"You're mean boys who are just being mean!"

Topic: Movie Review

Subject: Alpha Dog

Based on the true events, Alpha Dog tells the story of a group of 20 something year old wiggas from Southern California in the late 90's. As ransom for overdue drug money, Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch [pre-Into the Wild]) impulsively kidnaps Zach Mazursky (Anton Yelchin), the 15 year old younger brother of Jake (Ben Foster). Undecided about what to do next, Johnny places Zach in the custody of his wing-man Frankie (Justin Timberlake). Certain Jake will pay his debt, Zach willing follows Frankie around for 3 days, while developing an unintentional brotherly friendship.

Allow me to share my immediate reaction: HOLY CRAP, what a heartbreaking story! Zach is such a hopeful teenager, a little naive, but looking to escape his overbearing parents for a moment. Only to land in dastardly situations, either with his meth addict older brother or kidnapped by a juvenile druglord. While held hostage Zach finds the kind of companionship he is looking for at home and begins to come into his own. Fighting for himself, for only a brief moment, and encountering teenage girls for the first time. Towards the end of his abduction he reflexes on what he has done wrong and wishes to change his future for the best. He is a great kid, with a hopeful future, he was only desperate for a momentary change to find some perspective.

Ben Foster gets his own HOLY CRAP for his portrayal of Zach's meth addicted/ neo-Nazi older brother, Jake. Seriously, Jake is one crazy mother f***er! I understand Foster went through a lot of research for this role, I'm not sure if it was for an Oscar nomination he was looking for, or if he is just this intense, but either way it paid off! Foster shows all the sides of Jake; anger, desperation, high on meth, psychotic, and his love for Zach. His only downfall is his fight scenes, coming off more of an action hero as oppose to a 20-something human being.

Snaps for Mr. Timberlake! While Frankie is not the most difficult character, JT performs very well for someone whose acting resume includes the New Mickey Mouse Club, Model Behavior and Edison. He excelled in his first "real" role, as I shall call it. While Frankie starts out as an ass, his character evolves as his relationship with Zach grows over his captivity. By the story's end you can feel their emotional attachment and you want him to do the right thing, which he feebly attempts, but ultimately resumes his way of life pre-Zach.

Other highlights: the witness count which grows up to 40! Slightly, hilarious. The opening credits of baby and family videos of the cast. Sharon Stone's final scene as Zach's mother years later. Her delivery of, "They say there's a reason for everything. If God's got a purpose for me, he better get the fuck down here and tell me what it is, 'cause I don't see it!" brings you to tears for her, and really makes you question the proverb. Otherwise, I think Olivia Wilde was given too much attention for such a minor role.

A

-M

(Just Came to Say) Goodbye Love

Topic: Broadway, Theater

Subject: Rent

Yesterday it was announced that Rent has set a date for its final performance, June 1st, 2008. Jonathan Larson's milestone musical, has been entertaining Broadway audiences for more than 12 years at the Nederlander Theater. Upon closing it will become the seventh longest running show in Broadway history. A fan needs to discuss this with a level head, I will be that fan. But first a brief history ...

Adapted from Puccini's opera, La Boheme, Rent tells the story of a group of young artists, struggling to live in New York's East Village in the late 1980's/ early 90's. There, they grapple with AIDS, heath care, homelessness and poverty.

After a opening to critical acclaim, Rent went on to wina slew of awards, including the Tony award for Best Musical, as well as becoming one of seven musicals to win a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Tragically, Larson never lived to see Rent's success, passing of an aneurysm after the final dress rehearsal at an off-Braodway theater workshop. 

Rent also introduced the world to an outstanding cast, including, Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia (winning the show's only Tony for acting as Angel), Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Daphne Rubin-Vega.

Rent needed to close. I have been with Rent for over 10 years now, and have seen the show twice (first in 2002 with Joey Fatone, second this past summer with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp reprising the roles they originated). Part of my reasoning for seeing Rent the second time, was the allure of Pascal and Rapp, and I thought I may as well see it again before it closed because I knew the end was near. 

My second viewing sealed the end for me. There was an obvious lack of energy throughout the entire show (the only exception being Tamyra Gray's performance as Mimi). La Vie Boheme has never seemed so worn out. Pascal and Rapp appeared exhausted, uninterested and were forgetting lines. Now, they are about 12 years older, and playing the same 20-something characters, something was left to be desired. C'mon guys (especially you Mr. Rapp!) we all want to see you in new and exciting projects, spread your wings a little. 

