Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

In director Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows characters are re-imagined into an action comedy where, rather than the classic detective, Sherlock Holmes is an action hero.

Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle reunite to unravel and derail an intercontinental intrigue that pits Sherlock's powers of observation and deduction against his nemesis and intellectual equal, mathematics Professor Moriarty's (Jared Harris) cerebral, sinister and calculating evil.

Bringing renewed focus to their characters' friendship, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law settled into the revisionist bromance displaying a more relaxed and confident flair compared to Sherlock Holmes (2009). The well delineated male characters also includes Holmes' bold older brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry) and Moriarty's chief agent Col. Sebastian Moran (Paul Anderson).

Female character development is dampened by more fleeting screen-time compared to their male counterparts, such as Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) Holmes' romantic interest, Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) Watson's wife and, in her first English language role, Sweden's Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo) as a gypsy.

Explosions, and fights at times overshadow the narrative traction, however, the careful attention to period detail and the well staged nonstop rapid action scenes enhance the viewing.

Those who enjoyed Ritchie's original Sherlock Holmes will also like this one.

New Year's Eve

In the all star cast of New Year's Eve, stories of people looking for love and happiness intertwine. The romantic comedy vignettes include first love, lost love and found love revolving around the countdown and dropping of the New Year's ball in New York's Times Square.

Fans will enjoy watching their favorite stars such as Academy Award® winner Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Academy Award® nominee Abigail Breslin, Chris Bridges, two time Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Kea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Academy Award® nominee Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, two time Academy Award® winner Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara.

Smoothly transitioning between the stories with comedic stereotypes and clichés, the feature's light and heartwarming scenes set the stage for the holiday message of hope and second chances.

Contested Visions in the Spanish Colonial World

A comparative view of Mexico and Peru in the Spanish colonial period, spanning from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, is the subject of this remarkable groundbreaking exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

With approximately 200 works of art, the exhibit analyzes the integration of cultures through collisions of images and texts, and includes sculptures, paintings, codices, manuscripts, queros (ceremonial drinking vessels), and featherworks.

Ten years in the making, curator and department head of Latin American Art, Ilona Katzew, showcases the art in six broad sections.

Beginning with the Pre-Columbian Antecedents section of Tenochtitlan and Cuzco , displayed are indigenous artistic traditions that include Aztec sculptures, as well as Inca textiles, feather and metalwork, made of exotic materials such as turquoise from southwest USA , spondylus from Equador, and gold from Oaxaca.

Not much of original Inca or Aztec writing is left or decipherable, but a glimpse of their symbolism is evident.

A checkered hanging or mantle (1450-1532) illustrates the “concept of dynamic dualism in which a harmonious universe is achieved through the reciprocity between contrasting but complementary opposites” states curator Katzew.

Indicating rank were earspools by Chimú, Peruvian metallurgists, while feathers represented political and religious figures. Also present are miniature tunics (12-13th century) with brilliant plumage from the Amazon tropical forests as well as Inca feather tabards and banners (1470-1534).

Templo Mayor offerings from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, some dating to emperors Moctezuma I and II's periods, are largely of aquatic materials (seashells, fish, coral and reptiles) and evoke layers of the cosmos from the watery underworld to the surface of the earth. Vessels from Tenochtitlan’s twin temples (1576-1608), a year bundle (c. 1500), and wooden slit drums from Teponaztli (1325-1525) are also on view.

Peruvian textiles and Mexican featherworks, in the section of Ancient Styles in the New Era, show how pre-Hispanic styles and materials in colonial times were adapted in the creation of Christian objects.

Magnificent paintings with vibrant colors, folding screens, and codices are exhibited in the Conquest and New World Orders section.

The Devotional Landscape and the Indian as Good Christian section explores the new devotions of converted Indians forming a specific Mexican and Andean religious pantheon, featuring among others, the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico.

Ancient festive rites, dances, Indian weddings incorporated into Christian rituals are depicted in the fifth section of Indian Festivals and Sacred Rituals.

Memory, Genealogy, and Land is the final section displaying a series of paintings and manuscripts preserving the memory of the natives' ancestral roots.

