Liam Neeson has played thoughtful and sensitive in movies like Kinsey, or romantic in Love Actually but we love him best when he's slinging swords or kicking butt.

Since he's reprising his role of ex-CIA man Bryan Mills in this week's rip-roaring sequel Taken 2, we thought we'd refresh your memory on just how big of a badass this 60-year-old Irishman really is before you watch him blow away Albanians for two hours.

Note: Due to badass violence, badass language, and general badassery, viewer discretion is advised.

9. 'Darkman' (1990)

Before Sam Raimi enabled Tobey Maguire to swing betwe...

Dakota Fanning is no longer a child star. The blonde cutie who wowed audiences in the 2001 film "I Am Sam" turns 18 years old today.

We expect great things from the Georgia native. She has appeared in movies such as "Taken," "Uptown Girls," and "Man On Fire." That's quite a resume for such a short time.

Most recently she played a sexy yet lethal vampire in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and rock musician Cherie Currie in "The Runaways."

Dakota stars in several upcoming films, including "The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn - Part 2," "Now Is Good," "The Motel Life," "Effie," "Furious Angel" and...

This weekend, audiences will get the chance to see Liam Neeson fight a pack of hungry wolves in order to say alive in “The Grey” from director Joe Carnahan. Though he has become a worldwide action star with films like “Taken” and “Unknown,” 15 years ago the Irish-born former amateur boxer was better known for dramas like “Schindler’s List” and “Michael Collins.” That’s not to say he takes the craft of acting any less seriously now than he did back then. He is still as talented and charismatic as ever, only now he seems to be having a lot more fun.

So how did Neeson go from being a serious ...

Irish actor Liam Neeson is considering converting to Islam after becoming fascinated by the religion while filming in Turkey.

The Taken star grew up as a devout Catholic who acted as an altar boy at his local church and was even named after a priest.

However, during a trip to Istanbul to shoot a film, he was moved by Muslims' Call To Prayer, which takes place five times a day to summon followers to worship.

He says, "The Call to Prayer happens five times a day and for the first week it drives you crazy, and then it just gets into your spirit and it's the most beautiful, beautiful thin...

Liam Neeson’s the type of actor which no one can really say they dislike. Well, there might be a person or two out there, but truth be told, this easy going Irishman has a swag unlike any other seasoned Hollywood actor, and no matter what name you may be thinking… like NYC, there are plenty of other cities with a magical appeal, but when it comes comparing it—never! Neeson’s just too strong, vibrant and holds a unique aura which remains untouched.

Other than MAYBE Daniel Craig, I don’t think there could be anyone else that would have had the capabilities to make such a somber thriller li...

Former "Lost" actress Maggie Grace showed up at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City on Monday wearing a really short pale pink dress that looks like it came straight out of the 1960s. We wonder if she revealed anything when she sat down in it?

Maggie stars in the upcoming film "Knight And Day" opposite Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. The film centers on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) who wage a war between truth and trust while speeding across the globe in an attempt to avoid capture by a determined federal agent.

She recently appeared in "Taken," starring Liam Neeson as an ex-sol...

It has been a tragic year for Liam Neeson and we feel deep sympathy for him. The fact that he can keep working so consistently after the sudden passing of his wife, Natasha Richardson, is admirable. Speaking about his latest film, The A-Team, Neeson seemed in positive spirits.

“I did this film, Taken, that’s given me a whole new lease on life at the age of 58,” Neeson said. “So it was great to flex those different muscles if you know what I mean.”

Neeson plays Hannibal Smith, the leader of a team of skilled Army Rangers. He admires the fearlessness he gets to play on screen. “Well, these ...

I returned to the movies last week to see Mel Gibson's thriller "Edge of Darkness." A large part of me was anxious to see it since I knew Gibson plays a Boston cop whose daughter is murdered in front of him. As Gibson's character, Detective Thomas Craven, launches his own investigation into his daughter's untimely demise, he starts unraveling threads to a conspiracy involving big business and government in Massachusetts.

While this sounds like a promising plot that could be quite engrossing, in execution the film falls flat in creating the necessary tension. The pacing for most of the...

January truly is the worst month for film. In fact, January is the equivalent of the second string JV team in high school. Its sole purpose is to warm the benches for the upcoming seasons.

The month sometimes holds a few kernels of popcorn goodness. The two genres that perform well, or at least have been granted a few sleeper hits in the past decade, are thrillers and sci-fi/horror. Last year 'Taken' and 'My Bloody Valentine 3D' were stars among flops in January. Typically, as rabid consumers of cinema, we forget about January. Honestly, do any of you fondly remember titles like, '...