Also, I think there is a stigmatism that comes with the role of Maureen. I don't think anyone has captured Maureen the way Idina Menzel did (maybe Sherie Renee Scott), and I believe a lot of us still want to picture Idina in the role. Wether we saw her in the original cast or not, thanks to the soundtrack her voice rings through our ears during Over the Moon, and the movie doesn't help our case either.

I will always care for Rent, and it will forever remain close to my heart. However, along with caring for it so, I need to realize what is best for the show. Rent needs (and deserves) time to rest and recover. Someday Rent will return, re-imagined and rejuvenated (hopefully not similar to the recent London "remix"). I look forward to this day, but right now I'm looking to move on. However, I will never forget what soundtrack to grab when I'm getting ready to go "Out Tonight."

Good bye love. Good bye.

-M

Wrap this (Underaged) Mother Up!

Topic: Movies

Subject: Juno

The moment my interest in Juno sparked was when Ellen Page delivers this zinger of a line to Jennifer Garner in the trailer, "Nah ... I mean, I'm already pregnant, so what other kinds of shenanigans could I get into?"

Ellen Page deserves all the acclaim she is receiving for portraying our unlikely heroine, Juno MacGuff. Rather than playing Juno as another disaffected teenager isolated from adults, she acts mature and equal, while speaking in her own teenage tongue. Declaring lines such as, "I've taken like three pregnancy tests, and I'm forshizz up the spout." Jargon of this breed could have gone terribly wrong, rather Page remains charming and genuine, while keeping the audience wondering what she will spit out next.

Olivia Thirlby also deserves praise, holding her as Leah, Juno's best friend. Thirlby expounds hilarious one-liners, such as "Foo get Thailand!"

It was a nice change to see Allison Janney, Juno's step mother, Bren, playing a real woman, as oppose to the mother stereotypes we've seen lately. We look for some hostility between Bren and Juno at first, but as the film goes on we see that there is a mother-daughter relationship there, built on love and respect.

Jennifer Garner looked great, post-Violet Garner-Affleck. Her character, Vanessa, the uptight adoptive mother we find annoying at first, we begin rooting for as the film continues.

Michael Cera is precious as Paulie Bleeker. However, he is more or less the same character Cera played in Superbad, just a different situation. But hey, that's how Jake Gyllenhaal started out and look at him now. Cera's past casting decisions were well made (Arrested Development, Suberbad) and I look forward to seeing more in the future.

Juno is a heart warming film and the conclusion of events is a happy one. I kept struggling to predict the ending, when it came I was pleasantly surprised for all the characters involved because you end up caring for them.

 

Grade: A

-M

Song and a Haircut

Truthfully, I went into Sweeney Todd not expecting the greatest reaction. I'm not the biggest Sondheim fan, nor would I call myself an enthusiast of bloody tragedies. Entering the cinema my Sweeney knowledge consisted of a murderous barber who uses victims as the main ingredient in meat pies. I left pleasantly surprised. Delighted that such a beloved stage musical was successfully adapted for the screen, with some of the greatest creative minds of our time in front of, and behind the camera.

Once again Johnny Depp has generated another outstanding performance. While we have all seen him as the sad, tormented soul (Edward Scissorhands), I don't believe that I have seen him so angry before. While Depp lets you watch Sweeney's anger grow, he allows it to build up inside, erupting during the finale. His largest flaw was that once I found him looking a little too much like Edward Scissorhands, and once sounding too much like Captain Jack Sparrow. But that's where pale make-up and a British accent will land you. Vocally, Depp did a wonderful job. I found him to be at his best when holding notes, rather than talking-fast-singing. My most annoyed moment (which can also be seen in the trailer), "... You sir. Too sir. Welcome to the grave. I will have vengeance. I will have salvation ..." Dumb.  Sounds like he's trying too hard. Luckily, it's the only line like it in the score.

