Moody's Picks

THE PICKS (February 8-12)

How long til football season?

THEATER

 

FOR EVENTS OF ALL KINDS -- MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT

http://www.denver.org/events/2for1tix

Visit Denver puts together 2-for-1 ticket deals on different events, programs and shows each and every week. Have fun, explore Denver and Save Money!

 
DENVER CENTER ATTRACTIONS 

LEGALLY BLONDE
February 2-14
Tickets Start at $20 (Hurry -- They Go Fast)

The story of Elle Woods, young Californian determined to be taken seriously in the high stakes world of Harvard Law. A lot of fun and very clever. No heavy lifting, but I enjoyed myself. The movie starred Reese Witherspoon and that guy I always mistake for one of them Baldwins.

DENVER CENTER THEATRE COMPANY

WHEN TANG MET LAIKA
Jan 22-Feb 27
Space Theatre

A play from the New Play Summit program that deals with human relations aboard an International Space Station. What happens, what do they discover and how do they talk about it to those who haven't experienced it? Wonderful new work.

EVENTIDE
Jan 29-Feb 27

The sequel to Plainsong. Another new work commissioned by the Denver Center, which is quickly becoming a new breeding ground for the nation's theater. It's something to be proud of and support.

CHECK OUT THE 2010 SEASON FOR BOTH DENVER CENTER ATTRACTIONS AND THE DENVER CENTER THEATER COMPANY. THEY'VE GOT EVERYTHING FROM THE BEST OF BROADWAY TO THE CLASSIC AND MODERN AMERICAN THEATER.
 
TICKETS AND INFORMATION TO ALL SHOWS AT THE DCPA:
(303) 893-4100
Or use that link right over there -->

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS 
by Robert Bolt
FEBRUARY 2-14
ARVADA CENTER 

Marvelous show on the life and death of Thomas More, who refused to endorse Henry VIII's divorce of Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn. Dramatic rendering of the strength of ethical character and how it affects those around you. 
 
A SONG FOR CORETTA    
by Pearl Cleage
Opens February 11
Shadow Theatre

Five women wait all day to pay their respects in the rain, and discuss life and a dream unfulfilled.

HOME BY DARK
by Terry Dodd
January 9-February 13
Directed by Jamie Horton

World Premiere of HOME BY DARK by Denver-based playwright, Terry Dodd, directed by Denver favorite, Jamie Horton. On a snowy morning in 1986, a father makes a surprise visit to his son in Boulder to confront him about a secret and reveal one of his own. Presented in Association with Denver Center Attractions.

 

SINGING IN THE RAIN
Boulder's Dinner Theatre
(303) 440-6000

The classic MGM musical, one of the greatest movie musicals ever made, if not THE, is brought to the BDT stage by a marvelous cast with energy, humor and great music. Front row seats get raincoats. I kid you not. Well, I do, but not in this case.
OPENS FEB 19: Chicago

GIRLS ONLY
Galleria Theater
(303) 893-4100

GIRLS ONLY celebrates its ONE YEAR anniversary at the Garner Galleria. The Denver Center has also produced the show in a number of markets around the country. It is a hit everywhere. And we saw it first! Well, I didn't. I'm a boy. But -- many women in Denver did. I think they're really going places.

CHECK ON GROUP TICKET SALES -- YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SAVE A COUPLE OF BUCKS ON CERTAIN NIGHTS FOR ALL THESE SHOWS!!! GET A BUNCH OF FRIENDS TOGETHER AND ENJOY A NIGHT AT THE THEATER!
 

MOVIES

OPENING:

VALENTINE'S DAY
Rated PG-13

An ensemble of stars play Los Angelenos on a search for love in this film of intertwining stories.

WOLFMAN    
Rated R

Benecio del Toro plays the man. CGI play the wolf. Well, Benecio plays the wolf, but getting there is CGI.

NOW OPEN:

FROM PARIS WITH LOVE
RATED R
John Travolta
Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Action movie. Americans shoot up Paris. Many ancient French landmarks explode. Great fun.

DEAR JOHN
RATED PG-13

My God! It's another Nicolas Sparks adaptation! Haven't we run out yet? Hasn't he?

CURRENTLY OPEN AND MAKING LESS THAN SPECTACULAR MONEY:

EDGE OF DARKNESS
Rated R

Mel Gibson stars as a Boston cop who enters a world of corruption and conspiracy when his daughter is killed on his doorstep. All the dialog is in an Ancient Mayan dialect. What? Oh, that was another film.

WHEN IN ROME
Rated PG-13

Rather than put a coin in the fountain to find love, Kristen Bell takes a few out and finds a number of guys are suddenly crazy about her. Oddly enough, she left my coin.

EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES
RATED PG
Brendan Fraser
Harrison Ford
Keri Russell

True story of a family determined to save their children no matter what the cost in terms of money or effort. Predictable, but satisfying.

THE LOVELY BONES
RATED PG-13

Alice Sebold's deeply touching novel is given a movie treatment with marginal result.

MAKING ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD:

AVATAR
PG-13

James Cameron's live action/CG extravaganza with a young ex-Marine taking part in action on a distant planet. Every other movie is scrambling away from this one as it is being touted as the second coming of "Titanic" -- "Jack!" "Rose!" "Jack!" "Rose!" "Avatar!" "Rose!" Not much of a script ("Unobtainium?") but, the visuals will knock your socks off. SEE IT IN BIG SCREEN 3D!!!
 

MUSIC & EVENTS

FOR EVENTS OF ALL KINDS -- BE SURE TO CHECK OUT:

http://www.denver.org/events/2for1tix

Visit Denver puts together 2-for-1 ticket deals on different events, programs and shows each and every week. Have fun, explore Denver and Save Money!

COLORADO SYMPHONY
(303) MAESTRO

MICHAEL CAVANAUGH IN CONCERT:
THE MUSIC OF BILLY JOEL AND MORE!
CSO Pops
Sat | Feb 13 7:30 p.m.
Scott O'Neil, associate conductor

You'll think the Piano Man himself joined the CSO – Michael Cavanaugh, original star of Broadway's Movin' Out, sings all your favorite Billy Joel tunes plus the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John and more! 

 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
COLORADO BALLET
FEB 19-28
ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE
ticketmaster.com

From My Fair Lady to Brigadoon and Gigi, Lerner and Loewe created a lasting legacy on Broadway as well as a songbook of hits that transcends generations. Marvin Hamlisch leads the CSO, CSO Chorus and guest vocalists in some of the most memorable Broadway and Hollywood music of the 20th century.  BEAUTY AND THE BEASTCOLORADO BALLETFEB 19-28ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSEticketmaster.com

Bring the family to this modern-day performance of a classic tale. Originally performed by Hong Kong Ballet, this magical show was choreographed by Domy Reiter-Soffer with an energizing score, lavish sets and dazzling costumes.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
OPERA COLORADO
FEB 6, 9, 12, 14
ELLLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

The world's most celebrated barber is coming to Denver, but haircuts aren't the only thing on his mind. The story surrounds Figaro joining forces with Count Almaviva to win the object of his obsession, the beautiful Rosina. Pure joy and silliness abound in an opera filled with disguise, mistaken identities and madcap mayhem. The traditional sets and costumes complement this charming opera that's just in time for Valentine's Day. Sung in Italian with English and Spanish subtitles.

PATSY DECLINE
Opens January 16
Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret

UNFORGETTABLE
The Music of Nat King Cole with Leonard Barrett
Opens Friday February 15
Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret

CHAD ALLEN'S MAGIC MATINEE
Every Saturday
2pm
Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret

 

DVD This Week

 

FEBRUARY 9

COUPLES RETREAT
RATED PG-13

A lame comedy.

A SERIOUS MAN
RATED R

The new film from Joel and Ethan Coen.

A DANGEROUS MAN
RATED R

The lame, new film from Steven Seagal.
 
IF YOU ARE INTENT ON BUYING THESE -- SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST DEALS!! OTHERWISE -- YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT JOINING A BY MAIL OR ON LINE RENTAL CLUB -- FOR A FLAT MONTHLY FEE -- YOU CAN RENT A TON OF NEW MOVIES. THE RATE BEATS ON-DEMAND PRICES AND MOST RENTAL SHOPS.

RESTAURANT

 

Damascus Grill
Littleton Boulevard
Littleton

The Hommus is wonderful. Don't miss the seafood combination. Grilled perfectly with wonderful seasonings.

NOTE FOR THE NEW YEAR: I was going to update this for 2010, but I just ate at Damascus again, found it wonderful, and decided to recommend it well into the New Year. Go here and enjoy wonderful food. Plenty of Vegetarian Options as well!

BOOKS

 

AMERICAN LION
by Jon Meacham
Hardcover $29.77
Paperback $18
(Amazon has it for $12.24)

When I was a kid, Old Hickory was one of my favorites -- especially because he wouldn't wipe the mud off an English officer's boots. Over the years, I learned more about his treatment of Native Americans and the bloom faded. Now, Meacham's biography puts the man both in the context of his times and his effect on history. His bigotry and racism remain intact, but what's made clear is his impact on the Presidency, party politics and American History to the present day. There's little that's new here, but it's very well told.