Capsule reviews of new movie releases

"World War Z" - Might there be a real zombie apocalypse one day? The way zombies have invaded our pop culture the last several years, it's maybe a bit less implausible than it once was. What IS increasingly quite plausible, alas, is a global pandemic, and "World War Z," the long-awaited Brad Pitt thriller, cleverly melds that real-life threat into the more fanciful zombie premise. Talk about more bang for your buck: Once you've settled back into your seat after a good snarling zombie chase, there's nothing like the thought of a SARS outbreak to get the blood racing again. Despite the much-discussed production delays and budget overruns, this movie, based on the 2006 novel by Max Brooks (son of Mel), is pretty much what you'd want in a summer blockbuster: scary but not-too-gross zombies, a journey to exotic locales, a few excellent action scenes, and did we mention Pitt? As Gerry Lane, a former U.N. investigator called upon to save the planet, Pitt is a calm, intelligent presence amid the insanity. The most impressive scene is at the beginning, as the streets of Philadelphia are suddenly overrun by packs of wild, raging zombies. For an hour, the action is swift: North Korea, Israel, a harrowing plane crash. The final act takes place on a dramatically smaller scale, and at a slower pace. Oh, a reminder: Turn off those cellphones. After all, it's not just your movie-going partner you'll annoy here. Cellphones also happen to awaken zombies. Consider yourself warned. PG-13 for intense frightening zombie sequences, violence and disturbing images. 116 minutes. Three stars out of four. 1371672651

'Man of Steel' promoted from the pulpit

Seems Warner Bros. has taken movie marketing to a whole new level - even higher than a bird or a plane.
Joss Whedon makes a Shakespeare film in 12 days

MIAMI - If man is indeed a giddy thing - as William Shakespeare suggests in "Much Ado About Nothing," insinuating we are impulsive beyond all reason - then Joss Whedon may be the giddiest man of all. After all, he's the director who decided to make a quick movie in his down time between shooting his first big-budget film and editing it; the screenwriter who dared to adapt a play from the greatest wordsmith in the English language; the optimist who thought: Hey, yeah, let's shoot a Shakespearean comedy at my house; it'll be fun.
Brad Pitt tries to build a better blockbuster

Brad Pitt wanted to build a better blockbuster.
Ellen Page connects with her character in 'The East'

MINNEAPOLIS - Ellen Page became a star and best-actress Oscar nominee at 20 for playing a pregnant teen in "Juno." Her lifestyle, however, is not the expected A-list cliche of heedless consumption and bling binges.
Movie guide: Capsule listing of current releases

Ratings by the Motion Picture Association of America are: (G) for general audiences; (PG) parental guidance urged because of material possibly unsuitable for children; (PG-13) parents are strongly cautioned to give guidance for attendance of children younger than 13; (R) restricted, younger than 17 admitted only with parent or adult guardian; (NC-17) no one younger than 17 admitted.
Movie guide alt: Independent, limited release and foreign-language films

Ratings by the Motion Picture Association of America are: (G) for general audiences; (PG) parental guidance urged because of material possibly unsuitable for children; (PG-13) parents are strongly cautioned to give guidance for attendance of children younger than 13; (R) restricted, younger than 17 admitted only with parent or adult guardian; (NC-17) no one younger than 17 admitted.
Edward Furlong charged with assault in LA

'Terminator 2' star Edward Furlong has been charged with assault after a May 21 incident in which his girlfriend called police and reported he attacked her.
What to take away from new Superman movie's box-office success and critical reception

When it was first announced in early 2010, the idea of a new Superman movie prompted a mix of eye-rolling and excitement. On the one hand, wasn't there just another Superman reboot in 2006? On the other, "Dark Knight's" Christopher Nolan would be a creative force behind the project.
James Franco seeks $500,000 in crowd-funding

Following crowd-funding campaigns from "Veronica Mars" and Zach Braff, James Franco is trying to raise $500,000 to bankroll a trilogy of movies.