Critics

" There are two sides to every issue: One side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil. " - Ayn Rand's hero John Galt speaking in "Atlas Shrugged" Ayn Rand's novel "Atlas Shrugged" has polarized opinion for more than 50 years. Its fans - including, until recently, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan - applaud the book's celebration of rugged individualism and no-holds-barred capitalism. Its critics dismiss it as heartless, simplistic and elitist. In the novel, many of the nation's most brilliant and innovative entrepreneurs and business leaders have disappeared, leaving the nation in chaos.

There is a moment for girls on the cusp of growing up that is fraught with both naiveté and worldliness, when teddy bears and T.S. Eliot are somehow comfortable companions for diary entries made in a darkening night. Filmmaker Sally Potter has set those passionate times inside the turmoil of '60s-era London, radio updates of the Cuban Missile Crisis crackling in the background of her beautifully wrought "Ginger & Rosa. " It follows the two lifelong friends of the title, finely acted by Elle Fanning and Alice Englert, respectively, as they experiment with smoking, boys, hair, clothes, politics, protest, religion, sex, love, all with the crushing passion and rising cynicism of those only beginning to see the world for what it is. Potter, who wrote and directed the film, is patient in weaving together their discoveries and disappointments and that most perilous of times when Ginger first realizes her parents are as flawed, fragile and afraid as she is. Events will divide and define both girls in ways that didn't seem possible and Potter has given us the best seat in the house for all of it. PHOTOS AND MORE TIMELINE: Violence in movies ENVELOPE: The latest awards buzz PHOTOS: Greatest box office flops

Fight that sinking September sensation that summer's over with the heat and beauty of "Cairo Time. " This small, intimate tale of not-so-young lovers portrayed by Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig luxuriates in the considerable talent of these very fine actors, who make great use of all the breathing room they've been given to create an exquisite mood piece. This is also a postcard to a place that Canadian writer-director Ruba Nadda clearly adores — the grime, poverty and sheer density momentarily swept under cinema's magic carpet.

Maybe it's fitting that when I caught "The Social Network" at my local theater over the weekend, the chick in front of me was posting on Facebook throughout the movie, a detail I know from the very recognizable icon on the front of her very bright iPhone that she kept accessing and the heated etiquette exchange we had just as the Harvard crewing, buff, blond, we-will-be-kings Winklevoss twins entered the picture. Because David Fincher's incisive thriller is about the bloody battle over the ubiquitous site's creation rights, let's face it: The film wouldn't exist if Facebook hadn't created a culture of young feathered friends like the annoying one in front of me. And that would have been a serious cinematic loss.

"MacGruber," an R-rated comedy from Universal Pictures, opens Friday in general release. It did not screen for critics. The review will appear in Calendar and online at latimes.com/moviereviews as soon as it is available.

Re "The critics shrugged," Opinion, Aug. 26 Ayn Rand's epic tome, "Atlas Shrugged," is a relentless 1,100-some pages of excruciating reading, a fitting punishment for any libertarian. I've never come across one of them who has actually read the darn thing. They all say they've read it and even sport the bumper stickers with the opening line, "Who is John Galt?," but none of them has been so masochistic as to have actually read it. This actualizes the famous review by Dorothy Parker, who said: "This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly.

It was an emotional roller-coaster at the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony Thursday night in Los Angeles, even more so than usual for the annual event. Consider disco queen Donna Summer , whose husband and three daughters accepted the award for her posthumously, 11 months after the singer and songwriter lost her battle with cancer. Or 80-year-old producer Quincy Jones -- the most nominated Grammy Award winner ever -- who said his induction into the Rock Hall made him feel “that finally, I have arrived.” Also enduring a long wait for recognition was Heart, whose founding sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were finally admitted to what's historically been the boys' club of hard rock music after a decade of eligibility.

After all the hype, money and bodily injury, it turns out "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" is kind of lame. ( Los Angeles Times ) Ladies and gentlemen, here's your Oscars class of 2011. ( Los Angeles Times ) Sunday's Super Bowl was the most-watched TV event in U.S. history. ( Los Angeles Times ) Some dinner guests bring a bottle of wine; according to Josh Brolin, John Travolta brings his magical Scientology healing ability. ( Wall Street Journal ) Prince pulls Kim Kardashian on stage during his Madison Square Garden show, realizes she has no talent, boots her off the stage.