Shhhhh ...It’s a Silent Movie!

I was not prepared to like The Artist all that much. After all, it was in black and white and used subtitles (you know, like closed captioning) instead of dialogue. There was music of course, and near the end, a sound or two.
Then, lo and behold, I started caring about those black-and-white people, got sucked into their story, exhibited all the right emotions at the right times, and – although it was maddeningly predictable – fell under its spell.
Much of that was due to the performances of three of its stars – two of them Oscar-nominated.
Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo are both delightful in their roles as the silent movie star and the up-and-coming talkies ingenue. Their budding love story is really fun to watch. 

The story has every up and down: elation, sorrow, love, heartbreak, humor, triumph, tragedy, and redemption. 
And it has Uggie. Now there’s one actor that should have been nominated. The adorable little Jack Russell Terrier sticks to Dujardin like glue, and his every move is just terminally cute. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a dog like that. 
The makers of this movie did several things right. They cast the right actors, the aforementioned and others like James Cromwell, John Goodman, and Penelope Ann Miller. They got the details right, with great props and sets and costumes that allowed us to step back in time to the late ‘20s and early ‘30s. The home decor, the cars, everything was perfect.
The movie isn’t perfect – it’s pretty simple after all – but it sure was fun. 
As for it’s Oscar chances, I’m ambivalent. I’ll discuss that further in my Oscar picks ... which will follow this post.
But for now, I’d recommend you get to a theater and see The Artist. You won’t waste your money!
I’m giving this three-and-a-half reels (out of four). Actually, more like three-and-three-quarters.

Blue Man Group Review

Opening night and the Orpheum was packed, all there to see three hairless men painted blue.
Beginning with a series of funnier and funnier and sillier and sillier electronic messages scrolling above the stage, the audience was engaged. They eagerly did whatever the messages commanded them to do, like reciting "Happy Birthday" to someone in the audience (“No singing!”). Like a warm-up comedian, the signs got the crowd laughing and clapping, before we ever saw a human being (or a blue man). 

 

Then the three appeared, performing some acts we may have seen before on television, like making paintings with colored spit, or catching said paint balls in their mouths before painting. The blue man on the right caught a stream of them, in two sessions, so many I lost count after about a dozen. The people in the front rows wore clear raincoats in anticipation of the mess.
People were plucked from the audience to appear on stage in skits. 
My favorite of the night was the young woman who sat with the three at a dining table, all facing the audience and all mirrored above so we could see the tabletop clearly. Slowly, they moved through a meal of Twinkies … well, you kinda had to be there, but it was hilarious. At one point, a blue man hands her a candle and a lighter. No sooner does she light it than another blue man whips out a fire extinguisher and puts it out. When one begins vacuuming up Twinkie wrappers, he oversteps and sucks up a piece of Twinkie, prompting another one to suck up “Christina” on the Andrew Wyeth painting hanging behind them. 
Beautiful visuals filled the stage often. Expert use of hi-tech devices enhanced the show; and their send-up on tweeting was very funny and relevant. 
They played unlikely musical instruments (PVC pipe?), making credible music. They flung an unsuspecting audience member, covered in blue paint, up-side-down onto a canvass (“backstage" and most likely pre-taped).
They concluded with a “rock concert,” complete with audience rules of behavior (all given by those overhead electronic signs and on-stage screens). We were bombarded with confetti and streamers and ginormous inflated glowing balls, all accompanied by strobe lights. I was happy for the ear plugs they provided on request, although I heard old-hands say this wasn’t nearly as loud as some of their shows.
And hour and a half, straight through, of laughter. All ages attended, and all seemed to enjoy it immensely. Definitely worth the price of the ticket! 
Blue Man Group continues through Sunday, with matinees added on Saturday and Sunday. Limited seats are available for the weekend, so hurry!

War Horse

Looking for a thrilling yet heartwarming story? This is the one for you (and all of your family save maybe the little ones).
Steven Spielberg’s War Horse is the story of a boy and his horse ... well, really it’s much, much more. It’s the start of WWI in England, and horses are being conscripted into the army.