This wide exhibit provides a multifaceted framework of evolving intersecting complexities, illustrated through the natives' rich arts and traditions.

The exhibit runs through January 29, 2012, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion, located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. For more information call (323) 857-6000 or visit www.lacma.org

Complementing the exhibit is LACMA-UCLA co-sponsored three-day international symposium, Dec 2-4, 2011, bringing together thirty of the most distinguished scholars in the field from Mexico, South America, Europe, and the United States.

Following the display at LACMA the exhibit will travel to the Museo Nacional de Historia (Castillo de Chapultepec), Mexico City, from July 6, 2012, through October 7, 2012.

Tower Heist

Screenwriters Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson fuse action and humor in this well casted Ocean Eleven farce packed with off beat dialogue and plot twists.

Stunning opening shots and effective character development payoff in setting the intimate relationships of the likable and funny, high end apartment hotel workers. After discovering that Wall Street tycoon Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) is being investigated by Special Agent Claire Denham (Téa Leoni) for security fraud, they band together to recover their embezzled pensions.

Believing the money is hidden in Shaw's penthouse, the workaholic manager Josh Kovaks (Ben Stiller) enlists the help of petty crook criminal, Slide (Eddie Murphy), and relies on the talents of concierge Charley (Casey Affleck), failed stockbroker Mr. Fitzhugh (Matthew Broderick), elevator operator Dev'Reaux (Michael Peña), maid Odessa Montero (Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe), and doorman Lester (Stephen McKinley Henderson).

Reminiscent of his '80's roles, Murphy's energetic portrayal of the obnoxious, loud and fast talking hoodlum steals the show. Murphy's screen presence with Gaborey Sidibe deserves more time.

Mark Helfrich's editing and Christophe Beck's score keep the action flowing.

Despite some gaps in the plot, director Brian Ratner maintains the levity and laughter throughout this cape comedy.

Poos in Boots

Consistent with the general filmmaker's blueprint for fairy tale revisionism, warm and fuzzy characters are transformed into edgy ones in Dreamworks' latest animated action adventure comedy about brotherhood, betrayal, revenge, and redemption.

Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), a suave outlaw on the run, is persuaded by the femme fatale Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) to team up with the scheming Dumpy (Zach Galifianakis) to join in the plot to steal the magic beans from Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris), a husband and wife bandit team.

Featured are dynamic vocal performances. In their fifth film together, Banderas and Hayek's onscreen chemistry sparks, displaying a good match in their portrayal of strong feline fighters. However the most complex character Dumpy, a multidimensional, vindictive villain, is portrayed by Zach Galifianakis. Pleasing the fans is executive producer Guillermo del Toro, voicing the Comandante of San Ricardo village.

Set in crystal clear, immersive and magnificent 3D visuals is the perfect marriage of composer Henry Jackman's music and Laura Gorenstein Miller's beautifully choreographed dance scenes that humorously blend flamenco, Latin ballroom, and contemporary dance sequences. Along with Tom Wheeler's screenplay filled with jokes, the feature is sure to entertain the entire family.

Contagion

Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, and Marion Cottilard, form the exceptional cast that lead this realistic portrayal of director Steven Soderbergh's blockbuster drama about a rapidly spreading lethal virus.

In a race against time, the international medical and scientific community attempt to halt the pandemic and avert the mass hysteria that is diffusing even faster than the virus itself.

Without resorting to sensationalism or heroism, the feature brings forth the tense atmosphere, while exalting interpersonal dynamics and inevitable chain reactions.

The use of technically skilled montage and cinematography, along with Scott Burns' screenplay and Cliff Martinez' emotionally pulsating original soundtrack, create a solid, well assembled, and thought provoking feature.

The Help

Superb cast and exceptional performances mark Tate Taylor's feature based on Kathryn Stockett's best selling novel.

Well balanced and captivating, the stories are revealed from the maids' perspective. The story centers around local newspaper columnist, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone, Easy A), who embarks on a clandestine writing project. She interviews the reluctant African-American maids about their personal experiences working for privileged white families in 1963 Jackson, Mississippi.

