Ailey II's Repetory Keeps Getting Strong at Joyce Theater

The Ailey II Co. has groomed the artistic dancing skills of our country's finest young dancers for 4 decades.  Known for their creativity and versatility, the dancers are continuously performing some the world's newest & most challenging choreography.  A highlight on the repertoire from their recent performances at the Joyce was a piece by Katarzyna Skarpetowska (b. Poland) "Cuore Sott'Olio" (Heart Submerged in Oil '2013.)  Skarpetowska is currently a member of the Lars Lubovitch Dance Co. and a Julliard alum.  This piece showcases the grace, agility and emotional impact the dancers personify. The powerful athletic demands & lifts are breathtaking.  This is a very somber piece.  It  evokes fear, oppression and resilience.  The energetic, fast paced footworks are beautifully juxtaposed with slow-moving compositions and intricate, smoldering pas de deuxs.  The original music and dark lighting add tension & elegance to the dancing.  The Ailey II dancers are highly skilled modern & balletic dancers. "Cuore SottpOlio" exemplifies the cutting edge choreography Ailey II continues to embrace.    

HEAVEN - MTA Poetry in Motion AS IF!

Riding the MTA subways is more like descending into the circles of Hell.  You burrow underground  into dank, filthy surroundings, ever vigilant of violence or theft.  Bereft of a carefree ride, perhaps poetry can soothe the savagery surrounding us.  The newest poem to surface inside the subway cars is a poem called HEAVEN by Patrick Phillips (b. Amer. 1970.)  Phillips has received the Guggenheim & Nat'l Endowment for the Arts in Poetry & bestowed the Lyric Poetry Award by the Poetry Society of America.   His haunting prose reads:

       It will be the past
 and we will live together.

  Not as it was to live
but as it is remembered.

     It will be the past.
We'll all go back together.

     It will be the past.
And it will last forever.


How very prescient, just as our fares are being hiked again, the old fare of $2.50/ride will cease to be except in memory.  The new price increase will surely not last forever, as it will rise again.  We may take solace in that we will all endure with this together.  AS IF!

The Movie DANNY COLLINS stars Al Pacino, All You Need

What do you call a D+ script with A+ stars?  The producers of "Danny Collins" pulled an ace out of their sleeves having convinced Al Pacino to star in this mawkish script.  Al Pacino plays Danny, a singer/song writer from the 80's who lives royally off his royalties & his loyal old fans.  Pacino is supported by a bonafide cast of actors whose talents help raise this hokey scenario to heartfelt, enjoyable entertainment.  Bobby Conavale plays Tom, Danny's son from a 1 night stand back in his hey day, performing & then performing with groupies while strung out on booze & drugs.  Now, at a seminal moment in his life & waning career, Danny has an Oprah epiphany as to what really matters (need I say family?)  Danny wants redemption via a  reconcilliation with the son he never met.  Jennifer Garner is Tom's wife, Sam "the best daughter-in-law you could have had." That's tellings him.  Tom & Sam have an adorable, precocious 7 yr. old, Grace & are expecting a son.  Christopher Plummer is cast as Frank, Danny's long-time mgr. & best friend who warned him early on of the onslaught of fame, fortune & females.  Danny jets off in a pvt. plane to NJ leaving his young adultrous fiancee (wife #4) to be near his estranged son.  Mary (Annette Bening) is the mgr. of the Hilton where Danny stays & who he preys on, relentlessly.  The predictable plodding plot:  Danny comes bearing gifts & bearing his soul.  Danny says Hello & Tom says Good-bye.  Just give me 1 day & then I'll be on my way, pleads Danny.  You say why when given a dimwit script you can end up with a marvelous movie. And, I say I hello, with A+ actors, led by Al Pacino, combined with John Lennon's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful music, magic happen.

SKYLIGHT starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan at The Golden Theater

