Archives 

Show All

  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
      • MOVIES YOU HAVE TO SEE RIGHT NOW, AND FILMS I WANT TO SEE IN DECEMBER!
        11/30/07


        The only new flick opening this week is "Awake" and they're not even showing that to critics!

        So, it's catch up time at the movies!

        Here are the films you've got to see right now, and movies, I'm dying to watch in December!

      • ANOTHER GREAT FILM HONORED BY THE BROADCAST FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION!!!!
        11/29/07

        An upcoming flick received the Critics' Choice seal of distinction!!!

        So what's the Critics'Choice seal of distinction? Well, it is a recognition given to new movies receiving a high Critics' Choice Ratings score in the weekly voting.

        Specific Criti

      • D.L. HUGHLEY TO HOST “THE 13TH ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS” ON VH1
        11/29/07


        Actor and Comedian D.L. Hughley will host the Broadcast Film Critics Association’s (BFCA) “The 13th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards” gala live from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Monday, January 7 at 9pm (ET/PT).

        IT'S THE FIRST MAJOR AWARDS SHOW OF THE SEASON, AN

      • "INTO THE WILD" WINS BIG AT THE 17TH GOTHAM AWARDS!!!
        11/28/07


        The IFP, or the Independent Feature Project, created the Gothams 17 years ago.

        And this year, a big congratulations to writer/director Sean Penn! His "Into the Wild" won best feature honors at the 17th Gotham Awards.

        Michael Moore's "Sicko&quo

      • LATEST PICTURES AND TEASER SUMMARY FOR "INDIANA JONES 4"
        11/27/07
        "Indiana Jones 4" aka "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" latest news and tidbits:

        The teaser was set to start in November (since when have we been excited to be teased by a film?), but apparently it's been moved!

        But I found a Teaser T

      • THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT THE OSCARS -- ACCORDING TO "THE SOUP"!!!
        11/27/07


        I love "The Soup" on E! It's a funny and irreverent look at pop-culture, and I've been a fan since its earliest incarnation as "Talk Soup" with Greg Kinear.

        Well, last week, "The Soup" did a segment on the Oscars.

        What real

      • WIN A TRIP TO THE "NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS" WORLD PREMIER!!!
        11/27/07


        This is so very much like "The Amazing Race." IT'S EXCITING!

        This event is from my friends at Disney!

        You've seen Ben Gates do it in National Treasure. Now it's your opportunity to compete in a clue hunt in Los Angeles!!! Ten teams of fou

      • 2008 INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED!!!!
        11/27/07


        When the Independent Spirit Awards first started its broadcast on the Independent Film Channel in 1994, it was billed as the anti-Oscar.

        You could watch the festivities during Oscar commercial breaks!

        Now, the Independent Spirit Awards is broadcast the day before

      • THE WRITERS STRIKE -- AT LEAST THEY'RE TALKIN'!!!
        11/27/07


        Here's the latest about the writers strike:

        *** for the first time in 3 weeks, producers and writers resumed bargaining Monday morning at an undisclosed Los Angeles hotel

        *** it's the first of three days of talks

        *** negotiations ended in

      • FOR FILM "PLAY," GOODBYE BRAD PITT, HELLO.....
        11/26/07


        Brad Pitt was set to make the film "State of Play," an action-drama about a politician turned journalist whose investigation into a murder leads him to unsavory folks!

        The film was set to begin shooting on Nov. 15th, but then, Universal issued a statement saying, &qu

      • "ENCHANTED" SPREADS MAGIC AT THE BOX OFFICE!!! HAVE YOU SEEN THIS FUN FILM YET?
        11/25/07


        "Enchanted" casts a spell at the box-office since it opened Wednesday, Nov. 21st.

        It's a fun flick with an inspired performance from Amy Adams!

        Here's the complete list of the top 10 box-office films for Thanksgiving weekend starting Nov. 21st.
      • HAPPY THANKSGIVING! WATCH MY LIST OF THE TOP 6 BEST THANKSGIVING FILMS!!!
        11/22/07


        HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL!!!!!

