‘The Creator’: Self-Serious Sci-Fi Riddled With Bugs

‘The Creator’: Self-Serious Sci-Fi Riddled With Bugs

By Alex McPherson Visually sumptuous but thematically reductive, director Gareth Edwards’ science-fiction drama, “The Creator,” can’t match its awe-inspiring imagery with a well thought-out story.... Details
‘Flora and Son’ Another Irish Charmer on How We Connect through Music

‘Flora and Son’ Another Irish Charmer on How We Connect through Music

By Lynn Venhaus One person’s trash becomes another person’s treasure when a feisty lost soul rescues a beat-up acoustic guitar from a dumpster in modern-day... Details
Take Ten with Comedian Rafe Williams

Take Ten with Comedian Rafe Williams

By Lynn VenhausDescribing himself as "the ultimate middle child," nationally touring comedian Rafe Williams, who now lives in St. Louis, will step out of the... Details
‘Dumb Money’: Redditors Fight the Rich in Crowd-Pleasing Underdog Story

‘Dumb Money’: Redditors Fight the Rich in Crowd-Pleasing Underdog Story

By Alex McPherson Less smart and invigorating than it thinks it is, but containing strong performances and comedic zing, director Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money” eschews... Details
Take Ten with Christina Rios

Take Ten with Christina Rios

By Lynn Venhaus Surely, Christina Rios must be the Energizer Bunny in disguise, for she is non-stop, the epitome of a multi-hyphenate. Fourth grade math... Details
White-Hot ‘Suddenly Last Summer’ Burns Brightly on TWSTL Stage

White-Hot ‘Suddenly Last Summer’ Burns Brightly on TWSTL Stage

By Lynn Venhaus Featuring an indelible performance by Naima Randolph as the traumatized Catharine Holly in an impeccably staged “Suddenly Last Summer,” this year’s Tennessee... Details
Rock Legends Come Alive in Stages’ Rollicking ‘Million Dollar Quartet’

Rock Legends Come Alive in Stages’ Rollicking ‘Million Dollar Quartet’

By Lynn Venhaus To see the transformative power of music first-hand, just be in an audience for Stages St. Louis’ production of “Million Dollar Quartet,”... Details
Hercule Poirot’s Back in Spookily Fun Whodunit ‘A Haunting in Venice’

Hercule Poirot’s Back in Spookily Fun Whodunit ‘A Haunting in Venice’

By Alex McPherson Featuring skillfully disorienting filmmaking, excellent performances, and wry charm, director Kenneth Branagh’s third Hercule Poirot outing, “A Haunting in Venice,” is reliably... Details
‘Sitting in Bars With Cake’ Is Sweet Ode to Female Friendships

‘Sitting in Bars With Cake’ Is Sweet Ode to Female Friendships

By Lynn Venhaus "Sitting in Bars with Cake" may not be an original idea, using baking skills as a romance magnet, but it’s an appealing,... Details
Dull, Dimly Lit Drug-Dealing Drama ‘The Good Mother’ Wastes Talent

Dull, Dimly Lit Drug-Dealing Drama ‘The Good Mother’ Wastes Talent

By Lynn VenhausMorose performances, a murky plot with muddled twists, messy filmmaking choices, and with its dark, gloomy look, the dubious “The Good Mother” is... Details