Coming off their acclaimed West End production of SKYLIGHT, Bill Nighy & Carey Mulligan bring their fine acting skills to this revival; last seen on B'wy in 1996.  Tom (Nighy, Love Actually & Best Exotic Marigold) & Kyra (Mulligan, Great Gatsby & An Education) star in a tormented May-December romance that is just being rekindled after a 3 year suspension.  Acclaimed British playwright David Hare, 3 Tony nominations & 2 Acad. Award nominations has over 30 plays to his credit.  This  play is froth with bombastic diatribes touching on grief, guilt, love, betrayal, social strata, success & control.  A verbal barrage between Tom & Kyra reveals their adulterous 6 year affair.  Kyra was 18 when she first arrived in London all starry eyed.  Grateful to be hired by Tom & his wife Alice in their family restaurant, Kyra becomes indispensable at work & ingratiated into their family household; caring for their 2 young children.  When Alice uncovers their illicit relationship, Kyra flees without a trace.  Soon after, Alice becomes gravely ill. Tom's businesses flourish so he moves his family into a luxuirous home and builds Alice a room featuring a huge skylight.  Alice is now able to see clearly what she chooses to see.  Tom believes in never looking back and remains in constant motion.    He is bursting with frenzy.  Kyra, for the most part, remains cool, calm & collected.  But, we can all see where this relationship is headed.  This verbose & clever  play would have become tedious & wearisome were it not for the capable acting of its two leads.   Nighy & Mulligan bring life & light to a play that might otherwise appear dim.

NY Phil Rehearsal-Strauss Suite & Salonen Nyx (2010)

Conductor Alan Gilbert who announced his departure from the NY Phil. recently, conducted the Philh. in a program consisting of Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Suite  (1910) & Salonen's Nyx (2010.)  Also on the program was Ravel's piano Concerto in G Major (1930) and Debussy Jeux:  Poeme dans (1913.)  For those able to take advantage of the bargain priced rehearsals, the relaxed atmosphere & starts/stops are no surprise.  Rehearsals don't necessarily follow the order on the programs printed on the formal programs.  (I do suggest that the with the introduction to shut off cell phones, an annoucement be made of the order the pieces will be performed.)  I was able to make an educated (& correct guess) as to what was played 1st:  Strauss.  Listening to the the full orchestra (sans piano i.e. not Ravel) I discerned recognizable musical interludes associated with Strauss.  However, I also perceived more contemporary sounding movements attributed to symphonies of the late 20th C.  I find it more rewarding when listening to opera, not to focus on the context but rather the musicality of the human voice.  Not being informed that Der Rosenkavalier Suite was the 1st piece rehearsed allowed me to attune more fully to the variations in the music.  I did not stay to hear Salonen's Nyx composed 100 years later or Ravel's Piano Concerto (darn.)  The open rehearsals offer a lot of great music for only $20.  This concert I will return to hear the performance in its entirety as I fully recommend to fellow classical music lovers.  

IT FOLLOWS-A Horror Movie-Chills with Added Thrills

IT FOLLOWS is of the horror film genre.  It certainly provides terror, tension & ominous harbingers of bumps in the night.  It manages to frighten because the story provides credibility.  Jay (Maika Monroe a Kaley Cuoco doppelgänger) convinces her sister & her friends of the ubiquitous demons pursuing her.  You Follow?  The premise is a good one.  After having sex with someone already cursed (right…like vampires or VD) that person will be hunted by zombies (some more sexually provocative than others.)   Jay has consensual sex with a guy who then chloroforms her & ties her to a chair in a desolate structure as a courtesy, to explain she can only banish the curse by passing it onto someone else by having sex with that person.  Or, she will be killed by the creepy crawly walking dead.  Are you still with me?  The Amer. dir./screenwriter David Mitchell has his pulse on something truly terrifying.  The entire cast of unknowns are perfect in their roles as friends trying to help Jay with her nightmare & sexual dilemma.  Should she or shouldn't she have sex to save herself but sacrifice someone else; sort of like herpes.  Mithcell has created a sophisticated & visually stunning film that captures the look of middle class suburbia in the 80's (a dark epoch before cell phones) and spooky autumnal twilights.  IT FOLLOWS offers more than your classic horror flick, it's a film about friendship & sexual awakenings.  In addition, it is a mystery, pscycho thriller which dabbles in porno.  I completely followed along with the film from its scary start.  There's a heart to this film that grabs you.  It also keeps your pulse racing.  Mitchell's film career is one to follow.    

Knicks' New Roster Chumps the NBA Champs SPURS in OT 104 to 100

The starting lineup for the NY Knicks were new names for this Knicks fan.  Knicks' fans packed MSG until the final buzzer in overtime with a 104 to 100 win over the World Champion San Antonio Spurs.  Coming off a very dismal season, this spectacular win gave us Knick fans some bragging rights.  Sour grapes spoil sport Coach Popovich was ungracious in his post game loss, "We didn't respect our opponent.  It was a pathetic performance and I hope that each player is embarrassed."  Popovich, you should be embarrassed popping off at the mouth & show our  Knicks respect."  The Knicks never led the Spurs until the 4th period.  Knicks trailed by 13 pts. in the 3rd.  Rookie Langston Galloway is a name to remember & his performance on the court memorable.  Halloway had 21 pts. & finished with game winning free throws.  March Madness got a great leg-up from the NY Knicks (with the worst record in the NBA.)   Knicks spurned the NBA Champions Spurs.  I'm excited for next year's season with Galloway on the roster & Derek Fisher at the helm.  MARCH MADNESS - let the games begin.  GO BADGERS!

