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Flirting by numbers: Paltrow and Downey Jr.

Film

Iron Man 2: Robert Downey Jr. Must Choose Between Scarlett Johansson and Gwyneth Paltrow

As our movie begins, Tony Stark–mechanical genius, Forbes 400 perennial, the pop-star CEO of Stark Industries–has dropped any…

Hjejle gets caught amid ghosts.

Film

The Eclipse: Ghosts and Guilt in Ireland

The Eclipse is a curious Irish ghost story that fiddles with the recipe just enough to produce interesting…

Young is endearingly ragged.

Film

Neil Young Trunk Show: Jonathan Demme’s Latest Tribute

In contrast to 2006’s amber-lit, prayerful Neil Young: Heart of Gold, a stately acoustic set at Nashville’s tradition-rich…

Ellsberg in Vietnam.

Film

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Remember Daniel Ellsberg? You Should

Daniel Ellsberg was an ex-Marine, trusted analyst, and Cold Warrior under Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, who,…

Brief encounter: Pattinson and de Ravin.

Film

Remember Me: Pretty-Boy Robert Pattinson Stars in 9/11 Dreck

Putatively a new romance starring Robert Pattinson, Remember Me begins like a vigilante movie: A Brooklyn subway platform,…

Considine (left) tries to sort things out in 1984.

Film

Red Riding Trilogy: Three Movies and Many Murders

This crime triptych originated in four novels by David Peace, who looked back without nostalgia to the Yorkshire…

Traditional life endures on the farm.

Film

Old Partner: Hard Life on the Farm

The key image in Old Partner is that of farmer Choi Won-kyun, 79, slumped in his jerry-rigged cart,…

Travolta gives the French a jive lesson.

Film

From Paris With Love: Why Does John Travolta Hate France?

As personal assistant to the U.S. Ambassador to France, James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) longs for some more…

Don’t make Mel mad.

Film

Edge of Darkness: Gibson Stretches as a Man With a Grudge

“Did you shoot my daughtah?” is the question posed, in flat-voweled Bostonian, in the trailer for Edge. And…

Hütz (top) and his Bordello crew.

Film

Gogol Bordello Non-Stop: From Kiev With Love

A whirling dervish of rafter-swinging rebellion, gypsy-punk rockers Gogol Bordello (led by handlebar-mustached beanpole Eugene Hütz—beloved New York…

Washington leads Kunis in prayer.

Film

The Book of Eli: Denzel Washington Kicks Ass for Jesus

Directors Allen and Albert Hughes were raised by an Armenian mother and an African American father. With such…

Hawke on the vampire trail.

Film

Daybreakers: Ethan Hawke Is Lost Among Corporate Vampires

No fashion-conscious multiplex movie should face opening day without some grave issue of our day propped in its…

Gerwig is one of the unwelcome house guests.

Film

The House of the Devil: Jocelin Donahue Is Trapped in ’80s Kitsch Horror

The Devil, apparently, lives in an out-of-the-way gingerbread Victorian, just past the cemetery, where college sophomore Samantha (Jocelin…

Nothing is private for Harris (left) and friends.

Film

We Live in Public: Web-Cam Narcissism Runs Amok

Documentarian Ondi Timoner lends her credulity and camera to swollen, damaged egos who believe themselves visionaries. We Live…

Rowan and the reindeer.

Film

The Horse Boy: Autism, Unfortunate. So Is the Movie

There’s a moment in this documentary when the father of its subject, an autistic child named Rowan, explains…

Hawke will not be ignored.

Film

Chelsea on the Rocks: The Hotel Is Iconic. Not So the Movie

One New York institution (Abel Ferrara, b. 1951, the Bronx) regards another (The Hotel Chelsea, b. 1883, West…

Director Belman with his leading man.

Film

More Than a Game: LeBron James Builds His Brand

This documentary follows Akron’s Fab Four (later Five) kids on the basketball court, from their “Shooting Stars” traveling…

Gervais enlists Jennifer Garner in his scheme.

Film

The Invention of Lying: Nice Try, Ricky Gervais

The plot hook here sounds like a pileup of Jim Carrey–Tom Shadyac concept comedies. Ricky Gervais’ fuzzy parable…

Laurent gets to be glorious in her own right.

Film

Paris: Juliette Binoche Co-Stars With the Eiffel Tower

Paris, as overdocumented as any great city, still has new facets to reflect. For proof, see Claire Denis’…

Another wanderer in Andersson's lonely world.

Film

PICK You, the Living: More Deadpan Vignettes From Sweden

You, the Living flips through 50-some single-panel vignettes, many very funny, arranged by Roy Andersson, a Swedish director…