‘Dictator’ hopes to rule at the box office

By Shirrel Rhoades | May 16, 2012 - 6:53pm

Sacha Baron Cohen might just be the ultimate method actor.

‘Dark Shadows’ rises from the grave

By Shirrel Rhoades | May 9, 2012 - 7:15pm

Jonathan Frid died a few weeks ago. You might remember that during the late 1960s he starred in a daytime Gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows.

‘Avengers’ assemble on the big screen

By Shirrel Rhoades | May 2, 2012 - 5:43pm

‘Avengers Assemble!” Those are the words that call the famous superhero team to action in the pages of Marvel Comics.

‘Raven’ is far from nevermore

By Shirrel Rhoades | April 25, 2012 - 6:08pm

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious decision about which movies to review, I learned that no-longer-boyish actor John Cusack is portraying Edgar Allan Poe in a mystery thriller titled – you guessed it – “The Raven.

‘The Lucky One’ is more than luck

By Shirrel Rhoades | April 18, 2012 - 5:39pm

Yes, Nicholas Sparks has made a successful career of writing about failed love.

‘Lockout’ is locked into sci-fi action

By Shirrel Rhoades | April 11, 2012 - 6:31pm

Like many boys of my generation, I grew up reading science fiction by Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clark.

Too soon to say, bye-bye to ‘American Pie’

By Shirrel Rhoades | April 5, 2012 - 7:28pm

I’ve been to two of my high school reunions. It’s weird to see your old classmates morphed into unrecognizable old people.

‘Wrath of Titans’ retells Greek myths

By Shirrel Rhoades | March 28, 2012 - 8:30pm

The Greek gods have been casting down movies from Mount Olympus like a reign of thunderbolts – “Clash of the Titans,” “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” “The Immortals” and, now, “Wrath of the Titans.

‘Silent House’ isn’t for shut-ins

By Shirrel Rhoades | March 21, 2012 - 7:30pm

Ever locked yourself out of the house. I have. It can be very frustrating, trying to remember where you left a spare key.

'Project X' parties on

By Shirrel Rhoades | March 14, 2012 - 6:31pm

‘Project X’ parties on Remember when a young Tom Cruise threw a party when his folks were out of town in “Risky Business”? He danced in his underwear and entertained a pretty hooker.

Eddie Murphy has ‘Words’ for you

By Shirrel Rhoades | March 7, 2012 - 7:51pm

A thousand words: That’s about twice the length of this review of the movie of the same name.

Orange ‘Lorax’ has green tint

By Shirrel Rhoades | February 29, 2012 - 8:50pm

One of my favorite television moments was watching the Rev. Jesse Jackson on “Saturday Night Live” in 1991 reading Dr.

‘Act of Valor’ is no act

By Shirrel Rhoades | February 22, 2012 - 7:28pm

You’d think “Act of Valor” was a Navy training film or a documentary like Frank Capra’s “Why We Fight” series from World War II. In a way it is.

‘Ghost Rider’ rides again

By Shirrel Rhoades | February 15, 2012 - 6:13pm

Sequels rarely are better than the original, but if you’re looking for straight-out action the new comic-book movie “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” in 3D surpasses the original.

'Safe House' is dangerous game

By Shirrel Rhoades | February 8, 2012 - 8:35pm

Watch your real estate values if you live next door to a safe house – one of those secret locales where government agents hide spies, witnesses and people perceived as being in danger.

Neeson howls In ‘The Grey’

By Shirrel Rhoades | February 1, 2012 - 3:51pm

Neeson howls In ‘The Grey’ We all have animal instints. That’s what Liam Neeson discovers in “The Grey.

'One for the Money': A new mystery franchise?

By Shirrel Rhoades | January 25, 2012 - 1:00pm

‘One for the Money’: A new mystery franchise?

‘Underworld’ rises again

By Shirrel Rhoades | January 18, 2012 - 5:36pm

All right, I confess. I like movies featuring sexy butt-kicking females – “Salt” with Angelina Jolie, “Columbiana” with Zoe Saldana, “Haywire” with Gina Carano.

Wahlberg is in grip of crime

By Shirrel Rhoades | January 11, 2012 - 5:45pm

Mark Wahlberg’s new movie “Contraband” finds him playing a former smuggler who is pulled back into his shady past to rescue his brother-in-law when a deal goes sour.

My Top 10 Arnold Schwarzenegger Movie Quotes

By Shirrel Rhoades | January 4, 2012 - 6:25pm

Arnold Schwarzenegger famously said “I’ll be back” in “The Terminator.

'War Horse’ an emotional ride

By Shirrel Rhoades | December 28, 2011 - 8:56pm

Director Steven Spielberg gallops into the New Year on a war horse. That is, a film called “War Horse.

Cruise delivers the ‘Impossible’

By Shirrel Rhoades | December 21, 2011 - 8:37pm

Remember how that old CBS show “Mission: Impossible” started with IMF team leader Jim Phelps receiving a dangerous assignment with the admonition, “As always, should you or any of your I.M. Force be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions”? Five seconds later the recording self-destructs while Lalo Schifrin’s distinctive theme music thumps in the background.

Holmes faces old foe in sequel

By Shirrel Rhoades | December 14, 2011 - 8:34pm

The great detective Sherlock Holmes first appeared in publication in 1887 in Beeton’s Christmas Annual.

Marshall invites us to ‘New Year’s Eve’ party

By Shirrel Rhoades | December 7, 2011 - 6:27pm

Garry Marshall seems to enjoy his holidays.

‘The Skin I Live In’ is uncomfortable

By Shirrel Rhoades | November 30, 2011 - 8:13pm

My friend, Dave, is a retired plastic surgeon.