It's not really news that Arnold Schwarzenegger is back this year. Everybody else in Hollywood is, too, so why not the former California governor?

Snow White has been mesmerizing moviegoers and TV watchers with a smile and a song -- and, now, a sword -- since 1937, when Disney released its first full-length animated feature.

This year of re-envisioned fairy tales on TV and film continues with the release of "Snow White and the Huntsman," the darkest Snow White of them all.

Astonishingly beautiful and breathtaking in its brutal imagery, "Snow White & the Huntsman" is thrilling and frightening in equal measure, yet as bereft of satisfying substance as a poisoned apple.

I wasn’t expecting much from the new "Battleship" movie, a film based on the almost 70 year-old game that involves two players in a hit & miss strategy to “sink” each other’s mock naval fleets.

As superhero summers go, this one is truly super.

As superhero summers go, this one is truly super.

As superhero summers go, this one is truly super.

Thirty years ago, it seemed ambitious just to see Superman or Batman in a feature-length, live-action film. Back then, people never could have anticipated that we would one day see six of the most iconic superheroes come together in a single movie. Over the course of five movies and several years, Marvel has been building up to “The Avengers,” their main event. If the film did not live up to expectations, there would be an outcry of hatred from fanboys across the nation. Imagine the tragic aftermath of “Star Wars: Episode One” times a thousand. Fortunately, “The Avengers” not only exceeds the overwhelming hype, but also emerges as one of the absolute best superhero pictures ever produced.

Thirty years ago, it seemed ambitious just to see Superman or Batman in a feature-length, live-action film. Back then, people never could have anticipated that we would one day see six of the most iconic superheroes come together in a single movie. Over the course of five movies and several years, Marvel has been building up to “The Avengers,” their main event. If the film did not live up to expectations, there would be an outcry of hatred from fanboys across the nation. Imagine the tragic aftermath of “Star Wars: Episode One” times a thousand. Fortunately, “The Avengers” not only exceeds the overwhelming hype, but also emerges as one of the absolute best superhero pictures ever produced.

Thirty years ago, it seemed ambitious just to see Superman or Batman in a feature-length, live-action film. Back then, people never could have anticipated that we would one day see six of the most iconic superheroes come together in a single movie. Over the course of five movies and several years, Marvel has been building up to “The Avengers,” their main event. If the film did not live up to expectations, there would be an outcry of hatred from fanboys across the nation. Imagine the tragic aftermath of “Star Wars: Episode One” times a thousand. Fortunately, “The Avengers” not only exceeds the overwhelming hype, but also emerges as one of the absolute best superhero pictures ever produced.

The hype has been building for years and it couldn't possibly be more deafening at this point.

In the midst of a drawn-out and noisy battle scene, the action pauses to zoom in on two characters in front of a giant poster for Disney’s Broadway production of “The Lion King.” Although this blatant cross-promotion only lasts for an instant, there are moments like these that help remind the audience that Disney's “Marvel's The Avengers” is nothing more than a mindless, cash-grabbing machine.

Stop reading this review right now.

For a while now, Walt Disney Pictures has been trying to develop an action/adventure franchise with the same mass appeal of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Its first attempt was with the failed “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” “John Carter,” Disney’s latest venture, isn’t much of an improvement. This is a flashy and corny blockbuster with only a couple amusing moments every 30 minutes.

For a while now, Walt Disney Pictures has been trying to develop an action/adventure franchise with the same mass appeal of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Its first attempt was with the failed “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” “John Carter,” Disney’s latest venture, isn’t much of an improvement. This is a flashy and corny blockbuster with only a couple amusing moments every 30 minutes.

With the Oscar nominees being unveiled in less than a week, numerous critics are attempting to predict what will be nominated. I could offer you my forecast of what will be nominated on Oscar morning. Given my track record though, I'll likely just end up feeling like an idiot. So instead, I've compiled a list of what should be nominated, something that I can't possibly be wrong about.

With the Oscar nominees being unveiled in less than a week, numerous critics are attempting to predict what will be nominated. I could offer you my forecast of what will be nominated on Oscar morning. Given my track record though, I'll likely just end up feeling like an idiot. So instead, I've compiled a list of what should be nominated, something that I can't possibly be wrong about.

Hollywood is respecting the environment and recycling - again.

Hollywood is respecting the environment and recycling - again.

The year 2011 was a tremendous year for movies with a fair deal of pictures that put an emphasis on nostalgia. There were so many great movies in 2011 that a top 10 list isn't going to cut it. I'm going all out with the 25 best films of 2011.

The year 2011 was a tremendous year for movies with a fair deal of pictures that put an emphasis on nostalgia. There were so many great movies in 2011 that a top 10 list isn't going to cut it. I'm going all out with the 25 best films of 2011.

First Period_None. Penalties_Ekman-Larsson, Pho (holding), 6:42; Yandle, Pho (tripping), 9:41.

For every summer that brings us a "Thor" or an "X-Men: First Class," there's a fairly standard superhero movie like "Green Lantern" in the mix. This isn't a bad superhero movie like "Ghost Rider" or the two "Fantastic Four" pictures. But "The Dark Knight," "Spider-Man 2," and "Iron Man" it is not. "Green Lantern" is bright, colorful, loud, mindless entertainment. You might be amused while watching the film. Just don't expect it to leave a lasting impression.