How Gay Is TOP GUN?

Apparently, it's really really gay- but we all knew that already. I had heard of this infamous Quentin Tarantino speech and am glad to finally have heard it.



That volleyball scene- OY!

What A Day...

Yesterday, my friend Lisa, from Happy Funtime Friend Servce, and I woke up early to get to the Best Picture Showcase at AMC Tyson's Corner and, for $30, it was one of hte best bargains I've had in a while. I mean, 5 movies, large drink and popcorn (with free refills all day) and in and out priviledges and what more can you ask for?

Granted, we both had already seen The Departed, and I had alrady caught "Miss SUnshine," but the other three films neither of us caught yet. So, in order of viewing:

Babel: Neither of us liked it that much. I felt that, with forty-five minutes of further editing (howabout that pointless Japanese girl story?), it would've been a good movie. I just felt that Innaritu was really trying so hard to make a big statement that just muddied the plot. Granted the Japanese girl story, taken on its own terms would've made a very powerful short film. There was one performance that I felt should have been recognised but wasn't and that was Brad Pitt's- truly heartbreaking, intense work.

The Queen: blew me away. I had expected an amazing performance from Helen Mirren (it's fresking Helen Mirren, folks!), so that wasn't a surprise, but I wasn't expecting was such a moving piece about the Monarchy and their grief over Princess Diana's unexpected death and overcoming centuries of traidition to grieve with the rest of the world and recognise the other accomplishments that Diana had made in her lifetime. IMO, this should be the movie to win the Best Picture, although I really think it's The Departed's year.

Speaking of The Departed, we skipped out on that one and decided to take a walk throught the mall and have a nice leisurely dinner (granted, we had 2 hours and 45 minutes to kill before the next movie).


Letters From Iwo Jima: I was truly looking forward to being moved by this film, even though my track record with Clint Eastwood's directorial efforts have been spotty, and came away predictably disappointed from what could have been a powerful experience. Ken Watanabe did fine work as a high-ranking officer on the beach at Iwo Jima but Eastwood's passive style of directing just didn't make this movie live. In fact, I fell asleep a couple of times.

After that, we both decided that we'd had enough (and I didn't care to see Miss Sunshine again) and booked it out of there. Lisa to see a band at a local bar and me, to play with the chins. Overall, we had a fantastic day with the other film freaks that had settled into their seats for almost twelve hours (even though we weren't that dedicated).

Twenty-Five Years Ago...

Madonna's debut in some rinky-dink nightclub in New York. WOW.

George Takei Has His Say...

On the whole Tim Hardaway making homophobic comments thing. Too choice for words.



Thanks to Joe.My.God.

That's why we have snow at Christmas

This past Sunday, I had tickets to go see Matthew Bourne's production of "Edward Scissorhands" at the Kennedy Center. I was plenty excited to see this, not only because Tim Burton's film is one of my all-time favorites but also because Mr. Bourne is one of the most talented choreographers of the past few decades.

The first 30 minutes were slightly confusing and the choreography wasn't great, but there was also a lot of story setup and the initial jolt of seeing a story told through movement and no dialogue. Once Edward is adopted by the Boggs family, the story becomes involving and my interest picked up. There are two breathtaking dances (one with moving topiary) and then some nicely done group numbers. I had forgotten how moving Danny Elfman's original score was and Mr. Bourne brings the tale to a somewhat more somber end, but IMO it makes more sense this way.

And I was moved to tears by the end of the performance. I don't think I've seen such a coup de theatre since Mary Poppins flew over the audience in the UK.

Photo by Bill Cooper

Frozen in Carbonite or 20 Things in 6 Weeks

Allright, I totally and completely suck since it's been so long that I've updated this here blog, but I do hope to make it up over the next few days.

In the time since I last posted, I have:

1. Gotten food poisoning


2. Become obsessed with this frakking show


3. Worked with the Theatre's open house, which welcomed over 10,000 people (!)


4. Had a nasty cold (thankfully not anything worse)


5. Went to see this with LeFo


6. LeFo & I felt like octogenarians at said screening


7. Hosted my best friend from High School, The Rock (who will be stationed here this summer)


8. Went looking for houses with him (all day- oy)


9. Got sleeted on


10. Averaged working more than 25 hours at the Theatre per week


11. Opened (and now getting ready to close) "Into The Woods"


12. Was grossed out and yet fascinated by Pan's Labyrinth


13. Ate Ethiopian food


14. Saw Dreamgirls (again)


15. Was incensed at the Academy Award snub of Dreamgirls


16. Had a part fall off of my car


17. Plowed some snow and ice


18. Saw a pretty horrible production of "Footloose- The Musical"


19. Went to a black tie affair at the Theatre


20. Purchased my first Tuxedo (for said affair)