movie review

With ‘Top Five,’ Chris Rock finds his voice — and his niche

In “Top Five,” Chris Rock plays Andre Allen; a comedian fighting to be taken seriously as he enters the next phase of his uber-successful Hollywood career. After launching the lucrative “Hammy the Bear” franchise, Allen is now attempting a dramatic epic about a Haitian slave uprising

‘Dumb and Dumber To’ is really high on stupid, but low on laughs

“Dumb and Dumber To” is a movie that seems to exist solely for those involved. This is a movie that was probably more fun to make than it is to watch, and it’s a bittersweet reminder for those of a certain age that the Clinton years are a long, long time ago.

‘Beyond the Lights’ is a film with a lot to say, but no idea how to say it

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “Beyond the Lights” wants to say something profound about pop stardom and identity, but it winds up mired in melodrama and cliches. There is a palatable chemistry between Mbatha-Raw and Parker, and both leads give strong performances, but the film can’t seem to avoid steering into movie-of-the-week territory.

Family film guide 2013

From Oz the Great and Powerful to Disney Pixar’s Planes and everything in between, here’s your complete family movie guide for 2013. –ruthie hawkins

‘Beautiful Creatures’ movie review

Stars: Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Emma Thompson, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Jeremy Irons Due to drop just in time for the day of love, Beautiful

‘Stand Up Guys’ movie review

Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, Alan Arkin, Julianna Margulies After serving 28 years in prison for accidentally killing the son of a crime boss, newly released

‘A Haunted House’ movie review

Marlon Wayans, Cedric the Entertainer, Essence Atkins, David Koechner, Nick Swardson, Affion Crockett In an outrageous parody of the Paranormal Activity series and The Devil

‘Gangster Squad’ movie review

Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Michael Peña, Anthony Mackie, Emma Stone In 1949, Los Angeles, ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob boss Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs

‘Parental Guidance’ movie review

Old school grandfather Artie (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler)