Category Archives: Review

These aren’t so much reviews as contemplations on the subject matter. What I loved, what pissed me off, what intrigued me, what I disliked, what made me think, what made me beg Google for answers.

The Past Month In Entertainment

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My Fair Lady It had the understudy London Mary Poppins as Eliza Doolittle, Marni Nixon as Henry Higgins’ mother and an enthusiastic, Step-In-Time-esque version of With A Little Bit of Luck. Watching this version, it was a stark realization of how much you don’t want to like Alfred Doolittle, but you still end up laughing at his antics…or at least I did…. The lighting was really dim, the set was very impressive and pretty (high arches that you could see stars through!), Henry Higgins was too damn quiet….but still a production worth seeing. Wedding Singer I hadn’t seen the movie before seeing the musical, but it was quite a treat seeing the caliber of performance. No wonder – it’s from the California Conservatory of the Arts (David Green’s post-OCHSA academy of the performing arts). Great 80’s music and lots of comedy. Then, having seen the movie (yay Netflix!), it was … Continue reading →

Hancock

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I enjoyed this movie a lot….mostly for the twist, but I liked some of the other plot devices used. I always love stories dealing with anti-heroes and the “dark side” of heroics (lawsuits, property damage, etc) but I especially liked the plot’s take on being able to choose your own destiny….I mean we see that theme a lot (Back to the Future comes to mind), but it felt like this was a new and relevant analysis of it. Maybe it’s the super powers angle…I don’t know. Good job! *teeth baring half-grin*

Groucho: A Life In Revue – OnStage Playhouse

They may call themselves a community theatre, but the performances are nothing less than Broadway. The show, co-authored by Groucho’s oldest son Arthur, takes place in the memories of Julius “Groucho” Marx as he guides through the up-and-down cycle that was his career in show business. One definite highlight of the show was the directorial choice to split Chico and Harpo into separate actors. This allowed tender moments and lots of comedy. Harpo does the famous knife-dropping act from “Animal Crackers” and does an entire charades bit with Chico. Chico does incredibly well, playing all his own music!!!!!at old women gallerylingerie stockings glamournj glory holeshorny mature women for datingpersonal wife swapscary animalsadult personal web sitesathlete cockbdsm cumfrench fistingcleveland ohio zooadult personals indiai gave my first handjobsecretary sex videopetite porn starsshit swappetite teens sexlatin teensanal prolapsecelebrity nipscitalopram delayed ejaculationblonde handjobsbdsm cumlatin teensenormous busty animedating advice for older adultschild penis enlargementadult watersportsmature … Continue reading →

An Evening With Groucho – Curtis Theatre

A very enjoyable show which is more like the Mark Twain show, where you just get to spend a couple of hours with the legendary figure than a biography, although there are biographical elements to the show.Frank Ferrante has been portraying Groucho for many years and does a very excellent job. He was the original portrayer of Groucho in the biographical play written by Arthur Marx, Groucho’s son. Plenty of audience interaction, lots of song and prancing about stage and generally a really great time. Some of the highlights? Sending one of the ushers (whose name happened to be Shirley Temple) to get a cup of coffee for a guy in the front row and getting a Starbucks bottled frappachino. Picking a member of the audience and painting the mustache and eyebrows on him and giving him a cigar. One couple in the audience. You two make a lovely couple? … Continue reading →

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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This was THE summer event movie for me. Having seen this movie, my life feels that much more complete or something. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen are back (as Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood) and they brought along Shia LeBouf as protégé Mutt Williams for the ride. The three of them have fantastic chemistry on screen and Harrison is just as active as he was in the 80s, which is incredibly impressive. Rather than try and fool people into thinking Indy is just as young as he was in the original trilogy, the movie is set in 1957, 19 years after Indy’s so-called Last Crusade. And no time is wasted in the opening credits as a group of hot-rodding 50s teens race across the New Mexico dessert to the sounds of Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” and get into a drag race with the lead car of an Army caravan. But … Continue reading →

Prince Caspian – Century 20 @ Bella Terra, Huntington Beach, CA

An intriguing adaptation, I for sure learned one thing: I’m never seeing a midnight showing at Bella Terra again. I’m all for having a geek out cheer when Miraz is killed, but it doesn’t necessitate a 30 second dialogue that PREVENTS ME FROM HEARING THE GORRAM MOVIE!!!!!!! Aside from that I enjoyed the film very much. Not sure how I feel about the added battle (Adamson wanted to highlight the tension between Peter and Caspian and wanted Greek mythological creatures storming a castle), but it’s still a good time at the movies.

Red Belt

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Fascinating movie about a Ju Jitsu instructor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) whose lives his life by a strict code of honor that comes under attack from every angle. Written and directed by David Mamet. I REALLY enjoyed this movie. The code of honor held by Chwitel was very similar to the system that warrior cultures of the past (hence why I was so fascinated with the movie). Also star Tim Allen in a highly unusual role…one that features far less comedy than usual. I think he pulls it off nicely. Ahmed Best was one of the stunt men?!? But he’s not listed on the movie’s IMDB page and his personal website is ancient?!?!

Iron Man

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This movie is absolutely incredible. It’s actually kind of depressing how well Marvel is doing with their adaptations considering I’m a DC fanboy, but I can live with just getting great geek moments. Highlights? The Mach-3 suit. It’s so gorgeous watching it in action. The technology behind the suit and Jarvis (Stark’s home computer)….it’s got holographic projectors that are both touch and laser pen intractable….*drool* Stan Lee’s cameo in a Hugh-Hefner-esque robe Robert Downey Jr. I’ve been a Downey Jr. fan, despite his rehab nonsense, since the early 90’s when I saw a movie called Heart and Souls, and I absolutely LOVED Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. He tackles this role and handles it with lots of aplomb (great to hear that he wanted to role so badly he was willing to take a screen test to prove himself). He’s funny yet touching and a very talented actor. All in all, … Continue reading →

The Andrews Brothers – Musical Theatre West

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A most amusing musical with a 4 person cast, from the guy who brought us the The Marvelous Wonderettes (Roger Bean). Chronicling the madcap mayhem that ensues when three brothers have to double duty their stage hand duties and perform on stage at a USO show when the Andrews Sisters get chicken pox, this is a highly enjoyable jukebox musical featuring the greatest hits of Patti, Maxine and Laverne. I hate that the program isn’t in show order, but just a list of the songs used because there were some REALLY GOOD medleys that I would love to hear again (luckily the author’s website has the accurate song listings…yay!). Starring David Engel, Stan Chandler and *Patrick* as the brothers and *Peggy* as Peggy Jones the pin-up girl, the show has lots of energy and is really funny. Not to mention great music…it was torture to have to sit and listen … Continue reading →

Urinetown – Cerritos College

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THEY DID THE BUNNY HOP DURING THE FINAL CHORUS OF DON’T BE THE BUNNY!!!! OMFG!!!! IT FITS PERFECTLY AND IT’S HILARIOUS! This is the fifth production of this musical that I’ve seen (on Broadway, technically off-Broadway; the national tour at OCPAC; PCPA Theatrefest in Solvang; Laguna Beach High School) and I learn something new every time I see it. It is such a brilliantly constructed musical with thought-provoking content wrapped in comedy that I could see it five more times and still not be tired of it. The music is jazzy and fun, the dialogue and lyrics pop with cynicism and wit and the characters are lovable despite of, and even for, their depravity. Now enough ranting about how great the show is. Some minor negative values for this production: it is a community college production run by community college students for many of whom this is their first time. … Continue reading →