Theater/Film Reviews
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X-Men: First Class
Ludicrous. Absolutely ludicrous, if an expanded comment is needed to describe “X-Men: First Class,” another absurdity disguised as an action movie,opening today. From Auschwitz during World War II to the Cuban Missle Crisis of 1962 and on to a series of establishing shots of various secret service headquarters, we follow the variety of actors and
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Circo
Sometimes it's a real circus train, 100-plus cars with good food and air-conditioning, trainers and costume designers. Sometimes it's a handful of limping trucks and a house trailer, with beans three meals a day and hand-me-down costumes that have seen better days — much better days. But the pull of the circus on those who
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The Montfort Point Marine
Even experienced playwrights hit clunkers now and then. Samm-Art Williams' turn has come up at the Black Rep, where his "Montfort Point Marine" had its world premiere over the weekend and will run through June 26. A busy playwright, Williams has written successful works like "Home," and "The Dance on Widows' Row," for previous Black
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The Daughter of the Regiment
A couiple of young singers made dazzling debuts last night at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, with soprano Ashley Emerson and tenor Rene Barbera receiving roaring ovations after glorious performances in "The Daughter of the Regiment." Gaetano Donizetti's light-hearted opera, which dates to 1840, will have six more performances through June 26 Speaking of
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The Taming of the Shrew
William Shakepeare put his fingers on the manners and morals, the follies and foibles, of his 17th-century audience, and those fingers remain in place today. Whether it's a lust for power, or a lust for gold, or a lust for sex, Shakespeare wrote about it, and the plots are still valid. And he took on
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Mass Appeal
He's just coasting along, keeping his parishioners happy on his advice and sermons, keeping himself happy on their contributions of sparkling Burgundy. And, one sunny Sunday morning, a young seminarian questions Father Tim Farley and turns his life around. "Mass Appeal," Bill C. Davis' fine play, is 31 years old, but the production that opened
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Into Eternity
This is them most frightening movie I've ever seen. No blood, no weapons, no little green men, no predictions, no explosions. Thankfully, neither I nor the vast majority of those who see "Into Eternity" as part of the Webster Film Series this weekend, will be around, but still. . . . In northern Finland, about
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L’Amour Fou
Yves Saint Laurent, a man of incredible genius and an equal amount of unhappiness, had what should be all the elements for a successful life. His clothing designs were renowned, his art collection amazing, his lifestyle at the top of the A-list. But he suffered from deep depression for practically his entire life, and reportedly
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13 Assassins
Japanese historical films get bloodier and more violent with each release, and director Takashui Miike has set a new target with "13 Assassins," opening today with a cast of thusands, of which only a handful survive. We start with a slow-motion sequence of a warrior committing suicide by knife, inserting it carefully into his stomach
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Forks Over Knives
In the theater, we are lectured about good eating habits, like planting, growing and cooking vegetables. Meat is bad. In the lobby, the concession stand provides an exhibition of all the foods we should not eat. There are a lot of mixed signals in "Forks Over Knives," a sincere movie written and directed by Lee