        So which films made it to my list? Check it out!

      • WATCH MY "ENCHANTED" REVIEW AND INTERVIEWS!!!
        11/22/07


        I didn't know what to expect with "Enchanted." So a friend and I watched the flick with no expectations, and we were both...enchanted by the flick!

        Here's what I think of this fantastic film!

      • "WICKED'S" IDINA MENZEL TALKS ABOUT HER ROLE IN "ENCHANTED" -- WATCH MY FUN INTERVIEW!!!
        11/21/07


        First, she was Elphaba in the fantastic musical, "Wicked."

        Well, actually, prior to that, she was in the original Broadway production of "Rent." But she really stole many hearts, including mine, with her revisionist take on the Wicked Witch of the West.<

      • COMPOSER ALAN MENKEN TALKS ABOUT "ENCHANTED!" SEE MY FUN INTERVIEW!
        11/21/07


        Who doesn't love the "Beauty and the Beast" score? Or "The Little Mermaid" for that matter? Well, they're all created by the great Alan Menken!

        I recently had a wonderful opportunity to sit down with him for the movie "Enchanted."
      • AMY ADAMS, PRINCESS GISELLE, TALKS ABOUT "ENCHANTED!" SEE MY INTERVIEW!!!
        11/21/07


        Amy Adams is a very interesting actress! She already has built a very impressive array of roles since her Oscar-nominated turn in "Junebug."

        Now, she's the heart of the film, "Enchanted." I think a much lesser actress would not have given the role th

      • HOW MANY KISSES DOES "ENCHANTED" GET? READ MY REVIEW!!!
        11/20/07


        Walt Disney Pictures ransacked their own vault and came up with a truly original film! By deconstructing their old classics to reconstruct the fairy-tale genre, “Enchanted” lives up to its name – it’s simply enchanting.

        [more]

        Oh there are still some music, and

      • GOOD NEWS -- ANOTHER ARTICLE FEATURED ON HELIUM HOMEPAGE!!!
        11/19/07


        I shared with you guys my good news from helium.com last week, today, I received another email saying my "Beowulf" review is featured on their homepage. Miss Barbara from Helium sent this email:

        Congratulations yet again Manny!

        If you check out today’s h

      • "BEOWULF" SLAYS COMPETITION -- TOP TEN FILMS AT THE BOX OFFICE!!!
        11/19/07


        "Beowulf" climbs on top of the box-office weekend with an estimated $28.1M take!

        Last week's number one flick, "Bee Movie" slides into second place with a $14.3M take, lifting its total to $98.8M.

        "American Gangster" is the first f

      • WRITERS STRIKE -- LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?
        11/17/07


        Studios and networks are set to resume talks with striking writers on NOV. 26th!!!

        I hope this will bring a much-needed resolution to the problem, and everyone involve will sigh a big "THANKS" just in time for the Thanksgiving season.

        Just a reminder, the

      • "ANGELS AND DEMONS" BANISHED BY STRIKE? WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE "DA VINCI CODE" SEQUEL?
        11/17/07


        Sony Pictures is saying that it is postponing production on the Tom Hanks flick -- "Angels and Demons."

        Scriptwiter Akiva Goldsman tried to rush a workable screenplay prior to the Nov. 1 strike deadline -- but to no avail.

        Plus, there are no other stars si

      • AWARDS SHOWS -- DOOMED BY THE STRIKE?
        11/17/07


        Contrary to popular belief, those one-line zingers that actors spew during awards shows are not from their own creation, but from the brilliant minds of the writers behind the shows.

        So what happens now?

        GRAMMYS -- maybe not that much, since most of the telecast is

      • MY FAVORITE FRIEND MISS VALERIE!!!!
        11/16/07


        Let me introduce to you Miss Valerie!!!

        She's an avid viewer, reader, and listener!!!

        AND...she's the reason I'm gaining all my weight back!

