Greetings,
Normally, the only time I review a whole series is when it only lasts for one season, but I found one I'd like to talk about that has a longer history. If you're a hardcore music lover, you may have already heard of it. It is the British documentary series called Classic Albums.
Technically, the first episode of the show was a documentary entitled The Making of Sgt. Pepper, and that became a template for what the series would become. And this series is unlike most of the docs you may see about famous musicians. It's less for those who are interested in the gossip-y angle to what happened within a band and more for those who are really interested in artistic process. I know that may sound dry to some people, but honestly, the way they carry it out here is extremely fascinating.
Unless my memory is playing tricks on me, the first time I heard of this show was when they were airing episodes on VH1 and I think it was the one about Fleetwood Mac's legendary album, Rumours. I was quite entranced by what I saw. Perhaps, it was because I love that music so much, but it was also something else. As I hinted at. this series doesn't just tell the stories of a band's or artist's highs and lows, as they do on something like Behind the Music, which is also an amazing show. THIS series really delves into the actual making of the album. We hear about how specific songs came to be, both lyrically and musically speaking, but they also are in the studio, at the mixing board, showing how everything was created, showing how all those individual sounds turned into beloved songs.
While the show does tend to explore artists that would be somewhere on the spectrum of rock, they have delved into some other genres. Still, every album that has been featured is certainly unique to itself, as are the stories, the experiences and the processes. It gives quite a bit of insight on those artists and those with whom they work, producers, engineers and so on. You truly can tell a lot about someone by how they work. And considering how many artists have been featured on the show, like Paul Simon, Lou Reed, U2, Metallica, Bob Marley, Steely Dan, Jay-Z, just to name a few, you will absolutely get a wide range of tales being told.
The last episode I know of was from back on 2013, and I haven't heard of any new ones since. It's a shame, since I think it may be just what we need in this time of music. A time where singles are more appreciated than albums, when it seems that almost no one wants to tell a story through music anymore. They just want to rack up the downloads and sound like everyone else. Not everybody, of course. I know some real artists still exist out there. But, like I said, it's a real shame.
Now, as I said, the Classic Albums series is more about the process of music making rather than the tabloid side of a music career, which is why I may be more inclined to recommend it to people who are more interested in the technical aspects of it. However, anyone who loves music may be able to find something about this that they like. Certain episodes are a must watch if you are a fan of any of the featured artists, and starting off with one may lead you to another. As someone who loves the creative process, all aspects of it, I was definitely drawn to this series. So, if this sounds like something that may interest you, a lot of the episodes can be rented or bought, and I think they are even occasionally aired on TV from time to time. Any one of them is worth a watch.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore, Brian Bolland and John Higgins - Book Review
Greetings,
Well, this will be an interesting post. I don't think I've ever reviewed a comic book...sorry, graphic novel before. I may have, though. I don't know. I don't usually read my stuff after the fact. But if this my first, I am certainly starting off with something quite legendary that most, if not all, comic fans have read. So, I guess this review is less for them and more for those who are mildly interested in the genre. Technically, I fall into that category, as I am not a huge, lifelong fan of comics, but I do appreciate them. I think many people feel that way as well, but have never gotten around to picking one up. So, if you are that kind of person, and you want to start reading those stories, this might be a good place to begin, with Batman: The Killing Joke.
I decided to discuss this one for a few reasons. I think mostly because, last year, we got a lot The Joker shoved in our faces, for better or worse. Usually worse, as far as the mainstream goes. We got the release of the Suicide Squad film, which may not have been the best vehicle for The Joker...at all. Like I said in my review for that one, just go watch the DCAU DVD Assault on Arkham. It's WAY better. And speaking of the DCAU, which is normally excellent, they released an animated film adaptation of this very book. I don't want to go into too much detail on that venture, because I'm not reviewing it, but let's just say, it didn't work out as well as we had hoped. Well, at least, we still have the book. Now let's get to that.
Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 graphic novel by Alan Moore, Brian Bolland and John Higgins. Now according to my info, Higgins was the colorist, having worked with Moore previously on Watchmen, and Bolland was the full-on illustrator. Correct me if I'm wrong please. Bolland is best known for his work on the Judge Dredd series, but he is also an extremely popular cover artist. And then there's Alan Moore. Alan Moore is very...interesting. And he has done some...interesting work. Look, I'll leave you to research him on your own. Now I do find him a bit odd, for a lot of reasons, but I will never deny anyone their talent, and he is extremely talented. That is evident by this particular work, so let's get to a brief synopsis of the story.
Whilst this is technically a Batman story, much of the plot centers around The Joker. In fact, we learn about his back story here and how he became said Joker. I assume that in his long history, and considering how comics work, he may have other back stories, but I don't know them. Still, where this one is concerned, what happens in it is kind of the point to everything he does here, as he believes that it only takes "one bad day" to push anyone over the edge and into insanity. It is, after all, what he believes happened to him. So, he attacks some of the people closest to Batman, trying to give someone that "one bad day", and turning them into the kind of person he is. He assumes that no one could make the choice to just carry on as normal after a tragedy. And not to give any spoilers for anyone's origin story, but something he does manage to accomplish, through his actions, pretty much kick starts a whole new character.
