Another Round Of "Muppets" On The Big Screen

I chose Groovy as today's fractal "cookie" because it's round (referencing the title of this post), rainbow-colored (like the Muppets themselves) and because of a line about the "hippy-dippy sensibilities" of the Muppets.  Now--on with the review!
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The Muppets have a long and storied history of a couple of struggling puppeteers (Jim Henson and Frank Oz) who created some lovable puppets they called "Muppets."  The two got their big break doing a little show called Sesame Street.  They parlayed that success into a long-running syndicated program (The Muppet Show) and finally made it to the big screen in The Muppet Movie in 1979.  The combination of sweetness, charm and irreverence was irresistible to audiences which led to several sequels--each less successful than the last.  Eventually the Muppets were bought by the Disney Corporation and relegated to the occasional TV Special and largely forgotten.  This brings us to the present day where an actor by the name of Jason Segal entered the picture with a mission to "bring back" the Muppets.
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It's safe to say Segal has "mad love" for the Muppets.  (Check out Forgetting Sarah Marshall if you don't believe me.)  He approached Disney to revive the franchise and, Disney (being Disney and anxious to squeeze every penny out of all their creative properties) agreed.  What emerged was a movie musical that could have come right out of Hollywood's Golden Age.  The Muppets have gone their separate ways and it is up to Kermit the Frog, encouraged by an innocent (new Muppet Walter) to get the gang back together to "put on a show" to save the day.  Will they succeed and give everyone a "happily-ever-after" ending by movie's end?  Do I REALLY need to tell you?  I don't think so...
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Jason Segal not only pushed for the movie to be made but he also stars and even wrote it!  (Now that's mad love!)  Sadly he created a cast of cardboard characters to go with the cloth Muppets.  Each and every character exists for the sole purpose of moving the plot.  That being said, he and the other leads (Amy Adams and Chris Cooper) do the best they can with what little they have to work with.  I've got to give some special "props" to Cooper for taking on the comedic role of Tex Richman: he even manages to rap and do a bit of dancing.  There's a raft of celebrity cameos (from Alan Arkin to Zack Galifanakis).  My two favorites were Neil Patrick Harris ("I don't know why I'm not hosting this!" and Selina Gomez ("I don't know who you guys are--my Agent told me to show up here.")
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I really wanted to enjoy this movie more than I did: I hoped it would be a worth reboot but what I got was a lot of nostalgia.  (As I was walking out of the theater Garden Party by Rick Nelson was running through my mind.)  There were a lot of smiles but few laughs.  Luckily I wasn't the only one who seemed to feel this way: the theater was crowded but I didn't hear a lot of laughter and there was a run on the exit as soon as the credits started rolling.  The movie is a harmless diversion that anybody can see but it's nothing that needs you to rush to the theater to see.  Maybe wait for the DVD to come out and watch it when you don't have anything better to do.
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FINAL GRADE: C+

"Blue Man Group" Surprises

I chose RibStar 2 as today's "fractal cookie" for the review of Blue Man Group for two reasons: 1) it's blue (no other reason, it's blue), 2) I haven't used this image before.  Now that you know--on with the review!

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I came completely prepared to hate the Blue Man Group when I knew I was going to see the show: I even had a title for the review, The Group Made Me Blue, Man.  I thought the blend of three nearly-identical guys being expressionless and doing stylized movements while drumming would be clever for a few minutes but get old really fast.  I didn't see how they could sustain my interest.  I was dreading the show.  Turns out I wasn't completely wrong.

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There's no point in trying to recount the show's plot: they don't have one.  There are a number of unrelated "scenes" involving movement, music and technical wizardry to keep the show moving.  The best parts of the show involve audience participation (particularly the "Dance Party" that finishes out the show).  Some bits go on way to long (there's a "dinner scene" that lost almost the entire audience and nearly killed the show's momentum).  The show is also very loud (not bad for those used to loud clubs and concerts but not too great for old poops like me). 

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In all honesty I missed a lot of the visual bits in the show (even with the gigantic video screens broadcasting a lot of the action) but I was decidedly in the minority.  All the youngsters in the audience loved the show and a lot of the oldsters were laughing along with them.  There's no point to the show--unless the point is to bring folks together for one big party and in that Blue Man Group succeeded admirably.

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FINAL GRADE: C (for me) A- (almost everybody else)

"Mikado" Doesn't Quite Rule.

