From the get go, I’ll be as honest as I can about this review. Never before in my life have I seen a movie more up my alley. A Pixar Sci-Fi movie about robots in outer space in love? Uncle, already, I love it, you win.
But lets get down to the details. The titular character, WALL E is a garbage compacting robot who has far outlived his life expectancy living on an Earth abandoned by humans. In the time he has he smashes garbage into cubes, but also picks at the more interesting items he finds as he sifts through what “we” left behind. He seems to dream of companionship beyond his cockroach sidekick which is eventually provided in his incredibly advanced robot love interest, EVE. While Earth is supposed to be dead and abandoned, seeing it through the eyes of the curious WALL E gives it an entirely new life.
The story itself is excellent, as is the animation, but the real star in my opinion is the commentary. Good science fiction always attempts to shed light on the present human condition by examining it through alternate sources. For example; external perspective (aliens), or taken to the extreme (in the future). In this case we have both, although our alien comes from Earth. It examines consumerism, the move towards the disposability of everything, the effects of the digital revolution on peoples relationship with each other, how we raise our children, and how our consumption may one day destroy us. I have not seen a film that comments on this many subjects so effectively ever I believe (I am not a super film buff, so I would love some suggestions on any films that do comment on that many subjects).
For several years now we have watched Pixar create unique, iconic stories, but I wonder how long it can last. Each time I see a Pixar film I ask “will the next one be as good as this?” Thankfully this one soundly beat my expectations, and I hope to have my expectations beaten for many years to come.
WALL-E @ fandango.com
The Art of WALL.E
Burning Bright is the latest novel by Tracy Chevalier, the author of Girl With a Pearl Earring. Like GWAPE, Burning Bright is based on a famous figure, in this case the poet, artist and engraver William Blake. Blake is best known for his poetry, particularly the collections Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. He was, however, a well-regarded painter, and experimented with new methods of engraving.
In this book Blake is an important background figure who becomes involved with his neighbors in late 18th century London. He lives next door to the Kellaways, a family which has come to London from their village in Dorset. Jem Kellaway, the teenage son, becomes friends with a neighborhood girl, Maggie Butterfield. Jem and Maggie explore and experience London, with Jem’s younger sister Maisie often in tow. They become friendly with William Blake and his wife.
Life is not easy for the poor in 18th century London . In addition to learning how to manage their world, the children must contend with exploitative adults, family tragedies and political turmoil in England.
This was another book I purchased to read on a long plane ride. It is well written, and very obviously well researched. It is not, however, of the caliber of GWAPE. It lacks emotional intensity and any kind of suspense. In other words, it’s OK but not great.
In USA:
Published in hardcover-DuttonAdult-2007
Softcover edition-Plume-2008
Burning Bright
For some reason, I really enjoy Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware novels. Yes, they are formulaic, but the situations are always so different that it doesn’t matter. Over The Edge was first published in 1987. I was looking for an airplane book, and saw it in Borders, not realizing it was 20 years old! I’m still not 100% sure I didn’t read it years ago.
The only problem with reading the Alex Delaware novels out of sequence is the overall development of the recurring characters. Since you know where they are heading in their personal lives, it takes some of the interest out of the story.
As always, Kellerman develops the plot really well. There is a crime, a seemingly obvious suspect, lots of red herrings, numerous excursions into the seamier side of Los Angeles as well as an excursion into the dusty, poor regions north of LA. And of course Milo, Alex’s LAPD detective friend, is on the job.
This was a great book to read on a very long airplane ride. Not too complex, easy to put down when the pretzels are distributed, and easy to pick up again. If you enjoy the who-done-it and haven’t read this one yet, I’d recommend this.
In USA:
Published in hardcover- Athaneum-1987
Softcover edition-Ballantine Books-2004
Over the Edge (Alex Delaware)
This musical has been playing at Broadway’s Hilton Theatre since last November. On a recent Saturday matinee, this rather large (1800 seats) theatre seemed to be at capacity. The crowd, which I suspect was comprised mostly of tourists, was quite appreciative and enthusiastic.
The story of Young Frankenstein is familiar to anyone who has seen the Mel Brooks movie. In Transylvania in 1934, old Dr. Frankenstein has died. His grandson, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein is a medical school professor in New York. He leaves his fiancee, Elizabeth (Megan Mullally) to travel to Transylvania. He then, of course, decides to continue the family business.
As with any show playing on Broadway, the cast is extremely talented. However, I felt that Young Frankenstein lacked excitement. Maybe it’s because there were no surprises. I’ve heard all these jokes before and the songs, though cute and clever, were just not that fabulous. Megan Mullally is obviously the draw, but her part is fairly small. And while she is on stage, her talent and presence blow everyone else away. S0-this is not a great show, and I think Broadway ticket prices are just too high for a production that is just OK. So-rent the movie and have a good laugh.
