Arts & Entertainment

By Michelle Vellucci

If you’re seeing Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo for the first time, let us reassure you: Your prescription is fine—that ballerina does have chest hair. The all-male “Trocks,” as they are affectionately known, have been dancing the world’s great ballets “en travesti”—pointe shoes and all—since 1974. Over the years, the group has evolved from performing in late-late shows in off-off-Broadway lofts to dancing in venerable theaters the world over, including one of Manhattan’s premier dance venues, the Joyce Theater, where they will be performing two programs through Jan. 7.

“The Devil Wears Prada”
20th Century Fox

This is a formulaic tale about a naïve young woman who nearly loses her soul after being caught up in the bitchy world of fashion. I don’t know what all the carrying on has been about, because “The Devil Wears Prada” is just a tired bunch of clichéd characters and soap-opera acting that is saved occasionally by too-rare moments of dark drama. Anne Hathaway does all the heavy lifting as Andy, the recent journalism grad who miraculously gets the job “a million girls would kill for,” as assistant to the editor of a fictional magazine.

“Superman Returns”
Warner Brothers

In “Superman Returns,” the Man of Steel delivers a bright and shiny package of excitement. Director Bryan Singer (the first two “X-Men” movies, “The Usual Suspects”) chooses Brandon Routh, a charismatic and handsome young actor who made his break on television. Routh, who bears a resemblance to Christopher Reeve, separates himself from this reference because the true stars of this visually impressive extravaganza are the special effects guys.

Film
Film Forum pays homage to Woody Allen with a retrospective of 28 films. “Essentially Woody,” featuring movies from 1966’s “What’s Up, Tiger Lily?” to 1999’s “Sweet and Lowdown,” runs Dec. 22 - Jan. 11. (Film Forum, 207 W. Houston St., (212-727-8110)

By Catherine Wigginton

It’s hard to believe that only 12 years have passed since Cameron Diaz snuck up on moviegoers in her first film, the quirky fantasy-comedy “The Mask”, playing Jim Carrey’s love interest. Diaz doesn’t seem to have changed one bit. Her limitless smile, ebullient laugh and playful mannerisms continue to charm as she returns to theaters this week in the new movie “The Holiday.”

“The Da Vinci Code”
Sony Pictures

In case you’re one of the four people who never read or saw The Da Vinci Code, it begins with Harvard professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks), in Paris for a lecture on feminine symbolism when its disrupted when he's implicated in a murder at the Louvre. He joins forces with the cryptographer granddaughter (Audrey Tautou) of the murdered curator, and they go on the lam to clear his name and discover they’re really set up to solve the mystery of the Holy Grail.

By InSung Cho

In the world of Broadway, seeking success demands following many superstitious rules of the theater. Besides the obvious, “break a leg,” to wish an actor good luck, the stage must be kept lit or the ghost believed to haunt it will get angry. Mention “Macbeth” and you will invoke the curse of the original play, leading to such catastrophes as fires, labor strikes, even an actor turning mute. To counter its effects, one must leave the room, spin in place, spit, and ask for permission to re-enter. And on opening night, every Broadway musical should begin with the passing of the Gypsy Robe.

By Lora Kolodny and Amanda Hannigan
New York City is the cultural capitol of the United States if not the universe. What’s upholding that status this winter is a bevy of heavy-hitting exhibitions, long awaited performances, and mind-bending experimental sounds. From the Upper West Side to Alphabet City, this guide highlights the finest winter arts and entertainment.

By Ian Spelling

Matthew Broderick is a New York kind of guy. Maybe it’s the slight New York accent or the way he dresses but it’s hard to imagine Broderick coming from any other part of the country.

GIVE AS GOOD AS YOU GET
Residents of Hell’s Kitchen and The Ritz Lounge host “Giving Out Proud” for
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

NEW YORK – Giving back is catchy. Residents of Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood have joined forces with The Ritz (369 West 46 Street), a new lounge located on New York’s famed Restaurant Row, to host “Giving Out Proud,” an event to benefit the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The event will be held on Tuesday, November 21 from 5:00 – 9:00PM.