Replies: 43 Unseemly Comments
It has hasn't happen in awhile but I am the first.
Posted by Michael @ 02/16/2003 09:23 AM PST
Watched three DVD over the weekend and saw one in the theater.
WARBING!!!!: SPOILERS IN THIS MINI REVIEW OF DAREDEVIL
Theater: Daredevil. Ben Afleck I know he was blind in the film but his rug was one of the worst looking things I have seen in a long time. His 'hair' was always sticking up and I was always drawn to it. Fundamentaly the film bothered me. He was more of a vigelante (sp?) than a hero. Another thing he would jump off the roof of the building to get to the street. He never heard of an elevator or the stairs? The CG work was obvious at time when they had two characters fighting. CG work is starting to take the magic out of the film. I think the movie will be #1 this weekend but will drop off dramatically next week after word of mouth. People around me were laughing at the wrong things and talking through the slow moments.
Also because it was made by a different studio than Spider-Man there was no mention of him or anyone else associated because of this despite in the comics that the know one another. The villian is this one Kingpin is also a Spider-Man villian. It also sooooo obviously sets up a sequal between the Kingpin and Daredevil. I mean he didn't kill him despite the fact that he murdered or had murdered the two people he loved the most!!! YEach!!!
DVD seen this weekend
XXX Vin Diesel shouldn't talk. Just do what he does. (I don't call it acting)Good action film, but trying to hard tobe an american James Bond. An interesting series might come out of this if the limit XXX's dialogue to the minium like they did in Clint Eastwood's movies where he played the Man With No Name.
Men in Black II fun film but some of it is tired. They tried to hard to recapture the first films magic. The DVD Extras were boring. Nothing realy special or different.
A movie called drift. BORING! Everything was practically talking heads.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 02/16/2003 09:37 AM PST
Snow day here in Richmond. Well, more like a ice/sleet/snow day. Our snow totals are very modest compared to DC - just two hours away - they're getting up to two feet. Down here, 3-5 inches from what I can see. -I was really hoping to wake up to a wonderful blanket of snow on the ground, instead, I'm listening to the crackle of freezing rain and sleet. At least I don't have to head out today.
However, I am glad that I finally got some sleep after not sleeping last night. But even then, I didn't get to bed until 3:00am - which is my usual time anyway. But it's been a nice lazy morning with my laptop in bed. Guess I should get up soon.
I'm hoping to do some furniture rearranging today. Just need to make my bedroom more navigable. I had bought a new dresser a few weeks ago, and once I put it together, I realized just how big it really is. It's nice. Just big. BUT it does hold all the stuff I wanted to put in it, and I don't have to fold up anything smaller than I used to, so I guess it's the perfect size for me.
Oh, so will tonight's chat be concurrent with tonight's presentation of "The Music Man"? Could be fun to comment as we go along, but with the times zones and all that... confusion reigns.
See you guys throughout the day... aahh... Cabin Fever...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/16/2003 09:58 AM PST
Here in Portland we have not had a lick, and I do mean a lick, of winter weather all year. Temperatures in the 50's and 60's. I'm not complaining.
I plan to see "Chicago" this afternoon even though I am not a big fan of musicals on the screen or Rene Zelwegger. I have heard so many good things about it.
Yesterday I watched the new DVD release of All About Eve. Unfortunately they don't make movies of this caliber any more.
It has been years since I last saw it. It gets a little campy in a few spots but as a whole it holds up extremely well. I had forgotten how wonderful the dialogue was. While it might not have been a stretch for Bette Davis to portray Margo, I think she still deserved the Oscar.
The DVD has a lot of bonus features and audio commentaries.
Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 02/16/2003 10:22 AM PST
The first act of HOUSE OF FLOWERS is really two shows in one. Part of it is a book musical about an overpowering madam and her virgin girl who falls in love before the madam can sell her to a rich man. The other is a Radio City Music Hall style “West Indies Follies”. Every time some headway is made with the plot, everything stops for a big production number by the chorus or some minor characters. While these numbers are quite good, they stop the show in its tracks And not in the normal meaning of that phrase). By the second act, the “Follies” have pretty much ended except for one number and the story is allowed to continue.