The leading and supportive cast bring characters to life in a regionally authentic way displaying charisma, depth, and chemistry. Emma Stone as Skeeter bring a healthy naivete with a progressive mind. Academy Award® nominee Viola Davis (Doubt), in the role of Aibileen, is a complex and conflicted reluctant hero who agrees to tell novice writer Skeeter the painful and potentially incendiary stories about her life. Octavia Spencer's Minny is a strong character working initially in an oppressive environment for villain Hilly Holbrook (Bryce Dallas Howard), and later in a mansion for the blonde, air-headed and often misunderstood fish-out-of-water, Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain).

The strong supporting cast include: Emmy® Award winner Allison Janney as Charlotte Helan, Chris Lowell as Stuart Whitworth, Oscar® winner Sissy Spacek as Missus Walters, Academy Award® nominee Cicely Tyson as Constantine Jefferson, Mike Vogel as Johnny Foote, as well as Anna Camp as Jolene, Aunjanue Ellis as Yule Mae, and Mary Steenburgen as Elaine Stein.

Production designer, Mark Ricker, coupled with costume designer Sharen Davis, create a detailed feel and look of the 60's true to the characters and the time.

A moving and empowering story about women who found their unique voice and inspired change.

The Change-Up

In this new take on body-switching comedies, David Dobkin, director of Wedding Crashers, and writers of The Hangover, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, present a comical and revealing look into the world of men.

Dave (Jason Bateman) is a successful lawyer, married to his childhood sweetheart Jamie (Leslie Mann), has three kids, and lives a conservative suburban lifestyle. 


His polar opposite, friend since junior high, Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) is single, barely employed and chasing women like he is still in college. One night, as they stand in front of the Greek goddess Metis' fountain, they argue how they wish they could be in the other's shoes only to find the following morning that the shape-shifting goddess of wisdom has granted their wish.



The best friends are forced to live each other's lives and, while at the law firm, Mitch meets Dave's mysterious sexy associate Sabrina (Olivia Wilde).

Bateman and Reynolds well portray each other's character in a familiar plot reformatted to include raunchy, outrageous, R rated humor, geared for young adult audiences.

Cowboys & Aliens

Crossing the classic western and alien-invasion action-thriller, Cowboys & Aliens gives a new look to the traditional western by blending sci-fi elements with CG state of the art special effects.

Daniel Craig stars as Jake Lonergan, a stranger with no memory of his past and with a mysterious shackle encircling one wrist. He stumbles into the hardscrabble and unwelcoming desert town of Absolution in New Mexico. Nobody makes a move in the Absolution's fear laden streets unless ordered to do so by the town's benefactor, the iron-fisted cattle rancher Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford).

As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and what he experienced, he realizes that he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. Lonergan pulls together a posse comprised of former opponents: townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws, and Chiricahua Apache warriors to prepare for an epic showdown for survival.

In Clint Eastwood's tough but cool image and Steve McQueen's rugged appearance, Craig conveys much with few words while Harrison Ford delivers maximum impact in his portrayal of the tough, self-reliant Dolarhyde. Portraying a woman against type in a western genre movie is Olivia Wilde as Ella, the elusive, enigmatic traveler who shadows Lonergan wherever he goes.

Characters are introduced in creative fashion, gradually unfolding the story and revealing clues. Every character in the piece touches on a classic western archetype: saloon owner Doc (Sam Rockwell) and his wife Maria (Ana de la Reguera), the colonel's right hand man Nat Colorado (Adam Beach), the preacher Meacham (Clancy Brown) Sheriff Taggart (Keith Carradine), his grandson Emmett (Noah Ringer), and Dolarhyde's thug son, Percy (Paul Dano). Joining the cast as Deputy Sheriff Lyle is John Wayne's grandson Brendan Wayne.

Blockbuster filmmaker Jon Favreau is joined by an arsenal of top moviemakers that include Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci, in this ambitious and well made feature.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

From a first crush to a crushing breakup, relationships are the focus of Crazy, Stupid, Love, a coming-of-every-age comedy involving three generations of romance, consistently taking bad advice and performing crazy, stupid things for love.

