The satirical whimsical musical “Urinetown” launches well deserved barbs at greedy capitalists, environmental polluters and overblown Broadway musicals including Les Miserables. It’s the poor versus the rich melodrama set to music.
Directed by John Command, has assembled a talented cast for this over the top spirited romp at the Jungle Theater promises to be this summer’s must see entertainment.
Several clichés are employed here including the handsome hero Billy who battles the evil industrialist Cladwell who is in league with slimy politicians to raise fees at public restrooms. Cladwell is a caricature of the Monopoly game capitalist figure with top hat and mustache.
Of courses Billy falls for the blonde beauty, Cladwell’s daughter, another cliché. Moreover, show stopping production numbers borrow heavily from overblown Hollywood musicals with the Charleston chorus line and the “Negro” spiritual. All of this poking fun at bad musicals is most endearing.
Although I was most skeptical about this endeavor given the title “Urinetown,” I lost myself in the moment which has to be seen to be believed.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Monday, May 27, 2013
Douglas Captures Flambouyant Liberace Character
Michael Douglas and Matt Damon were very brave to do “Behind the Candelabra,” an entertaining biopic of legendary gay performer Liberace. Kudos go to the makeup artist or digital genius who transformed the actors from old to gay and back again.
Grotesque, vain and stupid best describe the characters in this melodrama. Douglas plays Walter Lee Liberace and Damon is his young lover Scott who is not the brightest bulb. Google Scott Thorson to update his sad story.
Noteworthy are the performances of Debbie Reynolds as Lee’s mom and Rob Lowe as the quack plastic surgeon and happy go lucky drug dispenser. Reynolds does her Zsa Zsa imitation and Lowe is grotesquely transformed into a 70s nightmare.
For those who lack HBO, this is worth a view on DVD. The costumes and sets are over the top and it captures the excesses of the era.
Grotesque, vain and stupid best describe the characters in this melodrama. Douglas plays Walter Lee Liberace and Damon is his young lover Scott who is not the brightest bulb. Google Scott Thorson to update his sad story.
Noteworthy are the performances of Debbie Reynolds as Lee’s mom and Rob Lowe as the quack plastic surgeon and happy go lucky drug dispenser. Reynolds does her Zsa Zsa imitation and Lowe is grotesquely transformed into a 70s nightmare.
For those who lack HBO, this is worth a view on DVD. The costumes and sets are over the top and it captures the excesses of the era.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Leonardo is Believable as J, Gatsby
The wealthiest Americans indifference to the poverty surrounding them is a theme in the new “Gatsby” at theaters now. None of the characters are likable in the latest adaptation of the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel “The Great Gatsby”
What is incredibly tacky is the music, with hip hop signaling the arrival of the African Americans and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” when affluent whites are on screen.
The excessive party scene is overkill and reminiscent of a similar scene in “Moulon Rouge,” also directed by Baz Luhrman, an Australian.
The History Theater here is performing “This Side of Paradise” which has a reference to Fitzgerald’s disillusion with Long Island which may explain Gatsby.
The actress playing Daisy Buchanan whispers and mumbles so I need to get the DVD with closed captions to decipher that mess. She also has two moles on the side of her neck which look strangely like vampire bites but I don’t recall her in any clinches with Ian Sommerfield or Paul Westerly on “Vampire Diaries.”
The movie is also available in 3-D but I don’t know why.
Leonardo Decaprio look like a leading man in this film as opposed to the sad sacks he played in “The Aviator” and “J. Edgar.” He is believable as J. Gatsby. It’s all an illusion.
What is incredibly tacky is the music, with hip hop signaling the arrival of the African Americans and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” when affluent whites are on screen.
The excessive party scene is overkill and reminiscent of a similar scene in “Moulon Rouge,” also directed by Baz Luhrman, an Australian.
The History Theater here is performing “This Side of Paradise” which has a reference to Fitzgerald’s disillusion with Long Island which may explain Gatsby.
The actress playing Daisy Buchanan whispers and mumbles so I need to get the DVD with closed captions to decipher that mess. She also has two moles on the side of her neck which look strangely like vampire bites but I don’t recall her in any clinches with Ian Sommerfield or Paul Westerly on “Vampire Diaries.”
The movie is also available in 3-D but I don’t know why.
