So which team are you on? Team Jacob? Team Edward? Team What-the-Heck-Is-He-Talking-About? Whichever side you choose, there's no denying that Twilight is a sensation. Except... There's nothing here we haven't seen before. Think The Coreys. Think Luke Perry. It's all just a wash of screaming, crying prepubescent girls. So if you feel like Twilight fever will never end, take a look back at the biggest tween sensations of the last decade or so. Take solace: Nothing lasts forever...

1. Twilight (2008)
Every couple of years, tweens get all excited up about vampires again. First, there was The Lost Boys. Then, there was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This time around, it's Twilight. The first Twilight movie rocketed Robert Pattinson to dreamboat status. This weekend, he's back...and dreamier than ever.

2. High School Musical (2006)
Drop the snide comments about High School Musical 3. The first movie in this song-and-dance bonanza rates as the biggest where-the-heck-did-that-come-from success in recent movie history. The second one counts as an equally surprising, how-the-heck-did-they-do-that-again. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are now household names. Now that's tween power!

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Tween Sensations (Twilight: New Moon, You're Nothing New)" »

Starting this Sunday, we'll all know him as Number Two. But until The Prisoner premieres, Ian McKellen will continue to be known for his impeccable gravitas and his stunning performances as one of the greatest actors of our time. McKellen actually got a late start, working for years in smaller roles and sticking mostly to the Shakespearean stage -- but he's more than made up for that in the past twenty years. Read on for a summation of his greatest big screen hits.

1. The Lord of the Rings (2001)
You could probably pick any of the three movies from McKellen's most famous role, the Middle-Earth wizard Gandalf, but for our money, The Two Towers showcases the best of the lot. Killed at the end of the first movie, McKellen gets a spectacular sequence in the next in which he explains that he came back to life by eating moths and flying to freedom on giant eagles' wings... An explanation which, despite how silly it sounds, is totally sold by McKellen's magnetic performance.

2. X-Men (2000)
Speaking of which, McKellen's second most famous role is that of Magneto, Master of Magnetism, in the X-Men movies. Though McKellen is center stage in the first movie, it's his complicated portrayal of Eric Lensherr, and his relationship with Patrick Stewart's Professor Xavier that form the backbone of the series. Superheroes can often come off as silly, but McKellen's Magneto is nothing less than a threat to be reckoned with, and sometimes, pitied.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Ian McKellen's Finest Movie Moments" »

The "Scarface" that launched a thousand rap careers, Al Pacino is known as much for his on-screen histrionics and catchphrases as he is for his legitimate acting. Chances are, though, you only really know his biggies: Godfather, Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, and of course the list goes on. Perhaps it's time to broaden your Al Pacino horizons? Read on for a list of the ten best Pacino movies you've never seen.

1. The Merchant of Venice (2004)
Shakespeare's classic tale was given a modern-ish spin, casting Al Pacino's Shylock as a sort of dark anti-hero. Though the movie was a commercial failure, critics thought Pacino brought a unique intensity to the role that, in a certain sense, redefined one of drama's oldest characters. All this, and Pacino isn't even Jewish! Which is why it's called acting, remember?

2. Chinese Coffee (2000)
Here's one you've probably never seen because for a long time, Pacino wouldn't let anyone see it. The movie was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival and not released until years later as part of a forgotten, low-selling box set. He shouldn't have held it back: The movie is a heartfelt night-long conversation between Pacino's character, and the late Jerry Orbach, that plays like an all-male Before Sunrise.

Continue reading " Flashback Five - The Ten Best Al Pacino Movies You've Never Seen" »

Don't worry, Michael Jackson fans, you still have one last time to say goodbye to the King of Pop, as High School Musical director (and frequent Jackson collaborator) Kenny Ortega has edited together rehearsal, interview, and concert footage of Jack-O into the new documentary/concert film "This is It." This isn't the first time Hollywood has jumped backwards through flaming hoops to make a buck off a deceased star, it's just the most recent. How have other moviemakers dealt with the problem? Glad you asked.