        She always brings me chocolate (that I can't refuse mind you) during our exclusive-valley sc

      • HOW MANY KISSES DOES "NO COUNTRY" GET? WATCH MY MOVIE REVIEW OF THIS COEN BROTHERS FILM!!!
        11/16/07


        "No Country for Old Men" is one of the best films this year!

        This movie is up there with the best Coen brothers flicks such as "Blood Simple" and "Fargo."

        I interviewed the cast...and it helped me understand the film thoroughly!

      • Which Film Just Earned the CRITICS' CHOICE Seal of Distinction?
        11/15/07


        I'm a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

        We give out the annual Critics' Choice Awards -- a celebration of creativity at the movies and a great barometer for the Oscars.

        So what's the Critics'Choice seal of distinction?

      • HOW MANY KISSES DOES "BEOWULF" GET? READ MY MOVIE REVIEW!!!
        11/14/07


        I used to hate the classic poem, “Beowulf,” when I was in high school. Our English literature teacher not only forced us to read it but also insisted we memorize parts of the epic, which by the way, is 3,000 lines long.

        [more]

        Written around 700 A.D. and compos

      • My Movie Review is Featured on Helium's Homepage
        11/14/07


        So, I woke up this morning, sluggish from yesterday's busy workday, and as I opened my email, I saw this nice note from Barabara at Helium.com:

        "Congratulations Manny!

        If you check out today’s homepage at www.helium.com, you’ll see your article featured pr

      • Jack C of Long Beach Got to See Josh Brolin and "No Country" for Free!!!!
        11/14/07


        Congratulations to Jack C of Long Beach for winning to meet Josh Brolin and to see "No Country for Old Men" in Palm Springs, CA for free!

        How? Just by joining our contest!

        THANKS FOR ALL THOSE FOLKS WHO EMAILED! WE'LL HAVE MORE PRIZES COMING UP LIKE

      • "DRAGONBALL" HURLS TOWARD THE BIG SCREEN!!!
        11/14/07


        Manga sensation "Dragonball" is headed to the big screen!

        Based on Akira Toriyama's creation that has spawned comic books, a long-running TV series, videogames, and millions of adoring fans.

        Justin Chatwin ("Invisible," "War of the Worl

      • MY FAVORITE FILMS OF 2007...SO FAR...
        11/13/07

        Here's a random list of my fav films of 2007 so far.

        It's November, and studios are still rolling out more Academy Award-worthy flicks!

        Honestly, this is my favorite time of the movie year.

        Watching great films leading up to Oscar night -- my own pers

      • THE DASHING JOSH BROLIN UNVEILS "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
        11/12/07


        I just love Josh Brolin! I used to have a huge crush on him (when I was a kid idolizing him in "Goonies"), so I was soooo nervous meeting him for the first time!

        I'm also glad that he's finally getting great notices with his performances! He was great i

      • THE HAIR! THE HAIR! JAVIER BARDEM REVEALS THE SECRETS OF "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
        11/11/07


        MARK MY WORDS -- JAVIER BARDEM WILL WIN THE BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR OSCAR TROPHY FOR HIS PORTRAYAL OF ANTON CHIGURH, "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN'S" ULTIMATE BAD-ASS!!!

        Before the film, my favorite to win was Ben Foster for his dandy-brute performance in "3:10

      • TOMMY LEE JONES TALKS ABOUT THE ENDING OF "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
        11/11/07


        "No Country for Old Men's" unpredictable ending will be one of the most debated endings in cinema this year.

        And here's Mister Tommy Lee Jones himself to reveal what he really thinks of the ending.

        He's a nice, thoughtful, if not pensive,

      • KELLY MACDONALD TALKS ABOUT HER CHARACTER IN "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
        11/11/07


        I sat down with the charming Kelly MacDonald for "No Country for Old Men."

        I've followed her career since her druggie-role in "Trainspotting."

        She's a sweetheart!