Albert and his parents are at odds about the thoroughbred (Joey)
that dad foolishly bought instead of the plowhorse he needed.

Young Albert, who has raised the spirited horse named Joey, must part with him for the cause. The young officer promises he will do his best to bring Joey home to Albert. Sadly, that partnership is cut short and the horse begins an odyssey across the front lines, from German to France to No Man’s Land.
Joey is used by Brits and Germans, friends and foes. He is worked beyond most horse’s capabilities. But beautiful Joey is strong and special and touches many lives.
Meanwhile, Albert is finally able to join the Army in his quest to find his horse. Sound melodramatic? It might have been but for the deft hand of Spielberg, who elevates it to a thing of beauty. From the natural beauty of the English countryside to the terrible beauty of battlefields, he brings World War I to life just as he did WWII in Saving Private Ryan.
The war scenes are difficult to watch, but necessary to this story. At two and a half hours, it is long, but not overly long. Newcomer Jeremy Irvine, along with Emily Watson and Peter Mullan and the rest of the impressive cast, are spot on in their roles.
Put this in the category of movies like Seabiscuit, National Velvet, Secretariat, Marley & Me, Lassie … stories of heart, and loyalty, triumph over sometimes enormous odds. I liked this movie a lot and was especially moved by the tragic scenes of war.
Three and a half reels (out of four)

Quick Movie Reviews

Trying to decide what movie to go see this week? Here are some possible titles (that we have not yet reviewed). 

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Fantastic adaptation of John Le Carre’s great novel about the Cold War of 1973 and the British Secret Intelligence Service, aka MI6, code-named The Circus. A flawless cast of knowns and unknowns make this intellectual thriller exciting and compelling.

Tops in the cast are Gary Oldman as George Smiley; Colin Firth (Bill Haydon), Ciaran Hinds (Roy Bland), David Thewlis (Percy Alleline), and John Hurt as Control. Shining in her role was Kathy Burke as Connie Sachs. David Dencik (Tody Esterhase) and Tom Hardy as Tricky Ricky Tarr.
It opens with Mark Strong as Jim Prideaux embarking on a dangerous mission in Hungary, one that ends badly and results in the ouster of Control and George Smiley. But a mole (double agent) is suspected in the Circus, and Smiley was secretly rehired to find him or her. Then there’s Karla, a mysterious Russian spy. The title is demonstrated as those in the Circus are labelled by the nicknames, figuratively and literally, as their photos are taped to chess pieces.
For those looking for bloody crashes and other fireworks, they may be disappointed. For those looking for a complex puzzle with plenty of suspense and nail-biting, this film is for you. I read the book long ago and only retained the atmosphere of the story. The film brought that to life and much more. Oldman is perfect as Smiley, a quiet, introspective man who is as mysterious as his prey.
I highly recommend this one.

Four Reels (out of four)



Mission Impossible   Ghost Protocol
So you do want explosions???  In another sequel to the popular series starring Tom Cruise, the star reclaims his place as a plausible action star/IMF operative. You’ve already seen clips of some of the more daring stunts, chief among them a stroll on the outside of the tallest office building in the world, in Dubai.

Yes, it’s heart-stopping. The film is what it is ... and a very good “what it is” indeed. Full of action, suspense, excitement and funny lines to break the tension. Cruise is buff and capable, even though he’s been disavowed (remember that line in the TV series about being disavowed?) and must clear his name on his own. Well, almost on his own. He picks up a ragtag bunch of IMF fugitives to assist him. No wait, I can’t even begin to describe the plot a week after seeing it. What I do remember are the endless clever and explosive sequences. It’s a wild ride … predictable but fun. I didn’t see the IMAX version, but can only imagine how much more explosive that is!

Three Reels (out of four)



Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
If you loved the first one, you’ll love this one as well. I’m surprised I remember anything about the first one; minutes after seeing it two years ago, I stepped outside and ended up upended on the icy sidewalk, breaking my leg! But I digress!