Helena Bonham Carter was charming as Mrs. Lovett. Bringing motherly tenderness to contrast against Sweeney's furry. I read that she hand to endure rigorous vocal training, but it paid off coming across as a natural singer. Jamie Campbell Bower (Anthony Hope) and Ed Sanders (Toby) were both break out actors. JCB was a beautifully emotional actor. While, Sanders fought for the spotlight, holding his own against Sacha Baron Cohen, Depp and Carter. It was a relief to see Baron Cohen in a role he did not create. I thought Pirelli would be a larger character, Cohen brought humor, flamboyance, and made you forget about Borat. I had the pleasure of seeing Laura Michelle Kelly as Mary Poppins in London's West End, which provided a beautiful showcase for her talent, while in Todd she was barely visible beneath her wig, AND I don't remember her having the chance to sing! Otherwise, good for her being in a major motion picture!

Tim Burton created a wonderful setting for the story, with spot on artistic direction. Burton's use of an unnaturally red blood takes some getting used to, but becomes another creative choice, adding to the fantasy of the picture,  as well as standing out against the gloomy backdrop (as it does in the poster art). I also enjoyed his sporadic use of odd camera angles. He did a wonderful job adapting a Sondheim classic while creating another Burton classic at the same time. B+

-M

I Certainly Couldn't Find You

When I went to see the new Bob Dylan biopic, "I'm Not There" I went in with an idea that I was going to see 6 actors portraying Dylan at 6 different periods in his lifetime. I thought "brilliant, what an exciting and original idea!" Once the film began  I  got lost and went searching for clues to bring me back to what I thought was the concept behind this film or a link to connect these stories, none of which I found.

What I believe I have found is that Cate Blanchett and Ben Whishaw both portray a 60's Dylan as he is recollected in our memories. Bushy black hair, Ray Ban Wayfarers and skinny suites. While Whishaw's Dylan (referred to as Arthur Rimbauld) is stuck behind a desk answering police questions. We see Blanchett's Jude Quinn deal with the backlash of changing from a folk artist to becoming accepted into the mainstream, deal with the press, and dabble with drugs. Also in Blanchett's segments we spot Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain, Dawson's Creek) looking her sexist ever as the Edie Sedgwick-esqe, Coco Rivington.

I am not very familiar with Dylan's life or music, which I am sure is why I reacted to I'm Not There in the manner I did. However, from what I have heard I am sure that Blanchett and Whishaw's portrayals are close to the young Dylan; especially in the crafty and irritated and way they deal with authority figures.

I guess that the rest of the cast depict characters from Dylan's songs (maybe from differ

ent parts of his career?)? I'm still not sure. As I stated since I'm not the most familiar with Dylan I'm probably not the best to trust with a response from this film, as I did leave confused. The film's most striking aspect is it's concept. Kudos to director Todd Haynes, your presentation remains engaging and unique. I'm not sure Blanchett deserves any awards for her performance. One of the best actresses of our age becoming one of the most iconic (male) musicians ever. Bold move, I get it. Still, I'm not sure that she stretched her performance as far as she could, but that's not to say it was her fault either. She's one of six actors playing leads, and is only alloted so much film time.

Dark Knight/ Bright Idea

Subject: The Dark Knight

Topic: Art/Design, Movies

Since T was so kind as to get the ball rolling on the campaign for The Dark Knight, I shall now venture to critique my favorite poster for the upcoming sequel.

Using a run-down, brick wall as the canvas for a portrait of the Joker works well, touching on the kind of setting that Gotham City is; dark, squalid and urban. While the portrait is minimal, there are a handful of ideas being examined here. The image is not just on bricks, but rather the white washed bricks mimicking the Joker's base make-up. The eyes have been applied quickly using only circles, void of detail, feeling and humanity (same as the Joker).

The lips are my favorite aspect of this image. Using Batman's logo as the Joker's lips was brilliant. Here we have made a connection between our story's hero and villain, and possibly their relationship. Bloody, harsh and violent, just as the lips have been applied. Last time I checked lip-stick didn't drip that freely. Also, I have to agree with and T her "elongating one's mouth" idea, although it is very Nip/ Tuck.

This is a breath of fresh air to the movie poster business. We have iconic movie imagery presented in a imaginative way, and ideas concealed underneath it. Unlike the last "Dark Knight" poster which has not been critiqued here.

Fine, Let's Do This: Celebrity Playlist

Let me begin by stating that I refrain from making playlists of my "favorites" because personally, I feel that they are too permanent and I know a better song will come along in the future.

I tried to keep my list at 15 songs, alphabetical order. On one hand this list does include most of my all time favorites. On the other there are some bands unmentioned who I feel mean a lot more me than those listed and have influenced me greatly. Including Coldplay, Corrine Bailey Rae, Keane, Alicia Keys and Michael Jackson.

