D.C. MOVIE GUYS

Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is a great chef.  A real wizard with all kinds of food and spices.  The small restaurant she works in one of the most popular in New York.  She rules her kitchen, and its staff, with a stern hand and manner.  She’s even willing to fight with the owner of the restaurant and the customers, if they have the nerve to complain about one of her creations.  That’s why, as “No Reservations,” the new romantic comedy/drama starring Zeta-Jones, begins, Kate is an interesting place-anger management therapy. (more…)

Musicals have taken some interesting turns in making their way to the big screen in recent years.  Along with the traditional practice of making movies out of popular stage musicals, producers have recently turned to non-,musical films for material for both mediums.  John Waters’ `1988 cult hit “Hairspray” made the move to Broadway and won several Tony Awards as a musical in 2003.  Now the producers of the Oscar-winning film version of “Chicago” have brought the musical version of “Hairspray” back to where the story began.  This smart and energetic adaptation delivers a delightful treat to mid-summer moviegoers of all ages. (more…)

MOVIE REVIEW: “HARRY POTTER & THE ORDER OF THE PHEONIX”

In a summer movie season dominated by sequels that have little fresh to offer, “Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix,” stands out for a muber of reasons. First and foremost, it’s a fast paced and entertaining trip through the latest adventures of the teenage wizard, hiis friends and enemies. The film also reflects the care and attention to detail that author J.K. Rowlin insisted be brought to the film adaptations of her books. These on and off screen elements, combined with well concieved plots that have more going on than a simple adventure story, make the series irresistible and this movie one of the summer’s cinematic gems. (more…)