Star Wars: "Chewie, we're home!"

Must admit: After viewing the last few seconds of this trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, even I am super-geeked to see the movie. And remember -- I am old enough to have seen (and reviewed) the first Star Wars adventure during its original theatrical release many moons ago.

Dennis Quaid gets pissed off

Dennis Quaid and I aren't exactly BFF's, but I have interviewed him on several occasions, and he always has impressed me as an unfailingly gracious and unaffectedly down-to-earth professional. So I can't help thinking that whatever made him angry in this video is something that would try the patience of a saint. Seriously.

Update: Well, of course it was a joke. 

About damn time: Animals opens May 15

Over a year after David Dastmalchian's semi-autobiographical drama Animals premiered at the SXSW Film Festival -- where it received a Special Jury Award, and garnered a thumbs-up review from yours truly -- the impressive indie is set to open May 15 in theaters and drive-ins everywhere. If you're a venturesome cineaste, you might want to check it out. In my Variety review, I must admit, I expressed doubt that the movie had much commercial potential. So go ahead -- prove me wrong.