You are cordially invited to a FREE ADVANCE SCREENING of CBS Film’s upcoming release set to open in theaters on 3/9/12:

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

 Monday, February 27 at 7:00 in Boston. (Theater will be named on your ticket.)

The film is rated “PG-13”

Cast: Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas, Amr Waked

Directed by: Lasse Hallström

From the beloved director of CHOCOLAT and the Oscar-winning screenwriter of SLUMDOG MILLONAIRE comes the inspirational comedy Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.  A visionary sheik (Amr Waked) has a big dream – to bring salmon fishing to the desert.  Willing to spare no expense, he instructs his representative (Emily Blunt) to turn his dream into reality, an extraordinary feat that will require the involvement of Britain’s leading fisheries expert (Ewan McGregor) who happens to think the project both absurd and unachievable.  That is, until the Prime Minister’s overzealous press secretary (Kristin Scott Thomas) latches on for its potential as a ‘good will’ story.  Now, this unlikely team will put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible.

Tickets are FREE but expected to go quickly. You must have a ticket to attend this screening but a ticket does not guarantee seating–seating is first come, first served — GET THERE EARLY!

MOVIE SCREENING DETAILS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012  7:00PM

BOSTON, MA

TO DOWNLOAD A SCREENING PASS:

1)Go to http://www.gofobo.com/rsvp/promotion/298b8714559e7d3e15c349624233486a

3) Print pass and attend screening.

So here goes. These are my PREDICTIONS for OSCARS 2012:

BEST PICTURE: I predict THE ARTIST, though it’s practically neck and neck with THE DESCENDANTS in my estimation. THE ARTIST is a love letter to movies, and the academy loves that.

BEST DIRECTOR: I predict Martin Scorsese for HUGO– a much admired tour de force in 3D which is another valentine to movies by a brilliant filmmaker much revered but not as often honored. My choice: The reclusive Terrence Malick for the astonishing THE TREE OF LIFE which attempts to convey the meaning of life– and almost does.

BEST ACTOR: I predict George Clooney.  He has replaced Jack Nicholson as the reigning King of Hollywood and he also gives the best performance of his career which looks better and better every time I see it, and I have seen it three times. Clooney is also my choice.  Only Brad Pitt could upset him. But not in real life.

BEST ACTRESS: I predict Meryl Streep– though this is THE toughest race to call, and the strongest category. The fact is,  Streep gives a jaw-dropping performance and I don’t think anyone in the academy can stand to see her lose for the 15th time. I would be pleased if she were to win, though I’d be just as pleased if Michelle Williams won for her turn as Marilyn Monroe, and I know Viola Davis would make me weep if she were to win for THE HELP, and then there’s feisty little Rooney Mara who braved all those tattoos and then some in THE GIRL WITH THE … well you get the picture….

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: I predict Christopher Plummer for BEGINNERS. He’s a marvelous actor in a weak field, getting on in years, and never won an Oscar. Not my choice. Boring film and he was barely in it. I like Jonah Hill as the geeky numbers cruncher in MONEYBALL. But I’m the least excited about this category.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: I predict Octavia Spencer who was just fine in THE HELP. Everyone’s talking about her, her character was extremely likeable  and the academy will want to honor this film.  But my choice, hands down:  Melissa McCarthy who made me scream, so original was her character, so off the wall funny was her delivery.

So there it is. I’ll be glued to my set, tweeting through the night, wincing at every lame joke, laughing at every fashion faux pas (please Bjork– come back!) weeping at every sappy acceptance speech, and feeling like a kid with stars in her eyes again. Watch with me!

