broken broken english

There is nothing more disappointing then going to a film, seeing something that you weren’t expecting, and having the unexpected product not work. Sadly, that is what happened when I took in the new film BROKEN ENGLISH. Advertised as an Indie romance, the story follows Parker Posey, as she struggles to find love in NYC. I think in some ways, I was expecting a young, hip, new SEX AND THE CITY. This is not what I got. Posey is a fun actress. She is the queen of creating fun, quirky, interesting, and complex characters, and making them human. The woman she plays is actually pretty damaged. At one point she says to her best friend, or her best friend says to her that she hasn’t been able to go to sleep in years without a pill or a drink. Um, I found this moment surprisingly dark. I realize that this is a time where hopeful romanticism in many ways has died. And perhaps, by watching so many films on the Turner Classic Movie station, I am setting myself up to be disappointed by a dark look at contemporary love. Ms. Posey’s character is feeling hopeless, hurt, depressed, and is barely functioning, and should probably be on a high-dose antidepressant. After two hopeless/failed dates, she vows to stay away from love. She then meets a random Frenchman who pushes her to open up her heart just in time for him to leave and go back to Paris. So, things have gone from crappy to worse. Not even great cameos from Josh Hamilton and Justin Theroux can save the dark, plodding film. I have to mention that there are some good moments in the film. Sadly, they are bogged down by the very dark feel, and then forced uplifting ending (too little, too late?) to pull this movie out of its romantic toilet flush. First-time filmmaker Zoe Cassavetes shows promise, and I hope that she will do more. It is always good news for young, female filmmakers to come on the scene. However, this uneven film doesn’t quite work, and it’s a shame, because there is always room for a great love story in NYC.

Final thoughts: Maybe add it to your NetFlix list for a dark, dark day when you want to see unhappy people everywhere.

Photo credit: www.movieweb.com

what does it mean

As I was leaving the movie theatre this afternoon, I saw this sign as I was crossing Broadway. My only question is, what does it mean? What is the Times Square shuffle? Where do I learn it? Can I wear tennis shoes, or do I need to wear special shuffle shoes? If I don't shuffle, will I be penalized?

pockets

I am having a bit of a thing right now with pockets. I like to put my hands in my pockets as I wander about in life. Lately, either because I stopped wearing men's pants, or I have to kind of dress professionally, I have noticed that the pockets on my pants are in the front, and not on the side. This is so annoying! All I want to do is put my hands in my pockets.....is that too much to ask?

photo credit: http://claudia79.tripod.com/

my dork flag is blowing in the wind

I can't wait to see the next BATMAN movie which comes out in the summer of 2008. I know, judge me if you must, but I adored BATMAN BEGINS so much, and Christian Bale is too fabulous to talk about. Anyway, images are starting to creep out....and here is one of a new Batman-cycle. Woo-hoo!

photo credit: LA Times

not that bad

On Sunday morning, I headed to the 68th Street Loews clutching my $6 to see FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER. Now, before you judge me, please know that no matter what reviews this movie got, I was going to see it. Is it a great movie? Hell, no. Is it a fun movie to watch, including lots of eye candy, a happy ending, and some explosions? Yes. Frankly, I wonder what the many movie reviewers were expecting when they went to this film, that they would have such a strong, angry response to it. Did I go to see this movie with the expectation that I would be forever changed, or perhaps I would be moved to become a superhero or would begin a movement for it to receive the Oscar? No. I went to be entertained, and entertained I was. Other than finding Jessica Alba rather annoying, the movie was fun. Between Chris Evans, Julian McMahon, and Ioan Gruffudd, a girl (and certain boys) have lots to look at, and some of the special effects are fun or fun to laugh at. This is actually more of a girl movie too as Sue Storm and Reed Richards get ready to get married. Seriously, this is a move about wedding planning! Anyway, I adore both Ioan Gruffudd and Chris Evans. I am on a bit of a Chris Evans kick actually as I just re-watched this terrible film that I love called CELLULAR. He plays a guy who gets a call on his cell phone from Kim Basinger who has been kidnapped and he works to save her and her family. It is so bad….but I love it.

Final thoughts: If you like F4, then check out the movie. It is a light, fun, popcorn movie that isn’t as bad as everyone had made it out to be.

