Tag Archives: entertainment

December 5, 2008 · 12:11 pm

Ask Forrest: What makes a Bond girl?

Question: Regarding a recent column you wrote about James Bond movies, I just want to confirm that you believe that Madonna was a Bond girl in “Die Another Day” with Halle Berry? Really? And you call yourself a film writer? Anybody could easily go to Google to confirm the facts. There you clearly will see that Madonna’s tie-in with this film was that she did a music video for the theme song. I am sure that does not constitute her as a Bond girl.

Answer: Google and the Internet are both incredible resources, but there is no substitute for actually watching the movie. I’m assuming, from the content of your question, that you have not seen “Die Another Day.” If you had, you likely would remember that Madonna not only recorded the theme song but made an appearance as a fencing instructor.

Does she qualify as a Bond girl? Now that’s a question that holds more interest.

Click here for entire column: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081205/COL14/812050418/1117/ENT

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November 30, 2008 · 5:31 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for Dec. 2

Ben Barnes is Prince Caspian.

Ben Barnes is Prince Caspian.

There’s a particularly large crop of new DVDs hitting stores this week, and they range from a family sports dramedy to a hard-hitting, R-rated action flick.

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November 29, 2008 · 6:26 pm

Ask Forrest: The art of criticism

Question: I am the movie reviewer for the entertainment supplement KUDOS of the Verde Independent newspaper in Arizona. A friend in Reno sent me a copy of your column (where you stated that you are not influenced by the opinions of other film critics). I want to tell you that I totally agree, and I frequently say to people, “It’s only a matter of opinion — AND everyone is entitled to MY opinion!”

I also make a point of saying why my reviews often differ from the major critics. They seem to be concerned with the art of filmmaking while I focus on the pleasure of watching a movie. — David Kanowsky, Cottonwood, Ariz.

Answer: While your comment isn’t a question, it launches an interesting discussion on the art of film criticism.

Click here for full column: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081128/COL14/811280474/1117/ENT01

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November 27, 2008 · 9:15 am

‘Transporter 3’ for action junkies only

Jason Statham is back in "Transporter 3."

Jason Statham is back in "Transporter 3."

It’s ordinary, silly and often borrows from other movies in its genre. In other words, “Transporter 3” is exactly what one should expect from the second sequel in a franchise that has never really distinguished itself.

The main thing “Transporter” has going for it is star Jason Statham, who is a blast to watch when he battles his way through elaborately staged action sequences. “Transporter 3” has plenty of those, so as commonplace as the feature is, it should still sate genre junkies looking for a quick fix.

Click here for complete review: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081127/ENT01/311270003/1056/ENT

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November 27, 2008 · 8:21 am

‘Milk’ remembers slain supervisor

Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk in the new movie.

Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk in the new movie.

In 1977, Harvey Bernard Milk became the first openly gay man elected to a major public office in California. A year later, the San Francisco city supervisor was in the national spotlight again, one of two victims of a double homicide.

Thursday is the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. Both were gunned down by Dan White, a former supervisor who had resigned his post and become angry when Moscone refused to re-appoint him.

White’s defense team argued that he was depressed and not fully responsible for his actions, citing his consumption of mass amounts of junk food. The argument was called the “Twinkie defense.”

The anniversary of the killings is being commemorated this week by the release of the film “Milk,” with Sean Penn in the starring role. The film opens today in the Bay Area and other major markets today, with arrival in Reno scheduled for Dec. 12.

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008811260443

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November 24, 2008 · 5:37 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for Nov. 25

Will Smith is the title character in "Hancock."

Will Smith is the title character in "Hancock."

Two family films, a science-fiction comedy and the story of an unusual superhero lead this week’s DVD crop. Unfortunately, the quality of the movies is as varied as their subject matter.

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November 23, 2008 · 8:36 pm

Holiday movie preview

previewThe great thing about the holiday movie season is that it comes with both big-budget Hollywood efforts and artsy prestige flicks, the latter hoping to jump into the Oscar race. This year’s holiday slate includes a Nicole Kidman epic, a Keanu Reeves science-fiction flick and the curious case of a man who ages in reverse. Read on for the full scoop, but note that release dates are subject to change.

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081123/ENT/811230314/1056

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November 21, 2008 · 3:37 pm

Van Praagh talks about Reno show

James Van Praagh in action.

James Van Praagh in action.

James Van Praagh sees dead people.

In fact, he feels like the movie “The Sixth Sense” — about a boy who communes with the deceased — is based on his life.

“I was that boy,” he said. “But I used to see very positive things, not really negative impressions or visions. It was all very positive.”

Van Praagh began seeing things others couldn’t when he was just a child, he said, but it wasn’t until he reached his twenties that he saw the opportunity to make a living with his visions. Today, he is a professional medium who teaches classes, writes books, hosts television shows and leads seminars, and Saturday he will make an appearance at the Grand Sierra, giving hundreds the chance to see him in action.

Click here for full review: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081121/ENT/811210468/1056/ENT

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November 21, 2008 · 3:35 pm

Ask Forrest: How ’bout ‘The Terminator’?

Question: I have seen all the Terminator movies. I think “The Terminator” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” are awesome. “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” is good but doesn’t live up to the previous two. I would like your opinion.

Answer: You’ve got a future as a film critic “» at least one who thinks like I do. As movie trilogies go, the Terminator series isn’t at the top — I reserve that spot for “The Godfather” films — but it fares well. That’s because the first two movies are not only good, but genre-defining.

Click here for full column: https://clarkkent81.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

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November 21, 2008 · 3:33 pm

‘Bolt’ is a canine classic

Rhino, left, and Bolt prepare for action.

Rhino, left, and Bolt prepare for action.

Disney’s latest animated adventure is about a perky canine who believes he can jump incredible distances, shoot lasers from his eyes and stop speeding military vehicles with his bark. And the film is appropriately super.

With a top-tier voice cast, likable characters and an endearing story, “Bolt” could wind up in the Oscar race for best animated picture. Even if it doesn’t, it’s worth seeing.

Click here for full review: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081121/ENT01/811210474/1056/ENT

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