Lookie What I Made

Is it really me?

"You have to believe we are..."

It appears very sad to me to find more than three people I know are so young that they don’t even know what "Xanadu" is.

I just re-watched the movie last week on my ‘new’ widescreen TV and found that I’m still touched by this movie, even with all of its faults.

The good thing is I’ve found I’m not alone.

And then, there’s this (which totally rocks my socks)!

Do I/we need help?

It's Raining 300 Men

This made me laugh. It's also more than wishful thinking that the movie was as good as this. Sure, I was really looking forward to this ("Sin City" was excellent and the "Dawn Of The Dead" remake was v. scary), but for all of it's positives- the men, the cinematography, the men's abs, the FX, the men's leather britches, the men)- it was so lightweight that I pretty much had forgotten the movie by the next day.



Still good eye candy, though.

Going, Going, Going- Part 2

After the “Vigils” matinee, we stopped at The Theatre so Patrick could see the new space and then a quick dinner before hitting the Kennedy Center for its acclaimed revival of "Carnival!"

Now, this show is based on Lili, an old MGM musical that is one of my mother’s favorite films, ergo, I remember it a lot from my childhood. I was not familiar with the musical at all, save for the fact that it was Jerry Orbach’s Broadway debut in 1961, so I was excited to see it. Not only that, but Natascia Diaz, a favorite of mine (& Patrick’s) from “Jacques Brel,” was in the cast.

The production at the Kennedy Center is exquisite, lavish, and beautifully acted. It’s just that I didn’t find the show itself as touching as the movie did (when I was a kid- it might be too treacly these days). The book is a little creaky, but at least it came to life when Natascia & Sebastian LaCause (her onstage lover) appeared.

Now, after we got ourselves situated in our second row seats, there was this woman right behind me who kept saying how much she loves this show and telling the people around her that they’d better not mind her singing along or they should find other seats. I groaned to Patrick, thinking she was just excited, as no normal adult would behave that way in a theatre. Well, during the “Cirque De Paris” number- sure enough- she started singing. I leaned over my shoulder and whispered (loud enough so she could hear), “Do you mind?”

She shut up after that. But then I felt a little guilt that the person sitting next to me was wondering if I meant that for her (and she was quiet).

But seriously, why on earth would someone think that they’re justified to act like they do in their own living room when there are plenty of people around them that had spent $80+ as well to listen to the show. It’s simple etiquette, people! Oy vey.

Afterwards, we met up with Ms. Diaz and had drinks with her before I took Patrick back to the bus so he could get home. Another full weekend complete.

Thoughts About Oscar- Finally

Okay, so the Oscars were a little over a week ago, these ramblings are probably a little dated, but here’s my take:

• Ellen DeGeneres did a great job hosting. She brings a child-like wonderment in her humour and those bits in the audience were hysterical. Who else has the audacity to convince Spielberg to get a picture of Ellen and Clint Eastwood for “her MySpace” page?


• Martin Scorsese winning was not a huge surprise, but v. well-deserved. The Departed’s winning Picture was also expected and not overlooked.


• Eddie Murphy was robbed- ‘nuf said.


• Dreamgirls was robbed in the “Best Song” category, but at least it gave us the most energetic performance of the night:

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).

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)

A Little Warm Up

before I put finger to keyboard again. Happy Christmas, everybody!

Now, imagine if Star Wars was made in the silent movie era...

Tony Awards + Dreamgirls = Awesome

This clip is proof enough that Ms. Holliday gave a powerhouse performance as Effie White.

That is, until the movie opens up and the world will see a performance that is just as enthralling in Jennifer Hudson's performance of Effie.

Mary Poppins as Horor Film

I'm thinking that these mashup trailers are getting to be pretty tiresome, but this one really made me laugh.

Capsule Film Reviews

So, I was recently made aware of the lack of recent movie reviewing. Yeah, I know I was caught up in stuff and alot of "Dreamgirls" drooling, so to placate youse guys, here's a couple capsule reviews of recent films I saw and am willing to recommend:

Marie Antoinette

In my opinion, this is probably the most beautifully designed film of the last two decades. The costume and set design alone are worthy of a viewing. While Sofia Coppola's previous films have been somewhat hit-or-miss with me (hated "Lost In Translation," liked "Virgin Suicides"), this one hit all the right notes and establishes her as a visionary filmmaker, much like her father. Based on a recent, more sympathetic, biography, this movie fuses history with 80s music, not unlike Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge."

