It's been a busy weekend here in the Barony. The stars aligned so we had not one but TWO shows to see. Neither of them has anything to do with the Aztecs but since there were two of them and they are virtually polar opposites I chose Aztec Calendar 2 as today's fractal cookie. Oh--you probably want to know what we saw: it was Young Frankenstein and Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
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There's a strange balance between Young Frankenstein and "Joseph": "YF" was written at the end of Mel Brooks' long and illustrious career while "Joseph" was at the start of Andrew Lloyd Webber's career. Both musicals are adaptions of other stories and have a lot of frankly corny material. "Joseph" is so squeaky clean it could be put on at a High School but NO H.S. in their right minds would dare to mount "YF" even if they had the money. "YF" was scaled back from the Broadway original (if it this production was the first and probably last National Tour) while "Joesph" has been vastly expanded (even for a regional theater.) In the end you can see a lot of parallels.
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First Young Frankeinstein...
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After the runaway success of The Producers on Broadway it was only a matter of time bfefore another Mel Brooks movie got the same treatment: Young Frankenstein was an obvious choice. It was at least as well known and The Producers and had a large and devoted fan base. The resulting show became the most expensive ticket on Broadway just as the economy was crashing--which resulted in the show closing after barely a year-and-a-half. (That's short for a major Broadway show.) Realizing this was no Phantom of the Opera, the backers stripped down the show a bit for the National Tour: still, the result was a worthy effort.
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Fans of the movie will find a lot to appreciate in the stage show: all the running gags and hoary old jokes are in place. The script closely follows the movie with a few clever expansion. (Frau Blucher's single line "he vas my boyfriend" becomes the best song in the show). The cast is fairly small for such a large-scale show but the no-name Actors all do a first-ratekb job whether they are singing, dancing or acting. The 3-person orchestra (all keyboards and synthesizers) produces a remarkably full sound. The special effects were minimal but they went off without a hitch and that's a good thing.
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Young Frankenstein is a great choice for the theater virgin: the material is familiar and completely accessable. The show's pace never legs and jokes come along as regularly as a main-line city bus. Sophisticates who like their theater dry and serious won't enjoy this show. Neither will those with little tolerance for raunchy humor: everybody else will have a rip-roaring good time.
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FINAL GRADE: A
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It's hard to hate Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: the show is fast-paced and clever with infinitely-accessable music. The show is almost impossible to fatally screw up. Running time is under two hours (including a 15 minute commercial for Performance Riverside that seemed to go on for DAYS), intermission and the tacked-on "Megamix" at the end of the show (and a short running time makes it all the better). The good news is, Performance Riverside didn't fatally screw up the show--the bad news is they didn't go nearly as far as they could to make the show great. So--what went right with the show and what went wrong?
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This production was based with a solid band and a workman chorus: the kids chorus was cute as can be and they never distracted from the show. Sadly, the chorus was often over-mic'ed to the point the band could barely be heard. Likewise, the adult "Go" Choir was a good idea but they had no amplification at all so they could barely be heard. The sets were nicely realized if not particularly sophisticated but they served their purpose. My main problem with the show was the leads.
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Derek Klena (who I don't remember from his brief stint on American Idol) as Joseph suffered from "Idol Syndrome" (a fatal tendancy to oversing virtually every note that came out of his mouth. At least he was nice to look at and there's no denying his vocal ability. Stepnanie Burkett Gerson was a bit too "cruise ship" with a plastic smile that never left her lips as the Narrator. Still, she's got a great body and can sing and dance. Jason Webb's Pharoah was a very weak Elvis impersonation but you have to give him credit for putting it all out in the performance.
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I've seen Joseph so many times I practically have the whole thing memorized (so it makes it easier for me to pick out the flaws) and this show has many. Amplification issues plagued the entire second act but the cast soldiered on manfully. In the end, the good outweighed the band and the show turned out to be a pleasant afternoon's entertainment. This wasn't the greatest production of the show I'd ever seen but it wasn't the worst either.
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FINAL GRADE B-
I picked ArabDiamond 39 because I always pick something "Arab"-y for commentary on the situation in the Middle East and this particular situation makes me feel sad. Also I feel that I'm probably going to get some backwash from a lot of my loyal readers (shout out to Lance!) and I fully expect I'm going to get raked over the cold. Oh well--that being said, on with today's rant!
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I wasn't going to comment on the "Ground Zero Mosque" but then Pastor Terry (Big-Fat-Idiot) Jones of Gainesville Florida grabbed national headlines by announcing he intends to burn copies of the Qran in remembrance of 9-11. General David Petreus urged him not to go through with it because the act would enrage Muslims world wide and put American troops in danger--particularly in Aphganistan. Just saw a bit of a news conference where Jones announced he was going through with it no matter what because "a statement needed to be made."
