new this week in U.S., Canadian, and U.K. theaters: ‘Get Him to the Greek,’ ‘Splice,’ ‘Death at a Funeral,’ ‘The Brothers Bloom,’ more

U.S. AND CANADA/OPENING WIDE Get Him to the Greek: Rock stars (ie, Russell Brand) are a mess, and the normal people who are their fans (ie, Jonah Hill) are only slightly less a mess. Such is the plight of humanity. If you can’t make it to the multiplex, try: • Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008): Which … more…

the oh-no! DVD of the week: ‘Live Nude Comedy’

How much do you wanna bet that no comedians are nude here? Cuz who doesn’t want to see some pudgy naked guy shuffling around onstage while he bitches about how his girlfriend won’t go down on him, airline food sucks, and geez, these kids today, with their sexting? What’s that? No takers to my bet? … more…

trailer break: ‘Ondine’

Take a break from work: watch a trailer… Ireland is absolutely lousy with mythical creatures, isn’t it? Given Neil Jordan’s filmography, though, perhaps we should expect this strange and beautiful mermaid/selkie/woman of the sea to actually be, I dunno, a shark in drag, perhaps? Ondine played theatrically in the U.K. earlier this year, and is … more…

retro trailer: ‘Patton’

Take a look back at an old trailer… For Memorial Day, the U.S. holiday honoring our veterans, a movie about a doozy of a soldier. From my review: This biopic of the American general is a straightforward film without subtext or irony, just as its subject is. Not that he isn’t a mass of eccentricities. … more…

new this week in U.S., Canadian, and U.K. theaters: ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,’ ‘Sex and the City 2,’ ‘The Losers,’ ‘[REC] 2,’ more

U.S. AND CANADA/OPENING WIDE Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: It’s tanking in the U.K., and now it gets a shot at tanking in North America. [trailer] review to come If you can’t make it to the multiplex, try: • Big Trouble in Little China (1986): In which Kurt Russell goes up against an … more…

the oh-no! DVD of the week: ‘Princess of Persia’

If you’re hoping your straight-to-DVD fantasy action flick is gonna ride the coattails of a big Hollywood blockbuster, you should probably pick your big Hollywood blockbuster better: it doesn’t pay to hitch your wagon to a flop. The epic true story of one woman’s battle to save a nation. King Xerxes is leading the Persians … more…

retro trailer: ‘The Empire Strikes Back’

Take a look back at an old trailer… Even pulpier than the film itself! “A big new sprawling space adventure!” This past Friday was the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, which was released on May 21, 1980. Which means it’s been 30 years since my 10-year-old brain was darkened and depressed by this … more…

new this week in U.S., Canadian, and U.K. theaters: ‘Shrek Forever After,’ ‘MacGruber,’ ‘Cop Out,’ ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ more (with DVD alternatives)

U.S. AND CANADA/OPENING WIDE Shrek Forever After: Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss square off against the evil tyrant Rumpelstiltskin. Scary. [trailer] review to come If you can’t make it to the multiplex, try: • Shrek 2 (2004): Still the best in the series, with one of the greatest character intros ever (for Puss in Boots). … more…

the oh-no! DVD of the week: ‘Rodney Raccoon: Fun with Fitness!’

Adults dressed in furry costumes hanging around kids’ playgrounds? Nothing suspicious about that! This fun, live-action educational fitness DVD was designed to pique the interest of young children while motivating them to learn nutrition and participate in physical activity. The video focuses on a workout that helps in the development of strong and healthy bodies … more…

retro trailer: ‘The Karate Kid’

Take a look back at an old trailer… Elisabeth Shue looks like an adult here, and Ralph Macchio looks like a kid, even though he was actually in his 20s and she was two years younger than him. That’s just weird. The Karate Kid is available on DVD in Region 1 from Amazon.com and from … more…