HARRY BELAFONTE Ted Talk: Race, Arts, and America at Walter Reade

Mr. Harry Belafonte is well-known & admired for both his career in entertainment and his humanitarism.  It was a privilege to be among the packed Walter Reade Theater to hear Mr. Belafonte in dialogue with Damian Woetzel, Dir. of the Aspen Instit. of Arts.  The timing of this talk aligns with the 50th Annv. of the March on Selma to acquire legalized voting rights & advance the civil rights movement.  Mr. Belafonte & Congressman John Lewis are the only 2 people alive today that stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in peaceful protests for civil rights.  Cong. Lewis was only 18 when they first met.  Mr. Belafonte mentioned he is approaching 90.  He walked carefully on stage with the use of a cane but his rich voice reverberated clearly.  This TED TALK will be available on the internet.  The comments that resonated with me were Mr. Belafonte's lifelong commitment to justice throughout the world.  Mr. Belafonte's mother told him as a boy of 7 "Never go to bed knowing you could have done something to fight injustice."  Mr Belafonte talked of having served in the military in WWII fighting facsim to come home to a nation that was segregated & oppressive to Blacks.  This did not sit well with him.  He did not take a passive stance.  He become active with Dr. King to bring about equality.  Other people he mentioned whom he considered "miracles" in his life were:  Eleanore Roosevelt, Paul Robeson& Nelson Mandela to name a few.  The causes Mr. Belafonte has fought for & continues to support are numerous & international.  He spoke of getting to know a culture from within to best communicate.  And, art, free choice & integrity are of the utmost importance in life.  A  disturbing note:  the large turnout of young people never tuned into anything but their phones.  When the discussion was opened to 3 questions from the audience, a woman dressed in fur, chose to speak of her accomplishments - what a self-indulgent waste.  An interesting question to ask Mr. Belafonte-why he was not present with Pres. Obama & Cong. Lewis @ the 50th Annv. of the March in Selma. Perhaps because former Pres. Bush was present.  He did say Pres. Bush "was his arch enemy" for getting us involved in Iraq. Still, it was an honor to be able to hear Mr. Belafonte, Grammy winner & inspiring humanitarian in person.

The Mystery of Love and Sex Starring Tony Sholub and Diane Lane at LCT

The garrulous play "The Myster of Love & Sex" has plenty to say about, racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, love, hatred, sexual promiscuity & the interminable ways people communicate with each other.  The simplistic set is shifted around by its stellular cast of big name stars: Tony Sholub (Howard) Diane Lane (Lucinda) & newcomers Gayle Rankin (Charlotte) & Mamoudou Athie (Jonny.)  Everyone does their party with the heavy lifting in this laden play.  Rankin & Athie lay their acting craft bare,  leaving little to the imagination.  Howard & Lucinda are parents to college co-ed Charlotte.  Jonny & Charlotte grew up together as inseparable friends.  Their young adult relationship is evolving into a deeper relationship, harder to define.  Howard, a successful novelist of Jewish heritage is determined to have his daughter clarify where her longtime bi-racial relationship with Jonny is headed.  Charlotte, a southern belle, is a bohemian free-spirit addicted to cigarettes & prescription meds.  Her family ties were severed following her marriage to Howard, a NY Jew.  Howard is outspoken, openminded, charismatic & controlling. Meanwhile, Charlotte & Johnny are grappling with their feelings for each other as well as their own sexual orientation.  This topical play touches on almost every controversial hot bed issue imaginable.  It is a very entertaining & enigmatic play.  How a play this verbose can be so engaging & thought provoking remains a mystery.  What defines a family, love & loyalty?  An ambitious play with a lot of interesting points of view.  "We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once." (Nietzche)

