So, it seems I am need more discipline to post more regularly. I will post something every Saturday, going forward. [Let's see how long I can keep this schedule.]
Listening to Paramore's Riot album, which plays into the combined desires I have for punk-like rock music as well as keeping a little connected to some strands of 'popular' music. Kind of like Avril Lavigne with a louder and pushier band. I like it.
Also in heavy rotation is Juliana Hatfield's latest, How To Walk Away. I will refrain from my macro-analysis of Juliana's musical bi-polar disorder, but this is the happiest sounding record in a while (big step up from Made in China, in my opinion). Juliana has been a staple of my musical diet for decades now, like an old friend who you don't see every day, but then you hang out one weekend, like no time had intervened. Give it a listen. Catchy with dark and sarcastic lyrics.
Watched Angelina Jolie and James McEvoy in Wanted. I have described it as a writer aiming to combine Fight Club, Matrix, and Office Space. What I have failed effectively to communcate to my friends and family is that the writer missed. The voice-overs would have been funnier and more effective from Edward Norton, the action would have been more effective if wrapped in a more-developed story, and the office is a parody of a parody. Angelina has cool tattoos and is pretty (though the excessively raccoon-like eye makeup here borders on visual comedy). Yeah, I get that. She is also a better actress than this movie allows (see a more amusing and convincing Angelina in Mr. and Mrs. Smith (or Tomb Raider for that matter, d'oh).).
Dark Knight is still good, and it is awesome that it is on DVD now, because you can pause for the multiple bathroom breaks that you will need during this long, long film. Still love the Joker magic trick with the pencil. Sums up the character: playful, performative, dark, and unmoored from any societal norms.
Milwaukee Rep's production of The Blonde, The Brunette, and The Vengeful Redhead by Robert Hewett was a fantastic performance of a spotty script. Deborah Staples played 7 different characters in this one-woman show: a scorned redhead, a trashy brunette and an ambivalent Russian blonde as well as an elderly neighbor lady, a British physician, a 4-year-old boy, and a foul-mouthed husband. The weaving of the stories is pretty good, but the couplings and re-couplings of the characters as threads break and new connections are made... just weren't all believable. Ms. Staples transitions and portrayals, however, were consistently excellent and startling in their diversity. She was impressive as Lydia Gwilt in Armadale, but this is a step up on the scale of difficulty. Impressive again.
Listening to Paramore's Riot album, which plays into the combined desires I have for punk-like rock music as well as keeping a little connected to some strands of 'popular' music. Kind of like Avril Lavigne with a louder and pushier band. I like it.
Also in heavy rotation is Juliana Hatfield's latest, How To Walk Away. I will refrain from my macro-analysis of Juliana's musical bi-polar disorder, but this is the happiest sounding record in a while (big step up from Made in China, in my opinion). Juliana has been a staple of my musical diet for decades now, like an old friend who you don't see every day, but then you hang out one weekend, like no time had intervened. Give it a listen. Catchy with dark and sarcastic lyrics.
Watched Angelina Jolie and James McEvoy in Wanted. I have described it as a writer aiming to combine Fight Club, Matrix, and Office Space. What I have failed effectively to communcate to my friends and family is that the writer missed. The voice-overs would have been funnier and more effective from Edward Norton, the action would have been more effective if wrapped in a more-developed story, and the office is a parody of a parody. Angelina has cool tattoos and is pretty (though the excessively raccoon-like eye makeup here borders on visual comedy). Yeah, I get that. She is also a better actress than this movie allows (see a more amusing and convincing Angelina in Mr. and Mrs. Smith (or Tomb Raider for that matter, d'oh).).
Dark Knight is still good, and it is awesome that it is on DVD now, because you can pause for the multiple bathroom breaks that you will need during this long, long film. Still love the Joker magic trick with the pencil. Sums up the character: playful, performative, dark, and unmoored from any societal norms.
Milwaukee Rep's production of The Blonde, The Brunette, and The Vengeful Redhead by Robert Hewett was a fantastic performance of a spotty script. Deborah Staples played 7 different characters in this one-woman show: a scorned redhead, a trashy brunette and an ambivalent Russian blonde as well as an elderly neighbor lady, a British physician, a 4-year-old boy, and a foul-mouthed husband. The weaving of the stories is pretty good, but the couplings and re-couplings of the characters as threads break and new connections are made... just weren't all believable. Ms. Staples transitions and portrayals, however, were consistently excellent and startling in their diversity. She was impressive as Lydia Gwilt in Armadale, but this is a step up on the scale of difficulty. Impressive again.
1 comment:
Hi Rick - came over to see what's been hapnin after reading your xmas letter (which is beautifully produced, you Mac people). Our recent viewing includes: Joe Turner's Come & Gone (August Wilson) and Arabian Nights (Mary Zimmerman) at Berkeley Rep, Tribute at San Leandro and a Groovelily musical called Long Story Short at Theatreworks. I wanted more from Tribute - both the lead actor and the writing. Arabian Nights was another stone in the altar I am building to "Why Mary Zimmerman rules". I recommend everything Groovelily have ever recorded - but start with Striking Twelve - it's good for any end-of-year grumps. Merry Xmas, Happy New Year - M.
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