1. The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (2009)
Heath Ledger was halfway through filming Terry Gilliam's latest weirdo epic when he unexpectedly passed away. The ever-resourceful Gilliam decided to use a pre-existing plot point: Ledger's character travels through dimensions, and can change his appearance! So when the movie is released later this year, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law will all be playing Ledger in a tribute to their friend. Fingers crossed for them.

2. Superman Returns (2006)
How do you have Marlon Brando reprise his role as Superman's father two years after his death, and more than twenty years after he last appeared in a Superman movie? Easy: You use footage shot for Superman II that was never used. When director Bryan Singer was filming his, er, tribute to the Donner movies, he negotiated with the Brando estate, and history was made! Or it would have been, if anyone had actually seen Superman Returns. 

Continue reading "Flashback Five - This Is It Isn't the First Movie to Bring a Star Back From the Dead" »

Oh, Balloon Boy. For a few precious hours you commanded our attention and love. You gave us something to Twitter about. But it was all for naught, since it turned out your parents were pulling a fast one in an effort to land that latest and greatest of American dreams: A reality TV show. And when the truth came out, the country -- nay, the world, turned against you. Still, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to movie fans, who've seen more than a few audacious hoaxes exposed on-screen, such as...

1. The Hoax (2007)
After concocting an increasingly elaborate story about penning Howard Hughes' autobiography, Clifford Irving (Richard Gere) is forced to come clean when Hughes himself denies the hoax. Irving confesses in exchange for reduced jail sentences for him and his wife, though they still end up in jail. So in Irving's case, it isn't until he's forced to confess that he admits to his lie... And he pays the consequences.

2. Shattered Glass (2003)
Like The Hoax, Shattered Glass is also based on a true story, this time of New Republic reporter Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen), who fabricated most (or all) of the stories he wrote for the magazine. But even when confronted with the truth by a lawyer, Christensen just sits silently rather than admitting to the ruse. The lesson here? Lie, lie, lie.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Balloon Boy Exposed! How Do Movie Fakers Fess Up When the Time Comes?" »

Earlier this week, pop superstar Leona Lewis had the unfortunate experience of getting either slapped or punched in the face (reports differ) at a book signing in London. As the slapper was dragged away by the police, he screamed, "I love you Leona!" Though we bet that Lewis will get better in time, she might want to be thankful she didn't have to deal with some of the most obsessed fans in movie history, like these...

1. Paul Aufiero (Patton Oswalt), Big Fan (2009)
In this one, it's the fan that gets slapped around. Spotting his idol, New York Giants player Quantrell Bishop, on Staten Island, Patton Oswalt trails the footballer all the way to a strip club in Manhattan and stalks him as he hangs out with his friends. Probably not deserving of the beatdown that ensues, but pretty creepy nonetheless.

2. Syndrome (Jason Lee), The Incredibles (2004)
Murdering superheroes and trying to take over the world is certainly one way of telling your idol you love him... Supervillain Syndrome (Jason Lee), snubbed by hero Mr. Incredible when he was younger, concocts a complicated plan to draw the attention of his idol by saving the city from evil robots he himself created. Most super-fans don't quite have Syndrome's budget, alas.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Leona Lewis' Slap-Happy Stalker No Match for Super-Fans in the Movies" »

David Letterman shocked the world this past week with the shocking news of the multiple affairs he'd had with Late Night staffers. Some think it was a smart way to control the conversation; others think it was just plain bizarre, even for Dave. Either way, his nonchalence was worthy of note! Of course, he's a product of these modern times - things weren't always so easy for philanderers, as a trip back through the movies makes plain...

1. Troy (2004)
Helen of Troy lets her husband Maneleus know she's cheating on him by running away with her lover (and starting a major war). This sort of behavior may have been acceptable in ancient times, but really, a simple Dear John letter would have sufficed.

