John Tutorro in The ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK-I was Duped If Only I'd Known

"The Only Living Pickpocket in New York" ("OLP") had quite the racquet going in its trailers as I was grifted thinking this would be a gift for cinephiles. Call me a sucker for the anti-hero genres set in the cinematographer's dream city; New York. I was snookered. I'd like to run this monotonous movie out of town or tar and feather its writer/dir. Noah Segan. Segan (b. NYC 1983) is known for bit acting roles in "Knives Out" and "Glass Onion". Segan made his directorial debut with the vampire film "Blood Rela- tives".  OLP is only Segan's second directorial feature. Harry (John Tuturro "Severance" TV series) is the protagonist, a shifty, lowlife thinks the 9-5 lifestyle is for suckers. He makes his living pilfering other people's  property. Harry takes his booty to the pawn shop owned and operated by Ben (the priceless Steve Buscemi "Sopranos" TV series) his longtime friend and consort in crime. Ben abets Harry's petty and felonious finds. Buscemi is the best part of this lugubrious character study of an anti-hero pickpocket. Harry winds up lifting belongings from the wrong guy.  This leads to a circuitous transit on the city subways to steal back what he stole or his beloved wife Rosie being help captive will be murdered. Rosie is catatonic and completely dependent on full-time care. We don't know why she's in this state nor do we care. Following a lugubrious travail to retrieve the stolen property which includes a crypto card we're tortured by lots of painful, cliched plots. Harry reached out to the daughter he abandoned long ago. Ben, perhaps only friend gets badly beaten and gives Harry up. Harry has somehow gained admiration from a retiring detective who covertly aids him by clandestinely revealing information. The biggest sin was Harry trying to win sympathy by disco dancing for his bedridden wife. Before Harry's takes his final bow, he will somehow make amends. Harry eschewed technology but becomes current and ripped off the crime family's cryptocurrency. Jamie Lee Curtis appears at the end as head of the crime family. This made for a  dreadful send off. Simply put, I mistook this nogoodnic pic to be an entertaining look into an obsolete  lifestyle. I got took. 

