80s vampire horror classic The Lost Boys takes a bite out of the Broadway stage in Michael Arden's lavish, gorgeously-constructed new take on the material. All the familiar story beats are here, punctuated by powerful vocals and a character-first approach that adds surprising depth. With a book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch featuring music … Continue reading Theater Review: The Lost Boys
Theater Review: Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Playwright August Wilson can certainly be something of an acquired taste, as evidenced by the reactions to his Fences, The Piano Lesson, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. His takes on Black America examine a time long gone, yet still feel achingly relevant for the black community. His works often utilize a dash of magical realism … Continue reading Theater Review: Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Film Review: Blue Film
★★★★ One could be forgiven for assuming Blue Film’s provocative, sexually-driven sole goal is to shock and titillate given the jaw-dropping premise. But this compelling indie from writer/director Elliot Tuttle has far more on its mind. The setup is deceptively simple: a cocky camboy agrees to spend the night with an anonymous high-paying client. What … Continue reading Film Review: Blue Film
Film Review: The Devil Wears Prada 2
★★★★★ Gird your loins! Two decades after the first film emerged as the rare chick flick with cross-gender appeal, the entire gang comes back together again for The Devil Wears Prada 2. This immaculately conceived sequel doesn’t just replay the hits or rehash the first movie; instead, the sharp script from Aline Brush McKenna finds … Continue reading Film Review: The Devil Wears Prada 2
Theater Review: 11 To Midnight
The sheer volume of Glee alum on the stages of New York City keeps growing by the day, a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy considering that show's focus on the city, especially in seasons 4 and 5. McKinley graduate Heather Morris, one half of iconic TV couple Brittana, showcases her immaculate interpretive dance moves in TikTok … Continue reading Theater Review: 11 To Midnight
Theater Review: Beaches, A New Musical
Bette Midler's 1988 classic tearjerker Beaches has long endured the test of time, even earning multiple Grammy Awards for the iconic, "The Wind Beneath My Wings." Beaches, A New Musical opts to forgo most of that legendary soundtrack, supercharged by Midler ballads, instead forging ahead with a new original score by Michael Stoller, and lyrics … Continue reading Theater Review: Beaches, A New Musical
Film Review: Animal Farm
★★★★ From Angel Studios, Andy Serkis helms an all-new take on disturbing George Orwell classic, Animal Farm. Screenwriter Nicholas Stoller, who brilliantly found a way to bring The Muppets back to the big screen in 2011, and also hilarious sequels Neighbors 2, Zoolander 2, and Get Him to the Greek, turns his pen to the … Continue reading Film Review: Animal Farm
Theater Review: Schmigadoon!
Even without the background of the Award-winning Apple TV musical series under my belt, Schmigadoon! somehow surpassed my wildest expectations for meta comedy. The concept is a simple one indeed, but has a killer hook: a romantic couple somewhat on the rocks get lost in the woods, emerging in a magical land over a bridge … Continue reading Theater Review: Schmigadoon!
TV Review: Beef – Season 2
Originally conceived as a miniseries, showrunner/writer/creator Lee Sung Jin's Beef was a major surprise—and big Emmy winner—back in 2023. Three years later, Jin follows up his compact story of road rage anger issues with a searing take on two entirely different types of romantic relationships. Coming into center focus are newly engaged Gen Z couple … Continue reading TV Review: Beef – Season 2
Film Review: Forbidden Fruits
★★★ Writer/director Meredith Alloway's feature debut, aptly named Forbidden Fruits, takes obvious inspiration from some of the best in 90s teen bitch-movies (see: The Craft, Heathers, Jawbreaker). Does it live up to the bold names of what came before? Just to get it out of the way immediately, no, definitely not. But they certainly give … Continue reading Film Review: Forbidden Fruits