Local film critic and master storyteller Mal Vincent reflects on the decades he spent writing about films and entertainment and the celebrities he got to know along the way.
If you need a holiday escape, then Mal Vincent has some movie suggestions including the holiday blockbuster “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent talks about actress Sally Field’s career ahead of her recognition at the Kennedy Center Honors. He also shares some Oscar ties to Roanoke Rapids.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent discusses ticket prices and hype surrounding the popular musical “Hamilton.” He tells us how much he spent to see it on Broadway, and how you can tell people you saw Hamilton without paying a high price.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent shares his thoughts on the recently released film “Midway,” the history of this Pacific WWII conflict and other films depicting those battles. According to Mal, the film depicts a sense of unity that he feels our country could use more of these days.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent stresses the need for a film festival for the Tidewater area. It’s not that area hasn’t tried. And chances are you’ve never heard of the ‘Mal Vincent Lifetime Achievement Award’… and there’s a reason… as Mal explains.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews “The Band’s Visit,” one of the most Tony Award-winning musicals in history. It is currently playing at Chrysler Hall through Sunday, November 3. “The Band’s Visit” is making one of their first tour stops at Chrysler Hall, and will kick off our blockbuster Broadway in Norfolk 2019-20 season. It is currently playing at Chrysler Hall through November 3rd. Tickets are available at the Scope Arena Box Office and online at www.sevenvenues.com/events/detail/the-bands-visit.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent shares the history and intrigue behind the Virginia Film Festival. The story includes bankruptcy, wineries and Donald Trump. You can hang out with Mal at the 32nd Annual Virginia Film Festival this week, October 23-27th. Visit https://virginiafilmfestival.org for more information.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews former Miss North Carolina, and current comic sensation, Jeanne Robertson’s performance at the Ferguson Center for the Arts this Friday, Oct. 18th at 8 PM. As Mal recalls, he never knew her when she was short (she’s 6’6 in heels), but he did know her when she competed for the Miss America Pageant in 1963. Learn more at http://fergusoncenter.org/.
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews Renée Zellweger’s return to acting in the new biopic “Judy,” where she plays the legendary actress and singer. While Mal never got to meet Judy Garland, he did meet Renée, and bonded with her over their love for dogs. Hear all about it, and catch the movie in theaters now.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella presented by Virginia Musical Theatre. You can catch performances October 4th through 6th at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Mal recounts the history of Cinderella and her long run in film, television and on Broadway.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews the Virginia Stage Company’s production of the musical Guys & Dolls which runs through October 6th. He shares the history behind the classic 1955 film starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Frank Sinatra. According to Mal, tensions were high on set between the two leading men, with Sinatra nicknaming Brando “mumbles.” For more information visit http://www.vastage.org/guysanddolls.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent reviews the Downtown Abbey movie -- the continuing saga of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them in the English countryside in the early 20th century. The movie will be released in the U.S. on Friday, September 20th.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent recalls meeting a young Maggie Smith, now famous for her roles in the Harry Potter and Downton Abbey series. Mal is heading to the advance screening of the new Downton Abbey movie this Sunday and will report back next week.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent reports back on Broadway in Williamsburg – a cabaret performance this past weekend in the historic Regency Room at the Colonial Williamsburg Inn. Mal stayed in the royal suite, joining a long list of notable guests including the Queen and Lassie.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent pays tribute to the late actor Peter Fonda, who emblemized the American counter-culture movement in the 60’s with his roles in movies like “Easy Rider.” Mal also draws a connection to the lesser known actress and Norfolk native Margaret Sullivan, who was Fonda’s stepmother for a time.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent shares the results for the winners in his Naro Classic Film Festival. Top prizes went to Marilyn Monroe, Tom Ewell and “The Red Shoes”. Mal also talks about his latest adventure to hear Barbara Streisand perform at Madison Square Garden.
