Some posts lend themselves to a particular fractal but many do not. I chose today's "cookie" for the sole reason that it has eight colors and the post is about "8 simple rules..." Oh--and the fractal is called Crystalblaze. Now--on with the rant!
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I wish more people would make the effort to attend live theater: really, there's no experience like it and most folks would be surprised at how much they enjoyed it. Still, most folks choose not to attend except for very rare occasion--and once they get there they have no idea how to behave. If you read my last post you have some idea of what happened when Robyn and I attended a matinee of Mary Poppins. A lot of bad behavior really marred my enjoyment of the show and it inspired me to offer up some simple suggestions so I don't end up want to snap some idiots neck. Therefor I offer these eight simple rules for enjoying the theater...
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1) KNOW YOUR SHOW TIME AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY
It doesn't take long to search Google Maps or MapQuest to find directions, and more importantly, the approximate time it will take you from your starting point to the final destination. Add in some wiggle room for unexpected happening then leave with enough time to get to the show and find your seats before the sun comes up.
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2) IF YOU DO ARRIVE LATE--ENTER QUIETLY
Things happen even to the best of us and sometimes you are unavoidably late. If it should happen to you--try to go to your seats during a scene change. Nobody paid to see your broad-ass silhouette doing the Gavotte and blocking the action on stage.
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3) IF YOU NEED HELP ASK AN USHER
You passed them on your way in: they are stationed there to help you. Use them.
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4) NO TALKING!!!
We paid big bucks to see (and HEAR) the folks on stage--NOT YOU. If you must talk do so QUIETLY. The first show we attended at the P.A.C. had a couple behind us quacking away in Vietnamese for the entire show. Yes, I imagine one was translating for the other but it was still annoying as all get-out. Modifying your volume control is definitely IN order!
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5) TURN OFF THE ELECTRONICS
If you are a Physician on call or if you on the waiting list for a Kidney I can see keeping your cell phone on (but--PLEASE--for the love of God--set it on vibrate!) Otherwise, disconnect yourself from the electronic world for a while and enjoy the show. Really folks, there isn't a lot you NEED to know or respond to right now! The same goes for texting: the glow from your screen is distracting to the other patrons. We know this is your world we're just living in it--but would it really hurt you to to show a modicum of kindness?
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6-A) IF YOU MUST TAKE A CALL, LEAVE THE THEATER
We don't want to listen to your business eve more than you want us to hear it. Exit the theater quickly and quietly to keep from disturbing the other patrons. (Reference Rule 2!!!)
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7) USE YOUR INTERMISSION TIME CAREFULLY
The Intermission Time (usually 15 minutes) is customarily printed in your program and most theaters will blink lights or sound a chime to let you know Intermission is about to end. If you have to use the restroom do it FIRST: no public venue has enough potties (particularly for women) for the folks who need them. Do what business you need to do then head back to seats before the Second Act. Everyone will be happier that way.
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8) KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SEEING
The theater is no place for an infant or children who can't sit quietly for long periods. (You wouldn't want other people's kids disturbing your experience so kindly return the favor.) Don't complain if you are offended by the content of a show: the Production Staff long-ago learned to put up content warning for their shows if they contain strong language or nudity. You will have been warned to plan accordingly.
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The post may have come across as somewhat snarky but mainly it is about common courtesy (which seems to be in extreme short supply these days). Be considerate of others and hope they will be considerate to you. Really--it's just that simple.
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'nuff said.
I chose Bouquet as today's "fractal cookie" for one reason alone: it, like the show I'll be reviewing is simple and pretty. And, yes, if you couldn't guess by the title that show is the national tour of Mary Poppins!
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Lets begin the post with a bit of a confession: I've loved Mary Poppins since I first saw it when I was ten. I loved the movie, loved the music and especially loved it because it was one of the few things I remember sharing so fully with my Mom. I've managed to see the movie every time it's been re-released in theaters and bought it as soon as it came out on DVD. Once Disney started converting movies into stage musicals I knew it was only a matter of time before Mary Poppins got the Beauty and the Beast treatment. And, honestly, I was looking forward to the show with equal anticipation and trepidation.
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Those looking to see Mary Poppins translated almost directly from screen to stage are sadly doomed to disappointment: there's simply no way the scenes can be replicated outside of a movie studio. Most of the songs (Stay Awake and I Love To Laugh being the notable exceptions) and a few bits from the movie make the transition but most of the story is new (hence my trepidation). The writers chose to go back to the P. L. Travers books for inspiration and those who know them find lots of recognizable characters and scenes. This "next gen" Mary Poppins is somewhat darker in tone than the movie and the personal drama is ratcheted up to new levels. The kids are brattier, George Banks is even more of a tyrant and the household help are played for slapstick. There's also the introduction of Miss Andrew--who out wickeds the Wicked Witch of The West.
