Stage Door: "The Minutes" by Tracy Letts

'Stage Door' is our new theater column. Because this is a film site, each column ends with related movie suggestions for those who don't have access to live theater. - Editor 

Mayor (Tracy Letts) and a new city councilman (Noah Reid) make small talk early in "The Minutes"

Even if you don't attend live-theater, you're probably fond of Tracy Letts. He pops up as recurring characters on acclaimed TV shows (Homeland, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) and is one of Hollywood's most reliable character actors in prestige flicks like Ford Vs Ferrari, The Big Short, Little Women, and Lady Bird  (for which he should have been Oscar-nominated). His talents don't end there. Unfair as it may be, some people are great at everything. In addition to being a terrific actor, theatergoers know him as a prolific Tony and Pulitzer-winning playwright. His ninth original play, The Minutes, concludes its Broadway run this coming Sunday so you have one week left to see it...

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Review: Lesley Manville in "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris"

Who wouldn't want to travel with Lesley Manville to Paris this summer?By: Christopher James

Make Lesley Manville the star of every movie. I’m serious, Hollywood. Do it. As the titular character in Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, the Oscar nominated character actress brings heart, humor and gumption to her Cinderella-esque heroine. Even from the trailer alone, you can understand the type of frothy entertainment that awaits. The movie attempts to go a bit deeper at times, but it more or less lives up to what the trailer advertised. This is a light, fun time at the ovies with beautiful gowns and great performances. What takes it from a watch-on-a-plane movie to a must-see matinee is a galvanizing and endearing performance by Manville.

We find our titular character, Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), in the midst of bad news...

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Film Review: 'Minions: The Rise of Gru' Delivers More of the Same

Wherever the Minions go, mayhem follows.By: Christopher James

Everyone knows what their mileage is on Minions mischief. Since exploding onto the screen in 2010’s surprise animated hit Despicable Me, these goofy yellow helpers have become part of popular culture. Like demented, individualistic oompa loompas, the Minions do not need speech in order to win over their audiences. In fact, they hew closest to the Three Stooges in terms of their appeal. It’s pure physical comedy amped up by the frenetic dexterity that animation allows.

The newest entry, Minions: The Rise of Gru, doesn’t reinvent the wheel, to say the least. It’s broad, loud and frantic, barely stopping for a minute to craft a story. At 107 minutes, the energy sputters out, particularly in a rushed third act. Yet, the movie gives exactly what it promises, a fun ride full of antics galore...

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Tribeca 2022: Dreaming of Mars in 'Space Oddity'

By Abe Friedtanzer

Raise your hand if you'd like to go live on Mars. Surely some hands went up, enjoying the fantasy. Now, planning for it as if was actually going to happen is something else entirely. Space Oddity tells the deeply entertaining story of one man who is certain that it's going to happen, that he'll soon be living on another planet...

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More Quick (Belated) Reviews: Bob's Burgers Movie, Senior Year, etc...

by Nathaniel R

THE BOB’S BURGERS MOVIE
I was perplexed about how to talk about this movie as a longtime passionate fan of Bob's Burgers. On the one hand it was as enjoyable as any episode of the show and it was great to spend time with the Belcher family again. On the other, when I went to write a proper review of it a few days after the screening, I couldn't remember any of the specific jokes beyond the perpetual tease about whether Louise might lose her bunny ears...

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