Written by Anthony Sargon

Out of the five Academy Award nominated documentaries this year, “20 Feet From Stardom” is probably the weakest. It’s not that the film is uninteresting or offensive; it just plays it too safe and, to quote a friend, feels more like a VH1 special than an actual theatrical documentary. Still, it’s an honest and enlightening look at the lives of backup singers and the pain they go through when trying to make it on their own, and it’s most certainly worth watching if you’re a fan of music.

Written by Anthony Sargon

First-time director Zachary Heinzerling has crafted something truly special and memorable with “Cutie and the Boxer.” The documentary gives audiences a candid and honest look into the lives of Ushio and Noriko Shinohora, an aging Japanese couple who moved to Brooklyn decades ago to pursue their careers as artists. While Ushio has experienced a decent level of success and notoriety, it hasn’t necessarily led to a big bank account. As the documentary plays on, we learn more and more about this strange and unique couple, their past, and where they might be headed in the future.

Written by Anthony Sargon

“That Awkward Moment” is the kind of movie that really thinks it understands what it’s like to be a guy in your mid-twenties. I mean, all guys are totally afraid of their friends finding out they’re in a relationship because, well, only girls think about relationships, right? Wrong.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is having second thoughts about having ended the series with heroine Hermione Granger paired up romantically with Ron Weasley.

The hugely successful author tells Wonderland magazine she chose the red-haired Ron for Hermione for very personal reasons having little to do with literature.

Legendary film director Woody Allen hit back Sunday at his adopted daughter's allegations of sexual abuse during her youth, calling them "untrue and disgraceful."

In a strongly-worded statement, Allen's New York publicist emphasized the filmmaker had never faced criminal charges over the claims and that experts at an earlier hearing had found there was no evidence of molestation.

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment on Sunday of a suspected drug overdose, law enforcement officials said. He was 46.

The enigmatic star was hailed as the finest character actor of his generation, winning an Oscar in 2006 for "Capote" and nominated for three further Academy Awards.

Thousands of demonstrators marched through Moscow on Sunday to demand Russia free eight prisoners jailed after a 2012 protest against President Vladimir Putin.

There was heavy security for the march, with hundreds of police lining the route from Pushkin Square to Turgenev Square, while a helicopter hovered overhead.

Austrian actor Maximilian Schell, who won an Oscar for best actor in 1961 for "Judgment at Nuremberg," has died at the age of 83, his agent announced Saturday.

Schell died following "a sudden and serious illness," agent Patricia Baumbauer said.

Miley Cyrus wants you to concentrate on her voice — not her twerking — when she launches her tour next month.

"Ren and Stimpy" creator John Kricfalusi and contemporary artist Ben Jones have crafted videos to play during the 38 shows as Cyrus prioritizes singing over dance routines.

Kanye West will not face criminal charges over an incident in which he apparently punched a man in a California chiropractor's office.

Los Angeles County prosecutors declined to file charges against the rapper because he had reached a civil settlement with the man and there were no significant injuries documented.