Virtually dialogue-free, Kirsten Dunst embodies the role of the young Austrian queen who was thrust upon Louis XVII as a teenager and her emotional struggle to become the historical figure she was destined to be. Because of its design and superficiality, the movie feels sterile but I think it replicates the lifestyle of separation of class the the French Royals experienced in the last days before the Revolution. This is definitely a big-screen kinda movie. Grade: B⁺

Running With Scissors

As with "Dreamgirls," it's no secret that I loveAugusten Burroughs, so I was naturally anticipating "Nip/Tuck's" Ryan Murphy's adaptation of his first memoir, Running With Scissors. I had been following its development, casting and release with great interest. The interviews with Ryan Murphy and Augusten Burroughs showed great admiration and respect between each man and their work and Augusten's enthusiasm for the movie when he spoke here in DC about the accuracy of bringing his experiences to film only increased the hype to me.


Well, there's something to be said for being too reverent and respectful of a literary work (and what is up with the freaky poster image?). Ryan Murphy does succeed at displaying life in the early/late 70s, down to the print wallpaper and fashions, but in being so attached to the book, he drains some of the life out of Augusten's expereinces in my opinion. That's not to say that the acting the anemic. I thought that each performer, with the exception of a couple, gave their all and were very convincing in their roles. The buzzed-about Annette Benning was at turns hilariously over-the-top and heart-breakingly vulnerable and she truly deserves an Oscar nod for her work here. The actress who really shocked me with her subtlety was Jill Clayburgh's performance as Agnes, the wife of the psychiatrist & Augusten's guardian. In just a few facial expressions and a non-sequiter line, she conveys wisdom and heartbreak and becomes the mother that young Augusten needs.

Joseph Cross is fine as Augusten as is Joeseph Feinnes as Augusten's child molester boyfriend, but the roles of Hope and Natalie (Gwyneth Paltrow and Evan Rachel Wood, respectively) are woefully underwritten, especially with the pivotal nature of Natalie in Augusten's life in his memoir. I think being too respectful, while gaining some authenticity, drains the life out of this movie and, dare I say it, the heart, too. If you're still interested, see it for the performances. Grade: C⁺

"Caligula" Remake Trailer (NSFW)

This is simply fascinating. This trailer premiered at a couple of film festivals for a fictional remake of Penthouse Films & Gore Vidal's scandelriffic "Caligula." It's a shame that this is just a fantasy thing because it looks like it might be pretty camptastic (even more than the original). Naturally, there's much sexual innuendo, so kids, turn away from this post.



More about the origins of this trailer here.

Creeptastic

Dreamgirls Advance Review

A drumbeat begins, a bass line joins in and flashbulbs pop and blaze amid the twirling camera-work and frantic editing. With these images, sharing the frenzied opening with the film version of “Chicago”, Bill Condon’s film of “Dreamgirls” gets off to a kinetic start with the musical performance of the fictional Stepp Sisters at a theatre in Detroit. Amongst all of the chaos we’re introduced to Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx), Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles) and the rest of the principal cast in minutes. The rest of this film maintains the fluid nature of Michael Bennett’s original staging, and Condon has adapted the piece to retain the major points of the story (as well as most of the musical numbers) but he also opens up this world and places it within the context of the major historical events that take place around the rise of the (fictional) girl group, The Dreams.

It’s no secret that I’ve loved this musical since the first time I saw it in 1997. It’s got a fairly brilliant score that blends the Motown sound with personal character songs and major diva moments. While the show was more of a sung-through piece, Mr. Condon sets the bulk of the musical numbers in their realistic settings (stage, recording studio, bar) and replaces all the recitative with actual dialogue that befits each character and suits the plot, unlike the film of “Rent,” which just had people speaking lyrics. Then he subtly takes a scene, once we’re involved with these people, and raises the emotional stakes so high that the only thing they can do next is sing instead of speak. It’s not as awkward as it sounds and there is no need for a framing device (like “Chicago”) to place these songs in context. This movie is a true movie musical that harkens back to the days of other dramatic musicals as “Oliver,” “West Side Story” and “Sweet Charity.” There are shades of “Cabaret” where a song will comment on the action and make it a sort of emotional shorthand and that’s welcome, too.


Eddie Murphy has a star- (re)making turn as soul man James “Thunder” Early, both making him human and outrageous simultaneously. This is one dramatic performance to keep your eyes on come Oscar time.


“American Idol” contestant, Jennifer Hudson lives and breathes as Effie White. She conveys Effie’s sense of entitlement brilliantly and, when she breaks down with the signature song “And I Am Telling You,” she takes command and you can’t tear your eyes off her. At the screening I attended, there was a tremendous amount of applause at the end of that number- in a movie theatre, no less!


