Heartbreaking horror, played close to the bone

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:16:00 -0400

For much of its 99-minute running time, "Lovely Molly" brings heartbreaking psychological horror to the world of the 99 percent. This story of a young wife (Gretchen Lodge) who goes crazy or is possessed by a demon — or both — takes place in an America of limited opportunities.

Lacrosse film has a hook, but could dig deeper

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:08:00 -0400

The moviemakers behind "Crooked Arrows" take square aim at making a "Mighty Ducks with lacrosse"

The moviemakers behind "Crooked Arrows" take square aim at making a "Mighty Ducks with lacrosse." Is it fair to say a film hits the bull's-eye when the target is so easy? You wish this movie had focused on its fresh material about lacrosse's Native American roots and ditched its dark-horse cliches.

'Crooked Arrows,' the first lacrosse film, took a winding path

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:07:39 -0400

It took a Superman to bring the first lacrosse feature to the screen

When it comes to lacrosse, all roads lead to Baltimore: That's key to the history of "Crooked Arrows," the first mainstream feature about the sport. It involves a stream of small investors and one genuine big-screen superhero — Brandon Routh, star of "Superman Returns."

Indie movie starring Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell to film in Md.

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 3 May 2012 15:59:00 -0400

'Better Living Through Chemistry' brings blockbuster actors to Annapolis, Baltimore

"Better Living Through Chemistry," an independent movie about a pharmacist's life unraveling after he starts an affair with a trophy-wife customer, will film for five weeks in Maryland starting this month, Governor Martin O'Malley announced Thursday.

As Poe, John Cusack takes flights of fancy in 'The Raven'

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:08:00 -0400

Actor discusses embodying the rebel poet and Baltimorean

John Cusack didn't come to Baltimore when preparing to play Edgar Allan Poe in "The Raven."

Kevin Costner forges new frontiers with Modern West

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:43:02 -0400

Actor brings his band to Strathmore, Annapolis

Kevin Costner, a superstar for two dozen years, hasn't had a big film hit in years. But overseas and out of camera sight, he's been renewing connections with international fans — as a singer.

Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson discusses the late, iconic Apple leader

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 6 Apr 2012 15:26:00 -0400

Author of last year's best-selling nonfiction book will speak at CityLit Festival

Few nonfiction writers think bigger than Walter Isaacson, who has taken on subjects like Henry Kissinger, Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein. But when Apple founder Steve Jobs invited him in 2004 to write a complete and frank biography, Isaacson held back.

Finding shards of light 'In Darkness'

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:23:16 -0400

Whether directing 'The Wire' or a Holocaust tale, Agnieszka Holland finds energy in an abyss

Agnieszka Holland's Holocaust movies, like "Angry Harvest" and "Europa Europa," are a world away from concentration camp tear-jerkers like Robert Benigni's Oscar-winning smash "Life Is Beautiful."

Tax credit to speed Senator Theatre renovations

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:59:28 -0500

Operators say restoration and expansion of the historic movie house could be finished by Christmas

If James "Buzz" Cusack and his daughter, Kathleen Lyon, have their way, they'll be cutting ribbons by Christmas for a restored Senator Theatre that will preserve the original cinema and add three screens and a small restaurant.

Kevin Clash shines in new documentary 'Being Elmo'

By Michael Sragow , The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Warm, fuzzy film starring Baltimore native premieres at Charles Theatre

When Kevin Clash was a boy in Baltimore County, he'd watch TV mere inches from the screen and wish he could walk right into "Sesame Street."

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