The new Paranormal marks its spot in the spooky series

It’s a scary weekend out there on the new-film front. Coming to theaters today is the fifth installment of the “Paranormal” series. “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” follows the travails of a young guy who crosses paths with something truly evil. This scary franchise has made it to picture No. 5, so it must be…

The movies of 2013: good, not, and darn, I missed it

It’s been a rewarding seven months since I happily accepted the role of the Syracuse New Times’ first film blogger. Two posts a week have kept me connected to what’s opening. I’ve seen many, many trailers. I’ve had the difficult task of picking one movie a week for review. With 2014 steaming down the track…

‘Walter Mitty,’ as James Thurber may have imagined him

Ben Stiller nailed this one. As director and star, he made sure that “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is a real eye-opener. Back in the day, the wily James Thurber could only put the dreams of his creation Walter into some interesting but rather rudimentary illustrations to accompany his words. That was his style.…

Imagine yourself at a movie, Walter Mitty fans

Fast forward 24 hours. Christmas morning was amazing. You got everything you wanted, and some things you needed. Breakfast was delicious. Church, check, if that’s on your list. Or maybe you celebrate other holidays this time of the year. Perhaps none at all. What, no football on TV! Just the NBA!! Hollywood has made sure…

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/