Believe. After a three-year hiatus, Apple TV’s Emmy-winning hit “Ted Lasso” is back with a fourth season that resets the show with a jolt of much-needed energy. Season 4 stumbles out of the gate with a tepid season premiere. When it finds its footing, it’s the best “Ted Lasso” has been since Season 1. Ted … Read more
Eating less protein, not cutting calories, may be an easier path to a longer, healthier life for sedentary adults, according to a new scientific review. While previous research has long tied calorie restriction to improved lifespan and lower rates of age-related disease, studies have found that many people have difficulty maintaining strict low-calorie diets. A review of more than … Read more
movie review TONY Running time: 106 minutes.<em> </em>Rated R (pervasive language, drug use, and sexual content/nudity). In theaters Aug. 7. I can’t say I had “No Reservations” when it was announced that an Anthony Bourdain biopic was in the works. I had plenty. How could any movie about the bad-boy chef, author and TV star … Read more
Theater review LES MISERABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR Two hours and 45 minutes with one 20-minute intermission. Through Aug. 9 at Radio City Music Hall. With a musical like “Les Misérables,” as a rule les isn’t more. It’s a big honkin’ show. Très grand. Set amidst France’s bloody June Rebellion, common sights include smoking muskets, … Read more
Theater review BROAD STROKES One hour and 10 minutes with no intermission. Through Sept. 25 at the Lucille Lortel Theater. At first mention, a young person suffering a stroke does not scream “comedy gold mine.” A sleepless night of doom scrolling, perhaps. A bombardment of nervous texts to a doctor friend, maybe. But, as I … Read more
movie review SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Running time: 145 minutes. Rated PG-13 (sequences of action/violence and some language). In theaters July 31. The entire world has forgotten about Peter Parker. However, back in our reality, the planet has definitely not blanked on “Spider-Man.” Even taking into account the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s crises in recent years, … Read more
There’s something fishy about this merch — and people are obsessed. In 2020, the New Bedford Whaling Museum on the south shore of Massachusetts received a one-star review on Google calling it the “worst aquarium ever.” Instead of fighting back, the historical institute — which showcases the history of marine trade in New England — … Read more
The show is off-putting. Will Ferrell’s Netflix golf comedy series, “The Hawk,” is a pale imitation of his earlier work. He’s been all over the place doing outrageous antics to promote it. It’s a shame he didn’t seemingly put that effort into making sure the show wasn’t a dud. Now streaming, “The Hawk” was co-created … Read more
movie review THE ODYSSEY Running time: 173 minutes. Rated R (violence and some language). In theaters. It’s hard to fathom going bigger than Batman and the father of the atomic bomb. But we are mere mortals and not that Zeus of directors, Christopher Nolan, the man whose ambitions grow more gargantuan with every movie. His … Read more
movie review YOUNG WASHINGTON Running time: 125 minutes. PG-13 (Some bloody images, strong war violence). In theaters. During a 1755 battle in “Young Washington,” future U.S. president George Washington dangerously runs toward the enemy French and their Native American allies alone and clutching a gun. “He’s making himself a target,” a stunned fellow soldier says. … Read more
movie review MINIONS & MONSTERS Running time: 89 minutes. Rated PG (violence, action, language and rude/macabre humor). In theaters. One of the best odes to Old Hollywood in a long time comes courtesy of … the Minions? Yes, somehow the funny yellow Tic Tacs, who heretofore clumsily served supervillains, are leading a smart and detailed tribute to Georges … Read more
What, like it’s hard? The “Legally Blonde” prequel series “Elle” sounds like a tired cash grab no one asked for — but just like the pink-clad heroine depicted in both, don’t underestimate it. Shockingly, “Elle” doesn’t suck. It’s fun, energetic and hits all the right notes. Though the show is part of a tedious trend … Read more
movie review VOICEMAILS FOR ISABELLE Running time: 118 minutes. Rated TV-14 (sexual content, alcohol use, suggestive jokes, frequent foul language and some comedic violence). On Netflix. Netflix is giving me rom-com whiplash. On June 5, Jennifer Lopez starred in an execrable one for the streamer called “Office Romance” — I wonder what that’s about! — … Read more
Yes, chef, one last time. The fifth and final season of “The Bear” takes inspiration from “The Pitt,” as the whole story takes place over the course of just one day. This makes it the best season in several years. That’s not saying much; this show has always been more mediocre than its Emmys would … Read more
movie review SUPERGIRL Running time: 108 minutes. Rated PG-13 (sequences of strong violence, action, language, and smoking). In theaters. It was only a year ago when everybody was euphorically proclaiming, “DC is saved! This is the dawn of a new era!”. Well, hold your Kryptos. With the forgettable “Supergirl,” the second chapter in the revamped … Read more
movie review THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD Running time: 123 minutes. Rated R (strong bloody violence). In theaters. Was it when Robin Hood shot an arrow through a boy’s eye socket or when Little John ripped off another man’s jaw? Maybe it was the part when Robin slit a young woman’s throat and held her … Read more
movie review TOY STORY 5 Running time: 102 minutes. PG (some thematic elements, rude humor). In theaters. Long before Chat GPT was a household name, Hollywood had been making AI the villain for decades — from HAL 9000 to Skynet to Agent Smith. Yet the most emotionally involving spin on the terrors of tech in … Read more
Heads will roll. For anyone who complained that not enough was happening on “House of the Dragon,” Season 3 feels like showrunner Ryan Condal and his writing team heard your feedback and cranked the dial up to, “a hundred things are happening at once.” After two seasons of build-up to a war, the “Game of … Read more
With a new Steven Spielberg alien movie coming out, everybody’s nervously wondering: Is this thing “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” or “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”? movie review DISCLOSURE DAY Running time: 145 minutes. PG-13 (Some bloody images, action, violence, strong language). In theaters June 12. Neither, actually. “Disclosure Day” … Read more
movie review OFFICE ROMANCE Running time: 94 minutes. Rated R (graphic nudity, sexual material, language throughout). On Netflix. As Jennifer Lopez makes her entrance in Netflix’s “Office Romance,” the seventies song “I Believe In Miracles” by Hot Chocolate (“Where ya from? You sexy thing!”) plays. And, suddenly and wincingly, we’re back in 2000, when that retro tune … Read more