Now if these numbers as staged for Encores by Kathleen Marshall were not as good as they were, it would make for a pretty long afternoon or evening in the stuffy, overheated City Center. But fortunately these numbers are so good they don’t bog down the momentum as much as they could.
The book to HOUSE OF FLOWERS is by Truman Capote, based on a short story of his which was written to pad out BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS to a full length book. It is serviceable. The reason for the show is the score with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Arlen and Capote. There are several semi-standards, among them “A Sleeping Bee”, “I Never Has Seen Snow” and “Two Ladies In the Shade of the Banana Tree”.
The original production was Pearl Bailey’s first starring role and she allegedly played diva to the hilt. But it was more known for the Broadway debut of Diahann Carroll. For Bailey’s role, Encores had Tonya Pinkins, who made the role her own yet still gave an idea of what Bailey did with it. The young lovers were played by two newcomers, Nikki M. James and Brandon Victor Dixon. We should be hearing more from both of them.
But the real icing on the cake was the new orchestrations (the original ones were allegedly lost) by Jonathan Tunick which were paid for ($130,000) by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. They were beautiful, especially for “I Never Has Seen Snow”. Even though the Bailey/Carroll is coming out on CD in May, this cast should be recorded if only to preserve these orchestrations.
* * * * * * *
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/16/2003 10:57 AM PST
Tried to add this to above but it already posted... re ton'ght's "Music Man". Since it is on during chat in many parts of the country, why doesn't every one record it and we can all post our reactions tomorrow. That way the time zone difference won't enter into it and we can even chat about it next time.
Posted by William e. Lurie @ 02/16/2003 11:00 AM PST
I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes yesterday.
Posted by steveg @ 02/16/2003 11:22 AM PST
I saw Daredevil yesterday too. And I was sort of disappointed (as I think many people will be). It had such wonderful potential. The first part of the story was very boring, showing him as a child. IT didn't get interesting until Jennifer Garner (who I love) came on. But there really was very little story. And not enough good action scenes. It was so exciting in Spiderman to see him swing through the streets. Daredevil doesn't do that. One of the villains (bulls eye) (Colin Farrell sp?) was incredibly scary. Kingpin was less scary. Plus the movie was maybe 1hr 30 minutes. IT did go to 1hr50. But that was with all the commercials and previews. It just seems like the movie was too short for this type of film. And two things happened with Jennifer Garner's character (which I won't mention because I don't want to spoil it). But they shouldn't have happened.
I wonder what word of mouth will be. I'm sure some people with enjoy it. But I was expecting so much more.
Btw, last night's Trading Spaces had Frank and Kia. Frank did a beautiful bedroom. It was actually the first time that he didn't do his regular "country". And it was so much better. I wish he'd stick with this from now on. Kia ... well I still don't like her. Her room was okay. But I just don't like her personality or her style. Anyone see the rooms?
Btw, did anyone see Jennifer Garner on SNL? Very funny.
Posted by Jennifer @ 02/16/2003 11:51 AM PST
Went to see 'Anyone Can Whistle' at the tiny Bridewell Theatre in London (I think this was billed as the 'London Premiere'). Now I know why this only last 9 performances.
I suppose this could be interesting, given a good production, which this wasn't. It included Paula Wilcox acting her heart out in a part (at least here) was virtually non-existent.
And the Bridewell is about the most uncomfortable theatre in London. Not a happy experience.
Has anyone seen a good production of this? If so, what did I miss?
Posted by Allan @ 02/16/2003 12:06 PM PST
MORE SNOW HERE and ICE and MORE SNOW.
Holly the Shar-pei can't believe it!
I have order THE KILLERS DVD and it should arrive anyday. I also ordered the WS 'Four Feathers' (new) and 'Rules of Attraction' which should also arrive sometime next week.
