Socal Entertainment

Film

CINÉMA VÉRITÉ MEETS SUPERHERO DRAMA IN CHRONICLE What begins as a promising character study of what happens after a life-changing event soon devolves into a low-budget actioner with B-movie effects and an ending that simply feels hollow. Read More THE WOMAN IN BLACK LEAVES SUSPENSE FANS MOURNING The Woman in Black has all of the elements of a rip-roaring ghost story, yet it somehow fails to excite. Read More NO THANK YOU, MR. NOBBS Originally a short story, Albert Nobbs probably should have remained that way. Read More ZEN AND THE ART OF BEING A MOGUL - CORMAN'S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel is not quite a love letter to Roger Corman, but it’s hard not to see the affection and respect. Read More A DELIGHTFUL CARNAGE Carnage is a delightful film, but all things considered, it really isn’t for everyone. Read More

Games / Interactive

GameZone Interviews 2K’s Hogarth De La Pante on Bioshock 2 GameZone Interviews 2K’s Hogarth De La Pante on Bioshock 2 Read More

Interviews (performers, behind the scenes, etc.)

KIRSTEN DUNST IS ONCE AGAIN ON THE RADAR THANKS TO MELANCHOLIA Her admiration for and excellent dedication to Melancholia means Kirsten Dunst has a strong chance of an Oscar nomination this year if the buzz continues as it has. And she doesn’t deny how brilliant that would be. Read More MAKING A MODERN DAY FABLE: TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL When asked about his inspiration during a recent press day for the film, director/co-writer Eli Craig gave the unexpected answer that Tucker & Dale is a “reenactment of (his) life.” Read More FROM TRAGEDY COMES LOVE: AN INTERVIEW WITH BEAUTIFUL BOY'S SHAWN KU AND MICHAEL ARMBRUSTER For Shawn Ku, it was a very personal tragedy that spawned the core ideas of a family dealing with tragedy in Beautiful Boy. Read More THIS ISN'T MAKE BELIEVE: A REAL INTERVIEW WITH LANCE BURTON Burton downplayed the impact he’s had on the young magicians of Make Believe. Read More HANNA'S ERIC BANA IS OKAY WITH A GIRL KICKING HIS ASS The last (and actually only other time) Bana had to engage in a fight scene was with Brad Pitt in Troy, so a blonde-haired, angelic looking 15-year-old girl was not something he had experience with. Read More

Live Stage

Theater Review: “God of Carnage” What makes “God of Carnage” so mesmerizingly watchable is the Survivor-esque speed with which the characters will side with each other to attack another character one minute, then just as swiftly betray their erstwhile ally and form another alliance. Read More El Nogalar From the visuals to the touching words, the cast was endearing, attractive making “El Nogalar” an inspiring story to watch. Makes you wonder about the world around you. Read More Clybourne Park This Two-Act drama explores a plethora of emotional hotspots and political transgression. Set in 1959, a white family sells their house to an African-American family, creating an up roar in their white neighborhood. Read More Theatre Review – ‘A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the Sun at the Kirk Douglas Theatre: A solid cast, an unforgettable story and performances unlike any other. Read More Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: In Concert.. Benefiting Josh Groban's Find Your Light foundation and supported with a large cast, Broadway size orchestra and a 60 member youth choir, this one-night only, star-studded event includes: Honorary Host Committee: Jack & Lindy Groban, Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, three-time Emmy Award Winner), Sally Struthers (All In The Family, two-time Emmy Award Winner), Kristin Chenoweth (Tony Award Winner, Wicked (Broadway), Glee), Judy Norton (The Waltons), Carole D' Andrea (Original Velma in West Side Story Broadway / Film). Read More

Live Stage: Plays & Musicals

Theater Review: “God of Carnage” What makes “God of Carnage” so mesmerizingly watchable is the Survivor-esque speed with which the characters will side with each other to attack another character one minute, then just as swiftly betray their erstwhile ally and form another alliance. Read More El Nogalar From the visuals to the touching words, the cast was endearing, attractive making “El Nogalar” an inspiring story to watch. Makes you wonder about the world around you. Read More Clybourne Park This Two-Act drama explores a plethora of emotional hotspots and political transgression. Set in 1959, a white family sells their house to an African-American family, creating an up roar in their white neighborhood. Read More Theatre Review – ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ D.E.E. presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles. Read More Imago’s ZooZoo at Pepperdine’s Center for the Arts Entertains all Ages While we exited, the audience was enthused, remarking how “cool” the show was on their way out. I highly recommend catching ZooZoo when they are touring. It is a show appreciated by all ages and will leave you smiling and inspired. Read More

Live Stage: Comedy

JIM GAFFIGAN - REDEFINING LAZY Although the funnyman admitted he has yet to come up with a completely new stand-up routine for his SoCal shows, loyal fans will be treated to a slightly different act than the one he performed in “King Baby.” Read More Fairy Tale Theatre 18 & Over Review Split in a series of vignettes, Fairy Tale Theatre is non-stop hilarity that tackles real life adult situations such as identifying codependent relationships, navigating a friend with benefits relationship and people wanting to kill you just because. Read More

Live Stage: Dance

DANCE REVIEW: “FOREVER FLAMENCO” It is perhaps somewhat counterintuitive, that a dance so rigid, so angular, and so full of abrupt moves and turns, could be so amazingly graceful. Read More Choreographer's Carnival: The Best Gets Better Choreographer's Carnival has relocated their long running and consistently "mind blowing" monthly dance showcase to the Avalon Hollywood Read More

Live Stage: Other Performance

Music

ALIVE AND DOING WELL: SICK PUPPIES TALK TOUR, NEW ALBUM Unlike one of their favorite bands, Australian trio Silverchair whose members achieved success at the young age of 13, Sick Puppies' lead singer and guitarist Shimon Moore said he is grateful for the dues he and his band mates have paid over the years. Read More FREE MUSIC AND CONCERTS IN LOS ANGELES In Los Angeles, summer means free outdoor summer concerts are in full force, beckoning visitors to get outside and enjoy LA’s epic music scene. From blowout shows to Sunday afternoons in the park, the following free summer series in Los Angeles ought to keep you tapping your feet. So get out there, enjoy the weather and tune into the music. Read More

Music: Live

FREE MUSIC AND CONCERTS IN LOS ANGELES In Los Angeles, summer means free outdoor summer concerts are in full force, beckoning visitors to get outside and enjoy LA’s epic music scene. From blowout shows to Sunday afternoons in the park, the following free summer series in Los Angeles ought to keep you tapping your feet. So get out there, enjoy the weather and tune into the music. Read More

Music: Recorded/Digital

TV & DVD

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION - Blu-ray Review To Kill a Mockingbird holds as much of a punch today as it did 50 years ago—perhaps even more. Read More THE BIG YEAR - DVD Giveaway The Big Year comes with both the theatrical version and a never-before-seen extended version of the film on DVD and Blu-ray, featuring outrageous additional footage not shown in theaters. Read More REAL STEEL - Blu-ray Review Watching the fights between the robots is fun and appears futuristic and interesting on-screen, but ultimately, it's hard to fully care for these steel beings. Read More 50/50 - Blu-ray Review Cancer sucks, but this film doesn’t. Read More PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 - Blu-ray Review While never outdoing its predecessors, Paranormal Activity 3 still does a decent job creating goose bumps and shaming imitators. Read More