Kelly Jane Torrance

MOVIE REVIEW: Calvary

Pity the poor parish priest. Father James (Brendan Gleeson) is just trying to live a godly life and is encouraging his flock to do the same, but they keep "dragging you down into the muck," as a fellow man of the cloth puts it. Published August 7, 2014

MOVIES/TORRANCE: A year of hits… and misses (mostly hits)

My fellow film critic, Sonny Bunch, and I might have very different top 10 lists, but we do agree on one thing: The last year of the first decade of the 21st century wasn't a good one for movies. Published January 1, 2010

Sage Advice

Answers compiled by Kelly Jane Torrance, who also composed the questions. Published December 30, 2009

Movie review: Oh, the women in his life

Most men would kill to have in their lives the women Guido Contini has in his. They range from the ethereal Nicole Kidman to the earthy Penelope Cruz, from the sassy Kate Hudson to the stately Judi Dench. Published December 25, 2009

It only looks ‘Complicated’

The film might be called "It's Complicated," but it's really not. Take one predictable script, then add a few romantic-comedy cliches. Be smart enough to mix in two stars with more presence than most other actors, and you've got yourself a decent comedy whose many sins are forgivable anytime those stars are on-screen. Published December 25, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Sherlock Holmes’

It's difficult to know how to review Guy Ritchie's latest film, "Sherlock Holmes." On one hand, it's a rather entertaining action film, full of style and spark. On the other, it bears almost no relation to the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Published December 25, 2009

Sage Advice

Answers compiled by Kelly Jane Torrance, who also composed the questions. Published December 23, 2009

BEYOND HOLLYWOOD: Sarah and Victoria

"Hallelujah!" Sarah, Duchess of York, exclaims to this reporter in a car en route from Washington to Alexandria on her recent whirlwind visit to the area. All I've said is that I'd like to talk about the new film she has produced, "The Young Victoria." Apparently, she's had trouble getting reporters to talk about it. Published December 18, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Broken Embraces’

"Broken Embraces" is certainly moody, and that's one of its charms. But behind the style is disappointing substance, a melodramatic story that's as old as Hollywood. Published December 18, 2009

MOVIE REVIEW: ‘The Young Victoria’

"Even a palace could be a prison," declares the woman about to inherit the throne of what was about to become the most powerful empire on earth. Published December 18, 2009

Sage Advice

Advice compiled and condensed from actual sources by Kelly Jane Torrance, who composed the questions. Published December 16, 2009

Second City turns 50: Ramis waxes nostalgic

Just about every talented sketch comedian has, at some point, been part of the famed Chicago comedy troupe Second City. As the group with the incredible track record celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend with a series of shows, though, one of its alumni says it was born very much a child of the times — and not just the late 1950s in which it officially came into being. Published December 11, 2009