84th Annual Academy Awards, February 26th, 2012

I just had one of the loveliest theatrical experiences of my life up at Merrimack Rep in Lowell! You must see their utterly charming, sweetly engaging, beautifully staged and sung new musical DADDY LONG LEGS. It’s based on an old-fashioned epistolary novel of the same name by Jean Webster, with a premise ripe for romance. It’s set in New England, 1912 where a spunky young woman named Jerusha Abbott is languishing in an orphanage, when she is suddenly plucked from obscurity by an anonymous wealthy benefactor Jervis Pendleton. He sees her promise and decides to pay her way through college. There’s only one condition: she must write to him regularly of her progress, but he will not write back. It’s clear where this is going–and I happily settled in for the trip!

The show has the intimacy of a love letter. There are only two characters onstage but between them unfolds a vivid world of dreams, and becoming, and new love. Megan McGinnis is Jerusha and beguiles us as soon as we meet her– a young orphan with spark and curiosity to spare.  Her handsome and hidden benefactor Jervis Pendleton is played by Robert Adelman Hancock–whose physicality, vulnerability, and slightly nasal tenor complement McGinnis clear tender soprano. Though no one song stands out, the score has a wistful grace and McGinnis and Hancock  make beautiful music together–he often taking the high notes when they harmonize!

The show’s behind the scenes pedigree is sterling. Tony Award-winning, Royal Shakespeare Company director John Caird wrote the book and directs with a sure, light touch. There’s a real six-piece orchestra hidden offstage directed by Laura Berquist, while award-winning Broadway designer David Farley here gives us period costumes and a tall, warm, wood-paneled library with a suddenly transparent back wall. I can’t remember the last time something as simple as opening a pair of windows to let light in — made an audience gasp.

DADDY LONG LEGS may be “old-fashioned” on the outside– but its sensibility is modern. It has much to say about identity and authenticity, especially as it pertains to women. And among Paul Gordon’s lyrics is one about the humanizing power of art– as succinct as anything I’ve ever heard. Jerusha sings that “imagination make us kind” — because we can imagine what it’s like to be someone else.  I left the theater feeling still, and calm, and light. In this day and age, that’s nothing short of a miracle. Do yourself a favor and see DADDY LONG LEGS– it’s one of the best things on stage right now. Through March 4!!

SOUND OF MY VOICE–presented by Fox Searchlight and due out April 27th! The first 12 minutes are streamed below and it’s interactive. The clip has “baked in” alternative content via interactive “hotspots” and this content hints at story elements beyond the first chapter.

In SOUND OF MY VOICE, Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius), a couple and documentary filmmaking team, infiltrate a mysterious group led by an enigmatic young woman named Maggie (Brit Marling). Intent on exposing her as a charlatan and freeing the followers from her grip, Peter and Lorna start to question their objective and each other as they unravel the secrets of Maggie’s underworld.

I just watched. It’s creepy. It’s “trippy”– literally.  I’m in.  Check this out:

The late great Whitney–though inimitable–has set the bar so high that she continues to inspire people the world over to sing their hearts out. This is a clip from an AMERICAN IDOL– style show in Taiwan called SUPERSTAR AVENUE. The young man wowing the crowd with his Whitney Houston-like version of “I will Always Love You”  is Lin Yu Chun!   He’s becoming a Youtube sensation, and performed on ELLEN during his very first trip to the U.S.

Here’s another amazing– vocal tribute to Ms Houston sung by COMMUNITY AUDITIONS finalist Kels Ferguson, recorded in her home two nights ago as we all learned of Ms. Houston’s untimely death. I posted this earlier on Facebook but felt compelled to share again on my site. Happy Valentine’s Day.

(See them in real still life at Lincoln’s Clark Gallery!)

ROGER WATERS MAKES HIS TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO NORTH AMERICA IN 2012 WITH HIS EXTRAORDINARY AURAL AND VISUAL MASTERPIECE:  “THE WALL”

THE WALL LIVE HITS BOSTON’S
FENWAY PARK ON JULY 1

THIS UNFORGETTABLE CONCERT WILL CELEBRATE
THE HISTORIC PARK’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

Roger Waters, the co-founder and principal songwriter of the archetypal progressive band Pink Floyd, has announced the return of the historic production of “The Wall” to North America in 2012. His aural and visual masterpiece of alienation and transformation will be performed in-its-entirety featuring a full band and state-of-the-art production. The 2012 tour will hit Boston’s historic Fenway Park on July 1st just in time to celebrate the legendary park’s 100th Anniversary.

