The Flixster Blog

Motion pictures and automobiles were invented at about the same time. Coincidence? I don't think so. The two are married to each other, till death do they part, and here's the evidence:

Ever wonder what films were key in the history of CGI? There are a lot of them. So many, in fact, that any time someone posts a Top Ten list, each item is hotly debated. This list will make no such promises. Instead, we offer ten key moments in the development of CGI special effects, and a description of the software used to create them.

Movies. Long extinct cartoon series. Commercials. Even fork and spoon sexual affairs. Is nothing sacred on Robot Chicken? Apparently webcomics.

Rather than waste time wondering why, I offer these suggestions:

Sidekicks provide many purposes. They add comic relief, support for the star, and a character the audience can more readily relate to. Unfortunately, all too often they also annoy the living hell out of us. There are many times when we wish the star of the movie would give the sidekick a very literal interpretation of the "kick" part of the name. Here are eight of the absolute worst offenders.

Hollywood loves sequels. If something is successful once, they figure, then why not squeeze as much money out of the idea for as long as possible? Sometimes this is great. If it weren't for Hollywood’s greed, we probably wouldn’t have The Empire Strikes Back or The Dark Knight. But sometimes it is the opposite of great, and that is where our list comes in. Hollywood — there are times when we really don’t need another sequel. Here are ten prime examples.

Actors have always wanted to be musicians (give it a rest, Russell Crowe!), and musicians have always wanted to be actors. However, none have enjoyed a better success rate than rappers. Overconfident, egocentric, and often angry, rappers are perfectly tailored to slip into an acting career. Of course, not every rapper has a critically acclaimed film career. Coolio’s résumé, including Pterodactyl and Dracula 3000, gives evidence of this. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 7 rappers who have succeeded where others have failed: the movies.

Now that Sarah Palin's a big star, you betcha it's only a matter of time before she heads for Hollywood. We'll see what roles she takes on then, doggone it, but for now our rich fantasy life casts her in these classic roles that reflect her improbable path to greatness.

As a nation we love nothing more than children on the silver screen, acting adorable for just long enough to let us forget our troubles. Actually, that’s not true. The one thing we love more is watching those same child stars fade into obscurity or become drug addled criminals. Serves them right for trying to tear down our child labor laws! But not all child actors fade away. In fact, some remain on the path to success. Let’s catch up with some of our favorite child stars and see how they’re doing. As pampered stars they never had to worry about school, so now it’s finally time to get graded.

What is NC-17?

It isn't porn.  Not by a long shot.  But there's nakedness.  Below-the-belt nakedness.  Hot, sweaty, hunka-hunka, doitdoitdoitnow nakedness.  Okay, it's porn.  And maybe some violence.  But when was the last time a movie was rated NC-17 for violence?  Right, never.  Wait, no, The Wild Bunch was, for about a minute, then re-rated R on appeal.  Curious? See why the NC-17 rating for films exists and where it came from here.

Okay, this gets tricky. Greek food and Mamma Mia? Bad idea. Too planned, too contrived. It screams, "Hey, I have no spontaneity! I've already picked out the floral arrangement for our wedding reception!" And who wants to sit through a movie with souvlaki-breath? But go with Swedish food and you're saying, "Hey, I'm sophisticated enough to know where ABBA's from." Likewise, no on Greek food and My My Big, Fat Greek Wedding. (See "What kind of movie to pick?")

According to Webster’s New Medical Dictionary, "passive-aggressive" was coined by US Military doctors in WWII, who encountered soldiers resisting orders through "stubbornness, sullenness, procrastination, and intentional inefficiency" — and probably leaving lots of mean little notes!

When the movies want great stories, they go to the Olympics. There's always an "event" ready-made for the climax, with the possibility of winning big or losing it all in one instant. And there are obstacles — disease, prejudice, bunions, total paralysis, bad food, jealous coaches. It's all a metaphor for life, isn't it? Life is like fencing — you gotta smack somebody with a sharp metal thing to get ahead. Or life is like the 100-meter butterfly — you gotta race through a thick, wet, chlorinated pool of adversity using a stylized and utterly awkward stroke invented during the Hoover administration. Life is like diving backwards off a 30-foot platform — well, you get it.