in the Mix

Smokey Robinbson on his Up Close and Personal Tour at The Wilbur Theatre, Boston, Wednesday, Jan. 16. (Photo: The Wilbur Theatre)

Broken City…

I so wanted to love this movie for a variety of reasons. First, it’s the solo directorial debut of Allen Hughes (of “Menace II Society” and “Dead Presidents” fame). It’s a crime thriller with a great cast (Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones and the always magnificent Jeffrey Wright), with action and a good premise. “Broken City” is about political corruption and ex-cop Billy Taggart (Walhberg), who is hired by Mayor Nicholas Hostetler, played by Crowe, to look into whether his wife Cathleen (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is having an affair during his re-election campaign, only to be double-crossed and then framed by the Mayor.

The film tried to have the grit of “Serpico” with the suspense of “Inside Man,” but it didn’t work. The writing and directing didn’t make sense and I was left at times wondering what the characters just said. Jeffrey Wright, who makes every role unique and adds depth, was the only saving grace, and I perked up whenever he was in a scene, but alas, it wasn’t enough to hold “Broken City” together.

Up Close and Personal…

Legendary singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson was in town recently at the Wilbur Theatre as part of his “Up Close and Personal Tour,” and hit the stage impeccably dressed, with a twinkle in his eyes as he smiled to the audience.

Smokey was personable and engaging, telling stories and cracking jokes. He made everyone feel like they were right in his living room and that’s exactly how the format of the show went for the evening. He would pull a card out of a basket that listed a member of the audience’s name on it and that person would be called on by Smokey. He would chat with them for a few minutes and ask them what song they wanted to hear.

It was a night filled with Motown classics like “Being With You,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “Tracks of My Tears,” “Cruisin’” and “The Tears of a Clown.” Audience members couldn’t help but feel like they just experienced something special.

I’m not compromising….

Tracy Morgan opened up his show at Wilbur Theatre talking about not compromising his comedy when he heard that there was a 15-year-old with his parents sitting right up front (that could be dangerous at any comedy show). It was no holds barred as he kicked off with sex, sex and more sex. He did touch upon women being God’s greatest creation, and of course the women cheered.

Morgan did inject a bit of politics into his set when he spoke about the inauguration and one of the best lines of the night was when he said “Politics is nothing but politricks.”

If you’ve never seen Tracy Morgan live, just remember he’s not his character Tracy Jordan from “30 Rock.” As he said when someone in the audience started heckling him, “This ain’t TV. I can hear you.”

Coming Up…

Tonight (Thursday) through Sunday, comedian Russell Peters returns to town with four shows at the Wilbur Theatre.

Here’s your chance to try out a new restaurant and donate to a worthy organization. Local chefs from more than 15 participating restaurants (including La Morra, Sel de la Terre, Tres Gatos and The Elephant Walk), are donating their time and services to offer a brunch at $25, $35 or $50 per person as part of the 31st annual Super Hunger Brunch taking place on Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 27. Proceeds will benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. For more info visit, www.gbfb.org.

From Jan. 31-Feb. 5, the Boston Jewish Film Festival presents the second annual ReelAbilities Boston Disabilities Film Festival showcasing nine international films about the lives of people with different disabilities from a variety of communities. One of the highlights of the festival is the uplifting documentary “Body and Soul” following three young Mozambicans with physical disabilities. The film explores how they look at themselves and others and raises universal questions about self-acceptance and how to find one’s place in society. Body and Soul screens at the Museum of Fine Arts on Sunday, Feb. 3 at noon. Visit www.bjff.org for more information.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic return to the House of Blues on Friday, Feb. 8.

World Music/CRASHarts presents the South African a cappella singing group Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge.

Renowned drummer, composer, producer, Berklee professor (and Medford native) Terri Lyne Carrington presents her new album “Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue” as part of Berklee’s Signature Music Series on Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Berklee Performance Center.

If you would like me to cover or write about your event, email me at inthemixwithcolette@gmail.com.