http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/ News and reviews from Rolling Stone's Movie Critic en Copyright 2009 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:13:20 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification What's life like in the Twilight bubble? The Twilight Saga: New Moon star Nikki Reed opens up about being chased by paparazzi ("maybe Britney Spears was on my plane?"), her character's back story in third film Eclipse ("We went back to the '30s, Jack Houston played Royce, my fiance"), and whether she would have picked up Stephenie Meyer's books back when she was 13 ("I don't know if I'm supposed to say this, but probably not ... I was a really cynical child"). Oh, and one last thing: she admits she's Team Jacob. "I've been through my share of Edwards," she says. Reed also takes a moment to clear up some misconceptions about controversial film Thirteen, where she portrayed a nasty badass teen in a picture that was described as loosely autobiographical (she also co-wrote the script). "I wasn't sexually active, but yet I was doing interviews where I said that I was. That's what Thirteen was: it was shocking, because we were so young and because I wrote it." For more stunning admissions from the 21-year-old actress, watch the full episode of *Off the Cuff With Peter Travers*. Follow all of Rolling Stone's Twilight coverage — reviews, interviews, photos and more. What's life like in the Twilight bubble? The Twilight Saga: New Moon star Nikki Reed opens up about being chased by paparazzi ("maybe Britney Spears was on my plane?"), her character's back story in third film Eclipse ("We went back to the '30s, Jack Houston played Royce, my fiance"), and whether she would have picked up Stephenie Meyer's books back when she was 13 ("I don't know if I'm supposed to say this, but probably not ... I was a really cynical child"). Oh, and one last thing: she admits she's Team Jacob. "I've been through my share of Edwards," she says. Reed also takes a moment to clear up some misconceptions about controversial film Thirteen, where she portrayed a nasty badass teen in a picture that was described as loosely autobiographical (she also co-wrote the script). "I wasn't sexually active, but yet I was doing interviews where I said that I was. That's what Thirteen was: it was shocking, because we were so young and because I wrote it." For more stunning admissions from the 21-year-old actress, watch the full episode of *Off the Cuff With Peter Travers*. Follow all of Rolling Stone's Twilight coverage — reviews, interviews, photos and more. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-11.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-11.php Off the Cuff With Peter Travers Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:13:20 -0500 Twilight Nation will storm theaters this weekend as The Twilight Saga: New Moon finally arrives, continuing the story of Bella, Edward, the werewolves and the drama in Forks, Washington. Regardless of how Peter Travers feels about New Moon in this week's *At the Movies*, Rolling Stone's film critic knows he can't stop the Twilight juggernaut from raking in the cash — the franchise is so powerful, he points out, rival studios were afraid to release movies against it. Read our New Moon review here. This movie "is for nine-year-old girls, and the nine-year-old girl inside of all of us," Travers says in his New Moon review. But his nine-year-old girl is critical: he says young cast didn't have enough time to adequately learn how to act between the first film and this sequel, so once again Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner pose while a movie goes on around them. At one point, Frost/Nixon actor Michael Sheen, playing a millennium-old vampire, appears onscreen and puts on an acting clinic, but other than that, this film is about one thing: Team Edward vs. Team Jacob. Read our interview with New Moon director Chris Weitz. Twilight Nation will storm theaters this weekend as The Twilight Saga: New Moon finally arrives, continuing the story of Bella, Edward, the werewolves and the drama in Forks, Washington. Regardless of how Peter Travers feels about New Moon in this week's *At the Movies*, Rolling Stone's film critic knows he can't stop the Twilight juggernaut from raking in the cash — the franchise is so powerful, he points out, rival studios were afraid to release movies against it. Read our New Moon review here. This movie "is for nine-year-old girls, and the nine-year-old girl inside of all of us," Travers says in his New Moon review. But his nine-year-old girl is critical: he says young cast didn't have enough time to adequately learn how to act between the first film and this sequel, so once again Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner pose while a movie goes on around them. At one point, Frost/Nixon actor Michael Sheen, playing a millennium-old vampire, appears onscreen and puts on an acting clinic, but other than that, this film is about one thing: Team Edward vs. Team Jacob. Read our interview with New Moon director Chris Weitz.]