BILLY CRYSTAL 860-Memorabilia Mementos Makes a Memorable Show a Must See

Billy Crystal's one man show on Broadway at the Imperial Theater "Billy Crystal 860" (860") hits very close to home. This poignant, humane and hilarious throughout memoir hits close to home. The 860 refers to the home address of house Billy & his wife of 50 years, Janice, raised their two daughters. This home was destroyed in the Pac. Pal fire on Jan. 7th, 2025. We raised our kids in Pac. Pal., sent them to the local schools. Every place in the close knit enclave was destroyed by the fire in which Billy's home of 40 years along with priceless memorabila. Billy acknowledged how fortunate he is having insurance and the means to bear this devastating when so many people lost everything who don't have the ease with which to rebuild. Nonetheless, there were irreplacable photos, awards and tokens of friendship that are irreplaceable. The Pac. Pal. fire bookends the 90 minute one act play. It captured the fear and anxiety that quickly led to he and his wife fleeing without the time to choose what to take. Videos, sound affects and recordings capture the terror that forced a massive evacuation. This caused a tense traffic jam with so many cars on the few roads out. There were plenty of tears shed over what was permanently lost and tears of gratitude for what remained and sustained us. The two Crystal daughters, Jenny & Lindsay enclosed a personal a note to the audience, "Our parents built this show after the loss of our childhood home and town. Through the grief, chaos, and uncertainty, they have somehow managed to find joy and move forward." BC860 is loving tribute to family, friends and the little things that hold meaning and the most important things that make live meaningful. Billy takes us back to his initial foray into standup as a recent college graduate and newly wed.As a man of multiple talents, Billy's prowess for mimicry is marvelous. His impersonations are spot on, clever and gut wrenchingly funny. A relatively unknown comic, Billy was given a shot for a short set at an event honoring Muhammad Ali. Billy impersonated both Howard Cosell and Ali in dialogue of their notorious bickering. Ali thought it was so hilarious "he{Ali} put his hands on my shoulders and said 'You're now and forever my little brother." The "greatest" lifelong friendship was forged that night. Billy's love baseball, especially the Yankees is well known. A miraculous recovery of 3 honorary World Series Rings bestowed him were recovered amidst the charred rubble of their beloved home. Billy's shared an intimate conversation with his childhood hero and friend, Mickey Mantle. Billy coaxes Mantle into appearing at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mantle was uncomfortable and shunned the spotlight. Billy's mimicry of Mantle and their intimate conversation was jaw dropping. The deep friend- ships Billy made and cherished over the years included the beloved comic genius Robin Williams. Billy mimicked Williams mimicking Reagan on a prank call to him. Whoopi was in the audience the night I was there along with Meg Ryan. Tribute was made to Billy's closest friend Rob Reiner. Their friendship was attributed to his friend and mentor, Norman Lear. Clips and photos from the 3 iconic films Reiner cast him in were highlighted: "Spinal Tap," "Princess Bride" and "When Harry Met Sally." Billy said "2025 was an awful year and we were glad to see it come to end. We didn't think it could get worse. And then it did..." This segwayed back into the fires which happened less than a month later. " Billy wrote a brilliant, heartfelt script that brought his memories to life with laughter, "the salve for pain." The set is a replica of his home office; his haven that held a treasure cove of memorabilia. Comedians are healers who elicit laughter as a balm for sorrow. Billy Crystal is a sparkling diamond, a comic genius, multitalented writer, actor, entertainer, loving family man and the best kind of man - a mensch who leaves us feeling lighter through laughter. BILLY CRYSTAL 860 is a show not to be missed or forgotten.   

WILD HORSE NINE Scores a 10 with John Malkovich/Sam Rockwell/Steve Busceme

WILD HORSE NINE {WH9) is an insanely outstanding film of two anti-hero buddies. The pair, John Malkovitch and Sam Rockwell as CIA operatives are sure to ingratiate themselves with their wit, disarming charm and assassinator skill sets. Malkovich and Rockwell are American actors known for por- traying awry characters along with their co-star Steve Buscemi.("The Sopranos.") The trifecta of award winning actors have compiled an array of acting awards and noms. including Emmys, Golden Globes, Actors Guild Awards, Oscars, BAFTAs and Laurence Olivier Awards. Their combined talents make this original off-beat black-comedy come alive with humor, INTRIGUE in an eccentric, espionage /buddy picture. Malkovitch ("Places in the Hearth" and "In the Line of Fire") plays Chris an old time CIA agent whose health and memory are rapidly declining. Chirs' younger, CIA partner Lee is played pitch perfectly by Rockwell who won an Acad. Award for his role in "Three Billboards...". The film "Three Billboards...was written and directed by Martin McDonagh (b. England 1970) the written/dir. of "Wild Horse Nine."  McDonagh has written The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) and "In Bruges". McDonagh earned an Academy. Award nom. for "In Bruges" for best original screenplay about a guilt ridden assassin. Parallels can be drawn between "Bruges" and WH9 with the use of sensitive, anti-heroes . In WH9 and "Bruges" the locations become a vital character establishing an emotional tone evoking solitude and reflections. The natural beauty of the Easter Islands are captured in natural light. The scenic cinema- tography enhances the movie's mystique and Chris' despondency. The CIA duo are taking a requested ciesta from Chile to Easter Island for a respite among the Island's iconic, indigenous heads properly referred to as Moai. While on "break" Lee is in constant contact with their boss MJ at the CIA, (played by the irrepressible Buscemi. MJ is rightly concerned Chris is running off at the mouth about their covert operations and his insistence of writing his memoirs containing highly confidential info. While Chris and Lee are waiting to board their plane to Easter Island, they encounter two Chilean ingenues whom Chris tries to impress with his prowess as a foreign political subversive. "What are you CIA agents?" One of the two young ladies snarkily asks. "Yes, we are." Chris answers cooly which Lee does his best to back- pedal. MJ gets informed of Chris' lack of discretion and heads to the Islands to take matters in hand. Add- ing to the chaos is Lee's wife back in the states (a hilarious Parker Posey) who calls with distressing news she believes she's in peril. In more tender moments, Chris forms heartwarming bonds between himself and one of the young women (a luminescent Mariana di Girolamo) and a feral horse. WILD HORSE NINE is as funny, clever and fine a movie to find anywhere. Come awards season, WILD HORSE NINE should score big time for its brilliant, original screenplay and ingratiating performances by all four stars: Malkovich, Rockwell, Buscemi, Posey and one for the best performance by an animal; the horse of course.