        In this clip, Kelly talks about why she thinks her character

      • "BEE MOVIE" BUZZES ATOP BOX-OFFICE WEEKEND!!!
        11/11/07


        "Bee Movie" climbs on top of the box-office weekend with a $26M take!

        Last week's number one flick, "American Gangster" slides into second place with a $24.3M take, lifting its total to $80.7M.

        Here's the top 10 box-office films for wee

      • DISNEY'S "ENCHANTED" IS SIMPLY ENCHANTING...AND YOU CAN WATCH IT FOR FREE!!!!
        11/09/07


        Walt Disney Pictures and my home, KMIR6, the NBC-affiliate in Palm Springs, are teaming up so you can watch "ENCHANTED" for free days before it opens nationwide!

        I LOVE THIS MOVIE...IT'S SIMPLY ENCHANTING! AND THE CAST AND CREW ARE WONDERFUL!

        So Pa

      • WIN TO SEE JOSH BROLIN IN PERSON...BUT THERE'S A CATCH....
        11/09/07


        YOU HAVE TO BE IN PALM SPRINGS, THIS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH!!!!

        I met and interviewed him last weekend for "No Country for Old Men" and HE'S A WONDERFUL GUY!

        HE'S ALSO A GREAT ACTOR -- AND STOOD ON HIS OWN -- DUKING IT OUT WITH TOMMY LEE JONES A

      • Latest Rumor from the Picket Line -- Hello U.K. Writers?
        11/09/07


        Will producers turn to U.K. writers? Inquiring minds want to know!

        See why Variety is saying, it could be a possibility.

        Click here!

      • WINONA RYDER TO JOIN "STAR TREK" RE-BOOT AS......
        11/09/07


        The Vulcan momma of a young Spock, played by Mister Sylar from "Heroes," Zachary Quinto.

        The rest of the cast to be beamed up are Chris Pine as Capt. Kirk, Simon Pegg as Scotty, Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy, and Eric Bana, yes, the Hulk, will play the villain, Nero.
      • "MAX PAYNE" GETS A GO SIGNAL -- WHO'S GOING TO STAR?
        11/09/07


        I used to love playing with "Max Payne," the game y'all!

        But I just heard that 20th Century Fox is finally taking it to the big screen!

        Who's negotiating to be the bad-ass hero?

        Well..... [more]



        It's th

      • BEST ANIMATED FILM IN 2007? ACADEMY TO FIGURE OUT!
        11/09/07


        Okay...if I was a member of the deciding jury, I'd just give it to "Ratatouille" and call it a day!

        The animated rat flick is the best animated film this year...so far!

        The Academy (AMPAS) must sort through 12, yes, 12 films!

        BUT THEY

      • HOW MANY KISSES DOES JOAQUIN PHOENIX IN "RESERVATION ROAD" GET?
        11/09/07


        'Tis the season for Oscar contenders, and one of those hopefuls is "Reservation Road" by Focus Features.

        Great cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connely, Mira Sorvino, and Mark Ruffalo.

        Connely deserves a Best Supporting Actress nomination!
      • HOW MANY KISSES DOES VINCE VAUGHN IN "FRED CLAUS" GET?
        11/08/07


        When I watch a new film, I always hope, in the deep recesses of my mind, that it will turn out to be a good movie. Seeing a flick deeply affects my mood, especially if I have to drive to Los Angeles to watch it.

        If it’s a good flick, then I’m on cloud nine, but if it’s a

      • Billy Bob Thornton Joins Shia LaBeouf
        11/08/07


        Billy Bob Thornton just signed on to join the cast of "Eagle Eye," starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, and Rosario Dawson.

        The flick is going to be directed by D.J. Caruso.

        The thriller is about a mom (Monaghan) and her son (LaBeouf) who have bee

      • "HARRY POTTER" DIRECTOR TO HELM "PRINCE OF PERSIA"
        11/08/07


        Mike Newell, the guy who gave us "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," one of the best in the series, is directing "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time."

