Jack Lemmon

'Freaky Deaky' Tribeca

Morris Ruskin | Posted 04.27.2012

Morris Ruskin

So often we think of Hollywood kids in unflattering terms: troubled, entitled, squandered potential. This past weekend, however, I was charmed by an interaction between the children of two of Hollywood's greats.

Why We Need Shirley MacLaine, and Billy Wilder's The Apartment More Now than Ever

Vivian Norris | Posted 11.09.2011

Vivian Norris

Perhaps this morality tale will cheer up a few folks who are out of work in the big city...things could be worse, you could still be working for some schmuck, dating some jerk, serving the corporate beast.

10 Black & White Movies for People Who Won't Watch Black & White Movies

John Farr | Posted 09.27.2011

John Farr

If I could get all those black and white haters out there to watch just ten titles -- movies that constituted absolutely essential viewing -- which would they be?

Stars Fight For Increased NEA Funding

AP | BRETT ZONGKER | Posted 06.05.2011

WASHINGTON -- Kevin Spacey performed some impromptu "street theater" Tuesday to ask Congress for continued funding of the National Endowment for the A...

Christian Bale: So Many Good Parts, but Is There a Part Missing?

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

Christian Bale strikes me as a complete enigma. Yes, his acting chops are prodigious, but he seems to me to be all technique and no heart; we get buckets of perfectly formed ice, but very little fire.

Remembering Robert Altman

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

I was understandably nervous and excited to meet this man. It was May 5th, 2004 in Stamford, Connecticut. As co-founder of a newly restored landmark...

They Belong in Every Home: The Ten Best Holiday Movies by Farr

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

The values and emotions imparted in these timeless films are sure to stoke the spirit of "Peace On Earth, Good Will Towards Men" (and women). Happy viewing!

Investing In The Movies

Morris Ruskin | Posted 05.25.2011

Morris Ruskin

RICKY ROMA Stocks, bonds, objects of art, real estate. What are they? (pause) An op...

Missing Mr. Matthau

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

On the first of this month, Walter Matthau, who left us just a decade ago, would have turned ninety. Ruminating on this unnoted milestone made me consider anew what a unique and gifted screen actor he was.

Remembering Tony Curtis

Morris Ruskin | Posted 05.25.2011

Morris Ruskin

Tony loved being famous. But there was another side to Tony: He was also a fragile, wounded human.

Two Passing Greats: A Tribute to Arthur Penn and Tony Curtis

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

One had to acknowledge and admire Tony Curtis's sheer spirit and zest. But while Curtis was the ultimate public personality, filmmaker Arthur Penn, who died two days ago, was basically a private man.

Professional Pictures: Movies About Our Day Jobs

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

As seen through the revealing lens of timeless film, you can derive a measure of comfort and perspective amidst the seeming complexity of it all, because the pressures and vicissitudes of the work place go back a very long way.

Confessions Of A Closet Curmudgeon

Dr. Judith Rich | Posted 11.17.2011

Dr. Judith Rich

"Astute perception and sly wit" -- who wouldn't sign up for that? And how about a lack of a "serviceable denial mechanism?" Sounds good to me! Doesn't everyone aspire to these qualities?

The Top Father/Son Movie Stars, Bar None

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

With advance apologies to Lloyd and Jeff Bridges, Henry and Peter Fonda, Martin and Charlie Sheen, this special designation belongs to Kirk and Michael Douglas.

Ten Films For The Coming Weeks

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

Get ready, folks, for the coming blur of forced reunions, work-related functions, and cacophonous Christmas parties.

The Ten Best Movies About Journalism by Farr

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

In the wake of the revered Walter Cronkite's passing, I've attempted to isolate the ten best movies about journalism.

A Wistful Champagne Toast to William Powell

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

One of the finest actors and leading men from Hollywood's Golden Age, William Powell was born towards the end of this month way back in 1892. It's unlikely most people under 30 would even recognize his name, which is sad, but also easily remedied.

Summer Reading on a Sunny (Doris) Day: David Kaufman's The Untold Story of the Girl Next Door Part I

Penelope Andrew | Posted 05.25.2011

Penelope Andrew

There are certain actors we encounter as children having grown up on classic film who have a profound impact on us, and no one knows this better than David Kaufman, author of Doris Day: The Untold Story of the Girl Next Door.

Just When Did The Quality Of Hollywood Films Start To Drop?

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

While Hollywood continues to dominate the global film market, the most original, intelligent, and enduring movies today are being made outside this country.

30 Years After TMI, A Lesson For Today's Economists

Meathead | Posted 05.25.2011

Meathead

Our new test for any enterprise, be it a financial institution, a power plant, or a war, must be, "Is it too large to be allowed to fail?" If the answer is "yes" then we cannot proceed.

Best Movies By Farr: When Oscar Screws Up

John Farr | Posted 05.25.2011

John Farr

2005 -- for Best Picture, give me Capote over Crash any ol' time. Another uninspiring year, I thought.