On that note this list does give a good impression of myself. A lot of fun danceable music (Crazy In Love, Lady Marmalade), showtunes (My Junk, Out Tonight), and some more emotional songs about love (Have A Little Faith In Me, London Rain). There are some really well known songs as well as some lesser known bands and songs, so enjoy! Ciao.

-M

PS: I'm not going to read over this. So I apologize if what I have wrote doesn't make sense.

1. Aquarius (Lillias White, "Hair: The Actors' Fund of America Benefit Recording")

Well known as the opening number of Hair, I can't help but groove and sing along with Lillias White. Her voice has so much power and beauty. It's a great song to take a break to and let go of some energy.

2. Crazy In Love (Beyonce, "Dangerously In Love")

An ultimate dance number. I can't help but get up and dance to this when it comes on.

3. Dancing Queen ("Mamma Mia!: Original Cast Recording")

The lyrics "You can dance. You can jive. Having the time of your life," I can't help but get lost in them! I wish I could go out dancing and have this song come on, as I imagine it was like during the 70's. The don't makes songs like this anymore. About dancing, having fun, and that perspective dance partner for the night.

4. Grace Kelly (Mika, "Life In Cartoon Motion")

So much fun! That's all I can say.

5. Have A Little Faith In Me (Many Moore, "Coverage")

I love to put this song on when I'm at the beginning of a crush. It lets me get out the emotion I'm feeling without having to put it in my own words.

6. I Want to Break Free (Queen, "The Works")

I first discovered this song on a Coca-Cola commercial and introduced me to one of my favorite bands ever. Again fun song.

7. I'm A Slave 4 U (Britney Spears, "Britney")

I love music about music! Britney was just coming down from the peak of her career, which I believe was "Oops!" but this is my favorite Britney album. Danceable and good pop music.

8. Lady Marmalade (C. Aguliera, Lil' Kim, Mya, Pink, "Moulin Rouge")

A great pop song, but Missy Elliott and Rockwilder bring a creative edge to the classic. I can't help but smile and sing when it comes on.

9. Like A Virgin (Madonna, "Like A Virgin")

One of my favorites ever. I love the opening notes. Simple, classic pop music.

10. London Rain (We the Living, "Heights of the Heavens")

What first drew me to this song was the topic of London. What kept me there was the lyrics and emotion in John Paul's voice.

11. My Junk (Ensemble, "Spring Awakening")

A great song about having a harmless crush and the hope for more.

12. Out Tonight (Daphne Ruben Vega, "Rent: Original Broadway Cast Recording")

My ultimate getting ready to go out song, for the obvious reason. I love the energy and attitude DRV brings so the lyrics, making me feel confident and unstoppable.

13. Proud Mary (Ike and Tina Turner, "The Best of ...")

Great classic R&B you can't beat the energy of a pioneer like Tina.

14. Who Do You Think You Are (Spice Girls, "Spice")

I find that this is an overlooked Spice Girl song in the U.S., since it was never released as a single here. But it includes all the quintessential Spice Girl ingredients.

15. Why Georgia (John Mayer, "Room For Squares")

Everything John brings to this song is perfect: the lyrics, the mood. Staring out slow and then picking up.

Let's Make the Headlines

Topic: Fashion, Magazine, Music, Photography

Subject: Victoria Beckham

It's only fitting that the topic of my first post is about a Spice Girl. So ... let's talk about Victoria Beckham on the January cover of Elle magazine, as photographed by Gilles Bensimon. I think she looks great. Her outfit and the photo are nothing special, creatively, but Victoria seems more down to Earth, which is a breath of fresh air! Appearing healthy, sexy and less extreme, Victoria's smirk shows her happier and more congenial than her more familiar pout.

Makeup looks great: Natural, not too tan. Nice smokey eyes, bringing out her dark pupils. Like I said before, the outfit isn't anything spectacular, but its nice to see her in something that's not super tight or overly glamorous. Hair looks good too. I was never a big fan of the blonde, but it looks good here. The slightly jumbled part and color are a more natural look.

Overall, it's a different personality than most of the public is used to, and I love it.

Vikki, What happened, I thought you said you were going to smile more often? I was looking forward to more moments like this. Stay posh, remain down to Earth.

- M