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Much as it pains me to say it, I have no choice BUT to support his right to make an ass of himself. Book burning--ANY book burning makes me uncomfortable but Jones has the right to express his viewpoint (no matter how stupid or potentially dangerous his views may be). I just wish the media didn't feel the need to give this guy so much coverage (but I suppose that's a topic for another post). Still, Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Expression are two of our most core values and I have to respect that even when I disagree with the views expressed.
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Which brings me to the other half of today's commentary--the "Ground Zero" Mosque. Is it insensitive? Maybe--although I would hope that people would realize that they shouldn''t hold an entire religion at fault for the acts of a few crazies with their towels wound too tightly. Still, even if you don't like the Islamic faith a "real" American would defend their right to build and worship where they choose in whatever manner they wish. Freedom isn't freedom if it doesn't apply equally to all.
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Mind you, I'm not in any way excusing the actions of the 9-11 terrorists: I'm no fan of Fundamentalists of ANY stripe (and sadly, Islam lends itself to crazy). That being said, I don't confuse the actions of a few with members of an entire faith. (Nobody condems all Christians because of the actions of someone like Timothy McVeigh or Mormos because of Warren Jeffs.) I'd love to know who is whipping up the frenzy against the Mosque--and why. (Frankly I'm more worried about somebody like them than Muslims with no connection to terrorism.
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In the end, the situation boils down to two simple but related concepts. Freedom of Expression HAS to include the freedom to put your foot in your mouth and say something stupid. (Of course ot also means you have to accept the consequences of your actions.) Likewise Freedom of Religion has to extend to religions we don't like. If you don't support both sides of the concept you don't really support freedom at all...
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Think about it.
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'nuff said.
I think Bloodrose is a good image for a review of a vampire movie--even if said movie IS a parody. So--now you know why I chose it lets move on with the review!
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If there is a genre more ripe for parody than the current fascination with Vampires I don't know what it could be. So I suppose it was inevitable that a movie like Vampires Suck would be relased. Surprisingly enough, the movie doesn't (*at least not totally).
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Parody is simple: GOOD parody is considerably harder. A good part of the time Vampires Suck is on the good side by copying the tone of the Twilgiht franchise to perfection. This movie is aimed squarely at those who eat, sleep and breathe the Stephanie Miller vamps: the movie makers have gone out of their way to copy the style and even the movie sets of the Twilght movies. The "Twi-hards" in the theater with us (of which there were many) got all the jokes and LOVED it. Yes, there were some seriously cringeworthy moments in the movie but the good far outweighs the bad. (I particularly loved the send-up of the homoerotic elements of the werewolf culture--but I'm just sick that way.)
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The no-name cast does at least as well as the Twilght kids: they play their parts with earnestness and just the right amount of disdain. Everyone involved throws themselves into their roles with abandon (gay and otherwise) and seems to have a good time. The FX are close to being on par with the Twilght movies (even if that's not saying much) and the script pretty much is too. This movie is hardly a classic for the ages (or even for 2010) but it's a fun little diversion to while away a long afternoon or evening. Go check it out--especially if you're a "Twi-hard!"
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FINAL GRADE: B
A commentary on "black/white" issues seems to call for a black and white fractal. I chose Extreme because it was the blacckest and whitest fractal image I could find. So--on with the rant!
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Last week Dr. Laura Schessinger seriously put her foot in her mouth by repeatedly spewing the "N" word over-and-over again. (For those of you who haven't heard her comment here's the entire call: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY0ccH7Hchw). Personally, I didn't find the comments overtly racist. I did find them beyond stupid: with as much media experience as she's had the woman should have known better. I found myself wondering if some of her comments showed an "anti-Obama" slant. That's not relevant to this commentary: maybe another post for another time. Still, it left me with a few questions.
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One one level I kind of agree with Dr. Laura: honestly, I don't get why it is appropriate for blacks to use the "N" word but if a white person uses it there's going to be trouble. I've heard the "we use it to diffuse it" aguement but I just don't buy it: if a word isn't appropriate for one group it shouldn't be appropriate for any group.
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I've also made the mistake of asking a black person what do "your people" think of this or that? (Oddly enough, I've never felt the need to ask this sort of question of an Asian or Hispanic--I don't know why.) Yes, I know there's no overarching organization that sets black social policy: I was also lucky enogh to be in a conversation with a nice person who simply said "I can't speak for 'my' people but this is how I feel about it..." (I ended up feeling a little foolish and realizing that I needed to work on my attitude.) Maybe the caller should be a little less sensitive on this issue.
