films

Every year, tax season inspires Americans ... to gripe and complain. But rather than focus on the depressing side of your yearly ordeal, why not consider the more enjoyable things that taxes have inspired -- namely, a long list of films. On Oscar weekend, there's no better time to recall these taxing classics.

Netflix is enjoying a period of rapid expansion, riding on the popularity of DVD-by-mail and online video streaming. The question for investors is: What's next? Netflix has signaled that it plans to expand abroad, and the U.K. is a likely target. But is Britain ready for Netflix?

Looking for an easy way to keep your entertainment budget in check without feeling like you're pinching pennies or getting bored? Bring the gang over for a dinner party and movie night that features one of these classic Hollywood suspense films.

Today's pinched budgets mean many American families can%u2019t shell out as much as they once did to send teenagers to the movies. But there's a more affordable way to keep young people entertained: Soup up your home theater and screen some teen-friendly classics.

Regardless of your political leanings, the struggle for fair wages and collective bargaining is fraught with drama, and Hollywood's union movies have inspired some amazing performances. With the public workers standoff in the news now, here are a few of Tinseltown's best offerings.

At least one analyst is predicting that fourth-quarter box-office sales are set to fall 12% as most 3-D movies have failed to attract big audiences this year. Even worse: The trend extends beyond movie theaters to the living room.

Among Thursday's best reads for investors from around the Web: Business lessons from the Beatles, Cody Willard's latest stock picks and the newest billionaire.

After months of delays, the deal is done: An investment group called Filmyard Holdings is the proud new owner of the storied Miramax Films. The sale was announced back in June, but concerns about bank financing pushed the closing date back until now.

Bidding for an original Darth Vader costume from the "Star Wars" movie series failed to reach the undisclosed reserve at a Christie's auction Thursday. Auctioneers had expected the costume to sell for between 160,000 pounds and 230,000 pounds ($250,000 to $365,000). The top bid was 150,000 British pounds (roughly $236,000).

After its drama with shareholder Carl Icahn, Lions Gate is apparently out of the bidding for MGM. Creditors of the storied studio -- which owns the James Bond franchise and half of the rights to "The Hobbit" films -- approved a merger with Spyglass Entertainment on Friday.