‘The Identical’ isn’t an Elvis impersonator, really

Everything in “The Identical” screams Elvis Presley. The South. The 1950s, teen growing up with faith wanting to sing rock and soul and R ‘n’ B. But it’s not supposed to be, is it? Except they casted as the main character(s) Ryan Wade/Dexter Hemsley one Blake Rayne, who looks like a cherubic young Elvis and…

‘Let’s Be Cops’ is fun, unfortunately

Some movies are so bad so fast. In “Let’s Be Cops,” I immediately blamed the character Ryan. Played by Jake Johnson, the smirky guy was too smug, too dopey, too … too much for me to take. Then I blamed the plot. Pretend that you are policemen in Los Angeles? How dangerous is that? Please…

Yes, another good food film, ‘The Hundred-Foot Journey’

A lot can happen in 100 feet. Just look at the characters in “The Hundred-Foot Journey.” Thanks to great acting by Helen Mirren and Om Puri, and very good acting by Manish Dayal and Charlotte Le Bon, food movie fans can see good taste, tension, customs, passion, cultures, relations, recipes, Michelin stars and love. It’s…

‘Get on Up’ shows all sides of James Brown

When I saw James Brown listed for the main stage of Woodstock ’99 in Rome, N.Y., I made sure I was as close as possible in my role as music critic for the big daily. In fact, the promoters made him the opening act. The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, the Godfather of Soul…

‘Lucy’ makes me use my brain, as limited as it may be

In “Lucy,” a big deal is made about how we all use 10 percent of our brain, maximum. And then some very evil folks figure a way to steal a drug that increases brain power. Accidents happen and Lucy, played brilliantly by Scarlett Johansson, becomes the one person on the planet becoming smarter and smarter…

Yes, Melissa McCarthy can go way over the top

At the end of ‘Tammy’ the title character suggests that she’s figured the best route to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Who here things that Melissa McCarthy would turn down a role that would offer a chance at that? And tell the stunt woman to take a hike? It would look hilarious, no?…