Leonardo Decaprio look like a leading man in this film as opposed to the sad sacks he played in “The Aviator” and “J. Edgar.” He is believable as J. Gatsby. It’s all an illusion.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
MILDRED PEARCE MEETS THE BEARDED LADY
In her late career circus movie “Berserk,” an aging Joan Crawford in skimpy attire loses the center ring spotlight to Golda Casimir who plays a singing, dancing bearded lady. More than a five o’clock shadow, Ms. Casimir sports whiskers that jut out at a 90 degree angle. Daniel Day Lewis should have been so lucky in Abe Lincoln. This hilarious bit has to be seen to be believed.
Also unbelievable is the screen affair involving Ms. Crawford and Ty Hardin, a 20 something square jawed hunk who appears shirtless. Needless to say with the voluptuous Diana Dors involved, both ladies compete for Mr. Hardin’s attention. Ms. Dors is at her best and treats us to a knock down cat fight with other ladies in the circus troupe. This inept mess involves murders and a crazed daughter of Crawford played by Judy Geeson.
Crawford recycles her tough broad role bit she is known for in “Johnny Guitar” and “Rain.” This movie has something for everyone: Crawford for fans of golden age movies, Hardin for the ladies, Dors for dad and Casimir for fans of the weird.
OLD FUNNY GIRL NOT ALL THAT FUNNY
For her cinematic revival, Barbra Streisand should have picked a circus venue rather than a road trip with Seth Rogen in “Guilt Trip.” Fortunately for us and Chevrolet the movie didn’t involve much slapstick with the Chevy Aveo in which they were entombed throughout. But what was disturbing was the stereotypical Jewish mom role that Streisand recycles here.
Much of the movie is quite boring. One wonders if Striesand had teamed up with hubby James Brolin for a remake of “Amityville Horror” would it have been more enjoyable?
Also unbelievable is the screen affair involving Ms. Crawford and Ty Hardin, a 20 something square jawed hunk who appears shirtless. Needless to say with the voluptuous Diana Dors involved, both ladies compete for Mr. Hardin’s attention. Ms. Dors is at her best and treats us to a knock down cat fight with other ladies in the circus troupe. This inept mess involves murders and a crazed daughter of Crawford played by Judy Geeson.
Crawford recycles her tough broad role bit she is known for in “Johnny Guitar” and “Rain.” This movie has something for everyone: Crawford for fans of golden age movies, Hardin for the ladies, Dors for dad and Casimir for fans of the weird.
OLD FUNNY GIRL NOT ALL THAT FUNNY
For her cinematic revival, Barbra Streisand should have picked a circus venue rather than a road trip with Seth Rogen in “Guilt Trip.” Fortunately for us and Chevrolet the movie didn’t involve much slapstick with the Chevy Aveo in which they were entombed throughout. But what was disturbing was the stereotypical Jewish mom role that Streisand recycles here.
Much of the movie is quite boring. One wonders if Striesand had teamed up with hubby James Brolin for a remake of “Amityville Horror” would it have been more enjoyable?
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Entertaining Topp Twins Combine Music and Comedy
The Topp Twins champion equal rights for gays, lesbians and the native New Zealand Maoris in the Topp Twins documentary available on DVD.
The lesbian ladies take aim at the Kiwi middle class. In this spot-on comedy bit they shun their quaint every day attire for over the top girlie garb and the dialogue goes something like this:
“You really need to feature gays in your parties and events because they bring so much color.”
“Oh yes, I agree. They have color.” (So gays are an entertainment option for straight upper middle class events.)
The triumphs and trials of the sisters are chronicled in this entertaining documentary. Although the twins appeared in the U.S., I was not aware of their presence on the global stage until a couple of friends recommended the film. This is definitely time well spent.
The lesbian ladies take aim at the Kiwi middle class. In this spot-on comedy bit they shun their quaint every day attire for over the top girlie garb and the dialogue goes something like this:
“You really need to feature gays in your parties and events because they bring so much color.”
“Oh yes, I agree. They have color.” (So gays are an entertainment option for straight upper middle class events.)
The triumphs and trials of the sisters are chronicled in this entertaining documentary. Although the twins appeared in the U.S., I was not aware of their presence on the global stage until a couple of friends recommended the film. This is definitely time well spent.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Hot Springs Cabins Haunted By Zarkin, Roy Rogers
I had dreams featuring Bob Berg and Mrs. Cook, people from my life in the 60s, while at the Roy Rogers cabin. Photos of the Republic Studios cowboy great decorated the wall.
Last week our group of five enjoyed a one night stay in the historic cabins, only a few blocks from Evans Plunge which was not open when I wanted to go.
