DEFENDING THE BREEZY SEQUEL 'BREAKIN 2': ELECTRIC BOOGALOO'

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CMdlSLCAtz2c5Mmq1faLghHh0vag2791PpV2KAI9Ub45bbMwWD8Vkw9ErDAEBrtj97TeAgAZc7ud3PiRi_rRF2NyZ2fQ8vEe31cUeYVF1yZ3JEoPPbZNQgqQIjraluDUlaMGkCQlihmYInhuCSfECbcgT56-bbxhTqlpRm_m6DxdB1YGRlBxfgOMuDHh/s1840/Screen%20Shot%202024-12-11%20at%2012.29.33%20AM%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CMdlSLCAtz2c5Mmq1faLghHh0vag2791PpV2KAI9Ub45bbMwWD8Vkw9ErDAEBrtj97TeAgAZc7ud3PiRi_rRF2NyZ2fQ8vEe31cUeYVF1yZ3JEoPPbZNQgqQIjraluDUlaMGkCQlihmYInhuCSfECbcgT56-bbxhTqlpRm_m6DxdB1YGRlBxfgOMuDHh/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-12-11%20at%2012.29.33%20AM%202.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Title: BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO Year: 1984 Rating: ***</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Cannon Films' BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO  was rushed out the same year of the original's box office success, yet is more of a “Musical Based on The Film" (or a failed attempt at the first episode of a TV-series based on the film) than a necessary followup on its own... </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Fantasy sequences replace the former urban, realistic street grooves and back-room competitions: In fact, within the first five minutes the entire downtown is dancing… including mailmen, cops, everyone... </p><p><span></span></p>

adolfo quinones, cannon, comedy, harry caesar, ice-t, jean-claude van damme, lucinda dickey, michael chambers, musical, sabrina garcia, sequel

DEFENDING THE BREEZY SEQUEL 'BREAKIN 2': ELECTRIC BOOGALOO'

Title: BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO Year: 1984 Rating: *** Cannon Films' BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO  was rushed out the same...

REVIEW OF 'HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING'

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns3I2eqfeWMaNNGCOTyFbv3ya8KKGKieNMLQcoefuRdE2T_ShzkE89CNuX5LTAYkQpI52raI0CxU50IWm08KAdgc2fXxsfzUff4FC8I-Z31cr_3FWMWvnjtPTexPpjTVZ4i3l0x5oPOF04XITH5aUVpA-PFFLLWL_vfDH5gOS1Rg5S73uRbAyfnxi5qaW/s2062/Screen%20Shot%202024-04-10%20at%2012.43.51%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="2062" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns3I2eqfeWMaNNGCOTyFbv3ya8KKGKieNMLQcoefuRdE2T_ShzkE89CNuX5LTAYkQpI52raI0CxU50IWm08KAdgc2fXxsfzUff4FC8I-Z31cr_3FWMWvnjtPTexPpjTVZ4i3l0x5oPOF04XITH5aUVpA-PFFLLWL_vfDH5gOS1Rg5S73uRbAyfnxi5qaW/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-04-10%20at%2012.43.51%20AM.png"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Title: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING Year: 1967 Rates: **1/2</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>In HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, Robert Morse as J. Pierpont Finch plays a skyscraper's window washer so quickly that by the time he's climbing the corporate rungs... while reading the titular book that doubles as narration... the NOT REALLY TRYING aspect fails to make the character's plight very interesting...<br></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>And after a few semi-memorable songs, one might feel more sympathy for the main boss's whiny nephew, who Finch much too quickly leaves in the dust and, instantly beloved by gorgeous secretary Michele Lee while seduced by overall distracting bombshell Maureen Arthur, our squeaky hero only <i>looks</i> the underdog in a musical that needed more time struggling from the outside to really click within the vibrantly colorful 1960's singing/dancing interior. <br></p><p><span></span></p>

comedy, maureen arthur, michele lee, musical, robert morse, sixties

REVIEW OF 'HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING'

Title: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING Year: 1967 Rates: **1/2 In HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, Robert ...

TED NEELEY AND CARL ANDERSON IN 'JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR'

