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A couch potato's holiday, part 1Over the holidays, I went to a very special place: smack dab in front of my TV. Yeah, fine, I already spend a lot of time there. But rarely do I get to spend hours and hours of quality time with the DVR. Pure bliss. And when I did leave the apartment, I went to the movies. Even more bliss! So because I'm still in a fog of TV- and film-induced joy, the most I can manage to do today is reflect on those days of uninterrupted entertainment. (Note: I did do some reading, too. I finished Away by Amy Bloom, which was just OK, and I plowed through a pile of magazines. There; now I feel slightly better about my couch potato tendencies.) 1. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Practically perfect in every way. I've loved the score for a long time, especially "Johanna" and "Pretty Women." But the recent Broadway show (starring Patti LuPone) was a huge disappointment. So I'm thrilled that Tim Burton got it exactly right and did justice to Sondheim's genius. "A Little Priest" — aka the song-and-dance number with cleaver and rolling pin — is awesome. 2. Cane (three episodes)
I've been a fan of Jimmy Smits for yonks (thanks partly to Switch). On Cane, he is doing some amazing work. Plus sometimes Rita Moreno shows up, and she is a shining example of how to age gracefully — make that gorgeously. (If you watch the show, how great was it when she said, "Finish it"? Chills!) 3. The Singing Bee and Don't Forget the Lyrics
Yes, I'm a dork. I love these shows — especially when I can fast-forward through the lame and/or intolerably suspenseful parts — and they always warm me up for a session of Guitar Hero. 4. I Love the '80s, Jeopardy, Chefography and The Next Food Network Star These seem like time-fillers at first, but they end up being time-eaters because you can't tear yourself away. On The Next Food Network Star, I was rather fascinated by the contestant who calls himself Jag (Joshua Adam Garcia). When he puts his glasses on, he totally looks like a lesbian. I think I saw his twin at Rubyfruit recently.
5. Waitress
Although I did enjoy Keri Russell's performance — and Cheryl Hines and Adrienne Shelly are also great — this movie didn't charm me as much as it did other bloggers and vloggers. It just seemed a little too long, and the ending is so sweet, it's almost sickening. Not that I didn't want a big slice of pie afterward.
This documentary about Fred Phelps (the homophobe who preaches hate in Topeka) is unsettling — partly because of Phelps' message, of course, but also because it leaves so many questions unanswered. I'd like to see a full-fledged biography, rather than a shocking snapshot.
This movie makes me feel better about everything every time I watch it. It's weird, hilarious, heartbreaking and inspiring. Afterward, my girlfriend and I did some Googling for more info about the soundtrack. We came across this terrific video of a fifth-grade chorus (P.S. 22, Staten Island, NY) performing Cat Stevens' "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" at their 2007 holiday concert. How awesome are music teachers? That was the first half; more tomorrow. Submitted by on January 2, 2008 - 6:30pm. |
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Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd Rocked!
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd was rocking aweasome! I saw it the other day and fell in love with it. I love the music already, so seeing it all come together was just amazing. I too agree that "A little Priest" was amazing and a song that I cannot get out of my head.
Now that I'm hearing good
Now that I'm hearing good things about it, I think I might go see it. I'm a huge fan of Patti LuPone (Evita has never been the same for me since I heard her recording.) I heard some of the music from this new Sweeney Todd, and I'm not too thrilled about listening to that for two hours.
I assume Johnny Depp doesn't disappoint in the acting portion of it?
Next.
was juno any good?
I've been wanting to see that
http://www.youtube.com/sinfulhex
Wow
That chorus rocks. My 5th grade chorus was terrible. We sang really dumb songs and everyone wanted to be a soprano, so me and the few other bedraggled little altos were always struggling to be heard.
But, yeah, music teachers kick ass, as does Harold and Maude.
We've really had a similar holiday,
Scribe, so here is my list of what I've been doing:
5. Don't Forget the Lyrics. My favourite was the "wedding singer" who not only couldn't sing -- even for this show -- and left with $0 because he stuffed the lyrics of a song he's "performed" hundreds of times. Isn't that Alanis?
4. ABC movies: here in Australia, without pay-tv you generally have five channels. In the middle of the night, that will be one horrible "quiz show," The Mint, two infomercials, the SBS test pattern and ABC movies. Last night they had Abe Lincoln in Illinois with Ruth Gordon as a bitchy Mrs Lincoln!
3. Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer: I like Joyce's fine work, even though lately it's been women supporting women, which is even worse than when Oprah does it. But they did have one fantastic ep where they went to their "hospital" in India, where people just this side of shuffling off their mortal coil are browbeat about the Lord Jesus. This one guy who was barely hanging on and couldn't really speak was urged to "Pray! PRAY!!!" And his grateful Hindu family were forced to their knees. It's like the Amazing Race but all the contestants are rabid Christians.