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But that's pretty much where Dr. Laura and I part ways: I don't think the caller is hypersensitive. I found Dr. Laura's comments on "complaining about racism" to be ludicrous (and unspported) not to mention the "don't NAACP me" was uncalled for. Still, I'd probably have let it go until she went on Larry King last night to announce she was quitting radio. (Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9trj0ZBa28M)
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I'm sorry--what has this broad been smoking??? She's leaving her show because she wants to "regain" her "first ammendment rights". She wants to say what she wants without fear of reprisals. Sorry Dr. Laura--last time I looked "free speech" was a two-way street: you can say anything you want to say but you have to take the consequences. That's the beauty of the system. If you don't like it then KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!
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As you probably have guessed I've never been a big "Dr. Laura" fan: we disagree on so much and I question the ethics of someone whithout a psychology/sociology background setting themselves up as an advice guru. (Her advice is no more valueabl than mine--only I don't have a nationally-syndicated show). I'm glad she's moving off radio and sliding into irrelevance: her devoted fans will follow her but her voice will be muffled if not silenced. As Martha Stewart says "it's a good thing."
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Think about it.
Today I'll be reviewing a performance of the national touring company of In The Heights. I wanted somethinhg spicy and hot (but I guess you'll have to settle for Fandango 3: it somehow conveys a "Latin flava" to me at least--so on with the review!
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In The Heights proves that you can put predictable, pretentious crap on stage and still have the audience go wild if you lay down a good beat and get it labeled social commentary. You'll get a bunch of "Tony Award" nominations and even win a few. OK, maybe this musical isn't complete crap (at least not to it's target audience) but anyone with half a brain is going to very quickly realize they've seen all this before and done better in West Side Story and countless other sources. This has all been done before and better.
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You need a big band to cover the sound of the plot grinding along (but at least this company has a good AND large band.) The songs are clever enough: some are funny, some are touching but I can't remember a single tune. The no-name cast sings with fervor and a good deal of musical ability. A number of characters get to do some serious American Idol-style belting. I don't know my Latin musical styles but this music certainly had the flavor. While I admired the technical ability the Actors showed, the music (hell, the entire show) wasn't quie to my taste so I didn't enjoy it as much as I might have. The dancing that accompanied the music was fun to watch if not particularly spectacular.
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Like the music, the script shone in a few spots but it nevrer held my interest. I didn't find the story to be particular revelatory (or even interesting for that matter) but a good number of people in the audience obviously felt differently. The Orange County Performing Arts Centre (their spelling not mine) usually has a predominantly white crowd. This time there was a lot of people of color in the audience (and I suspect they didn't get in to see shows very often). For them, it was probably anazing to see their stories up on stage told in ways that would interest them. They "got" the show where I didn't so I guess it has some merit.
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For many reasons In The Heights wasn't my cup of tea (or glass of horchata.) I wasn't the target audience but Latinos and folks with a lot more multiculturalism than me (and a less critical heart) would probably really like the production.
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FINAL GRADE: C+
I suppose I could just choose a random fractal for your "cookie" each time but, damme, I feel a certain "obligation" to have it bear at least some relation to what I post about. Today I chose Overflight because the vaguely balloonish shape reminds me that I'll be hovering "over" this particular topic. Is it a stretch? You bet your boots--but it's what I got so I'm going with it! So--on with today's commentary!
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I found Facebook at a particularly low point in my life: I was so wrapped up in (and massively stressed out by) "Real World" issues that I was too emotionally drained to have virtually any creative outlet. I coudn't write, I didn't enjoy music and I could barely daydream. All I did was fret. Then I discovered the wonderful world of "point-and-click" fun on Facebook. Yeah, it was great to re-connect with old friends (holla "Terra" Beltran and Richard Knights! and Wayne Abraham who I met in SECOND GRADE!!!) It was fun to meet new people from strange and wonderful places and interact with them (however tangentially). But for me it quickly became all about the games.
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First it was Pirates, Mafia Wars, Street Racing and, God help me, Fashion Wars: they were easy, colorful and mindless fun they got old pretty quickly. I dropped Fashion Wars first because I wasn't getting anywhere with that game. Then Zynga quit supporting Street Racing (which I played mainly because I'd developed a passion for "car collecting" and I got stuck in Mafia Wars needing item "A" before moving on to Task "B" (and not being able to beg, borrow or steal said item). Luckily about then I discovered Farmville and Yoville.
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The "ville" games were different in the fact that they actually allowed you to "create" something. (Yoville is a low-rent version of The Sims and Farmville allows you to create a virtual farm. NOTE: this info is given for the benefit of my non-gaming readers.) These games required more maintainance but at least there was a minimum of creativity required to create the virtual environments.) I was mad for Yoville (until I "topped out" and couldn't advance further) and Farmville veered into the tedious and cutesey-poo with the endless tasks and cool items that required "real" money to buy. (Call me silly but I just don't feel good about spending cash on "virtual goodies." Luckily for me I disovered Social City and My Town.