This Week in Mal’s World – The Seven Year itch. The finale of Mal’s Movies 2019 at the Naro Expanded Cinema on Monday night, August 19th at 7:00 The star, of course, is Marilyn, and that’s all that needs to be said. Based on the Broadway play, Billy Wilder’s classic comedy is devoted to the premise that husbands reportedly get an “itch” after seven years of marriage. Such frenzy is encouraged by the fact that the wife is away for the summer, and Marilyn Monroe, playing a model, lives upstairs. It’s the perfect comedy for the summer! Tom Ewell is hilarious as the befuddled middle-aged husband who doesn’t quite know what to do with Marilyn. She is most avid about Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto, and her comic gift is proven throughout! Again, this is the finale of the 16th annual movie festival, which means it is the night when we vote for the four top performances. Visit https://narocinema.com/mals-movies/ for more information.
This Week in Mal’s World – Mal Vincent previews the 1952 drama “The Bad and the Beautiful” as featured on his ‘Mal’s Movies 2019’ at the Naro Expanded Cinema. Some call it the best movie ever made about Hollywood—and the movies themselves. In any case, it set a record by winning five Oscars without being nominated for Best Picture. It won for its art direction, cinematography, costumes, and writing, as well as Gloria Grahame’s Best Supporting Actress for her role as a modern Southern belle (who talks about Richmond and Roanoke in the film). The college town where she and her husband, writer Dick Powell, live in the film is probably Charlottesville, although it’s not identified. Douglas plays a ruthless director-producer who is rumored to be modeled after David O. Selznick. Walter Pidgeon plays the head of the studio, Lana Turner its glamorous star; together they play the Hollywood game—ruthlessly. A tough, behind-the-scenes drama. Mal and the Naro will present “The Bad and the Beautiful” on Monday, August 12, at 7:00pm. Visit https://narocinema.com/mals-movies/ for more information.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews “The Red Shoes” from 1948. It’s next week’s featured film for Mal’s Movies 2019 at the Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk. This very rare screening proves that “The Red Shoes” is one of the most beautiful color movies of all time, with great photography by the legendary Jack Cardiff. Starring the fiery red-headed ballerina, Moria Shearer, it is about obsessive love, as the heroine’s dance career clashes with her personal life. She, fatefully, is appearing in a ballet in which the red shoes have been cursed and she must dance until she dies. Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg headed an effort to restore the film to its original glory and, as a result, it was again premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, in 2009. Nominated for five Academy Awards, it won for its score and for its art direction, receiving other nominations for Best Picture, Script, and Editing. See this classic British drama Monday evening, August 5th, at 7:00 at the Naro Expanded Cinema. For more information, visit https://narocinema.com/mals-movies/
This Week in Mal’s World - Mal’s Movies 2019 continues at the Naro Expanded Cinema with the 1948 western classic, Red River. Directed by Howard Hawks, John Wayne stars in what is, perhaps, the last great western we hadn’t yet selected for the festival. It has been named by the American Film Institute as one of the five greatest westerns of all time. There is no more stirring moment in movie history than when a symphony orchestra swells to full force as Wayne calls for the cattle herd to be headed out on this fictional account of the first cattle drive from Texas to Kansas along the Chisholm trail. The music is by Dimitri Tiomkin. Montgomery Clift, the new acting find of the era, is his co-star. Red River is the western that fans have been encouraging us to do. (And, incidentally, it was “the last picture show” in the movie of the same name). Hear Mal’s preview of the movie, and watch it with him at the Naro Expanded Cinema on Monday, July 29th, at 7:00pm. It will also be shown on Tuesday, July 30th, at 12:15pm. Visit https://narocinema.com/mals-movies/ for more information.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews the next film in his classic film series at the Naro, “Affair in Trinidad,” starring the original princess of Hollywood, Rita Hayworth. She has two dance scenes (one without shoes on!) and you can see it for yourself Monday night at the Naro. https://narocinema.com/mals-movies.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews the next film in his classic film series at the Naro, 1939’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Mal will host the film this Monday starting at 7 PM. More information available here: https://narocinema.com/mals-movies.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent pays tribute to the late actress Doris Day. “Love Me or Leave Me,” starring Day, will be the first film in his annual summer tradition of “Mal’s Movies” at the Naro. That kicks off on Monday night, July 8th at 7 PM. For more information visit https://narocinema.com/mals-movies.
