The only likable character in Better Living Through Chemistry shows up in two scenes, late in the movie. His name is Jack, and his role in the film doesn’t really matter. Suffice it to say that he coasts on the warmth, depth and intelligence of the actor playing him, Ray Liotta, and when he leaves the screen, it’s all the more apparent that the rest of these 92 minutes have … [Read more...]
Eve of self-destruction: ‘Llewyn Davis’ bleak but inspired
I imagine the reason Inside Llewyn Davis has gotten more critical buzz than any Coen Brothers picture in recent memory is because it’s pure, distilled Coens. It doesn’t have the commercial concessions of a Ladykillers or a True Grit or even a Fargo. It’s not the “fun” Coens of The Big Lebowski or O Brother, Where Are Thou? This is the Coen Brothers of Barton Fink and A … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: Nov. 10-11
Film: Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner first collaborated in 2005 on Munich, and now they work together again on an even more successful look back, this time on Lincoln, a chronicle of the final months of our 16th president. It is a word-heavy history lesson, but a fascinating one, as Honest Abe juggles the endgame of the Civil War with pushing through a constitutional … [Read more...]
‘Once,’ ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ lead Tony nominations
As with all awards programs, but probably more so with Broadway’s Tony Awards, the announcement of nominations says more about who was snubbed than who got the nod. In a so-so season on Broadway -- particularly for new musicals -- the good news is that there were enough productions to fill the categories and still leave enough major names off the nominations lists to get … [Read more...]