Forty-something, straight-laced, Cal Weaver's (Steve Carell) perfect life becomes unraveled when he learns that his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) has cheated on him with her colleague, David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon), and wants a divorce.

Tormented Cal is offered an unexpected and unusual lifeline in the form of alpha-male, ladies' man Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) who thinks of himself as a gift to women. Jacob's new-woman-every-night modus operandi is challenged when he meets Hannah (Emma Stone). In the meantime, Cal's 13-year-old son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo) falls in love with his 17-year-old babysitter, Jessica (Analeigh Tipton) who has a major crash on Cal.

Based on a screenplay by Dan Fogelman, directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa as well as producers Steve Carell and Denise Di Novi, take a dramatic, edgy and hilarious look at this non-traditional romantic comedy.

Giving a complicated and rich character depth, is the pivotal Cal-Jacob relationship. Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling place a fresh spin portraying characters on different ends of the spectrum, lost in their respective façade.

The humor comes very naturally out of situations and characters. Some of the funniest scenes involve the combustible relationship between Steve and Marisa Tomei as Kate, Cal's first post separation fling. Moore's effervescent personality provides balance between the comedy and drama.

This funny, witty, and smart, character-based comedy explores the notion that even as we get older, we don't always have all the answers, but how worthwhile it is to hang in there.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Ten years after the first Harry Potter adventure, the 8^th final and shortest, installment of J.K. Rowling's immensely popular seven volume literary masterpiece comes to a close.

Before the last confrontation between Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his arch-nemesis Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) takes place, Harry Potter, along with Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), must find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, items in which the Dark Lord has embedded pieces of his soul in his quest for immortality. However, the destruction of each Horcrux makes the amphibious faced, Lord Voldemort, even more dangerous. The stakes are higher and no one, not even Harry, is safe.

In what may be his best film to date, returning helmer, David Yates, perfectly blends the thrilling feature with an emotional underpinning. Surprising revelations and complexities are uncovered such as Professor Severus Snape's (Alan Rickman) hostile nature towards Harry.

One of the many extraordinary scenes involves a magical bank heist featuring great 3D special effects and prosthetic makeup, taking up to four hours to apply on each of the dozens banker goblins.

The epic finale, augmented by impeccable acting in addition to well merged practical and visual designs, captures the imagination, delivering a satisfying, climactic conclusion.

Horrible Bosses

Drawing from pop-culture formulas, this brazen comedy directed by Seth Gordon, and written by Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, leaps with high energy, comedic plot twists.

Three disgruntled employees, office drone Nick (Jason Bateman), accountant Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and dental assistant Dale (Charlie Day) hire murder consultant MotherF* Jones (Jamie Foxx) to kill their bosses, that is the sadistic David Harken (Kevin Spacey), the irrational Bobby Pellet (Colin Farrell) and the sexy man-eater Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston). The three buddies aren't exactly criminal masterminds and things don't turn out as planned, but it's too late to backtrack.

Though not a new theme, what propels the action and makes the raunchy, dark comedy work so well is the inept approach to the terrible plan and the dynamics between the three different, not so smart, but likable characters. Colin Farrell is barely recognizable, Jamie Foxx steals the show, Jennifer Aniston turns up the heat, while Charlie Dale delivers most of the laughs.

Fans will particularly enjoy viewing their old time favorites, Donald Sutherland and Bob Newhart in their cameo appearances.

Larry Crowne

Resonating with today's economic issues, is this heartwarming story about Larry (Tom Hanks), an unemployed and divorced middle aged man who enrolls at the local community college to widen his job prospects. Fellow college student Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and the public speaking professor Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), provide Larry just the right spark needed to pull his life together.

Featured in their comedic roles are a mix of familiar and up-and-coming performers including Bryan Cranston as Mercedes' husband Dean Tainot, Cedric the Entertainer and Taraji P. Henson as Larry's friends and neighbors Lamar and B'Ella, as well as Wilmer Valderrama as Talia's boyfriend, Dell Gordo.

Notwithstanding the one dimensional characters and a predictable script, the strong acting make this light romantic comedy an uplifting summer entertainment. 

