J. Edgar

CHICAGO – With all due respect to Damián Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman and Brad Pitt, I believe that the three best lead performances by an actor in 2011 were entirely overlooked by the Academy. None of the five Oscar nominees quite managed to top Michael Shannon in “Take Shelter,” Michael Fassbender in “Shame” or Leonardo DiCaprio in “J. Edgar.”

CHICAGO – No surprise here: “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” dominated the box office this weekend and took home the number one spot. The fourth film in the hit vampire/teenage love franchise brought in an estimated $139.5 million in its opening three days.

CHICAGO – After two weeks of the animated feature film “Puss in Boots” holding the box office crown, this week the new film “Immortals” took the crown. Earning an estimated $32 million, the action packed mythological film easily brought in enough to be deemed number one.

CHICAGO – Much of history is determined by the petty quirks and strange psychosis of “great leaders.” J. Edgar Hoover, FBI director for 48 years, worked hard to hide his very nature by squelching the nature of others – enemies, friends and perceived enemies. Leonardo DiCaprio is Hoover in “J. Edgar.”

CHICAGO – For the second week in a row, the animated DreamWorks feature “Puss in Boots” came in with the top spot at the weekend box office. The film, based on the feline character that originated in the “Shrek” series, totaled $33 million in its second week in theaters.

CHICAGO – This is usually the time of year where we bemoan the months that have just passed and talk about the quality to come in the Fall. The fact is that if the upcoming season is half-as-good as the previous three, 2011 is going to be the best year in film in ages. It’s been a VERY strong year at the cinema and there’s every indication that we ain’t seen nothing yet.