And without giving spoilers, believe it or not, I will talk about the ending. Not specifically, calm down. I've seen many movies and read many books wherein the creator wants to give us an ambiguous ending, but it ends up just being confusing. Here, we get a perfect example of an ambiguous ending, one that fans still debate to this day. And it is a very, very well-done conclusion. So, take a lesson from it.
Now, this is one of the most acclaimed stories in the Batman mythos, and with good reason. Personally, I am most impressed with the writing (of course!) and how giving The Joker some depth was handled. In case you haven't noticed, in the past several years, the idea of the sympathetic villain has hit such a fever pitch that many of them have become more sympathetic and less villain-y. Not good. Not good at all. In this, on the other hand, Moore managed to make The Joker far more complex, but he also kept him as the bad guy. That takes skill, and there's no shortage of it here.
So, I know a lot of literary types have often looked down on comics as a lesser form of art, if they referred to them as art at all. But I was never one of those people. Yes, some comic books are awful, many of which we've seen recently because some people are less concerned about good writing and more concerned about...other things, but we've also had crappy regular books, too. And yes, my work is all text, no pictures, but I always respected those who create comics and graphic novels. Though I'm not a hardcore fan, I have read some of the stories, obviously, and they are among some of the best I've ever come across. And honestly, The Killing Joke is an excellent example of how this is a valid form of both art and literature. So, if you've always wanted to check out some of these books, definitely check out this one. But maybe skip the movie. Unless they fix it. Can they fix it? Here's hoping.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Well, this will be an interesting post. I don't think I've ever reviewed a comic book...sorry, graphic novel before. I may have, though. I don't know. I don't usually read my stuff after the fact. But if this my first, I am certainly starting off with something quite legendary that most, if not all, comic fans have read. So, I guess this review is less for them and more for those who are mildly interested in the genre. Technically, I fall into that category, as I am not a huge, lifelong fan of comics, but I do appreciate them. I think many people feel that way as well, but have never gotten around to picking one up. So, if you are that kind of person, and you want to start reading those stories, this might be a good place to begin, with Batman: The Killing Joke.
I decided to discuss this one for a few reasons. I think mostly because, last year, we got a lot The Joker shoved in our faces, for better or worse. Usually worse, as far as the mainstream goes. We got the release of the Suicide Squad film, which may not have been the best vehicle for The Joker...at all. Like I said in my review for that one, just go watch the DCAU DVD Assault on Arkham. It's WAY better. And speaking of the DCAU, which is normally excellent, they released an animated film adaptation of this very book. I don't want to go into too much detail on that venture, because I'm not reviewing it, but let's just say, it didn't work out as well as we had hoped. Well, at least, we still have the book. Now let's get to that.
Batman: The Killing Joke is a 1988 graphic novel by Alan Moore, Brian Bolland and John Higgins. Now according to my info, Higgins was the colorist, having worked with Moore previously on Watchmen, and Bolland was the full-on illustrator. Correct me if I'm wrong please. Bolland is best known for his work on the Judge Dredd series, but he is also an extremely popular cover artist. And then there's Alan Moore. Alan Moore is very...interesting. And he has done some...interesting work. Look, I'll leave you to research him on your own. Now I do find him a bit odd, for a lot of reasons, but I will never deny anyone their talent, and he is extremely talented. That is evident by this particular work, so let's get to a brief synopsis of the story.
Whilst this is technically a Batman story, much of the plot centers around The Joker. In fact, we learn about his back story here and how he became said Joker. I assume that in his long history, and considering how comics work, he may have other back stories, but I don't know them. Still, where this one is concerned, what happens in it is kind of the point to everything he does here, as he believes that it only takes "one bad day" to push anyone over the edge and into insanity. It is, after all, what he believes happened to him. So, he attacks some of the people closest to Batman, trying to give someone that "one bad day", and turning them into the kind of person he is. He assumes that no one could make the choice to just carry on as normal after a tragedy. And not to give any spoilers for anyone's origin story, but something he does manage to accomplish, through his actions, pretty much kick starts a whole new character.
And without giving spoilers, believe it or not, I will talk about the ending. Not specifically, calm down. I've seen many movies and read many books wherein the creator wants to give us an ambiguous ending, but it ends up just being confusing. Here, we get a perfect example of an ambiguous ending, one that fans still debate to this day. And it is a very, very well-done conclusion. So, take a lesson from it.
Now, this is one of the most acclaimed stories in the Batman mythos, and with good reason. Personally, I am most impressed with the writing (of course!) and how giving The Joker some depth was handled. In case you haven't noticed, in the past several years, the idea of the sympathetic villain has hit such a fever pitch that many of them have become more sympathetic and less villain-y. Not good. Not good at all. In this, on the other hand, Moore managed to make The Joker far more complex, but he also kept him as the bad guy. That takes skill, and there's no shortage of it here.