Photo credit: www.movieweb.com

thoughts on the tony awards

Every year, I look forward to the Tony Awards (for excellence on Broadway) with the glee of a six-year old waiting for Christmas. This year was no exception. This has been a great year for theatre, and in particular, a great one for women’s leading roles. Both Christine Ebersole (GREY GARDENS) and Audra McDonald (110 IN THE SHADE) gave phenomenal performances, and there was a great wave of young talent in the fabulous SPRING AWAKENING. Once again host-less, sadly, the Tony's seemed to flounder without anyone there to connect the show. Last year, there was no host, but they had a huge assortment of stars, including the then-performing Julia Roberts and a legion of other film and television stars to glam up the whole proceedings. Overall, the performances were okay. None of the performances seem to lift very strongly from their respective shows, and although I enjoyed them, I just wasn’t blown away. Actually, the strongest performance probably came from MARY POPPINS with huge dancing numbers that really captured what the *magic* of Broadway could be. Audra McDonald was fabulous doing the number “Raunchy”, but the song really loses its extra oomph when removed from the show. I mean, you can appreciate her fine singing and fun dancing, but without the first 1/3 of the play, the number doesn’t sparkle the way it can. Christine Ebersole was fabulous, but again, the number (whose name escapes me) is just weird…and anyone who was just watching the Tony's for fun was probably just scratching their head trying to figure out what the heck was going on. SPRING AWAKENING did a medley with some of the best numbers, but with the language censorship, it was mostly a bunch of teenagers jumping around on stage. The average family in Iowa was probably thinking, this is the best show on Broadway?

I know that they decided this year to not allow musicals that were not nominated for best musical or revival to perform, but I think it would have been great for LEGALLY BLONDE to get out there and do something. Oh, and there was a random little performance by the guys from JERSEY BOYS that was actually a bit of a mess.

Overall, other than some surprise wins, most notably David Hyde Pierce for leading man, the show was kind of blah. And the truth is, it really shouldn’t be. This is a great opportunity for these shows to get up and sell their shows, and other than MARY POPPINS, I wasn’t necessarily sold…and really, does a Disney show need any help to sell tickets?

Photo credit: www.nytimes.com

perfect

Two weekends ago, after recovering from my parent’s trip, Richard and I headed back to see 110 IN THE SHADE from the front row. It was my favorite musical theatre experience….ever. Audra McDonald is unbelievable in the part. There was one moment in particular that was absolutely stunning. Lizzie’s (Audra) brother Noah finally blows up and tells her father and other brother to stop lying to her by telling her that she is beautiful. He goes on to say that she is plain, and that she will most likely be an old maid. He tries to soften it by telling her that it will be okay, because she will always have a place in the family home with her brothers and father, so she will never truly be alone. During this sequence, Audra just sat there, staring at her brother, and suddenly she had these tears streaming down her face. I was so moved, and she sat there so still, and I swear, you could hear her heart slowly breaking. From this scene, she goes into the end of the first act with a song called “Old Maid”. This song was the single greatest performance I have ever seen. She is crying, and angry, and broken, and yet she doesn’t miss a note in this rangy song. It is, in a word, stunning. I bought the soundtrack that night, and I have been listening to it non-stop, just picturing those moments, and reliving it. That is what I love so much about the live theatre. That moment, that performance, is something that I will share with not only the artist, but with the audience. It is like we have been part of a great secret, and this group of people are the only ones who will ever have it. I mean, other people will see her do the song, but it will always be a little different - never the exact same performance. I love that I can keep that moment with me forever.

The rest of the show was wonderful as well. I thought that the production was even better than the first time, and I fell more in love with the sheriff, and felt that Starbuck (the rainmaker) had grown from the last show. Oh, and Robin, we did indeed get wet in the wet zone. Of course, Richard and I are going back to see the show again from the front row for my birthday. I am thinking this is going to be the best birthday yet!

Final thoughts: If you are in the city, do not miss the chance to see this stunning performance. Oh, and run to the box office and try to get ½ price front row seats!

Photo credit: www.playbill.com

rich & beautiful

Sometimes, it's fun to go to the movies and watch rich and beautiful people have a great time. I mean, sometimes, it can be demoralizing and depressing, but if you can lose yourself in the dream, it can be a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. So, that takes me to OCEAN’S THIRTEEN. The gang is all back (without the lady friends), and are fighting against Al Pacino who has screwed over Elliott Gould…who has now had a heart attack, and is in the hospital. The group assemble in Vegas, and set out to wreck the opening of Pacino’s new hotel. The cast seems in fine form, and I especially enjoyed Matt Damon (Jennifer Garner's husband's former best friend) whose character seemed to really come into his own. Also, kudos to Casey Affleck (Jennifer Garner’s husband’s brother) and Scott Caan who play bickering brothers, and find themselves in Mexico in a hilarious situation. And, Ellen Barkin plays Pacino’s right-hand “man”, and brings a lovely sexy-sassiness to the story. May we all look so fabulous in our 50’s. (IMDb lists her at 53.) Will this movie change the world, or film making as a whole? No. However, it is a fun movie, with decent actors having a good time. I mean, staring at George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon for two hours is certainly not the WORST way you might spend a day.