Hot Springs also features a “historic” movie theater and given more time I would have seen “GI Joe” there.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
"Bunny O'Hare is Stinko Romcom For Seniors
The much anticipated TV showing Friday of the 1971 American International romantic comedy “Bunny O’Hare” will be remembered for Academy award winning actress Bette Davis’ closing statement: “”Eff ‘em. Let’s go to Mexico.” Thus did Ms. Davis comment to another Academy award winner and her co-star in “Catered Affair,” Ernest Borgnine. The closing statement refers to her bank-robbing efforts on behalf of her selfish idiot adult children.
In this later career effort, Davis portrays a widow who has lost her home to a heartless bank and Borgnine is a convicted robber. She seeks revenge. Romance blooms with the senior citizens on the road robbing banks and on a motorcycle.
Esteemed stage actor Jack Cassidy appears in this inept face as a sexist bumbling cop who does a Maxwell Smart shtick. All the leads interact with counter culture hippies who applaud any attempts to undermine capitalism. No doubt this was a script device to draw the young to the drive-in for a romantic movie about wild senior citizens.
Fans of end-of-career movies of talented actors will either weep or snicker at this forgettable film. It had been reported that Davis sued AIP to prevent the release of Bunny and AIP sued Davis. It is rarely shown on TV and is not available on DVD or VHS. I am no fan of romcoms so this may be as good as it gets for that genre, “Admission” included.
When asked about Joan Crawford in Republic’s “Johnny Guitar,” Ms. Davis was reported to comment, “I hear it’s a real stinker.” Some will disagree but there can be little doubt that Crawford in “Trog” and Davis in Bunny are not reminiscent of their Golden Age days at Warner Bros. or RKO in the 1940s.
Fans of romantic bank robbing couples would be well advised to obtain the 1949 Monogram United Artist classic “Gun Crazy,” a title apropro to today’s headlines. Peggy Cummins and John Dahl are the Bonnie and Clyde heroes and spark sexuality in this riveting classic drama directed by Joseph Lewis.
-0-
A SAD WEEK FOR FANS with the passing of Annette Funicello and Jonathan Winters. Ms. Annette should have stayed on the beach with Frankie and the rest of the beach party gang making Mr. Avalon jealous by making eyes at John Ashley. A photo of me at the beach where “Beach Blanket Bingo” was filmed appears on Facebook, that dysfunctional mess.
Mr. Winters is best remember for his campy Grandma Maude Fricke routine with many suggestive double entendres on the Tonight Show with Jack Parr. Many a night I stayed up for the Grandma. Winters stole the show in the 60s black comedy “The Loved One” in dual roles.
In this later career effort, Davis portrays a widow who has lost her home to a heartless bank and Borgnine is a convicted robber. She seeks revenge. Romance blooms with the senior citizens on the road robbing banks and on a motorcycle.
Esteemed stage actor Jack Cassidy appears in this inept face as a sexist bumbling cop who does a Maxwell Smart shtick. All the leads interact with counter culture hippies who applaud any attempts to undermine capitalism. No doubt this was a script device to draw the young to the drive-in for a romantic movie about wild senior citizens.
Fans of end-of-career movies of talented actors will either weep or snicker at this forgettable film. It had been reported that Davis sued AIP to prevent the release of Bunny and AIP sued Davis. It is rarely shown on TV and is not available on DVD or VHS. I am no fan of romcoms so this may be as good as it gets for that genre, “Admission” included.
When asked about Joan Crawford in Republic’s “Johnny Guitar,” Ms. Davis was reported to comment, “I hear it’s a real stinker.” Some will disagree but there can be little doubt that Crawford in “Trog” and Davis in Bunny are not reminiscent of their Golden Age days at Warner Bros. or RKO in the 1940s.
Fans of romantic bank robbing couples would be well advised to obtain the 1949 Monogram United Artist classic “Gun Crazy,” a title apropro to today’s headlines. Peggy Cummins and John Dahl are the Bonnie and Clyde heroes and spark sexuality in this riveting classic drama directed by Joseph Lewis.
-0-
A SAD WEEK FOR FANS with the passing of Annette Funicello and Jonathan Winters. Ms. Annette should have stayed on the beach with Frankie and the rest of the beach party gang making Mr. Avalon jealous by making eyes at John Ashley. A photo of me at the beach where “Beach Blanket Bingo” was filmed appears on Facebook, that dysfunctional mess.
Mr. Winters is best remember for his campy Grandma Maude Fricke routine with many suggestive double entendres on the Tonight Show with Jack Parr. Many a night I stayed up for the Grandma. Winters stole the show in the 60s black comedy “The Loved One” in dual roles.
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