Between Productions

Popdose: 2012 Oscar nominations

2012-01-25T00:58:00.002-05:00

Extremely loud and incredibly close analysis featuring, who else, The Artist.

Live Design: Leo

2012-01-16T20:26:00.002-05:00

A little, topsy-turvy show that I thoroughly enjoyed. And my first show of the year.

Popdose: The Iron Lady

2012-01-13T00:33:00.002-05:00

Meryl Streep rules Britannia.

Popdose: Thoughts. Impressions. Observations.

2012-01-10T01:42:00.002-05:00

One year ends, another begins. Working toward a Top Ten list, which Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy will surely be on.

Henry Hewes winners announced

2012-01-04T19:31:00.002-05:00

Here's the release. Pictured is the outstanding design for The Normal Heart.

"Six theater artists will be honored by the Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee during the presentation of its 47th Annual Awards in a luncheon ceremony this winter. Eighty-six theater artists were nominated for outstanding work in 61 productions presented during the 2010-2011 New York season.

These annual awards honor designers for work in venues on Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway, recognizing not only the traditional categories of Scenic Design, Costume Design and Lighting Design, but also "Notable Effects," which encompass sound, music, video, puppetry and other creative elements. All nominated designs must have originated in United States productions. The Hewes Awards Committee considered more than 200 productions when making its nominations.

John Lee Beatty extends his record of honors with his seventh Hewes Award; William Ivey Long receives his fourth; Jeff Croiter, David Rockwell and Batwin+Robin each receive their first such honor. Beatty, Long, Rockwell, Ben Stanton, David Zinn and Catherine Zuber led all nominees with three nominations each. Eight other designers received two nominations for their work during the 2010-2011 season.

Theatre for a New Audience's production of Notes From Underground and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's production of The Hallway Trilogy each received four distinct nominations to lead all other contenders. Broadway productions of Anything Goes, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and Good People received three nominations each, as did the Signature Theatre Company's Angels in America, New York Theatre Workshop's Peter and the Starcatcher and Three Pianos, the Public Theater's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism With a Key to the Scriptures and Manhattan Theatre Club's The Whipping Man. Another 10 productions on, Off and Off Off Broadway each received two nominations.

The HHDA Committee named honorees in four categories: Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design and Notable Effects. As of the 2011 awards, the Committee has bestowed 277 honors on 174 artists representing 191 productions.

Originally known as the Maharam Awards at their inception in 1965, the Hewes Awards were later known as the American Theatre Wing Design Awards in honor of the Wing’s generous sponsorship. They were renamed in 1999 for noted critic Henry Hewes, who created the awards and served as a board member of the American Theatre Wing until his death in 2006 at age 89.

2011 HENRY HEWES DESIGN AWARDS HONOREES
Scenic Design
John Lee Beatty
The Whipping Man (Manhattan Theatre Club)

Costume Design
William Ivey Long
The School for Lies (Classic Stage Company)

Lighting Design
Jeff Croiter
Peter and the Starcatcher (NY Theatre Workshop)

Notable Effects
(Scenery and Projections)
David Rockwell
The Normal Heart (Broadway)
Batwin+Robin
The Normal Heart (Broadway)"

OFCS winners announced

2011-12-26T11:02:00.006-05:00

1/2 UPDATE: Well, everything was coming up "Tree." So be it. Glad "A Separation" won anyway. The official release:

The Tree of Life, which led the Online Film Critics Society nominations with seven, was the big winner at the 15th Annual Online Film Critics Society Awards. The film took home the prize for Best Picture as well as trophies for Best Director (Terrence Malick), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Editing and Best Cinematography. No other film won more than one award.

The other three acting winners were Michael Fassbender winning Best Actor for his performance in Shame; Tilda Swinton's work in We Need to Talk About Kevin won the award for Best Actress; and Christopher Plummer received the Best Supporting Actor prize for his work in Beginners.

Best Picture:
The Tree of Life
Best Animated Feature:
Rango
Best Director:
Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life
Best Lead Actor:
Michael Fassbender - Shame
Best Lead Actress:
Tilda Swinton - We Need to Talk About Kevin
Best Supporting Actor:
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Best Supporting Actress:
Jessica Chastain - The Tree of Life
Best Original Screenplay:
Midnight in Paris
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
Best Editing:
The Tree of Life
Best Cinematography:
The Tree of Life
Best Film Not in the English Language:
A Separation
Best Documentary:
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Special Awards (previously announced):
To Jessica Chastain, the breakout performer of the year
To Martin Scorsese in honor of his work and dedication to the pursuit of film preservation

"A Separation" and "Hugo," two of my favorites, get something extra under the tree this year, if not as much as "The Tree of Life" (pictured). But plenty of room under the branches in what I must say is a strong slate from my group.