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Social City and My Town are both "city builders" (basically simpler versions of Sim City): I was hooked the moment I entered the game. As a kid I was crazy for Lego and would fill my bedroom with red-and-white cities (back at the dawn of time Lego only came in two colors) but these games gave me the ability to create the city of my dreams. Playing these games re-ignited my creative spark and I began finding my way out of my personal darkness. Still, Social City ran like molasses on my computer and after taking almost two hours to collect on my city I gave it up as a bad job. Before too long I was playing My Town exclusively.
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I literally couldn't get enough of My Town: I was checking in on "Mastiff Manor" multiple times a day and once I found the discussion board I spent much time reading and answering posts. I started "friending" folks I met there and ended up accepting a ton of requests from folks who found me the same way. Those were halcyon days... We were getting updates regularly and often--and the stuff was completly cool. Sadly, all good things must come to an end--and the end came all too soon...
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First Broken Bulb moved the discussion board off Facebook (with little to no notice--and, yes, I'm still annoyed with that!). Intentionally or not, this effectively torpedoed the budding social community that was growing up around the game. Next they drastically cut the number of new updates and made many new items "cash only". (Yes, I fully understand the Developers need to make money off the game but there's a fine line and they wandereed well over it--IMHO.) Last, but most certainly not least, we been getting "new" Snoop Itmems that are merely recycled stuff we don't want and can't really use. (They don't even take the time to throw up an image to go with them.)
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Do I still love My Town? Yes,--but I don't love, Love, LOVE the game any more. I used to schedule my Mondays and Thursdays around update times but now it's no longer a priority. I keep coming back hoping that things will change for the better and end up disappointed when they don't.
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Still, I hold on to the good times: I remember the Great "Craphole Motel" debate over Easter week with great fondness. I think of the many new Facebook friends I've made. (I'm sure I'd be great friends with Julie TwoDat Stripling, Joanne Thompson and Thom and Carolee Kaufold if we ever met.) I'd love to get the chance to know folks like Barb Duncan Castile and image I could learn a lot from Sadie Morgan. Rene Canetti always amused me and I couldn't help but smile every time poor Raed Aridi managed to cram his little foot into his mouth however unintentionally. I thought I was pretty creative--at least until I saw towns designed by people like Joel Clarine and Gloria Milam. Lastly, I will never forget the kindness shown to me by too many people to mention here. Just know that I will always appreciate your thoughtfulness. Oddly enough I even strangely appreciate the people who took offense at my humor. (I'd mention a name but the individual would probably be offended.) My Town may have tripped and fallen but it could rise again. Even if it doesn't I've made wonderful friends that I will treasure: for that reason alone I'll stick with the game.
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'nuff said.
Choosing a fractal for movie review can often be a difficult to near-impossible task. I had no idea what I was going to do for The Other Guys so in desperation I cchose Twisted Quad--mainly because the image is black and white--like most police cars. (Told you I was desperate.) Ah well, that being said--on with the review!
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Frankly, I wasn't all that excited about seeing The Other Guys. Will Farrell movies of late have been pretty badd and the previews could, at best, be described as lame. Imagine my surprise when the movie turned out to be surprisingly good! The movie works because it is done with a wink and a nudge as it sends up the buddy-cop genre yet plays everything completely straight!
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The movie opens up on "superstar" cops Danson and Highsmith (Dwayne "the Rock Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson in brief cameos) who do 12 million dollars damage foiling a $74,000 jewelry heist and they get away with it (in a scene that could only happen in an action movie). After the two cops die (failing to make one of those action movie rooftop jumps) tne action switches back to the station where we meet "the other guys" Detectives Allen Gamble and Terry Hoitz (Farrell and Mark Wahlberg). Gamble is recently transferred from Forensic Accounting to the squad room and gets paired with Hoitz who got (in)famous for shooting Derek Jeter (playing himself) during the World Series. What follows is an action movie twisted about 90 degrees yet played straight.
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Farrell plays his usual oblivious schmuck character (although he turns it down quite a bit for this role). Wahlberg's Hoitz is a tortured soul very typical of this sort of movie. The evolution of their relationship is fun to watch as are the revelations about both characters. Other standout characters include Michael Keaton as Captain Gene March amd Steve Coogan who plays oddly-loveable slimeball Sir David Ershon. Eva Mendes looks hot, hot, hot as Allen's wife Sheila but otherwise has a pretty thankless role. The action sequences are done as homages to famous scenes in other movies and played completely straight even though the twist makes you laugh. No expense was spared in these scenes and they are sure to satisfy any action-junkie.
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It seems I liked The Other Guys somewhat better than the average movie-goer but I still quite recommend it. Is it a movie for the ages? No--but it is certainly a movie for the summer. Especially a summer where there is so little to entice you into the theaters...
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FINAL GRADE: A-
