Michelle Williams in "I Feel Pretty" (and Your Favorite Scene Stealers)

By Spencer Coile 

While it was not on the list of 2018 films I was dying to see, I found myself in an empty theater to see I Feel Pretty Tuesday. It wasn't perfect, but charming and breezy. Through it all, there was one clear standout: Michelle Williams as Avery LeClaire, the squeaky voiced, quirky, neurotic CEO of LeClaire Cosmetics.

With limited screentime, Williams manages to craft a complete, sympathetic, and hilarious character. It could have been so easy to turn Avery into a caricature, but while I was cackling at every single line reading and mannerism in Williams' performance, I was still as drawn to her here as in her darker, more dramatic roles. 

So let's take a moment to talk about 2018 scene-stealing performances. Williams aside, who are some of your favorites from this year so far? 

Beauty Break: Gorgeous Norwegians for "Syttende Mai"

by Nathaniel R

The iconic Liv Ullman photographed by Sam Levin

Today is a big Norwegian holiday (the equivalent of their 4th of July) so let's celebrate stunning Norsk men and women from the movies, shall we? The gallery is after the jump...

Click to read more ...

Stage Door: Disney's Frozen

by Dancin' Dan

Caissie Levy stars as Elsa

You can feel the audience's anticipation. Not for the show to begin, not for the star to come on stage, but for the act one finale, from the moment you step inside the St. James Theater to see Frozen. That's not necessarily a surprise, "Let It Go" being the kind of world-conquering hit song that feels like it's in short supply these days. But it is a strange strange thing to feel when you're seeing a new musical...

Click to read more ...

Soundtracking: "Inside Llewyn Davis"

by Chris Feil

"I don’t see a lot of money here."

With that cold, unfeeling line, F. Murray Abraham’s notorious club owner dismisses Oscar Isaac’s Llewyn Davis after a crucial impromptu audition. In so few words, he communicates that both Llewyn’s hard times and the commodification of his art form are here to stay.

After a taxing hitchhike from New York City on the promise of this gamechanger opportunity, the forever beleaguered Llewyn finagles his way into this audition and performs “The Death of Queen Jane”. The bitterness of Inside Llewyn Davis calms for Isaac’s crystalline vocals...

Click to read more ...

Stage and Screen: "The Band's Visit"

Hey Tri-state area readers! Only a few of you have come out to Show-Score's Stage & Screen events this spring that I've been moderating. Here's one last opportunity for you. 

I'll be interviewing Tony-nominated director David Cromer and Tony-nominated Book writer Itamar Moses of "The Band's Visit" this Sunday at 3:00 PM just before a screening of the movie that inspired the Tony nominated musical. We'll be talking about translating the film for the stage and then we'll all watch the film!

If you've never seen the Israeli film The Band's Visit (2007), you really must. It's quite charming and it stars the late great Ronit Elkabetz (of Late Marriage and Gett fame) and was a sleeper hit at US arthouses in 2008. It also won 8 Ophirs (the Israeli Oscar) in its year including Best Actress. You can get tickets here.