April 20, 2025

The New Citizens Press

News For, By and About People

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Movies

Videoview

Rina Risper07 mins

By Jay Bobbin
Tribune Media Services
 
STARTING THIS WEEK: “AFRICAN CATS”: The “Disneynature” series of feature-length documentaries continues with this Samuel L. Jackson-narrated portrait of lions and cheetahs. The story it weaves considers the relationship between parent and child … as evidenced by animals willing to make any and all sacrifices to ensure the safety of their young ones. A portion of the movie’s first-week video sales goes to a preservation effort being staged in conjunction with the African Wildlife Foundation. DVD extras: two “making-of” documentaries. *** (G) (Also on Blu-ray)
 

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Movie Review: Contagion

Rina Risper06 mins

Studio:     Warner Bros. (1hr. 05 minutes)
Plot:     A global pandemic threatens mankind.
Cast:     Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Sanaa Lathan, Kate Winslet, Jude Law
Rating:     PG-13
Bottom Line:     ****
 
By Samantha Ofole-Prince
 
The statistics are startling and the setting is equally frightening in this pandemic movie which travels, much like its virus, through several continents.
 

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Blackflix.com: Celebrity Interviews: Comedian JB Smoove delivers the humor in Hall Pass

Rina Risper05 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Samantha Ofole-Prince

JB Smoove is a living, breathing example of comedy.
 
The actor, writer and stand-up comedian best known for his hilarious role as Leon on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has had recurring roles on the TV show “Everybody Hates Chris.” 

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Videoview

Rina Risper08 mins

  ”THE FIGHTER”: Mark Wahlberg shepherded this superb drama through the production process for years, but ironically, he was the only major cast principal not to score an Oscar nomination for the true story of Boston boxer-against-the-odds Micky Ward. Those up for the honors included Christian Bale as Ward’s fighter-turned-trainer half brother, Melissa Leo as their mother and Amy Adams as Ward’s tough-in-her-own-right girlfriend. Director David O. Russell not only draws superb performances from all of them, he also generates an indelible sense of the tale’s setting. DVD extras: “making-of” documentary; audio commentary by Russell. **** (R: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

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Videoview

Rina Risper08 mins

  ”THE FIGHTER”: Mark Wahlberg shepherded this superb drama through the production process for years, but ironically, he was the only major cast principal not to score an Oscar nomination for the true story of Boston boxer-against-the-odds Micky Ward. Those up for the honors included Christian Bale as Ward’s fighter-turned-trainer half brother, Melissa Leo as their mother and Amy Adams as Ward’s tough-in-her-own-right girlfriend. Director David O. Russell not only draws superb performances from all of them, he also generates an indelible sense of the tale’s setting. DVD extras: “making-of” documentary; audio commentary by Russell. **** (R: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

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Blackflix.com: “Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son”

Rina Risper08 mins

Studio:     20th Century Fox

Plot:     FBI agent Malcolm Turner and his stepson Trent go undercover at an all-girls performing arts school after Trent witnesses a murder.
Cast:     Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas, Portia Doubleday, Faizon Love.
Rating:      PG-13
Bottom Line:     ****
 

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Blackflix.com: “The Company Men”

Rina Risper05 mins

Studio: The Weinstein Company (109 mins)

Plot:    The story centers on a year in the life of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing at a major company.
Cast:    Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Eamonn Walker
Rating:     R
Bottom Line:     ***
 
By Samantha Ofole-Prince

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Videoview

Rina Risper06 mins

  

By Jay Bobbin
Tribune Media Services
 
STARTING THIS WEEK: “WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’ “: Director and co-writer Davis Guggenheim’s acclaimed documentary examines the current state of the U.S. public education system as mirrored by the experiences of five youngsters who have run into hurdles in the pursuit of advancing their learning. The film shows not just what is but what could be, a fact that prompted much conversation about the ideas posed by Guggenheim and his collaborators. John Legend is featured on the soundtrack. DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries; audio commentary by Guggenheim and producer Lesley Chilcott; deleted scenes; conversation with Guggenheim. **** (PG: AS, P) (Also on Blu-ray)

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Movie: The Green Hornet

Rina Risper03 mins

 

 Studio:   Columbia (1hr. 48 min.)

Plot:     Based the short-lived 1960’s television show about a newspaper publisher turned masked vigilante.
Cast:     Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, Christopher Waltz
Rating:     PG-13
Bottom Line:     ***
 
By Laurence Washington
 
Fans of the 1966 television show, “The Green Hornet,” will probably enjoy this 2011 outing, but they won’t get too excited about it.

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Videoview

Rina Risper08 mins

STARTING THIS WEEK: “THE AMERICAN”: The title is accurate in terms of this well-filmed vehicle for an unusually somber George Clooney, who really is the only American in the European-made story of a hit man who mulls getting out of the business and takes some downtime in Italy after a mission goes wrong. The locals make him feel welcome – particularly one woman (Violante Placido) he develops feelings for – but opening himself up to others increases the odds he won’t survive much longer. DVD extras: “making-of” documentary; audio commentary by director Anton Corbijn; deleted scenes. *** (R: AS, N, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

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