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" »

Chatting on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Knocked Up's Katherine Heigl announced she'll be adopting a 10-month old Korean special-needs child named Naleigh. (Here's hoping the tot will immediately be nicknamed "McBaby.") Heigl is no stranger to adoption: Her sister Meg was also adopted from Korea. But being a sibling and a mother are two different things; Heigl could probably use some tips and there's no end of instructive examples from the movies. Some good, some bad, but all with their own unique perspectives on the process. Such as...

1. Orphan (2009)
Advice: Get the birth certificate.
It's nice to take a little girl from an orphanage and give her a new life, but Heigl might want to check for a few things first: Is little Naleigh very precocious for her age? Does she have a weird European accent? Does she wear a ribbon around her neck? If so, chances are she's actually a 33-year-old murderous pedo-prostitute with a growth disorder. You never know.

2. The Cider House Rules (1999)
Advice: Make sure you know what you're doing.
Tobey Maguire is adopted twice in this 1999 drama. The first time, his parents return him for being too quiet! The second time, they beat him. Eventually, Maguire finds that the place he most belongs is the orphanage he started out in. The lessons here? Be more tolerant of silence, and don't beat your child, or they'll end up having sex with Charlize Theron and taking Michael Caine's old job. No one wants that to happen.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Katherine Heigl Can Take Adoption Advice From Orphan (or Superman)" »

It was the warble heard round the world this week, as Whitney Houston's comeback performance on Good Morning America turned into a big letdown. Houston and company complain she lost her voice talking to Oprah Winfrey, but regardless of the reason, Whitney has some major image rehabilitation to do. Our suggestion? Make another movie! The Bodyguard (1992) proved that Houston has box office cred, and if she looks at all the other singers who've successfully renewed their careers on the silver screen, she'll see she's in good company.

1. Queen Latifah, Chicago (2002)
The first lady of hip-hop had an extremely successful, somewhat abbreviated rap career in the late eighties/early nineties, which led to some minor success as a singer and actress in the years that followed. But it wasn't until she was cast as Mama Horton in the acclaimed movie musical Chicago that she burst into the mainstream. The lesson? Skip lame comedies like Barbershop and set your sights on Oscar gold.

2. Kris Kristofferson, Lone Star (1996)
Kristofferson is an interesting case, because he was never doing badly, per se. Still, however respected he was as a country artist, the performer never found financial success. After being cast in John Sayles' Oscar-nominated drama, Kristofferson found a renewed (and lucrative) career as an actor, landing roles in movies like Blade and the Planet of the Apes remake. Guy could be doing a whole heck of a lot worse.

Continue reading "Flashback Five - Whitney's Voice May Be Going, But There's Always Hollywood" »