Here's the official release:

"The Tree of Life", Terrence Malick's exploration of suburban family life in the 1950's, received seven nominations for the 15th Annual Online Film Critics Society awards. The film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (Malick), Best Supporting Actor (Brad Pitt), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Cinematography.

Joining "The Tree of Life" in Best Picture are Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist", Alexander Payne's "The Descendants", Nicolas Winding Refn's "Drive" and Martin Scorsese's "Hugo". Malick, Hazanavicius, Refn and Scorsese were joined in the Best Director race by "Melancholia" director Lars von Trier.

"Drive" was the second most nominated film picking up six mentions including the aforementioned Picture and Director as well as Best Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks), Best Adapted Screenplay, Editing and Cinematography. Brooks was nominated alongside John Hawkes in "Martha Marcy May Marlene", Nick Nolte in "Warrior", Pitt and Christopher Plummer in "Beginners". In Best Supporting Actress, the nominees were Chastain, Melissa McCarthy for "Bridesmaids", Janet McTeer for "Albert Nobbs", Carey Mulligan for "Shame" and Shailene Woodley for "The Descendants".

Woodley and Mulligan's co-stars shared nominations in the Best Actor slate, George Clooney and Michael Fassbender respectively, who were nominated alongside Jean Dujardin in "The Artist", Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and Michael Shannon in "Take Shelter". The Best Actress category features Kirsten Dunst in "Melancholia", Elizabeth Olsen in "Martha Marcy May Marlene", Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady", Tilda Swinton in "We Need to Talk About Kevin" and Michelle Williams for "My Week with Marilyn".

Each year, the OFCS also submits nominations for Special Achievement Awards, granted only by a majority vote of the membership. This year, the Online Film Critics have selected two individuals, Jessica Chastain and Martin Scorsese, to receive special citations.

Chastain's tremendous and quality-filled output this year has brought her instant acclaim and recognition marking one of the most stellar debuts in recent memory.

Scorsese has long been a champion of film preservation and with his love letter to the cinema this year, "Hugo", he continues to show his admiration for film history and the many pursuits to keeping those records alive."

New York Theater News: Last of the year

2011-12-22T11:46:00.005-05:00

The first half of the 2011-2012 Broadway season has ended, and it's been blah. Adding a little zing: the family melodrama Stick Fly and the intriguing revisal of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, with Jessie Mueller and Harry Connick, Jr.

Popdose: Stocking stuffers

2011-12-22T10:07:00.004-05:00

Buy yourself a merry little Christmas and stock up on some current Blu-ray and DVD releases, ranging from a set of Sabu to some choice Seijun Suzuki weirdness via Criterion. And curl up with Jennifer Connelly at her most delectable, too.

Popdose: Saying Goodbye

2011-12-16T02:31:00.003-05:00

In which Norma Eberhardt, Tura Satana, and Ken Russell are sent on their way. You're good if you know two of those.

The Winter edition of Cineaste

2011-12-13T11:02:00.004-05:00

It's online and on sale. Online: An exclusive Charlotte Rampling interview, MOD, DVD, Blu-ray and book reviews, and festival coverage. In the magazine: Olivier Assayas, Costa-Gavras, Kelly Reichardt, and more on "The Prospects of Political Cinema Today"; interviews with Asghar Farhadi (A Separation), David Cronenberg (A Dangerous Method) and John Sayles (Amigo); and an update on manufactured-on-demand (MOD) discs by yours truly, plus my interview with Warner Archive honcho George Feltenstein. Worth the cover price of course, but why not subscribe and save?

Live Design: New plays

2011-12-12T14:56:00.003-05:00

I have been to The Mountaintop (pictured)--and a few other Broadway and Off Broadway shows besides as the year in theater ebbs. Kind of drab, I have to say, after an exciting spring; here's hoping 12 brings it up a notch.

Popdose: Hugo

2011-11-23T02:29:00.003-05:00

Christopher Lee has something for Hugo (Asa Butterfield) as Martin Scorsese attempts a 3D family film. It won't bite you.

Popdose: Criterions for Sale

2011-11-21T03:04:00.002-05:00

The Barnes & Noble sale is on again...and off again tomorrow. Get 'em while you can.

Popdose: On Marty Feldman

2011-11-17T01:40:00.003-05:00

A new bio shows that there was more to the comic than met the eyes.