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-39.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-39.php At the Movies With Peter Travers Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:52:37 -0500 Yes, I hated *2012*, except for Woody Harrelson and the way John Cusack keeps his tie on through every computer-generated disaster. Yes, I know Roland Emmerich's end-of-days saga (all slogging 158 minutes of it) took in a chubby $65 million to become No. 1 over the weekend. Yes, I know *The Twilight Saga: New Moon* will open this Friday and break more records. Yes, I know stupid rules at the box office. Do I have to be happy about it? For those of you asked — No, I'm not going to take any of this back. No, I'm not going to agree with my hate mail that says I like to "rip apart movies that are designed to be just for fun." Not true. I totally enjoy just-for-fun movies as long as they're made with smarts instead of cynicism (that's you *Transformers 2*). Want examples of just-for-fun movies that worked for me this year? Yes, I hated *2012*, except for Woody Harrelson and the way John Cusack keeps his tie on through every computer-generated disaster. Yes, I know Roland Emmerich's end-of-days saga (all slogging 158 minutes of it) took in a chubby $65 million to become No. 1 over the weekend. Yes, I know *The Twilight Saga: New Moon* will open this Friday and break more records. Yes, I know stupid rules at the box office. Do I have to be happy about it? For those of you asked — No, I'm not going to take any of this back. No, I'm not going to agree with my hate mail that says I like to "rip apart movies that are designed to be just for fun." Not true. I totally enjoy just-for-fun movies as long as they're made with smarts instead of cynicism (that's you *Transformers 2*). Want examples of just-for-fun movies that worked for me this year? ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/disaster-rules-again-at-the-bo.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/disaster-rules-again-at-the-bo.php Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:39:26 -0500 Woody Harrelson has played a serial killer, a basketball hustler, a sitcom bartender and Larry Flynt, but this week, Woody appears in his most difficult role yet: Off the Cuff with Peter Travers. Just one week after his Cheers co-star Ted Danson sat down in the office of Rolling Stone's resident movie critic, Harrelson and Travers talk about fatherhood, the funniest actor in Hollywood, attacking the paparazzi and Harrelson's two new films out this week, The Messenger and 2012. Watch this week's Off the Cuff above, and stick around after the credits to see Harrelson perform Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel." Woody Harrelson has played a serial killer, a basketball hustler, a sitcom bartender and Larry Flynt, but this week, Woody appears in his most difficult role yet: Off the Cuff with Peter Travers. Just one week after his Cheers co-star Ted Danson sat down in the office of Rolling Stone's resident movie critic, Harrelson and Travers talk about fatherhood, the funniest actor in Hollywood, attacking the paparazzi and Harrelson's two new films out this week, The Messenger and 2012. Watch this week's Off the Cuff above, and stick around after the credits to see Harrelson perform Elvis' "Heartbreak Hotel." ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-10.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-10.php Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:39:32 -0500 True to its title, Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox is in fact fantastic, Rolling Stone movie critic Peter Travers says in this week's At the Movies. Two of Hollywood's best young directors, Anderson and Spike Jonze, have both successfully mined children's books for their latest films this fall, with Jonze taking on Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are and Anderson now offering up a stop-motion film of Roald Dahl's tale of mischievous foxes, badgers and other animals. Like Anderson's Royal Tenenbaums and Life Aquatic, Fantastic Mr. Fox features a dysfunctional father — in this case a former thief (voiced by George Clooney) who plots one more caper against the three men who plan to drill the family foxhole. Just as Wild Things tested the limits of PG ratings, Anderson also respects the imagination of children and the essence of Dahl's book by not watering down the content. Fox scored a fantastic three-and-a-half star review from Travers in our new issue, so if you're going