Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

The 84th Academy Award nominations were announced today! And there were actually some surprises. Nothing shocking, of course, but surprises nonetheless. Let's get right to it. (Below is a highlighted list of nominees. Visit oscar.go.com/nominees for the full list.) Best Picture The Artist The Descendants Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close The Help Hugo Midnight in Paris Moneyball The Tree of Life War Horse This list wasn't so surprising, though we all know it's going to come down to The Artist and The Descendants , with the latter being my pick. I think the surprising thing about this list, particularly given nominations in other categories, is that there is not a tenth film. (With the other nominations it received, I thought Bridesmaids might have gotten a nod here.) Actor in a Leading Role Demian Bichir, A Better Life George Clooney, The Descendants Jean Dujardin, The Artist Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Brad Pitt, Moneyball I'm surprised and disappointed...

The Critics Choice Movie Awards were presented last night, just days before the Golden Globes. Visit VH1's CCMA page for the full list of winners and video of the acceptance speeches. (And here's a reminder of all the nominees .) Best Picture - The Artist I'd say that this was expected. It topped many critics' year-end lists, and even if it wasn't at the top, the critics all raved. It'll be interesting to watch this and The Descendants duke it out this season; they're in different categories at the Globes, but they'll go head to head at the Oscars. (Not that Oscar nominations have been announced yet; that'll happen on January 24.) Actor - George Clooney, The Descendants Excellent choice. I like all the nominees (especially my dear Leo) but this is Clooney's best performance to date. Actress - Viola Davis, The Help Supporting Actor - Christopher Plummer, Beginners I think it's always nice when a small film that was released months before the...

The Golden Globes, which honor both film and television, will be handed out on Sunday, January 15, 2012, and cheeky funny man Ricky Gervais will once again be hosting the ceremony. (Remember that the Globes are administered by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which is comprised of all sorts of foreign press, including tabloid rags.) Here are some of the nominees. I’m very pleased to see that 50/50 and Drive (and both films’ actors) got some love; Ryan Gosling is nominated twice this year (as is Kate Winslet); Aaron Sorkin is a nominee; and Chris Cornell, Soundgarden’s frontman, is nominated for Best Original Song (for “The Keeper” from Machine Gun Preacher ). On the TV front, there aren’t too many surprises, though I do, of course, have my favorites. Film Best Picture, Drama The Descendants The Help Hugo The Ides of March Moneyball War Horse Best Picture, Comedy or Musical 50/50 The Artist Bridesmaids Midnight in Paris My Week with Marilyn I'm surprised by the clas...

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame A new class has been named to the Rock Hall. On April 14, 2012, Guns N' Roses , Red Hot Chili Peppers , Beastie Boys and others will be inducted. The ceremony will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Hall of Fame Museum . In early May, HBO will air the ceremony, which always includes not-to-be-missed performances from the inductees and the artists honoring them. As the announcement in Rolling Stone notes, GN'R made it into the Hall in their first year of eligibility. Kennedy Center Honors The 2011 Kennedy Center Honors were presented this weekend. Honored this year were Barbara Cook, Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Sonny Rollins and Yo-Yo Ma. (To quote Donna Moss, "Yo-Yo Ma rules!") Playbill.com has an account of the theatre luminaries (like Patti LuPone and Sutton Foster!) who came out to perform in Cook's honor, and Broadwayworld.com has lots of photos: rehearsal arrivals ; red carpet arrivals (I want Audra McDonald's dress!...

Casting News: Starry, Broadway Edition Andrew Garfield ( The Social Network ), Philip Seymour Hoffman ( The Ides of March ) and Linda Emond ( iHo ) will star in the upcoming, limited engagement revival of the Aurthur Miller classic, Death of a Salesman . Previews will begin at the Barrymore Theatre on February 13 followed by a March 15 opening. The show will run for 16 weeks. Visit Playbill.com for ticket information . Jim Parsons ( The Normal Heart ) and Jessica Hecht will star in Roundabout's revival of Harvey (which really makes me miss Wilfred !) The show will play at a renovated Studio 54; previews begin May 18 in anticipation of a June 14 opening. Playbill.com has more information. Eric McCormack joins an already starry cast of Gore Vidal's The Best Man . McCormack joins Candice Bergen, Angela Lansbury ( A Little Night Music ), James Earl Jones and Michael McKean ( Welcome Home, Dean Charbonneau ). The impressive cast does not have a home, but previews are schedul...

West Side Story Back on the Big Screen Fans of the seminal musical will thrill to know that in honor of the movie's 50th anniversary, West Side Story will be screened in movie theaters nationwide on Wednesday, November 9, at 7pm. Though it began life on stage, many folks know West Side Story from its movie adaptation, starring Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood as the star cross'd Tony and Maria. (Rita Moreno played Anita, once again tackling on screen a role originated on stage by Chita Rivera.) This is one of those Fathom, one-night, one-time events, so read the press release for more details. The Muppets You know that The Muppets , the new Muppet movie from Jason Segel, is coming to theaters next month, right? Well, they just released the track listing for the movie's soundtrack and it looks awesome. Included on the album are old Muppet standards, like "Mahna Mahna," brand new sure-to-be Muppet standards and Muppet covers of pop songs, like "Smells Like T...

So, it turns out cancer’s kind of funny. In 50/50 , writer Will Reiser depicts his experience as a young man who survives cancer. Reiser and 50/50 star Seth Rogen had been friends for several years when Reiser was diagnosed with cancer. After he became a survivor, he and Rogen realized that throughout the ordeal, their personalities hadn’t changed much - they still joked around; they still had girl troubles; they still went to bars to socialize and try to pick up women. Then they had another realization. There weren’t any movies about cancer that spoke to their experience. Most of the other cancer cinema were tear jerkers with little levity. And so the two funny men, who met while they were working for Da Ali G Show , wrote and set out to make 50/50 , a fresh look at an old foe. And the results are great. 50/50 is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and heartfelt pathos. (Dare I say it’s a 50/50 split?) This balanced mix is maybe my favorite thing about the movie. Life isn’t always roll...