Yes the ALL ABOUT EVE DVD is terrific. I am watching Miss Marilyn Monroe and Miss Jane Russell on the Fox Movie Channel in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. the dialog is very clever and the color is great.
JANE: You are the only girl I know who can stand onstage with a spotlight in her eyes and still spot a diamond in a man's pocket.
MARILYN: (to her fiance's father) I'm not marrying him for his money...I'm marrying him for YOUR money.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/16/2003 01:01 PM PST
I have no plans for today, other than watching "Stormy Weather: The Music of Harold Arlen." It's on at 4:00 PST on Trio TV. On the Fox Movie Channel at 5:00, is the original movie "Stormy Weather" with Lena Horn, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller and many others. They overlap, so I have to tape this on Wednesday.
I am going to tape "The Music Man" because I plan on chatting tonight and I just want to tape it.
Posted by George @ 02/16/2003 01:33 PM PST
YIPPEEEEEeeee it's a free for all! See everyone in chat tonight - it's going to be a darn tootin' good time!
Posted by Craig @ 02/16/2003 02:16 PM PST
Eleven count them eleven posts. Soon we will be the most unpopular site on all the Internet if the errant and truant don't get off their butt cheeks and start posting. Sunday is not a day off here at haineshisway.com. How can I be jiggy with eleven posts, that's what I'M talkin' about. Fine as they are, eleven is too paltry a number - I know we've got it in us because last weekend was our busiest ever. Now, I say let's get some postin' goin' on here before our Unseemly Live Chat or I shall be bitch-slapping from here to eternity.
Posted by bk @ 02/16/2003 02:17 PM PST
I have very little to say, but I will say it anyway. I do not plan on watching "The Music Man" tonight. I have been very distreesed by the songs that I have heard. Broderick seems to take no joy in his songs. He gave one of the limpest interpretations of "Trouble" I've ever heard. He didn't seem to take any joy in it. And I doubt that there are many more joyful songs than trouble on this planet. Kristen seems to do better, though when she does the "operatic soprano" bit it sounds like a parody of a soprano. It is a little too too. Deborah Monk's performance in "If you don't mind my saying so" was deligtful. I'll probably watch the tape at some point.
I look forward with great antici...................pation to the chat.
Posted by Hapgood @ 02/16/2003 02:38 PM PST
The point of watching the tv "Music Man" is to laugh at just how bad it is. If it is just mediocre it won't be any fun, but there is nothing like a real bomb.
Regarding "Anyone Can Whistle", I have read the script and it probably ties with "Roar of The Greasepaint" for the title of musical with the best score and the worst script ever.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/16/2003 02:48 PM PST
I heard yesterday that Sony are reissuing "Nine" OBC with extra tracks. Does anyone know if these are just the tracks that were on the tape and not the CD, or were there more recorded?
Also noticed on Amazon that the Maury Yeston Sonbook is supposed to be released on April 1st.They ahve a listing of the artists but not the tracks. Anymore information out there?
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/16/2003 03:20 PM PST
Well, I have several excellent excuses for being errant and truant and also truant and error, the first and foremost of which is I haven't been home for more than a few minutes at a time (other than to sleep) for days. I got called to once again emergency MD, this time for "Cabaret." So I am busily attempting to hire properly seedy people to portray the stage band of the Kit Kat Klub, and to hire even seedier people for the pit band (a little musician humor there). May not make the chat tonight as I must sleep, sleep, sleep.
Posted by JMK @ 02/16/2003 03:30 PM PST
Truant and error? Is my Freudian slip showing?
Posted by JMK @ 02/16/2003 03:31 PM PST
the new Broadway Radio Show is now up and running! Enjoy!
I won't be able to make the chat this evening, but I'm sure it will be wonderful and full of wonder
Posted by Donald Feltham @ 02/16/2003 03:48 PM PST
Here it comes...
the snow AND The Music Man.
