Entertainment Reviews

ARTIST: NORAH JONES

ALBUM: THE FALL

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Norah Jones' fourth album, "The Fall," may surprise some of her die-hard fans, or at least disarm them a bit. Full Story »

LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) - Alan Bennett has a lot on his mind in his latest play, "The Habit of Art," including creativity, aging, fame, anonymity and sex, and it hangs together because of his gift for language and fine stagecraft, and some splendid performances. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Although it would seem to hold the promise of being an extended dirty joke, Sarah Ruhl's "In the Next Room or the vibrator play" actually is a surprisingly funny and sensitive portrait of the eternal disconnect between men and women. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Staten Island is regarded as New York's bastard stepchild of a borough, and unfortunately, this film is unlikely to enhance its reputation. A Tarantino-influenced crime drama featuring a tripartite story line that is far too precious for its own good, "Staten Island" will do nonexistent business in theaters after it opens Friday (November 20), but should garner video and television exposure thanks to its reasonably well-known cast. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The moon may be new, and the director may be different (Chris Weitz takes over the reins from Catherine Hardwicke), but otherwise, the second installment of the "Twilight" saga remains, for better or worse, exceptionally faithful to its 2008 beginnings. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Don't be fooled by the deceptively gentle way Part 1 of Horton Foote's extraordinary "Orphans' Home Cycle" initially unfolds. Full Story »

NEW YORK - The dawn of electricity and the quest for sexual fulfillment. Who knew the two could be linked so satisfactorily on stage? Full Story »

NEW YORK - Like a shiny toboggan wedged on wet snow, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular needs a little push. Full Story »

Adam Lambert "For Your Entertainment" (19/RCA) Full Story »

Italian crime families have become a staple of video games over the last few years, starring in such hits as "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City," "The Godfather" and "Mafia." And don't get me started on "Mafia Wars," the browser game that's consuming half of my Facebook friends. Full Story »

Capsule reviews of films opening this week: Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Sony's entry in the crowded animation field this holiday season is "Planet 51," a perky though not terribly imaginative feature aimed primarily at youngsters. Full Story »

Where would Hollywood be without that old standby, the vampire-werewolf-schoolgirl love triangle? Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Knowing a golden character opportunity when she sees one, Sandra Bullock takes the proverbial ball and runs with Leigh Anne Tuohy, the honey blond spitfire of a well-to-do Southern wife and mother who takes in a homeless black teenager in "The Blind Side." Full Story »

NEW YORK - Some adults still believe that children should be seen and not heard. But what if that quiet child is writing down every foolish thing the adults are saying and doing? Full Story »

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Featuring a protagonist who outdoes even Philip Roth's Portnoy in terms of his fascination with pleasuring himself, "Turning Green" is an odd little comedy-drama set in Ireland that boasts more onscreen talent than it deserves. Full Story »

It's been a big year for animation, with a great variety of styles represented by "Up," "Monsters vs. Aliens," "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and the upcoming "The Princess and the Frog." Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - TBS made TV history on Monday with the premiere of "Lopez Tonight," a late-night talkfest with a Chicano host. And just in case you didn't realize it, George Lopez hit you over the head with that information roughly every 90 seconds. Full Story »