By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist Liberace: Behind the Schmaltz Liberace (1919-1987) was, in his own way, just about as weird as music producer PHIL SPECTOR, now 73, and like Spector, is perfect fodder for an HBO bio-pic (“Behind the Candelabra” premieres on Sunday, May 26, at 9PM). MICHAEL DOUGLAS, 68, plays Liberace, who soared to [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist Honors News The 2013 induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was held on April 18 and, on Saturday, May 18, at 9PM, HBO will broadcast ceremony highlights (many encore showings). Three tribe members were inducted: RANDY NEWMAN, 69; GEDDY LEE, 59 (as a member of the [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist At the Movies F. Scott Fitzgerald’s great 1925 novel, “The Great Gatsby,” has been made into four previous films, including a silent and made-for-TV version. None, including the 1974 film starring Robert Redford, have been seen as real successes. Maybe this new version, directed by Baz Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge”), will [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist Iron Man 3 and More Opening on Friday, May 3, is “Iron Man 3.” Robert Downey, Jr. returns as Tony Stark/Iron Man. As the film opens, he is in quite a funk and this causes friction with his girlfriend and business associate Pepper Potts (GWYNETH PALTROW, 40). But he snaps [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist Major League Hebrews The following players are on a big league roster (active or disabled) as of April 16. All have at least one Jewish parent and were raised secular or Jewish: RYAN BRAUN, 29, outfielder, Milwaukee; CRAIG BRESLOW, 32, pitcher, Boston; IKE DAVIS, first base, NY Mets; SCOTT FELDMAN, [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist BOBO IS BULLIED “Disconnect,” which opens in Cincinnati on Friday, April 19, tells three mostly separate stories which ultimately “connect up.” All the characters’ lives are heavily influenced by the internet. The first story focuses on a teenage boy (JONAH BOBO, 16) who is being cyberbullied. His parents are played [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist JACKIE ROBINSON: COURAGE, ALLIES and ENEMIES Opening in theaters on Friday, April 12, is “42.” The title references the player number of the great Jackie Robinson (1919-1972), the first African-American to play major league ball. The film follows the college-educated Robinson (Chadwick Boseman), as he is selected by Branch Rickey (HARRISON [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist TV AND VIDEO NEWS “How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life)”, premiered on ABC last night, but you can catch an encore showing on Saturday, April 6, at 8:30PM. This sit-com stars Sarah Chalke (“Scrubs”) as a recently divorced single mom who moves in with [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist BRITISH DRAMAS WITH JEWISH CONNECTIONS Starting on Sunday, March 31, at 9PM, is the PBS “Masterpiece” series, “Mr. Selfridge.” It’s about the real-life Harry Selfridge (1856-1947). A Midwest “WASP” from a poor family, he left school at 14. But Selfridge had luck, pluck and talent – and he managed to [ Read More...]

By Nate Bloom Contributing Columnist ADMISSION “Admission”, a comedy/drama which opens in theaters on Friday, March 22, is based on the acclaimed 2009 novel of the same name by JEAN HANFF KORELIK, 51. Korelik, a well-respected writer, has lived in Princeton, N.J. since 1990 and her husband, a poet, teaches creative writing at Princeton University. [ Read More...]