So, I know a lot of literary types have often looked down on comics as a lesser form of art, if they referred to them as art at all. But I was never one of those people. Yes, some comic books are awful, many of which we've seen recently because some people are less concerned about good writing and more concerned about...other things, but we've also had crappy regular books, too. And yes, my work is all text, no pictures, but I always respected those who create comics and graphic novels. Though I'm not a hardcore fan, I have read some of the stories, obviously, and they are among some of the best I've ever come across. And honestly, The Killing Joke is an excellent example of how this is a valid form of both art and literature. So, if you've always wanted to check out some of these books, definitely check out this one. But maybe skip the movie. Unless they fix it. Can they fix it? Here's hoping.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Friday, April 28, 2017
Writer Movie Recommendations
Greetings,
We are nearing the end of National Poetry Month, and I've been sharing a lot of what I write with others in order to celebrate it. But I wondered what else I could do as we honor those who embrace the written word, so I thought I would tell you all about some things that have always been a big inspiration to me - movies about writers. There are a lot of good ones out there, and maybe you haven't heard of some of them. So, I'll be sharing a few with you all today. And I'm not just talking about films that have writers in them. I mean ones that are really about writers. You know the difference. Now I could have done a Top Ten list or something, but I don't think I could even rate all these movies that way. Therefore, I'm just going to randomly talk about some of them in a bit of a rapid fire way. I'll save the details for if I review them. Or if I've reviewed them already. However, if I was going to do a list, let's start with what I would put at Number One.
That's right. It's The Whole Wide World. I think this was the first review I ever did on this blog, which is good because it's one of my favorite movies of all time. It's D'Onofrio and Zelwegger at their best. And while on the subject of films about real life writers, I suggest Infamous, the Capote biopic that I personally think was better than Capote. Sorry. Though the latter may be a good one to watch as well. Sylvia was pretty good, albeit a bit depressing, and Saving Mr. Banks is a winner, if you don't mind disliking the protagonist. Yes, I consider P.L. Travers to be the protagonist. For something more fantastical, may I suggest an oldie but a goodie, Hans Christian Andersen. It's got music! And dancing! And Danny Kaye!
For some more modern takes on, not only writers and their process, but how it affects and can be affected by their relationships, may I suggest the Edward Burns penned, Purple Violets, a great family film starring Morgan Freeman called The Magic of Belle Isle or Starting Out in the Evening, which, I think, contains Frank Langella's best performance. Each of them shows how those who come in and out of our lives can have an incredible impact on our work as writers.
If you want a scare along with your inspiration, I suppose the best place to look is the movies that have spawned from Stephen King books. This is where Misery and The Dark Half come into the picture. I've said it before; I'll say it again. I can't believe he wrote a book giving people writing advice when his fiction seems to want to keep people far away from the profession.
Some critically acclaimed writer films that I like include Wonder Boys, which was shot near where I live, and I still like it despite a few of its flaws (Cough, cough...Robert Downey, Jr...cough, cough), The Squid and The Whale, which I like despite a few problems I have with it...like the younger son character. Just no. I also like Stranger Than Fiction, as it has a unique concept to which many writers can relate - the concept that our characters aren't just characters.
Unfortunately, not all the writer movies I like have been received so well by critics and audiences. Paper Man, Authors Anonymous, Stuck in Love, to name a few. Not everyone was crazy about these, but I like them. And that's all that matters. Because I am awesome.
I could go on and on when it comes to this subject, but that's all I'm going to tell you about today. Whilst I believe these movies can inspire writers, I don't want reading my blog to distract said writers from writing. But as I said, I did full-on reviews of quite a number of these before, as well as of ones I didn't mention here. Hopefully, you'll find some films you can enjoy, and if you are a writer, I hope these stories will inspire you.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
We are nearing the end of National Poetry Month, and I've been sharing a lot of what I write with others in order to celebrate it. But I wondered what else I could do as we honor those who embrace the written word, so I thought I would tell you all about some things that have always been a big inspiration to me - movies about writers. There are a lot of good ones out there, and maybe you haven't heard of some of them. So, I'll be sharing a few with you all today. And I'm not just talking about films that have writers in them. I mean ones that are really about writers. You know the difference. Now I could have done a Top Ten list or something, but I don't think I could even rate all these movies that way. Therefore, I'm just going to randomly talk about some of them in a bit of a rapid fire way. I'll save the details for if I review them. Or if I've reviewed them already. However, if I was going to do a list, let's start with what I would put at Number One.
That's right. It's The Whole Wide World. I think this was the first review I ever did on this blog, which is good because it's one of my favorite movies of all time. It's D'Onofrio and Zelwegger at their best. And while on the subject of films about real life writers, I suggest Infamous, the Capote biopic that I personally think was better than Capote. Sorry. Though the latter may be a good one to watch as well. Sylvia was pretty good, albeit a bit depressing, and Saving Mr. Banks is a winner, if you don't mind disliking the protagonist. Yes, I consider P.L. Travers to be the protagonist. For something more fantastical, may I suggest an oldie but a goodie, Hans Christian Andersen. It's got music! And dancing! And Danny Kaye!
For some more modern takes on, not only writers and their process, but how it affects and can be affected by their relationships, may I suggest the Edward Burns penned, Purple Violets, a great family film starring Morgan Freeman called The Magic of Belle Isle or Starting Out in the Evening, which, I think, contains Frank Langella's best performance. Each of them shows how those who come in and out of our lives can have an incredible impact on our work as writers.
If you want a scare along with your inspiration, I suppose the best place to look is the movies that have spawned from Stephen King books. This is where Misery and The Dark Half come into the picture. I've said it before; I'll say it again. I can't believe he wrote a book giving people writing advice when his fiction seems to want to keep people far away from the profession.
