All stories by BROOKS BARNES on BroadwayStars

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Inside the Controversy Surrounding Disney's 'Snow White' Remake by Brooks Barnes

The dwarfs. The casting. The politics of the lead actress. And that wig! Is Disney's live-action remake of the classic film doomed by culture war skirmishes?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:26PM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 23, 2025

2025 Oscar Nominations: 'Emilia Pérez' Leads the Way With 13 by Brooks Barnes and Nicole Sperling

"The Brutalist" and "Wicked" secured 10 nominations apiece in a year with a wide-open best picture race. Acting nominees include Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo, Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalame…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:56AM[SHARE]

2025 Oscar Nominations: 'Emilia Pérez' and 'The Brutalist' Get Multiple Nods by Brooks Barnes and Nicole Sperling

The two films secured nominations in most of the major categories, including best picture, a wide-open race. Acting nominees include Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo, Adrien Brody and Timothée Cha…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:56AM[SHARE]
Monday, January 6, 2025

Why Is Ariana Grande a Supporting Nominee at Golden Globes for Her 'Wicked' Role? by Brooks Barnes

The pop star plays Glinda in the film, while Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, is nominated as the lead.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:48AM[SHARE]
Sunday, January 5, 2025

What Do Movie Producers Do, Anyway? by Brooks Barnes

And why do they get the trophy for best picture at the Oscars?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:52AM[SHARE]
Monday, July 12, 2021

'Black Widow' a Hit in Theaters and Streaming on Disney+ by Brooks Barnes

The long-delayed Marvel-Disney movie generated $80 million at the domestic box office and another $60 million on the Disney+ streaming platform.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:31PM[SHARE]
Monday, April 26, 2021

Oscars Ratings Plummet, With Fewer Than 10 Million Tuning In by Brooks Barnes and John Koblin

Sunday night's pandemic-restricted telecast saw a 58 percent plunge in viewers from last year's record low.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:55PM[SHARE]

Tyler Perry Speaks Against Hate in Moving Oscars Speech by Brooks Barnes

The creator of the popular "Madea" films was recognized for his "cultural influence."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:19AM[SHARE]
Sunday, April 25, 2021

Oscars 2021: What to Watch For by Brooks Barnes and Nicole Sperling

It has been a surreal time in Hollywood, but Sunday night's Academy Awards, which begin at 8 p.m. Eastern, could go down in movie industry history for several reasons.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:27AM[SHARE]
Sunday, April 4, 2021

'Godzilla vs. Kong' Roars at the Box Office With $48.5 Million by Brooks Barnes

Even though it was streaming at the same time, moviegoers flocked to theaters. But with caps on seating capacity, analysts said, the take was about half of what was normal.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:04PM[SHARE]
Saturday, January 23, 2021

Can a Brash Executive in Kansas Save Movie Theaters? by Brooks Barnes

For Adam Aron, who runs AMC Entertainment, the world's largest movie theater chain, the past year has been filled with twists and turns. And no one knows the ending.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:10AM[SHARE]
Monday, May 4, 2020

For Disney, a Stricken Empire by Brooks Barnes

The entertainment conglomerate's vastness, once its strength, has posed a challenge during the pandemic.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:32AM[SHARE]
Sunday, May 19, 2019

As 'Rocketman' Prepares to Take Off, Hollywood Holds Its Breath by Brooks Barnes

Depending on ticket sales, the R-rated musical fantasia about Elton John could have ripple effects for its star, its studio and the wider film industry.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:20PM[SHARE]
Thursday, May 2, 2019

Disney and Universal Shore Up Their Benches by Brooks Barnes

Alan Bergman was promoted to co-chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Alan Horn, chairman, extended his contract. In a separate move, the producer Amy Pascal will leave Sony for Universal.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:10AM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 11, 2019

Disney Prepares to Unveil Its Streaming Service by Brooks Barnes and John Koblin

In a lavish presentation, the company is expected to offer long-awaited details about its counter to the tech giants that have moved into entertainment.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:43PM[SHARE]
Sunday, December 2, 2018

