The Cherry Orchard (Chekhov)

An HD broadcast of a National Theatre performance with Zoe Wannamaker, this production of Chekhov's tragic drama of pre-revolution Russian landowners, this production used an edgy translation and worked to throw individual and family dilemmas into the framework of social unrest to which the principals remain oblivious.
I liked it very much because the innovations threw into highlight a state of denial with which I'm very familiar.
So despite the liberties--or perhaps because of--I recommend this production.

Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen)

Highly entertaining film, especially fun to see In packed theater with a very literate New Haven crowd.

Recommend.

Soldier Song

One man, one boy, and one pile of sand trace the trajectory of war and the modern American male's fascination with, attraction to its atrocities to both the victors and defeated alike. Brutal.

Recommend.

Serenade (Bill T Jones Dance Company)

Sophisticated, physically exuberant dances set to equally sophisticated, physically exuberant music.

Highly recommended.

Body Against Body (Bill T Jones/Arnie Zanes Dance Co)

Dating from early in the Jones/Zanes collaboration, the first piece explores gestures available to two male dancers without imitating the male/female duality. Lots of use of reiteration as a way to teach the observer to see and make sense of the series of gestures. The staticky score underlines the absence of a narrative, musical or otherwise, to provide coherence. The repetition of (what appears to be) random lists does more of the work than the score. The most beautiful gesture appears when the smaller dancer leaps, spread eagle, into the arms of his partner.

The second piece, with a male and epicenic female dancer, continued the exploration of new gestures not confined to romantic ballet's pas de deux.

Recommend.

Making Up the Truth (Jack Hitt)

Arts & Ideas presented Jack Hitt telling stories. Entertaining.

Recommend.

The Cripple of Inishmaan ( Martin McDonagh)

Moving, lyrical play. Forces us to rethink the debts we owe those we love the least but who perhaps love us the most.

Highly recommended.

Ensendies

Traversing from Canada to France to Lebanon, from the post-war Levant to th Lebanese civil war to the present, from French, English, to Arabic, this obstensibly modest film is without a doubt one of the finest films I've encountered.
Their mother having recently died, twin brother and sister are charged in her will to seek out an unknown brother and lost father. In their quest, they uncover their mother's heroic defiance of despotic brutality and unfathomable sorrow.
This is a must see.
Highly recommend.

Le Quattro Volte

I adored this film set in the Italian countryside, focusing on a goat herder and his goats, a country festival, and the meticulous process of creating charcoal. Visually stunning with no dialogue (and thus no subtitles).

Highly recommend.

Win Win

A fantastic film with Paul Giammati and Amy Ryan. Eschews easy answers and simple solutions.

Highly recommend.

Arcadia (Tom Stoppard)

I love this play. And this production does it justice.

Highly recommended.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Werner Herzhog)

A fascinating exploration of a Paleolithic cave and it's centuries of art. Absolutely mesmerizing.

Highly recommend.