Posted by Jason @ 02/16/2003 03:53 PM PST
Oh we got TROUBLE indeed. Not going to say too much about the tv movie of the week - but Matthew Broderick is calling this performance in. There's absolutely no charm in his character and his rendition of trouble lacked any fire - how it would get the town in a tiz is beyond me.
Oy
Posted by Craig @ 02/16/2003 04:09 PM PST
Vey.
Posted by Jason @ 02/16/2003 04:12 PM PST
Tom---
According to the Sony Broadway site NINE will have "previously unreleased tracks". It doesn't give any more info. It is due out in May with four others containing "bonus tracks": HOUSE OF FLOWERS, PAL JOEY (Lang & Siegel), CANDIDE (original Barbara Cook) and ANYONE CAN WHISTLE. I wish they would release one every other month instead of five at once. It's harder on the budget that way.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/16/2003 04:18 PM PST
I don't know how much longer I can hold my tongue about this. It's awful! Without a doubt the most anti-climatic "76 Trombones" I've ever experienced. I'm reticent about saying any more...oh, yes! I'm reticent.
Posted by Jason @ 02/16/2003 04:39 PM PST
"Sincere" so far was the best #.. but I think that's because it's very hard to screw THAT up... LOL
Posted by Craig @ 02/16/2003 04:44 PM PST
OK.. can't help it.. but the School Board Quartet looks more like the Hall Monitor Quartet. I will say that the Pick-a-little number was enjoyable.
Posted by Craig @ 02/16/2003 04:55 PM PST
and what's going on between Harold and Tommy?!?!? Talk about your gay agenda!!! But, like everyone else, I'll not utter a poop, ah, a peep.
Posted by td @ 02/16/2003 05:03 PM PST
Well, TD, wouldn't you fall for Tommy, too, if he smiled his cute little smile for you?? WOWSAH!
Posted by Jason @ 02/16/2003 05:05 PM PST
There was joy.. in this show, but it all has been deflated
not even second rated
oy vey act II
Posted by Craig @ 02/16/2003 05:37 PM PST
The Music Man has succeeded wildly in one area - it got some posts going! See you all in about ten minutes.
Posted by bk @ 02/16/2003 05:44 PM PST
Oh my....I can't talk...I just can't say anything. It's like when you go to a show and hope it will be good, and then it starts and you hope it will be better...and then you just hope it will be over. (a Walter Kerr reference)
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/16/2003 05:48 PM PST
OK - Jason...
Dance of the Vampires Vs. The Music Man (ABC) - do tell us...
Posted by Craig @ 02/16/2003 05:49 PM PST
it's a whole other ball-game, Craig. And we have been asked not to discuss it, so I'll keep my opinions to myself until later.
Posted by Jason @ 02/16/2003 05:51 PM PST
Chat is now open. Come a runnin'.
Posted by bk @ 02/16/2003 05:51 PM PST
Message from BK: Get your buttcheeks into the chat.
Posted by Laura @ 02/16/2003 05:59 PM PST
Disney should just go ahead and do what they've been meaning to do all along with these made-for-TV musical remakes.
They should cast them all with audioanimatronic figures from their theme parks.
The Disney Imagineers can do the math and make sure that every race creed and color in the robotic cast is represented proportionally with the demographic makeup of the commercial-watching/product-buying audience.
They can completely homogenize both the new (and therefore automatically IMPROVED) orchestrations AND all the performances electronically, removing any accidental hints of charm, spontaneity or inspiration that happen to leak through.
They can cast all the fat-people parts with skinny robots, all the old-people parts with young robots, and all the children's parts with producers' niece/nephew robots. In this way, political correctness is assured.
For maximum efficiency, they can market an audioanimatronic figure for every home, whose sole responsibility it will be to watch these dismal wastes of time (thereby keeping the dust off the remote control).
Gotta stop typing and start watching again now. Never could resist a good train wreck.
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 02/16/2003 06:11 PM PST
Well, we're having a pithy party in chat! We're all pithed at Disney/ABC for the wretched treatment given to THE MUSIC MAN.
Chat is flowing with good cheer, though, and many, many people. . .
