Rent at UM

Rentheads, unite! Though it no longer plays on Broadway, if you're in the Miami area you should definitely treat yourself to the University of Miami's performance of Rent at the Jerry Herman Ring Theater.

A college production not sound promising? I understand your concerns, they were mine too, especially after learning they had decided to do it in the round. I was so afraid they would mess things up, even more so because the last touring company that did it at the Arsht Center really disappointed me, I feared that with amateur talent and possible changes/adaptations that I would once again be disappointed.

But oh contraire, my friends!

They maintained the original book so I could've easily hopped on stage and taken over any part, since as a true Renthead I know all the lyrics to all the songs...and lines (don't worry I didn't sing...too loudly).

Second, as far as talent goes, these kids can sing, and sing damn well! Of course it's not just singing though, they have to act and sometimes dance. There were a couple of them that really stood out for me.

In the movie and in NY those characters were always Mimi, Maureen, and Angel of course. But at UM, the one character that really stood out was Joanne, the lesbian lawyer, played by senior music theater student Kelsey Dardeau. Her vocal ability paired with her memorable facial expressions made this blonde stand out and steal the spotlight.

Mark and Roger, played by seniors Matt Mickenberg and Ken Clark, respectively, were the others that were very strong both vocally and acting. It was easy to forget you were watching college students with the degree of caliber that these boys showed on stage.

I think it's also noteworthy to mention Collins, played by junior Heath Saunders, whose performance of the sad version of "I'll Cover You" was so moving, it nearly brought me to tears.

The other main characters were fine actors, but nothing really stood out. Well...Angel (sophomore Joey Barreiro) did, but in a negative way.

He was a younger actor, and it was his debut (and tonight was opening night), but he was clumsy (played with his wig, seemed uneasy on his heels), seemed nervous, and just didn't have that spark I've come to expect of the character. At least he had a better voice than the one I saw at the Arsht.

And Mimi, senior Sarah Amengual, was ok, but she had a bit of an awkwardness to her, mostly her gait. However, she gets props for her Take Me Out performance, she sang and swung from a rope!!

Which brings me to the stage set up: theater in the round (no backstage, it's literally a round stage and actors enter from side entrances). Dare I say that this design works best for this show? I dare!

Especially if you're a major fan of the show, you'll definitely want to experience it in this way because you almost feel like you're on the stage with them (also thanks to the Ring's small, intimate size) and a part of the show. The creativity really stood out and I think really worked well.

Major props to the directors Bruce Miller and Christine Kellogg, the show was a huge success!

Yes, I am a UM alum; yes, I am a Renthead; but I was also a theater major so I can criticize a show objectively, and I assure you, you'll get your money's worth and much more at UMs Rent run.

Don't miss it, it ends May 1st!!



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Last Song

I have never seen or read any previous Sparks stuff, so know that this review is at least unbiased in that regard.

Ok, so I love romantic comedies, but I've never been a big fan of mushy love stories. Actually they turn me off. That said, I love me some Miley so I decided to give this movie a shot despite it's by the same guy who wrote the mushiest story ever (or so I've heard), "The Notebook."

I think in order to give it a fair review, I have to break it into pieces because it certainly deserves some credit as well as some bashing.

Acting:

Ok, I know I said I love Miley, but that's as a singer. Girl is a horrible actress. Terrible, terrible, terrible. She's hardly believable, and her range of emotions is, well, almost nonexistent. But I will say this, she has improved. There were brief, very brief, moments, seconds when she was actually in character. I think there's hope for her acting career...maybe.

Now, the star I think stole the show was Bobby Coleman, who played Miley's little brother. He was funny and intense when the scene called for it. Actually his performance is what made me cry and laugh. Yes, I cried, tears and all.

Greg Kinnear, played her dad, was also very good, but isn't he always?

The bf was not bad, I think with a better role he'd have stood out more.

Main Storyline:

Contrary to popular belief, generated by misleading promos, this movie was NOT about first love. And that was a nice relief. The story of the dad and his kids is actually very moving and definitely the saving grace of this movie.

Needed a little more background and more screen time seeing the dad interact with the kids, and the supposed music theme--need to see/develop the significance to Ronnie (Miley) . But even as is, it provided a healthy balance of comedy and drama. Actually if they had developed the relationships enough and let go of the side plot of Miley and her bf, this could've been quite a beautiful movie.