POSTERITY Ibsen Meets Vigeland; Historical Fiction Soon Forgotten

The setting for the historical fictitious meeting between Ibsen, Norway's most famous author & Vigeland, Norway's most famous sculptor is a musty artist's studio complete with a gauzy haze & rank odor.  Whether you've read or seen any of Ibsen's plays (A Doll's House, Ghosts) his name is well known.  Unbeknownst to me, Vigeland designed the Nobel Peace Prize & the humongous, permanent installation in Oslo's Frogner Park.  The creative foundation for the misshapen play is based on the collaborative & contentious posturing of Ibsen when having his rendition immortalized in bronze by Vigeland.  Since factual accounts of their interactions are scarce, the Pulitzer & Tony award winning playwright, Doug Wright (I am My Own Wife) has taken creative license.  Unfortunately, Wright did not get much right with POSTERITY.  The acting was stiff, the dialogue banal & bombastic which  proved stale.  What poignancy the play possessed came with the contemplation of one's mortality, legacy & imprint on this world.  Several of the world's most highly regarded writers were mentioned including Shaw & Joyce.  I find the works of Ibsen, Shaw & Joyce to be tiresome dried up relics.  Ibsen  wryly noted "critics to an artist is like a barnacle to a whale."  Touche.  Stilly I say all things will pass.  I recommend you pass on this forgettable show.

Ori Gerhst's Photos/Videos ON REFLECTION @ CRG are Mesmerizing

The dimly lit CRG gallery in Chelsea is divided into 2 rooms which highlight the large scale photos of Gersht (b. Israel 1967 ) & 3 video installations.  Gersht works ON REFLECTION juxtapose destruction & regeneration with a captivating & ingenious approach.  The photos appear  more like multi- layered collages.  The 3 video installations are 3 separate floral arrangements.  These floral replications were painstaking constructed by hand to resemble the paintings of Brueghel "Elder's Floral Paintings" (1606.)  There is a richness of color & oppulence in both the original Brueghel paintings & Gerst's work that correspond with Vienna in the early 17thC & today's world of the 21stC.  The stunningly beautiful floral replications are viewed in a few moments of synchronized stillness and then unleashed in an explosive & kinetic video played in slow motion to an original musical score.  This  creates a serene & dynamic kaleidoscope of color & shattered glass.  Gersht utilizes 2 large digital cameras focused on the mirrors' reflections of the flowers & the destruction of their mirrored images.  The large photographs in the front gallery are secondary in impact to the visceral aesthetic of destruction & regeneration seen in the video installations.  Altogether, the work makes for a contemplative & impressive show.

The doc. SEYMOUR Dir by E. Hawke-Pianist Seymour Bernstein's Life Attuned with Art

 Seymour Bernstein (87) is a world class pianist, highly sought after clinician, composer, author & contemplative philosopher.  Bernstein may not be a household name while Oscar nom. actor Ethan Hawke is a star celebrity.  This delightful film-bio shines with charm, wisdom, compassion,  philosophy & great art.  Credit Hawke with choosing an endlessly interesting & enlightening individual & presenting him as both a prodigy & proponent for the celestial powers of music.  Once you get past Hawke's disingenuous self-pity & fawning of Mr. Bernstein, the film takes on a erudite & entertaining deliberation on individual's relationships with art.  The philosophical pursuit of perfection resonate with sincerity & inspiration.   "Our essence resides in whatever talent we have."  Bernstein enraptured while performing a beautiful Schubert concerto said "I have reached my hands out and touched the stars."  I loved every stanza (sans Hawke) of this masterpiece.  Watching this artistic achievement one is enriched with the art of listening.

Laurie Simmons' Photographs @ The Jewish Museum HOW WE SEE-Creepy!

In one well lit gallery at the Jewish Museum, 6 large portraits taken by Laurie Simmons of very attractive women on neon colored backgrounds are on display.  Simmons, a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, may now best be known as Lena Dunham's (Girls) mother.  Observe closely the photos & you will perceive blank stares emanating from all their luminescent faces.  The various undulating colored backgrounds highlight the varied skin tones, hair & eye colors as well as the ethnicities of the women.  All are wearing white blouses that differ in style but bear a similar motif.  The shirts have adolescent figures, peter pan collars & girls' names. This lends a sense of childlike innocence or purity.  The photograph I found most captivating is of the "golden" girl; blonde hair & blue eyes.  Her blouse is buttoned awry.  Glancing further, you'll notice something is off with all the photos.  The models' eyes do not connect with the viewer; they appear glazed.  Peering closer still, you'll discover the eyes are all painted onto the portraits.  The women posed with their eyelids shut.  Makeup was applied on their lids to resemble  eyes.  Conceptually, the intent appears to comment on our obsession with youth & beauty which in & of itself is vacuous.  The beauty of the photographs morph into something dull, off-putting & ultimately creepy.  Upon reflection, image is a facade whose value is tarnished when unihabiated with life.  The photos present a transformation into the surreal.  Really, I don't see the exhibit worth viewing.