Mal Vincent remembers late director Franco Zeffirelli along with a close call while on the set of Zeffirelli's classic film, THE CHAMP.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent honors the late Eddie Garcia, a Hampton Roads real estate giant who passed away at the end of May. Mal recalls the time he visited Garcia’s estate for a wild gathering that included a Sheikh, the late Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf, Muhammad Ali and an Arabian stallion. It’s a story only Mal could tell.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent talks about the great romantic crooner Johnny Mathis who is paying tribute to the late Doris Day this Saturday at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Tickets and information at https://www.wolftrap.org/calendar/performance/19filene/0615show19.aspx#datetime=06152019T200000
This Week in Mal’s World - Mal Vincent previews Disney’s The Lion King, which is currently playing at Chrysler Hall through June 9th. He also has a confession to make regarding the award-winning Broadway musical. For tickets and information, visit https://www.sevenvenues.com/events/detail/disneys-the-lion-king.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews Matilda, the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book. It tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a young girl with a sharp wit and love for books. With her special brand of ingenuity, she dares to stand against the tyranny of adults who seek to crush her imagination. This multi-Tony award-winning musical provides the perfect opportunity for collaboration between Virginia Stage Company and The Governor’s School for the Arts to highlight our local students alongside some of the top professional actors from around the country. Matilda is currently playing at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk until June 2. Visit http://www.vastage.org/matildathemusical for showtimes and tickets.
This Week in Mal’s world, Mal Vincent talks about action movie star Keanu Reeves. Mal knew Reeves back when he had his first hit in “Bill and Ted’s excellent Adventure.” Reeves is starring in the third installment of the “John Wick” movies which just topped the box office. Hear about why Mal relates with Reeves character. Here’s a hint: it has to do with dogs.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews the Virginia Arts Festival’s production of “Antony and Cleopatra.” He talks about previous productions and adaptations, as well as the musical history associated with the classic play. You can see it May 17th and 18th at the Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts in Newport News. Tickets and information can be found at https://secure.vafest.org/704.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews his next pick in his classic film series at MOCA. It is the 1942 movie “Mrs. Miniver,” which aside from being an excellent film, was a huge catalyst for American support of World War II. As Mal describes, the scenes of Mrs. Miniver and her family huddling together for shelter from German bombs exposed Americans to the horrors of war and fueled their support to get involved. You can hear more on Monday, May 13 at 6:30 PM at MOCA. Tickets and information at https://virginiamoca.org/mal-vincent-presents-0.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent shares the story behind the story of the film “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” which is his next pick for his classic film series at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. It features one of Mal’s favorite actresses, Ava Gardner, and he details her relationship with the author Ernest Hemingway who wrote the story that the movie is based on. Hear that and more on Monday, May 6th at MOCA. Tickets and information at https://virginiamoca.z2systems.com/np/clients/virginiamoca/eventRegistration.jsp?event=11141&.
This Week in Mal’s World - Mal Vincent and Virginia MOCA present Andy Griffith’s classic film “No Time for Sergeants” Monday night (April 29th) as part of Virginia MOCA’s classic film series. Mal shares personal stories of Andy, and then come out Monday night for laughs, the inside scoop on the film and more! Ticket and event information available at https://virginiamoca.org/mal-vincent-presents-0.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent previews the “Something in the Water Festival.” Hear about when Mal met one of its top performers – Snoop Dogg. And if you’re looking for comic relief after the festival, head out to Virginia MOCA for a showing of “No Time for Sergeants,” the classic Andy Griffith film, which Mal is hosting on Monday, April 29th. Tickets and information at https://virginiamoca.org/mal-vincent-presents-0.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent recalls being the first person to interview Tim Burton back when the eccentric filmmaker was a relatively unknown animation artist at Disney Studios. The story has come full circle, as Burton has settled on a Disney remake of “Dumbo” as his most recent venture. Despite his reclusiveness and dark filmmaking style, Mal says he was a friendly and open person.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent’s Sports predictions (past and present) and Mal recalls his basketball days as a youth.
Mal Vincent previews the Peter Pan tradition of FINDING NEVERLAND playing at Chrysler Hall Friday night and through Sunday. Mal also reflects on Peter Pan from the past including Mary Martin. Tickets and additional information can be found at https://www.sevenvenues.com/events/detail/finding-neverland.
