The Ides of March

CHICAGO – One of the more surprising choices this week by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was to cite the Adapted Screenplay for George Clooney’s “The Ides of March,” recently released on DVD and Blu-ray. The Ryan Gosling-led drama has some strengths, but it’s script is the weakest element of the film. The sheer force of talent of the people who bring it to life may have led some to believe it’s better than it actually is. See for yourself.

CHICAGO – The Producers Guild of America announced their final nominees this morning for the Producers Guild Awards, celebrating the year of producing in film and television. While documentary film categories and multiple television categories had already been announced, the nominees for motion pictures, animated motion pictures, and long-form television were official this morning.

CHICAGO – The Hollywood Foreign Press Association may have done nothing as soul crushing as the nominations for “Burlesque” and “The Tourist” last year but it’s not for lack of trying. Here are their ten biggest offenses, followed by the full list of nominees for this year’s Golden Globes.

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 – Halloween weekend belonged to the cats this year as “Puss in Boots” beat out “Paranormal Activity 3” for the box office crown. The new animated feature starring a feline character that was first brought to us in the “Shrek” franchise proved that kids movies are still king of the box office of late.

CHICAGO – “Paranormal Activity 3” made record breaking audiences scream all weekend long and hauled in enough money to not only be named box office king for this weekend, but for all time from any September/October fall release.

CHICAGO- In the battle of boxing robots and dancing teens, the robots have won in a split decision. In its second weekend in theaters, “Real Steel” has won back-to-back box office bouts, winning this past weekend by a very close scorecard.

CHICAGO – The new futuristic boxing film “Real Steel” rocked and socked its way to the box office crown this weekend, dethroning last week’s winner, “Dolphin Tale.” The new film, starring Hugh Jackman, brought in an estimated $27.3 million.

CHICAGO – George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” is a star-studded political thriller of the variety that was made much more commonly in the ‘70s and would therefore seem like a perfect vehicle to restart for today’s controversial times.

CHICAGO – In its second week in theaters, the inspirational/family drama “Dolphin Tale” dethroned “The Lion King 3D” for the box office win. The film, which follows the relationship between a boy and a dolphin that lost its tail in a crab trap, had shown interest in its first week’s release, but went a step further in week two.