This is the year to dive into the office Oscar pool, because what looked murky in December has since become clear with a distinct consensus from the preliminary awards. Now watch me be wrong, but here are my fearless predictions for Sunday’s Academy Awards: * Best Picture: Birdman — It’s a two-horse race between Birdman and Boyhood, with the former getting a late boost from … [Read more...]
Hap’s (not-so-) fearless Tony predictions
Oy, this is not a good year for sticking one’s neck out and predicting the Tony winners this Sunday evening (8 p.m., CBS-TV). There are no front-runners, like The Book of Mormon, which won in every category in which it was nominated and pundits could look prescient. I’m thinking the honors are going to be spread around so that all shows can have bragging rights and a chance … [Read more...]
Hap’s picks: Top 10 stage shows of 2013
1. Lungs (The Theater at Arts Garage) — British playwright Duncan Macmillan specified no theatrical artifice — no set, no lighting effects, no distracting costumes — in this two-character dialogue and occasional rant about the advisability of bringing a baby into this world. That left Cliff Burgess and Betsy Graver alone onstage with only their acting skills and wits to keep us … [Read more...]
Hap’s picks: Top 10 films of 2013
Now that we have seen the year-end crop of award-worthy movies, it is clear than 2013 was rich in quality films. Family dysfunction, struggles for survival and looks back at our history are among the themes in this highly subjective selection of the best. 1. Nebraska — Alexander Payne’s signature territory of pain-laced comedy about deeply flawed, but recognizable characters … [Read more...]
Hap’s fearless Tony picks: ‘Other Desert Cities,’ ‘Newsies’ will win
There seems to be no clear favorite for most of the categories in this year’s 66th annual Tony Awards, with winners expected all over the map. So tune in this Sunday at 8 p.m. on the CBS network to see my unscientific projections and out-and-out guesses proven wrong: Play: Other Desert Cities, by Jon Robin Baitz Musical: Newsies, book by Harvey Fierstein Book of a Musical: … [Read more...]
Hap’s top 10 films of 2009
As a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association as well as the Florida Film Critics Circle, I have spent the last few weeks watching new movies about to be released that the studios made available either at special screenings or -- even better -- on “For Your Consideration” DVDs that arrived at my home almost daily from FedEx or UPS. Why? Because we vote on year-end … [Read more...]