Everest review – disaster film fails to scale new heights

The best disaster films leave you wondering how you would cope faced with such tremendous adversity and impossible odds on survival in the wake of a completely unexpected event.

“Everest” won’t be climbing to the peak of the genre as beyond its snow-covered chaos and majestic views, there’s little to draw you in and keep you invested.

‘Southpaw’ review – fighter shows punch left in boxing genre

Proving there’s still some gas left in the boxing movie genre, ‘Southpaw’ is an emotional and entertaining look at a boxer’s struggle to reclaim his desire to fight both inside and outside the ring.

Out of all the niche sports dramas there’s not a lot of ways to say something new in a boxing movie. Considering how expertly the two signature films in the genre — ‘Rocky’ and ‘Raging Bull’ — covered the boxer’s journey of the fall of a champion and the making of a champion, there’s not a lot of gold to be mined for new material.

With Gyllenhaal out, WB eyes two actors to replace Tom Hardy in “Suicide Squad”

The clock is ticking for Warner Bros. production of “Suicide Squad” and they’re a man short for the job.

“Suicide Squad” is set to debut Aug. 5, 2016, but Director David Ayer is still looking for a replacement to fill the role of Rick Flag. Tom Hardy initially was cast, but backed out due to scheduling conflicts. Warner Bros. then recruited Jake Gyllenhaal for the part, but he decided against it.

Tom Hardy kills Suicide Squad role, but Jake Gyllenhaal may take his spot

Of all the cast members I’d be OK leaving “Suicide Squad,” Tom Hardy was pretty much at the bottom of my list. I was eagerly anticipating his role as Rick Flag, the leader of the criminal-turned-government secret elite force, but the dreaded scheduling conflicts forced Hardy to back out.

Birthday Wishes – Dec. 19, 2014 – Paulina Gretzky, Jake Gyllenhaal

Alyssa Milano (42) – Glad to see you’ve got another steady gig with “Mistresses.” Looking forward to seeing the next big collaboration with the NFL.

Jake Gyllenhaal (34) – “Nightcrawler” is starting to get some critic buzz and could see you in the Best Actor race and your 2015 slate with “Southpaw” looks like it will be equally impressive.

Box-office roundup – Nov. 2, 2014 – “Nightcrawler” and “Ouija” in tight race for No. 1

It was a slow weekend for theaters as Halloween proved too tempting a lure for moviegoers to spend Friday night in theaters and few inspiring choices convinced them to come out Saturday or Sunday.

1. Nightcrawler – $10.9 million – Jake Gyllenhaal’s latest thriller was a massive hit with critics, which gave it a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but that didn’t translate to audiences as even if it wins (pending Sunday evening numbers) will have the lowest box office win of the year.  This was lower than 2012’s “End of Watch” ($13.1 million) and much further away from Gyllenhaal’s most recent big hit, “Prisoners,” which had a $20.8 million opening last year. “Prisoners” benefited from its ensemble, which also included Hugh Jackman, Viola Davis and Melissa Leo and serious Oscar buzz, and while Gyllenhaal is earning raves, it’s unlikely to make much waves come award season.

Review: Prisoners

Wilson Webb/Warner Bros. Pictures
Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) tries to calm Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman).

“Prisoners” is too much of a brilliantly good thing.

For fans of tense drama, award-worthy acting and confident, steady directing, the film is like a day at the carnival. But much like gorging on cotton candy, funnel cakes and ice cream, it leaves you wondering how much more you would have loved it if only you’d been able to take in a lot less.