TWO STRANGERS CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK-Too Light Weight to Care For

The Broadway musical "Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York" (2025) was nominated for 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical. It carried home a total of NO Tonys.  I not only don't understand how the show with book, music and lyrics written by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan received so many nominations - I don't get how it made its way to Broadway. The show premiered in London in 2023 before hopping the pond or in my view; jumping the shark. The show had no redeeming attributes to recommend besides the earnest performances and decent singing voices for the two actors Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty who attempt to carry this laden musical. This two character, two act musical spins around a wedding for an unseen couple for whom both have familial ties.  Gift stars as Robin and Tutty as Dougal. Robin's sister is about to marry Dougal's father. Robin is a 20 something trying to figure out her life while working in NYC as a barista.  Robin is savvy New Yorker whose friends all seemed to have found careers and partners. Dougal's estranged father is engaged to marry Robin's sister regardless of a significant age disparity. Dougal is just arriving at JFK from London for his first time in the states and is overly excited to experience Manhattan and become reacquainted with his father he doesn't know. Dougal wrongly assumes his dad sent him the invite to the nuptials intending to become reacquainted. Robin is waiting with a hand held sign with Dougal's name at the airport. (Thus the set is a towering stack of metal suitcases constantly spinning around much to my chagrin. Robin agreed to escort Dougal into the city. His exuberance and touristy enthusiasm are meant to be endearing. But, even Robin finds his puppy-like energy irritating although she doesn't wish to be mean. She relents and allows Dougal to accompany her from Brooklyn into Tribeca while she's brings her sister's 4-tiered (soon to be 3) cake to her sister's apartment. Why does Robin's sister refuse to allow her to come to the wedding despite her pleading and agreeing to help with getting the cake? Why is Dougal being kept in the dark about his father not being aware he received an invitation? Questions for which I don't have answers because I didn't put myself through more torture by returning after intermission. The first act ends after Robin and Dougal go on an extravagant spending spree on the credit card belong to the groom (which he doesn't know about either.) The two put on the ritz and carry on dressed to impress but only rack up expenses they don't intend to pay. As I said, I didn't stay to find out how things turns out. Cross this British import off your to do-list in the city.  It's a clunker. 