'The Favourite' Shines on a Quiet Box-Office Weekend by Brooks Barnes

Showing in just 34 theaters, "The Favourite" had early results in line with two of last year's Oscar-season hits, "Lady Bird" and "The Shape of Water."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:58PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 31, 2018

In Oscar Bid, Netflix Will Release 3 Movies in Theaters First by Brooks Barnes

A limited number of cinemas will receive an exclusive period of one to three weeks to play the films " a departure from Netflix's streaming model.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:05PM[SHARE]
Sunday, October 14, 2018

'First Man' Is No Match for 'Venom' and 'A Star Is Born' by Gabe Cohn and Brooks Barnes

Damien Chazelle's first movie since "La La Land" was mostly loved by critics. Audiences were less impressed.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:28PM[SHARE]
Sunday, October 7, 2018

Venom and Lady Gaga Push Movie-Ticket Sales to an October Record by Brooks Barnes

Huge turnout for "Venom" and "A Star Is Born" gave Hollywood its best October weekend ever. "Venom" came in first place, but both films exceeded expectations.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:01PM[SHARE]
Monday, July 2, 2018

Already at Movie Theaters Near You: Ticket Subscriptions by Brooks Barnes

From MoviePass to Alamo Drafthouse, more companies are getting into the ticket subscription business. Here's a survey of some of the most prominent.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:20AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, June 19, 2018

'Frozen' and 'Inside Out' Directors to Succeed Lasseter at Disney and Pixar by Brooks Barnes

Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter will take over as the chief creative officers at Disney Animation and Pixar following the resignation of John Lasseter.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:09PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Purge of Kevin Spacey Gives 'All the Money in the World' a Pay Problem by Brooks Barnes

Mark Wahlberg received $1.5 million for reshoots of the kidnapping drama after it cut out the disgraced Spacey. Michelle Williams got just a small per diem.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:19PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 27, 2017

MoviePass Adds a Million Subscribers, Even if Theaters Aren't Sold on It by Brooks Barnes

Users can go to the movies once a day for $9.95 a month. While multiplexes doubt that's sustainable, the chief executive, who slashed the price, says, "We seem to have hit a nerve in America…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:03PM[SHARE]
Friday, December 15, 2017

For Disney's Iger, a Bold Move That Will Define His Legacy by Brooks Barnes

Disney has achieved great success under the leadership of Robert A. Iger. But he is likely to be judged on the success of his 21st Century Fox deal.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:33PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The Race to Erase Kevin Spacey by Brooks Barnes

"I took action," the director Ridley Scott said of his whirlwind reshoot of "All the Money in the World," which featured Christopher Plummer in a role originally filmed by Mr. Spacey.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:00AM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 5, 2017

'Thor: Ragnarok' Hits Theaters With a Thunderclap by Brooks Barnes

Disney scored big with Marvel's 'Thor: Ragnarok," which took in more than $400 million globally over the weekend.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:59PM[SHARE]
Saturday, October 14, 2017

Harvey Weinstein May Get Kicked Out of the Oscar Club by Brooks Barnes

The academy has long insisted that professional achievement is what counts, but now it stands at a precipice, and Harvey Weinstein could change everything.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:18AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Disney, Hillary Clinton and the Obamas Condemn Weinstein by Brooks Barnes

Disney once owned Miramax, which Harvey Weinstein co-founded. Mr. Weinstein is also a longtime Democratic donor with ties to the Clintons and the Obamas.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:38PM[SHARE]
Sunday, October 8, 2017

Disney's Big Bet on Streaming Relies on Little-Known Tech Company by Brooks Barnes and John Koblin

BamTech has had success with its services for Major League Baseball, HBO and others. Disney is hoping the company can do the same for it.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:59AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Coming Soon to AMC Theaters: Virtual Reality Experiences by Brooks Barnes

The theater chain has invested $20 million in the start-up Dreamscape Immersive and will open six locations offering V.R. experiences in the next 18 months.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:00AM[SHARE]
Thursday, August 24, 2017

To Get People in Stores, Disney Offers 'Star Wars' Treasure Hunt by Brooks Barnes

The promotion for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" will involve an augmented reality event spread across some 20,000 stores in 30 countries.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:00AM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off