RASHEEDA SPEAKING-Great Theater that asks "Aren't We All Racist?"

Racial tensions have become palpable in recent months.  It has been 50 years since the touchstone events of Bloody Sunday & the March on Selma which paved the way to civil rights in our nation.  Pres. Obama spoke eloquently regarding the courageous citizens who led a peaceful protest to uphold our American values of equality & justice.  Joel Johnson's prescient & insightful play RASHEEDA SPEAKING is entertaining & provocative.  Johnson is not afraid to rear the ugliness of bigotry in various forms.  This fast paced one act plays has 4 characters:  2 co-workers, a surgeon, Dr. Williams & an elderly patient, Rose.  The drama centers around the 2 co-workers, Ileen (Oscar winner Dianne Wiest) & Jaclyn (Tony winning actress Tonya Pinkins.)   Wiest plays the congenial, long time assistant to Dr. Williams.  Dr. Williams implores Ileen to document Jaclyn, who is African-American, for any flagrant behaviors to provide human resources with justification for demoting her from his employee.  Ileen is earnest in her protestations of Jaclyn's faults but becomes manipulated by the Dr. and given a raise & promotion.  When Jaclyn returns to work after a 5 day hiatus, it becomes obvious that the Dr. did have cause to describe her as "aggressive and condescending."  Naive, Jaclyn is not & she becomes wise to her precarious position in the office.  Who then is Rasheeda?  Rasheeda, according to Jaclyn is secret code for nigger used by young, professional white males.  Rasheeda has plenty to say regarding the toxicity of prejudice & racial "revenge for slavery."  I say this play deserves a Pulitizer for addressing racism, stereotyping & coercion in an insightful & essential manner.    

The Film BUZZARD is a Black Comedy that Sticks to Your Gizzards

BUZZARD defies any specific genre.  It is a black comedy, with a Freddy Kreuger horror homage and stirred with rage & repulsion.  Martin (Joshua Burge) is an office temp who labors only temporarily. Martin's line of work is as a grifter, slacker, & cruel con-man.  Written & directed with audacious brilliance by Joel Potrykus who won Best New Dir.  (APE '12) at the Locarno Film Festival.  Martin's only "office friend" is Derrick played with convincing pathetic geekdom & annoyance by Potrykus.  Martin's scams at first seem a hoot; office supplies returned for cash, redeeming endless coupons & perks.  Martin's charm soon turns disarming.  BUZZARD takes a darker turn.  After cashing fraudulent checks, Martin hides out in Derrick's basement until he flees by bus to Detroit to evade the authorities.  Both his audacity & cunning keep you attuned awaiting his retribution.  At the same time, you become repulsed by everything he does.  Watching BUZZARD makes you complicit & trapped in a nightmare.  The acting & scenarios are all convincing giving the film a feeling of reality.  The camera work is gripping.  Martin's final running scenes of euphoria make you feel you've escaped a major calamity.  BUZZARD might be an acquired taste as Potrykus is venturing in unchartered territory with a honed eye.  Warning, once entered, you're transfixed.  

S. African film CHAPPIE is CRAPPY

S. African Dir./screenwriter Neil Blomkamp's film DISTRICT 9 was nominated for 4 Oscars ('10) including best picture.  It richly deserved the nomination for its sic-fi blend of action, drama, futuristic portrait & social commentary.  My comment on Blomkamp's CHAPPIE is it's dreadful.  How did  Blomkamp stray so far off the map from his realm of creativity to this crap?  There were a few fragments that might have constructed an intelligent & exciting sci-fi movie: good cast, interesting premise and Johannesburg's crumbling landscape.   Hugh Jackman was a  mad scientist who played a villain so gleefully it felt like parody. Sigourney Weaver was the CEO of the co. manufacturing the robotic police.  This was a wink at Alien & Working Girl which resulted in a monstrously bad role that didn't work.  Dev Patel (Marigold Hotel, Slum Dog Millionaire) as the creative genius behind CHAPPIE rose above the muck but it was not enough to salvage this debacle.  A charming surprise was Yolandi Visser (a S. African rock star) who has acting potential given her performance as a loving parent to an animated pile of metal.  Otherwise, this madmax mix of transformers, artificial intelligence, non-stop exploisons & melodrama meltdown, lacks any entertaininment value.  The movie should have been scrapped & tossed in the dumpster.  

