Looking back at the Alien franchise

To celebrate the release of Alien: Romulus, I watched all the movies in the franchise and wrote about it for the Times. There's an audio version, too!

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut

If you search this blog, you'll find a couple of entries about the 1980 movie Caligula. I'm back into the fray for this "Ultimate Cut": review thataway.

Ivo van Hove interview

Ivo van Hove has taken the reins of the Ruhrtrienniale for three years. We talked about the programming for his inaugural edition, putting on shows and whether we'll see him originate a show on Broadway again. Thataway for the interview.

Once Upon a Mattress on Broadway

The Encores! production of Once Upon a Mattress is now on Broadway, and the chemistry between Michael Urie and Sutton Foster is even better than it was in January. You can read my review in the New York Times here.

A trip to Wisconsin

Before my weekend in Chicago I'd spent a few days discovering American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin — and the resulting article is here. I'm already making plans to return on vacation next year, possibly in August when they have more shows in rep and I can really binge!

A trip to Chicago

On a recent whirlwind weekend in Chicago, I saw musical adaptations of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and Lord of the Rings, as well as the latest Samuel D. Hunter play, Little Bear Ridge Road. You can find my critic's notebook here.

Science fiction for early August

The well of science fiction never runs dry! Here are five more movies to stream when it's too hot outside.

Introducing team handball

For the New York Times Audio, I spoke about team handball. Hint: it's not played against a wall and there are teams and goalies. Click here then put on your headphones.

Pre-Existing Condition

I spoke to all the actresses — Tatiana Maslany, Maria Dizzia, Julia Chan, Deirdre O'Connell, Tavi Gevinson and Edie Falco — who have or are playing the character A in the play Pre-Existing Condition, as well as the author, Marin Ireland. Quite a feat, if I may say so myself, to manage to quote everybody in such a relatively short piece. Click here for the story.

July sci-fi

 July sci-fi: hey, it rhymes! My latest batch of streamable nuggets is here.

A Quiet Place Day One

A Quiet Place is emerging as one of my favorite franchises and even when a movie has problems, like the new prequel, I have a good time. More, please! I reviewed A Quiet Place: Day One for the Times.

A trip to the Jimmys

The Jimmy Awards have become a major scouting ground for casting directors, and the 15th edition did not let anybody down. Check out my report and see what the kids are up to.

Babylon Berlin primer

The great German historical series is finally back to the US with new episodes! It's been a while since the last time we met with Gereon, Lotte et al., so I wrote a primer to prep viewers for Season 4. Click here.

Find Me Here

Crystal Finn's play is middling but its cast is absolutely sterling so I'd say it's a go. My review is here.

Musicians on Broadway

Please, let's have more stories about musicians on Broadway! Not biomusicals — stories about made-up musicians. They give writers, directors and actors a lot more leeway than the hagiography and mimicry required by biographical material. I wrote about a positive new trend for the Washington Post.

R.I.P. Françoise Hardy

I took that loss hard. It was hard to pick just eight songs to trace Françoise Hardy's career arc but you can find my YouTube picks here. I also wrote the intro to a wonderful gallery put together by the photo department, and that's here.

How Suffs changed for Broadway

I wasn't crazy about Suffs at the Public Theater but the Broadway version may well be my favorite musical of the year, tied with Dead Outlaw. I talked to Shaina Taub and Leigh Silverman about the changes they made to their show over the past two years. Click here for my story. 

What to see during Pride month

I rounded up some theater performances of interest for Pride month. Some of them are settled on Broadway but others have short runs so don't sleep on them. Go for it! 

Godzilla leads the sci-fi pack this month

Godzilla Minus One is finally streaming so of course I had to lead the latest installment of my sci-fi column with it! What a great movie. The column can be found here.

The Watchers

Ishana Shyamalan's debut feature has a lot of issues but Dakota Fanning is, as always, a compelling screen presence. Click here for my review.