Popdose: An Open Letter to Al Pacino

2011-11-14T00:51:00.003-05:00

Don't hang up, Al. We need to talk about these movies of yours. The new ones, not Dog Day Afternoon.

Popdose: Horrors

2011-11-01T02:24:00.004-04:00

As Halloween ebbs a torrent of DVDs and Blu-rays to scream about. And a photo of my favorite lil ghost to go with it.

New York Theater News: Sons of the Prophet

2011-10-28T00:23:00.003-04:00

Can't quite figure out the rave reviews for this one, but at least it wasn't written by an actor or a screenwriter. Too much of that around.

Live Design: Man and Boy

2011-10-21T09:40:00.002-04:00

Back to Broadway with Frank Langella, and a revival of Lemon Sky Off.

Popdose: At the New York Film Festival

2011-10-16T01:33:00.002-04:00

Witnessing A Separation, experiencing Melancholia, and feeling Shame.

The Popdose Interview: Max Allan Collins

2011-10-05T21:31:00.004-04:00

A chat with the prolific co-author of The Consummata, his latest collaboration with Mickey Spillane--dead five years and still going strong.

Popdose: Double De Palma

2011-10-01T08:09:00.004-04:00

Back to back posts? Indeed. And a double bill of Brian De Palma on Blu-ray. Say hello to these little friends!

Popdose: Notes on Current Movies

2011-09-30T01:13:00.004-04:00

Yes, the time slipped away, again. Sigh. But I'm back, reviewing Moneyball, Drive (pictured), and The Debt for Popdose. And I never go away entirely, as you can see by checking my Facebook and Twitter feeds. Look for me there and say hello, won't you?

Popdose: Contagion

2011-09-13T09:26:00.001-04:00

Catch it.

Cineaste: Fall issue interviews

2011-08-30T22:34:00.002-04:00

The Fall issue is up, and there's plenty to browse, including the online portion of our incredible film preservation symposium. But if I may call your attention to two pieces: an interview with Guillermo del Toro and Guy Pearce about their new film Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, and another chat with the inimitable Malcolm McDowell. By me.

Popdose: Problems with The Help

2011-08-28T09:41:00.003-04:00

I'm not all smiles over the top-grossing adaptation.

Popdose: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

2011-08-24T02:23:00.002-04:00

Bailee Madison is going to need a bigger flashlight to scare off unwelcome houseguests in a shivery remake, co-produced and co-written by Guillermo del Toro. Look for my interview with him and star Guy Pearce on the Cineaste website, posting soon.

Popdose: The Big Lebowski on Blu-ray

2011-08-18T00:45:00.002-04:00

The Dude abides.

Popdose: Sucker Punch on Blu-ray

2011-08-12T17:52:00.002-04:00

Where I discuss the tight-skirted, zeppelin-flying babes of Zack Snyder's folly, and eventually critique the disc.

Popdose: Sondheim sounds off

2011-08-11T23:43:00.007-04:00

"You can drive a person crazy..." So with the gang I look into what's driving the composer crazy about the revisal of Porgy and Bess that's coming our way this season.

Cineaste: Bellflower

2011-07-27T10:36:00.002-04:00

My review of a compelling, weird, lovable, nutso indie, opening Aug. 5.

The Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark microsite

2011-07-26T17:36:00.003-04:00

Live Design magazine is spinning a web on the web, telling the tale of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark from the design team's perspective via a specially created microsite brimming with my (ahem) "ace reportage." Take the plunge and have a look.

Popdose: Project Nim

2011-07-08T11:53:00.002-04:00

No monkeying around, folks, regarding an eye-opening new documentary from Man on Wire's James Marsh.

Popdose: A Summer "Transformered"

2011-07-03T02:21:00.002-04:00

Is a movie that's 90% awful still worth seeing? Yes, almost. Other, less awful movies are also considered.

"Animal Magnetism"

2011-07-02T16:10:00.002-04:00

It'll be in the August issue of Live Design but you can read the first part of my article on the award-winning design of War Horse online.

Hell's multiplex: the UA Court Street Stadium 12

2011-06-24T00:26:00.006-04:00

Remember that Brooklyn Heights-set horror movie The Sentinel (1977), where the doorway to hell was located in a genteel brownstone? Hell has been relocated a few blocks, to the dreaded UA Court Street Stadium 12 multiplex, hated by discerning moviegoers. I know enough to avoid it (and most multiplexes) on weekends, but yesterday's noon jaunt to see the (eh) Super 8 was a nightmare of slowpoke ticket-taking and molasses-paced concession sales that made me 15 minutes late for the movie. Irritated I wound up in an argument with the theater's manager, who couldn't care less about consumer complaints and just wanted to refund my money and get me out of there. And so after a few choice words I left, never to return.

The nicer Cobble Hill Cinemas was glad to have me, and as it happened it was discount day, so I paid $3 less than I would have at UA...Hell. UA's slightly more convenient location has obliged me to patronize it these past six years, despite terrible reviews, cretinous, nachos-stuffed audiences to match the staff in intelligence and girth, and two smoky fires started by malfunctioning popcorn machines, or malfunctioning employees. Want proof of the decline of customer service, basic worker competency, and pride in one's profession? Look no further.

Popdose: A Blu-ray Superman set

2011-06-23T23:35:00.003-04:00

I have it on DVD, but the new Blu-ray incarnation of the five-year-old "Superman Anthology" leaps past it in a single bound. Or something.

Weekend at BAMcinemaFest

2011-06-14T19:25:00.003-04:00

Staycationing cinephiles in the vicinity of the five boroughs are advised to trek over to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where the BAMcinemaFest begins tonight. Propelled by a favorable review in Film Comment I saw the opening film, the British-made Weekend, last week and it's a keeper, a finely wrought gay romance...well, that's limiting. Yes, it's about two men inching their way toward some sort of commitment beyond a one-night stand, and an audience (gay or straight) underserved by the usual cliche-ridden love stories has reason to cheer a more serious one, not that the film lacks humor (or heat). This one digs deeper, and while not a suspense picture per se it builds considerable tension of a kind as the tentative, sort-of out lifeguard Russell (Tom Cullen, below in frame) hooks up with Glen (Chris New), a garrulous, probing artist...on the last weekend before Glen is to leave for Portland for a two-year fellowship. Andrew Haigh's film suggests Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise but the stakes are in their own way more urgent; a subtle sub-theme of the movie is how England's baleful surveillance culture (represented by security cameras around Russell's housing estate) deforms lifestyles, presenting another hurdle for the two very different men to overcome. A stimulating and rewarding start to what promises to be an excellent festival, Weekend is slated for fall release, but the filmmakers are trekking to Brooklyn to screen it...and so might you to see it.

Tonys time, V. 2010-2011

2011-06-12T23:32:00.003-04:00

A chipper telecast almost disguised the fact that this was the most predictable crop of winners in recent years, with a few personal disappointments (Bobby Cannavale can console himself with his Drama Desk, and I don't get the Norbert Leo Butz love this time) but few surprises in the lot, not even in the design categories (which were shoehorned in more gracefully than usual), not that I'm complaining about my War Horse peeps. Congrats to Nikki M. James for shaking up her category with her supporting win but even that was part of a Book of Mormon tide (which, to be fair, did not carry away its lead actors). The 2011-2012 Broadway season begins on Tuesday with the opening of the most anticipated musical of last season, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark...and let me just say that if you enjoyed the ballad on tonight's telecast, those sweet and simple moments are few and far between.

The Summer issue of Cineaste, online and on sale

2011-06-07T23:53:00.003-04:00

We warm up the season with a full slate of web offerings, including my own joint review of the MGM MODs The Black Sleep and Queen of Blood, and a terrific coffee table book, MGM: Hollywood's Greatest Backlot. Great stuff in the magazine, too, including Godzilla. Who can refuse the Big G?

Live Design: End of 10

2011-06-06T00:59:00.003-04:00

The 2009-2010 Broadway season, that is, with six new shows, in ascending order of quality. (Pictured is The Normal Heart). The 2010-2011 seaon begins June 14 with the opening, at last, of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, which I see on Friday.

In other news I saw myself, sevreral times, at the Drama Desk Awards, which Ovation is televising in highly truncated but enjoyable form. Best times to watch for me: at the 46-minute mark, during the Newsical number about an hour in, and at the end under host Harvey Fierstein's credit. Closest I'll get to being a star.

Popdose: MODs (and Rockers)

2011-06-03T10:56:00.002-04:00

Manufactured-on-demand DVD-Rs bring John Lennon in Richard Lester's How I Won the War and Hold On! to light. Gotta love Herman's Hermits.

New York Theater News: Reviewing a revue

2011-05-27T23:55:00.002-04:00

A tuneful Cy Coleman tribute, The Best is Yet to Come, now at 59E59 Theaters. David Burnham and an unmasked Howard McGillin are pictured.