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Sadly, the new musical numbers don't live up to the songs from the film: I found myself forgetting them even as I was listening--no matter how many times I heard the songs (and, believe me, I heard them a LOT!) Almost every song gets at least one reprise--several get FOUR--and I was heartily tired of all of them by the end of the show. At least the singers and musicians were top-notch. The six-person orchestra produced a surprisingly full sound and they played with energy and verve throughout the whole show. The costumes were beautifully done but I took a bit of an issue with some of the lighting choices, sparse stage sets in many scenes and special effects that were none too special.
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Steffanie Leigh (as Mary Poppins) was practically perfect in every way. She doesn't try to imitate Julie Andrews' take on the role but instead gives it her own spin and flare. Likewise Nicholas Dromard doesn't try to copy Dick Van Dyke's Bert but brings his own qualities to the part (and gets one of the few truly "magical" moments). The children (I don't know which ones were playing the role at the show I saw so I won't give credit) had one acting note--shrill--but they sang prettily and danced quite well. Special credit needs to be given to Q. Smith who played the role of Miss Andrew: she had a powerful voice and deliciously chewed the scenery in her part. The rest of the cast was adequate to their parts and everyone sang and danced well. Still, I kept hoping for that spark of "Disney Magic" but I never got it until nearly the end of the show--and then it was just a spark. What exactly is that magic? You'll have to see the show for yourself but, rest assured, it's pretty darned awesome.
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Honestly, I think I might have enjoyed the show had we not had seats next to the rudest people in the world. (One group chose to arrive 20 minutes late and made a massive production of getting to their seats while another group texted and chatted throughout the whole show.) I listened in to snippets of conversations from quite a number of audience members as I made my way out and they all seemed to enjoy it thoroughly (so I guess I'm just a surly old critic). Mary Poppins is the kind of show the whole family can go to see and is a great introduction to live theater for those who don't attend. Tickets aren't cheap but the price is worth it.
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FINAL GRADE: B (for surly old critics)
FINAL GRADE: A (everyone else)
I'm going to try something daringly different for this post. (Mostly) sight-unseen I'm going to predict the fate of the new shows for television this fall. Will I have the Star Power (today;s fractal cookie) to accurately predict their fates? Come back at the end of May 2012 to find out! So--on with the predictions!
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MONDAY
2 BROKE GIRLS (CBS): comfortably sandwiched between How I Met Your Mother and Two-and-a-Half Men, on one of the network's strongest nights the show has a quirky charm that will endear as many people as it annoys. I love the fact that Kat Demming (who literally stole Thor from the bigger names) gets a star turn. FATE: I hope it succeeds but new comedies have a poor track record. May not survive the season.
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HEART OF DIXIE (CW): the fact that this show is on the CW may well be enough to sink the show. Still, the weblet has managed to score with a few sex-soaked soaps. The twist here is the show is set in 1957 Alabama and that may well be what sinks it. Older folks will love the presence of 80s starlets Ally Sheedy and Phoebe Cates but the much sought-after younger demographic will stay away in droves. FATE: this heart is transplanted to cancellation-land after one season.
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TERRA NOVA (FOX): a steamy mix of dinosaurs and family drama, this big-budget extravaganza has some big names backing it (including Steven Spielberg). What I've seen looks first rate but I worry that the ratings won't justify the expensive production costs. FATE: vanishes into the mists of time after one season.
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THE PLAYBOY CLUB (NBC): if imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery then the folks over at Mad Men (the little AMC drama that could) should truly be flattered. Retro-cool seems to be the latest craze on the big networks (and, of course that means that a lot of knock-offs are going to get knocked off). The Playboy Club might have worked if it were on a cable network (where they could really sex it up) but the tameness required of being on NBC will severely inhibit this show. FATE: this "Club" closes early.
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TUESDAY
LAST MAN STANDING (ABC): Tim Allen tries to duplicate the success he found on Home Improvement and even gets his old time slot back. I saw some previews and it looks like H.I.--minus the funny and warmth. FATE: this show won't be standing at the end of the season.
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MAN UP (ABC): three modern men try to get in touch with their "inner tough guy" in this comedy. It's a good pairing with Last Man Standing but the previews don't seem all that funny. FATE: Man Up goes down early.
