This adaptation of R&H's "Cinderella" has come under considerable fire since its release. However, I find that I much prefer this version to the older version (although that one is still fantastic). Brandy, while not a traditional Cinderella in the vocal sense, has a quiet appeal to her that makes her a very believable Cinderella. The Prince had a stunning voice to match his looks, and his parents were hilarious. Bernadette Peters' redition of the added "Falling in Love With Love" is beautiful, and the Stepsister's Lament was great. That being said, I think that this deserves a higher rating than it has. It is not the same film as the predecessor, and it doesn't try to be. It is different, but it is still quite entertaining.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Masterpiece
(2002 TV Special)
What a wonderful introduction
22 February 2004
This concert was a wonderful introduction of musical theatre to the masses in China. I would imagine that anyone who attended the concert would be able to get those songs out of his or her head. The group of performers are stellar, with the exception of the female Chinese lead. She was not bad, she had a very nervous-sounding voice and seemed far too breathy for the tunes she sang. 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' was not the powerhouse performance it should have been because of that. Still, the positive attributes of this concert far outweigh the negatives. Tony Vincent is as excellent as ever with a phenomenal voice and a dazzling smile. Kris Phillips and Elaine Paige also perform well, although there was something missing in Phillips' performance of 'Gethsemanes.' His 'Sunset Boulevard' made up for this, though. The rest of the ensemble perform remarkably. I was especially impressed with the woman who sang "Take That Look Off Your Face" and the man who sang "Love Changes Everything." Overall, I would certainly recommend viewing this concert to anyone who has a heart for musical theatre. 7.5/10 stars as far as concerts go.
Muppet Treasure Island
(1996)
Yo ho ho and a bottle of...fun!
14 February 2004
Although this film has taken quite a beating since its release, I fail to understand why. The songs are catchy, the script is hilarious, and the performances are stellar.
Let's start with the music. Whether it's the wonderfully fun "Cabin Fever," the touching "Love Led Us Here," or another one of the wide array of tunes, nobody can say that they are inferior to any other Muppets melodies.
The script is full of one liners and clever dialogue that never grows old, delivered by a cast and vocal talents who are incredibly talented. Tim Curry, sinister and wonderful as ever, plays Long John Silver to perfection. Billy Connolly is also worth mentioning, despite his brief appearance in the film. And young Jim Hawkins is just as he should be, albeit surrounded by a crew of muppet pirates.
This is my favorite Muppet film, and I think everybody should give it a try and embrace a different sort of humor-filled extravaganza.
Let's start with the music. Whether it's the wonderfully fun "Cabin Fever," the touching "Love Led Us Here," or another one of the wide array of tunes, nobody can say that they are inferior to any other Muppets melodies.
The script is full of one liners and clever dialogue that never grows old, delivered by a cast and vocal talents who are incredibly talented. Tim Curry, sinister and wonderful as ever, plays Long John Silver to perfection. Billy Connolly is also worth mentioning, despite his brief appearance in the film. And young Jim Hawkins is just as he should be, albeit surrounded by a crew of muppet pirates.
This is my favorite Muppet film, and I think everybody should give it a try and embrace a different sort of humor-filled extravaganza.
Newsies
(1992)
Seize the Day!
24 November 2003
Jack Kelly (Christian Bale), David Jacobs (David Moscow), and a group of rag-tag newsboys in turn of the century New York City must try to stop their "tightwad" newspaper owner, Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall) from taking away their rights, and at the same time Kelly must deal with the ghosts of his criminal past by avoiding the devious Warden Snyder (Kevin Tighe). The editing isn't great, the painted backdrops can be incredibly obvious, but these are really the only negatives.
As a live-action musical that long preceded 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Newsies' succeeds in what it was meant to do- entertain all who watch it, and introduce the world of live-action musicals to children and adolescents who otherwise might think that only animated characters can burst randomly into song.
Bale and Moscow, joined by fellow newsboys Max Casella, Aaron Lohr, Trey Parker, Arvie Lowe Jr., Gabriel Damon, Marty Belafsky, and Michael Goorjian, among others, are endearing and, for all of the young women out there, swoon-worthy. Supporting characters Medda, the vaudeville singer who is friendly with the boys (Ann-Margret), Denton (Bill Pullman), the reporter who helps the newsies with their campaign, and the not-so-good Weasel (Michael Lerner), and his two miscreant nephews (Shon Greenblatt and David Sheinkopf) add color and flavor to the film. The dancing makes the non-dancers of the world envious, and the songs will keep you singing for days. The storyline is inspiring, and when all's said and done, it's the kind of movie that just makes you smile.
It is no wonder that this movie has such a wide fan base!
As a live-action musical that long preceded 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Newsies' succeeds in what it was meant to do- entertain all who watch it, and introduce the world of live-action musicals to children and adolescents who otherwise might think that only animated characters can burst randomly into song.
Bale and Moscow, joined by fellow newsboys Max Casella, Aaron Lohr, Trey Parker, Arvie Lowe Jr., Gabriel Damon, Marty Belafsky, and Michael Goorjian, among others, are endearing and, for all of the young women out there, swoon-worthy. Supporting characters Medda, the vaudeville singer who is friendly with the boys (Ann-Margret), Denton (Bill Pullman), the reporter who helps the newsies with their campaign, and the not-so-good Weasel (Michael Lerner), and his two miscreant nephews (Shon Greenblatt and David Sheinkopf) add color and flavor to the film. The dancing makes the non-dancers of the world envious, and the songs will keep you singing for days. The storyline is inspiring, and when all's said and done, it's the kind of movie that just makes you smile.
It is no wonder that this movie has such a wide fan base!
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