theLFB

The End of The-LFB

The end of the-lfb.com has been a long time coming. It’s kind of amazing it survived past the end of 2013, when founder Eoin Breathnach and the majority of the site’s initial writers abandoned it. Attempts to recruit new long-term contributors were ultimately unsuccessful. Major thanks go to Dean Ricciardi and Steve Duffy for sticking with the site all this time.

But eventually it’s time for all…

A Solid End to Marvel’s Age of Whedon

If you see one movie about artificial intelligence this summer, see Ex Machina. But if you see two, you’re probably seeing Avengers: Age of Ultron anyway and yes, it’s good. Is it as good as the first Avengers? In same ways yes, in general I think not. It’s more ambitious and thematically rich, but at 2 and a half hours it’s simultaneously filled with excess and oddly incomplete. Joss Whedon’s…

Review: Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage

Die-hard fans will be thrilled to know that the show stays true to the original 1987 classic coming-of-age story; including dialogue, choreography, and settings.

The Johnny (Pergande) – Baby (Abbott, a look-a-like Jennifer Grey) chemistry, lacked the rapturous and emotional element that Swayze and Grey had.

There were only a few vocal performances, but they were the highlights of the…

5 Questions: Comedian Nick Kroll

Comedian Nick Kroll, the star of FX’s “The League” and Comedy Central’s “The Kroll Show,” steps out of his comfort zone as a first-time movie producer with Adult Beginners.

SD: Why this movie?

NK: Part of doing the movie was to just learn how to do it. I have produced TV and web stuff, but never a film, so it was a new experience for me. I have never before been a lead in a film either so…

TV Eye for April 27-May 3, 2015

For the first time in nearly six months, there isn’t a single new series premiering this week (at least, not one I’m aware of). There are a couple of season premieres, and several programs on PBS this week around the 40th anniversary of the end of US involvement in Vietnam. We’ve all seen the movies (which tend to focus on combat), but even those of us who were alive at the time may not be clear…

“Ex Machina” is Brilliantly Brogrammed

Ex Machinais one seriously cool movie. The setting, a high tech mansion/laboratory hidden within in the forests of Norway? Awesome. Ava, the crafty android being tested in the lab, a photoreal hybrid of computer animation and actress Alicia Viklander? Amazing. The screenplay that deftly presents complex ideas in digestible dialogue, the score blurring the lines between organic and electronic, the…

Not only is Duncan Rock a rising star in the opera world, he is also making his US debut in the Boston Lyric Opera’s production of “Don Giovanni.” Set to the music of Wolfgang Mozart, Don Giovanni tells the story of a man who is obsessed with women. He lets them rule his life, he seduces them, and then runs from them.

SD: What made you want to pursue a career in opera?

DR: In my first life, I…

TV Eye for April 20-26, 2015

As the end of the traditional TV season approaches, the pace of new programming slows but it never completely stops—there are still two series premiering this week. Elsewhere, Inside Amy Schumer is back, and I gripe about the state of movies on TV.

Monday, April 20 StarTalk (11 pm-12 am, NatGeo)

Noted astrophysicist and host of last year’s Cosmos2.0 on Fox, Neil deGrasse Tyson is a logical choice…

5 Questions: Jane Lynch

Glee’s favorite villain is bringing her singing voice to the Wilbur this Friday night for the Women in Comedy Festival. Please leave your slushies’ at home!  

SD: Sue was my favorite character on Glee. What has the journey of playing icon Sue Sylvester been like?

JL: It was the first solid job that I had that lasted longer than a minute. Her voice resonated with me so much. We were definitely…

TV Eye for April 13-19, 2015

The unyielding pace of new programming continues this week with a couple of season premieres and six new shows, including another new streaming series, but psych! this one’s not on Netflix. (Don’t worry, they’ll have something new within a couple of weeks.)

Monday, April 13 TURN: Washington’s Spies (9-11 pm, AMC)

AMC’s Revolutionary War drama stayed under the radar last year, but did well enough…

5 Questions: Justin Willman

Justin Willman, talented magician/comedian and former host of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, will be performing at The Wilbur Theatre this Friday. Willman is bringing his new live show “Fake Believe” to town, on the heels of his debut special “Sleight of Mouth” which just aired on Comedy Central.

SD: What is the first magic trick that you learned?

JW:   I was 12 years old.  It was a dinner table…

“It Follows” Lacks Follow-Through

I saw It Follows last Thursday but haven’t had the chance to review it until now. I’ve been busy, and I’ve been trying to sort out just how I feel about it. After thinking about it for a while, I’ve come to the conclusion that It Follows is a well made, effectively creepy movie that’s a victim of its own hype and maybe not as smart as it wants to be.

There’s so many bad and/or formulaic horror…

RED SOX UNVEIL FENWAY PARK IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2015 WITH MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox today unveiled the new Gate K (for Kids) entrance to Fenway Park with Mayor Martin J. Walsh during his first preseason walkthrough of the ballpark since becoming Mayor of the City of Boston.

The Red Sox, in partnership with the Mayor, also announced a free Open House on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that would allow fans to wander Fenway Park at their leisure and get…

TV Eye for April 6-12, 2015

Compared to last week things are somewhat slower, but still three new shows are arriving (once again, one of them is on Netflix) and Sundays are as busy as ever, especially with another block of returning HBO shows.

Monday, April 6 Basketball, or Something Else?

Turner Classic Movies has a nice bit of what could be interpreted as counter-programming against the NCAA championship tonight: Gentleme…

Notes on Anime Boston 2015

I didn’t get to spend as much time at Anime Boston this year as I usually do. I was only there a few hours Friday due to the bus ride from NY in the morning and the family seder in the evening, and I couldn’t attend Sunday due to the ride back to college for evening classes. More time would have been nice for socializing (as well as for cosplaying, which I didn’t get to do this year due to parts…

Review: Museum of the Moving Image

I love movies. Any time that I have the opportunity to experience anything movie related, I jump on the chance. On a recent visit to New York City, I explored the Museum of the Moving Image, a treasure trove of artifacts of television and movie history. A must-see for any film buff!

The museum is located in Queens, NY and inhabits a landmark building that once belonged to Astoria Studio (the…

Guest Post: Three Pitchers Ready To Shine In 2015

Finding gems in fantasy baseball leagues to put out on the mound can be somewhat difficult. With so many injuries, not to mention to mental aspect of the game, players can flame out at a moment’s notice. However, a few younger guys look promising heading into 2015. Here’s a look at three to target.

Daniel Hutchinson Anyone who looks at his 4.48 ERA from a year ago will not be too impressed with…