Hava Nagila (The Movie) Tells the Story of a Famous Song

Producer Marta Kauffman talks the new movie, growing up in Broomall, and creating hit TV show Friends.

Hava Nagila (The Movie) employs everyone from rabbis and scholars to Harry Belafonte to describe the story—and cultural impact—behind the famous song. The film, opening today at Ritz at the Bourse, is a joyous, witty ode to a single from the soundtrack of our lives. One of the producers is Broomall’s Marta Kauffman, who helped create a string of successful sitcoms in the 1990s, notably Friends. Her involvement will surprise some, but Kauffman, 56, is right where she wants to be. I talked with her recently about how Hava Nagila (The Movie) fits into her current career path and why sitcoms do not.

Melissa Stark’s Road From “Sexiest Sports Reporter” to Mom Who Knows Football

The former Monday Night Football sideline reporter talks about her return to covering the NFL.

It’s 6:40 a.m. in a frigid South Jersey TV studio, and in 20 minutes Me­lissa Stark—who looks better at this g­roggy hour than you ever will—goes live on-air. Is she nervous? Not really: She’s been preparing all week for Sunday’s slate of NFL games. And anyway, she’s an old pro in front of the camera. And in front of millions of rabid sports fans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Urpr0xnVoM

Movies About Legends: 5 Actors Who Didn’t Fit the Part

Not everyone nails it like Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln.

The release of Lincoln kicks off a stretch of biopics featuring historic figures. After Daniel Day-Lewis tackles Abe Lincoln, Anthony Hopkins will play Alfred Hitchcock. Then a few weeks later, Bill Murray will portray Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Hyde Park on Hudson.

If They Can Make a Casablanca Sequel, They Will Stop at Nothing

What’s next? Titanic 2? The Search for Rosebud?

Because Americans, especially those responsible for making movies, can never leave well enough alone, there is a script for a sequel to Casablanca. Even worse? There is someone who wants it made.

Twitter Says James Blunt Is the Musical Antichrist

How news of one harmless balladeer’s "retirement" spirals in a cruel world.

Since “You’re Beautiful” crooner James Blunt told the Daily Mail that he “wanted to take some time off for himself”—a statement the paper somehow translated into “I’m retiring”—the joy emanating from Twitter has been palpable. Here’s a very small taste from across the pond, where Blunt is a bigger name:

Tina Fey Hosting the Golden Globes Is So 2006

What took them so long?

Upon hearing that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were named hosts for the Golden Globes, I felt ambivalent. This, I assure you, is a good sign.

Jennifer Garner’s Movie Career Is Not in the Toilet

5 actors who should be way more worried than Ben Affleck’s wife.

“Butter bombs, Jennifer Garner’s track record worsens,” intoned the headline on Yahoo! Movie Talk before writer Meriah Doty delivered a whole spiel about Garner’s tumble from box-office royalty.

Play: Movie Cliché Bingo

Does anyone have "Reservoir Dogs slow-mo walk?" How about "blatant Hitchcock homage?"

After enduring Trouble With the Curve recently, it became clear to me: We need something to cut through the special look-at-me dramatics that only Oscar season brings. It seems like the right time for my version of “Movie Cliché Bingo.” I hope it provides some levity and sanity when Steven Spielberg—teaming with Daniel Day-Lewis, no less—does everything short of slaughtering puppies to make us cry. Please feel free to offer your own suggestions in the comments. (Click on image to enlarge.)

First, Manimal. Next: B.J. and the Bear?

A few more 1980s TV shows that are ripe for a cinematic reboot.

I was surprised to hear that Sony Pictures Animation recently bought the movie rights to Manimal, which enjoyed a robust eight episode run in 1983. The NBC show’s premise: a handsome doctor helps the police fight crime via his abilities to morph into different animals. Ignored by the public (its main competition was Dallas) and ravaged by critics, when you think of '80s TV, Manimal probably does not come to mind. Still, this is not the worst studios have done, not with an Alf movie in the works. In 2012, we’ve been treated to movies based on a pregnancy guide (What to Expect...