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NEW GIRL (FOX): I like Zooey Deschanell and I hope she does well with this comedy where she becomes the single girl roommate of a bunch of 20-something guys. The previews look funny and quirky but Fox doesn't have a good track record with quirky/funny. FATE: this New Girl doesn't grow old on television.
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UNFORGETTABLE (NBC): a gimmick-y crime drama about a young woman with a trick memory (she can't forget anything and notices everything) who becomes a criminal investigator. It sounds like a less-funny version of Psych to me. FATE: Unforgettable is forgotten early.
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WEDNESDAY
FREE AGENTS (NBC): I don't know anything about the show other than that Hank Azaria is one of the stars. Azaria shines as a supporting player but I don't know if he has what it takes to be a star--especially if he can't drop into an outrageous character. FATE: no clue on this one but a weak lead-in (see Up All Night later in this section) doesn't bode well.
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H8R (CW): this show pairs "B" and "C" List Celebs with their biggest detractors. Once the "H8TR" meets the object at their disaffection will they end up not hating the celeb so much--or maybe even actually liking them? Tune in if you're interested--I'm not. FATE: the show doesn't cost a lot to produce so it lasts at least a year.
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I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (FOX): Jamie Presley stars in a show about a woman who realizes her daughter has turned into the kind of bully that made her high school years miserable. Yeah, I totally want to watch that (sarcasm--ON!) FATE: it's not the teenage daughter the audience hates--it's the show! It leaves the schedule early.
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REVENGE (ABC): I guess the title says it all here. Honestly, it''s going to take more than that to keep me interested. FATE: the audience takes revenge on the show by staying away in droves.
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SUBURGATORY (ABC): a hip "city kid" is exiled to the suburbs--and hilarity ensues! (Uh-huh!) FATE: forget Purgatory--this show goes to Hell early.
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THE X FACTOR (FOX): Simon Cowell brings his massive UK hit to America where Paula Abdul joins him as a judge and mentor. FATE: "Idol" just hasn't been the same since Simon took his snarky, yet often on-the-nose, observations. Add to it the fact that Reality/Talent Competitions are still huge (in spite of the glut) guarantee this to be one of the "sure hits of the season.
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UP ALL NIGHT (NBC): Will Arnet and Christina Applegate share the trials and tribulations of raising an infant. While I enjoy Applegate's comedy I don't get what anyone sees in Arnet. The previews look schtick-y and just not very funny. FATE: like most "one note" comedies the show lacks the complexity to find an audience.
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THURSDAY
CHARLIE'S ANGELS (ABC): bringing back a classic series that spawned a couple of successful movies, this show has a fine pedigree (but a lot to live up to). Will it work? Only time will tell. FATE: no idea until I see a couple of episodes.
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HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN (CBS): a milquetoast man gets lessons in how to be a "modern" gentleman (i.e. a complete self-centered ass). FATE: on behalf of milquetoasts everywhere I hope this show dies a quick death.
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PERSON OF INTEREST (CBS): J.J. Abrams (the man behind Lost) brings us a show about a C.I.A. Hit Man and a Scientist who team up to prevent crimes before they happen. The show ought to be, at the very least, unique and worth a look. FATE: even if the show doesn't find a large audience, critical acclaim and tons of awards keep the show going for more than a season.
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THE SECRET CIRCLE (CW): it's a show about young witches. Sadly, with the exception of Bewitched and Charmed, shows about witches tend not to do well on television. FATE: the show won't likely hold on to The Vampire Diaries audience so the "circle" is broken by season's end.
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WHITNEY (NBC): what little I've seen doesn't give me a lot of hope. FATE: gone by year's end.
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FRIDAY
A GIFTED MAN (CBS): a Doctor sees dead people! With Medium gone I guess CBS needed somebody to fill that role... FATE: being on Friday night this show ain't gonna be a big hit. Older folks will like it but I don't know if the network (and star) will stick with it for more than a season.
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GRIMM (NBC): the fairy tales meet a gritty crime drama! FATE: this could be a HUGE hit--on cable. Put the show on SyFy or even USA and you'd have a real winner. But Friday's at 10:00 PM on a major network? Uh--no. Grimm will meet a grim fate early.
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ALLEN GREGORY (FOX): Jonah Hill gives voice to a kid even more precocious than "Stewie" Griffin! It looks suitably twisted for Sunday night on Fox and I hope it goes well. FATE: The Simpsons are a huge hit but their other animated series don't seem to catch fire in the same way. I hope this one goes well: it looks fun.
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ONCE UPON A TIME (ABC): fairytale characters get exiled to the "real" world and must re-discover their true nature. FATE: like Grimm, this show ought to be on cable. Too quirky to last long.
