SONNY BUNCH

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Astro Boy’

Summit Entertainment has tried just a little too hard to broaden the appeal of its new computer-animated feature "Astro Boy," liberally sprinkling the kiddie picture with references that only adults will understand. The effect is closer to Dreamworks than Pixar, however: "Astro Boy" trades subtlety and emotional development for easy gags. Published October 23, 2009

Obama campaign biopic already dated

Maybe the most remarkable thing about the new Edward Norton-produced HBO documentary "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama" — a cinematic souvenir of that unique moment in American political history — is how dated it already feels. Published October 23, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘The Yes Men Fix the World’

"The Yes Men Fix the World" is like a highlight reel of Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno's pranks over the last decade. What, exactly, their antics have accomplished is unclear. Published October 23, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Law Abiding Citizen’

There's almost an interesting idea at the heart of "Law Abiding Citizen," making the movie's complete and utter failure on every level all the more disappointing. Published October 16, 2009

H1N1 vaccine fears fueled over airwaves

Over the past few weeks, several prominent talk-show hosts from across the political spectrum have stoked public anxiety about the swine flu vaccine. Published October 16, 2009

To rebut Gore, filmmakers go grass roots

Unable to get Hollywood studio backing for their new documentary, "Not Evil Just Wrong" - an answer to Al Gore's climate-change lecture "An Inconvenient Truth" - husband-and-wife filmmakers Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney have taken matters into their own hands. Published October 13, 2009

Indie filmmakers tap grass roots

Hoping to tap the rising tide of populist anger and activism on the right, husband-and-wife filmmaking duo Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney are bringing their new film, "Not Evil Just Wrong" -- an answer to Al Gore's global-warming documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth" -- to as many people as possible through grass-roots screenings they're calling "cinematic tea parties." Published October 12, 2009

Nerd Art: Affordable prices lure incorrigible dorks

Ever wanted a print of Robocop riding a unicorn up on your wall? A mash-up of Nintendo's Super Mario Brothers and the Berlin Wall? If so, congratulations: You're a card-carrying member of nerd culture. And Tim Doyle has just the art for you. Published October 9, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘A Serious Man’

With its dream sequences and existentialist atmosphere, this is the Coens' most complex picture since "The Big Lebowski" and perhaps the best film they've ever made. Published October 9, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Couples Retreat’

It's hard to imagine that the thoroughly mediocre and paint-by-numbers romantic comedy "Couples Retreat" was written by the same guy who brought the world "Swingers" 15 years ago. Published October 9, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Paranormal Activity’

A decade ago, a trio of filmmakers made an ultra low-budget horror film with no special effects, a clever marketing campaign and a prayer. "The Blair Witch Project" ended up an international phenomenon, grossing $140 million and frightening a generation of moviegoers. Published October 2, 2009

Carter family heirs ask about Va. Tech items

Heirs to the "first family of country music" are raising questions about several items in a cache of Carter Family memorabilia acquired this summer by Virginia Tech, but university officials are refusing to say who sold them the articles. Published October 2, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Capitalism: A Love Story’

A brilliant propagandist, Michael Moore succeeds once again at being provocative while failing to improve anyone's station in life. Other than his own, of course. Published October 2, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Zombieland’

Though not as timeless as forebears such as "Shaun of the Dead," "Zombieland" has enough clever moments to keep audiences looking for funny kills and outrageous action entertained. Published October 2, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘The Way We Get By’

"The Way We Get By" is a documentary that's both a moving testament to the elderly folks who meet the troops and an interesting look at the troops themselves as they embark on — and return from — their hazardous duty. Published October 2, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘The Providence Effect’

Chronicling the incredible success of Providence St. Mel, a school on Chicago's decrepit west side, "The Providence Effect" comes off as more a gauzy 90-minute infomercial for the school than a real examination of its methods and strategies for success. Published September 25, 2009

Out of characters: Disney should go indie

Almost a month after Disney purchased comic publishing powerhouse Marvel for $4.1 billion, lingering questions remain. Consider this one: How does Disney plan on making any money from the deal? Published September 25, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Surrogates’

Desperate to avoid the perils of everyday living, humanity has turned virtual reality into actual reality in the new sci-fi action flick "Surrogates." Published September 25, 2009

How rogue conservative filmmakers took down ACORN

For the longest time, conservatives were content to sit around and kvetch about the state of the culture, complaining about the ascendancy of Michael Moore and the double standards of the mainstream media when it came to documenting the foibles of the political parties. Published September 18, 2009

MOVIES: ‘Jennifer’s Body’: One part horror, two parts camp

Summer saw one well-budgeted horror-comedy come to the big screen: "Drag Me to Hell," by Sam Raimi. That fright flick deftly combined horror, gross-out gags and clever quips to create an immensely entertaining melange of chills and giggles. Published September 18, 2009