Depp vs. Bale
10 July 2009


Public Enemies stars Johnny "Sexy Beast" Depp as John Dillinger, Marion Cotillard as his love interest Billie Frechette, and Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis who leads the hunt for the infamous bank robber. Directed by Michael Mann, it is refreshing to see a movie that's straight-up gunfights, chases on foot, and car chases without the CGI/special effects moviemakers rely on these days. For viewers like me who have heard of John Dillinger but never knew details of his life, the film is a fascinating look at gangster culture without the extreme violence we've come to expect from mobster films. It made me want to rush home, search for his biography online and find out if the movie is historically accurate. (I did read later on that the screenplay was based on Bryan Burrough's book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34.)

It also gives us a peek at the beginnings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, headed by J. Edgar Hoover (played by Billy Crudup), apparently largely viewed at the time as inept. It was interesting to see the merciless techniques the agents used, and how they might be disallowed today. (Or maybe they are still in use, who knows?) The Bureau's tactics do seem like they should necessitate an Internal Affairs investigation, if there is such a thing for the agency.

Without knowing much about the leading crooks and gangsters of that era ( I only knew of Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson) , it did get a bit confusing as to who's who and who's pulling off a heist, who's being arrested and who got killed. It is a stylish, action-packed film, but strangely and quietly morose. While the two leads don't quite match the explosive chemistry that De Niro and Pacino have, it probably means something that I was pulling for Purvis to catch Dillinger, and at the same time hoping our hero-villain somehow gets a reprieve. Or maybe that's only because it's Johnny Depp.

Labels:

Digg this! · StumbleUpon ToolbarStumble this! · Share · 0 Comments

Grande Plie
09 July 2009



He constantly impresses me with his choices! According to an article in Esquire mentioned in this website, Daniel Radcliffe has decided to don ballet shoes and take up ballet!

The quote on the post says:

Daniel Radcliffe has revealed that he is taking ballet classes in an effort to protect his career after his Harry Potter glory days have ended.

The 19-year-old explained to Esquire magazine that he knows he will soon have to compete with other actors his age when they have completed their training in drama schools which have taught them to sing and dance. He told Esquire magazine that he sees ballet as a way to make himself "as viable a choice for any part" as possible.

What a mature and dedicated actor he has become! To this day it sure baffles me why he wasn't nominated for this year's Tonys for Best Male Lead Actor in a Play. Maybe he can get pointers from the current Billies from Billy Elliot and I sure do hope we get to see him in a musical on Broadway one day.

(photo from yahoomovies.com)

Labels:

Digg this! · StumbleUpon ToolbarStumble this! · Share · 0 Comments

Hounds of Broadway
07 July 2009


Angela Lansbury and Madame Barkati (Blithe Spirit)

Claude (Hair)

At this year's Broadway Barks, which will be held on July11, they are auctioning off Autographed Hounds of Broadway.
From the press release: Authographed Hounds of Broadway are one-of-a-kind stuffed dogs that are signed by the casts (and in some cases, decorated by the wardrobe departments) of some of Broadway's hottest shows are auctioned to raise money for the Picasso Veterinary Fund of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals.
Just check out the samples from the pictures above! I'm really amused with the Madame Barkati one. For more photos of the stuffed hounds from other shows, please click on the link above.
(photo from AnimalAllianceNYC.org)

Labels:

Digg this! · StumbleUpon ToolbarStumble this! · Share · 0 Comments

Spectacular! Spectacular!
06 July 2009

Maestro Keith Lockhart

If you ever have a chance to go to the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, GO! This historic city is after all, the birthplace of freedom. Use mass transit (ride MBTA subway, commuter rail and buses free after 10:30 PM.) Or if you have to use ya cah, get to the Esplanade early and pahk ya cah! Line up to get a wristband that will let you leave and enter the Oval all day. Find a good viewing spot and camp out. It's a wonderful atmosphere, and we met many friendly folks who kept an eye on our stuff while we ventured out into the city. (We also gladly returned the favor.) Most of Beantown's major attractions are within walking distance.
The Hatch Shell. Bring food, books, drinks and games. (All tents had to be taken down by 6 PM though) . Music started playing at noon. There's a pre-show at 8 PM, followed by the Pops' concert at 8:30. After the national anthem, the US Air Force did a fly-over.


The Late Late Show's Craig Ferguson emceed the national telecast which began at 10 PM on CBS. He was his usual hilarious self. During one commercial break, he danced with Keith Lockhart....twice! They are very good dancers. Mr. Ferguson told us to not ever speak of this :) One soldier yelled out that he'll put it on Youtube.
The Boston Pops
Another shot of the Pops

Congressman John Lewis paid tribute to Abraham Lincoln on the 200th anniversary of our 16th President's birth.
Neil Diamond sang "Crackin' Rosie", "Forever in Blue Jeans" and of course, "Sweet Caroline". At every Red Sox game, this favorite sing-along song is played before the bottom of the 8th inning. Mr. Diamond did an encore during the commercial break.

US Army Herald Trumpets who led the rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.


The confetti at the end
The big finish: Fireworks after the 1812 Overture
A patriotic sing-along featuring these songs: America; America the Beautiful; Yankee Doodle; The Yankee Doodle Boy; This Land is your Land; You're a Grand Old Flag, and God Bless America.
The actual fireworks which ran for a half hour.
A great day in Boston---the cradle of liberty. I daresay Boston's got New York beat when it comes to Independence Day celebrations. And I'm saying that as a former Massachusetts and current New York resident :D

Labels: , ,

Digg this! · StumbleUpon ToolbarStumble this! · Share · 0 Comments

Hey Big Spender!
03 July 2009

Check out the promo for the upcoming Cy Coleman revue at Rubicon Theatre entitled The Best is Yet To Come. It stars Lillias White, Jason Graae, Julia Murney, David Burnham, Sally Mayes and Billy Stritch and directed by David Zippel. For information and tickets, click here.

Labels: ,

Digg this! · StumbleUpon ToolbarStumble this! · Share · 0 Comments

On To The Emmys



After his remarkable and adorable hosting stint in this year's Tony Awards, Neil Patrick Harris is now off to host the Emmys! I'm sure the Emmy producers were impressed with his recap number from the Tonys. Read about the announcement here. The Emmy Awards will be broadcast on Sept. 20, 2009 on CBS.

Labels: ,

Digg this! · StumbleUpon ToolbarStumble this! · Share · 0 Comments

Coming To A Theatre Near You



Watch out America, a Next To Normal tour is currently in the works. And the first city it will visit........Chicago! It's slated for the 2010-2011 season. It was first mentioned in this Chicago Tribune article but confirmed by this July 2 Twitter post from a producer (Patrick) of Next To Normal.

Labels:

Digg this! · StumbleUpon ToolbarStumble this! · Share · 0 Comments