<p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhUsXrLMnUj1Fr5plaGdclQh_lvJsWPFEp9udEQZ5Aqug1O83HADaznYRq8_scnbokxUIkOE8uLbhh5aWuL5Hq2wx44fiOoRCxQh3xhc292HvfrCZUW-5UdT9uTpildU0OzubgTl1M_Dx96QHWRKxnSsWv86NRY4QlvU_JeERcHF8RPFN65xpC7o3BfdA/s2120/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.12.07%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="2120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhUsXrLMnUj1Fr5plaGdclQh_lvJsWPFEp9udEQZ5Aqug1O83HADaznYRq8_scnbokxUIkOE8uLbhh5aWuL5Hq2wx44fiOoRCxQh3xhc292HvfrCZUW-5UdT9uTpildU0OzubgTl1M_Dx96QHWRKxnSsWv86NRY4QlvU_JeERcHF8RPFN65xpC7o3BfdA/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.12.07%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Title: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Year: 1973 Grade: C— </u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Musical turned Musical/Movie JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is about the man himself, Jesus Christ, and how he has gone the way of basically becoming a sell-out, now known as The King and having so many faceless fans to add to his 12 good friends/disciples...<br /><br />A good enough theme; however, the problem is the movie begins in what should be the second act, initially providing a more naive, non-famous Christ character that this movie's antagonistic anti-hero Judas stands firm with before singing counterpoint lyrics against: basically, his friend's too well-known to be safe around (in hippie parlance, Jesus has become a Scene)...<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4YzroLVRis5CGU9PZS4GXJ8HGXdmOz163JOWgvODa1Q9w3noSd4B6Q3BEnhrAUiY16WW5_dQ-oUBYE3Qjy2gvN8ikPNq4j3vL1Lho78dlms2Qz_KJAYLcqarQvDFIIG8X0allTIwo4XixKh35W-Xe_5o_yid2vDa5vt7vzb-cBRJ15Lf_4v2QODeAorN/s1578/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%209.40.59%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4YzroLVRis5CGU9PZS4GXJ8HGXdmOz163JOWgvODa1Q9w3noSd4B6Q3BEnhrAUiY16WW5_dQ-oUBYE3Qjy2gvN8ikPNq4j3vL1Lho78dlms2Qz_KJAYLcqarQvDFIIG8X0allTIwo4XixKh35W-Xe_5o_yid2vDa5vt7vzb-cBRJ15Lf_4v2QODeAorN/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%209.40.59%20PM.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Carl Anderson in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So the audience never experiences the major difference in the Christ character since it only centers on one, who, played by golden-voiced Ted Neeely, starts out intentionally dull and robotic, and basically continues in this fashion... </p><p></p><p></p><p>But overall, this is Carl Anderson as New Testament Black Panther Judas's ride: with an incredible voice and a powerful presence on screen, his best moment is interjecting into the grooviest song, Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene's Everything's Alright, that, like its own music video, has a beginning, middle and end: Something that the entire movie... with too many unimportant side-characters getting their own overlong songs... completely lacks. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2PoPuYJOa0JfOesP6NZJeL5hT67xQqx5Es08V-0ts5u7P_3RWre8V-9Z4Q6fJ5ENpOxOH0qHMImKxqPPxzI5iYxtyBc4CRD7jx0-rDrsyUN3M9AA5tFHNSTRG99OM26kziO_7zGyAsDaTBSCnOcFuJUWTXI7nw6Du1_JZxqgcCX-DwmGhIQ6Gox5MAR8/s1784/1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2PoPuYJOa0JfOesP6NZJeL5hT67xQqx5Es08V-0ts5u7P_3RWre8V-9Z4Q6fJ5ENpOxOH0qHMImKxqPPxzI5iYxtyBc4CRD7jx0-rDrsyUN3M9AA5tFHNSTRG99OM26kziO_7zGyAsDaTBSCnOcFuJUWTXI7nw6Du1_JZxqgcCX-DwmGhIQ6Gox5MAR8/s16000/1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Ted Neeley</u><u> in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR  with Carl Anderson<br /></u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kV-ze5JWVPGxS-Hy8Brwmme0NBAl2cp8KAYK-QdogK0BIxyVsPPd1wKIQXbOcZAlFCxX2UVAwFQZ0INssgpBMRqYqeiHn_RaxAljtZFKUfRpDq9yZ4sZde1aFv_GZsJEuF_PUoss4hc2JzLfZAkdJIYsROAZU2ag4nqD4oaNlKBiul6h-k4xLp_Na-DR/s1778/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.12%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kV-ze5JWVPGxS-Hy8Brwmme0NBAl2cp8KAYK-QdogK0BIxyVsPPd1wKIQXbOcZAlFCxX2UVAwFQZ0INssgpBMRqYqeiHn_RaxAljtZFKUfRpDq9yZ4sZde1aFv_GZsJEuF_PUoss4hc2JzLfZAkdJIYsROAZU2ag4nqD4oaNlKBiul6h-k4xLp_Na-DR/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.12%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Ted Neeley</u><u> in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR  </u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMjge-3bkMQroqA7-zh_6R49elmRwBI2L3VkZzgnYR3ETdpU8orXFuNXB7T-cg-QxJbUWhK4yW1Jwo1r8GoNwjUmhbapPYCePw0tG_L4QpVBe7KMFz-TjxcMZ_IfhK6Hm1iRVHyFg1YCck9uIBB0t7GXS5IG1ps59F5f7Y3RoYR1vaL2MrilNqv5u9jrO/s1788/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.21%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1788" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMjge-3bkMQroqA7-zh_6R49elmRwBI2L3VkZzgnYR3ETdpU8orXFuNXB7T-cg-QxJbUWhK4yW1Jwo1r8GoNwjUmhbapPYCePw0tG_L4QpVBe7KMFz-TjxcMZ_IfhK6Hm1iRVHyFg1YCck9uIBB0t7GXS5IG1ps59F5f7Y3RoYR1vaL2MrilNqv5u9jrO/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.21%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Barry Dennen in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR </u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14zTSOjn-AMMoyGZbP8k6l0vXcAcM73X_Fv_OoBEC8YykCyBwQCZ9YnErd-2FLitn9xtXZPihVEiU15slE5-K1aQmYUWhUODlM8UwoUCIuUQUe7aGyBNaZlpPLriuCmdLSfs9dQ1a27vkIJP5He790QP-ylMlepBeEwuEUX4XBrKKsw9UQyw0SU5knJ8t/s1768/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.30%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14zTSOjn-AMMoyGZbP8k6l0vXcAcM73X_Fv_OoBEC8YykCyBwQCZ9YnErd-2FLitn9xtXZPihVEiU15slE5-K1aQmYUWhUODlM8UwoUCIuUQUe7aGyBNaZlpPLriuCmdLSfs9dQ1a27vkIJP5He790QP-ylMlepBeEwuEUX4XBrKKsw9UQyw0SU5knJ8t/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.30%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Carl Anderson as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR</u><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5fq8-UaA1AoQj3t4XHpKX5D_QW13CmUibiRdv7SJekCNTXnx322BJ73viuf1T4fcmyOkmanO8fzYfpzLyuSOhvmsjD8yA_rt-xPLSyl277Fd8hfqpS8Wu2mWAtYJ35ziGHaNggU6s7_T5l7at6m4w636p-edHNlBxz_1xu3gJ7tJDv0qRP-zLNbBPQEF/s1778/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.45%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5fq8-UaA1AoQj3t4XHpKX5D_QW13CmUibiRdv7SJekCNTXnx322BJ73viuf1T4fcmyOkmanO8fzYfpzLyuSOhvmsjD8yA_rt-xPLSyl277Fd8hfqpS8Wu2mWAtYJ35ziGHaNggU6s7_T5l7at6m4w636p-edHNlBxz_1xu3gJ7tJDv0qRP-zLNbBPQEF/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.45%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Carl Anderson as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR with Ted Neeley</u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzXgOnJuhcYVTQEwJ6QD6CWPEUJHsm0MFaaJr-OSVTh3hz8POALFWSgXC8eMzUoDbsEIDnHozSfXLYqN3PofroGmU0wTaGhI-URAx1-EHGDIPE2DXh1G3HUaaA-FRbVUQoDl3PmWilTtjGAJzAFpBrvhaEJmb0rzAZcuADDClIUmuGYuu2INR4GUNe7i1/s1770/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.58%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzXgOnJuhcYVTQEwJ6QD6CWPEUJHsm0MFaaJr-OSVTh3hz8POALFWSgXC8eMzUoDbsEIDnHozSfXLYqN3PofroGmU0wTaGhI-URAx1-EHGDIPE2DXh1G3HUaaA-FRbVUQoDl3PmWilTtjGAJzAFpBrvhaEJmb0rzAZcuADDClIUmuGYuu2INR4GUNe7i1/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.22.58%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Carl Anderson as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR with Ted Neeley<br /></u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhwm5Y1d6c7PS2pYkIWlmzZYvNyZT1HfD8gTJ8TC1kW8Q9z8vQZpJmn_pSWTi80U3_GB8itSaRKLoPmCyxg0xcRoFibEEo2IvzJdv3Le6yjG8JwpNp2gtohHr93b6Tp_3iUvG5CMDbmEBYYEG-cp27kMM-qO_PhJF69HjOdU-dBjqpd03pJLCNg-obJt6/s1794/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.21.24%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhwm5Y1d6c7PS2pYkIWlmzZYvNyZT1HfD8gTJ8TC1kW8Q9z8vQZpJmn_pSWTi80U3_GB8itSaRKLoPmCyxg0xcRoFibEEo2IvzJdv3Le6yjG8JwpNp2gtohHr93b6Tp_3iUvG5CMDbmEBYYEG-cp27kMM-qO_PhJF69HjOdU-dBjqpd03pJLCNg-obJt6/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.21.24%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Carl Anderson as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR</u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhQfmzoMlyAtdtMFiGAvlfkuGrsA07N3Bi01YS1ujOsoiBVrvWTOJN3ZtW5Ek-xsLaowYTZHCJTrfHs_La0FBGQg6bO7nNikh1kKIO3ux6WviaGLHeeeQB8gnd2kanW4VLKa7Y8rsIT1FQAJd8E9HIej9FYY49z-vnNJeH-puFbC2hFKPm4-oTrWraJzK/s1788/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.21.35%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1788" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhQfmzoMlyAtdtMFiGAvlfkuGrsA07N3Bi01YS1ujOsoiBVrvWTOJN3ZtW5Ek-xsLaowYTZHCJTrfHs_La0FBGQg6bO7nNikh1kKIO3ux6WviaGLHeeeQB8gnd2kanW4VLKa7Y8rsIT1FQAJd8E9HIej9FYY49z-vnNJeH-puFbC2hFKPm4-oTrWraJzK/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.21.35%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Carl Anderson as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR</u></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcZolqGBB8j-xA7gyye40osf-ds7ViSMLszwyBJE8ubQbFW6Mw7-XC5wS5EtwZdWbbC_XPoezK9ACSiFNkHtGZKxqDDx9WI6G4DlLdxpLlXrUIwRjVlnCgO9XlB4oDEEENrgE51EubAMxX3VSbCuBvjOosYuJvIBrjmVsvGlsR1jhekyYcNDdhb4Zo7x2/s1786/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.21.59%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="1786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcZolqGBB8j-xA7gyye40osf-ds7ViSMLszwyBJE8ubQbFW6Mw7-XC5wS5EtwZdWbbC_XPoezK9ACSiFNkHtGZKxqDDx9WI6G4DlLdxpLlXrUIwRjVlnCgO9XlB4oDEEENrgE51EubAMxX3VSbCuBvjOosYuJvIBrjmVsvGlsR1jhekyYcNDdhb4Zo7x2/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%2010.21.59%20PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Carl Anderson as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR</u></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p>