to the movies this weekend, see this and not that blockbuster coming out (more on that in a sec). True to its title, Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox is in fact fantastic, Rolling Stone movie critic Peter Travers says in this week's At the Movies. Two of Hollywood's best young directors, Anderson and Spike Jonze, have both successfully mined children's books for their latest films this fall, with Jonze taking on Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are and Anderson now offering up a stop-motion film of Roald Dahl's tale of mischievous foxes, badgers and other animals. Like Anderson's Royal Tenenbaums and Life Aquatic, Fantastic Mr. Fox features a dysfunctional father — in this case a former thief (voiced by George Clooney) who plots one more caper against the three men who plan to drill the family foxhole. Just as Wild Things tested the limits of PG ratings, Anderson also respects the imagination of children and the essence of Dahl's book by not watering down the content. Fox scored a fantastic three-and-a-half star review from Travers in our new issue, so if you're going to the movies this weekend, see this and not that blockbuster coming out (more on that in a sec).]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-38.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-38.php Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:35:41 -0500 Good things come in small packages. I'm talking about *Precious*, a low-budget movie about an obese Harlem teenager that took in $1.8 million at just 18 theaters in four cities over the weekend. The take of $100,000 per screen is the highest ever for a limited release, especially one that Lionsgate picked up for chump change ($5.5 million). The week's big package, *Disney's A Christmas Carol* with Jim Carrey as an performance-capture Scrooge in 3D, opened at No. 1 with $31 million, a bah-humbug start given its $200 million production cost and the rep of Carrey whose *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* debuted to much cheerier $55.1 million nearly a decade ago. Which brings me to the matter of marketing. I'm asking what got you to shell out for each of these movies? The reviews heavily favored *Precious*, which won recommendations from 87 percent of the nation's critics according to rottentomatoes.com. *A Christmas Carol* garnered only 54 percent of the reviewing Scrooges. So here are my questions: Good things come in small packages. I'm talking about *Precious*, a low-budget movie about an obese Harlem teenager that took in $1.8 million at just 18 theaters in four cities over the weekend. The take of $100,000 per screen is the highest ever for a limited release, especially one that Lionsgate picked up for chump change ($5.5 million). The week's big package, *Disney's A Christmas Carol* with Jim Carrey as an performance-capture Scrooge in 3D, opened at No. 1 with $31 million, a bah-humbug start given its $200 million production cost and the rep of Carrey whose *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* debuted to much cheerier $55.1 million nearly a decade ago. Which brings me to the matter of marketing. I'm asking what got you to shell out for each of these movies? The reviews heavily favored *Precious*, which won recommendations from 87 percent of the nation's critics according to rottentomatoes.com. *A Christmas Carol* garnered only 54 percent of the reviewing Scrooges. So here are my questions:]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/box-office-challenge-what-real.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/box-office-challenge-what-real.php Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:43:03 -0500 There's one can't-miss film hitting theaters this weekend, and Rolling Stone's Peter Travers can't stop gushing about Precious in this week's At the Movies. Film-festival darling Precious is a near perfect film, with only its clunky subtitle Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire among its flaws. If you can look past that, you'll find a moving film that "lifts you up in ways you don't see coming," Travers said in his three-and-a-half star review. The film is about a 353-pound, HIV-infected, illiterate 16-year-old girl named Precious who cares for her two babies (both fathered by her dad) and lives with her abusive mother. It sounds harrowing, but Travers insists the film is hopeful, and all but guaranteed Oscar nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique's portrayal of the evil mother. The film also boasts two "amazing" performances by a pair of musicians: Mariah Carey completely makes up for Glitter by playing a social worker and Lenny Kravitz plays Nurse John, both of whom come to Precious' aid. Director Lee Daniels started a production company just to take risks and make movies like