The Mikado of Japan (AKA) the"Son of Heaven" would wear a Crown Of Stars" if he could.  That's why I chose Crown Of Stars as the "fractal cookie" for today's review.
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The Mikado presents William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan as their best: the plot is typical Gilbersonian fluff that is nothing short of completely contrived nonsense--but any true Savoyard will that you what's not why you go see a "G&S" show.  You go for the tuneful songs filled with wonderful word play and endless intention, not to mention the wicked satire.  Of course, more than a century later some of the bite has faded but a good production is still well worth attending.  Performance Riverside almost manages to hit the mark with their offering but, in the immortal words of Maxwell Smart, they "missed it by that much!"
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David M. Laffey has the pretty voice and decent dancing ability to play the role of Nanki-Poo and his acting ability and comic timing are up to the role's minimal demands.  As Yum Yum Jessie Withers is a fine foil in every way as the leading Soprano.  Francisco Rodriguez doesn't quite have the Classical pipes to pull of the part of Pooh-Bah but his acting ability almost makes up for it.  If Michael Heimos were any lighter in his loafers as Ko-Ko he'd literally float off the stage but it works for the role.  His (or whoever's) updating of "I Have A Little List" wasn't as biting as some I've heard but there were some good swipes at pop culture in there.  I found myself enjoying his performance most of all.  Travis Lincoln Cox almost got lost under the massive costume, wig and fake beard he had to wear as the Mikado ("ha Mikado") but he came across as surprisingly youthful: still, he did well enough with what little he was given.
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I have a weird complaint regarding Sarah Kreig as the only real villain Katisha.  Katisha is characterized through the whole show and Ms. Kreig is anything but ugly!  Tall and imposing yes--but hardly ugly by any stretch of the imagination (and quite shapely under that kimono.)  Frankly, the gal is hawt!  (Please don't kill me Robyn...)  Her rich Contralto is up to the requirements of the role and I'd stack her acting ability up against anyone in the cast.  One minor quibble: Katisha traditionally is clad in black and red--the costumer chose yellow and orange (to go with the Mikado's robes.)  I'm no G&S purist but it annoyed me ever so slightly.
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It wouldn't be a production at the Landis without me to find something to complain about--and this show is no exception.  We experienced a new sound problem this time--an echo that made it a bit difficult to hear.  In fact a lot of the chorus numbers were so muddy neither I nor the missus could make out the words.  I don't know if this is because the chorus is up to the music or if it was due to a bad sound mix: still, a Gilbert and Sullivan show needs to be crisply articulated to be fully appreciated and it was a bit of a mess.  The sits were nicely suggestive and the costumes, while a bit simple, worked well enough.  I found the band to be a bit "bright" sounding and a bit heavy on the brass: maybe they weren't quite together on a few songs.  Still, when I balance the positives and negatives of the show I found myself enjoying the effort.  I'm not sure the show is for everybody but we certainly enjoyed it.
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FINAL GRADE: B

Puss In Boots: Not Just Another "Shrek" Clone

I pcked Fandango 5 for two reasons: first it seemed to have real "Cavalier attitude" (like Puss in Boots") and second, in a weird sense, it is the fifth movie connected to the Shrek franchise  Yes, tenuous as usual, but it's all I've got--now on with the review!
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Any franchise, be it books, TV or movies, eventually turns to crap if it goes long enough.  The Shrek series "jumped the shark"  at Number Three (too bad they felt the need to make a fourth one).  That, coupled with uninspiring previews, didn't make me want to see the Puss In Boots.  Boy was I surprised when I actually got in to see the movie.  This may not be the best movie of 2011 but it certainly the best animated feature of the year (and Kung Fu Panda 2 was pretty darn good).
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Puss In Boots is supposed to be set in Spain (according to the missus at least) but to me it looks a lot more like the American Southwest.  The plot could be lifted from any classic Western movie--with a plenty of modern twists to keep it fresh.  Antonio Banderas lends his voice to the title character yet again and gleefully mines every Latino stereotype and cultural cliche (and does it with such aplomb that you can't find it offensive).  Thankfully, Puss is the only character that transitions from the other Shrek movies.  A few "fairy tale" characters--Humpty Alexander Dumpty (Zach Galifiakankis) and Jack and Jill (turned into a Hillbilly Outlaw married couple voiced by Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) but the rest of the movie is populated by new characters.  The most notable of these is Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayak) who is the perfect foil and romantic interest and foil for Puss. 
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The movie finally gives us the origin story for Puss and tells the story of a heist involving the Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs.  (Sadly, there aren't even any plot points to pick apart.)  (Trust me--it plays way better than it reads.)  The art is nothing short of gorgeous and the animation is perfectly done.  (Robyn and I saw Puss In Boots in 2D but found ourselves wishing we'd shelled out the extra bucks for the 3D version.)  I didn't recognize any of the music but it was beautifully played.  This is the sort of movie that is fun for the entire family: you don't need to be a kid to see and enjoy it.
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FINAL GRADE: A+