adventure, barry dennen, carl anderson, drama, jesus, musical, religion, seventies, ted neeley

TED NEELEY AND CARL ANDERSON IN 'JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR'

Title: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Year: 1973 Grade: C— Musical turned Musical/Movie JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is about the man himself, Jesus Chri...

GROOVING THROUGH 'GREASE' OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN TRAVOLTA

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQRLa65Paun8221hMOWf86G0o1flHquHEG8-86uQKUunxkQWoJ-5Oc2adYX1xDDkwLCpFRDi6nvkxOitaCsUxZHmHrVQ1Kw4PFaN3oDG258ogSEiwSi4ZLRoofMdScNMEoBfzyjeu88hJnRm7GkVHCGzNWevx7H4thA8c2zTYgcHHOUnSj11q70FhCA/s1406/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-09%20at%201.07.04%20AM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQRLa65Paun8221hMOWf86G0o1flHquHEG8-86uQKUunxkQWoJ-5Oc2adYX1xDDkwLCpFRDi6nvkxOitaCsUxZHmHrVQ1Kw4PFaN3oDG258ogSEiwSi4ZLRoofMdScNMEoBfzyjeu88hJnRm7GkVHCGzNWevx7H4thA8c2zTYgcHHOUnSj11q70FhCA/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-09%20at%201.07.04%20AM.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>year: 1978 cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway rating: ****1/2</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Eddie Deezen, who played Eugene, the hyperactive geek on the outskirts of Rydell High student activity, a campus balancing stupid jocks and wily hoods, phony cheerleaders and sexy tough chicks, described GREASE in a Cult Film Freak interview as “A two month party, the happiest time I ever had on a film… Just magic.” And that sums up the entire movie… a magical masterpiece, indeed. And even while viewing the GREASE SINGALONG there’s so much more than just music and catchy songs...<br> <br> That's not to say the music isn't extremely important. It's a musical, after all, and each track provides insight and exposition to both the T-Birds, led by John Travolta’s supercool Danny Zuko, and the Pink Ladies, with scene-stealing Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo. Here are two gangs with the same purpose: hang out and, despite being saddled with education, have a good time… But then, like in real life, it takes an outsider/new kid to stir up the pot...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><span></span>

comedy, jeff conaway, john travolta, musical, olivia newton-john, randal kleiser, seventies, stockard channing

GROOVING THROUGH 'GREASE' OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN TRAVOLTA

year: 1978 cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway rating: ****1/2 Eddie Deezen, who played Eugene, the hyp...

STRANGE FASCINATION OF 'XANADU' OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ_eiHDMx8oF2sMfquo6TsI0cPst6S83JI1ZqbJ4dxYLjVhs3o2DsYd1dq1TKdz9Jbw5h1g6SPppZtKVVrW1XSV4TeC2mxd_RDf5ut_n9nxM9diYQEXDcPM37SGivsRp0WnKJZv9iiY1YH41KmesUc48CcPVMlJFSxgZeSPPyO9U9xFdpDSQ4H1fQ-Q/s1649/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-09%20at%201.24.59%20PM-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1649" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQ_eiHDMx8oF2sMfquo6TsI0cPst6S83JI1ZqbJ4dxYLjVhs3o2DsYd1dq1TKdz9Jbw5h1g6SPppZtKVVrW1XSV4TeC2mxd_RDf5ut_n9nxM9diYQEXDcPM37SGivsRp0WnKJZv9iiY1YH41KmesUc48CcPVMlJFSxgZeSPPyO9U9xFdpDSQ4H1fQ-Q/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-09%20at%201.24.59%20PM-1.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Title: XANADU Year: 1980 Rating: ***</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was almost the end of Disco but everyone was rollerskating. Hell, even the gods. Or in this particular case, a goddess in the form of <a href="http://www.cultfilmfreaks.com/2013/09/grease-revisited.html">GREASE</a> starlet Olivia Newton-John as Kira, one of the many daughters of Zeus and a song and dance muse throughout the ages... </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Especially from the Twentieth Century 40's/50's, when she used to help a now wandering bum who is a secret millionaire and semi-retired construction mogul Gene Kelly as Danny McGuire, and she now has her eyes or, rather, lips on one dreamer in particular...<br> </p><p></p>

camp, eighties, gene kelly, michael beck, musical, olivia newton-john, rollerstake

STRANGE FASCINATION OF 'XANADU' OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN

Title: XANADU Year: 1980 Rating: *** It was almost the end of Disco but everyone was rollerskating. Hell, even the gods. Or in this particu...