I made it home safely from this one, so I remember it much more clearly. Every loves Robert Downey Jr., and this is just one reason why. He’s cute, funny, charming and in total command of his material. His pairing with Jude Law as Watson is inspired. I realize that some critics were less than thrilled with this, pining for an authentic handling of a Sherlock Holmes tale (as in boring). But this is not Shakespeare. It is fun. I will agree with critic Roger Ebert on one thing: I too enjoyed it (even) more than the first. Holmes is once again battling his nemesis, criminal mastermind Prof. James Moriarty (Jared Harris). But first, he must cope with Watson’s impending wedding. In all cases, the game is afoot. And a fun and lively game it is. One of my husband’s favorite bits however, was quite a small one (I loved it too), as Holmes experiments with creating costumes that can render him invisible in a room. Very funny stuff.
Forget the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Just enjoy the ride that is 21st century Sherlock Holmes!

Three and a half reels (out of four)

We Bought a Zoo

Based on a true story (as written by Benjamin Mee in his autobiographical account in England), this tale of a widowed father (Benjamin Mee portrayed by Matt Damon) who, to find a way to deal with his grief, quits his job, uproots his son (Colin Ford) and (adorable) daughter (Maggie Elizabeth Jones), buys a house in the country (outside of L.A.) that just happens to have a forlorn fixer-upper zoo. 

He also inherits a team of zoo-keepers, led by Angus MacFadyen and Scarlett Johansson’s characters. Thomas Haden Church plays Mee’s practical brother. Of course, it also stars a bevy of animals, including a monkey, a tiger and a very large bear.
While the movie is imperfect, never quite achieving the level it strives for, there are pluses. Damon is so likable and believable, he is a joy to watch. His relationship with his young daughter no doubt flows directly from his relationships with his real-life daughters. The sweet, shy connection between Matt and Scarlett’s characters is handled well. And overall, the movie has a joyful tone. I found myself smiling a lot and rooting for the cash-strapped group to succeed in reopening the zoo, despite a lot of obstacles. We also want the family to overcome their unbearable grief so that they can take up living again.

The movie, at 2 1/2 hours, is 1/2 hour too long. In spite of all that, it is a nice family film and I did enjoy it. So, fear not, it is PG, and except for some sad moments involving animals, is suitable for all ages.

Technically, I’d give it a B-, but that’s not possible, so I’m giving it:

Three Reels (out of four)

more to come....

Are You Blue, Man?

I’ve got the cure! Blue Man Group will be in Omaha beginning Tuesday, Jan. 17, and will continue through Sunday, Jan. 22. Start times are 7:30 p.m. Jan 17 - Jan. 19; 8 p.m. Jan. 20-21; 2 p.m. Jan. 21-22; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22.

Tickets start as low as $20 (see TicketOmaha.com)

Blue Man Group is best known for its wildly popular theatrical shows and concert which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that Blue Man Group's show is intensely exciting and wildly outrageous experience that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, Blue Man Group is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures.

In this spell-binding show, three enigmatic bald and blue characters take the audience through a multi-sensory experience that combines theater, percussive music, art, science and vaudeville into a form of entertainment that is like nothing else either on or off Broadway.

The show's origins lead back to the late '80s, when longtime friends Chris Wink, Phil Stanton and Matt Goldman began to appear on the streets of Manhattan covered in blue make-up. The appearances led to a theatrical show, which premiered at the legendary performance space La Mama, ETC and finally to off-Broadway's Astor Place Theatre in 1991. Since then, over 60 Blue Men have entertained crowds in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and beyond. 

The blue men do use a variety of materials on stage and at times those materials get into the audience close to the stage. While it does not happen all the time, they do strongly suggest that you do not wear "clothing that you consider nice or valuable." They encourage casual attire for the show; jeans and sneakers are ideal. Strobe lights may be used.

Their statement on age-appropriateness:
"One of the great things about seeing Blue Man Group is that it appeals to all ages. Kids will enjoy the lights, color and spectacle. Adults enjoy the humor, social commentary and depth of the character. Even the hardened theatre critic finds a deeper message behind the fun and mess."