As with every year there are dozens of great movies but there are even more really bad ones. 2009 will be marked by Quentin Tarantino and Sacha Baron Cohen comebacks along with a bevy of bad movies, highlighted by Megan Fox's performance in Jennifer's Body. There were plenty of good movies and we may have the most fun making fun of the bad and helpless ones, but let's take a look at the best movies of 2009.

Most blockbuster movies are filled with overrated stars (i.e. Will Smith and Tom Cruise) and are seemingly contrived, made only to make money. Thankfully this year there were not as ...

A few weeks ago I got to see 15 minutes of James Cameron's "Avatar" on the IMAX in 3D, and it was some of the best CGI ever seen on the big screen. For years Cameron has promised a big comeback and at least visually this movie looks like it will truly deliver when it comes out in December. And yet ... what little they revealed of the plot felt contrived, and the dialogue was stiff. A soldier sneaking undercover in another society and then falling in love with this new culture and trying to make peace between the two nations. Viewers have seen that before, but what makes "Avatar" different h...

Take a look at the box office chart below, ranking the top ten films of the year so far:

1. Star Trek - $232,557,467

2. Monsters vs. Aliens - $195,246,609

3. Up - $191,041,612

4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - $176,270,686

5. The Fast and Furious - $154,669,230

6. Paul Blart: Mall Cop - $146,336,178

7. Taken - $144,958,654

8. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian - $144,596,100

9. Angels and Demons - $123,708,539

10. The Hangover - $115,000,000

Notice something missing? Notice a lot of things missing? Namely, many of the high-profile remakes and sequels (Requels, to co...

Liam Neeson is in talks with movie bosses to star in the upcoming big screen version of The A Team.

The Taken actor has reportedly been lined up to play John 'Hannibal' Smith, the role made famous by George Peppard in the hit 1980s television show.

He is currently in negotiations with 20th Century Fox and producers Tony and Ridley Scott to appear in the movie about four war veterans who escape from a prison to become vigilantes.

The Hangover star Bradley Cooper was recently rumored to be taking on the role of Lieutenant Templeton 'Faceman' Peck, originally played by Dirk Bene...

In Taken, An ex-soldier (Liam Neeson) traveling through Europe embarks on a frantic quest to rescue his daughter (Maggie Grace) after the young girl is abducted by slave traders. Also on DVD: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

Tyler Perry's New Comedy Movie Madea Goes To Jail has taken the top spot at the U.S. box office for a second week, with takings of $16.5 million over the weekend. The film, about an African American matriarch's run-ins with the law, scored Perry's biggest ever opening weekend, taking $41.1 million last weekend, and remains on course to become his biggest hit.

The Jonas Brothers followed at second place with the debut of their offering, Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience, which garnered $12.7 million.

Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire rose from five to three, earning $...

Tyler Perry's new comedy movie Madea Goes To Jail has shot to the top of the box office chart, with huge opening weekend takings of $41.1 million.

The film, about an African American matriarch's run-ins with the law, scored Perry's biggest ever opening weekend takings, and is on course to become his largest hit.

Nearest contender Taken had to settle for second place - the Liam Neeson thriller managed $11.4 million, taking its four-week total to $95.2 million.

Animated film Coraline came in third with $11 million; ahead of He's Just Not That Into You with $8.5 million and Osca...

An ex-soldier (Liam Neeson) traveling through Europe embarks on a frantic quest to rescue his daughter (Maggie Grace) after the young girl is abducted by slave traders... Continue summary

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The Fanning family is lucky. They have two pretty young girls, both are established or establishing themselves as respected actresses in an age when tween sexpots sell, and have managed to stay out of the unflattering light of Hollywood - thus far. Two talented daughters, bound to make large amounts of money due to their talent, must deal with the downfalls of normal child stardom. For those who are only familiar with Dakota Fanning, she has a younger sister, Elle, who is fast becoming just as well known as her sister. Let's investigate this perfect storm of child actors done right, and wha...

As 2008 comes to an end, it is time to close the book on the entertainment experiences that we have had this year. Yes, Transformers blew our minds. Girls, Sex and the City blew your minds. To anyone who watched The Haunting of Molly Hartley, I'm sure you want your money back as well. It is time to put all of that behind us, however, and look forward to a new year, and new movies that none of us should miss.

Defiance (Release Date: 01/16/09)

Director: Edward Zwick

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber

Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber star in Defiance, the story of three brothers...

Prison Break star Holly Valance was left broke following a court battle with her former manager - insisting a "plumber" made more money than her at the time.

The Australian actress made her name in her native country, starring in soap opera Neighbours, but her promising career had to be put on hold when her ex-manager sued her for alleged breach of contract.

In 2003 Valance was forced to pay out around $259,000 in compensation as well as spiralling legal costs. And she insists that the incident stripped her of all her savings and left her completely penniless.

She says, "The ...