This show is over the top.
It is fantastic.
Jessica Lange wins again.
It is fantastic.
Jessica Lange wins again.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On
(2010 TV Special)
Disappointing, but still....it's Bette.
14 October 2012
I'm watching this show for maybe the third time, hoping with each viewing I will enjoy it more than the previous times.
I'm as much of a fan of Ms. Midler as anyone else and would go to the ends of the earth to watch her live. However, this particular concert recording is missing much of the energy Ms. M usually brings to her performances. It seems as though she is tired and simply walking through the show to get through the night.
The hits are there....as is her old fashioned lovable tackiness. But the fun and tawdriness is missing.
But yet...I'm watching it again. That's how endearing she is. It's still Bette.
I'm as much of a fan of Ms. Midler as anyone else and would go to the ends of the earth to watch her live. However, this particular concert recording is missing much of the energy Ms. M usually brings to her performances. It seems as though she is tired and simply walking through the show to get through the night.
The hits are there....as is her old fashioned lovable tackiness. But the fun and tawdriness is missing.
But yet...I'm watching it again. That's how endearing she is. It's still Bette.
The Woman in Black
(2012)
Plain and simple....a good old fashioned ghost story!
4 February 2012
The film did not disappoint! In a day and age where a scary movie is about "how much blood can squirt out of a body and how far can it go", it is refreshing to see this good old fashioned romp around a haunted house.
Things jump out at the right moments, the imagery is creepy and disturbing. All the right makings to have people of all ages pulling their hoodies down over their faces.
The ending was Hollywoodized, but the move holds onto it's simple scary imaginative fun.
...and the house is spectacular!...as is it's location.
Things jump out at the right moments, the imagery is creepy and disturbing. All the right makings to have people of all ages pulling their hoodies down over their faces.
The ending was Hollywoodized, but the move holds onto it's simple scary imaginative fun.
...and the house is spectacular!...as is it's location.
Bravo
25 December 2007
This story translated exceptionally well to the screen! I was a little anxious (in any form of the word) about seeing it....and was not let down.
All performances were spot on.
It's a bloody film though.....much bloodier than any stage production I've ever seen. But that's to be expected when the "shave" is in close up, as opposed to being seen on the stage from many feet away.
It was refreshing to see a completely new invention of Sweeny/Benjamin as well as the story lines. There was nothing extraordinarily redundant or stereotypical of this version....and the ending was a little different with regards to Mrs. Lovett....also a refreshing moment.
Run....don't walk. Go see it!
All performances were spot on.
It's a bloody film though.....much bloodier than any stage production I've ever seen. But that's to be expected when the "shave" is in close up, as opposed to being seen on the stage from many feet away.
It was refreshing to see a completely new invention of Sweeny/Benjamin as well as the story lines. There was nothing extraordinarily redundant or stereotypical of this version....and the ending was a little different with regards to Mrs. Lovett....also a refreshing moment.
Run....don't walk. Go see it!
Dreamgirls
(2006)
Wow. Amazing.
25 December 2006
I will admit to being totally enamored with the original Broadway production of "Dreamgirls". I have been anticipating this movie for a long while, and with all the hype around it lately, expected to be disappointed. I am not a Beyonce fan. I am not a Jaime Foxx fan. I did not vote for Jennifer Hudson on American Idol.
I saw it today. I cried three times. The hype around this movie is so well deserved.
Jennifer Hudson, however, blows everyone away on the big screen. When she is sharing the scene with others, they all seem flat compared to her. From her first words, she IS the movie. If she doesn't take home an Oscar, there is something wrong with the voting process.
Eddie Murphy was born to play James "Thunder" Early. He brought his own brand of comedy to an otherwise tragic character.
Beyonce impressed me...but didn't blow me away until she sang "Listen" a new song written for the movie, which is sure to be Oscar nominated.
I was a bit disappointed in the direction by Bill Condon. It was a bit busy at times, but the script he wrote stayed very true to the original story and flowed beautifully.
...but how anyone can deny this is about (or at least based on) Diana Ross and The Supremes is beyond me. The movie is pretty blatant in its comparison of The Dreams to The Supremes. There is obvious homage being paid to "Mahogany" and other Diana Ross vehicles in the sets and costumes. Why.... there's even a "Jackson Five" group! Bottom line....don't miss this movie. Hudson is a star in the making. Applause from the audience erupted twice for her!
I saw it today. I cried three times. The hype around this movie is so well deserved.
Jennifer Hudson, however, blows everyone away on the big screen. When she is sharing the scene with others, they all seem flat compared to her. From her first words, she IS the movie. If she doesn't take home an Oscar, there is something wrong with the voting process.
Eddie Murphy was born to play James "Thunder" Early. He brought his own brand of comedy to an otherwise tragic character.
Beyonce impressed me...but didn't blow me away until she sang "Listen" a new song written for the movie, which is sure to be Oscar nominated.
I was a bit disappointed in the direction by Bill Condon. It was a bit busy at times, but the script he wrote stayed very true to the original story and flowed beautifully.
...but how anyone can deny this is about (or at least based on) Diana Ross and The Supremes is beyond me. The movie is pretty blatant in its comparison of The Dreams to The Supremes. There is obvious homage being paid to "Mahogany" and other Diana Ross vehicles in the sets and costumes. Why.... there's even a "Jackson Five" group! Bottom line....don't miss this movie. Hudson is a star in the making. Applause from the audience erupted twice for her!
