for '2012'
As the destruction of "2012" spirals around the globe, one can't help a quaking feeling watching the mayhem — especially in a theater cackling at its absurd cheesiness.

PS Loves Morgan Freeman: Oscar-winner to be honored at festival
Morgan Freeman will receive a career achievement award Jan. 5 at a gala awards ceremony kicking off the 21st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The awards gala, hosted by "Entertainment Tonight" anchor Mary Hart, will kick off the event at at the Palm Springs Convention. The Festival runs Jan. 5-18.

Photo Gallery: Palm Springs Honoree Morgan Freeman's movies

11/10/2009

Review: Army drama 'Messenger' delivers fitfully
After Kathryn Bigelow served up the first great Iraq War film with this year's "The Hurt Locker," Oren Moverman delivers a moderately engaging homefront counterpart on "The Messenger," a story that strays about without finding its center.

Animated films could impact Oscars

11/09/2009

Paramount offers content to ZillionTV
Like several of its competitors, Paramount is buying into the idea of ZillionTV, offering up content and taking an equity stake in the young VOD company.

Rain's ninja role draws inspiration from Lee, Chan
South Korean pop star Rain says he drew inspiration from fellow Asian stars who successfully crossed over to Hollywood when he prepared for his first leading role in an American film.

11/06/2009

'New Moon' fans asked to share some blood
"Twilight" fans are being asked to get in a vampire frame of mind and share some blood Nov. 20 at the Redlands Cinema 14 Krikorian Theater.

The theater has teamed up with Redlands Community Hospital and LifeStream blood banks for the "New Moon" blood drive from 2-7 p.m.

"New Moon," the second movie in the "Twilight" series, based on the Stephenie Meyer book series, opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 20.

Thesps bear down on 'Yogi'

Tom Hanks, others screen 'Beyond All Boundaries'
Actors Tom Hanks, Patricia Clarkson and James Cromwell walked the red carpet Thursday before a private screening of the Hanks-produced war film "Beyond All Boundaries" held at the World War II Museum in New Orleans.

11/05/2009

Cameron Diaz finds terror in 'The Box'
Boxed in

To borrow the wisdom of Forest Gump's mom, "The Box" is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.

That's because a review of the thriller wasn't available at press time.

IMAX comes to a Temecula movie theater
Regal Entertainment Group announced Tuesday that a new IMAX Experience screen will debut Friday at its Edwards Temecula Stadium 15, starting with midnight showings of the 3-D "A Christmas Carol."

Comedian Mo'Nique gets serious in 'Precious'
In a recent interview, Mo'Nique talked about her role in the film, her recent weight loss and putting her "diva" ways behind her.

11/04/2009

Tom Hanks-produced '4-D' film comes to WWII Museum
Actor Tom Hanks says viewers are in for a realistic "wartime experience" when the new film he produced, "Beyond All Boundaries," opens at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans on Friday.

'Fourth Kind' is a half-baked mess
The flat-lining, alien-abduction thriller "The Fourth Kind" offers a close encounter that buries an interesting idea under a barrage of gimmicky, carnivallike hokum.

Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to co-host Oscars
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are taking on the Oscars.

11/03/2009

Oh, no, Ralphie! Tacky gifts under the tree!
If kitsch tops your holiday gift list, it's not too early to start shopping.

Cleveland's "A Christmas Story House & Museum," devoted to the Jean Shepherd bad-taste holiday classic featuring Ralphie and Randy Parker and their put-upon folks, has an on-line gift shop.

Featured this season:

11/02/2009

Network TV's arch nemesis, the DVR, now seen as blessing
In what may seem to be a media business version of the Stockholm syndrome, television network executives have fallen in love with a former tormentor: the digital video recorder.

'This Is It' tops charts with $101M worldwide
The film was the No. 1 Halloween thriller domestically with a $21.3 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, Paramount's low-budget horror sensation "Paranormal Activity," slipped to No. 2 with $16.5 million, lifting its total to $84.8 million.

10/30/2009

Jackson's 'This Is It' draws $20.1M worldwide
"Michael Jackson's This Is It" has landed on top of the domestic box office with $7.4 million in its first day and $12.7 million overseas.

That gives the film documenting Jackson's rehearsals for his planned concert tour a worldwide total of $20.1 million.

NEW ON DVD: Ice Age enters two new worlds
The third in a thinning franchise, "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" plunges its loving, affably voiced herd of animals into two daunting worlds (rendered in 3-D, natch): that of parenthood and that of hungry dinosaurs.