VIRGINIA MAYO IN 'SHE'S WORKING HER WAY THROUGH COLLEGE'

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2yKv5HnzIqNlVpSyayKHCAGVA-qPehN0R7yt5DElFfSCXNdfj6RMV1f5-svpZkBSF7wazGtoEK06snuySZfyy6mg-HY8sTOf9gPdrRsojPj_zzdh3T80D4ZxwfTVmJ4OTIY5cY4Ny568I5ItESV8xWUm_FZDfrOByzmnj0iFZPp1rpMXfkoxbH6zyMQ=s1159" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2yKv5HnzIqNlVpSyayKHCAGVA-qPehN0R7yt5DElFfSCXNdfj6RMV1f5-svpZkBSF7wazGtoEK06snuySZfyy6mg-HY8sTOf9gPdrRsojPj_zzdh3T80D4ZxwfTVmJ4OTIY5cY4Ny568I5ItESV8xWUm_FZDfrOByzmnj0iFZPp1rpMXfkoxbH6zyMQ=s16000"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Year: 1952 Rating: ***1/2</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>"I don't know what there is about the pelts of dead little animals that makes them so attractive to women when one little mouse scares them silly," says Ronald Reagan to Virginia Mayo in SHE'S WORKING HER WAY THROUGH COLLEGE. "A confusing sex, yours," he slurs, just slightly, with a hazy grin. "But a delightful confusion."<br> <br> <span class="caption">There's nothing like seeing the future President playing a friendly yet uptight college professor given a cold remedy with a fair amount of codeine that he didn't "Say No" to. But no man refuses Mayo, one of the prettiest actresses ever filmed. Having catapulted as James Cagney's sexy yet put-upon, cheating wife in WHITE HEAT, she headlined a string of musicals during the 1950's, and this is one of the most memorable... </span><br> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>

college, comedy, fifties, gene nelson, musical, patrice wymore, ronald reagan, virginia mayo, warner archives

VIRGINIA MAYO IN 'SHE'S WORKING HER WAY THROUGH COLLEGE'

Year: 1952 Rating: ***1/2 "I don't know what there is about the pelts of dead little animals that makes them so attractive to wom...

VIRGINIA MAYO & STEVE COCHRAN IN 'SHE'S BACK ON BROADWAY'

<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyFCkvCzcczvlX1c171RXR-KRlJTZ4ayAemOUzVmTP10E3rW54H3CGgAeaNzoeNkbr3an7xOZR-tpGQedig6myd1f1K_xcApB9nRseZB4NlRaK4oMnOHQ0cKC3S0285pkl3j6mCPf544lk1QQmiTsoqsR-SEPIfxCHcorUFj334SOVcZ212SgFo5SkE2s/s1758/Screen%20Shot%202025-11-16%20at%2010.33.15%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1758" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyFCkvCzcczvlX1c171RXR-KRlJTZ4ayAemOUzVmTP10E3rW54H3CGgAeaNzoeNkbr3an7xOZR-tpGQedig6myd1f1K_xcApB9nRseZB4NlRaK4oMnOHQ0cKC3S0285pkl3j6mCPf544lk1QQmiTsoqsR-SEPIfxCHcorUFj334SOVcZ212SgFo5SkE2s/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202025-11-16%20at%2010.33.15%20PM.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Year: 1953 Rating: ***1/2</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>This is more than a review of the 1952 feel-good comedy loaded with as many hardships and frowns as smiles, taking place mostly indoors without much sunshine: Except for the opening scene as a poolside Virginia Mayo, playing a has-been actress, is taking business with her faithful but weary producer friend, trying to find her a leading role and suggesting she go back on... Refer to the title...<br> </p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p> In the first two of three films, Virginia Mayo was snatched from Cult Film Freak's two all-time favorite actors by tall, dark and viciously handsome b-actor Steve Cochran: First in THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, finishing Dana Andrews (not so happy) marriage so the perky dame can enjoy the nightlife... And her most famous role as a reluctant gun-moll for ultra-violent James Cagney... </p><span></span>

fifties, frank lovejoy, gene nelson, melodrama, musical, patrice wymore, steve cochran, virginia mayo, warner archives

VIRGINIA MAYO & STEVE COCHRAN IN 'SHE'S BACK ON BROADWAY'

Year: 1953 Rating: ***1/2 This is more than a review of the 1952 feel-good comedy loaded with as many hardships and frowns as smiles, takin...

JAMES CAGNEY'S GRAND NATIONAL 'SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT'

<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWAvfkUucK9w2XhBk8RzLtEEUqOP8aFUVcYRWusDGnFi7-aHhe4cyB-9YIzyVmlycsSPADxSyhN_AA37BCI8b-a8qbyGn080eP2xpWVY7-H-5eg-pfGUK-EVmwih0fbPAAfBAyZDg47MoOSc2rwbFeBP6WnHOJMtQcWr4t6c7tQUWwGaA-WAAlFXhy7g=s701" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="701" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWAvfkUucK9w2XhBk8RzLtEEUqOP8aFUVcYRWusDGnFi7-aHhe4cyB-9YIzyVmlycsSPADxSyhN_AA37BCI8b-a8qbyGn080eP2xpWVY7-H-5eg-pfGUK-EVmwih0fbPAAfBAyZDg47MoOSc2rwbFeBP6WnHOJMtQcWr4t6c7tQUWwGaA-WAAlFXhy7g=w400-h323" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Something to Sing About Year: 1937 Rating: ***1/2</u><br></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The better of the two and the last picture Cagney did with the independent Grand National Pictures after GREAT GUY before returning to Warner Bros where he got to play by his own rules is SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT, showcasing Cagney's dynamic ability as a song and dance man with his own East Coast big band swing show...  </p><p></p><p>This is one of the earliest makings of a movie-within-a-movie to poke fun at the phony shenanigans centering on the hypocrisy and downside of Hollywood... </p><p>A shallow place Cagney's character wants nothing to do with the further he progresses on set in a star-making role as a smooth, romantic, crooning leading man. And for Universal Horror Fans it's great seeing Dwight Frye, in his second Cagney picture: Frye played Renfield in DRACULA, stealing the movie from Bela Lugosi himself, and Dr. Frankenstein's loony, hunchback assistant (who isn't named Igor) in FRANKENSTEIN and here a suspiciously feminine" makeup artist — something you probably wouldn't see so upfront and obvious during the Hays Code. But the real standout is Philip Ahn, a kind of stereotypical Chinese assistant who eventually shows he knows more than he lets on...   </p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihADTVhCQyGi17PFWnjacMwp1xPbmJdmQj70LvfnQLFP1PEmn14nED7nQETkRkDWomeDHGvtum9UjWNyAtsI-P9nDfDNdym9hzP5x7o2-1TURo8Z3ruqQGZ1sY433LjTfYC6fHknZGRKta6QNdaUyJmRiQL2-x9XVGvk--IzkfaL0bHKvp6XH5qLTT1A=s823" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="823" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihADTVhCQyGi17PFWnjacMwp1xPbmJdmQj70LvfnQLFP1PEmn14nED7nQETkRkDWomeDHGvtum9UjWNyAtsI-P9nDfDNdym9hzP5x7o2-1TURo8Z3ruqQGZ1sY433LjTfYC6fHknZGRKta6QNdaUyJmRiQL2-x9XVGvk--IzkfaL0bHKvp6XH5qLTT1A=w400-h228" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>James Cagney goes big for Grand National Pictures</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The plot shadows an earlier Cagney programmer from Warner titled LADY KILLER where he plays a con man/thief on the lam, winding up an Extra on a studio lot and then becomes an overnight star on the big screen... </p><p></p><p>Only here he has practically no fun at all, leading to a dragged-out finale about this dream job turned nightmare nearly ruining his marriage...  </p><p></p><p>In a film without a genuine antagonist, I LOVE LUCY landlord neighbor William Frawley is a sneaky agent who plays up to the media that his client is having a possible affair with the movie's movie starlet, who can't hold a candle to singing actress Evelyn Daw: that marriage, according to his contract and to appease female fans, has to be kept secret. Like any lighthearted romantic comedy, the initial breezy setup is the most fun while the task of fulfilling a buried plot detours slowly into a dead end. Still though, as a whole, the movie works just fine.</p><p><span></span></p>

