
“I’m always in somebody’s way, I thought,” says the lead character in “The Sessions,” a film about someone in his 30s struggling with losing his virginity. Loosely based on a true story, the movie follow a man who has suffered
by John. P. Hanlon26 Oct 2012, 7:18 AM PST0

“Seven Psychopaths” is twisted, demented and gratuitously violent. It’s also one of the best surprises of 2012. Starring Colin Farrell and a scene-stealing Christopher Walken, this violent drama about a dog kidnapping is an escapist pleasure that is more fun
by John. P. Hanlon12 Oct 2012, 5:10 AM PST0

“Won’t Back Down” begins around the same point where the 2010 documentary “Waiting for Superman” ended. One of the final scenes in “Superman,” which panned the impact some teachers unions have on public education, showed parents waiting to learn if
by John. P. Hanlon28 Sep 2012, 5:41 AM PST0

“I didn’t think anyone noticed me,” Charlie (Logan Lerman) says while leaving a party in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Charlie is the new student in school and was invited to the event by high school friends Patrick (Ezra
by John. P. Hanlon27 Sep 2012, 9:53 PM PST0

Yes, folks. Dredd keeps his helmet on in this one. That’s the biggest news to come out of “Dredd 3D,” which arrives in theaters 17 years after Sylvester Stallone’s “Judge Dredd”floundered at the box office. In the new adaptation of
by John. P. Hanlon21 Sep 2012, 6:35 AM PST0

Cully’s high school memories are ones that he would like to forget. He was the bully, picking on the younger and smaller kids and making their lives miserable. He’s given up his destructive past in the new reunion drama “10
by John. P. Hanlon21 Sep 2012, 5:30 AM PST0

Thereare two main characters in the gritty cop thriller “End of Watch” but for much ofits running time, it feels like there are only two characters inthe whole film. The plot so revolves around Officers Brian Taylor (JakeGyllenhaal) and Mike
by John. P. Hanlon21 Sep 2012, 5:13 AM PST0

The young actor Henry Cavill (“Immortals,” “The Tudors”) has played a variety of characters during his short career, but his biggest role is still ahead of him. Next year, Cavill will don tights and star as Superman in the highly
by John. P. Hanlon16 Sep 2012, 1:26 PM PST0

“Don’t you know words ruin everything?” So says Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid), the author of a new book detailing the rise of a successful writer who publishes another man’s manuscript as his own in the new drama “The Words.” Both
by John. P. Hanlon7 Sep 2012, 12:46 PM PST0

“It is not the violence that sets men apart. It is the distance that he is prepared to go.” So says Forrest Bondurant (Tom Hardy) in the new Prohibition-era drama, “Lawless.” The fact-based film focuses on three brothers selling outlawed
by John. P. Hanlon30 Aug 2012, 3:39 PM PST0

Sylvester Stallone’s character is asked what the plan of attack is against the man responsible for the execution of a fellow “Expendable.” His directive, like the movie itself, is simple. “Track him. Find him. Kill him.” That mission – seeking
by John. P. Hanlon25 Aug 2012, 9:00 AM PST0

A college experiment releases a deadly spirit in the stale new horror film “The Apparition.” Franchise faves Ashley Greene (“Twilight”) and Tom Felton (“Harry Potter”) star in the tale of three college students testing their theories about the supernatural. Their experiment
by John. P. Hanlon24 Aug 2012, 12:14 PM PST0

“Sparkle,” more than anything else, will likely be remembered as Whitney’s Houston’s last movie. In the ’60s-era film, the late singer plays a supporting role as the strict and religious mother of three quality singers whose road to success is paved
by John. P. Hanlon20 Aug 2012, 11:36 AM PST0

When Meryl Streep’s character calls her 31st wedding anniversary an “off-year” at the beginning of “Hope Springs,” she means more than the odd number of years she’s been married to Tommy Lee Jones’ character. She’s talking about the entire last
by John. P. Hanlon8 Aug 2012, 6:51 AM PST0

One of the best things about the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” franchise is the mischievous sensibilities of its title character. Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) has never been the typical cutesy and idealistic movie child. He can be arrogant, manipulative
by John. P. Hanlon3 Aug 2012, 3:05 PM PST0

“Killer” Joe is a difficult film to recommend to most movie goers. The movie features extremely graphic scenes of nudity and death, so those who are weary of such elements should not see this film under any circumstances. In other
by John. P. Hanlon3 Aug 2012, 8:19 AM PST0

Freida Pinto, the young actress who has played supporting characters in blockbusters like “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011), deserves a moment in the spotlight. She has taken center stage in a few smaller
by John. P. Hanlon22 Jul 2012, 7:07 AM PST0

The American Heritage College Dictionary says the noun “savages” can be applied to individuals who are “primitive or uncivilized” and those who are “brutal, fierce or vicious.” In director Oliver Stone’s new film, two types of people are identified as
by John. P. Hanlon6 Jul 2012, 8:30 AM PST0

Silverdocs, a documentary film festival that takes place outside of WashingtonD.C., celebrated its 10th anniversary last month. For the second year in a row I attended the annual film event, a festival which once more offered up a variety of
by John. P. Hanlon4 Jul 2012, 12:01 PM PST0

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”That Albert Einstein quote adorns one of the posters seen behind high school studentPeter Parker (Andrew Garfield) in “The Amazing Spider-Man.” It’s anappropriate lesson to be highlighted in a reboot of the Spider-Man franchise. We
by John. P. Hanlon3 Jul 2012, 10:23 AM PST0

Step aside, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Mark Wahlberg is quickly becoming my favorite Massachusetts movie star. Wahlberg, the rapper-turned-model-turned-actor, has done some incredible work over the past few years. Whether he was garnering an Oscar nomination for his supporting
by John. P. Hanlon29 Jun 2012, 4:30 AM PST0

Silverdocs, a documentary film festival that takes place every year outside of Washington D.C., recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and for my second year in a row, I attended the annual event. Like in 2011, the festival offered up a
by John. P. Hanlon28 Jun 2012, 1:31 PM PST0

Hundreds of movies arrive in theaters every year and, in that group, there are inevitably ones that seek greatness but end up settling for mediocrity. A film’s quality can be as fragile as the camera it was filmed with, and
by John. P. Hanlon15 Jun 2012, 3:27 PM PST0

“Men use women,” the villainous Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) says in the new film, “Snow White and the Huntsman.” Ravenna, on the other hand, uses everyone. She uses a new husband to take over his kingdom. She uses her brother
by John. P. Hanlon1 Jun 2012, 12:42 PM PST0

“Chernobyl Diaries” is the type of movie you want to like despite its obvious flaws. Full of stereotypical characters and pumped with silly clichés, “Diaries” is an imperfect horror film with few surprises. But despite such red flags, I enjoyed
by John. P. Hanlon31 May 2012, 3:22 PM PST0