Melanie Dishman's archive

Expectations overturned by holiday turnout

Racing to the finish line this holiday season, “War Horse” was predicted as the winner. The family-oriented film with a heartwarming story was indeed a sentimental winner with Steven Speilberg at the helm, but not the true winner among the three biggest, mass audience releases in the past two weeks.

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Bad year at the movies still featured great films

As this year comes to a close, it’s clear the global economy isn’t the only thing in crisis. True to the nature of the business, moviemakers are trying to put a positive spin on what looks like a marked lack of interest in going to the movies. I’ve noticed it, too; just a couple of weeks ago in “New Year’s Eve,” there were no more than 20 seats filled. Halfway into it, though, I understood why.

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Fun film despite preposterous story line

I wonder what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would think of what has become of his Victorian sleuth. There is barely a resemblance between those great books and the Sherlock Holmes portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in this second movie from director Guy Ritchie based on the character of literary fame.

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