dwight frye, hollywood satire, james cagney, musical, philip ahn, thirties, william frawley

JAMES CAGNEY'S GRAND NATIONAL 'SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT'

Something to Sing About Year: 1937 Rating: ***1/2 The better of the two and the last picture Cagney did with the independent Grand National ...

ELVIS PRESLEY HIDING HIS STRENGTHS IN 'FOLLOW THAT DREAM'

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWON7gBUuLHwLBVJyuKKRMkM3pILJIdzExK9HQXPhGJ_3cuO7vDaVAK3u8R2tAVA3iASAHrT2LpJTGuyhyU6kvBHH8nh-_lztM4fBAwGlkHtJafNXdII4U4pW1RTsIy17AUfh57AZwtnD3/s935/Screen+Shot+2021-09-01+at+1.59.35+AM.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="935" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWON7gBUuLHwLBVJyuKKRMkM3pILJIdzExK9HQXPhGJ_3cuO7vDaVAK3u8R2tAVA3iASAHrT2LpJTGuyhyU6kvBHH8nh-_lztM4fBAwGlkHtJafNXdII4U4pW1RTsIy17AUfh57AZwtnD3/w400-h271/Screen+Shot+2021-09-01+at+1.59.35+AM.jpeg" width="400"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Year of Broadcast: 1962 Rating: ****</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Every album from any rock band or artist has that one song that glides smoother, grooves while keeping a steady hand-sweeping guitar rhythm, and it's not a sappy ballad but a kind of soft boogie, in-between; usually a forgotten track that never made the charts but glues the album together, somehow...<br></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span>As is FOLLOW THAT DREAM in a theatrical sense, made by the highly eclectic THEM and KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE serious director Gordon Douglas who also had musical fun with SHE'S WORKING HER WAY THROUGH COLLEGE: plus he worked a whole lot with Frank Sinatra... </span></p><p><span>And here, Elvis was in his long decade-spanning "visual album" phase, seeming finished with the genuine Rock N' Roll </span><span>LP's (following the soulful Sun Records and the chart-topping classics),</span><span> sinking into hit/miss motion pictures he was musically replaced by The Beatles (who ironically worshiped him). And yet, in actuality, FOLLOW THAT DREAM is set RIGHT before the British and American game-changing counter-culture Invasion, and actually isn't too shabby...</span><br></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_0wiM5RQT3M3Hj0AhTqB6hGslN_fDaExHNixMFY6Q0C5NkReab96s2hyyYKMpeH_DZhVIpOwiP8aTjr1x5GvekNW1Ml8GepvIiSVQ4czkHMe1kgFYtGzK35Ax4ryi4EHO99zGnyR5YQ9/s320/53110739_661215770974269_2998010678687563776_n.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_0wiM5RQT3M3Hj0AhTqB6hGslN_fDaExHNixMFY6Q0C5NkReab96s2hyyYKMpeH_DZhVIpOwiP8aTjr1x5GvekNW1Ml8GepvIiSVQ4czkHMe1kgFYtGzK35Ax4ryi4EHO99zGnyR5YQ9/w227-h320/53110739_661215770974269_2998010678687563776_n.jpeg" width="227"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Anne Helm & Elvis Presley</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Basic and unpretentious, not seeming like a vehicle to sell a soundtrack or to prove his big screen presence, DREAM borders on a fable...<br> </p><p></p><div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbmKTv9FAbG3e6i1Pn8PtH0xifqa6ea9nD742GpsG7pzb-RXG7XYP4C1pxCoedOLC3b3xKb7NHPu9REx9gKBTtQo3DcgWsFyN_hm85AC-UHgGLPNCRhnKMy6JqBzksBYtcSKLR8vzviJU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-03-01+at+2.19.05+AM.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1387" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbmKTv9FAbG3e6i1Pn8PtH0xifqa6ea9nD742GpsG7pzb-RXG7XYP4C1pxCoedOLC3b3xKb7NHPu9REx9gKBTtQo3DcgWsFyN_hm85AC-UHgGLPNCRhnKMy6JqBzksBYtcSKLR8vzviJU/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-03-01+at+2.19.05+AM.jpeg" width="320"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Elvis Presley in Follow that Dream</u></td></tr> </tbody></table><p>The plot involving a naive clan of nomads, not related save Presley's Toby Kwimper and his Pop, played by Arthur O'Connell (the drunk lawyer-friend of James Stewart in ANATOMY OF A MURDER)...</p><p>He's the stubborn and prideful driver of his own vehicle with a surreptitious-sexy 19-year-old babysitter... of twin boys and a little girl... who'd been carried around and about since she was gawky-thirteen: that being Anne Helm as Holly Jones, one of the most genuine Elvis ingenues being that she's really not an ingenue-type for most of the film, but more of a little sister (or "kissin' cousin") who puts in the most work in the new outdoors family business...</p><span></span>

action, anne helm, arthur o'connell, elvis presley, gordon douglas, joanna moore, musical, romantic comedy, simon oakland, sixties

ELVIS PRESLEY HIDING HIS STRENGTHS IN 'FOLLOW THAT DREAM'

Year of Broadcast: 1962 Rating: **** Every album from any rock band or artist has that one song that glides smoother, grooves while keepin...

VAL KILMER & LUCY GUTTERIDGE SEND UP SPIES IN 'TOP SECRET!'

