Tom Hanks works on behalf of the Vaticanin Angels and Demons.By Hap Erstein Although critically maligned, Ron Howard’s film version of The Da Vinci Code did pull in over $750 million worldwide, enough to get Hollywood interested in cranking out a sequel.And they found it in author Dan Brown’s screen worthy earlier yarn, Angels and Demons, now turned into a follow-up … [Read more...]
Film review: ‘The Class,’ France’s Oscar nominee came up short, but is a class act
Francois Begaudeau in ‘The Class.’By Hap Erstein Just days after the Academy Awards, a film called The Class arrives, and this little Oscar-worthy gem is a class act. France’s foreign language film nominee, it is a perfect antidote to all those wildly inspiring Hollywood movies where a cares-too-much teacher breaks through to an unruly group of students, turning them into … [Read more...]
Film Reviews: A trio of so-so releases hit theaters this weekend
The animated Coraline.By Hap ErsteinHere are a few short takes on movies opening in the area this weekend, none of which is completely satisfying, though each has reasons for a half-hearted recommendation. * Coraline — In the recent spurt of animated films, this latest creepy entry from director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) at least avoids being … [Read more...]
Film review: No ‘Doubt’ about the superlative performances
Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius in Doubt.By Hap Erstein Hollywood demands happy endings that will leave an audience reassured and uplifted. John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play — and now movie — prefers disquieting ambiguity. But if he has no intention of presenting us with the answer to the moral puzzle he spins (not whodunit, but … [Read more...]