Some critically acclaimed writer films that I like include Wonder Boys, which was shot near where I live, and I still like it despite a few of its flaws (Cough, cough...Robert Downey, Jr...cough, cough), The Squid and The Whale, which I like despite a few problems I have with it...like the younger son character. Just no. I also like Stranger Than Fiction, as it has a unique concept to which many writers can relate - the concept that our characters aren't just characters.
Unfortunately, not all the writer movies I like have been received so well by critics and audiences. Paper Man, Authors Anonymous, Stuck in Love, to name a few. Not everyone was crazy about these, but I like them. And that's all that matters. Because I am awesome.
I could go on and on when it comes to this subject, but that's all I'm going to tell you about today. Whilst I believe these movies can inspire writers, I don't want reading my blog to distract said writers from writing. But as I said, I did full-on reviews of quite a number of these before, as well as of ones I didn't mention here. Hopefully, you'll find some films you can enjoy, and if you are a writer, I hope these stories will inspire you.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Nancy Drew - Movie Review
Greetings,
So, I'm pretty smart, right? And I've always been that way. Even when I was a youngster. Also, I love mysteries. Whether it's Sherlock Holmes stories or the cases on my favorite show, Law & Order, I like figuring things out with clues. Good times, indeed. So, all things considered, I love Nancy Drew. Now I must admit, I've only read a handful of the books, but that was all it took for me to become a fan. And as it turns out there have been quite a few adaptations of the books, mostly on TV and by way of the PC games, which I love. (Side Note: Check out the YouTube channel of Arglefumph: The Nancy Drew Dude!) But when it comes to film, there were about four of them back in the 30's and then, many decades later came the adaptation I will be discussing today, 2007's Nancy Drew.
Nancy Drew stars Emma Roberts as the titular character, and I happen to think that she was a good choice. She had a certain charm and precociousness about her that fit the character well. The plot of the film follows Nancy, as she and her father, Carson, played by very well cast Tate Donovan, leave their hometown of River Heights and head for L.A. where he has a temporary job. Okay, Problem #1. I have no idea why they took her out of River Heights for this, her first film in about 70 years. I mean, we barely get to see Bess and George, or Hannah. What's up with that? We do get quite a bit of Ned, though, who is played by Max Thieriot. Problem #2. I wasn't necessarily a fan of this choice in casting of such an important character. Believe it or not, I think he looked too young, and I don't think he ever clicked properly. Just my opinion. Oh, and Problem #3, it's set in modern times. At least, it is when they get to L.A., even though everyone in River Heights is acting like it's 1953.
Anyway, when they get out to California, Nancy and her father settle into a house that is the center of a mystery, and she chose it specifically for that reason. Problem #4. I don't recall Nancy ever deliberately going after mysteries. I thought she always just fell into them whilst living her life. Though I could be wrong. The mystery is actually about the disappearance and subsequent death of a famous actress from years earlier. To be fair, that aspect of the film isn't bad at all. It is a decent story which moves the plot along nicely.
But in between trying to solve the mystery, Nancy has to go to school, where she's not at all liked and is picked on by the "cool girls". Although, she does find herself a little sidekick...for the entire duration of the film. Problem # ... whatever. These side characters are kind of annoying. Not knocking the kid actors here. I'm sure they're very nice and talented in real life, but I just don't know about the people they were portraying. They just seem to get in the way. I feel like Nancy would have done much better on her own. Or with Bess and George!! Okay, I have to move on from that.
Look, I know I've been listing my issues with this film, to and fro, but I do think it has some very redeeming qualities, besides the ones I already mentioned. Rachel Leigh Cook, Marshall Bell and Barry Bostwick show up in this and I think they all did a fantastic job. And from a clearly aesthetic perspective, I thought the set design was wonderful, particularly the mystery house. And I loved the wardrobe that they gave Nancy. It was very throwback to a nostalgic time. Like maybe the time in which this film should have been set. No, stop it. We're concentrating on the good things. Of which they are quite a few.
Bottom line is this. I may have some problems with Nancy Drew, but overall, it's not that bad. It's not the best movie I've ever seen, but it sure as heck is not the worst. It is what it is, and what it is, in fact, is a pretty cute film. And sometimes, that's all we need. So, if it seems like something you might enjoy, give it a watch.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
So, I'm pretty smart, right? And I've always been that way. Even when I was a youngster. Also, I love mysteries. Whether it's Sherlock Holmes stories or the cases on my favorite show, Law & Order, I like figuring things out with clues. Good times, indeed. So, all things considered, I love Nancy Drew. Now I must admit, I've only read a handful of the books, but that was all it took for me to become a fan. And as it turns out there have been quite a few adaptations of the books, mostly on TV and by way of the PC games, which I love. (Side Note: Check out the YouTube channel of Arglefumph: The Nancy Drew Dude!) But when it comes to film, there were about four of them back in the 30's and then, many decades later came the adaptation I will be discussing today, 2007's Nancy Drew.
Nancy Drew stars Emma Roberts as the titular character, and I happen to think that she was a good choice. She had a certain charm and precociousness about her that fit the character well. The plot of the film follows Nancy, as she and her father, Carson, played by very well cast Tate Donovan, leave their hometown of River Heights and head for L.A. where he has a temporary job. Okay, Problem #1. I have no idea why they took her out of River Heights for this, her first film in about 70 years. I mean, we barely get to see Bess and George, or Hannah. What's up with that? We do get quite a bit of Ned, though, who is played by Max Thieriot. Problem #2. I wasn't necessarily a fan of this choice in casting of such an important character. Believe it or not, I think he looked too young, and I don't think he ever clicked properly. Just my opinion. Oh, and Problem #3, it's set in modern times. At least, it is when they get to L.A., even though everyone in River Heights is acting like it's 1953.