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdVsQPgnAEpW1jefT67viN6o7J2qnKkdH0wzxUxe0Mx1jjC-4ifhaZ4v2SqHAXhyH3VugZGF5XRPrBXgQuV18cJz4AOeAjuQzPseuiK8JUBHiFCy4smHUz45naHtwHe-PQ4fqjMvAraZI/s2014/Screen+Shot+2021-07-28+at+6.36.55+AM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="2014" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdVsQPgnAEpW1jefT67viN6o7J2qnKkdH0wzxUxe0Mx1jjC-4ifhaZ4v2SqHAXhyH3VugZGF5XRPrBXgQuV18cJz4AOeAjuQzPseuiK8JUBHiFCy4smHUz45naHtwHe-PQ4fqjMvAraZI/s16000/Screen+Shot+2021-07-28+at+6.36.55+AM.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Val Kilmer as Nick Rivers in TOP SECRET! Directors: Jim Abrahams, David & Jerry Zucker Year: 1984 Rating: ***1/2</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Nonstop humor with a real plot is called funny... without a plot, silly... and the creators of the extremely funny AIRPLANE! deliberately set out to make a fast-paced, extremely silly satire covering a bagful of genres...</p><p></p><p>Particularly WW2 spy thrillers with Elvis Musicals thrown in... in the form of Val Kilmer as Nick Rivers, a somehow contemporary Rock N' Roller booked to play a Nazi German concert that sort of comes and goes... </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxeBKIEb2EmOzy6jPW5HHo_kZWWyIqCzQCX_q-UcJfAJTR60M4byCqiO9EFml658ah5Ak7nUh1lkuqAc5HQS0Jv7ingh9MNNVb0xF7VIasWjgzygV8URA5vQDW1guXG5TA9p6kNLzs0dx/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-07-28+at+6.38.45+AM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxeBKIEb2EmOzy6jPW5HHo_kZWWyIqCzQCX_q-UcJfAJTR60M4byCqiO9EFml658ah5Ak7nUh1lkuqAc5HQS0Jv7ingh9MNNVb0xF7VIasWjgzygV8URA5vQDW1guXG5TA9p6kNLzs0dx/s16000/Screen+Shot+2021-07-28+at+6.38.45+AM.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Lucy Gutteridge as Hillary Flammond in TOP SECRET!</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Meanwhile the actual attempt at a primary plot involves ingenue Lucy Gutteridge's scientist father needing rescue by the help of a goofy band of French Resistance fighters, only around to finish off a busy, somewhat exhausting story that the jokes leading up served an almost constant bulwark for... </p><p></p><p>They're mostly action-based visual gags since this <i>is</i> an action/adventure, albeit more like Mel Brooks (parodying movie-making itself) than Abrahams, Zucker & Zucker's previous (POLICE SQUAD) and future work (the NAKED GUN franchise, in which Omar Sharif foreshadows OJ Simpson's accident-prone Wile E. Coyote type)...</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipQS3VpBg3p7RQ7zX8kvGQghOmhAlA0a3nrdQlaHFAqm5bA5_Z3syMR__L5_u_-WnoxJgUQlQlgxJ3xrDHYsw2RFNuIZsaq77fhEabFoDtCeXjpXQv0aeAdl3g5TnHaAUSwqJhG5LAEd3/s2048/Screen+Shot+2021-07-28+at+6.50.28+AM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipQS3VpBg3p7RQ7zX8kvGQghOmhAlA0a3nrdQlaHFAqm5bA5_Z3syMR__L5_u_-WnoxJgUQlQlgxJ3xrDHYsw2RFNuIZsaq77fhEabFoDtCeXjpXQv0aeAdl3g5TnHaAUSwqJhG5LAEd3/s16000/Screen+Shot+2021-07-28+at+6.50.28+AM.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Cows through binoculars from TOP SECRET!</u><br></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Perhaps the writing/directing trio worked too hard to accomplish a multi-satire that's gained a pretty decent cult following despite (and because of) the disappointing opening-weekend... Or those who tire of the AIRPLANE! accolades while pushing the dark-horse notion that this one's a lot better, funnier... </p><p></p><p>Overall TOP SECRET! is yet another "underrated failure because it wasn't treated fairly" that <i>does</i> deserve more recognition... including Val Kilmer's naturally appealing comic timing sustained in REAL GENIUS... but perhaps more for the entertainingly energetic ambition than end result. </p><p><span></span></p>

action, adventure, amar sharif, eighties, escape, ian mcneice, lucy gutteridge, musical, peter cushing, satire, spy, val kilmer, warren clarke, world war II

VAL KILMER & LUCY GUTTERIDGE SEND UP SPIES IN 'TOP SECRET!'

Val Kilmer as Nick Rivers in TOP SECRET! Directors: Jim Abrahams, David & Jerry Zucker Year: 1984 Rating: ***1/2 Nonstop humor with a re...

ALICE FAYE AND CARMEN MIRANDA IN 'THE GANG'S ALL HERE'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQJA-YIvSbwdKoSfLJgvFuJNWBYHbi7CCsflW2FdUIX5-Gn3_Hi5_kcz28p_ou5YW5P32hqIU20aBpNNX5S7FarCpfElNYbKJYWqIWzmhVYnip_ZyfhfdzYOH-nAk_ibgeEUgbCwrbcg_w-eOzMyqj_cpzQ64A-1bWN52o0Y9r58xP_YwX4SE8Ln-SEDa/s1942/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-12%20at%203.14.07%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1942" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQJA-YIvSbwdKoSfLJgvFuJNWBYHbi7CCsflW2FdUIX5-Gn3_Hi5_kcz28p_ou5YW5P32hqIU20aBpNNX5S7FarCpfElNYbKJYWqIWzmhVYnip_ZyfhfdzYOH-nAk_ibgeEUgbCwrbcg_w-eOzMyqj_cpzQ64A-1bWN52o0Y9r58xP_YwX4SE8Ln-SEDa/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-12%20at%203.14.07%20PM.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>THE GANG'S ALL HERE Year: 1943 Rating: ***1/2</u></td></tr></tbody></table>Anything featuring Carmen Miranda is interesting, and when it comes to this particular wartime propaganda by Busby Berkely titled THE GANG'S ALL HERE, it's lightly entertaining as well...<br> <br> Meanwhile, for story's sake, a bland and breezy romance encroaches upon the fantastical, borderline psychedelic (way before there was such a thing) first act combining a popular nightclub run by Phil Baker and where Benny Goodman and his band play, as a show's taking place on stage before a dinner theater crowd...<br>

alice faye, aloysio de oliveira, benny goodman, carmen miranda, charlotte greenwood, forties, musical

ALICE FAYE AND CARMEN MIRANDA IN 'THE GANG'S ALL HERE'

THE GANG'S ALL HERE Year: 1943 Rating: ***1/2 Anything featuring Carmen Miranda is interesting, and when it comes to this particular...