Fun, magical ride.
16 July 2005
This retelling of Roald Dahl book is funtastic! Within the first twenty minutes of the movie, you care about every member of the Bucket household thanks to those Freddie Highmore doe eyes, and Grandpa Joe's facial expressions.
Surprising, there are many similarities in this version to the original version, which director Burton has stated he disliked so much. That may be how we learn the original was closer to the book than we initially imagined.
Johnny Depp's Wonka is offbeat and sometimes disturbing. However, he wins us over with his eccentricities of verbally sparring with each of the children. Missing, however, was the warm connection with Charlie, which is a surprise, consider the connection Depp and Highmore had in the previous joint venture (Finding Neverland.) The entire visual of this movie is a joy to look at. The chocolate river ride is much more enjoyable and much less disturbing than the original version. Danny Elfman's music adds the perfect layer of sweetness to the rapid riding.
However, the big winner of the night is Deep Roy as every single Oompa Loompa. Delivering the only musical numbers in the movie, Roy dances with glee and determination, keeping himself deadpan, and clearly enjoying himself. He may be small in stature, but he will be a big star soon.
I was pleased, yet disappointed that Tim Burton seem to hold back on his usual colorfulness. This move was kept calm and didn't cross the line into the bizarre.
There were, at time, many things to look at, so this movie deserves multiple viewings in order to take it all in.
Surprising, there are many similarities in this version to the original version, which director Burton has stated he disliked so much. That may be how we learn the original was closer to the book than we initially imagined.
Johnny Depp's Wonka is offbeat and sometimes disturbing. However, he wins us over with his eccentricities of verbally sparring with each of the children. Missing, however, was the warm connection with Charlie, which is a surprise, consider the connection Depp and Highmore had in the previous joint venture (Finding Neverland.) The entire visual of this movie is a joy to look at. The chocolate river ride is much more enjoyable and much less disturbing than the original version. Danny Elfman's music adds the perfect layer of sweetness to the rapid riding.
However, the big winner of the night is Deep Roy as every single Oompa Loompa. Delivering the only musical numbers in the movie, Roy dances with glee and determination, keeping himself deadpan, and clearly enjoying himself. He may be small in stature, but he will be a big star soon.
I was pleased, yet disappointed that Tim Burton seem to hold back on his usual colorfulness. This move was kept calm and didn't cross the line into the bizarre.
There were, at time, many things to look at, so this movie deserves multiple viewings in order to take it all in.
Connie and Carla
(2004)
Lots of Fun
19 April 2004
If you go looking for an Academy favorite, you'll not enjoy this film. If you want to laugh yourself silly and just have a romp with fun, this will be a blast.
Toni Collette is perfect as a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. From the moment she catches herself NOT lowering her voice followed by an attempt at a drag queen's overdone smile, she wins you over. Her silly and girlish character is a winner....especially after opening an unknown package in the car.
Nia Vardalos will never win an acting award, but still has fun developing her own roles that she clearly writes for herself. She exudes self confidence, taking on the leadership role of the friendship. She allows us to see the weaknesses of her character here, however, making it a happy departure from My Big Fat Greek Wedding where she was so full of self doubt.
You'll be hardpressed to find better on screen chemistry between any two people that will be beat Collette and Vardalos in Connie and Carla.
David Duchovney and Stephan Spinella are also highly effective in the role as anguished brothers, ultimately proving the well known theory about blood and water. Duchoveny, within moments can make you hate his character and then go doe eyed for him again. Spinella came close to making me cry.
These four are surrounded by a wonderful ensemble cast, who were gratefully not over stereotyped. They were not portrayed as bitchy, fingernail weilding mockerys of the drag queen stereotype, but rather as caring individuals who feel they have a common bond and love enough to go around, regardless of your orientation, job description, or gender.
Go see this one. Even is it's just for the music, which by the way, is awesome!
Toni Collette is perfect as a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. From the moment she catches herself NOT lowering her voice followed by an attempt at a drag queen's overdone smile, she wins you over. Her silly and girlish character is a winner....especially after opening an unknown package in the car.
Nia Vardalos will never win an acting award, but still has fun developing her own roles that she clearly writes for herself. She exudes self confidence, taking on the leadership role of the friendship. She allows us to see the weaknesses of her character here, however, making it a happy departure from My Big Fat Greek Wedding where she was so full of self doubt.
You'll be hardpressed to find better on screen chemistry between any two people that will be beat Collette and Vardalos in Connie and Carla.
David Duchovney and Stephan Spinella are also highly effective in the role as anguished brothers, ultimately proving the well known theory about blood and water. Duchoveny, within moments can make you hate his character and then go doe eyed for him again. Spinella came close to making me cry.
These four are surrounded by a wonderful ensemble cast, who were gratefully not over stereotyped. They were not portrayed as bitchy, fingernail weilding mockerys of the drag queen stereotype, but rather as caring individuals who feel they have a common bond and love enough to go around, regardless of your orientation, job description, or gender.
Go see this one. Even is it's just for the music, which by the way, is awesome!
Tell Your Friends