Anyway, when they get out to California, Nancy and her father settle into a house that is the center of a mystery, and she chose it specifically for that reason. Problem #4. I don't recall Nancy ever deliberately going after mysteries. I thought she always just fell into them whilst living her life. Though I could be wrong. The mystery is actually about the disappearance and subsequent death of a famous actress from years earlier. To be fair, that aspect of the film isn't bad at all. It is a decent story which moves the plot along nicely.
But in between trying to solve the mystery, Nancy has to go to school, where she's not at all liked and is picked on by the "cool girls". Although, she does find herself a little sidekick...for the entire duration of the film. Problem # ... whatever. These side characters are kind of annoying. Not knocking the kid actors here. I'm sure they're very nice and talented in real life, but I just don't know about the people they were portraying. They just seem to get in the way. I feel like Nancy would have done much better on her own. Or with Bess and George!! Okay, I have to move on from that.
Look, I know I've been listing my issues with this film, to and fro, but I do think it has some very redeeming qualities, besides the ones I already mentioned. Rachel Leigh Cook, Marshall Bell and Barry Bostwick show up in this and I think they all did a fantastic job. And from a clearly aesthetic perspective, I thought the set design was wonderful, particularly the mystery house. And I loved the wardrobe that they gave Nancy. It was very throwback to a nostalgic time. Like maybe the time in which this film should have been set. No, stop it. We're concentrating on the good things. Of which they are quite a few.
Bottom line is this. I may have some problems with Nancy Drew, but overall, it's not that bad. It's not the best movie I've ever seen, but it sure as heck is not the worst. It is what it is, and what it is, in fact, is a pretty cute film. And sometimes, that's all we need. So, if it seems like something you might enjoy, give it a watch.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Monday, April 17, 2017
Thoughts on Stayin' Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees
Greetings,
So, last night, CBS aired a big old tribute to my beloved Bee Gees. Good timing, I'd say, since 50 years ago, they hit it big in the U.S., 40 years ago, they recorded the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and most importantly, 20 years ago, they released Still Waters, my favorite of their albums. Yes, that last one is most important.
Now, anytime a tribute...anything is done, I think that those who admire whomever is being tributed are a bit wary of how it all might turn out. I certainly was when I saw the line up for this. Some of the artists I trust to give a good performance, some of them I never heard of and some of them...yeah, no. But I was pleasantly surprised for the most part. So, let me do some rapid fire reviews of all the singin'.
The whole thing started with a medley, led by Demi Lovato, for some reason. Yeah, I am SO not a fan of hers. She sang "Stayin' Alive" as part of said medley, but then they let her sing again! "If I Can't Have You", the second time. WHY! Anywho, someone named Andra Day, who I've never heard of sang "Night Fever", and later she sang "Love So Right". Tori Kelly sang "Tragedy", and then they had her sing again, but the same song. Okay, then. And Little Big Town sang "How Deep Is Your Love?" Again, once as part of the medley and then once more later. What? Why are there repeats? The Bee Gees' catalog is huge. Anyway, I didn't mind those last three singing again, because I actually like how they sing. Moving on.
Ed Sheeran sang "Massachusetts", and whilst it started a little strange for me, he ended up doing a good job. Two Jonas brothers sang, Joe and his band DNCE performed "Night Fever" (again with the repeats!) and Nick did a tribute to Andy Gibb by singing "I Just Want To Be Your Everything". I will say, they hit the high notes extraordinarily well.
As I mentioned, I was not crazy about Demi Lovato, nor was I about the appearances of John Legend and Jason Derulo. Again, not a fan of either, but lucky for them, they were paired up with much better artists, Stevie Wonder and Tavares, respectively. Sorry, I don't mean to be mean, but I have to be honest. Now back to the good news.
Pentatonix did great with "Too Much Heaven" and Panic At the Disco, a band I had heard of but never really listened to, were amazing with "Lonely Days". Might have to look into them. They gave the country hit "Islands In the Stream" to Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, more singers I've never listened to. But again, I was impressed.
The highlights for me, personally, were Katherine McPhee singing "Emotion" (better than Destiny's Child, FYI) and Keith Urban covering "To Love Somebody". And of course, Celine Dion had to make me cry whilst performing "Immortality", the song she recorded with the Bee Gees about 20 years ago. It was a bit of an 'In Memorium' moment for Robin, Maurice and Andy, as well as her brother and husband. Yes, a lot of tears with that one.
As far as non-singing appearances go, John Travolta participated a lot, telling some great stories about the Saturday Night Fever experience. And Olivia Newton-John spoke some lovely words about Andy, who she was great friends with. I'm so glad that he was talked about so much during this special. He deserves it.
But, of course, the best part was getting to hear Barry sing and talk about all the people who were a part of the success of the Bee Gees. And he acknowledged that some of their offspring were in attendance, though none of them performed. Why, I don't know, because I do know, for a fact, that some of their kids are insanely talented musicians. Oh, well. But we did get to hear him sing "Jive Talkin'" and "You Should Be Dancing" as well as "Stayin' Alive" with all the performers. Yeah, he's still pretty dynamic, even at the age of 70. Amazing.