COMPLETE INTERVIEW W/ ECLECTIC ACTRESS HEATHER MENZIES

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9fXh4XRW58Lw5h6q80RFFlavOf0M0-gi-ue1UKmx5h_cMyeCt2lNUVWlsCl35uD6vgywkai9jWJEL-j6dvD89WquB0foIcCZmBUC-Laz2H3JkmUARg_B1g9Rb0uiNjyc5o0bqpSossss/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-12-28+at+3.20.05+PM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="530" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9fXh4XRW58Lw5h6q80RFFlavOf0M0-gi-ue1UKmx5h_cMyeCt2lNUVWlsCl35uD6vgywkai9jWJEL-j6dvD89WquB0foIcCZmBUC-Laz2H3JkmUARg_B1g9Rb0uiNjyc5o0bqpSossss/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-12-28+at+3.20.05+PM.png" width="400"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Heather on VEGAS</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> Heather Menzies was a child actress turned scream-queen. She played Louisa in THE SOUND OF MUSIC before starring in two horror cult classics: SSSSSSS, about deadly vipers, and PIRANHA, about killer fish...<br> <div align="center" class="copy" style="color: #29221a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b><span class="titlehighlights" style="color: #4f4232; font-size: 16px;"><u><br>THE SOUND OF MUSIC</u></span></b></div> <div class="copy" style="color: #29221a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>How was the audition process?</b><br> I auditioned for the role along with everyone else. I didn't know any of the songs from the movie so I sang "Wouldn't it be Lovely" from MY FAIR LADY. I think (director) Robert Wise had the kind of kids he wanted pictured in his mind and just kept looking until he found them. I was given the scene where we lie to our Father about where we have been. We tell him that we’re berry picking, not looking for Maria. I did all of the kid's lines at the audition.</div>

eighties, heather menzies, interview, jaws-clone, musical, seventies, sixties

COMPLETE INTERVIEW W/ ECLECTIC ACTRESS HEATHER MENZIES

Heather on VEGAS Heather Menzies was a child actress turned scream-queen. She played Louisa in THE SOUND OF MUSIC before starring in two...

JAMES CAGNEY'S GRAND NATIONAL PICTURES 'GREAT GUY'

<br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuyN2UthWqt83XrWA2R5hEFdJW_jheua_BMhURa8qLj5EDQhCnSyp8Fpkyd6IG3DM-Cgv21zR63B5TCN1CebeLm7E0LICnP-Mq1XniesPK_GRzCEI9LKgFi4dXLrfqHmNkMW5otjYLuME/s1600/p37198_p_v8_aa.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="928" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuyN2UthWqt83XrWA2R5hEFdJW_jheua_BMhURa8qLj5EDQhCnSyp8Fpkyd6IG3DM-Cgv21zR63B5TCN1CebeLm7E0LICnP-Mq1XniesPK_GRzCEI9LKgFi4dXLrfqHmNkMW5otjYLuME/s320/p37198_p_v8_aa.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Great Guy 1936 Score: ***</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> <u>GREAT GUY</u>: Perhaps James Cagney left Warner Brothers for Grand National Pictures to change his image. After all, the first of two films is titled GREAT GUY, and in most of his previous ventures he's either a gangster, an endearing con artist or both. It's ironic that GREAT GUY didn't differ much from what he became famous for — only instead of conning or playing tricks on people he's protecting them as the new Chief Investigator for the Bureau of Weights and Measures...<br /> <br /> Doesn't sound exciting on paper, but the first half makes use of Cagney's quick wit charm and especially his intrepid attitude as he cleverly reveals a crooked delicatessen and gas station for cutting and thus charging customers more money — during the Depression. The actual plot in a picture without much of one is connected to how he got the gig in the first place — the friend he replaced had been severely injured by mysterious thugs, so while cleaning up the city he's got them to contend with, all leading to a third act taking place almost entirely at an upper class society party, giving our man a chance to strut around in his usual devil-may-care rhythm to out-maneuver both intellectuals  and crooks.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt_96VucvDirNXBbwZZucvmXpJDqo_ej7GiXn83VEpf5zUTBJM9nFs3ZaXO4nLvZVRsZWL0Ygg1UYX8g74zSkaX4Kvh1mMt9TucyZcxYrZf3W9Ubfm9ja1ny61Mohfu3oIF40p8HIhAx1/s1600/25994682_414667212295794_1184677723905111514_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="960" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt_96VucvDirNXBbwZZucvmXpJDqo_ej7GiXn83VEpf5zUTBJM9nFs3ZaXO4nLvZVRsZWL0Ygg1UYX8g74zSkaX4Kvh1mMt9TucyZcxYrZf3W9Ubfm9ja1ny61Mohfu3oIF40p8HIhAx1/s320/25994682_414667212295794_1184677723905111514_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand National Logo: the big hand unveiling the leetters</td></tr> </tbody></table> But tough mug Joe Sawyer (THE KILLING) makes for a difficult bulwark. There are wild spurts of rat-a-tat dialogue with only a few punches pulled. And last but not least, the major difference between Grand National and Warner is the quality. If watching Cagney's films in order, you'll suddenly come across this duo hintered by grainy aesthetic and snapping, crackling audio.<br /> <br /> But no matter how the screen looks in any of these older projects, and with fast-motion opening credit music straight out of an antique cartoon short, Cagney mesmerizes with the kind of spontaneity lacking in other actors of that era, and still remaining relevant in style and substance. And remember, not long before his reign there was nothing but Silent Films — until "modern" technology and actors like Jimmy Cagney put an end to that.

comedy, drama, dwight frye, james cagney, musical, philip ahn, thirties, william frawley

JAMES CAGNEY'S GRAND NATIONAL PICTURES 'GREAT GUY'

Great Guy 1936 Score: *** GREAT GUY : Perhaps James Cagney left Warner Brothers for Grand National Pictures to change his image. After ...

CAGNEY WINDS DOWN WITH NEVER STEAL ANYTHING SMALL

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrJljHwcXrhTBwrZiTLnrXtjz3qiCNQpkt-oKnwr-M7h4IOueUp1GwicaPbnRLG3s7ikYVr-ISwNYHyLy1xfg2-B-vp-fi-aWpZSZvm0HdhfeDNYpigyGCbPg4Xiy8g5UPl9iwbjkjHki/s1600/15284144_237247110037806_7619244260823720972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrJljHwcXrhTBwrZiTLnrXtjz3qiCNQpkt-oKnwr-M7h4IOueUp1GwicaPbnRLG3s7ikYVr-ISwNYHyLy1xfg2-B-vp-fi-aWpZSZvm0HdhfeDNYpigyGCbPg4Xiy8g5UPl9iwbjkjHki/s400/15284144_237247110037806_7619244260823720972_n.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>James Cagney behind blinds in a semi Musical from 1959</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During his last decade of acting before what was really his retirement from show business (despite popping his head out twenty years later), James Cagney never did have that necessary pinnacle or comeback like, say, a fledgling Marlon Brando when director Francis Ford Coppola insisted that he try out for... you know...</span><br> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this case, Orson Welles and Stanley Kubrick's favorite actor's filmography during the Fifties is eclectic and, for the most part, at times, pretty mediocre... That's compared to the likes of PUBLIC ENEMY, THE ROARING TWENTIES or WHITE HEAT: And here's one of several breezy breaks for the man who once reigned with vengeance: </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">NEVER STEAL ANYTHING SMALL is a semi-musical about Union corruption, and if that sounds strange, only the little man could pull it off with an edgy vibe, somewhat: Like in one of his other (and far superior) 1950's vehicles, LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME, he's in love with a young blonde girl who loves someone else </span>—<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> all while trying to steal an election...</span><br>

comedy, fifties, james cagney, mob, musical, shirley jones

CAGNEY WINDS DOWN WITH NEVER STEAL ANYTHING SMALL

James Cagney behind blinds in a semi Musical from 1959 During his last decade of acting before what was really his retirement from show ...