As the other two Dreams members, Beyonce Knowles and Anika Noni Rose fill the roles respectably, making each person’s growth over the decades quite persuasively.

The one actor who, while still good, wasn’t up to par was (surprisingly) Jamie Foxx’s “sleazy” Curtis Taylor, Jr. It may have been a directorial choice but it seemed like his portrayal wasn’t as fully formed or commanding as the other characters.

With that in mind, this is still an excellent film. Because of its sprawling nature, at times it reminded me of “Boogie Nights” because it takes the rise of the recording stars and places them in the undertow of history and stirs them up. There are minor departures from the stage version, and are actually welcome. There are also some nice homages to the stage production- if you’re aware of the history of the show and its marketing I’m sure you’ll know what I mean.


In all, after the screening, I just wanted to turn around and watch it again.
Grade: A⁺

A night of movie trailers and bad commetary

Monday night, the Happy Fun Time Friend Service & I went to the DC Film Society's semi-annual Movie Preview Party over at E St. Cinemas in DC and we enjoyed two hours worth of trailers- some good, some bad, and some just plain wrong.

And this was high-lighted with banter from the DC Movie Guys: two overgrown adolescents who think they may be Don & Mike of radio fame and are most definitely lacking much of the wit and banter and, especially, humour of those two radio hosts. Over the past events I've attended, there has always been a sense of semi-untolerance for their outbursts, but this time there were plenty of vocal people telling them they suck and to keep their comments to themselves during the trailers themselves. Hopefully, the next trailer night won't be hosted by them.

Movies I'm looking forward to

The Fountain: The latest film from Darren Aronofsky, who is (IMO) one of the most visionary directors of the past decade. This trippy time-traveling triptych features Rachel Weisz and Hugh Jackman as lovers in three distinct time periods (present day, 16th century conquistadors, and 26th century whatevers), and each story involves the search for eternal youth (said fountain of the movie title, perhaps?). Sounds trippy and the visuals appear to rival the cinematographic artistry of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette (IMO, the most beautifully photographed movie of the past two decades).

Spiderman 3: Uh-oh, Venom's coming (squishing?) out! While I didn't think too highly of the first movie, the sequel was an great comic-book movie that delved into the aspects of identity and heroism that kinda gets me off, and this trailer makes it seem like there's still some more depths to be plunged in the Spiderman story.

Notes on a Scandal: Four words: Judi Dench & Cate Blanchett.

Pan's Labyrinth: I always look forward to a new film by Guillermo Del Toro. They each have a sense of whimsy, while still being serious and adult. This one throws in what looks like a fantastical spooky-ish story and it makes me wonder why he hasn't been asked to direct any Harry Potter films.


Dreamgirls: The only movie that I'm willing to drive up to New York in four weeks to catch an advance reserved-seat Road show edition (no trailers, overture, intermission, program, etc.) engagement at the esteemed Zeigfeld Theatre. Or I might even be abel to see it earlier than that...Nuff said.

Movies that I now want to see, thanks to the trailer

Charlotte's Web: When I was younger, I enjoyed the animated film and like the story, but had no real inclination to go see this. Until I saw this trailer. It may be it's similarities to (one of my favorites) "Babe" or just my affinity for talking animal movies (don't ask), but this looks to be a nice adaptation and with such a stellar voice cast- Kathy Bates, Steve Buscemi (as Templeton the rat!), Robert Redford and Oprah Winfrey- it looks like it can't lose. Except for my one concern: Julia ROberts doesn't exactly sound like a warm spider-mamma should.

The History Boys: The play was panned and praised and won a whole lot of Tony Awards, but I never saw it since I knew that a filmed adaptation was already in the can and awaiting release. Not sure if I'm going to like it but it looks great and has a kick-ass soundtrack.

Evan Almighty: The first film ("Bruce Almighty") was enjoyable and I really had no inkling of wanting to see a sequel to it, but when you add genius Steve Carrell to the mix it becomes must-see. The trailer takes the Noah story and turns it on its ear with Carrell assigned to build an ark in the 21st century.

Movies that everyone should avoid at all costs

Unaccompanied Minors: One of two dreck-filled holiday movies this year. It's basically "Home Alone" x5 in an airport.

Deck The Halls: The other slice of holiday dreck. Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito are wasted in this mash-up of "Christmas with the Kranks" and "Christmas Vacation." And, yes, that is Kristin Chenowith as DeVito's wife.