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PAM AM (ABC): another retro-chic spectacular--this time centering around the glamorous world of Flight Attendants (whey they were Stewardesses). FATE: will need more than wings to fly for long.
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So there are my predictions. I guess we'll see how well I do in ten months.
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'nuff said.
You may have already guessed that I'm going to give Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 a good review simply by reading the title of this post. You weren't wrong: the movie is going to get a Gold Star from me so I picked Golden Star as today's fractal cookie! Now on with the review.
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What can I say about the latest (and last) Harry Potter movie other than wow? This commentary won't have any plot details: go see the movie--or better yet read the book if you need to know! Just know that even if you HAVEN'T seen/read any Harry Potter before you won't be completely lost (although it really helps if you have.) The good news is, after movies where the books get severely abridged (lest they run close to five hours) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows gets all the attention it deserves. Most details from the book make it to the screen and those that don't wouldn't be noticed except by the most devoted "Potter-head". The script has the fantastic battles you expect in a summer blockbuster but you also truly care about the characters and their struggles. You feel for those who died and rejoice with characters as they find inner strength they didn't know they had. All the questions are (finally) answered and all mysteries are solved.
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The actors truly inhabit their roles and you can't imagine anyone else playing these parts. It's also good to see so many characters from previous films popping up (for however short a time). The leads, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint have grown in ability as well as size. Special note needs to be given to Ralph Fiennes in the thankless role of Voldermort: he's forced to speak in a whisper for most of the movie and is crushed under makeup that renders his face mostly immobile. Still, he conveys an air of menace and creepiness that literally leaps off the screen and grabs the viewer by the throat.
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Taken together Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts One and Two are far and away the best films of the franchise (and that's saying a lot). Are they movies that will stand the test of time? Yes! As they immortal? I don't know--but they are far and away the best movies of 2011 (at least so far). Go see these in the theater because you need to a big screen to properly appreciate the scope of the movie.
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FINAL GRADE: A+
I chose Green Eye as today's "fractal cookie" mainly because it's green (duh!) and because it reminds me a bit of the "Green Lantern Ring. (Again--duh!) So--sit back and enjoy the review (unless, of course, you have other plans).
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To be completely honest I was looking forward to seeing Green Lantern more than any other movie this summer. Why? He's always been one of my favorite characters and I enjoy Ryan Reynolds as an actor. Sadly, big expectations often lead to big disappointment and this movie was no different. It wasn't that the movie was BAD--it was just so un-GOOD!
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I can forgive a plot that doesn't take me anywhere particularly new (especially with a summer blockbuster) but I do wish my plot to take me somewhere in a timely fashion. Green Lantern has a lot of exposition that needs to be put out for those not familiar with the character. The story is pretty enough to watch but it acts as a wet blanket that suffocates a lot of the movie. When we finally meet Hal Jordan (Reynolds) we find him to be a self-doubting, generally unlovable schlub that makes it hard to care about. When the inevitable transformation from "zero to hero" the process isn't all that exciting or particularly believable.
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Reynolds tries hard but isn't given a lot to work with here. There's not much chemistry between him and his co-star Blake Lively (as Carol Ferris). We're told that Carol and Hal are B.F.F. (formerly with benefits) but it's hard to see what she might find attractive about the guy. Eventually her character morphs from spitfire to Damsel in Distress/Mooney Romantic and that doesn't work either.
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Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Hammond goes from lovesick nerd to super villain and makes it work. Mark Strong as Sinestro chews the scenery as only a British Actor can but there's not much of a character arc for him. Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clark Duncan lend their voices to Green Lanterns Tomar Re and Killowog while Tim Robbins has the small but thankless role as Senator Hammond. Tom Kalamaku (a central character in the GL mythos) gets little play here. There were literally hundreds of Green Lanterns in various scenes but I didn't recognize any of them. Too bad for me.
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The movie looks good: Oa is suitably alien and spectacular to look at and what battle scenes there are fun to watch. (Too bad there isn't more to see.) The computer-animated Green Lantern costumes look great on everybody but there just isn't enough to balance the general lethargy that affects most of the film. All in all, there isn't a lot that will compel anyone to rush out and see the movie and certainly nothing that requires you to come back for a second viewing. The finish of the movie set up a sequel but, based on the Box Office (and the way this movie is sinking like a stone) I doubt we'll be seeing another live-action movie any time soon. For those wishing to see a Green Lantern movie check out one of the animated offerings available--those pretty good.
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FINAL GRADE: C
