Musical

The Not Very Interesting Showman

  • Title: The Greatest Showman
  • IMDb: link

The Greatest Showman movie reviewI never thought I would see Hugh Jackman upstaged by Zac Efron. Jackman stars as the flawed but good-natured conman and showman P.T. Barnum, whose dreams and drive will lead the unemployed clerk into creating the world’s first circus. Director Michael Gracey‘s elaborate musical has several problems, including (but no limited to) the film is far less epic than intended, most of the musical numbers are forgettable, plot issues are immediately solved with minimal effort (sometimes even off camera), and its main character is the least interesting thing about the entire project. Other than that, it’s an okay show.

Jackman’s Barnum is a bland lead compelled to rise above his station and prove his worth. Despite the infectious dream he shares, and the family he creates, he’s often a selfish and unlikable character. The cast of supporting characters include Michelle Williams as Barnum’s wife, Rebecca Ferguson as Barnum’s first legitimate act, Efron as Barnum’s business associate and Zendaya as the trapeze artist he falls for, and a collection of oddities, freaks, and exhibits which Barnum fills his circus including Keala Settle and Sam Humphrey.

…

The Not Very Interesting Showman Read More »

Mayhem of the Music Meister!

  • Title: Batman: The Brave and the Bold – Mayhem of the Music Meister!
  • wiki: link

“Was the singing really necessary?”

Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Mayhem of the Music Meister! TV review

Given the character’s recent appearance on The Flash, it only seemed fitting that this week’s Throwback Thursday look back to the first appearance of the Music Meister (Neil Patrick Harris) on Batman: The Brave and the Bold. With an ability to hyptonize both heroes and villains through song, the Music Meister shows up during a fight between Black Canary (Grey DeLisle), Green Arrow (James Arnold Taylor), Aquaman (John DiMaggio), Black Manta (Kevin Michael Richardson), Gorilla Grodd (DiMaggio), and Clock King (Dee Bradley Baker) to mesmerize both sides and steal a satellite to increase his power to control the entire world. Using some Bat-Ear-Plugs, Batman (Diedrich Bader) manages to stay outside the villain’s influence, but he’ll need help to take down the musical maestro.

…

Mayhem of the Music Meister! Read More »

The Flash – Duet

  • Title: The Flash – Duet
  • wiki: link

The Flash - Duet television review

“Duet” made me angry. Not because the musical episode failed to impress. No, the episode infuriated me because this is what I want from both Supergirl and The Flash and somehow you just know the writers of both shows will ignore all that works here as each show gets stuck back in the grim and grittiness of its current storylines. “Duet” is what I want both shows to be: bright, fun, energetic, and hopeful. This shouldn’t be a standout. This should be the bar both shows attempt to reach every single week. This year Supergirl has been more successful than The Flash in the regard, but both have struggled juggling darker themes and unnecessarily convoluted relationship drama getting in the way of the fun. I’m not saying never get serious, but embrace more zany hopeful storylines so that when you do need to take a serious moment it will have all the more impact (as opposed to episodes of moping or acting like a dick for weeks at a time to those who love and rely on you).

…

The Flash – Duet Read More »

Emma Watson and the Beast

  • Title: Beauty and the Beast
  • IMDb: link

Beauty and the Beast movie reviewDisney’s new Beauty and the Beast isn’t so much an adaptation of their 1991 animated film as a live-action reproduction of the original. The new film follows the pattern so closely that when it diverges at any point something feels a bit off. In a loving remake, director Bill Condon and his team bring the magic of the original back to the big screen in a way which should please fans.

After the brief interlude which sets up the film’s plot involving the curse, we’re reintroduced to Belle (Emma Watson) and the small French town in which the modern woman sticks out like a sore thumb. Watson’s casting is pure genius. The actress shines, delivering everything the role calls and more (including a singing performance far more impressive than another Emma who just took home an Academy Award). Effortlessly, she brings Belle to life.

As in the first movie, Belle’s father (Kevin Kline) is held captive by the Beast (Dan Stevens). One of the changes to the film is to flesh out Belle and Maurice‘s relationship a bit more, and add in some backstory to fill in for Belle’s missing mother.

…

Emma Watson and the Beast Read More »

The King and I

  • Title: The King and I
  • IMDb: link

The King and I DVD reviewRe-released on DVD, 1956’s The King and I brought the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II musical to the big screen in CinemaScope starring Deborah Kerr as schoolteacher Anna Leonowens who instructs more than just her students when she takes a job teaching the children of King Mongkut (Yul Brynner). Winning five Academy Awards (including a Best Actor Oscar for Brynner), the film holds up.

As has been stated in other corners of the Internet, the DVD version of the film is much crisper and cleaner than the Blu-ray release (where lighting and color are both inconsistent). Fans who don’t own the 50th Anniversary DVD should certainly think about adding this to their collection for the music, Brynner’s performance, and an impressive amount of extras.

…

The King and I Read More »