• The CineMagic 8-Ball

    “The CineMagic 8-Ball” – In Theaters 02/01/13

    When so many movies are released each week and trailers often seem better than the movie itself, what should one do? In this precarious situation, we consult the The CineMagic 8-Ball (TM) to help us see through the nebulous marketing haze. Doing so just might save us all a disheartening trip to the cinema and spare us the cost of ridiculous concession stand prices. See what the 8-Ball says about this week’s releases… ——————————————————————————————————————————————- BULLET TO THE HEAD A New Orleans hitman and a New York City cop form an alliance to bring down the killers of their respective partners. The CineMagic 8-Ball says: “Outlook Good” ——————————————————————————————————————————————- WARM BODIES After…

  • Movies/Entertainment

    Robert De Niro to Paint Houses With Scorsese

    Well…maybe. Oh, sure, hearing it right out of De Niro’s mouth in an interview with The Observer lends the titular claim a measure of credibility, but Scorsese and Bobby have been talking about making a film based on Charles Brandt’s novel I Heard You Paint Houses: The Biggest Hit in Mob History for nearly half a decade. So basically, until the production gets put on a schedule and starts shooting in earnest, I strongly suggest taking De Niro’s comments on the matter well-salted– though I will say without hesitation that the promise of both men teaming up to tell the tale of Frank Sheeran’s alleged killing of Jimmy Hoffa  is tantalizing…

  • Movies/Entertainment,  Trailers

    Sweet Teaser…'Stand Up Guys'

    It goes without saying that Al Pacino and Christopher Walken are titans of the film industry. Hard edged and gritty actors who earned their stripes (and our respect) decades ago, they really are the stuff of legend. So while admittedly they’ve lost a few steps it’s always good to see their faces especially when getting back to their roots. Walken has taken to having a laugh at himself but sadly Pacino just gets laughed at (roles in Gigli and Jack and Jill don’t help much) although his stage career has flourished. Hopefully this story about these aging criminals, one of whom has been hired to kill his friend, will be a film they…

  • Movies/Entertainment,  Quick 5/Top 10

    G-S-T Quick 5 – Favorite Al Pacino Roles

    “Hooah“…that’s right one gutteral sound to define one of the most amazing and talented actors in all of film. Last Tuesday the legendary Al Pacino came to Dallas…and I missed him. Yeah I was bummed to the enth degree and it’s taken me a whole week to get over. So to help my grieving I’ve thought long and hard about what films that I love and are made all the more amazing becasue it stars Al doing what he does best. I have been a fan of Al since being raised on films like The Godfather and HEAT, you know, the essentials. But while he has most certainly stumbled and taken…

  • Movies/Entertainment

    Hoo-Ah!! AL PACINO Is Coming To Dallas!!!

    This goes out to all you fans of good old Al (read: the whole planet). Two months from now the legendary Al Pacino will be coming to Dallas’ AT&T Performing Arts Center to talk about film, life and whatever else he wants to…he is Al after all. The joy of seeing the ad for Al and the news of him coming sure made my commute less boring. Seeing the name PACINO over 10 feet tall just made me smile. For a guy as famous as him, they are certainly going the extra distance…and by distance, I mean they have taken out a freaking BILLBOARD (see image above) for him.

  • Movies/Entertainment,  Off the Shelf

    Off the Shelf…’Carlito’s Way’

    I have always been a big fan of Al Pacino.  He has a style, a look and an intensity that is all his own.  He has been an important part of American Cinema in the last 30 years and played such famous (and near legendary) roles like Michael Corleone, Frank Serpico, Sonny Wortzik, and my personal favorite…a tie between Ricky Roma and Big Boy Caprice.  No one will ever be able to replace him and he is just compelling to watch on-screen.  I believe that, although his efforts in the last decade have been nowhere the talent he is capable of, Pacino, none-the-less, is one of my all-time favorite actors. …

  • Movies/Entertainment,  Quick 5/Top 10

    G-S-T Quick 5 – Favorite Movie Monologues

    One of my favorite elements in a film is a succesful (and memorable) monologue. When an actor can deliver a series of lines and carry the scene on the talent of that speech, it brings a certain weight to the movie. Many times in movies a monologue can consist of throw away lines or be a cheesy sequence all together, but I have assembled some of my favorites that are truly great below because they really are standout performances. They are impressive, dramatic and in a few cases stand the test of time but yet they all  exist on a level that showcases the actor’s true talents and is an example of how…