The show will run about 110 minutes with no intermission. 

Sorry I’ve been AWOL!

New Year, new resolution: Post OFTEN to this blog! There are several more blog topics that will be posted in the next couple of days. Keep visiting! Thanks for hanging in there. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Now look for my new review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, just posted.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

First Swedish author Stieg Larsson wrote a blockbuster series of books, The Millennium Trilogy (named for the magazine of which his protagonist is co-publisher and owner), the first of which was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The books were all published posthumously.
Then Sweden made films of each of the books, to critical acclaim befitting movies based on the praised books.
Now, David Fincher has made the first book into the 2011 movie of the same name.
For better or worse, I have not yet read the books, nor did I see the Swedish films. So I came in cold, with expectations that this could be something special.
I was not disappointed. The filmmaker who brought us such diverse movies as Fight Club, Se7en, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and The Social Network, has created a flawless film.
That said, this film isn’t for everyone. For instance, the squeamish or easily-offended viewer will recoil at the violence, nudity, sexuality, and sadism within. There is also one scene that cat-lovers will hate.

The setting is Sweden. Mikael, a disgraced journalist who loses a libel suit after exposing a corrupt businessman (Daniel Craig) and his newly-acquired freelance research assistant Lisbeth (Rooney Mara), team up to write a biography of a wealthy scion Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer) while actually investigating the disappearance and presumed death of his great-niece nearly 40 years earlier. Henrik and his family all live on a family-owned island, in separate mansions, of course. They are estranged, dysfunctional, unlikable (two of Henrik’s brothers were enthusiastic Nazis), and decidedly unforthcoming. Enter Martin Vanger, Henrik’s great-nephew, now CEO of the Vanger Corp. (Stellan Skarsgard), whose home looms over all on the island. These are just some of the many players. If you want to keep them all straight, you might google a cheat-sheet before going to the theater.
Mikael moves into a caretaker’s cottage on Henrik’s estate to research his book. It’s a barely livable space with heat, in the bitter Swedish winter, hard to come by.
Everyone turns in stunning performances, none more amazing that Mara’s portrayal of the sullen Lisbeth. She’s my pick for Best Actress. (Hey, if Natalie Portman can win for Black Swan, another very dark performance, then surely Mara can!)
I’d try to explain the plot, but it’s just too complicated. If you pay close attention you can follow it all, though, as the mystery unfolds through some ingenious sleuthing. There is an aura of danger throughout that permeates the theater. Sweden is yet another star, showing us a seldom-seen backdrop which is fascinating if sunless.
I loved the controlled performance of Craig, who is decidedly less glamorous than James Bond. These characters are all flawed, and yet we find something to like in almost all of them, something to root for.
The images in my head won’t go away, even as time passes. This is probably perceived as an “art” film, or at least an “arty” one, but I think it is just a dark mainstream film with a lot of plot and a lot of courage not to flinch.
Some of the situations and images are very hard to experience, but they help to bring out the character of those wounded souls.
As I said, not for everyone, but for those who go after knowing what to expect, you will be rewarded with superb acting and plenty of quiet thrills. It’s like the train wreck that you can’t turn your eyes away from.
Oscar material for sure.
Four reels (out of four)!