2. Unfaithful (2002)
When Diane Lane's adulterer comes clean about the affair she's been having with a young Frenchman in a conversation with her husband (Richard Gere), her candor yields some unexpected results: Turns out her husband murdered her playmate in a fit of rage! Not the outcome you want, generally speaking.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Letterman Admits His Extramarital Affairs in a Monologue. How Do the Movies Do It?" »

As you may know, director Roman Polanski was arrested this week in Switzerland as a result of his fleeing the United States 30 years ago after he plead guilty to unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl. Some members of Hollywood are up in arms. Their argument? Polanski is a brilliant filmmaker who doesn't deserve to be persecuted for a crime committed long ago, and that his victim has forgiven him. Great artistic achievement itself shouldn't excuse criminal behavior. But here's a question: What has Polanski directed that inspires such adulation? Following is an overview of his finest moments on the big screen in the English language.

1. The Pianist (2002)
The only movie to snag Polanski an Oscar for Best Director, The Pianist is an incredibly personal film as the story is grounded in the director's real-life escape from the Warsaw Ghetto in World War II. Arguably the most accomplished and heartfelt work of Polanski's career, this is justifiably his masterpiece.

2. Chinatown (1974)
This 1974 neo-noir is rightly considered a classic, but why? Is it Polanski's direction? The Oscar-winning screenplay by Robert Towne? The stellar performances by Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston? It's hard to say, but Polanski's hand re-invigorated noir, and his facility for crafting strong characters is on full display.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - A Look Back at the Movies of Controversial Director Roman Polanski" »

Someone get Jude Law a cigar! The Sherlock Holmes star's fourth child was born this week in New York City. The baby girl was born to Law's erstwhile tryst partner Samantha Burke and joins Law's growing brood, which includes three by a previous marriage with actress Sadie Frost. A non-traditional family, to be sure, but at the movies, non-traditional, gigantic families have been the norm for years. Of course, how they presented the phenomenon has totally changed over time...

1. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
First a 1948 book, then a movie, then a Steve Martin vehicle, Cheaper by the Dozen was based on the true life experiences of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, who raised (you guessed it) a dozen children on their own. In the 2003 movie, conflict arises when the mother goes on a book tour, and the dad has to take care of his college football team, and despite some initial anarchy, everything turns out OK. So post-millennial!

2. Angela's Ashes (1999)
Based on Frank McCourt's memoir of his large family moving back to Ireland from America, this flick's family comprised anywhere from four to three children at any given point. (Sadly, many of the children died from malnourishment and terrible living conditions, and others popped up to take their places.) Though released in the '90s, the movie takes place in the '30s or '40s -- when having tons of kids wasn't funny at all, because you really had no say in the matter.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Jude Law Gets His Real-Life Cheaper by the Dozen" »

There's no doubt that Jessica Simpson watching her tiny maltipoo puppy Daisy being carried away by a coyote was a horrible, horrible scene that will scar the pop star forever. But Simpson isn't giving up hope -- a dog finding service has put the word out about the pup, and Simpson (or at least her assistant) has been putting up signs all over town. Perhaps she should look to the movies instead: Movie dogs always find their way home, and their trajectories are often the stuff of legend.

1. Bolt (2008)
In this recent movie, Bolt is one of the biggest Hollywood stars in the world, a dog on a show about a genetically modified super dog. Catch is, he thinks the show is real, and after accidentally escaping, has to deal with the real world for the first time. He finds his way back just in time to actually save Miley Cyrus from a blazing inferno! So chin up, Jessica: All you have to do to get Daisy back is throw your life into mortal peril.

2. 101 Dalmations (1996)
Disney's classic tale gets the live action treatment, courtesy of the late, great John Hughes in this remake. In case you're one of the few people who hasn't seen any of the movie (or stage) versions, the diabolical Cruella De Vil kidnaps Dalmatian puppies in order to turn their hides into coats. After befriending various animals, the Dalmatians return home to their owners, their numbers increased to the titular 101. Sociable little Daisy is sure to make friends on her journey, so the takeaway here is that it's time to make room for more dogs.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Any Fan of Animal Pics Knows Jessica Simpson's Pup Will Find Its Way Home" »