2. Seventh Heaven: these are the really good episodes where Ruthie got her tattoo. I think Dad had a heart attack today but unfortunately I slept through it.
1. Outrageous Fortune: this is why non-rating tv in Australia totally doesn't suck. We had this gem on two channels, one with the new season, and one from the beginning! The West family really is all class.
Isn't that Alanis?
Glad I wasn't the only one on the couch all week.
Graphic Sweeney
I agree
I third that.
I liked the movie, but I wouldn't go see it again. Half the time my hands were covering my face... it's not so much the blood for me, I think, as the fact that he's using a razor and slitting throats? he's a barber!! he's supposed to be trustworthy not to kill you when you want a shave! creepy. but good music. and helena bonham carterrrrr. yes.
omg, inbd
Cane
Yonks? That's some interesting diction there, Scribe...
I really wanted to like Cane from the beginning, but my interest started to wane early on because I didn't find a single character on the show endearing. I stuck with it because, like you, I've got a special affinity for Jimmy Smits (though everytime he says ethanol now, I have West Wing flashbacks)...and I've been pleasantly surprised by the last few episodes. The show seems to have found its footing.
I'm secretly hoping that Rita Moreno gets more screentime in future episodes--her scene with Smits was chilling, but we never got to see her lash out at her husband for keeping the secret...which is something I would've loved to see.
Oh, right...and there's the other reason I watch Cane...
Paola Turbay. Hot.
Paola
Maybe Rita Moreno will become the calculating matriarch of the new empire? I can dream.
"yonks" -- I got that from Bad Girls, of course! :)
TimeOff
I can't help it...
I love Gossip Girl. I don't know if it's because I am eighteen, or a sucker for punishment, but I am addicted. Or it could be because I am patiently waiting for Blair and Serena to make out...HOT!
Also, I saw Fall from Grace. Disturbing...but...does anyone else think that Fred Phelps is secretly gay? You know what they say about homophobes...
Fred Phelps gay?!?
No way, Alisha! He's just completely obsessed by gay people, gay sex, gay "lifestyles," gayness, gay "recruiting," etc etc, to the pint of total distraction. He's just so dang-focused on gay people, gay sex, gay "lifestyles," gayness, gay "recruiting," etc etc, that he cannot think of a single other thing.
So, no way!
My butt!
ha you got me excited to see
the Waitress...
I really didn't like that movie at all. but everytime she made one of those pies I wanted to eat it.
Yum
http://www.youtube.com/sinfulhex
tim burton's sweeney
really? you liked it? seriously? to each her own.
I did see the Lupone/Cerveris version on Broadway and thought it was raw and emotionally perfect. Not to mention the fact that every voice on that stage was spectacular. I also have the OBC recording, and a few video clips of the awesome Angela Lansbury performing as Lovett. Priceless.
Todd did do some fun stuff with his rendition, and I know Sondheim cut his own songs for the movie and approved the stars singing, but those voices did not do the music justice. For me, at least. I had the pleasure of seeing Todd on Broadway twice (same cast), and I had to see the movie because the music is so gorgeous.. but I was sorely disappointed by almost every voice (except, perhaps, Depp's).
I'd prefer to see this piece on the stage, I guess. Still, it was entertaining to watch the movie because I knew it, and because the story moves me.
I love The Waitress and Juno.
I'm with you
I'm also a big fan of the stage version of "Sweeney Todd," and had mixed feelings about Burton's adaptation. I never got a chance to see the recent minimalist revival, but I enjoyed the OBC recording and Patti LuPone and George Hearn's Lincoln Center concert a lot more than the new movie. But oddly enough, some of the characters and numbers I liked least in the stage version actually "popped" more in the movie...especially the Anthony/Johanna interaction.
My biggest disappointment was Helena Bonham Carter's Mrs. Lovett. Her interpretation of the character was so dreary and bleak...not delightfully batty like Angela Lansbury or shrewdly manipulative like Patti LuPone. I hate to say it...but she made "A Little Priest" into a downer.
I guess I'm just a broadway purist....
I really did like the movie, yes
Er, sorry. As you say, to each her own. :)
lol
harold and maude...
...is one of my favorite films EVER. *sigh*
my xmas vacation:
1. read many books (like 10 so far)...amongst them naomi wolf's "the end of america" and "the kite runner" by khaled hosseini. i am unemployed now, so vacation continues. currently in the middle of "reading lolita in tehran" by azar nafisi.
2. finally saw "little miss sunshine", which was twisted and i loved it.