        It's a live-action pic based on the popular videogame!

        Disney is hoping that this wi

      • Guillermo del Toro to Direct Superhero Flick!!!
        11/08/07


        I love Guillermo del Toro! I enjoyed "The Devil's Backbone" and "Pan's Labyrinth." I even thought twice about "Hellboy" and "Blade II."

        But now, he's set to direct "Champions."

        It's based on a

      • Roman Polanski to Helm Political Thriller
        11/08/07


        Roman Polanski is set to direct "The Ghost," a thriller based on a Robert Harris novel.



        Polanski will be shooting in Europe next fall since he's not allowed to step into the U.S.

        This political thriller is about a ghostwriter for a for

      • "American Gangster" Beats Bees at the Box Office
        11/06/07


        I'm glad "American Gangster" won over "Bee Movie" at the box-office. It's a better flick than the not-so-funny Seinfeld pic.

        Here's the top 10 box-office films for week of Nov. 2nd.

        1. "American Gangster," $46.3 mill

      • Truly Trivial -- SHIA LABEOUF ARRESTED IN CHICAGO!!!!!
        11/05/07


        Amidst all the drama about WGA strike, this story caught my eye!!!

        It's truly....disturbia!!!!

        Shia, who I consider the Tom Hanks of our generation, has been arrested in Chicago...

        Why Mister Shia? Please don't go to the "child actors gone

      • WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA (WGA) STRIKE!!!
        11/05/07


        Here comes the inevitable...Hollywood goes to an all-out war even after scrambling about last-minute talks to delay or avert strike!

        It's mostly about "residual anger." Writers want some cut on DVD profits! I say, just give it to them!

        The last time

      • "BEE MOVIE" VS. "AMERICAN GANGSTER" -- WHICH MOVIE SHOULD YOU SEE?
        11/03/07


        Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe are ganging up on Jerry Seinfeld this box-office weekend!

        But the big question -- Which film is worth your $10?



        But first, for an in-depth look at "Bee Movie," check out my newspaper article at The Dese

      • Recent Films I've Seen -- "ENCHANTED" AND "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
        11/03/07
        2 very different films -- one is for kids and kids-at-heart, and the other, for grown-ups who love incendiary images in films that will stay with them for years to come. I'm of course talking about "Enchanted" and "No Country for Old Men."

        Try watching those film

      • ANOTHER HONOR FOR MICHAEL MOORE!!!
        11/03/07


        Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore is going to receive the International Documentary Assn.'s career achievement award!!!

        He was first honored back 1990 for his documentary, "Roger and Me."

        The festivities will be Dec. 7th at the Directors Guild.<

      • "Once" Wins Big in Film Creative Fest in Moscow!!!
        11/03/07


        "Once" is one of my favorite flicks this year!

        It's a love story-musical that's touching and has really great songs!

        And I'm glad that it won big at Moscow's 2Morrow fest which was billed as a festival to honor originality in filmmaki

      • MERYL STREEP AS JULIA CHILD?
        11/01/07


        This is a delicious dish!

        Streep is set to star as the famous chef, Julia Child, with Amy Adams in the film "Julia & Julia."

        I love Amy Adams, she's one of the brightest younger stars right now! Love her in "Junebug" and I'm sure s

      • GERALD BUTLER ESCAPES "NEW YORK" REMAKE
        11/01/07


        Right after Butler caused a commotion from "300," he signed on to star in the reamke of John Carpenter's "Escape From New York."

        The guy who gave us "U-571" and the horrible "Terminator 3," Jonathan Mostow is set to write with an op

      • JULIA ROBERTS, CLIVE OWEN RETEAM FOR "MICHAEL CLAYTON" DIRECTOR
        11/01/07


        The elusive Julia Roberts is teaming up once again with Clive Owen for the film "Duplicity."

        It's going to be released by Universal Pictures with Tony Gilroy, the "Michael Clayton" dude, directing.

        Roberts and Owen sparred in the Mike Nichol

    • October