Final thoughts: Grab some popcorn, and go to an early screening to get the cheaper price….and enjoy the eye candy.

Photo credit: www.movieweb.com

confused and disappointed

It is always such fun to look forward to a sequel to a movie. You always hope that this one is going to be better than the last, and you will enjoy and perhaps even be moved by the opportunity to see a favorite character grow. This was so not the case with PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END. I mostly was confused and disappointed by this movie. First, if you are going to go and see it...make sure to watch the second part again. It is a continuation of this film, and if you haven't boned up on what is going on, you will sit there trying to remember who is who, and what they were doing, when. Second, take copious notes on who is who. Everyone seems to be double-crossing everyone.....but I wasn't sure what side everyone was on to start with. So, therein lies the frustration of the third in the PIRATES trilogy. Oh, and one aspect of the end of the movie really irritated me. I don't want to give it away, but I was annoyed that after spending all of this time caring, the film ended the way it did.

Johnny Depp is lovely as Captain Jack. He isn't so much developing a character as having fun, and in this case, that's fine. It's fun to watch his ridiculousness play out, since you can't really understand what is going on with the rest of the movie. Orlando Bloom does his best (in the special British way) to develop his character and tell a story, and Keira is there looking pretty. The supporting cast (regular PIRATES people) do a fine job, and the fighting on the sea has moments of pure genius.

Final thoughts: I wanted so much to LOVE this movie. I am hoping that if I had watched the second movie again, it would have made more sense, and encourage you to revisit it prior to your own viewing. Although it was confusing, there was some fun parts, and you can't beat fight sequences on the big screen. If you can, check it out at the second-run house with your popcorn in hand.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

knocked up

Sometimes, a comedy comes along that is everything you want it to be: laugh-out-loud hilarious, a little dirty, sweet, a real story, evolving characters, and more laugh-out-loud moments. KNOCKED UP manages to be an incredibly sweet romantic comedy that is also freaking hilarious. From the director of THE 40-YEAR OLD VIRGIN, KNOCKED UP follows the story of Allison (Katherine Heigl) and Ben (Seth Rogen) who suddenly find themselves parents-to-be after a night of drinking. Handled with surprising sensitivity, this story looks at two strangers who find themselves becoming adults overnight. Both Ms. Heigl and Mr. Rogen are great as the baby-makers. They manage to stay true to their characters while finding themselves in sometimes thankless situations. You find it believable that they could care for one another, and that they would also let each other down. The supporting cast is great as well, especially Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann as Allison's sister and brother-in-law. Many familiar faces stop by in supporting roles including Jason Segel, Steve Carrell, and Ryan Seacrest. (Allison works at E!). Special kudos to the actress (whose name I don't know) who plays one of Allison's bosses at E! along with Alan Tudyk. Her pithy comments are priceless, and some of the funniest moments in the film.

Final thoughts: A funny look at a very modern situation. Definitely one to check out.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com

a great movie!

ONCE is a simple Indie movie that just touched my heart, and I adored on so many levels. Set in Ireland, this movie is about two musicians who meet, and collaborate on some music together. Played by real-life musicians Glan Hansard and Marketo Irglova, the movie starts with Ms. Irglova stopping to compliment Mr. Hansard one evening as he plays on the street corner. During the course of their conversation, it comes out that Mr. Hansard's day-job is as a vacuum repairman. Revealing that she needs hers fixed, Ms. Irglova returns the next day, and a friendship is born. She took piano lessons as a child, so they go and sit together one day and fool around with the music. The music in this film is amazing. In fact, I went and bought the soundtrack yesterday, and sit here listening to it as I write this entry. It is a folky-rock, and uses acoustic guitar, piano, and violin. I love it. As I walked around the city today, I listened to it, and only hope I can learn the lyrics quickly to sing along.

This movie is never big, it is just a story about two people who both love music, and that's enough. This is definitely going on my list of fave movies of all time.

Final thoughts: If you get the chance, check it out. The music is great, the movie is sweet, and I might be just a little bit in love with the leading man.

photo credit: www.movieweb.com