Monday, February 26-----While readers can turn to almost any newspaper, internet site or media outlet to get the results of the 79th Academy Awards (it is, after all, watched by over a billion people worldwide), this story will focus on what were, at least for me, the surprises of the evening….actually the surprises that kept the evening lively and unpredictable.   Among the night's biggest surprises:BEST PICTURE: While the choice of THE DEPARTED is certainly worthy (certainly compared t...

Monday, January 29----In what will likely be a repeat by the time the Oscars are given out on February 25, the Screens Actors Guild gave out its top awards to film and television thespians in the convivial atmosphere of the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Winners were visibly moved to be recognized by their peers as they polished the speeches that they very likely will need to give again at the Kodak Theater for the big bonanza of the Academy Awards. The SAG Award for Best Ensemble Performa...

Wednesday, November 7----He's best known as the rolly-polly manager of the neurotic Larry David in the hit HBO series CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, but Jeff Garlin has had a long career as a stand-up comic who has written, produced, directed and performed his own stand-up act. Garlin now tries his hand at feature films with his directorial debut I WANT SOMEONE TO EAT CHEESE WITH. The film is a filmed version of his critically acclaimed solo show that follows the rotund Garlin as he negotiates love, c...