ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

THEATRE/ CRITICS PAN "SPIDER-MAN": Despite an announcement from producers weeks ago that the new $65 million dollar Broadway musical "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" had delayed its official press opening to March 15, critics have begun weighing in on the high-profile production that began previews last fall. Before the latest postponement moved the opening to March, last night, February 7, was supposed to be opening night. Fed up with the long delays and constant press the musical has been receiving, without having the official opening night, most of the major critics filed their reviews today, as if last night was opening night. And they did not like what they saw. The Hollywood Reporter called the show, directed by Julie Taymor and featuring songs by U2's Bono and The Edge, "chaotic, dull and a little silly". THR went on to say: "The big shock when sitting down finally to assess this $65 million web-slinging folly, is what a monumental anti-climax it turns out to be". The New York Times said: "Spider-Man is not only the most expensive musical ever to hit Broadway; it may also rank among the worst". The Times critic went on to say: "After 15 or 20 minutes, the central question you keep asking yourself is likely to change from How can $65 million look so cheap? to 'How long before I'm out of here?". The New York Post found the show "equal parts exciting and atrocious, constantly seesawing between the galvanizing and the lame". The Post did like the music. "Though Bono and The Edge seemingly recycled a few old lyrics and riffs, they've also written some solid pop songs. The best are performed by Peter and Mary Jane, and they soar with U2's trademark grandiose angst". Gawker thinks the show can't be saved, calling it, "really, truly horrendously and unfixably bad down to its bones". Despite the bad reviews, the show has been selling out and producers believe that will continue, owing to the subject. "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" runs 165 minutes and is playing at the Foxwoods Theatre on Broadway.

FILM/ FIRST "IRON LADY" PIC RELEASED: The 1st photo of Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher was released by Pathe UK today. Streep is currently filming "The Iron Lady," based on Thatcher's life,  in London."The prospect of exploring the swathe cut through history by this remarkable woman is a daunting and exciting challenge," Streep, 61, said in a statement of becoming Thatcher, now 85. "I am trying to approach the role with as much zeal, fervor and attention to detail as the real Lady Thatcher possesses. I can only hope my stamina will begin to approach her own," she added.

FILM/ "BEAVER" PUSHED BACK TO MAY: Summit Entertainment is pushing back the release of Jodie Foster’s Mel Gibson film "The Beaver" from March 28 to May 6. Foster directed and co-stars in the drama. "The Beaver" will open in a limited run, and then expand on May 20. Cast also includes Anton Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence. The ilm premieres at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 16. Since Foster is shooting Roman Polanski's "God of Carnage" in Paris until mid-March, the later release date for "Beaver" gives her and the cast more time to promote it. A May release also gives Summit more time to build word-of-mouth following the film’s festival premiere. "The Beaver" was to have opened last year, but Summit delayed its debut because of controversial remarks made by Gibson that were secretly recorded by his ex-girlfriend.

TV/ SUPER BOWL SETS RECORD: Sunday's Super Bowl broke the record for the biggest US television audience for a single broadcast. The Green Bay Packers' win over the Pittsburgh Steelers was watched by 111 million viewers, topping the 2010 figures by nearly 5 million. FOX said it was also the most-watched night on any network in at least 20 years. "We're excited about the fan reaction from last night and the incredible game they were able to see," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said yesterday. Last year, 106.5 million viewers saw the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts, beating the 28-year record held by the finale of the comedy "MASH" in 1983.

PEOPLE/ JUDY GARLAND HOME ON MARKET: A traditional red brick Bel-Air home once owned by the late Judy Garland has hit the market for $5.5 million. Famed Southern California architect Wallace Neff designed the Stone Canyon Road residence for Garland in 1938, the same year she was cast as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz". The listing agent said that Garland moved into the 5 bedroom house in 1939 and lived at the property for “the next 7 or 8 years” with her mother. Features of the 2.5-acre property include a swimming pool, cabanas and writers’ cabin in the backyard.