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

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...

Django Unchained is everything you want and expect from a Quentin Tarantino flick: it’s big and bloody and beautiful and badass. Because Tarantino has so successfully marked his territory, nothing about Django Unchained surprises, but it’s ultimately a fun romp of a movie and a thrill to watch. The titular Django (the “D” is silent) is a slave who is bought and in turn freed by Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) in 1858. Schultz needs Django (Jamie Foxx) to help him in the bounty hunting business: Schultz is after three brothers and only Django can identify them. Though he is not a fan of slaves, Schultz befriends and starts to sympathize with the newly freed Django, who tells of his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), being sold, separately from him. Schultz is intrigued by the African-American Broomhilda’s German name (turns out, she was born on the plantation and named by her German owners) and tells Django of the German myth of Broomhilda the princess and her hero, Si...

The 18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards nominations were announced today. Awards will be presented on January 10, 2013 (the day Oscar nominations are announced), and be broadcast on the CW. Herein, the nominees in select categories (reviews are linked to in the first mention). For the full list of nominees, visit criticschoice.com/movie-awards : Best Picture : Argo Beasts of the Southern Wild Django Unchained Les Miserables Life of Pi Lincoln The Master Moonrise Kingdom Silver Linings Playbook Zero Dark Thirty Expect to see this slate of films throughout the award season, with maybe The Dark Knight slipping in in the place of Life of Pi . Having not seen Django , Les Mis or Zero Dark Thirty yet (that is, of the nominated films I plan to see) I can't reasonably pick a favorite. Best Actor : Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln John Hawkes, The Sessions Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables Joaquin Phoenix, The Master Denz...

Theatre Updates New cast members have been announced for the upcoming world premiere production of Richard Greenberg 's play The Assembled Parties . Joining the previously announced Judith Light ( Other Desert Cities ) and Jessica Hecht are Jeremy Shamos ( Clybourne Park , the now-in-previews revival of Glengarry Glen Ross ), Mark Blum ( We Live Here ) and Sam Robards . The Assembled Parties will be directed by Manhattan Theatre Club's artistic director Lynne Meadow ( Wit ); it runs at MTC's Friedman (nee Biltmore) Theatre beginning March 19, 2013. Opening night is April 17 and the run continues through June 2. Playbill has details. A revival of Pump Boys and Dinettes will bow on Broadway in spring 2013. John Doyle ( Company , Wings ) will direct. Playbill has more. The man who writes the songs is coming to Broadway. For only 17 performances, Barry Manilow will take up residence at the St James Theatre (currently home to Bring It On ). Performances will run f...