Chain Theater's BRODY WENT MISSING-A Comedy with Jokes that Keep Coming

The comic spoof BRODY WENT MISSING doesn't miss an opportunity to throw out a joke or parody TV sitcoms. This is an original buddy road trip with charm and laughs that keep coming. This one act, 90 minute play is sure to make you laugh especially if you keep up with its spit fire pace. The innovative staging utilizes every foot of its compact space. Videos were used to advantage as well as the stairs going into the audience. The intimate Chain Theater on 38th and 8th had a full house last night for its premier. The roomy seats and well raked seating provided good viewing throughout. The play written, directed also stars Matt Stephens as Doug, one of three inseparable friends since childhood. We're introduced to the three best buddies and adult roommates in a video that satirizes friendship sitcoms with wit and whimsy. Andy Fitch plays the title role character Brody. Brody dons a Keystone Cop mustache and a world weary persona. Brody's other bestie Angie is played by Florence Friebe. Doug and Angie are anxiously awaiting Brody's who's returning from a job interview. He's less than thrilled he aced the interview and got the job as a manager at a party store that is owned by his mother. "I had no idea my mother was such a tough interviewer." The dialogue is riddled with irony, droll humor and whip-smart physical comedy. The following morning Doug and Angie discover a goodbye note from Brody leaving them adrift. Brody's overbearing mother enlists his roommates to find her son while revealing she "never liked them. You were always a bad influence on him. But then you knew I never liked you." "No," deadpans Doug who looks bewildered and hurt. Doug carries off the affable, malleable "Forest Gump" character with aplomb and proves he can handle any punch thrown his way. The sojourn commences to track down Brody by Doug, Angie and two private detectives hired by Brody's mom who are both named Rudy "but spelled very differently". The journey involves planes, cars and a motley mix of personalities and silly scenarios. Some plot twists digress muddling the mystery. Certain scenes should be shortened: the hours in the car dragged, the punching was relentless, the tattooing was tortuously long and the bar brawl could get cut out altogether. Nonetheless, the show has plenty of parody and laughs that land. While the show would benefit from some edits, it has plenty of laughs to be found which makes BRODY WENT MISSING a show not to be missed. 

Brancusi's Studio at MoMA Left Me Cold

The Brancusi show at the MoMA was one I was hotly looking forward to seeing. However, it left me feeling cold.  As an admirer of his smooth, minimalist sculpture and textured, tall totems, I was intrigued to learn something about the artist's creative process which I thought could be gleaned the MoMA show -  Brancusi The Artist an His Studio. The show focused on Brancusi's studio on impasse Ronsin in Paris . The artist bequeathed his studio along with the artworks  therein to France in 1957. The show does include numerous iconic sculptures along with his tools, sketches and videos. The rough sketches are to the right as you walk into the first gallery. It was interesting to note these rough drawings are similar to scribble drawings one may have drawn as a youngster. From this simple skethces you can decipher images that are seen in some of Brancusi's famous sculptures. Several large sculptures are displayed in the center of the first gallery showing some nascent scribbles that became morphed into his body of work. In the second gallery are some large scale totems with the repetitive diamond shape Brancusi often incorporated into his mottled textured works opposed to his sleek oval or curved shaped figures. I drew similarities between Modigliani's thin faced portraits to Brancusi's facial forms with mere hints of eyes or mouths on the head forms. There is a very humorous rough granite sculpture of two stout figures locked in an embrace in  that seems somewhat out of step with oeuvre.  His gold, kissing fish sculpture felt whimsical and reminded me of Koons' balloon sculptures. And, the video of Brancusi himself called to mind the image of a crazed Ernest Hemingway. Aside from my personal parallel posturing, I felt the show to be lackluster. The focus on Brancusi's studio didn't contain any full-scale facsimile which was called for.  Overall the exhibit lacked color, essential information such as whether photos on display were taken by the artist himself. The videos showing female guests he hosted were insignificant. The huge showcase housing a multitude of Brancusi's tools was dull! His choice of materials, influences and even interests (other than cooking or entertaining) would have given the poorly curated show needed texture. I walked through the exhibit a second time to admire the sculptures without considering anything but the work themselves. His art speaks volumes for itself. The rest is a waste of space (and your time.) 

