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

The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin is good. I liked it. But there is nothing overwhelmingly amazing about it, except for the accurate if clumsy title. The new play by Steven Levenson is having its world premiere run at Roundabout, where Levenson’s The Language of Trees was a hit in its Underground series. For an emerging playwright, there is a lot to praise and much potential. I don’t have anything disparaging to say but I also don’t feel moved to be effusive in my praise. Tom Durnin focuses on a relevant if oft-overlooked topic. Financial crimes are almost old hat by now (maybe particularly for jaded New York audiences) but what about the indirect victims? Levenson centers his play on those people. At rise, the titular Tom Durnin (David Morse) pays an unexpected and unwelcome visit his son, James (Christopher Denham), after being released from a “country club” prison, having served time for a white collar crime. Throughout the play, we watch Tom manipulate ever...

The 85th Academy Awards are in the books. And it was a great show, in my opinion. Sure, it ran over and some parts were more engaging than others, but considering that they have to actually hand out awards - even in the categories you don't care about - it was good. We'll get into the ceremony and winners in a moment. First, of course, the fashion. Jennifer Lawrence, just 22, looks more grown up and sophisticated in her white Dior gown than she has on the red carpet this season. What I loved most about her look, though, was the backwards necklace draping down her back. It's a simple choice that made a great statement. Meanwhile Zoe Saldana gets the award for most improved. In 2010, she wore a similar look (in that it was purple ombre) and it did. not. work. This year, she gets it right. I don't love the flowers on top, but I get it, and I like the structure of the dress, the belted waist and the flowing, multi-hued bottom. Next on the red carpet, Metal...

Award Season Update Oscars The nominees gathered at a special luncheon on Monday. An annual event, the nominee luncheon is where nominees receive their nomination certificate, answer some press questions and gather to take the "class photo," which I've added to my Oscars Pinterest board . The official Oscars blog has full coverage of the event. ( IMDB.com also has photo coverage , and The Hollywood Reporter 's Scott Feinberg filed a report about the festivities.) Mark Wahlberg and Ted will present at the Oscars. On the occasion of the announcement, Oscars producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said, "...we won't deny that Ted used his pull with our host to get himself the booking." (The host, of course, is Seth MacFarlane , who co-wrote and directed Ted and performed the role of the foul-mouthed teddy bear.) Read the official press release for more. And speaking of the Oscar host, check out the latest promos: in the first one, Seth tells Jam...

The 19th annual SAG awards, which honor both film and television, were handed out last night (in a, thankfully, efficient, two hour ceremony, I might add). It's always a fun night, with actors opening the ceremony by talking about how they got into the business (I particularly liked Hal Holbrook's and Sofia Vergara's stories) and then, in acceptance speeches, continuing to talk about the community of actors. Herein, red carpet coverage and the full list of winners. You can also view the list of winners and learn more about SAG-AFTRA on sagawards.org .  We'll begin with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, fresh off their Golden Globe hosting gig . Both look great in black Oscar de la Renta dresses, with Fey looking soft and pretty and Poehler looking super sexy. Next up is our sparkle showdown. On the left we have Helen Hunt in Romona Keveza and on the right is Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta. (de la Renta was well represented on the red carpet.) Hunt's look ...