-
1 week ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
“Everyone’s beautiful at the ballet.” And this new, ravishingly filmed and acted limited series, “Etoile,” is no exception. Words fail me in describing how these wonderfully immersive and stunningly filmed episodes have affected me. I am and always have been a fan of dance, whether ballet, modern or jazz, and regretted that my lack of coordination left me at the altar at which I worship.
-
2 weeks ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
The Broadway and West End hit, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” has opened for an extended run at that gorgeous icon of Art Deco, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. This creative imagining of “what ifs” in the life of the adult Harry Potter, last seen vanquishing the mortal enemies of Hogwarts, including Voldemort, he who must not be named. Harry survived, married Ginny Weasley and is still best friends with Ron Weasley and his wife, Hermione Granger.
-
3 weeks ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
Continuing down the yellow brick road from last week, we begin with a new set of series that are already streaming on a TV near you. “Mid-Century Modern” is a throwback to the multicamera comedies of old. It is the personification of set up, joke and punchline. Creaky in premise, think “Golden Girls,” although here it is “Golden Boys” in Palm Springs, there are still some laughs to be mined.
-
3 weeks ago | 
easyreadernews.com | Neely Swanson
“On Swift Horses” is one hot mess of a movie. With some of the most important young actors working today and some of the best production values of any film on screen, its story is lost in director Daniel Minahan and writer Bryce Kass’s adaptation of Shannon Pufahl’s book.
-
4 weeks ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
In this multi-part series, the Courier surveys some of the most notable “don’t miss” and “don’t bother” TV offerings this spring. “The Residence” is an enjoyable romp through the White House led by Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), straight-faced, ironically humorous, committed bird watcher and “best detective in the world.” The chief usher, A.B. Wynter, has been found in the billiard room, bloodied and most assuredly dead.
-
1 month ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
Continuing our theater journey, I’m like Alice down the rabbit hole. So much to see, so little time. “Othello,” starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, has been much in the news, primarily because of ticket pricing. But that takes the focus away from what is a wonderful production with great acting. The cast of “Othello,” led by the two stars, has found a tempo and flow that makes the glorious words come alive.
-
1 month ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
Broadway isn’t just humming along; it’s singing at the top of its lungs. Having just returned from a theater blitz, it was all worthwhile. Advance planning certainly helped. Yes, “Othello” was expensive, but we bought those tickets well before it opened, something we were also able to do with some of the others. Word to the wise: if you wait until the reviews are in, you will be paying premium prices for the best shows. There definitely was some sticker shock but upon reflection, there was no regret.
-
1 month ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
Land of Color, Culture and HistoryA visit to Oaxaca, Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, anytime from October to May is ideal. The temperature is always pleasant and the rains are yet to come. But if I had a preference, it would be in early November. For the adventurous, the Day of the Dead (Nov. 1-2), combining pagan and Catholic rituals, is exciting, vibrant and full of activity. For me, the perfect time is always the day after the day after the Day of the Dead.
-
1 month ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
Dizzily, the cameras circle the dance floor as lights strobe and dancers swirl in colorfully chaotic but choreographed movements. We are thrust into the middle of an American version of a Bollywood-style Indian wedding with everything but the elephant. Arundhathi Gavaskar has just married the man chosen by her parents, an orthopedic surgeon no less.
-
1 month ago | 
beverlyhillscourier.com | Neely Swanson
Italia! The name conjures romance, old-world glory, elaborate icing-topped monuments, and film and television references, which for me are impossible to escape.