Beautiful Dracula

The fabulous presentation of Dracula by Ballet Nebraska last Friday night only proves the promise this young company has.
Performed at the Orpheum Theater, the dramatic ballet was a visual feast. From the enormous handsome sets to the impressive lighting, the mood was suitably creepy. Transylvania indeed. Kudos to set design and construction wizards Ron Barrett and Homer McClure, and lighting by Jerry Wolderski of Theatrical Media Services.
And the next best thing to live music is expertly edited recorded music and a great sound system. The music of masters – Liszt, Strauss, Brahms, Kilar, Class, Barry, and Goldenthal – were perfectly blended to set the tone.
The costumes were so beautiful they took your breath away. Lucy’s red dress was perfection, as were the brides’ dresses. Even the flower-strewn hairdos were heavenly. And the Masquerade Ball/Wedding Reception gowns were resplendent. Even the men’s costumes were impressive (especially Dracula’s). All worked to tell the story more effectively.
Ah, the story. A familiar one. Jonathan Harker (Matthew Carter who is also ballet master) come to the Transylvania castle of Count Dracula with papers to sign. There he almost becomes a victim of the vampire, with three of Dracula's brides taunting him (Erin Alarcon, Claire Goodwillie and Kelsey Schwenker). He escapes to his fiancee, Mina. The three vampire brides were so beautiful, and so graceful, it was simply enchanting. The choreography was quite lovely and foreshadowed a larger version later.
The Masquerade Ball offers the opportunity for all of the company to dance, either to a Strauss waltz or as a band of Gypsies who entertain (in more beautiful, colorful costumes). A mysterious masked guest arrives, but no one recognizes Count Dracula as he dances with Mina, the bride, and her best friend, Lucy (in the stunning red dress). After the ball, he returns to find Lucy alone, begins to seduce her then bites her, leaving her dead.
At her funeral, the Count shows up to claim his new bride, taking her body with him to his castle, with Jonathan, Mina and townspeople on his heels.
At the castle, Lucy is brought to life as a vampire. When Mina is left alone, Lucy begins to initiate Mina as Dracula’s next bride. But when the Count sees Mina again, he realizes he is in love with her, so can’t claim her as his vampire bride.
All of these scenes are brought to life with some pretty wonderful dancing. Sasha York IS Dracula. He conveys his creepy nature in a subtle way that is all the more menacing. Natasha Grimm as Mina and Erika Overturff as Lucy were both terrific.
Really, by the last act, I was beginning to be swept away by the ethereal beauty of the dancers – my criteria for a really wonderful experience at the ballet. Guest choreographer Winthrop Corey is amazing, and I think this company was up to the challenge.
Congratulations to Ballet Nebraska founder and artistic director Erika Overturff (also the beautiful Lucy) on her many accomplishments, wearing her many hats.
I am really looking forward to Ballet Nebraska’s next offering, their own brand new version of The Nutcracker. It will be presented at Iowa Western Arts Center on December 2 and the Omaha Music Hall on December 4. There will also be a Nutcracker Tea Party at Joslyn Castle, hosted by the Ballet Nebraska Guild, on November 27. (Visit the website: balletnebraska.org.)
Count Dracula may be scary, but the ballet bearing his name is beautiful!

To be or not to be ... Anonymous

Did that Bard fellow, William Shakespeare, really write all those plays and poems?
The new film, Anonymous, attempts to answer that question definitively.
Another question: are we the audience able to follow the intricate political thriller?
We shall attempt to answer that question definitively.
Suppose that the reportedly nearly illiterate bard actually took credit for the works of Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford. Why would Shakespeare do it? Why would De Vere permit it? What else is at play at the time of upheaval in Queen Elizabeth’s England circa 1550 - 1603?
If you know the answers to even some of those questions, you should be able to navigate this new film easily. If not, you – like me – will probably suffer from confusion as the fast-talking (with those English accents!) cast weaves its spell.
Okay, it sounds like I didn’t like it. Not so. I just got confused on occasion.
It didn’t help my confusion that the film jumped back and forth in time, forcing me to ID not one, but two, faces for every name.
Here’s the good news: It’s not only an interesting premise, but a pretty convincing one, at least in this context. The film does satisfactorily explain the whys. De Vere, the mature version played by Rhys Ifans (an absolute chameleon – do you remember him from Notting Hill?) – is mesmerizing as the talented royal who was driven to write despite the taboo against him stooping to such a thing. Enter Will Shakespeare, an aspiring actor who in fact could read but not write. De Vere wants his plays produced (at the Rose, later called the Globe, Theater). To do so, he must find someone to submit them; he chooses Ben Johnson, another writer, with the stipulation that he will not reveal the true author. Wait. Where does Shakespeare come in? Sort of accidentally. Once he has taken credit for one of the plays on stage, he has to stick with it, and so does De Vere.
But, that is not the whole story. The big picture includes the struggle taking place over the throne of the aging queen. (Remember that whole Mary, Queen of Scots thing?)

