Colbert unwraps early Christmas gift for viewers (Reuters)

Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, accepts his award for Webby Person of the Year during the 12th Annual Webby Awards in New York June 10, 2008. (Eric Thayer/Reuters)Reuters - Nothing says you've arrived as a mainstream TV star more than having your very own Christmas special, which makes this a sort of coming-out party for faux news commentator Stephen Colbert.



more

"Twilight" a campy vampire romance with no bite (Reuters)

Cast member Kellan Lutz poses with a group of fans at the premiere of the movie 'Twilight' at the Mann Village and Bruin theatres in Westwood, California November 17, 2008. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)Reuters - "Twilight" already has such a buzz that you sense all we really need to do is stand back to let hordes of teenage girls rush into theaters to exalt in this romance between a human girl and a vampire boy.



more

Greed gets the best of those 'Dividing the Estate' (AP)

In this image released by Philip Rinaldi Publicity, Hallie Foote, left, and Elizabeth Ashley are shown in a scene from 'Dividing the Estate.'  (AP Photo/Philip Rinaldi Publicity, Joan Marcus)AP - Nothing concentrates the mind like money — or lack of it. And money has provided the plot for more than a few plays, one good example being "Dividing the Estate," Horton Foote's hilariously perceptive take on what good old-fashioned greed does to one cash-strapped Texas family.



more

Music Review: Hezekiah Walker is "Souled Out" (AP)

In this image released by Zomba Records, the latest CD for Hezekiah Walker, 'Souled Out,' is shown. (AP Photo/Zomba Records)AP - Hezekiah Walker, "Souled Out" (Zomba)



more

Review: `Twilight' takes bite out of book's fun (AP)

In this image released by Summit Entertainment, Kristen Stewart, left, and Robert Pattinson are shown in a scene from, 'Twilight.' (AP Photo/Summit Entertainment, Deana Newcomb)AP - Teenage girls will surely squeal with delight throughout "Twilight," the feverishly awaited adaptation of the hugely selling vampire novel by Stephenie Meyer.



more

Jack Bauer back with "24" TV movie (Reuters)

Reuters - In nearly every respect, the TV movie "24: Redemption" makes perfect sense, a brilliant idea that will extend the life of an important franchise even as it pumps new vigor into the Fox series.
more

'Earthly Delights' again finds life on stage (AP)

In this image released by Richard Kornberg and Associates, performers are shown in a scene from the off-Broadway revival of Martha Clarke's 'The Garden of Earthly Delights,' now playing at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Kornberg and Associates, Richard Finkelstein)AP - Out of the darkness, gracefully bent in half and lumbering slowly on all fours, comes a herd of seemingly nude creatures. These are the talented dancers of "The Garden of Earthly Delights," in the latest off-Broadway incarnation of Martha Clarke's theatrical interpretation of Hieronymous Bosch's 1503 triptych about the progression of sin.



more

Music Review: Twisted Sister live, loud and proud (AP)

In this image released by Demolition Records, the latest CD for Twisted Sister, 'Live at the Astoria,' is shown. (AP Photo/Demolition Records)AP - Twisted Sister "Live At The Astoria" (Demolition)



more

Hollywood's "Wizard of Oz" lauded for stunning, sexy epic (Reuters)

Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman in a scene from 'Australia'. (Handout/Reuters)Reuters - With stunning scenery, steamy love scenes, and an adorable Aboriginal child star, the outback epic "Australia" received largely positive reviews after its world premiere but failed to meet all the high expectations.



more

"Transporter 3" a new low for the action series (Reuters)

Actor Jason Statham poses for a portrait while promoting his new film 'The Bank Job' in New York March 3, 2008. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)Reuters - Jason Statham returns for a third go-round as mercenary courier Frank Martin in creator Luc Besson's lucrative "Transporter" series, but this time he's firing blanks.



more

2 brothers forever seek success in 'Road Show' (AP)

