How much does your soul weigh? According to popular legend and director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 21 grams. According to Rob Levy, almost – almost – more than he can stand.

About two months ago, lucky Eric J. Iannelli got to enjoy the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, which presages the current crop of Sundance highlights. Look inside for a glimpse into what’s making the rounds of independent film.

Peter Jackson finishes his interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy is high-style, with grand battles and personal sacrifices. Joe Frietze offers his conclusions.

About two months ago, lucky Eric J. Iannelli got to enjoy the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, which presages the current crop of Sundance highlights. Look inside for a glimpse into what’s making the rounds of independent film.

Aaron Shaul happily wades through The Clash’s complete videography, marvels at their turn as actors (!), and comes through it all as a bigger fan than ever before.

What if Tom Cruise could have starred opposite Yul Brynner in a music-stripped, slightly rewritten version of The King and I, with Akira Kurosawa as choreographer? Our man in the Far East, Steve Stav, might have the answer.

Billy Bob Thornton’s Bad Santa resembles the Grinch with aspects of Leaving Las Vegas – the drinking aspects, that is. How does the foulest, most profane movie of the year stack up against holiday classics? Very well, according to Steve Stav

The union called wanting to know where our review of Matrix Revolutions was. Fortunately, Rob Levy was able to put together an analysis of the latest Matrix installment and save us from additional fees, dues and penalties.

In Elf, SNL expatriate Will Ferrell plays a Peter Pan-in-reverse, complete with yellow tights. Does this cinematic dose of holiday cheer stand up to the Rankin-Bass classics? Our resident Bumble, Steve Stav, offers his opinion.

“Ask not what your rest home can do for you. Ask what you can do for your rest home.” Join an aged Elvis Presley, JFK and Joe Frietze as they battle a soul-sucking mummy in an East Texas rest home.

Stephen Norrington takes us on a wild ride as we follow the life story of Billy Byrne, London’s “Next Big Thing” through his ups and downs. Joe Frietze chronicles the ride.

KISS goes “EZ Listening” with strings? Hardly. Former KISS Army soldier Steve Stav goes back to boot camp in his DVD review of yet another eyebrow-raising performance by the greatest band in the land.

Textbooks, chalkboards, the Ramones – another Rock ‘N’ Roll High School? Make that “grade school”…Jack Black is back, and more tenacious than ever, in School of Rock. Resident scholar Steve Stav stopped laughing long enough to offer his thoughts on the latest Richard Linklater film.

Robert Rodriguez has finally had enough of those pesky Spy Kids, and returns to his Sergio Leone-worshipping El Mariachi saga. Our man south of the border, Steve Stav, dons his bulletproof vest for a clip-emptying review of Once Upon A Time In Mexico.

Our man in Japan, Steve Stav, deciphers the new Bill Murray film, Lost In Translation, and dons his best cape for a sneek peek at Underworld. Also ,- reviews of DVDs fresh on the shelf this week.

Former cab dispatcher Danny Devito tries his hand at Hitchcock with Duplex. In his blood-spattered review, Steve Stav discovers that dark comedy and little old ladies go hand-in-hand.

Five gay men straighten up a straight guy. Carl F Gauze examines the process and declares it futile – but highly entertaining.

What a novel concept – Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall playing cowboys. Open Range, however, is much more than your standard shoot-em-up. Our man in the saddle, Steve Stav, has both barrels ready in this fair and balanced review.

WWII re-enacting, a bully, a great friend, and first love. Sound like your senior year of high school? For our man in the trenches, Steve Stav, it’s pretty close. Reel back some years as he reviews the latest Project Greenlight film.

Disney returns to tradition, and Depp turns on the charm. But is it enough to keep Pirates of the Caribbean afloat in a sea of competing blockbusters? With thumb poised, buccaneer-film historian Steve Stav examines Jerry Bruckheimer’s latest endeavor.