10/29/2009

Viral video ignites interest in former Riverside girl's life sentence
More than 15 years ago, a slight 16-year-old girl killed her former pimp inside a Riverside motel room, shooting him in the neck with a pistol when he turned his back. She took $1,500 from his pocket and the keys to his Jaguar.

Review: 'This Is It' a homage to Jackson greatness
Watching "Michael Jackson's This Is It" will have fans grieving once again, but this time, it won't only be for the fallen King of Pop, but for what we lost -- a brilliant entertainer who gave every inch of his body and soul for what might have been one of the most spectacular comebacks of all time.

10/26/2009

Harmless animated action fare
'ASTRO BOY'

Rating: PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language.

What it's about: a scientist creates an indestructible robot version of his son after the boy dies.

The kid attractor factor: An animated boy with rockets for legs.

'Paranormal Activity' slays 'Saw' with $22 million box office
"Paranormal Activity" has won a weekend battle of fright films over part six of the "Saw" franchise. Paramount's upstart chiller "Paranormal Activity" went into nationwide release and took over the No. 1 spot with $22 million. That compares to just $14.8 million for the debut of "Saw VI," a franchise that has been an annual Halloween fixture since 2004. It was the worst opening ever for Lionsgate's "Saw" series, whose previous low was $18.3 million for the original movie.

Crowded theaters build momentum for 3-D at home
Fans scrambled to see 3-D movies such as "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" in theaters this year and new 3-D televisions could soon have home viewers feeling as if they're surrounded by a spaghetti hurricane on their couches.

10/29/2009

Documentary showcases the Joshua Tree music scene
Joshua Tree and the surrounding desert communities have been attracting artists and musicians for decades. It took a first-time New York filmmaker to put some perspective on it and capture the flavor of the quirky place in "Nowhere Now," a documentary making its television debut tonight on KCET-TV.

The 2005 film has been screened at several film festivals since its completion.

10/26/2009

Netflix movie streaming coming to PlayStation3
PlayStation 3 owners will soon be able to stream movies and TV shows from Netflix to their TVs using the gaming console, just as Xbox 360 owners have been able to do for a year.

10/23/2009

'To Kill a Mockingbird' actress dies in NC
The actress who portrayed the false accuser in the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird" has died of brain cancer in North Carolina.

For sure it is real: 'This is It' arrives next week
Months of buildup culminate in the release of the Michael Jackson album "This is It" on Monday, followed by the film of the same name.

"Michael Jackson's This is It" officially opens Wednesday, but movie theaters all over Inland Southern California will have previews at 9 p.m. Tuesday and a few, such as Mission Grove at 121 E. Alessandro Blvd. in Riverside, will have a 11:45 p.m. screening as well.

Hollywood gushes bloodsuckers in vampire boom
Vampires have been an eternal force in Hollywood horror since silent-movie days, yet they have risen to new heights as the "Twilight" franchise, TV's "True Blood" and other incarnations put the bite on viewers.

In studio flicks, independent and foreign-language films and small-screen series, there are more bloodsuckers out there today than you can shake a wooden stake at.

10/22/2009

Capsule review of 'Amelia'
Considering the risks Amelia Earhart took, losing her life in the call of aviation, Hilary Swank and director Mira Nair don't put much on the line in their film biography of the pioneering flyer.

'Saw VI' hits Inland theaters at midnight Friday
Production designers find a creative use for hot plates as Caroline Cave faces an unpleasant challenge in "Saw VI." These movies don't tend to cost a lot of money to make -- various Internet sources tend to put the production budget at $11 million. They tend, however, to make pots full of money. The five previous films have grossed $342,510,598, according to Box Office Mojo.

Nicole Kidman says Hollywood probably contributes to violence
Nicole Kidman conceded Wednesday that Hollywood has probably contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak sex objects.

10/21/2009

Horror movie marks MTV's drive into scripted shows
Friday's premiere of "My Super Psycho Sweet 16", a horror movie inspired by the hit MTV reality series "My Super Sweet 16", is the first of four original movies due to air over the next 12 months. Other programs in the works include a comedy series and a U.S. remake of the British teen drama "Skins".

Review: 'Cirque du Freak' a vampire Frankenstein
"Cirque du Freak" might be the single most overstuffed movie of the year. You have a high school film crossed with a vampire film crossed with a mutant film crossed with Willem Dafoe cameos.

For sale: Stage where James Dean's career began
The stage in a long-closed central Indiana high school where James Dean first performed is up for sale.

10/20/2009

Detroit faces seige by Hollywood movie
Several blocks of downtown Detroit will be closed off for up to two weeks during the filming, which appeared to have little impact on traffic flow, but drew curiosity seekers on foot.

French doc uses emotion to argue for organic food
"Food Beware," which First Run Features released Friday in New York, follows the children as they grow a garden, eat the organic food and learn about the importance of consuming food without chemicals.

Director to donate to Japanese dolphin hunt town
The director of a secretly filmed documentary that shows the annual dolphin hunt of a Japanese town said Tuesday he'll give the town the profits from screenings in Japan — if they end the hunt.

10/19/2009

Disney Studios opens its gates for 'Princess and the Frog'
Walt Disney Studios is giving its upcoming animated features "The Princess and the Frog" royal treatment by opening its gates to the public.

The musical will have an "advance special engagement" Nov. 25-Dec. 13 at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.

Judge refuses to block Chris Rock film
A federal judge has refused to halt the release of the Chris Rock film "Good Hair."

Top lobbyist for Hollywood movie industry leaving

Spotlight on influential comedy of Monty Python
It's certainly fitting that "Monty Python's Flying Circus" hit the American consciousness at the same time as the computer age.

Random-access memory powers them both.

In the same way computers connect scattered bits of information, this celebrated sketchfest assembled arbitrary targets and comic styles right from its October 1969 debut on BBC telly.

10/16/2009

'Phantom' haunts California Theatre on Saturday
The California Theatre of the Performing Arts will test the strength of its 1920s "Mighty Wurlitzer" on Sunday with a screening of the silent classic "Phantom of the Opera."

Video: Organ tunes up for 'Phantom' screening

WB's kidpic battles 'Couples,' 'Citizen'
Warner Bros. is getting in touch with its wild side with Spike Jonze's "Where the Wild Things Are" entering the frame at 3,735 locations. The live-action fantasy stars newcomer Max Records as the boy who runs away to a realm populated by talking beasts.

Puppy love: Gere waxes about dog movie
Richard Gere said Friday that he "cried like a baby" when he read the script of his new movie — a remake based on a cherished Japanese story about a faithful dog that died at a train station waiting for its owner.

10/15/2009

Inland horror movie fans among million who launched 'Paranomal Activities'
For many movie goers, the start of Paramount Pictures' new release "Paranormal Activity" seemed like any other low-budget horror flick.

"People were saying it was going to be just like the 'Blair Witch Project,' " said Cher Davis, a Redlands resident who saw the movie the first night it was released at the Redlands Krikorian Theater. "People were laughing and saying it was lame.

Paramount DVD release dates angers exhibs
Paramount's recent move to schedule two DVDs for release less than three months after their theatrical openings has renewed hostilities between Hollywood studios and movie theater operators.

Owen, Keener to star in Schwimmer's 'Trust'
Clive Owen and Catherine Keener are starring in the drama "Trust," David Schwimmer's second foray into directing.

Barney, Bob the Builder head to theaters
Barney, Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank Engine are coming to movie theaters.

'Wild Things' stars reflect on Sendak's classic
Before joining the cast of "Where the Wild Things Are," the actors had fond memories of Maurice Sendak's picture book about an unruly boy's journey to a make-believe realm of monsters after he's sent to his room without his supper.

10/14/2009

'Fantastic Mr. Fox' to launch London film fest
Wes Anderson's animation movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox," featuring the voice of George Clooney, has its world premiere on Wednesday on the opening night of the London film festival.

Afghan director: Insurgency threatens movie scene
A Golden Globe-winning Afghan director who made the country's first post-Taliban movie says he's worried the group's resurgence may threaten artistic freedom again.

'Paranormal Activity' achieves abnormal success
Over the second weekend of midnight shows, "Paranormal Activity" expanded to 20 more markets where it got the most requests from a Web site the studio had set up. Fans continued to vote, deciding the movie's next destinations as it went into all-day release in 46 markets this past weekend; the studio plans to continue rolling the movie out to more theaters based on what towns request it the most.

Holy superlosers! Superfriends lost episodes should stay lost
COMICS: Repackaged episodes of "Superfriends" on DVD not worth a super-spin

Clooney, Streep in London for film festival gala
Like the London Film Festival, Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is a mix of British grit and American glamor.

10/09/2009

'Star Trek' exhibition opens in Hollywood
Are they making a logical choice?

"Star Trek: The Exhibition" is boldly going to a venue across the hills from Universal Studios, where its source material is being roasted in the comedy revue "Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure."

Blu-ray brings out nuances in Disney classics
As we get older, we seem to lose our taste for the kind of dense, buzzing detail that characterizes the illustrations in children's books. We move away from Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak and toward leaner, cleaner, more abstract visuals -- from the Gothic to the Modern. That's also the direction that Walt Disney's great feature animations took as they developed over the decades.