Side plot - teen love:


Characters were not believable. A jock/aquarium volunteer/mechanic/lit nerd/super rich guy with a nice heart was a little much to take.

Plus Miley's rebellious character who kept getting mad and breaking up/making up with the bf was very annoying. Plus, she was mean yet caring towards her little brother too. I don't know just seemed liked too much indecisiveness for one character.

But I think what really made this fail was that they really tried to develop (i.e. spoonfeed) the love story which felt rushed but choppy. Reminded me of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet who fall in love, elope, and kill themselves in the name of love at the age of 14/16 and during a 3 day span.

2nd subplot:

Blaze & marcus---I don't know why this was even there. A weak attempt to develop Ronnie's (Miley) good traits.

Music:

:) no complaints, the girl can sing




Overall: wait for it to air on TV, definitely not worth the $10.

FAIL! >=p

This Is It

Amidst fedoras, sequinced gloves, and other MJ memorabilia, I sat in eager anticipation at the advanced screening of This Is It (by My33). I felt like a little girl who was nervously awaiting her favorite (& legendary) performer take center stage at the concert of a lifetime that she would never forget. So close to the stage, she would retell the story over and over to her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids.

For anyone that believes in love and believed in Michael, this film is for you. For all the haters and those who tried to bring him shame, it is even more for you. For those who never understood, it is for you. This Is It is for the world.

The beauty of this movie is not that we can see Michael rehearsing and enjoy his music again, although I assure you everyone in the theater truly enjoyed the performances; the thing about the movie is that it reveals the Michael that everyone wanted to know but had no means to do it. His eccentricity, perfectionism, and passion for his art and what motivated him is what really shines here. We already knew and loved his music, that's not new, but we didn't all know to the extent that he wanted to do it for us, his fans.

"I want it to sound like how I wrote it...how the audience hears it," MJ tells the music director when they're modifying one of the songs.

The film truly showcases MJ as the musical genius and dedicated and talented performer that he was, and what he meant to the music and dance community. The film takes you through auditions, rehearsals, pyro sets, and the filming that was going to be a part of the actual concert performance. The stage production was spectacular; this was going to be the show that would have everyone talking about it for years. The choreography, digital effects, costumes, music, everything was at its best, just like Micahel asked.

I always dreamt of going to a MJ concert, and now I feel like I did. The film brought the audience together and felt like a real concert with everyone singing, clapping, and cheering. It was a wonderful experience.

Michael wanted to share a message, This Is It.

MJ, may he rest in peace, as his music and love live forever.


-------- a fan at the screening won a soundtrack CD for best costume






PS stay through the end of the credits ;)


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The Stepfather

Last night I attended an advanced screening by My33 of "The Stepfather," and I am so glad I didn't pay for that ticket!!

Ok, first let me say that I hate being scared. I can't sleep at night, the paranoia is just intolerable. I should also warn that I am very easily scared. I saw "The Ring" mostly through my sweater, and I screamed and jumped countless times. But, being the masochist that I am, I agreed to go see Stepfather.

Now I've never seen the 1987 movie, but I can assure you that if it's horror, thrills, and fright that you're after, PLEASE skip this year's version.

Now, don't get me wrong, the acting was good quality, and the storyline in and of itself is plausible/amusing, but the execution failed miserably at delivering an exciting, suspensful film.

Why? This couldn't have been a more cookie-cutter "scary" movie. Not one single scene/incident was unpredictable. And the character of the stepfather even came off foolish and his secret sins were messy.

I mean, I know if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but I think this level of predictability certainly needs some work. The music, the clues, the situations, spice it up a bit please!!!!

The only somewhat exciting (although still predictable) part was the final chase between the son and the stepfather.

I actually found myself laughing (not nervously, but mockingly) at various points, and was just happy to see the whole thing come to a [predictable] end. But I do pray to the movie gods that they bury it there and do not produce a sequel.

For those completely unfamiliar with the plot:

A son, Michael, returns from military school to find his mom engaged and living with his soon-to-be stepfather, "David," As they get to know each other, Michael grows suspicious of David's intentions and identity, especially after noticing the great resemblance to a most wanted killer known for murdering his new family.