Live from the Drama Desks

2011-05-24T10:49:00.004-04:00

And there I was, at Table 1 (Table 1!) last night, in the presence of an august nominee who was a bit peeved not to win. But so it goes. Look for me when the show is telecast (with judicious edits, natch) on Ovation beginning June 4.

And the winners were...my personal favorites were Bobby Cannavale, sensational in The Motherf**ker in the Hat (pictured), and 12-time nominee Derek McLane, finally winning for his ship-shape Anything Goes set design. "My son always asks why I don't win one," he remarked.

The show itself was a far more opulent affair than in recent years, with welcome one-stop carousing and celebrating at the Hammerstein Ballroom and its Manhattan Center environs and actual musical performances. Not much eating, however, as nominee Colin Quinn rather devastatingly pointed out from the dais ("three ziti in a red sauce you call dinner?"), to catcalls from the staff. (It must be said that the red velvet cupcakes and brownies at the afterparty went down a treat.)

So, a good time was had by all, with the possible exception of a few nominees. Best gaffe went to presenter Christian Siriano, who referred to "The Mechanic of Venice," which then became a running gag. (And not a bad idea; Jason Statham, call your agent.) And I had nice chats with special award honoree Reed Birney and Book of Mormon nominee Andrew Rannells, who may not have won but comported himself with style and charm. I'm glad I voted for him.

Popdose: Diabolique and I Saw the Devil

2011-05-20T17:24:00.003-04:00

After too long an absence I return to Popdose with a pair of thrillers on Blu-ray, both guaranteed to make your heart leap into your mouth.

Cineaste: Stake Land

2011-05-10T14:58:00.002-04:00

My bite-sized take on a new horror movie.

New York Theater News: Intelligent Homosexual's Guide

2011-05-08T16:37:00.003-04:00

It takes almost as long to say the title of Tony Kushner's new play as it takes to see it. Is it worth the effort? Well, it's no Angels in America, but what is?

Mormon converts Tony

2011-05-03T23:24:00.003-04:00

Tony nominators are believers, too, with 14 nominations going to The Book of Mormon and another 12 to the long-shuttered Scottsboro Boys musical. But it looks like Daniel Radcliffe will be sticking close to us Drama Desk voters--he didn't make Tony's cut (nor, alas, did the wonderful but woefully overlooked Aaron Tveit, star of Catch Me If You Can). On the other hand, the equally bygone Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (pictured) got a set design nod for Donyale Werle...were the nominators reading Live Design?

Mormon, Porter excel at Drama Desks

2011-04-29T10:49:00.003-04:00

The Book of Mormon and the revival of Anything Goes bowled over the Drama Desk nominations committee this year, with The Merchant of Venice taking play honors. I must catch up on a few shows before voting. The big night is May 23.

Popdose: Tron x 2

2011-04-27T02:07:00.002-04:00

The sci-fi saga hits Blu-ray. Does it compute?

New York Theater News: High

2011-04-24T02:29:00.003-04:00

Whatever you do, don't spend Easter with Kathleen Turner at the godawful High, which Lord have mercy is closing today.

Kaneto Shindo at BAM

2011-04-22T01:15:00.003-04:00

In a year marked by too many passings it's nice to report that a great filmmaker, Japan's Kaneto Shindo, will turn 99 next Thursday and has a new film out. And it's even better to report that there's a chance to acquaint yourself with the work of this underacknowledged maverick. Beginning tonight the Brooklyn Academy of Music is hosting a retrospective of his work, which will then tour. I know him from his horror films Kuroneko and the especially the great Onibaba--it was the Criterion disc of that jolting 1964 film (which knocked my movie group for a loop in 1999) that got Benicio Del Toro interested in Shindo, and the actor is the patron of this festival.

A couple of weeks ago I spent the morning at BAM watching two of his films, 1952's Children of Hiroshima, a mournful but clear-eyed reminiscence of the atomic bombing (especially poignant in light of the recent tsunami and subsequent events) and 1960's The Naked Island, an unusual survival story focused on a family of four eking out an existence on a barren outcropping in the sea, filmed so observantly it was mistaken for a documentary by The New York Times. Both are thoroughly gripping; Island, a movie without dialogue, has a stall frame that chilled me to the bone. (Shindo's wife, Noboku Otowa, starred in many of his films, unforgettably in Onibaba and this one, pictured, where having to carry large buckets of water up steep, sunbaked hills many times must have tested the union). A most welcome series that, hot on the heels of BAM's "De Palma Suspense" retro, is making trips to Brooklyn a necessity for cinephiles.