All in all, the whole thing was pretty entertaining. It had some stumbles, like not performing anything from my favorite album and no mention of the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, Staying Alive. What's up with that? But most of the artists did a decent job. Honestly, considering how many songs the Bee Gees recorded, we might need to do this on a monthly basis. It could be a good tradition. I sure do a lot of wishful thinking, don't I?
Point is, I love the music that those three incredible men created. They have been one of the biggest inspirations to me as a writer and as a person. They gave us all so many gifts through those songs and how they achieved so much. I am eternally grateful to them.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
So, last night, CBS aired a big old tribute to my beloved Bee Gees. Good timing, I'd say, since 50 years ago, they hit it big in the U.S., 40 years ago, they recorded the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and most importantly, 20 years ago, they released Still Waters, my favorite of their albums. Yes, that last one is most important.
Now, anytime a tribute...anything is done, I think that those who admire whomever is being tributed are a bit wary of how it all might turn out. I certainly was when I saw the line up for this. Some of the artists I trust to give a good performance, some of them I never heard of and some of them...yeah, no. But I was pleasantly surprised for the most part. So, let me do some rapid fire reviews of all the singin'.
The whole thing started with a medley, led by Demi Lovato, for some reason. Yeah, I am SO not a fan of hers. She sang "Stayin' Alive" as part of said medley, but then they let her sing again! "If I Can't Have You", the second time. WHY! Anywho, someone named Andra Day, who I've never heard of sang "Night Fever", and later she sang "Love So Right". Tori Kelly sang "Tragedy", and then they had her sing again, but the same song. Okay, then. And Little Big Town sang "How Deep Is Your Love?" Again, once as part of the medley and then once more later. What? Why are there repeats? The Bee Gees' catalog is huge. Anyway, I didn't mind those last three singing again, because I actually like how they sing. Moving on.
Ed Sheeran sang "Massachusetts", and whilst it started a little strange for me, he ended up doing a good job. Two Jonas brothers sang, Joe and his band DNCE performed "Night Fever" (again with the repeats!) and Nick did a tribute to Andy Gibb by singing "I Just Want To Be Your Everything". I will say, they hit the high notes extraordinarily well.
As I mentioned, I was not crazy about Demi Lovato, nor was I about the appearances of John Legend and Jason Derulo. Again, not a fan of either, but lucky for them, they were paired up with much better artists, Stevie Wonder and Tavares, respectively. Sorry, I don't mean to be mean, but I have to be honest. Now back to the good news.
Pentatonix did great with "Too Much Heaven" and Panic At the Disco, a band I had heard of but never really listened to, were amazing with "Lonely Days". Might have to look into them. They gave the country hit "Islands In the Stream" to Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, more singers I've never listened to. But again, I was impressed.
The highlights for me, personally, were Katherine McPhee singing "Emotion" (better than Destiny's Child, FYI) and Keith Urban covering "To Love Somebody". And of course, Celine Dion had to make me cry whilst performing "Immortality", the song she recorded with the Bee Gees about 20 years ago. It was a bit of an 'In Memorium' moment for Robin, Maurice and Andy, as well as her brother and husband. Yes, a lot of tears with that one.
As far as non-singing appearances go, John Travolta participated a lot, telling some great stories about the Saturday Night Fever experience. And Olivia Newton-John spoke some lovely words about Andy, who she was great friends with. I'm so glad that he was talked about so much during this special. He deserves it.
But, of course, the best part was getting to hear Barry sing and talk about all the people who were a part of the success of the Bee Gees. And he acknowledged that some of their offspring were in attendance, though none of them performed. Why, I don't know, because I do know, for a fact, that some of their kids are insanely talented musicians. Oh, well. But we did get to hear him sing "Jive Talkin'" and "You Should Be Dancing" as well as "Stayin' Alive" with all the performers. Yeah, he's still pretty dynamic, even at the age of 70. Amazing.
All in all, the whole thing was pretty entertaining. It had some stumbles, like not performing anything from my favorite album and no mention of the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, Staying Alive. What's up with that? But most of the artists did a decent job. Honestly, considering how many songs the Bee Gees recorded, we might need to do this on a monthly basis. It could be a good tradition. I sure do a lot of wishful thinking, don't I?
Point is, I love the music that those three incredible men created. They have been one of the biggest inspirations to me as a writer and as a person. They gave us all so many gifts through those songs and how they achieved so much. I am eternally grateful to them.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Friday, April 14, 2017
Detachment - Movie Review
Greetings,
I'm not certain, but I'd probably place bets on the idea that "Teacher Films" is an official genre. I have seen quite a few movies that deal with teachers and students and schools, some funny, some uplifting, some depressing, some...all of those things. And that might make you venture to think that we have enough of them. Well, I've seen some that make me think we do, but then, I find a really good one that makes me want even more. Such is the case with the film, Detachment.
Detachment is a 2011 movie directed by Tony Kaye and starring Adrien Brody as Henry Barthes, a substitute teacher at a very flawed school. Oh, which ones aren't these days? Anyway, can I say that I love Adrien Brody. He is just a delight, and frankly, I think this is his best performance ever. Yes, even more than that other one that got him some award. You know to what I am referring? But, I don't know, I guess I just have a thing for teachers who try to reach their students, no matter how difficult it is. And in this film, it very much is. Still, that is not the only thing with which he is struggling to do. During the time frame of the film, which I believe is about a month, there is so much happening to him and around him that it is practically overwhelming.