Roger Waters will join the exclusive ranks of musical greats Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Aerosmith, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, who have all performed on the field of the world famous ballpark. Tickets for the Fenway show go on sale to the public on Monday, February 20th at 10:00 am EST at etix.com and LiveNation.com or by calling 800-514-3849. TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE FENWAY PARK TICKET OFFICE.

“Thirty years ago when I wrote ‘The Wall,’ I was a frightened young man,” Waters recalls. “In the intervening years it occurred to me that maybe the story of my fear and loss with its concomitant inevitable residue of ridicule, shame and punishment, provides an allegory for broader concerns: Nationalism, racism, sexism, religion, whatever! All these issues and ‘isms are driven by the same fears that drove my young life.”

Waters’ first reinvented his iconic stage production of “The Wall” in 2010 utilizing modern day   technological advances and special effects which have been embraced by audiences around the globe with countless sold out performances and multiple-night stands including a record-breaking 9 sold out shows at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.   “The Wall” remains one of the most influential albums in the history of recorded music with a profound effect on pop culture, resonating with multiple generations of music fans.

Prior to 2010, “The Wall” show was simply too large to contemplate a tour, but new arenas and advances in touring technology have solved that dilemma. Waters has updated the look and feel of the show to ensure it matches the astonishing theatrical extravaganza that The Wall’s live incarnation became so legendary for – thus allowing yet another generation to be inspired by the grandeur of the breathtaking visual and aural spectacle.  The 1980 original production of the “The Wall” had been performed live-in-its-entirety just 29 times during Pink Floyd’s 1980 tour in support of the album and once in Berlin in celebration of the fall of the Berlin wall.

In addition to Roger Waters (lead vocals, bass), “The Wall” live touring ensemble includes: Snowy White (Guitar), Dave Kilminster (Guitar), GE Smith (Guitar & Bass), Jon Carin (Keyboards), Harry Waters (Hammond Organ), Graham Broad (Drums), Robbie Wyckoff (Vocals), Jon Joyce, Pat Lennon, Mark Lennon and Kipp Lennon (Backing Vocals).

For complete ticket and tour information, please visit RogerWaters.com, Ticketmaster.com and LiveNation.com.

HURRY!!  FREE ADVANCE SCREENING of Universal Pictures’ upcoming release: “DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX”

THE FIRST 20 PEOPLE TO RESPOND (via “Contact Joyce” on home page) WITH THEIR FULL NAMES WILL BE NOTIFIED OF A PASS FOR TWO!

Saturday, February 25, 10:00AM at a Boston Theater. (Theater will be named when notified.)

Running Time: 86 Minutes

Opening Date: March 2, 2012

Rated: PG

Visit the official website: http://www.theloraxmovie.com

Cast: Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White

Synopsis:

From the creators of Despicable Me and the imagination of Dr. Seuss comes the much anticipated feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, a 3D-CG adaptation of the classic tale of a forest guardian who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a 12-year-old as he searches for a real Truffula Tree, the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To get it he must find the story of the Lorax, the acerbic yet charming character who fights to protect his world. 

Lending their vocal talents to the project are Danny DeVito as the iconic title character of the Lorax and Ed Helms as the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their voices to the adventure are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic youth who searches for the Lorax, and Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams. Rounding out the cast are Rob Riggle as the villain O’Hare, Jenny Slate as Ted’s protective mother and beloved actress Betty White as Ted’s wise Grammy Norma. 

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the third feature created by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, Hop).

You are cordially invited to a FREE ADVANCE SCREENING of Relativity’s upcoming release set to open in theaters on 2/24/12:

“ACT OF VALOR”

Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 in Boston. (Theater will be named on your ticket.)