On the 20th C on B'wy-Should Remain in 20thC-so dated, I hated

Betty Comden & Adolph Green are 2 of the most successful & celebrated B'wy collaborators.  On the Town is also currently being reprised on the Great White Way.  Bernstein & Robbins worked with Comden & Green on that show. This Songwriting Hall of Fame pair have won 7 Tony's.  Singin' in the Rain, for which they wrote the screenplay & lyrics has been voted by the Amer. Film Instit. as the best musical of all time.  Nonetheless, On the 20th Century has worn out its welcome.  It does not hold up with its burlesque slapstick & drawn out musical numbers; none of which are memorable.  Kristin Chenoweth, Broadway's golden girl (Wicked & Promises, Promises) is also an Emmy winning actress. She did her best to give this show its minimal zest.  She is a dynamo who strutted her stuff & belted out her numbers with enormous talent from her pint sized frame.  The understudy for Peter Gallagher (Tony nom. & Golden Globe Winner) was underwhelming & was a big disapointment.  Gallagher would have brought his debonair flair to the role.  Perhaps, with Gallagher in his role & dream casting: Harry Connick as Chenoweth's love interest, Nathan Lane as Gallagher's faithful lackey & Cloris Leachman as the dithering old lady, On the 20th C might have been worth reviving.  Shoutout to the 4 tap dancing bellhops that brought some bebop. Otherwise, for anyone born after the 1950's, don't sign on for this insane relic.      

Cuban Dance Co. MALPASO @ Joyce, HOT & not

Malpaso Dance Co. is founded by Cuban dancer/choreographer Osnel Delgado and is based in Havana. The contemporary dance co. works with Int'l choreographers.  Delgado's piece DESPEDIDA/FAREWELL ('15) credits the piece as a collaborative work with his dancers.  Original Afro Latin Jazz music for the stirring piece is by Arturo O'Farrill & was performed live with his ensemble of 8 musicians. The 1st piece on the program was UNDER FIRE ('15) by Amer. choreographer Trey McIntyre.  Taped music by singer Grandma Kelsey was the undercurrent throughout the piece.  The score never seem to vary, nor did the amber hued lighting resulting in a repetitive & tiresome aesthetic.  The dancers were all highly skilled which put some spark into the piece.  UNDER FIRE was likeable but not remarkable.  Delgado's DESPEDIDA was something altogether different & extraordinary.  The musicial ensemble added a very jazzy, Latin beat & the dancers used the composition for an arousing effect. The varied musical movements sizzled except for the 1st which had an atonal pounding on the piano that proved distracting.  The dancers were often in prone positions.  I was surprised with their unexpected juxtapositions.  I was especially taken when the dancers on the floor moved fluidly, emulating the sensations of passing through water.  This piece far outshined UNDER FIRE.  For those in the audience who were not swayed by the syncopation of the music or the sensuality of the dancers, you need to register your pulse.  

French Film EASTERN BOYS is a Hard Movie to Watch, Impossible to Disregard

A feral gang of young males form a lose familial group controlled by Boss.  Boss has piercing good looks; azure colored eyes, golden hair & an Adonis body.  He is an egomaniac who reigns over his brood with magnetism & frightening cruelty.  Moroccan born, French film dir/screenwriter, Robin Campillo's movie EASTERN BOYS has an omnipotent skill to hold you under its control.  The eastern boys are a nefarious lot from Eastern Europe:  Russia, Ukraine & Romania.  Security guards, patrolmen & pedestrians are mindful of their presence.  Marek, a gang member, allures an older, genteel man, Daniel into an arranged consensual sexual encounter.  Daniel initial reluctance to have the render-vous at his aptmt. should have been heeded.  Expecting Marek, Daniel's aptmt. is overrun by Boss & his goon squad who ransack the place & blantantly steal his possessions.  Daniel appears dumbfounded, angered, compliant & transfixed by Boss.  Marek enters later, after the havoc ensued.  Marek returns days later & Daniel allows Marek inside & agrees to pay him for sex despite having been duped.  This is an engrossing psychological drama that deals with control & power in relationships. It also a keen social commentary on illegal immigrants in France.  Boss' hold over Marek & others is vicious & intoxicating.  Shifts in the relationship dynamics between Daniel & Marek are spellbounding.  The acting makes for a convincing & chilling film. It's like watching a trainwreck; you cannot turn away.