Tag Archives: Paul Giamatti

‘San Andreas’ snapshot review

SAN ANDREAS

Critical rating: 2½ stars out of four

Directed by: Brad Peyton (“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island”)

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Paul Giamatti, Alexandra Daddario, Hugo Johnstone-Burt, Art Parkinson and Ioan Gruffudd

Rated: PG-13

The story: A massive earthquake rattles the San Francisco coast, forcing a rescue chopper pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) into a desperate search for their missing daughter (Alexandra Daddario).

The scoop: Movies don’t get much stupider or more overblown than “San Andreas.” As with most disaster movies, the severity of the destruction and loss of life are belittled by the fact that only a handful of characters receive significant screen time. Nevertheless, there is something relentlessly entertaining about all this nonsense. The special effects are astonishing, and Dwayne Johnson is charming even when he’s working with an insipid script. “San Andreas” is a guilty pleasure in the guiltiest sense.

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Video Verdict: ’12 Years a Slave,’ ‘The Grandmaster,’ ‘Oldboy’

From left to right, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o and Chiwetel Ejiofor star in “12 Years a Slave.” The movie won three Academy Awards, including best picture. Nyong’o picked up the coveted best supporting actress honor.

From left to right, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o and Chiwetel Ejiofor star in “12 Years a Slave.” The movie won three Academy Awards, including best picture. Nyong’o picked up the coveted best supporting actress honor.

It’s a good week for home video, and this year’s best picture Oscar winner is the main attraction.

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Video Verdict: ‘Man of Steel,’ ‘Frances Ha,’ ‘Turbo’

Henry Cavill plays the title character in “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder’s new cinematic look at the comic book hero Superman.

Henry Cavill plays the title character in “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder’s new cinematic look at the comic book hero Superman.

A clever animated film, a quirky drama and a big-budget superhero movie anchor this week’s home video releases.

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Video Verdict: ‘Ides of March,’ ‘Abduction’

Ryan Gosling plays an idealistic campaign strategist in the political drama “The Ides of March.”

This week’s home video releases include a thriller designed to turn Taylor Lautner into an action star and a powerful political drama from actor-director George Clooney.

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Video Verdict: ‘Sucker Punch,’ ‘Barney’s Version,’ ‘The Warrior’s Way,’ ‘Season of the Witch,’ ‘Beastly’

Emily Browning plays Baby Doll in the fantasy adventure “Sucker Punch.”

Fans of action movies have a lot of choices on the home video front this week, including a supernatural drama set during the crusades and a mind-bending fantasy from writer-director Zack Snyder.

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