The film is rated “R”

Cast: Active Duty Navy SEALs, Roselyn Sanchez, Alex Veadov, Jason Cottle, Nestor Serra

An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs in a film like no other in Hollywood’s history.  A fictionalized account of real life Navy SEAL operations, Act of Valor features a gripping story that takes audiences on an adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-their-seat journey. When a mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the discovery of an imminent, terrifying global threat, an elite team of highly trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a heart-stopping secret operation, the outcome of which will determine the fate of us all. Act of Valor combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the-minute battlefield technology, and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure film–showcasing the skills, training and tenacity of the greatest action heroes of them all: real Navy SEALs.

Tickets are FREE but expected to go quickly. You must have a ticket to attend this screening but a ticket does not guarantee seating–seating is first come, first served — GET THERE EARLY!

MOVIE SCREENING DETAILS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2012  7:00PM

BOSTON, MA

RSVP CODE: JOYCEUMYV

TO DOWNLOAD A SCREENING PASS:

1)Go to www.gofobo.com

2) Enter RSVP Code: JOYCEUMYV

3) Print pass and attend screening.

As the curtain came down on opening night of THE ADDAMS FAMILY musical comedy, I was suddenly reminded of Kurtz’s famous last words at the end of “Heart of Darkness”–  “The Horror!The Horror!” As I, along with many other unfortunate theater-goers,  fled the Shubert last night– some of them at intermission–one of them called out to me: “Joyce! Please! MAKE THIS STOP!” So consider what I am about to write a public service.

The show opens with Charles Addams famous freaky family launching into their opening number, but it’s Morticia’s tits that command our attention front and center. Revealed by a neckline which, in the words of her besotted husband Gomez, is “cut down to Venezuela,” they are mesmerizing.  In the course of the evening, they will take on a life of their own, shape-shifting with every scene– sometimes uplifted and luminous, sometimes demurely dipping lower–we worry about them. Will they fall out?! As such, they provide the evening’s sole source of dramatic tension.

You see, this show has no reason for being. The plot– and I use this term very loosely–involves cobbled together bits of other things– mostly La Cage Aux Folles. ( (“La cage aux Ghoul”as my colleague Dana Bisbee put it .) Only this time, instead of a son bringing his fiancee’s family home to meet his gay parents, it’s grown-up Wednesday who is bringing her fiancee’s parents home to meet her queer– as in odd–family. Suddenly Gomez is singing about losing his daughter. Suddenly her fiance’s goofy parents are falling in love again. Who cares? Suddenly Uncle Fester is crooning to the moon– in one of the show’s wondrously wacky numbers that borrows its imagery from illusionist/filmmaker Georges Melies and his silent film “A Trip To The Moon.” But why?

To further kill time, there’s a chorus of escapees from the family crypt who sing and dance to tunes like “Death Is Just Around The Corner.” “Death” is the operative word here. There are jokes about healthcare, texting, Jews, patdowns at the airport– that die on delivery. There are props onstage that are never used– a swing in Act II remains unswung, then is removed. There are songs that are sung– but are never really staged– until Morticia and Gomez attempt a tango and Morticia moves as if through invisible sludge. Perhaps she too was worried about losing possession of her upper torso.

As Morticia, Sara Gettelfinger moves like a truck driver, sounds like a fishwife, and is a lifetime away from the soigne charm of TV’s Carolyn Jones. The rest of the cast can at least sing– especially Douglas Sills as Gomez who does what he can while standing still, as does Cortney Wolfson whose voice is strong and resonant but is perhaps too vibrant for the dour Wednesday we know and love. Mostly, I cringed or fought off sleep through all 2 hours 20. I loved the Addams Family on TV growing up. My favorite color even as a child was black. I dressed up as Morticia one Halloween when I was twelve. Seeing this show nearly killed me. My condolences if you have already purchased tickets; it’s your funeral.  Through February 19 at the Shubert Theatre.