Live Design: The "It's Showtime!" edition

2011-04-21T22:47:00.002-04:00

"Six shows running at once!"--Max Bialystock, The Producers. Including the four-star, four-letter-word filled smash The Book of Mormon, pictured.

Popdose: Women on the Verge

2011-04-17T01:01:00.003-04:00

Robin Wright may be The Conspirator in Robert Redford's new film, as Michelle Williams goes west in Meek's Cutoff.

Popdose: The Unsung Sidney Lumet

2011-04-13T01:08:00.002-04:00

A look at some of the less familiar chapters from a career highlghted for me by 1975's Dog Day Afternoon.

Popdose: Insidious and more

2011-04-02T01:16:00.002-04:00

No fooling--Insidious, from the makers of Saw, gets things bumping in the night. Plus, Hilary Swank is The Resident, and the phantasmagorical Santa Sangre, both on DVD.

Popdose: Tangled on DVD/Blu-ray

2011-03-30T23:14:00.002-04:00

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your home theater system...

Popdose: Frankenstein Live Onstage at the Movies

2011-03-28T02:53:00.003-04:00

"It's alive!"...or was at least live at BAM last week. Let me explain. I'll throw in a "Bluview" besides.

Live Design: All aboard Priscilla

2011-03-25T17:59:00.003-04:00

Down but not out from a bothersome sinus infection I rebound with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as Ellen Lampert-Greaux reviews Arcadia.

Popdose: The Man from Nowhere on Blu-ray

2011-03-17T22:07:00.003-04:00

The Korean megahit explodes onto Blu-ray...who will survive and what will be left of them?

The Spring issue of Cineaste, online and on sale

2011-03-16T15:48:00.002-04:00

The new issue is up for buying and browsing. Including: my review of the Warner Archive DVD-R of The World, the Flesh and the Devil with Harry Belafonte and just two other people.

Live Design: Broadway and Treasure Island

2011-03-14T20:10:00.003-04:00

Shiver me timbers! A seaworthy play of Treasure Island here in Brooklyn, plus two new plays on Broadway. "Yo ho ho back to the theater we go..."

Popdose: Jane Eyre and The Boys

2011-03-12T10:34:00.004-05:00

Plus some Monsters. All in all a busy week. Congratulations to my friend Rosemary Rotondi on a job well done on the Boys in the Band doc Making the Boys, for which she was senior archival researcher. "A good month," she commented--Inside Job, which she also worked on, won the Oscar.

And, bonus, Popdose on when aliens attack.

Popdose: Burlesque on DVD/Blu-ray

2011-03-03T01:09:00.003-05:00

There are worse things than fumbling the national anthem at the Super Bowl or tabloid crackups, Xtina. There is Burlesque.

And the winner was...

2011-02-28T11:27:00.006-05:00

...me, with 17-24, not great (I think my personal best was 22) but enough to win my Oscar pool in a year where no one film dominated, except perhaps Inception in the below-the-line categories. Tom Hooper's win and Roger Deakins' loss were sore points, mitigated by the shut-out of the overrated and overnominated True Grit and the near-checkmating of the puzzlingly embraced Black Swan. The King's Speech beating out The Social Network means more bleating and posturing from the near-dead Harvey Weinstein (that he's recutting the film to earn a yet more lucrative PG-13 after his bold no-cuts stance on Blue Valentine is outrageously schizophrenic hypocrisy) but it's not a Crash/Brokeback Mountain fiasco.

Otherwise a nice night to be out again with my peeps (first time since 2008) and no major complaints about the elegant and dark-toned, to the point, pro forma telecast, which did fit in more names than usual for the In Memoriam tribute (sorry, Tura Satana!).

My losses: Best Director (grrr), Animated Short, Live Action Short, Cinematography (double grrr), Costume Design, Score, and Sound Mixing.

My Oscar ballot

2011-02-27T13:18:00.004-05:00

You'll find one up at Popdose. As for my picks:

Picture: The King's Speech

My Preference: The Social Network

Actor: Colin Firth

Actress: Natalie Portman

(My Preference: Annette Bening)

Supporting Actor: Christian Bale

Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo

(My Preference: Amy Adams)

Director: David Fincher

Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network

Original Screenplay: The King's Speech

(My Preference: The Fighter)

Animated Feature: Toy Story 3

Foreign Language Film: In a Better World

Documentary Feature: Inside Job

Documentary Short: Strangers No More

Animated Short: Day & Night

Live Action Short: Na Wewe

Art Direction: Alice in Wonderland

Cinematography: Roger Deakins

Costume Design: The King's Speech

Editing: The Social Network

Makeup: The Wolfman

Original Score: Inception

Original Song: "We Belong Together"

Sound Editing: Inception

(My Preference: Unstoppable)

Sound Mixing: The King's Speech

(My Preference: Inception)

Visual Effects: Inception

Popdose: Thelma and Louise on Blu-ray

2011-02-23T16:12:00.002-05:00

Twenty years later and on the road again with Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon. That Thunderbird never looked better.