Posted by td @ 02/16/2003 06:36 PM PST
Hey there. Sorry for not making the chat. A friend came over to watch THE MUSIC MAN with me, and I had to attend to my host-ly duties.
I actually just checked the chat room, and was able to enter it. And I was the only one in there, so I left. And now I'm posting.
As for my thoughts on The Music Man... *Am I allowed to post now? Was there a temporary moratorium declared during the chat? Well, I'll just leave a few general comments for now.
I didn't think it was good. I didn't think it was bad. It was just there. There were a few bright moments for me, and some low moments. -The lowest being Harold's reprise of "Til There Was You". -Which was only "bested" by the duet section of the same song. -Oh, sorry those were specifics.
I developed a very fond and soft spot for this show a few years ago. I was fortunate to MD a very wonderful production, and I still cherish the memories and the feelings from that production. So, even though I didn't fully enjoy tonight's production, it still brought a smile to my face just because it was The Music Man. It's amazing how solid the material is on it's own. That it can hold up even when it is not given the chance to be fully realized.
-It was nice hearing that most of the script and lines were kept and not altered. I could still recite certain sections along with the TV.
*However, the line toward the end where Harold is trying to prevent Winthrop from running away... "I'm bigger than you..." still elicits a giggle from me. -One of the consequences of growing up in today's world.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/16/2003 08:18 PM PST
My computer crashed -- so I'm sorry that I disappeared so suddenly and did not reappear. It was a fun chat, as always.
Posted by Laura @ 02/16/2003 09:52 PM PST
Well, I'm probably going to get tarred and feathered for this (and the hair never grows back) but I actually LIKED the new MUSIC MAN. I didn't love it, I admit, but I thought they did an admirable job of translating MM to a different medium, which television is.
Yes, I have seen MM on stage, and enjoyed it. Yes, I have MM on DVD, and have seen it multiple times, and loved it. For a television version, I don't see how they could have done much better.
By television version, I mean something scaled for the small screen. Close-ups are used differently. Dances are filmed differently. The size of the performances must be different. The "split screen" of "Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You" that worked so well on the big screen, itself a translation of the song being sung from opposite sides of the stage, was well matched by the fades used for this version. Similarly, while the theatrical film had a grand size, the smaller scale of the settings worked well here.
Most of the performances worked very well. If this doesn't launch Chenowith as a nationally recognized star, nothing will (and yes, I know she's a Tony winner, but this is a breakthrough role for her). I admit, Broderick was not as strong as I would have liked, but I can't think of another name star around right now who could have pulled off the part as well. I mean, who else is out there? Nathan Lane?
All right, bring on the tar and feathers, I've had my say.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 02/16/2003 11:50 PM PST
Well, here it is...8:22 in the A.M. and I'm about to thrust myself into the heart of the blizzard to go to the Metropolitan Opera for what is sure to be a very LIGHTLY attended dress rehearsal of LA BOHEME. According to Channel 2, Central Park has 10 inches and Kennedy has 17 inches. It's VERY windy (the wind actually kept me up most of the night) and it's quite cold, and I'm loving it! We'll see how I feel about it in a few minutes when I have shards of ice blowing in my face at 40 MPH and snow up to my knees.
Hope you guys are keeping warm and dry!
By the way (BTW in Internet Lingo), I agree with you, SWoody--The Music Man should make Kristi an official "star." I thought she was great (perhaps a bit too operatic, but that's just me being nit-picky). Then again, I'm biased...we went to the same school.
OK--Here goes!! Ciao!
Posted by Jason @ 02/17/2003 05:20 AM PST
Alrighty, then...scratch that! Dress rehearsal was cancelled. I think that was a good move on the Met's behalf. So, I'm off to McDonald's to get some breakfast and then I'm going back to bed!!
Posted by Jason @ 02/17/2003 05:32 AM PST
Apparently I didn't post yesterday. So, I'm doing it now.
POST.
There, I did it.
Posted by Kerry @ 02/17/2003 06:23 AM PST
