Weird, hypnotic ‘Annette’ Peers Into a Dark Abyss About Love and Fame

Weird, hypnotic ‘Annette’ Peers Into a Dark Abyss About Love and Fame

By Lynn VenhausMy first thought was “What did I just see?” Then, “How am I going to put this into words?”In present-day Los Angeles, Henry... Details
Crowd-pleasing ‘The Sound of Music’ Delivers Comfort and Joy at Muny

Crowd-pleasing ‘The Sound of Music’ Delivers Comfort and Joy at Muny

By Lynn Venhaus This much I know is true: “The Sound of Music,” created during the golden age of musicals -- (and the reason it’s... Details
Max and Louie’s ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ Resonates In Mighty Waves

Max and Louie’s ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ Resonates In Mighty Waves

By Lynn VenhausHeart-tugging and hopeful, “Tiny Beautiful Things” strikes universal chords as it reverberates through a darkened theater. Now playing at The Grandel, the deeply... Details
David Lowery’s ‘The Green Knight’ is Hallucinatory Spectacle to Behold

David Lowery’s ‘The Green Knight’ is Hallucinatory Spectacle to Behold

By Alex McPhersonBased on the 14th-century Arthurian tale “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” director David Lowery’s film, aptly titled “The Green Knight,” is an... Details
Johnson and Blunt Elevate the Silly Escapist Disney ‘Jungle Cruise’

Johnson and Blunt Elevate the Silly Escapist Disney ‘Jungle Cruise’

By Lynn Venhaus“Jungle Cruise” is junk, as plastic as those animatronic animals and plants that are part of theme park rides. This big-budget movie, based on... Details
Despite Damon’s Efforts, Vague and Implausible ‘Stillwater’ Runs Dry

Despite Damon’s Efforts, Vague and Implausible ‘Stillwater’ Runs Dry

By Lynn VenhausA blatant rip-off of the sensational Amanda Knox student exchange murder case, the morally ambiguous “Stillwater” wants us to care about people not... Details
The Muny Keys in on Nostalgic Songbook, Setting in its Joyous Return

The Muny Keys in on Nostalgic Songbook, Setting in its Joyous Return

By Lynn VenhausWith the nostalgic glow of scrapbook memories, the toe-tapping and hummable “Smokey Joe’s Café” opened The Muny’s eagerly anticipated 103rd season. In this... Details
‘Val’ An Affectionate Biography on Actor’s Life and Career

‘Val’ An Affectionate Biography on Actor’s Life and Career

By Alex McPherson Directors Ting Poo and Leo Scott’s new documentary, “Val,” provides a zoomed-in look at actor Val Kilmer’s life that, while somewhat hagiographic,... Details
‘Joe Bell’ Spreads Message of Tolerance With Emotional Wallop

‘Joe Bell’ Spreads Message of Tolerance With Emotional Wallop

By Lynn VenhausWhile it is tempting to learn more about the true story that made national news in 2013, hold off on any online searches... Details
‘Midnight in the Switchgrass’ Misleads with Top Billed Willis

‘Midnight in the Switchgrass’ Misleads with Top Billed Willis

By Lynn VenhausThe lengthy hunt for a sicko responsible for torturing, raping and murdering multiple teenage girls, known as “The Truck Stop Killer,” deserves better... Details