Live Design: Other Desert Cities

2011-02-23T12:17:00.004-05:00

Visit with Linda Lavin and the actress formerly known as Stockard Channing (all that work, sigh) today through Feb. 27 at Lincoln Center.

Popdose: Animal Kingdom on DVD

2011-02-22T00:56:00.003-05:00

Meet Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver...but don't get too close...

Popdose: Unknown quantities

2011-02-18T09:42:00.003-05:00

Liam Neeson in a new thriller, and an emotional rollercoaster for the characters in Mike Leigh's Oscar-nominated Another Year.

Popdose: I Spit on Your Grave

2011-02-14T22:00:00.002-05:00

Twice...on DVD.

Popdose: John Williams, Woody Allen

2011-02-12T19:11:00.003-05:00

Two items of note this week (this week, sigh): A tribute to John Williams on his 79th birthday, with my two cents on his score for The Fury, and my review of the new Blu-ray of 75-year-old Allen's You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.

Popdose: Loser Oscar Nominees

2011-02-08T02:40:00.002-05:00

Or why Way Back co-star Ed Harris isn't smiling. "Best Makeup?"

Remembering John Barry

2011-02-01T14:54:00.003-05:00

Popdose recollects. I wanted to write something more heartfelt than a couple of comments--he was my favorite living composer, though he had been silent for 10 years--but as you may have guessed something happened in the chasm between posts. And that something is that we welcomed my son, Ryan, on Jan. 15. He's as delightful as his big sister Larissa but integrating another member into the household has been challenging. What this means for the blog (a hair under five years old now) and my writing/reviewing career in general I can't say, though long-time browsers will note the falloff that occurred when I became a first-time parent. With two to corral, well, we'll see...but in any event enjoy the YouTube links I provided. Barry was a legend, and his death leaves me even more reflective as I contemplate my new arrival and all he brings.

Popdose: Top 10s for 2010

2011-01-14T18:42:00.002-05:00

"Put me on this list or I'll murderalize ya," growls Fighter star Mark Wahlberg. You got it, pal.

Centennial + 1 celebration

2011-01-12T14:25:00.002-05:00

Delighted to update this year-old post. TCM celebrates Luise Rainer, 101 and still going strong, tonight.

Popdose: Notable DVDs in 2010

2011-01-12T10:18:00.004-05:00

In which I assess the state of the market, and tick off a few worthwhile releases, but mostly just spotlight the cover art from the Warner Archive's welcome release of The Green Slime.

Popdose: Bitter Feast on DVD

2011-01-09T00:33:00.003-05:00

Yum yum! A new foodie horror film from Larry Fessenden and company (The House of the Devil, I Sell the Dead).

OFCS winners announced

2011-01-03T14:16:00.002-05:00

The Online Film Critics Society continues the coronation of The Social Network. An OFCS win, Oscars likely--what more could Mark Zuckerberg want? Maybe not the attendant bad press, but $50 billion from Goldman Sachs and the Russkies should salve the pain.

Popdose: The Gloom-O-Meter

2011-01-02T02:29:00.002-05:00

In which I take the emotional temperature of several so-called "holiday" movies, including a pair of particularly downbeat Ryan Gosling titles, Blue Valentine (pictured) and All Good Things. Cheer up, mister!

The National Film Registry strikes back

2010-12-28T10:01:00.004-05:00

...with The Empire Strikes Back, Airplane!, and Saturday Night Fever all making the grade this year. Does this mean George Lucas can't tamper with future Empire incarnations anymore?

OFCS nominees announced

2010-12-27T13:30:00.002-05:00

That would be my peeps at the Online Film Critics Society. Social Network, Toy Story 3, etc. Glad to see A Prophet (pictured) up there for best film not in the English language; in any language it's tops.

Popdose: Lead reads

2010-12-22T02:00:00.002-05:00

New books that can still be picked up in plenty of time for Christmas--why not give the gift of Hammer horror this season?

