Dance: This is normally the time of year when we'd expect to see Ballet Florida's Nutcracker in Marie Hale's indelible, lovely production. Ballet Florida, sadly, is no more, but there is still a Nutcracker at the Kravis over Christmas. The Moscow Classical Ballet's version of Tchaikovsky's immortal 1892 ballet opened Christmas Eve, and continues tonight and Saturday. The … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2009
Weekend picks: Dec. 25-28
A scene from the Moscow Classical Ballet's The Nutcracker.Dance: This is normally the time of year when we'd expect to see Ballet Florida's Nutcracker in Marie Hale's indelible, lovely production. Ballet Florida, sadly, is no more, but there is still a Nutcracker at the Kravis over Christmas. The Moscow Classical Ballet's version of Tchaikovsky's immortal 1892 ballet opened … [Read more...]
Sure, ‘Nine’ is stagy, and that’s one reason it’s so good
Prior to its Christmas Day expansion across the country, Rob Marshall’s screen version of the Broadway musical Nine -- itself an audacious adaptation of 8½, Federico Fellini’s 1963 statement of cinematic writer’s block -- had only opened in New York and Los Angeles, where it had already received a barrage of negative reviews. Well, do not believe those pans, which not only … [Read more...]
Film review: Day-Lewis shines in stagy, showy ‘Nine’
Daniel Day-Lewis in Nine.By Hap ErsteinPrior to its Christmas Day expansion across the country, Rob Marshall’s screen version of the Broadway musical Nine -- itself an audacious adaptation of 8½, Federico Fellini’s 1963 statement of cinematic writer’s block -- had only opened in New York and Los Angeles, where it had already received a barrage of negative reviews.Well, do not … [Read more...]
Southeast film critics cheer ‘Up in the Air,’ ‘Hurt Locker’
See, I told you Up in the Air was the best picture of 2009, and now I have two critics’ groups -- the two that Palm Beach ArtsPaper just happens to be a voting member of -- to back me up. Both the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA), representing reviewers in nine states in this region, and the Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC), representing reviewers in our state, … [Read more...]
Film feature: Critics’ group cheers ‘Up in the Air,’ ‘Hurt Locker’
Director Kathryn Bigelow on the set of The Hurt Locker.By Hap ErsteinSee, I told you Up in the Air was the best picture of 2009, and now I have two critics’ groups -- the two that Palm Beach ArtsPaper just happens to be a voting member of -- to back me up.Both the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA), representing reviewers in nine states in this region, and the … [Read more...]
PB County gets new dance company; FAU gets cache of rare recorded Judaica
Ex-Ballet Florida workshop chief founds dance company Palm Beach County has a new dance company, and it will make its debut in early February at the Duncan Theatre, on the Lake Worth campus of what will soon be Palm Beach State College. O Dance was founded by and is named after Jerry Opdenaker, most recently director of the now-defunct Ballet Florida’s STEP Ahead … [Read more...]
ArtsBuzz: PB County gets new dance company; FAU gets cache of rare recorded Judaica
Jerry Opdenaker (Photo from his MySpace page).Ex-Ballet Florida workshop chief founds dance companyPalm Beach County has a new dance company, and it will make its debut in early February at the Duncan Theatre, on the Lake Worth campus of what will soon be Palm Beach State College.O Dance was founded by and is named after Jerry Opdenaker, most recently director of the … [Read more...]
Inert ‘Young Victoria’ a bloodless non-drama
Martin Scorsese clearly has enough of a soft spot for arch period pieces that he offered to gamely produce Jean-Marc Valee’s The Young Victoria. But his masterful guidance is generally absent from this inert account of the years surrounding Queen Victoria’s coronation. Before going further, I have to admit a bias here: I view Victorian costume dramas the way a sugar-addicted … [Read more...]
Film review: Inert ‘Victoria’ a bloodless non-drama
Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend in The Young Victoria.By John ThomasonMartin Scorsese clearly has enough of a soft spot for arch period pieces that he offered to gamely produce Jean-Marc Valee’s The Young Victoria. But his masterful guidance is generally absent from this inert account of the years surrounding Queen Victoria’s coronation.Before going further, I have to admit a … [Read more...]