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent pays tribute to the late British actor Albert Finney. He provides a list of must see films for the actor and recounts a story he heard twice from Finney about the 1963 Oscar night.
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent comments on the string of sell-out shows in Hampton Roads, the most recent being Steve Martin and Martin Short at Chrysler Hall this past Sunday. As Mal remarks, the high price of tickets has not kept people out of the seats. Mal remembers meeting Steve Martin when he came to Norfolk 40 years ago and before he was a famous movie star.
Mal Vincent pays tribute and reflects on his interviews with the late Luke Perry. Perry, best known for his role as Dylan McKay on “Beverly Hills, 90210” died on Monday, following a stroke last week. He was 52.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent laments that Glenn Close did not win an Oscar after being nominated for the seventh time. But, the consolation prize was seeing her Havanese puppy Pip join her onstage at the Spirit Awards the day before. Mal also previews the Virginia Musical Theatre’s production of Disney’s “Mary Poppins” at the Sandler Center this weekend. Mal recounts the time he was given Mary’s umbrella but sadly did not fly. And finally, Mal bids farewell to his Thursday slot and assures his audience that he will move to Wednesday’s with HearSay.
Mal Vincent has his “Real Predictions” for the 91st Academy Awards coming up this Sunday. Mal also predicts William & Mary alumna, Glenn Close, will finally get her gold! Mal got ‘em all right last year! Will he make it 2 in a row?
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent recounts how the Virginia Stage Company’s original production of “The Secret Garden” made it to Broadway and won three Tony’s in 1991. It’s a tale that involves two Simon sisters – Lucy AND Carly – and mixed reviews, including one from Mal at the world premiere in Norfolk in 1989. VSC is bringing “The Secret Garden” to the Botanical Gardens this weekend, February 15-17. Tickets and more information can be found at http://www.vastage.org/secretgarden/
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent talks about meeting Noel Langley who wrote the screenplay for “The Wizard of Oz” and who escaped to peaceful Sandbridge to avoid the Hollywood swells. “The Wizard of Oz” comes to Norfolk this Friday, Feb. 15 for four performances through Sunday at Chrysler Hall. Tickets and show information are available at https://www.sevenvenues.com/events/detail/wizard-of-oz.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent pays tribute to two very funny women… Norfolk author, award-winning humorous speaker, and former WHRO-FM co-host Hope Mihalap, and actress, singer, dancer, and comedienne Carol Channing.
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent shares his pick for the Virginia Festival of Jewish Film: “Cast A Giant Shadow,” starring Kirk Douglas and Senta Berger with cameo performances by John Wayne and Frank Sinatra. It is being shown Monday, January 28 at 7:15 p.m. at the Naro Theater. It is the Hollywood account of Israel’s recognition of independence in 1948 and as Mal puts it, an example of how they used to sell movies. Get tickets and register at https://2019filmfestival.abilafundraisingonline.com/shadowregistration.
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent shares some insight on the box office smash “Aquaman” and the superhero’s arch villain, “Orm”, played by Norfolk’s own Patrick Wilson. Mal breaks down the actor’s career, which includes a stint as “Raul” in the movie version of “The Phantom of the Opera,” and his ties to Virginia.
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent reflects on the lives of Penny and Garry Marshall and the unique comic legacy they leave behind. He met both of them at different times and had some interesting experiences, especially when Gary Marshall tried to kick him out of a theater performance.
This week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent reviews his top ten movies of 2018. Such instant classics as Roma and modern remakes of older ones like Mary Poppins Returns make it on his list. Also included is A Quiet Place, the first horror movie to make his list since The Sixth Sense. Even Mal admits that this one scared him.
This Week in Mal’s World, Mal Vincent shares some behind the scenes stories from Kennedy Center Honors he attended in the past. This year’s Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast on CBS Wednesday, December 26 at 8/7c. Mal talks about the time little Orphan Annie’s dog Sandy wouldn’t stop barking during Helen Hayes performance, as well as the time he danced with Sarah, Duchess of York.
Mal Vincent gets us into the holiday spirit with some Christmas movie classics, and new movies as 2018 comes to a close.