The story of Cecil Gaines, a White House butler spanning seven administrations, is ever-so-loosely based on the life of the late Eugene Allen. But the result is too reverent to feel like fiction, too improbable to feel like the truth.
Movies
A look at some of the DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores this week:
Starring Forest Whitaker as a longtime White House butler and Oprah Winfrey as his boozy wife, the Weinstein Co. biopic debuted in the top spot with $25 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. But the weekend’s three other major new releases, including the action romp “Kick-Ass 2,” failed to find traction with fans.
What: “Kick-Ass 2”
A look at some of the DVDs, CDs and books hitting stores this week.
The dystopian science fiction thriller “Elysium” topped the weekend box office with $30.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, enough to beat three newcomers, including the Jennifer Aniston comedy “We’re the Millers.”
“Elysium” is many things, but subtle isn’t one of them. Too bad, really, because otherwise, the grim, grimy tale from “District 9” writer-director Neill Blomkamp is a quite good — excellent by this summer’s standards — rough-and-tumble sci-fi tale of the haves vs. the have-nots.
Thor is back. The official trailer for “Thor: The Dark World” debuted Wednesday morning and quickly got everyone talking.
Two American Film Institute students are making a film about the tunnels of Las Vegas and those who live there.
“The Wolverine” slashed monsters and minions to debut atop the weekend box office. The Fox film featuring Hugh Jackman’s sixth turn as the claw-wielding superhero opened with $55 million in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday.
(Most) everyone’s favorite X-Men super hero, Wolverine, goes from self-punishing vagabond to master ninja fighter, but amazingly something is still missing.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Actress Amanda Bynes was hospitalized for a mental health evaluation after deputies said she started a small fire in the driveway of a home in Southern California.
NEW YORK — Dennis Farina, a onetime Chicago cop who as a popular actor played a cop on “Law & Order,” has died.