NORMAN LEWIS: Jumping Jive at Rosenfeld Gallery NYC See It Feel It

This is the 7th solo show of Norman Lewis' paintings at the Michael Rosenfeld Gallery in Chelsea.  Lewis (b. NYC 1909-79) was an American Abstract Expressionist painter, scholar and educator. Although he did not receive the media or public attention for his work during his lifetime as fellow contemporaries such as Mark Rothko, his work garnered numerous awards and critical praise.  Lewis' one man show at Rosenfeld features his paintings over his 40 year career reflecting his passion for and the impact of jazz musician his body of work. The majority of colorful, vivd oil paintings show geometric shapes and tornado-like forms. Also included are lesser known figurative paintings of jazz musicians. Alongside these figurative paintings is a collection of musical paraphernalia pertaining to jazz icons and recordings. However, the gallery is monasterial quiet with sterile white walls except for the "jazz section".  Audio would have benefitted the work displayed in the gallery if not this section. In particular, audio associated with music with titles are attributed to specific albums or musicians would have served the viewers response to the musicality within the paintings and the serendipitous aesthetics of intense jewel colors. Lewis and Romare Bearden (b. Charlotte, NC 1911-88) shared a propensity for vivid palettes and musical memes. Lewis' figurative paintings of jazz musicians were kinetic in their energy (as in "Jumping Jive" 1942). These figurative paintings were pleasing additions to his abstract oeuvre and attests to his technical skills as a painter.  Going back through the gallery I noted a rhythmic aesthetic to many of his works. I associated funnel shapes to music's power to penetrate and absorb the listener. I have long been a fan of Lewis' remarkable body of work. This exhibit enhanced my appreciation for his profound legacy to 20th C Abstract Expressionism and the world of art. I will be back and encourage everyone to take advantage of these museum quality paintings. 

WICKER-Made of THATCH for a PERFECT Match-Olivia Coleman/Alexander Skarsgard

WICKER, the fantasy tale doesn't quite make sense but it offers some good, common sense for contem- plating what makes relationships work. Part fantasy, part philosophical and part pure horniness right from the start, WICKER is a stickler for shunning complacency within a patriarchal society. The story is set in a fictitious, fable in an early English Gothic Period situated in a seaside village. Here the townspeople refer to one another by their occupations. Fisher woman (Oscar winner Olivia Colman, "The Favorite") plays the heroine, an outcast in the village because of her independence and unmarried state. The women in town are mean girls who delight in ridiculing Fisher Woman. The leader of the vulpine pack is the beautiful and well dressed "Tailor Woman." Tailor Woman is married to the town's tailor and played by the statuesque Elizabeth Debicki (Emmy winner for "The Crown"). The town has its motley mix of brutish and inept men. Basketmaker is played by the captivating Peter Dinklage ("The Throne") whose skills at weaving are omnipotent. Fisher Woman finally fed up at with being an outcast, commissions Basketmaker  to make her a husband. He accepts and tells her to be at the church in a month's time. Following the lunar calendar, Fisher Woman appears eagerly at the church, wildflowers in hand to find the living embodiment of her groom construed from reeds. The couple are married and return to Fisher Woman's cozy cottage -now a happy home. The two exude a romantic spark that draws envy from the townsfolk; men and women alike. The Wicker Husband, as is he called, joins the men at the local pub. The men are leary of Wicker Man but beseech him "How to Handle a Woman". Oops, wrong movie (same reasonings)! The men ask Wicker Man why he helps Fisher Woman with household chores. "It makes her happen. This makes me happy." The local marriage ritual is placing a shackle around the brides neck and then pronounce the couple "Man and his wife." Basketmaker ponders (aloud) philosophical questions on the nature of autonomous creation with appealing profundity. But this is not a deeply philosophical movie, nor is it comparable to Shelly's FRANKENSTEIN which grapples with questions for having created a living being. WICKER is simpler with a light touch, warm heart and an eccentricity that makes far more than what's in store with a love story between a woman and a wicker man. Furthermore, the sensational acting from its A list cast: Coleman, Skarsgard, Dinklage and Debicki turn this folk lore into an enchanting love match made from thatch.  