this, and with Precious, Travers says Daniels has hit the jackpot. There's one can't-miss film hitting theaters this weekend, and Rolling Stone's Peter Travers can't stop gushing about Precious in this week's At the Movies. Film-festival darling Precious is a near perfect film, with only its clunky subtitle Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire among its flaws. If you can look past that, you'll find a moving film that "lifts you up in ways you don't see coming," Travers said in his three-and-a-half star review. The film is about a 353-pound, HIV-infected, illiterate 16-year-old girl named Precious who cares for her two babies (both fathered by her dad) and lives with her abusive mother. It sounds harrowing, but Travers insists the film is hopeful, and all but guaranteed Oscar nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique's portrayal of the evil mother. The film also boasts two "amazing" performances by a pair of musicians: Mariah Carey completely makes up for Glitter by playing a social worker and Lenny Kravitz plays Nurse John, both of whom come to Precious' aid. Director Lee Daniels started a production company just to take risks and make movies like this, and with Precious, Travers says Daniels has hit the jackpot. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-37.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-37.php At the Movies With Peter Travers Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:49:06 -0500 Jane Lynch — a.k.a. acid-tongued Sue Sylvester from Glee and your favorite part of Best in Show, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and dozens more films — puts Peter Travers in his place in the new episode of Off the Cuff. Find out what originally drew her to the role (a few lines in the script about *Penthouse* and horse estrogen), her first-ever big-screen role, Taxi Killer ("the freakiest thing I ever did in my life") and her most humiliating TV commercial ("I am every woman who has ever suffered from reflux"). Plus, watch her sing the Guatemalan love song from Virgin and come up with a new theme song for Travers' show. Jane Lynch — a.k.a. acid-tongued Sue Sylvester from Glee and your favorite part of Best in Show, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and dozens more films — puts Peter Travers in his place in the new episode of Off the Cuff. Find out what originally drew her to the role (a few lines in the script about *Penthouse* and horse estrogen), her first-ever big-screen role, Taxi Killer ("the freakiest thing I ever did in my life") and her most humiliating TV commercial ("I am every woman who has ever suffered from reflux"). Plus, watch her sing the Guatemalan love song from Virgin and come up with a new theme song for Travers' show. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-9.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-9.php Off the Cuff With Peter Travers Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:47:18 -0500 Taking in a huge $101 million on its worldwide opening, Michael Jackson's *This Is It* — a concert film drawn exclusively from rehearsal footage — has now extended its intended two-week run in theaters through Thanksgiving. Maybe now the American audience won't drag its ass. The $21.3 million domestic total for the weekend was enough to hit No. 1 and send the hot-hot-hot *Paranormal Activity* to second place, with $16.5 million, even on Halloween. But, please, America, your middling interest in *This Is It* almost had the late King of Pop eating the dust of the OMFG dreadful *Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds 3-D Concert Tour*. Read Peter Travers' review of This Is It *This Is It* — a concert film drawn exclusively from rehearsal footage — has now extended its intended two-week run in theaters through Thanksgiving. Maybe now the American audience won't drag its ass. The $21.3 million domestic total for the weekend was enough to hit No. 1 and send the hot-hot-hot *Paranormal Activity* to second place, with $16.5 million, even on Halloween. But, please, America, your middling interest in *This Is It* almost had the late King of Pop eating the dust of the OMFG dreadful *Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds 3-D Concert Tour*. Read Peter Travers' review of This Is It]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/michael-jacksons-this-is-it-co.