CARS 2

A spy theme with menacing villains, a colorful cast of cars, boats, planes and trains, characterize CARS 2, Pixar’s 12th full length animated action adventure feature, directed by Academy Award winner John Lasseter.

Lively and humorous, it is the most technically challenging Pixar movie to date, with detailed state of the art, eye popping visuals, and front-row car racing views at the World Grand Prix.

Race car star Lighting McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and his best friend tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) are ensnared in an intriguing international espionage orchestrated by master British spy Finn McMissile (voice of Michael Caine) and the rookie field spy Holley Shiftwell (voice of Emily Mortimer). The action packed journey leads Mater to an explosive spy chase through the streets of Japan, Italy, France and England.

Among the returning cast are Larry the Cable Guy, whose character Mater takes center stage in CARS 2, and Owen Wilson who displays his trademark drawl and personality. John Turturro, as the fierce race competitor Francesco Bernoulli, gives the character just the right amount of Italian bravado, while the film's coolest spy car, Fin McMissile, transforms itself into a hydrofoil and a submarine, and climbs up steel walls through its wheels' steel magnets.

Fans would particularly like the cameo appearances of real life Formula 1 racing champions Lewis Hamilton and NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon who add a touch of authenticity.

With Michael Giacchino's swift score, CARS 2 carries a message about friendship, it is fun and beautiful to watch.

The Art of Getting By

In this sensitive depiction of first love and emerging adulthood, first time director-writer Gavin Wiesen convincingly navigates through the characters' life-changing experiences and the realization of the imperfect world surrounding them.

George Zinavoy is a smart, introspective, insular senior high school student, overwhelmed by a sense of futility, lack of self-confidence and motivation. He is challenged by three dedicated educators, the Principal Martinson (Blair Underwood), his English teacher Ms. Herman (Alicia Silverstone) and art instructor Harris McElroy (Jarlath Conroy), as well as his mother Vivian (Rita Wilson) and stepfather, Jack Sargent (Sam Robards). However, his perspective changes when he develops a romance with the popular and beautiful classmate Sally (Emma Roberts), who brings him out of his shell and into a new view on life.

Notwithstanding the predictable script and cliché dialogue, the characters are relatable. Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) well portrays an aloof character who tries to find himself, while rising star Emma Roberts (It's Kind of a Funny Story) is charming in depicting Sally, a free spirited character.

Gavin builds an emotional connection to George's journey by delivering a timeless feel and beginning the feature with a rough documentary aesthetic. Use of a handheld camera at the beginning of the feature is gradually transitioned to a steadier camera, as George becomes more grounded.

The feature speaks to the complicated and confused age where teenagers try to find inner strength and overcome personal challenges.

Gifts of the Sultan: The Arts of Giving at the Islamic Courts

The gift giving tradition practiced in Islamic courts was an expression of affection, friendship, gratitude for services rendered, piety, and, in diplomacy, formalizing alliances. This theme is the center of the international groundbreaking exhibit premiering at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) featuring 250 impressive works of various media, from collections in America, Europe, and the Middle East, ranging from the eighth through nineteenth centuries.

Five years in the making, and curated by Islamic art specialist Linda Komaroff, the exhibit can be viewed in any order within the three broad sections of Personal Gifts, Pious Gifts, and State and Diplomatic Gifts that were documented or identified from textual or archival resources.

Objects of personal adornment such as jewelry, belts, garments, and precious utilitarian objects are on view in the Personal Gifts section. Included are a Pair of Bracelets from the 11^th century Syria or Egypt, made of gold fabricated from sheet and decorated with wire, as well as a late 16th-17^th century Turkey Comb made of rock crystal inlaid with gold and set with emeralds and rubies.

The Pious Gifts given to mosques or shrines expressed piety and humility before God. Finest of their type, these gifts were notable for their size and expense. Preferred were the lighting gear, such as giant candles and candlesticks, for evoking God's light. On display is a glass Lamp of late 14^th century Egypt or Syria. Expensive carpets were made to fit specific spaces in a particular shrine. Huge porcelains plates, and water vessels are also included.

