L.A. Times - Movie News

Cormac McCarthy's rugged road to respectability

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The writer had been dismissed as an eccentric with 'horrible' style and a hacky, regional view. Now, the much-anticipated film 'The Road,' based on his Pulitzer-winning novel, opens Wednesday.

So many people are killed -- so graphically -- in some of his books that it's almost unimaginable. In his latest novel, it's after the end of the world, and besides wandering and waiting, almost nothing happens. He's renowned for his dialogue, but tends to ignore plot and doesn't use quotation marks.

'New Moon' poised for biggest box office day ever

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:55:19 -0800

Walt Disney -- prince or toad?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The studio pioneer's detractors insist that he was racist and mean. A deeper look shows that the truth about the man is far more complicated.

Even before it opens later this week, Disney's new animated feature, "The Princess and the Frog," is already considered something of a cultural and animation landmark. After centering cartoons on a Middle Easterner ("Aladdin"), a Native American ("Pocahontas"), an Asian ("Mulan"), and a Hawaiian ("Lilo & Stitch"), Disney animation has entered the post-racial era. The new film features a black protagonist alongside the green one.

John Woo revisits Chinese roots with 'Red Cliff'

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

It's been 16 years since the influential filmmaker turned his vision to China. The historical epic combines Woo's large-scale production skills with an inspirational story designed to uplift Asian you

"I've always wanted to be a global filmmaker," John Woo said in an interview at his Manhattan hotel last month.

'Transmedia': A brave new world in entertainment marketing

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

USC professor Henry Jenkins coined the term to explain how an array of platforms can be used to enrich media's impact on the public.

Can a bench tell a story?

Opinions pour from expanded 'Mondovino'

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Advocacy journalist Jonathan Nossiter probes further into globalization's effect on winemaking.

At once a punch-drunk love letter to the expressive possibilities of wine and a boozy rant against clubby wine-world politics, Jonathan Nossiter's "Mondovino" is also among the most vigorous cinematic explorations of globalization and its discontents.

New on DVD: 'Funny People' is funny and otherwise

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Also: 'Angels & Demons,' 'Four Christmases,' 'Gomorrah' and more

Also: "Angels & Demons," "Four Christmases," "Gomorrah" and more

Fans scream with delight for 'Twilight: New Moon'

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Midnight screenings of the vampire film draw long lines. 'omg unbelievably thrilling!' says one tweet.

They were 99.9% sure they were going to love it.

'New Moon' smashes 'Potter' midnight ticket sales record

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:52:23 -0800

According to four people close to the movie, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" sold more than $22.2 million worth of tickets in midnights shows last night, the all-time record set this summer by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Movie projector: 'New Moon' headed for $90-million-plus launch

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:39:24 -0800

Edward and Bella's latest bite at the box office looks like it will be the second biggest of 2009.