In regards to Henry's life, he has a connection of sorts at school with a fellow teacher, played by Christina Hendricks, as well as with a student, played by Betty Kaye, who happens to be the director's daughter. Relax, though. Whether or not nepotism had anything to do with that casting, she did a great job, so who cares? In the meantime, he's coping with his ailing grandfather, his memories of a tragic childhood and a young prostitute, played by Sami Gayle, who he tries to take care of by way of becoming a kind of surrogate father figure. So, to say that he's dealing with quite a few things would be a understatement, but watching his journey through all of it is fascinating and heartbreaking.
Actually, though Brody's Henry is the central character, there are many others with many other stories, and thankfully, they've got a pretty decent cast to carry it all out. We've got the likes of William Peterson, Blythe Danner, James Caan...Oh, speaking of him, there is one scene where he shows a young girl a picture of something and it's a bit...off-putting, to say the least. So, heads up on that one. And for me to be giving that kind of warning in a movie that deals with some seriously harsh issues, you know I'm being serious. Moving on. We also have Marcia Gay Harden portraying the principal, who is realizing that things are beginning to fall apart for her, and Lucy Liu, as the school counselor, who is struggling with trying to get through to the students, which is inching her closer to her personal edge. Both of these women are phenomenal in these highly emotional, yet believable roles.
So, yes, there is quite a lot going on here, but that's the thing about this film. Technically, it is about teachers and students and school, but if you look deeper, it's about so many of these people being lost in their own individual way and trying to figure out what is happening within themselves and in the world in which they are made to live. They're either looking for a way out or looking for a way to fix things or even both. Frankly, I think if you look passed this being "just another high school movie", which it is not, you can see the stories that are truly being told. And how difficult it is to hear them.
In the end, I would recommend Detachment. Obviously, I think it's worth a watch just for the performances, especially Adrien Brody. And while it is hard to watch at times, as I mentioned, it is certainly a film that can affect you in a very profound way. I'd say that, in this time where movies rarely do that anymore, or even try to do that, what you can get out of this movie is extremely welcome.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
I'm not certain, but I'd probably place bets on the idea that "Teacher Films" is an official genre. I have seen quite a few movies that deal with teachers and students and schools, some funny, some uplifting, some depressing, some...all of those things. And that might make you venture to think that we have enough of them. Well, I've seen some that make me think we do, but then, I find a really good one that makes me want even more. Such is the case with the film, Detachment.
Detachment is a 2011 movie directed by Tony Kaye and starring Adrien Brody as Henry Barthes, a substitute teacher at a very flawed school. Oh, which ones aren't these days? Anyway, can I say that I love Adrien Brody. He is just a delight, and frankly, I think this is his best performance ever. Yes, even more than that other one that got him some award. You know to what I am referring? But, I don't know, I guess I just have a thing for teachers who try to reach their students, no matter how difficult it is. And in this film, it very much is. Still, that is not the only thing with which he is struggling to do. During the time frame of the film, which I believe is about a month, there is so much happening to him and around him that it is practically overwhelming.
In regards to Henry's life, he has a connection of sorts at school with a fellow teacher, played by Christina Hendricks, as well as with a student, played by Betty Kaye, who happens to be the director's daughter. Relax, though. Whether or not nepotism had anything to do with that casting, she did a great job, so who cares? In the meantime, he's coping with his ailing grandfather, his memories of a tragic childhood and a young prostitute, played by Sami Gayle, who he tries to take care of by way of becoming a kind of surrogate father figure. So, to say that he's dealing with quite a few things would be a understatement, but watching his journey through all of it is fascinating and heartbreaking.
Actually, though Brody's Henry is the central character, there are many others with many other stories, and thankfully, they've got a pretty decent cast to carry it all out. We've got the likes of William Peterson, Blythe Danner, James Caan...Oh, speaking of him, there is one scene where he shows a young girl a picture of something and it's a bit...off-putting, to say the least. So, heads up on that one. And for me to be giving that kind of warning in a movie that deals with some seriously harsh issues, you know I'm being serious. Moving on. We also have Marcia Gay Harden portraying the principal, who is realizing that things are beginning to fall apart for her, and Lucy Liu, as the school counselor, who is struggling with trying to get through to the students, which is inching her closer to her personal edge. Both of these women are phenomenal in these highly emotional, yet believable roles.
So, yes, there is quite a lot going on here, but that's the thing about this film. Technically, it is about teachers and students and school, but if you look deeper, it's about so many of these people being lost in their own individual way and trying to figure out what is happening within themselves and in the world in which they are made to live. They're either looking for a way out or looking for a way to fix things or even both. Frankly, I think if you look passed this being "just another high school movie", which it is not, you can see the stories that are truly being told. And how difficult it is to hear them.