In this image released by Public Theater Press Department, Alexander Gemignani and Michael Cerveris, right, are shown in a scene from 'Road Show' by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, running through Dec. 28, 2008 at The Public Theater in New York. (AP Photo/Public Theater Press Department, Joan Marcus)AP - Money showers the stage like confetti in "Road Show," the exhilarating Stephen Sondheim-John Weidman musical that finally has surfaced in New York after a long, arduous journey that included several different titles, directors and casts.



more

Disney's latest dog picture a fetching romp (Reuters)

Rhino, Bolt and Mittens in a scene from 'Bolt'. (Walt Disney Pictures/Handout/Reuters)Reuters - Those Beverly Hills Chihuahuas might have run their course, but a Hollywood White Shepherd efficiently marks his territory in "Bolt," an animated adventure about a canine action hero who's inadvertently shipped from his studio to the East Coast.



more

Steroid scandal rocks Itamar Moses' baseball drama (AP)

In this image released by Boneau Bryan Brown, James Martinez, left, and Jeremy Davidson are shown in a scene from, 'Back Back Back,' now playing at off-Broadway's Manhattan Theatre Club Stage II through Jan. 4 in New York. (AP Photo/Boneau Bryan Brown, Joan Marcus)AP - A baseball drama might reasonably be expected to be about playing the game. But we barely get taken out to the ball game at all in "Back Back Back," the new off-Broadway play by Itamar Moses.



more

Reunited Kate and Leo lost on "Revolutionary Road" (Reuters)

Kate Winslet smiles at the 16th annual BAFTA/LA Cunard Britannia awards in Los Angeles November 1, 2007. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)Reuters - The ill-fated lovers of "Titanic" reunite in "Revolutionary Road," but this time Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet find their characters run aground in a disastrous mid-1950s marriage.



more

'LittleBigPlanet' revitalizes a stale genre (AP)

This photo released by Activision shows a wacky bandicoot that  is once again tormented by the evil Dr. Neo Cortex in “Crash: Mind Over Mutant”. (AP Photo/Activision)AP - The platform game has fallen on hard times. Maybe it's that name, which came about in the 1980s when Mario was actually jumping on moving platforms in "Super Mario Bros." But the genre needs a catchier title, like "running-jumping-bouncing-super-fun-action-adventure." There has to be a Japanese word that encompasses all that.



more

Ricky Gervais a riot in HBO comedy special (Reuters)

British comedian Ricky Gervais speaks about his new show 'Ricky Gervais Comedy Special' during HBO's panel presentation at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California in this July 10, 2008 file photo. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)Reuters - You knew Ricky Gervais was a genius at writing comedy ("The Office") and a superb comic actor ("Extras"), but did you know he can do stand-up with the best of them? His new HBO special "Ricky Gervais: Out of England," which debuted Saturday, makes the case loud and clear.



more

New generation pays tribute to Leonard Bernstein (AP)

In this image released by the New York Philharmonic, Music Director Designate Alan Gilbert conducts the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, in a concert celebrating the 65th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's Philharmonic conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in New York. (AP Photo/ New York Philharmonic, Chris Lee)AP - Leonard Bernstein was as much a teacher as a conductor and composer. Now, the post boomer generation — Bernstein's musical grandchildren — have taken the stage, and perhaps just in time for classical music.



more

Billboard CD reviews (Reuters)

Reuters - Beyonce devoted half of the tracks on this double-disc set to her feisty alter ego Sasha Fierce (think "Single Ladies"). But, it's the classic, more timeless R&B songs on the "I Am" portion of the album that seem like a much-welcomed stretch for the singer.
more

A tension-free 'American Buffalo' arrives on B'way (AP)

In this image released by Richard Kornberg and Associates, actors from left, Cedric The Entertainer, Haley Joel Osment and John Leguizamo are shown in a scene from the revival of David Mamet's 'American Buffalo,' now playing at Broadway's Belasco Theatre in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Kornberg and Associates, Joan Marcus)AP - The four-letter words are intact but just about everything else is amiss in the slack, unsatisfying Broadway revival of David Mamet's "American Buffalo."



more

A distorted look at media's shortcomings (Reuters)

Reuters - A new series, "The IFC Media Project," promises the truth about American journalism or, as host Gideon Yago calls it, "the modern sideshow that passes stuff off as American news."
more