LADY GAGA TO CLOSE NEW YORK'S ROSELAND
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THE GLORIOUS CORNER
By: G.H. Harding
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Lady Gaga
Gaga at Roseland --- Somehow it’s fitting that Artpop-babe Lady Gaga will play the final performances at NYC’s Roseland: When the famed Ballroom shuts its doors this April, it will certainly go out in style. Gaga will close out the venue with a string of four concerts -- on March 28, 30, 31 and April 2 -- it was announced last week.
The 3,500-seat theater is a big undersell for Gaga, as fans will get to see the New York native in much smaller confines than normal. Members of the her fan community LittleMonsters.com will have the first crack at presale tickets; randomly selected members will receive invitations and codes to purchase tickets this Thursday. Again, what a tragedy for this fabled venue; but, at least it will exit with a scream, rather than a whimper.
Jared Leto
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| Matthew McConaughey |
McCONAUGHEY’s CLUB --- We finally caught the much-heralded Dallas Buyer’s Club this weekend, with just standout performances from Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner. This is the true story of Ron Woodroof, a hard-living player, who develops AIDS, ironically in 1985 around the time the Rock Hudson-affair unfolded. At first denying a doctor’s diagnosis, he continues his hard partying ways, while assiduously reading and collecting date on the disease. Little by little, he develops his own self-medicating plan, while traveling to such places as Mexico and Japan in his quest to procure certain drugs. he then proceeds to sell them to potential buyers. McConaughey, is absolutely riveting: this is the role he lost 40 pounds to play, but Jared Leto, as a fellow patient at first, then his partner, is just dazzling. The story, which is true, you realize cannot have happy ending, but, his journey is one you just have to totally empathize with. My only criticism, if you can even call it that, is that it proceeds along at a snail’s pace. That said, it’s a movie you cannot take your eyes away from. Jennifer Garner as a doctor, who finally comes to believe and support in what Woodroof is doing, is splendid, as is Steve Zahn. The direction, from Canadian-Jean-Marc Vallée is totally serviceable, and the script, by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack is painstakingly on track. McConaughey is on a fast track so far this year; his Mud which we caught earlier this year was just terrific and his take in the forthcoming Marty Scorsese movie, The Wolf Of Wall Street, apparently steals the movie. A great actor for sure.
Aidan Quinn
Quinn’s The Man on Elementary --- You've seen him for years on the big screen, and in one notable TV-movie based on the friendship of John Lennon and Paul McCartney (2000's Two Of Us; he played Macca and believe it or not, they became fast friends), but now’s he the anchor on perhaps the best TV show on right now, CBS’ Elementary; alongside Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu. The latter two portray Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the modern-day take on the fabled tale. The show, now in its second season, is just stellar, but Aidan Quinn, as Captain Tommy Gregson, is just exceptional. In the episode last Thursday (“On The Line”) Gregson delivers an impassioned speech to his minions in his squad room, as someone has said to him that many there, don't like his methods. After thanking everyone for their efforts, he says that if anyone has a problem … there’s the door. Just sensational. Born in Chicago, he’s been in many terrific movies, among them: 1994’s Legends of the Fall; 1989’s The Lemon Sisters; and, 1994’s terrific Blink. Just a terrifically engaging actor … sensational.
CLOSING NOTES -- The Rascals, Once Upon A Dream, re-turns to Broadway on December 16. Somehow the gremlins got involved in our last missive. We regret the error ... Friday's Howard Stern appearance on David Letterman was a classic for sure; with the pair arguing over one Brad Grey, the president of Paramount Pictures. Letterman called him a show business weasel, while Stern countered, that Grey, who produced his Private Parts movies years back, was a sweet guy. As usual .. the truth lies somewhere in the middle ... We didn't watch last night's AMA's in full; but, Miley Cyrus singing "Wrecking Ball" alongside a lip-syncing giant cat was wild for sure. And, didn't the stage where the performers accepted their awards, look like some sort of lounge from Las Vegas? Dick Clark must be rolling over in his grave. Strange for sure ...We'll have a more detailed look next time, but the soundtrack album for the new movie from The Coen Bothers, Inside Llewyn Davis, is just a standout. Produced by this year's hot-producer T. Bone Burnett; we couldn't stop listening to it. We haven't seen the movie yet, but if it's as good as the music, we're in.
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