Following the box-office success of 'Iron Man,' Marvel Studios has set release dates for its next string of comic-book movies, for characters such as Thor, Captain America, and Ant-Man. The extravagant special effects of comic-book movies don't "exactly instill one with a feeling of awe for the magic of moviemaking," said Jack Donaldson in The Huffington Post. Say what you will about blockbuster CGI movies, said Anne Kates Smith on Kiplinger.com, but they're working wonders for . . .
For the first time in his 42-year-long career, Neil Diamond has hit number one on the Billboard 200 with his latest album 'Home Before Dark.' It has a lot to do with the fact that Diamond worked with producer Rick Rubin again, said Jonathan Cohen in Billboard.com. Everybody knows the real reason why Diamond’s new album shot to number one, said MTV.com. It “was no doubt made possible by . . .
Film: What Happens in Vegas
'What Happens in Vegas' suffers from the same “desperation and forced cheer” as the city itself, said Kimberley Jones in The Austin Chronicle. Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher want you to believe that they’re having a sinfully good time amid the “bright lights and ersatz glitz.” But this romantic comedy about two strangers who get drunk, get married, and get rich all in one weekend never lets you join in the fun. Director Tom Vaughan and screenwriter Dana Fox lack the courage to “take a gamble,” said Claudia Puig in USA Today. They’ve devised a story that feels “familiar at best, hackneyed at worst.” You can’t exactly blame them, said Carina Chocano in the Los Angeles Times, considering the whole genre is based on . . .
Captain America: Also set for film adaptation.
(Marvel.com)
Week of May 23
Controversy of the week
Israel at 60: Has the promise been fulfilled?
Main stories
Party leaders swinging to Obama despite a Clinton win
Talking points
$4-a-gallon gas: The new normal?
Best columns—International
Russia: Lighting a 'powder keg' in the Caucasus
Business
Issue of the week: Is the government cooking economic data?
Film
Music
Food & Drink
Recipe of the week: Spicing up Mexican cuisine with poblano chilies