Joely Richardson and Jamie Campbell Bower as the young Queen
and Earl.

The cast is quite good, including Vanessa Redgrave (looking ancient) and her real life daughter Joely Richardson, who portray the “virgin” queen as older and younger versions. Richardson’s young queen falls in love with De Vere and may have had his child. Okay, I’m going to stop staggering through English history, known and unknown, now because I’m out of my element (and I actually studied this era rather enthusiastically at one time!).
What can’t be beat: the atmosphere of the streets, the palace, the Globe (I have been to the replicated Globe and this brings it to life). The actors, the costumes. If this had smell-a-vision, we’d probably have to leave the theater.

Vanessa Redgrave and Rhys Ifans in later years.

One final prop to Rhys Ifans. He was fantastic. And tell me he didn’t look like Ryan Gosling’s clone! (I’m not the only one who thought so.)
There’s a lot of drama here, and a few laughs along the way. It immerses us in a time four centuries ago with fully realized characters. I do think this will appeal to a somewhat narrow audience. Pity, it’s a fascinating look at history, with not a little speculation thrown in.
So, did it answer the question: Did that Bard fellow write all those plays?
You’ll have to see the movie and decide for yourself. And that’s the fun of it.

I’m giving this three reels (out of four).

"The Ides of March are come"

As Caesar said, “The Ides of March are come.” 
It’s not the 15th of the month, but the Ides are indeed here and there’s no need to beware. The Ides of March, starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, opens today, heralding the official beginning of the Oscar race.
What do we think of when we say “Ides of March”? Betrayal by those you trust. Hence the title of this terrific film.
But there are many forms of betrayal, and its many forms are explored here. The story takes place during the last few frantic days before a heavily contested and pivotal Ohio presidential primary, pitting two Democrats. Gov. Mike Morris (Clooney) is waging a tight race led by his campaign manager Paul (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and press secretary Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling). Stephen is an idealist who reveres Morris. Paul Giamatti is Hoffman’s counterpart. When a chink appears in the governor’s armor, Stephen faces the biggest challenge of his career. His idealism is shattered in ways we don’t see coming.

Ryan Gosling is winning, no matter which way the campaign goes.

Clooney co-wrote and directed this taut political thriller. While the challenges of the campaign are not new, and in fact mirror reality, the way these participants handle the challenges is gripping and revealing.The inside look at a campaign is fascinating and it, like everything else in the movie, feels authentic. That is one of the film’s strengths. Another strength is the powerhouse cast – each of them hitting just the right notes.
The film revolves around the character of Stephen Meyers. Ryan Gosling, that chameleon actor who dominates every film he is in, positively shimmers in this and is sure to garner an Oscar nod. Not far behind is Clooney as the enigmatic candidate. Nor is Philip Seymour Hoffman (I can’t think of a bad performance in his career) who is both likable and ruthless. Paul Giamatti is likewise ruthless. The women in this story are equally powerful and engaging. Young intern Molly Stearns, portrayed by Evan Rachel Wood, catches the eye of Stephen, resulting in a complicated relationship. (FYI, Mollys’ father, Jack, is played by Gregory Itzin, so good on 24.) Marisa Tomei is compelling as New York Times reporter Ida Horowicz.
The script is very smart, and echoes many themes in today’s politics, which even supplies one of the film’s funniest and most ironic references. 

George Clooney (left) and Ryan Gosling (center) in a staff meeting.

I liked that the movie moved quickly, with zigs and zags we don’t see coming. I love it when I can’t predict where a movie is going. 

This is not a spoiler, but the ending is abrupt and may infuriate some. I personally loved it.

Just as I loved this smart film, shot on location in Cincinnati, and especially the acting of Ryan Gosling – who never looked better, and that’s saying something!

This film earns 3 1/2 reels (out of 4).