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/11/michael-jacksons-this-is-it-co.php Box Office Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:36:05 -0500 When Sony announced plans to turn hundreds of hours of rehearsal footage from Michael Jackson's This Is It concerts into a concert film, Peter Travers was concerned that the limited amount editing time would hurt the final product. However, "I'm kind of shocked at how good this movie is," Travers says in his video review of This Is It. Read Peter Travers' review of This Is It. Like the King of Pop himself, This Is It is flawed, spending too much time interviewing Jackson's backup singers and dancers and not enough time showing the entirety of some of the This Is It performances. However, when the film clicks, it provides an incredibly intimate look at one of the greatest performers the world has ever seen, especially in scenes like the one featuring Thriller's "Human Nature." Jackson appears frail in the footage, but once he starts dancing, you're reminded why he was the King of Pop. For more on This Is It, read Rolling Stone's opening night report on the film. And visit our Essential Michael Jackson Coverage. When Sony announced plans to turn hundreds of hours of rehearsal footage from Michael Jackson's This Is It concerts into a concert film, Peter Travers was concerned that the limited amount editing time would hurt the final product. However, "I'm kind of shocked at how good this movie is," Travers says in his video review of This Is It. Read Peter Travers' review of This Is It. Like the King of Pop himself, This Is It is flawed, spending too much time interviewing Jackson's backup singers and dancers and not enough time showing the entirety of some of the This Is It performances. However, when the film clicks, it provides an incredibly intimate look at one of the greatest performers the world has ever seen, especially in scenes like the one featuring Thriller's "Human Nature." Jackson appears frail in the footage, but once he starts dancing, you're reminded why he was the King of Pop. For more on This Is It, read Rolling Stone's opening night report on the film. And visit our Essential Michael Jackson Coverage.]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-36.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-36.php At the Movies With Peter Travers Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:30:06 -0500 Can Ted Danson recall Norm from *Cheers*' real first name? Is he willing to sing the show's famous theme right here in the *Rolling Stone* office? Peter Travers grills the star of *Damages*, *Curb Your Enthusiasm* and *Bored to Death* about everything from smoking fake weed (which "works just as well," Danson says) to his relationship with Woody Harrelson in the latest episode of *Off the Cuff*. Can Ted Danson recall Norm from *Cheers*' real first name? Is he willing to sing the show's famous theme right here in the *Rolling Stone* office? Peter Travers grills the star of *Damages*, *Curb Your Enthusiasm* and *Bored to Death* about everything from smoking fake weed (which "works just as well," Danson says) to his relationship with Woody Harrelson in the latest episode of *Off the Cuff*. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-8.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-8.php Off the Cuff With Peter Travers Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:38:04 -0500 Even the vengeful Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) couldn't see this trap coming. Every sequel to the *Saw* franchise that began in 2004 has opened north of $30 million. Not this time, horror fans. *Saw VI* had to settle for a puny half that much, debuting in its traditional pre-Halloween spot. WTF? It wasn't the movie's fault. *Saw VI*, taking a satirically serrated edge to, of all things, HMOs, is actually better than the last two entries in the series. And it has decent reviews to prove it. Watch Saw VI star Tobin Bell on Off the Cuff With Peter Travers What Jigsaw didn't count on was *Paranormal Activity*, launched by Paramount with a viral promo campaign that really caught fire. This weekend *Paranormal* grabbed a massive $22 million from fewer than 2,000 screens. *Saw VI*, on over 3,000 screens, took in only $14.8 million, making it the box-office shame of the series. My advice to Jigsaw in *Saw VII*? Go back in time and trap that yuppie paranormal couple in their bedroom with the nastiest torture trap you can devise. Even the vengeful Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) couldn't see this trap coming. Every sequel to the *Saw* franchise that began in 2004 has opened north of $30 million. Not this time, horror fans. *Saw VI* had to settle for a puny half that much, debuting in its traditional pre-Halloween spot. WTF? It wasn't the movie's fault. *Saw VI*, taking a satirically serrated edge to, of all things, HMOs, is actually better than the last two entries in the series. And it has decent reviews to prove it. Watch Saw VI star Tobin Bell on Off the Cuff With Peter Travers What Jigsaw didn't count on was *Paranormal Activity*, launched by Paramount with a viral promo campaign that really caught fire. This weekend *Paranormal* grabbed a massive $22 million from fewer than 2,000 screens. *Saw VI*, on over 3,000 screens, took in only $14.8 million, making it the box-office shame of the series. My advice to Jigsaw in *Saw VII*? Go back in time and trap that yuppie paranormal couple in their bedroom with the nastiest torture trap you can devise.]