Monthly Archives: November 2011

Remembering Ken Russell, Neo-Renaissance Man

By Victoria Looseleaf He was an incurable rabble-rouser, er, Romantic. Why else would Ken Russell, who died this week at home in England, at 84, make so many movies about artists and the creative process? His ability to make high … Continue reading

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‘The Lady’ Is A Champ

By Victoria Looseleaf They just don’t make ‘em like Aung San Suu Kyi anymore. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, the woman with the nearly unpronounceable name was the young daughter of a Burmese general who was murdered … Continue reading

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Blue Nights: Equally Blue Days

By Victoria Looseleaf Joan Didion, we feel your pain. And it is searing, as losing a child always is. Mercifully, though, Didion’s latest book on grief and loss, Blue Nights (Alfred A. Knopf), is short, because it’s doubtful we could … Continue reading

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A Dangerous Method: Sex, Psychoanalysis and Stars

By Victoria Looseleaf Whatever his method – indeed, methods – we love David Cronenberg. At least as a filmmaker, since his foray into opera with 2008’s The Fly (LA Opera), was a swat-worthy misfire. His latest flick, A Dangerous Method … Continue reading

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Marvelous Modernists: Charles and Ray Eames

By Victoria Looseleaf Who knew a chair could be revolutionary? Charles and Ray Eames did. And no, they weren’t brothers, but a wildly talented married couple who brought modernism to the masses. Their motto, “the best for the least for … Continue reading

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Rockin’ Ricky Gervais Returns To the Globes

By Victoria Looseleaf It’s no secret that we’re madly in love with Ricky Gervais (click here for our Oscar coverage, which slammed the show but touted the terrifically talented Mr. Gervais). And though we never watched The Office (either version, … Continue reading

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Bolshoi Bye-Byes: Osipova & Vasiliev Say, “Do Svidaniya”

By Victoria Looseleaf As Jerry Seinfeld (or perhaps it was Elaine…), used to say, “One door closes and another opens.” It now seems that the Bolshoi Theatre, after a six-year, $700 million renovation, is like a revolving door for star dancers … Continue reading

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Wherefore Art Thou: Roméo et Juliette

By Victoria Looseleaf Love conquers all – especially where bad sets and plebian direction are concerned. Such is the case with Los Angeles Opera’s current revival of its 2005 production, Roméo et Juliette, now at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through … Continue reading

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The Luminous Labèque Sisters

By Victoria Looseleaf It’s no surprise that we’re lauding the praises – once again – of Katia and Marielle Labèque, the fabulous piano-playing duo that has been performing together for decades. (Click here for some of our past coverage.) Born … Continue reading

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The Mighty Olympia Dukakis

By Victoria Looseleaf Although she’s only got about 12 lines in the two-character play, Vigil, Olympia Dukakis is riveting. Like a silent screen actress, she telegraphs an array of emotions – frustration, sadness, horror, glee, surprise –  when listening, responding … Continue reading

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