State and Diplomatic Gifts were used in formalizing alliances, sealing peace treaties, and included courtly regalia such as jewel-encrusted horse trappings and robes of honor. On view is a Portrait of Fath Ali Shah, Iran, Tehran, c. 1800-1806; Timur Receiving Gifts from the Egyptian Ambassadors, a double-page composition from a manuscript of the Zafarnama of Sharaf al-Din Ali Yazdi, Iran, Shiraz, 1436, as well as Sindukht Comes to Sam Bearing Gifts, folio from the Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp, Iran, Tabriz, 1525-35. Also on display is the Presentation of Gifts by the Safavid Ambassador to Selim II at Edirne, double-page painting from the Sehname-i Selim Han, Turkey, 1591, Shah Jahan Receives the Persian Ambassador, Muhammad Ali Beg folio from the Windsor Padshahnama, India, c. 1633, and a Rosette, from the Mshatta Facade, Mshatta (Modern Jordan) 8^th century.

All these magnificent gifts of historical significance share in common elite objects with rare and expensive materials made by the best artists. Communication through gift giving and receiving provided an artistic framework for cross cultural exchange and interaction.

A small contemporary component is included in the exhibition, displaying the work of innovative artists with Islamic roots, Sadegh Tirafkan, Shahzia Sikander, and Ahmed Mater, commissioned to produce new works interpreting the theme of Gifts of the Sultan.

The exhibit runs from June 5, 2011 through September 5, 2011 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion, located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. For more information call (323) 857-6000 or visit www.lacma.org

Following its presentation at LACMA, the exhibit travels to the Museum of Fine Arts in Huston October 23, 2011 - January 15, 2012, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, Spring 2012.

Tim Burton

Creating a stir is Los Angeles County Museum of Art's (LACMA) latest retrospective of Burbank-born Tim Burton, the live action and animated film writer, director and producer, known for his humorous-horror signature themes often referred to as 'Burtonesque.'

Over 700 works, many from Tim Burton's private collection, display the full range of Burton's extraordinary creativity through photographs, concept art, drawings, paintings, writings, film and video works, storyboards, puppets, maquettes, costumes and cinematic ephemera that include unrealized or little known projects personal to Burton that were not meant to be publicly viewed when created.

At the exhibit entrance awaiting the visitors is Trick or Treat (1980), a huge mouth with giant teeth leading to the three sections that trace the filmmaker's creative process from childhood to the present.

Surviving Burbank (1958 - 1976), marks the artistic creativity and energy displayed in Burton's early works of odd character doodles and sketchbooks. 

Next is Beautifying Burbank (1977 - 1984), illustrating the emergence of Burton's signature motifs, with several wild and amusing creatures, following his studies at CalArts, founded by Walt and Roy Disney, and four years as an animator at Walt Disney Studios. 

The final section, Beyond Burbank (1985 - present), centers around Burton's blossoming and successful feature film career through screen works such as Pee-wee's Big adventure (1985), Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).

Making use of LACMA's outdoor space is a deer shaped topiary that originally appeared in Edward Scissorhands (1990). Balloon Boy, a 21-foot-tall, 8-foot-diameter, many eyed-creature will be displayed at the Los Angeles Times Central Court, near the Bing Theater where related film screenings will be shown during the run of the exhibit, and will be part of LACMA's permanent collection.

Particularly engaging is Robot Boy (2009) which at specific intervals, lights up, then opens up, and quickly shuts down. Accompanied by Danny Elfman's chilling music is the atmospheric dark and spooky room with a colorful rotating Carousel (2009) surrounded by walls filled with diverse creatures' eyes pointed towards the visitor.

Burton's unique visual style brings to the surface a visual culture that illuminates and infectiously teases one's imagination.

Organized by Ron Magliozzi, Assistant Curator, and Jenny He, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Film, with Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, The Museum of Modern Art, the exhibit runs from May 29, 2011 through October 31, 2011 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion, located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. For more information call (323) 857-6000 or visit www.lacma.org

Following its presentation at LACMA the exhibit will travel to La Cinématèque Française, Paris, March 7 to August 5, 2012.