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/even-though-saw-vi-got-mutilat.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/even-though-saw-vi-got-mutilat.php Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:59:30 -0500 With one weekend to go until Halloween, the cinematic fare entering movie theaters this Friday is frighteningly bad, and Rolling Stone's Peter Travers tells you what to avoid like the plague this weekend *At the Movies*. Since we're closing in on October 31st, we'll kick it off this week with Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, the movie adaptation of the 12-part British novel. Despite the presence of the always-great John C. Reilly, this movie is "lame." A boy goes to a freak show, gets bitten by a vampire and zaniness ensues. Between True Blood and Twilight, vampires are hot right now, but this movie is pure Scum Bucket. Since the movie only used the first three books of the series for this film, Vampire's Assistant ends with a cliffhanger, but after this debacle of a film it's unlikely those sequels will ever be made. Next is a film that was forecasted to be a major Oscar player, Amelia, starring two-time winner Hilary Swank as the aviatrix Amelia Earhart. With one weekend to go until Halloween, the cinematic fare entering movie theaters this Friday is frighteningly bad, and Rolling Stone's Peter Travers tells you what to avoid like the plague this weekend *At the Movies*. Since we're closing in on October 31st, we'll kick it off this week with Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, the movie adaptation of the 12-part British novel. Despite the presence of the always-great John C. Reilly, this movie is "lame." A boy goes to a freak show, gets bitten by a vampire and zaniness ensues. Between True Blood and Twilight, vampires are hot right now, but this movie is pure Scum Bucket. Since the movie only used the first three books of the series for this film, Vampire's Assistant ends with a cliffhanger, but after this debacle of a film it's unlikely those sequels will ever be made. Next is a film that was forecasted to be a major Oscar player, Amelia, starring two-time winner Hilary Swank as the aviatrix Amelia Earhart.]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-35.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/at-the-movies-with-peter-trave-35.php At the Movies With Peter Travers Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:33:43 -0500 Do you want to play a game, Peter Travers? Our movie critic falls under the influence of *Saw* star Tobin Bell in the latest *Off the Cuff*, where the pair spar over the fate of Jigsaw, Bell's most bone-chilling *Saw* scenes ("I think that the surgery on my brain in *Saw III* was amazingly done — extremely credible"), the scariest scenes he's ever seen (from *The Wizard of Oz* to *Dancing With the Stars*) and criticism of "torture-porn" films. Do you want to play a game, Peter Travers? Our movie critic falls under the influence of *Saw* star Tobin Bell in the latest *Off the Cuff*, where the pair spar over the fate of Jigsaw, Bell's most bone-chilling *Saw* scenes ("I think that the surgery on my brain in *Saw III* was amazingly done — extremely credible"), the scariest scenes he's ever seen (from *The Wizard of Oz* to *Dancing With the Stars*) and criticism of "torture-porn" films. ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-7.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/off-the-cuff-with-peter-traver-7.php Off the Cuff With Peter Travers Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:16:43 -0500 Pinch me. I must be hallucinating. A truly great movie, the Spike Jonze film of Maurice Sendak's *Where the Wild Things Are*, hit the box-office No. One spot, a space usually reserved for the wretched likes of *Couples Retreat* or the violently stupid *Law Abiding Citizen*, which had to settle for runner-up status. How did quality win out? Pinch me. I must be hallucinating. A truly great movie, the Spike Jonze film of Maurice Sendak's *Where the Wild Things Are*, hit the box-office No. One spot, a space usually reserved for the wretched likes of *Couples Retreat* or the violently stupid *Law Abiding Citizen*, which had to settle for runner-up status. How did quality win out? ]]> http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/shocker-the-boxoffice-goes-wil.php http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/traverstake/2009/10/shocker-the-boxoffice-goes-wil.php Box Office Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:30:44 -0500