L.A. Times - Entertainment News

Critic's Notebook: Movies show a kinder, gentler side in 2010
2010 by the numbers
Mamie Van Doren is all dressed up
2010 Top Scripted TV Huh? Moments
John Mellencamp, wife Elaine Irwin Mellencamp call it quits

Critic's Notebook: Movies show a kinder, gentler side in 2010

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

Many movies in 2010 were served up light and over easy, with "True Grit." "Alice in Wonderland," "The Social Network," "The Fighter" and "The King's Speech" among those offering charming, winsome or uplifting entertainment.

There were hints of what was to come when Sandra Bullock's good-hearted Memphis mom in "The Blind Side" blind-sided everyone in 2009 and even Quentin Tarantino staunched the blood flow a bit as his "Inglourious Basterds" stacked up Nazi scalps. But in 2010, across the vast cinematic landscape, a softer side began to emerge in nearly all genres, affecting, and reflecting, filmmakers and actors alike. Quite simply, movies, and moviemakers, became nicer.

2010 by the numbers

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

We look at eye-popping entertainment stats and what they might tell us.

In the world of pop culture, 2010 was a year of big, eye-catching numbers: More than 100 million people watched the Super Bowl in January, and, by year's end, a video game, Call of Duty: Black Ops, had done more than a billion dollars' worth of business — a higher gross than many would-be Hollywood blockbusters.

Mamie Van Doren is all dressed up

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

The kittenish 1950s actress is platinum bright and swathed in Chanel as she kisses and tells while promoting a new disc of country (country!) music.

Signed to a contract at Universal in 1953, Mamie Van Doren was considered the studio's answer to Marilyn Monroe. Their careers did not follow similar paths, however.