A Simple Favor A SIMPLE FAVOR (2018) Starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Ian Ho, Bashir Salahuddin, Joshua Satine, Andrew Rannells, Aparna Nancherla, Jean Smart, Linda Cardellini, Kelly McCormack, Rupert Friend, Jiah Mavji, Ava LaFramboise, Dustin Milligan, Danielle Bourgon, Gia Sandhu, Lila Yee, Patti Harrison and Jason Oliveira. Screenplay by Jessica Sharzer. Directed by Paul Feig. Distributed by Lionsgate. 116 minutes. Rated R. I walked into this film with

The Accountant THE ACCOUNTANT (2016) Starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, John Lithgow, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Jean Smart, Andy Umberger, Alison Wright, Jason Davis, Robert C. Treveiler, Mary Kraft, Seth Lee, Jake Presley, Izzy Fenech, Ron Prather, Susan Williams, Gary Basaraba, Fernando Chien, Alex Collins and Tait Fletcher. Screenplay by Bill Dubuque. Directed by Gavin O’Connor. Distributed by Warner Bros.  128 minutes.  Rated R.

Bokeem Woodbine, Jesse Plemons, Jean Smart, Jeffrey Donovan, Kirsten Dunst, Noah Hawley and Cristin Milioti at the PaleyFest NY celebration of “Fargo” on October 16, 2105. Photo copyright Jay S. Jacobs. Kirsten Dunst, Jeffrey Donovan, Bokeem Woodbine, Jean Smart, Cristin Milioti and Warren Littlefield Goin’ Back to Fargo by Jay S. Jacobs Whatcha sayin’?  Fargo’s comin’ back? Oh, ya.  The second season is startin’ out real good. There are few stories in history that seemed les

Garden State GARDEN STATE  (2004) Starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Ron Liebman, Method Man, Jean Smart, Ann Dowd, Denis O’Hare, Geoffrey Arend, Alex Burns, Jackie Hoffman, Michael Weston, Chris Carley, Armando Riesco, Amy Ferguson, Trisha LaFrache, Jim Parsons, Kenneth Graymez, George C. Wolfe, Austin Lysy, Gary Gilbert, Jill Flint and Debbon Ayer. Screenplay by Zach Braff. Directed by Zach Braff. Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.   102

Bringing Down the House BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE (2003) Starring Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy, Joan Plowright, Jean Smart, Kimberly J. Brown, Angus T. Jones, Missi Pyle, Michael Rosenbaum, Betty White, Steve White, Michael Ensign, Anne Fletcher, Jim Haynie, Seth Howard and Victor Webster. Screenplay by Jason Filardi. Directed by Adam Shankman. Distributed by Touchstone Pictures.  105 minutes.  Rated PG-13. There have been odder pairings in movie history than Steve

Disney’s The Kid DISNEY’S THE KID (2000) Starring Bruce Willis, Spencer Breslin, Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin, Chi McBride, Jean Smart, Dana Ivey, Daniel van Bargen, Stanley Anderson, Vernee Watson-Johnson, Larry King, Jeri Ryan, Kevon Edmunds and Matthew Perry. Screenplay by Audrey Wells. Directed by Jon Turtletaub. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.  104  minutes.  Rated PG. Alert the media!  Bruce Willis has made three straight good movies.  Surprisingly good movies.  It’