Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson bring us all back magically in ‘Saving Mr. Banks’

On an early Sunday afternoon in Syracuse, N.Y., the movie theater was filled with people who remember the magic of “Mary Poppins” on the big screen and “The Wonderful World of Disney” on the small screen. “Saving Mr. Banks” took us all deliciously back to those grand times. People even sat through the credits, which…

Ron Burgundy does the American Hustle with Mary Poppins …

Tough choices abound in the movie theaters starting Friday. You can laugh to the silly stuff that comes out of the mouth of Ron Burgundy and his news crew, or you can root for the good guys and bad guys or you can find out what Walt Disney was like as ‘Mary Poppins’ was shooting.…

Aunt Madea shows some Christmas spirit to Larry the Cable Guy

I must confess, I have not been a regular at Tyler Perry’s Madea franchise. But when the trailers hit before Thanksgiving for the writer, director and actor’s Christmas feature for Perry’s sassy woman with the big and fearless mouth, I laughed. I wanted to see more of Perry’s Madea mixing it up with the on…

Do you make it your Hobbit to go see Madea?

The two movies opening this mid-December weekend couldn’t be more different. You have the choice between Tyler Perry’s saucy Madea and J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastic journeys. My Syracuse New Times preview blog tackles “Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas” and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” You can find it by clicking the link below. http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/madea-bilbo-premiere-weekend/ On…

‘Out of the Furnace’ allows Christian Bale to anguish to the end

If you think winter is getting you down already, go see “Out of the Furnace.” There may be somebody in real life who has tougher choices to make than main character Russell Baze, played so very well by Christian Bale. But I doubt that one person is you. The dark drama will keep you holding…

Coming this weekend to the theater, ‘Out of the Furnace’

Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe and Woody Harrelson will mix it up in ‘Out of the Furnace.’ Friday is my preview blog day for the Syracuse New Times. Click below for the report. Monday, you can check back for my review, same place. http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/out-of-furnace-syracuse-movies/

Judy Dench should get Oscar talk rolling for role in ‘Philomena’

If you were too busy eating, drinking and being merry with family and friends this past weekend to see “Philomena,” don’t miss the second wave for this marvelous telling of the true tale of a woman who searches for the son she was forced to give up a half-century ago. Judy Dench is quite marvelous…

Five choices for post-holiday movie-goers

If it’s Friday, that means my movie advance blog is up on the Syracuse New Times site. This week, there are five new movies on the big screen near you. You can read all about them at the click below. http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/five-films-new-syracuse/ My dear wife Karen and I will be taking one of them in on…

In ‘Delivery Man,’ Vince Vaughn ends up thankful for many, many kids

Wearing my other blogging hat, I went to see “Delivery Man” on opening weekend to review for the Syracuse New Times. If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the house for a couple hours this long Thanksgiving weekend, the film starring Vince Vaughn as a man who discovered he has more than 500 kids…

Muhammad Ali most inspired Matt Lauer; who would you pick?

On “Today” Thursday morning, Matt Lauer took his turn at this week’s feature. The on-air folk took turns revealing the person who’s most inspired them. The NBC morning man chose Muhammad Ali. Tape rolled. The world once again saw scenes from the boxing great’s life. Some were in black and white. They were paired with…