Popdose: Remembering Blake Edwards

2010-12-17T03:23:00.003-05:00

Days of wine and roses, and glow in the dark condoms, with the director of Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Pink Panther, and Victor Victoria.

Popdose: Awards season smackdown

2010-12-15T10:45:00.003-05:00

In which I review the reviewers' picks of the year, slap around Black Swan (pictured), and remember the forgotten Jim Carrey. And more, for Popdose.

Live Design: The year ends

2010-12-11T18:13:00.002-05:00

Not with a bang, but with a couple of whimpers, only one truly rewarding. Pictured are Jeffrey Wright and Mos in John Guare's A Free Man of Color.

Cineaste: Previewing History, Final Episode

2010-12-09T20:05:00.002-05:00

This is the end, as TCM's Moguls and Movie Stars reaches its climax, which airs Dec. 13 at 8pm EST. Goodbye, Jack Warner, hello, Roger Corman.

Cineaste: Previewing History, Part 6

2010-12-03T13:53:00.003-05:00

TV is the thing this year, as Hollywood confronts the menace of the box in Episode 6 of TCM's Moguls and Movie Stars, which begins airing next Monday (12/6) at 8pm EST.

Popdose: The Sorcerer's Apprentice on DVD

2010-12-02T01:57:00.002-05:00

Rabbit out of a hat: A Nicolas Cage/Jerry Bruckheimer/Jon Turteltaub collaboration that isn't horrible, thanks to a strong supporting role played by New York.

The Winter edition of Cineaste

2010-12-01T09:33:00.003-05:00

It's on sale and online. Amidst my Moguls and Movie Stars dispatches: A considered takedown of the Oscar-winning The Secret in Their Eyes (pictured), an interview with Waiting for Superman director Davis Guggenheim, Red Desert and von Sternberg on DVD, and much, much more.

Cineaste: Previewing History, Part 5

2010-11-28T16:00:00.002-05:00

Here's lookin' at you, kid...with a review of tomorrow's episode of Moguls and Movie Stars, "Warriors and Peacemakers," covering the years 1940-1950.

Live Design: Play dates

2010-11-28T10:37:00.002-05:00

More shows this week, but you'll have to act fast to see the flop Elling and the festival attraction Lingua Franca, which close today. Elf (pictured) hangs around through Jan. 2.

Popdose: Criterionpalooza 2010

2010-11-22T09:43:00.004-05:00

Happy holidays, David Bowie...and to all a good last-day sale as Barnes and Noble's Criterion Collection blowout ends. I sift through 13 (!) recent releases.

Cineaste: Previewing History, Part 4

2010-11-19T14:04:00.002-05:00

For my 1,001th post, a preview of the latest episode of TCM's Moguls & Movie Stars, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dream," covering the years between 1928 and 1940. It begins airing Monday 11/22.

Live Design: Season rundown

2010-11-17T08:57:00.004-05:00

Current Broadway and Off Broadway shows in review this week include the musical of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and Michael Shannon and his finned friend in the comedy Mistakes Were Made.

Cineaste, UnionDocs, and Of Time and the City

2010-11-15T18:21:00.004-05:00

Terence Davies' acclaimed 2008 portrait of Liverpool, his native city, will be screened at UnionDocs this Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30pm. Cineaste's Leonard Quart and critic Graham Fuller will be on hand for a discussion. Quart's interview with the filmmaker (pictured) is here.

And, hey, Cineaste made Empire magazine's list of Top 100 Movie Sites. They like us, they really like us.

NY Theater News: The Pee-Wee Herman Show

2010-11-13T14:04:00.004-05:00

I know you are, but what did I think about Pee-wee's Broadway debut? The secret word is on Theater News Online, website of the New York Theater News newsletter.

Cineaste: Previewing History, Part 3

2010-11-12T11:30:00.002-05:00

My review of "The Dream Merchants," the third episode of TCM's Moguls and Movie Stars, which airs next Monday at 8pm EST. With "It Girl" Clara Bow.

Popdose: Remembering Dino De Laurentiis

2010-11-11T17:59:00.003-05:00

"No one cry when Jaws die. But when the monkey die, people gonna cry." Rewinding the hits and misses of the legendary producer.

Popdose: Morning Glory

2010-11-10T22:03:00.002-05:00

Rachel McAdams calls Popdose headquarters to find out what the Film Editor (me) thought of her new movie. He gives her the good and “bang” news.

RIP Jill Clayburgh

2010-11-06T19:03:00.002-04:00

A consideration of a personal favorite on Popdose.