Unremarkable Remake of ‘Road House’ Devoid of Any Charm

Unremarkable Remake of ‘Road House’ Devoid of Any Charm

By Lynn VenhausI was bored silly by Amazon’s unnecessary, ultraviolent streaming remake of “Road House,” a pale imitation of the original 1989 cheese-fest that starred... Details
‘Ghostbusters Frozen Empire’ Coasts on Nostalgia But Never Ignites

‘Ghostbusters Frozen Empire’ Coasts on Nostalgia But Never Ignites

By Lynn VenhausA silly and confusing nostalgia-infused stew that suffers from ingredients well past their sell-by dates, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” is an erratic mess of... Details
New Works Collective Delivers Three Outstanding Short Operas for All

New Works Collective Delivers Three Outstanding Short Operas for All

By CB Adams During one of the two intermissions in Opera Theatre of St. Louis’s third annual, three-pronged New Works Collective, I pondered aesthetics. Can... Details
Sassy and Saucy ‘Sweet Potato Queens’ Urges Female Agency in Life

Sassy and Saucy ‘Sweet Potato Queens’ Urges Female Agency in Life

By Lynn Venhaus A sweet-and-salty nutty mixed bag of brash gal pals and scummy exes who didn’t deserve them, “Sweet Potato Queens” sets a table... Details
‘Stopmotion’ is Unsettling Horror Movie That’s Not Fully Formed

‘Stopmotion’ is Unsettling Horror Movie That’s Not Fully Formed

By Alex McPherson A disturbing and technically accomplished horror film, director Robert Morgan’s “Stopmotion” packs its imaginative ideas into a frustratingly predictable template. Viewers follow... Details
Winter Opera’s Witty and Whimsical New Take on ‘Naughty Marietta’

Winter Opera’s Witty and Whimsical New Take on ‘Naughty Marietta’

David Taylor Little's New Book Shines in Winter Opera's 17th Season Finale By C.B. Adams What passed for a naughty narrative in 1910 would hardly... Details
Ballet and Music Unite in St Louis Ballet’s Captivating LOVEX3

Ballet and Music Unite in St Louis Ballet’s Captivating LOVEX3

By CB AdamsIn ballet, tradition often reigns supreme. And like opera, ballet is sometimes (make that, often) misunderstood – as stuffy, fussy, and old-fashioned as... Details
The Son Rises In Enthralling, Massive Sci-Fi Spectacle ‘Dune: Part Two’

The Son Rises In Enthralling, Massive Sci-Fi Spectacle ‘Dune: Part Two’

By Lynn Venhaus A masterful melding of massive spectacle, heartfelt high-stakes performances, and astonishing visual artistry, “Dune: Part Two” expands the mythic hero’s journey to... Details
Super-Sized Yet Old-Fashioned, ‘Wonka’ Prequel Is A Sweet Treat

Super-Sized Yet Old-Fashioned, ‘Wonka’ Prequel Is A Sweet Treat

Film now available on DVD, Blu-Ray and DigitalBy Lynn Venhaus A charming origin story with a winsome Timothee Chalamet as a joyful chocolatier with grand... Details
Uplifting ‘Ordinary Angels’ Spotlights Community Empathy, Kindness

Uplifting ‘Ordinary Angels’ Spotlights Community Empathy, Kindness

By Lynn Venhaus If you didn’t know it really happened, “Ordinary Angels” is the type of schmaltzy movie aiming straight for the heart that some... Details