Bill Murray’s latest film, “St. Vincent,” isn’t exactly one of his greatest. It’s actually kind of mawkish and cringe-inducing. But we’re glass-half-full around here, so we’re going to seize the chance to turn this into a positive. Murray stars as Vincent, an alcoholic, misanthropic veteran living in a run-down Brooklyn...
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Five Most
Michelle Monaghan’s Five Favorite Female Performances
Michelle Monaghan has shown her versatility in a wide variety of films over the years, from comedies like "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and "Made of Honor" to dramas like "Gone Baby Gone" and "North Country" to sci-fi thrillers like "Source Code" and "Eagle Eye." But she's been at her best...
Read moreRevisiting Five Most — Great ’80s Soundtracks
In a very cool bit of music news, the “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtrack has topped the Billboard 200 chart this week. The 12-song mix of late-1960s and early-’70s tunes ranges from David Bowie and The Runaways to 10cc and the Jackson 5, and the inspired way director James Gunn...
Read moreRevisiting Five Most — Nicolas Cage Performances
Tonight, Chris and I are attending The Nicolas Cage Party Los Angeles, an art exhibit downtown which could be incredibly strange and wonderful (like Cage himself). This got me thinking about a Five Most list I did of his best performances back in January 2011. Which films would you pick?...
Read moreRevisiting Clint Eastwood’s Favorite Clint Eastwood Films
Clint Eastwood’s big-screen version of the smash Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” debuted in theaters this weekend. It’s not the best film he’s directed and it’s not the worst. As I said in my two-star review, it’s very glossy and entertaining as it traces the origins of the ’60s pop group...
Read moreFive Most — Las Vegas Movies
This weekend, I’m heading to Las Vegas for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, a blast of a race that takes runners up and down the Strip at night. Lights glitter and flash, bands play every mile or so and the street is packed with runners dressed as Elvis impersonators,...
Read moreRevisiting Five Most — Texas Movies
So I just got back in town after visiting Dallas for my 20-year reunion at Southern Methodist University. I would have posted something over the weekend, but I was too busy cramming queso and Shiner Bock into my grill. Apologies for the absence. But being there reminded me of a...
Read moreFive Most — Back to School Edition
My kid is finally going back to school tomorrow. Finally! I realize that your kids have been back for weeks at this point — at least that’s what all the cute pictures on Facebook tell me. Now, it’s my turn to send young Nic Lemire off to achieve academic greatness...
Read moreFive Most — James Franco Performances
Last night was “The Comedy Central Roast of James Franco,” with comedians and friends including Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Sarah Silverman and Nick Kroll tooling on the actor for his eclectic filmography and for just being an odd dude in general. That got me thinking about my favorite Franco performances....
Read moreFive Most — Clunky Movie Titles
“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” is a gorgeous film — definitely one of my favorites this year — but it has an unfortunately clunky title. I realize it’s intended to harken to a time, a place, a mood. But I hope it’s not off-putting to potential viewers, because it’s very much...
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