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Funny People- a Dramatic Comedy for no fool

… as to not give up to much information on the movie I’ve decided to dive into certain scenarios that seem to only jump through the movie, be aware that reading a review means, most of the time, a walkthrough of thru movie in writing.

Funny People is not your typical Dramatic Comedy. It follows a comedian name George
Simmons played by Adam Sandler, resembles him in vast detail. Like Sandler, George has starred in his share of seeming box-office “cash grabs”, he has gained a fan base, but unlike Sandler he isn't happily married.

The story also follows another comedian portrayed by Seth Rogen as Ira Wright whom interacts with George as his assistant and opening act. Ira comes into the picture when he follows an act by George, whom by this point has been told that he has a rare blood disease from which he has an 8% chance of survival rate. George Simmons rather like Ira’s jokes and decides to call him for a job offering.
From here on out a friendship begins to develop based on the fact that they both are enduring George’s approach of Death.

In one particular scene we see the typical “Scrooge” character change or if I may, the stage of grief in which one accepts ones demise. He begins to call and try to make amends with all the people he is “closest” too, but one in particular. He calls, the one that got away, portrayed by Leslie Mann who wants to hear nothing of George.

The story develops into George Simmons’s recovery (which isn’t a recovery per-say), which leads him to the question “now what”?
Simmons manages to make contact with his beloved who agrees to go see a show of his that will be in town because she still thinks that George is dying. At the end of the stand up both George and Ira (whom by this point is not only Georges assistant but also his opening act) meet up with Leslie Mann in which the old spark they had seems to ignite between the two ex-lovers. Later on Eric Bana’s character as Leslie Mann’s as the crazed husband which adds a sense of instability to the story that never seems to quite click.

In the end, this movie seems more like a some what realistic view into a mans unhappiness, which through a set time period and interaction with people seems to change his view of life and take measures that will in the end lead him to the moral of the story. Yes a lot of jokes are made through out the movie, around every corner one might even say, but most are used as a means of deflection. There are some upon the stand up bits, which are in a sense biter sweet as the audience knows the backgrounds story of the characters. All in all, this movie is not for the person hoping to laugh at another Knocked UP, this movie has a whole heartedly drama that blends into the lives of comedians. I give this Movie a rating of

B+

Julie & Julia: Will definitely whet your appetite...and your heart!

::sigh::

I really loved this movie. I got to see it earlier this week at a preview screening sponsored by the My33 Movie Club (thanks, Ardis!) and I instantly fell in love with the film. Meryl Streep is simply charming and endearing as the renowned Julia Child, and Amy Adams couldn't play the role of Julie Powell any better. Both are outstanding actresses, but I can't lie, Streep impressed me more. Why?

I love Streep, but I think she is a little overrated. She plays a wonderful love-to-hate bitch, but nice, warm characters just don't seem to fit well. I mean, did anyone else see Mamma Mia!? I guess that was just an exception, because Streep brought Child to life and made her warm, charismatic, real, and very, very loveable.

As for Adams, as always, her characterization was flawless. A great actor always engages her audience in such an intense way that the viewer suspends belief, and completely forgets there is an actor. So does Adams in her role as Julie Powell. I believed her frustration with her "friends;" her desire to be a good person; her inner conflicts and insecurities; her love for cooking and writing and Eric.

I assure you I am no cook, and though I do love to eat (although my options are limited to vegetarian choices), I loved this movie because it hit home. Because it showed what it's like to want something that other people may think is crazy; and doing it...against all odds.

The movie is also very much about love, and I am sucker for love. Plus, it had a lot of comedic scenes. If you are completely unaware of the plot line it goes a little like this:

First of all, yes, it is based on two true stories (they always do make for the best stories, don't they?)...One chronicles the life of Julia Child--an American who becomes trained in French cuisine while her husband is on assignment in Paris. And the other of Julie Powell, a frustrated writer stuck working in a cubicle who loves to cook...Julia Child's recipes.

While viewers get a taste of how Julia got to publish the recipes in her lengthy cookbook, Julie challenges herself to do every recipe from Child's cookbook in exactly one year and document her experience via a blog, The Julie/Julia Project.

I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone.