THE REVENANT Review — It Will Make You Shiver
Brutal and punishing, intriguing and mesmerizing, The Revenant stands alone in its sheer mastery of the medium. While you might not be able to say you enjoyed it, you can’t help but be in awe of it. And although it’s a man against nature wild western, a genre that is not among my favorites, in my…
My Critics Choice Nominations — Did STAR WARS Make the Cut?
You’ve probably been hearing a lot of announcements lately about awards nominations and winners; Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, National Board of Review, not to mention the city specific critics organizations like L.A. New York, Chicago film critics, etc. And you might have noticed one glaring omission: Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Jon Hotchkiss' Adorable Puppies — Home Sweet Television Network
This may look like your typical Sherman Oaks home with a drought tolerant yard, but something more lurks behind that wrought iron gate. Owner Jon Hotchkiss, a TV veteran with 14 Emmy nominations to his credit, has created his own TV network here. He fetchingly calls it Adorable Puppies Inc., and has everything he needs to shoot, produce, edit and…
CREED Review — It's a Knock Out!
Knock me over with a feather, I have to admit Creed is one of the best family films of the year. And I thought it was going to be a cheesy attempt to revive Rocky for a new generation. Creed goes far beyond reviving the franchise — it gives birth to a new one that I think it will connect with viewers just…
THE DANISH GIRL Review — Not Buying Into the Hype
Get ready for a review unlike any other. I’m giving The Danish Girl my “Emperor’s New Clothes” award this year, because it covers the politically correct issue du jour — transgenderism, and there’s so much heavy hitting talent involved that many critics are afraid to criticize it or see the film’s flaws. Most members of the…
Star Wars Force 4 Fashion Recruits Haute Designers for Charity
In all my days as a film critic, I don’t think there’s ever been a more all engrossing, highly anticipated film than the latest Star Wars installment, The Force Awakens. Now even high fashion designers are getting into the spirit, collaborating with Bloomingdale’s on a charity project entitled “Force 4 Fashion,” which gives all us couture cultists…
THE HUNGER GAMES MOCKING JAY PART 2 Review — Whistling Away
As a fan of the franchise — both the books and the films — I’m disappointed. The heroic Katniss deserves a much bigger and better tribute. The fourth and final installment, made by splitting the third book in two to reap more profit from the franchise, is a grim, gray, glum slog, with only a few…
THE GOOD DINOSAUR Review — No Dynamite Here
Regardless of what I say, parents are going to take their kids out to see Pixar’s latest offering, The Good Dinosaur. And that’s not a bad thing. Kids will love the Dino Does the Old West theme, and won’t mind the fact that the big green guys look like something conceived by a student in Animation 101.…
Pet Gift Guide: Paw Pack Passes Frankie Feldman Field Test
If you love your pets like we all do here At Home in Hollywood, you’ve already started thinking about what you’re going to get your furry friend for Christmas, and what you’re going to give to their doggone buddies. Hollywood Hound Frankie Feldman presented me with his Santa list two weeks ago. So the opportunity to check out the…
LOVE THE COOPERS Review — Too Soon?
I have to pay respect to companies like Nordstrom, a retail chain that has vowed to deck no halls for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. I kind of wish the distributors of Love the Coopers, an “I’ll be home for Christmas” movie with an all-star cast, would have taken Nordstrom’s lead and not released the film until December.…