MAYDAY-Movie is a Disaster Despite Ryan Reynolds/Kenneth Branagh

The espionage MAYDAY movie should've been aborted before it reached the screen. This "Top Gun" homage and mismatched buddy film is a major misstep despite its two bankable stars (Reynolds and Branagh). Lieutenant Troy (Ryan Reynolds) is a hotshot US Navy pilot assigned a top secret espionage mission flying over Russia. Nikolai "Nik" (Kenneth Branagh) plays a former formidable KGB agent who rescues Troy after his plane is shot down behind enemy lines. Troy ejects from his stealth plane just prior to it being blown to smithereens by Russian fighter planes. He crash lands with a shorn parachute and then passes out after spotting a man armed with a rifle approaching. Troy awakens to discover himself inside a fire burning cabin with his limbs securely tied down. A man enters introducing himself as Nikolai, "call me Nik" he tells Troy, "welcome to my home".  This is the startling introduction Troy receives from his "captor" with whom Troy thanks for his medical attention and then asks to be released. The Russians are already tracking Troy's shot down plane in search of invaders. It's ambiguous whether Nik will act as a  Russian defector and Troy's protector or his adversary. Still, the biggest quandary is how this vehicle which is an utter debacle, got ushered through the studio. The film is set in 1987 with footage of Pres. Reagan addressing US citizens being held hostage and the state of the COLD WAR is made abundantly clear. Reynolds plays his usual jokey persona which is simply out of sync. Branagh, a distinguished British stage/film actor, is abysmal and out of character as a highly skilled assassin with a passion for American pop culture; especially relating to "Top Gun". Unfortunately, the film wasn't rescued from its incredulous fight scenes and its forced, forged friendship built behind enemy lines. Save yourself time - don't watch this cheesy mess of mayhem, MAYDAY. 

SENSE and SENSIBILITY-Serves up Sensual Austen Scenes on Screen

For those who maintain all Austen's novels blend, I agree. It's not the plots of misconstrued intentions or marital constraints that confine females or their pathos and passions - it's all of them combined. Those who adore Jane Austen's oeuvre - you're sure to swoon for the latest rendition: SENSE and SENSIBILITY on the big screen. "The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!" If much refers to moolah there are matches needing to be made for the fair maidens whose gender renders them subjugated to patriarchal lines that have stood the test of time by law through the mid 20th C amidst the British aristocracy. Oh, the duplicity... "Oh Mr. Darcy" oops, wrong Austen. Although, her stories seems interchangeable, especially between "Sense" and "Pride".  Pride being a recurring meme along with archaic philosophies, such as marriage being the only means to a woman's security and marriages arranged for financial gain or to maintain financial means within familial realms. Marriage for love was deemed a lofty, unpractical if unattainable goal. These are omnipresent in Austen's writings along with other tropes: the silly interfering matron and the imbecilic,  marriageable male. My favorite imageries are the lavish balls from which line dancing originated. The garrulous dialogue highlights etiquette as a facade for deprecation is diverting. And, the devotion amongst sisters is always appealing and heartwarming. SENSE and SENSIBILITY now on the big screen has its handsome cast including Caitriona Balfe ("Outlander") as Mrs. Dashwood, Daisey Edgar-Jones (a British doppelgänger for Anne Hathaway ,"Where the Crawdads Sing") as Elinor Dashwood, George MacKay ("True History of the Kelly Gang") as a convincing Edward Ferrars and the indomitable Fiona Shaw as the dotty, meddling Mrs. Jennings. Shaw here is supercilious in a role where less would've been more and the passionate middle sister Marianne Dashwood is played by Esme Creed-Miles (daughter to Samantha Morton) is convincing as the emotional wrecking ball at the otherwise staid winter ball.  The cinema- tography is sumptuous with idyllic, bucolic scenes and romantic, candlelit indoor shots so as to forgive the choppy editing and overly long, lingering looks. This film earns a big thumbs up from this Janeite and a double thumbs up to the gentlemen who escort their lady friends. The profundity found in all Austen's novels ensure everlasting fame and fans. "There is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions." {"Sense and Sensibility")