In the end, I would recommend Detachment. Obviously, I think it's worth a watch just for the performances, especially Adrien Brody. And while it is hard to watch at times, as I mentioned, it is certainly a film that can affect you in a very profound way. I'd say that, in this time where movies rarely do that anymore, or even try to do that, what you can get out of this movie is extremely welcome.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened - Documentary Review
Greetings,
I'm pretty sure that somebody once mentioned that there is no recipe for success. Sometimes things work out; sometimes they don't. Really, no matter what you throw into your routine, you are not promised the outcome you want or are expecting. And nowhere is this more evident than in the entertainment industry. I mean, how many times have you heard about movies coming out with acclaimed everything, from directors to craft service people, and then, they fail miserably, either commercially or critically or both. You just never can tell what will make people love something. Such was the case of the story that is told in the 2016 documentary, Best Worst Thing That Could Have Happened.
So, back in 1981, a little musical made its Broadway debut, entitled, Merrily We Roll Along. It was based on a 1934 play of the same name, with the book written by George Furth, the songs written by Stephen Sondheim and all of it directed by Hal Prince. No way could this thing fail. Right? Anyway, it's about this guy who works in Hollywood, but he used to write songs for Broadway. And it goes backwards. And he's got these friends. And...Yeah, I really couldn't follow the narrative of this thing. I don't think other people could either. That could be one of the reasons why this production didn't exactly hit the stratosphere. But there were also a few others.
Yes, as it turned out, despite having some players with amazing pedigree, Merrily We Roll Along closed after a mere sixteen performances. It's probably one of the most well-known musicals that didn't do so well. But in subsequent years, other productions have been presented and there is more of an appreciation for what was done with the show. In fact, it's kind of known as a classic now.
As with most documentaries of this nature, it is full of interviews with a lot of the people who were involved. In fact, this film was directed by Lonny Price, who was a member of the original cast. Although, some of us know him as Ronnie from The Muppets Take Manhattan. Good times, indeed. Anyway, it was interesting to get some insight from the young people who were a part of that first production, especially since so many of them were very young, practically kids in some cases. And talking about how it affected their lives, for better or worse, was clearly an emotional experience for them. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that one of those interviewees was Jason Alexander. Isn't he just a delight?
In additions to all the interviews, there is tons of footage of rehearsals and auditions. You really do get to see the whole process that they had to go through, and that most shows have to go through on the road to the stage. As someone who enjoys being a behind the scenes voyeur, I found some of it interesting. Although, since I have seen quite a few documentaries like this, such as Every Little Step or Show Business: The Road to Broadway, it was, for me, a bit familiar.
Still, every story is its own story and while the process of putting together a Broadway production can have similarities to all the others, outside occurrences will cause the path to be a little different for each one. And the story of Merrily We Roll Along is unique unto itself in a lot of ways.
So, if you are a Broadway lover and if you're interested in hearing all those tales behind the productions from the people who lived through them and are still affected by them, I say that Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened might be worth a watch for you.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
I'm pretty sure that somebody once mentioned that there is no recipe for success. Sometimes things work out; sometimes they don't. Really, no matter what you throw into your routine, you are not promised the outcome you want or are expecting. And nowhere is this more evident than in the entertainment industry. I mean, how many times have you heard about movies coming out with acclaimed everything, from directors to craft service people, and then, they fail miserably, either commercially or critically or both. You just never can tell what will make people love something. Such was the case of the story that is told in the 2016 documentary, Best Worst Thing That Could Have Happened.
So, back in 1981, a little musical made its Broadway debut, entitled, Merrily We Roll Along. It was based on a 1934 play of the same name, with the book written by George Furth, the songs written by Stephen Sondheim and all of it directed by Hal Prince. No way could this thing fail. Right? Anyway, it's about this guy who works in Hollywood, but he used to write songs for Broadway. And it goes backwards. And he's got these friends. And...Yeah, I really couldn't follow the narrative of this thing. I don't think other people could either. That could be one of the reasons why this production didn't exactly hit the stratosphere. But there were also a few others.
Yes, as it turned out, despite having some players with amazing pedigree, Merrily We Roll Along closed after a mere sixteen performances. It's probably one of the most well-known musicals that didn't do so well. But in subsequent years, other productions have been presented and there is more of an appreciation for what was done with the show. In fact, it's kind of known as a classic now.
As with most documentaries of this nature, it is full of interviews with a lot of the people who were involved. In fact, this film was directed by Lonny Price, who was a member of the original cast. Although, some of us know him as Ronnie from The Muppets Take Manhattan. Good times, indeed. Anyway, it was interesting to get some insight from the young people who were a part of that first production, especially since so many of them were very young, practically kids in some cases. And talking about how it affected their lives, for better or worse, was clearly an emotional experience for them. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that one of those interviewees was Jason Alexander. Isn't he just a delight?
In additions to all the interviews, there is tons of footage of rehearsals and auditions. You really do get to see the whole process that they had to go through, and that most shows have to go through on the road to the stage. As someone who enjoys being a behind the scenes voyeur, I found some of it interesting. Although, since I have seen quite a few documentaries like this, such as Every Little Step or Show Business: The Road to Broadway, it was, for me, a bit familiar.
Still, every story is its own story and while the process of putting together a Broadway production can have similarities to all the others, outside occurrences will cause the path to be a little different for each one. And the story of Merrily We Roll Along is unique unto itself in a lot of ways.
So, if you are a Broadway lover and if you're interested in hearing all those tales behind the productions from the people who lived through them and are still affected by them, I say that Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened might be worth a watch for you.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
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