Surf's Up: The second animated penguin movie to come out in a twelve month period ("Happy Feet" opens friday), but, come on, surfing penguins?!? I know it's not a documentary, but it just screams uninspired. To me, anyways.

Quote of the Day

"It's an absolute monster! Maybe I shouldn't have said that. How uncouth of me!"

--Dame Judi Dench, speaking of catching a glimpse at co-star Daniel Craig in the all-together.

Does this make the anticipation for the new Bond movie greater or not?

Thanks to defamer.com for the scoop.

Presenting the Dreams...

Finally, the full trailer for "Dreamgirls." Here are a few sceencaps:





Coming out this Christmas. Again, it looks incredible in HD...

Starts with S...

Last week went by with a flourish, and I was eagerly anticipating Friday arriving, simply because it was the weekend, and I was going out with one of my best friends- Woogie.

I was listening to the entire catalog of Eurythmics albums and finally finished listening to them on Thursday. The next thing on my list was what my oldest brother (the Priest) sent me for my birthday from my Amazon wish list- “Original Sin” by Pandora’s Box, written and produced by (one of my idols) Jim Steinman. Pandora’s box was a girl group put together by him and they released this album in the late 80s and contains the original version of “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” (later covered by Celine Dion) and is even more theatrical than any of the stuff he’s written for Meat Loaf. I know Steinman’s sort of an acquired taste, but I totally love his over-the-top Wagnerian themes, Phil Spector-esque soundscapes, big choruses, and his adolescent lyrics (and I don’t mean that pejoratively). This album really is B-I-G big and is a thrill to listen to. It’s been on replay in my car since I started listening to it on Thursday. (Download “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” and “Pray Lewd”- get it? | Purchase CD).

Thursday night, I was dragged out to the Office by my other House Manager and stayed out way too late, talking television with Filmdom Ryan and I didn’t get to sleep until 1 A.M.

Figuring I’d be paying dearly for it, I was surprisingly awake for work on Friday, and stayed so. I met up with Woogie to catch the new John Cameron Mitchell film, Shortbus (AKA, the “sex” movie where actors have actual penetrative intercourse throughout the narrative).

While not as masterful as “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” his first movie, it was well done and the sex wasn’t really too distracting from the story and it was fairly involving. I must admit that, at first, the sexual imagery was in-your-face, but it was never titillating and I’m not sure if that was just me being jaded (thanks to porn, heh heh) or just part of the film’s role. Grade:B.

After the movie, I was trying my damnedest to get Woogie to go see Barbra Streisand, since the Verizon center was right around the corner and it was really a pretty opportune time to see her, with tickets still available and who knew when she was going to tour again. He didn’t bite while we had dinner, but did wait for me while I made my final decision to purchase a ticket at the box office at 8 P.M. As I was waking to my section, knowing that at least the overture would be missed someone behind me was saying how they had missed almost a half an hour of the concert. I then looked at my ticket and noted that the start time was 7:30 (“aha,” I thought to myself, “that explained the huge crowd at the center at 7.”) I found my seat as she started singing “Evergreen,” and the rest of the concert was pure bliss. Unlike the New York concert where she told some hecklers to “Shut the F&%$# Up,” the D.C. crowd was very well-behaved, even during the George W Bush impersonator segment, which felt like an overdone SNL skit after about five minutes. She ended the first act with an excellent medley of 4 songs from “Funny Girl,” including “The Music That Makes Me Dance” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade” (natch)- that’s when I started getting chills.

While she is getting on in her years, her voice and singing are literally “like buttah.” Granted, her lower range isn’t what it used to be, but Barbra more than made up for it with her delivery and just very laid-back attitude. For this show, she concentrated on songs she hasn’t performed in a long time, which meant a lot of show tunes and stuff from the 60s (so no “Woman In Love” tonight) and, when she sang “Happy Days Are Here Again,” I was almost in tears. She was joined by that bland-but-hot popera group “Il Divo” throughout the night but the concert was, rightfully, focused on Miss Streisand and the 50-piece orchestra backing her up. Her first encore was the “Don’t Rain On My Parade” reprise from “Funny Girl” the musical and that was one of the biggest surprises, which led me to my feet and hollering, even though I was in the last row of the center. I left on a high and satisfaction that what I witnessed was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Granted, this experience is probably what will get me my lifetime queer card in the mail.
(P.S. I didn't take a picture during the concert, that was during intermission and I wanted to show how far up I was.)