Universal offers cinematic thrills for Horror Nights
Universal Studios Hollywood has redone its Halloween Horror Nights for 2009, according to its creative director.

"The big message this year is all-new everything," said John Murdy in a phone interview. "That means all new mazes, all new scare zones, all new shows and an all-new Terror Tram experience."

10/13/2009

Megan Fox, Hugh Jackman to appear at 'Scream 2009'
Megan Fox, Hugh Jackman, Tobey Maguire and Quentin Taratino will celebrate the creepy and otherworldly at "Scream 2009."

Sendak, ever untamed, sees 'Wild Things' adapted
About the hoopla surrounding the film adaptation of "Where the Wild Things Are," Maurice Sendak is characteristically gruff.

10/12/2009

Actress, movie maker barred from leaving Iran-report
Iranian authorities prevented a well-known movie actress and a film maker from traveling to the United States because of their activities after a disputed election in June, a newspaper reported on Saturday.

Lucy Liu drawn to 'Nomads'
Lucy Liu is starring in the Mexican-produced "Nomads," an English-language drama.

'Anvil' an unlikely awards contender
It's hard to imagine a film that's taken a more circuitous route to awards season, or a public screening, than the Canadian heavy-metal documentary "Anvil: The Story of Anvil."

Hollywood Film Festival hands out kudos
The Hollywood Film Festival has tapped Julianne Moore with supporting actress award, actor Bradley Cooper with its comedy nod and Ryan Kavanaugh with its producer kudo.

Fans check in for 'Couples Retreat' with $35.3 million
"Swingers" co-stars Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau buddied up for the weekend's top movie as "Couples Retreat" debuted with $35.3 million, while the micro-budgeted fright flick "Paranormal Activity" leaped into the top 10.

Filipino directors: Don't pander to festivals

Charlize Theron cancels 'Tourist' trip
Charlize Theron has opted out of the thriller "The Tourist," to which she has long been attached, and sources say Angelina Jolie is in talks to replace her.

10/09/2009

The Tao of Tinseltown
Major cracks have opened up in the studio infrastructure. There have been regime shifts at three studios, bankruptcy looms over another, costs are being cut mercilessly and both production and development money is hard to come by.

Kristen Bell cast in 'Burlesque'
Kristen Bell will star as Christina Aguilera's rival in "Burlesque," Screen Gems' musical drama being directed by Steve Antin.

'Couples' takes on Sony holdovers
Universal will have some breathing room at the box office this week with romantic comedy "Couples Retreat" as the only wide opener.

Hollywood's calling A.R. Rahman
Hollywood is finally getting to know A.R. Rahman, the short, humble and deeply religious man who took two Oscars home to southern India for his work on "Slumdog Millionaire."

King Kong figurine used in 1930s movie up for sale
A tiny King Kong figurine that helped launch the career of one of cinema's biggest monsters is going up for sale, Christie's auction house said Friday.

10/08/2009

Chicago fest kicks off with 'Motherhood'
Chicago International Film Festival founder Michael Kutza wants his event to take the city's mind off last week's loss of the 2016 Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro.

Britain pins Oscar hopes to 'Afghan Star'
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has picked Havana Marking's documentary "Afghan Star" to represent Britain in the race to secure an Oscar foreign-language film nomination.

Secretariat's story heading to big screen
"Secretariat" has begun filming in Kentucky with Diane Lane portraying owner Penny Chenery and John Malkovich cast as trainer Lucien Laurin.

10/06/2009

Review: Mulligan radiates in 'An Education'
Sixteen-year-old Jenny learns the ways of the world in the coming-of-age drama "An Education," but there's a revelation in store for us, as well. We get the pleasure of meeting an exciting young actress who surely deserves to become a star.

Kentucky honors native son Clooney with arts award
Kentucky is honoring native son George Clooney with an award from the governor.

'Zombieland' slays rivals
The living dead led the weekend box office as Woody Harrelson's horror comedy "Zombieland" debuted at No. 1 with $24.7 million.

After two weekends in first-place, the animated hit "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" was a strong No. 2 with $15.8 million.

09/22/2009

Skies clear for No. 1 film 'Chance of Meatballs'
The forecast was bright at the box-office for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," which earned $30.1 million to lead this weekend's films.

Sony's 3-D animated family comedy was adapted from the popular 1978 children's book by Judi and Ron Barrett. Despite schools being back in session, the film still was able to draw kids and their parents to the multiplexes.