Young Frankenstein: The New Mel Brooks Musical
Back in the early 1960s, the music world in America rocked with the arrival of four talented, young musicians who burst on the pop scene with a string of top-40 Number One hit records. No, it wasn’t, The Beatles, but New Jersey’s own version of the Fab Four, The Four Seasons. Though their world-wide popularity never would equal their British counterparts, The Four Seasons “popped” onto the American music scene beginning 1962 with three number one hits: Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like a Man all coming better than a year before John, Paul, George and Ringo brought their mop-tops and screaming fans to New York’s Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 for that famous American debut. Like so many others, I thought The Beatles’ music was terrific. But for me, the Four Seasons’ Rag Doll is as classic a tune from the 1960s as Hey Jude even though my better half thinks my childhood musical tastes, like my teeth, were corrupted by too much bubblegum. The Four Seasons were equal to any group, scoring 16 top 40 hits in the U.S. in just 28 months between 1962 and 1964 and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. How ironic that I recently found myself walking the streets of London on a business trip, touring the very territory where the The Beatles first gained early notoriety. Suddenly, I found myself standing in front of the Prince Edward Theatre. The marquee beckoned: Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. The London production recently had its opening there in the heart of Theatre District, enjoying rave reviews from those tough British critics. Back home in New York, decent tickets for Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical, are nearly impossible to come by, even though the show is entering its third year. You still will pay two and three times the face value from ticket agents. Here was my chance in London to enjoy a trip back in time and see the musical story of The Four Seasons. My American Express card easily handled the purchase of two sixth row center orchestra seats for that evening’s performance at 60 pounds each (about $125.00 U.S.) My boss and traveling companion in London, also a big Four Seasons fan, was engaged in meetings and allowed me free time to sightsee so long as I got him a show ticket as well. Jersey Boys was a delight! The London production stars Ryan Molloy, who does a fantastic job portraying Frankie Valli, the Four Seasons’ falsetto singing lead. Not only does Molloy bring a great voice to the role, the British actor (and all the cast, as well) nail the dialect and mannerisms that are pure “Newark.” The show spins The Four Seasons hits better than a 1960s disc jockey, all the while taking us through the group’s formation, its success and even the later-in-life tragedies of four “Jersey Boys.” New York and London’s productions of Jersey Boys are joined by companies in Chicago, Las Vegas and Melbourne, Australia as well as a National Touring Company playing most large U.S. and Canadian cities. If you find yourself standing in front of a theater featuring Jersey Boys, ‘Walk Like a Man’ (or woman) right in a get tickets for one terrific show.
Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast Recording)
This production starring Patti LuPone is the fifth Broadway run of the classic musical. It first opened in 1959, starring Ethel Merman. Other revivals have starred Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, and Bernadette Peters. I have not seen any of the other productions, so it’s difficult to imagine anyone but LuPone in the role of Mama Rose, the classic stage mother.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Gypsy is the story of the stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, born Rose Louise Hovick. It is adapted from her memoir, written in 1957. Louise and her sister June supported their family by performing in vaudeville. It was apparent early on that June(later known as the actress June Havoc) was the talented sister. When she left the act, Louise turned to burlesque to support herself and her mother.
The show has some great songs. The song I can’t get out of my head is You Gotta Get a Gimmick. It is sung to Louise by three more experienced strippers, and it really is a funny number. And anyone who thinks that Everything’s Coming Up Roses is a happy song, well think again.
The show is great, but only because of Patti LuPone as Mama Rose, the star of the show. Mama Rose has most of the good lines, and many of the great songs. She is an incredible character. So-go see Gypsy, but only if a talented actress with an outstanding voice plays Mama Rose.
Gypsy (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)
This HBO movie premiered last week, and I’ve seen it twice already. Recount tells the story of the disputed 2000 Presidential elections results in Florida. Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, or an independent, this movie should make your blood boil.
As with any portrayal of historic events, Recount loses some of the nuances of events and personalities as it compresses thirty-six days into under two hours. However, the portrayal of well known figures and the general time line is spot on. Who doesn’t recall Katherine Harris’ plastered on look? Laura Dern plays her masterfully. We see her transformation from an unqualified party hack in an important position, to the individual who tried to manipulate the results of the election.
The main figure in this movie is Ron Klain, who led the fight for a recount for the Democrats. Klain is portrayed by Kevin Spacey; another fine performance. Most frightening is former Secretary of State James Baker (Tom Wilkinson), who decides from the start that the issue of disputed ballots and recounts must go the the United States Supreme Court.
No matter how closely you were paying attention 2000, there were goings on that were not made public. Many of them turn up in this movie. You also learn more than you ever thought there was to know about hanging chad (including that the correct plural of chad is chad). If you are even mildly intersted in politics, you should watch this film.
Hanging Chads: The Inside Story of the 2000 Presidential Recount in Florida