RITA HAYWORTH & ALDO RAY IN 'MISS SADIE THOMPSON'

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBt58NUNOlBcsTVTWp1-wpNo_P0zPYpNLS4Qmco9rQQk1blplkFQNqcvoHe5P4XVmBBQ9hP8jFx6K5qKiBlO20y9Uk7bOLSxXqN2fmS3YAs4Ykst7imnj8U95LEVw3kFCMtKla1CTx4Sf/s1600/14639637_215651372197380_277614793308736147_n.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBt58NUNOlBcsTVTWp1-wpNo_P0zPYpNLS4Qmco9rQQk1blplkFQNqcvoHe5P4XVmBBQ9hP8jFx6K5qKiBlO20y9Uk7bOLSxXqN2fmS3YAs4Ykst7imnj8U95LEVw3kFCMtKla1CTx4Sf/s400/14639637_215651372197380_277614793308736147_n.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Charles Bronson looks over Rita Hayworth YEAR: 1954</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> While almost too old for this kind of sexually-driven role, she's actually the perfect age given the world-weary experience </blockquote> <span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Whether he hypnotizes Gene Tierney right up front or rapes Peter O'Toole off-screen, from WHIRLPOOL to LAWRENCE ARABIA to playing the scholarly buzzkill in Woody Allen's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY while frowning-around in pretty much everything in-between, Jose Ferrer is known for his creepy characters driven by lust, greed, and in this case, what Hollywood considers worse than both, hypocritical Christianity...</span><br>

aldo ray, charles bronson, fifties, jose ferrer, musical, rita hayworth, romance

RITA HAYWORTH & ALDO RAY IN 'MISS SADIE THOMPSON'

Charles Bronson looks over Rita Hayworth YEAR: 1954 While almost too old for this kind of sexually-driven role, she's actually the ...

DORIS DAY & STEPHEN BOYD IN 'JUMBO' FEATURING MARTHA RAYE

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL0PjN5XCRYYHmcrYG1mVPaJOGyLcxh3WZHjRhXo8Z_D-J48mluyJB4sD0sZU7rGOC-P5wcIJyoPdn81C0zrkAhT58MpImW1ViWADKswkSL-cgS2jSTqFHME4MT6xCFvVphosc6B-n69l/s1600/85865_front.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL0PjN5XCRYYHmcrYG1mVPaJOGyLcxh3WZHjRhXo8Z_D-J48mluyJB4sD0sZU7rGOC-P5wcIJyoPdn81C0zrkAhT58MpImW1ViWADKswkSL-cgS2jSTqFHME4MT6xCFvVphosc6B-n69l/s400/85865_front.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Blu Ray for JUMBO Year: 1962</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> In the circus musical JUMBO the actors and actresses playing circus performers are performing so close to the camera, there's no realistic way the parade crowd or the big tent show audience would be able to see exactly or entirely what they're doing. And while not as talented in this particular venue, a surprisingly subdued Jimmy Durante, as the circus director and head clown, is the Clyde Beatty of this picture i.e. the only leading character who does his own stunts, which aren't much. But this movie has hardly anything to do with the show since it's a romance...<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3LOB-q5Dhy1XFIKGKrww8zk9HK43iZOLlsE1_Tg4s-AR6JReZMd9BVNT0SGdDI1Se8Pj7l9WDU-yoHZYhHCNakJzQt-eG3-11xu4oI0-ybJIE_IAOPirHstvzHi9Oz8ex01qJek0eJ9n/s1600/51NZ1AZPF2L.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3LOB-q5Dhy1XFIKGKrww8zk9HK43iZOLlsE1_Tg4s-AR6JReZMd9BVNT0SGdDI1Se8Pj7l9WDU-yoHZYhHCNakJzQt-eG3-11xu4oI0-ybJIE_IAOPirHstvzHi9Oz8ex01qJek0eJ9n/s400/51NZ1AZPF2L.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>No Elephant? RATING: ***</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> The mere presence of 1950's sweetheart Doris Day — who already proved herself opposite James Cagney in LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME and as the better (smarter) half of James Stewart in Alfred Hitchcock's THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH — let's us know we're having a good time, even though cleft-chinned BEN HUR baddie Stephen Boyd cons his way into being the show's announcer, and winds up falling in love... They both do...<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezjO-_qIG7SSfc4S8VkkxWKFLbGrId_J904lu61FaLvhREqi7cMZWy62MZHP37bLEMyrWPNJkooplc57B9glyz5Y_4E5JxwmdNlghdiEiAOjHt8ThYWL1oqGrfiJBDSVesOldyU2xRGLE/s1600/lf.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="430" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezjO-_qIG7SSfc4S8VkkxWKFLbGrId_J904lu61FaLvhREqi7cMZWy62MZHP37bLEMyrWPNJkooplc57B9glyz5Y_4E5JxwmdNlghdiEiAOjHt8ThYWL1oqGrfiJBDSVesOldyU2xRGLE/s320/lf.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Doris Day, Martha Raye and Jimmy Durante</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> Predictability aside, the chemistry between the guy and girl is worthwhile since they're initially repelled by each other for long enough so their eventual relationship means something: Even more than the giant elephant that Boyd's mogul dad, Dean Jagger, wants to hijack to make his show the best around...<br /> <br /> Yet the <i>best</i> stuff occurs on the sidelines as Martha Raye bonds with Doris — the former Bob Hope co-starlet doing her signature blunt and honest thing, here as a fortune teller without a clue to the future — and her lines aren't side-splitting but she's got genuine charisma, and provides someone other than the handsome stranger for the leading lady to play off. So, at the very least, you'll grin at the playful delight of JUMBO despite the hackneyed turnout wherein our conflicted male lead has to choose between bad and good. <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>

adaptation, circus, comedy, dean jagger, doris day, gambling, jimmy durante, martha raye, musical, sixties, stephen boyd

DORIS DAY & STEPHEN BOYD IN 'JUMBO' FEATURING MARTHA RAYE

Blu Ray for JUMBO Year: 1962 In the circus musical JUMBO the actors and actresses playing circus performers are performing so close to t...

LIVE 2 SEE THE DAWN: PRINCE IN 'PURPLE RAIN'

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD6BpMSCcPNvmLz53L9nrQI2S3yL6-trgHrrIhp253C7fFvGodffB1KSoYIqBABF673FuvYR-sZ1sSNKg7BZz6ZiHlLr1M-OdPJo3mrdLjPl9jXEC3EyDL9jfJT-Epk2f1SDFJNOvt30/s1600/13083234_10209480212704641_7675452216067803678_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtD6BpMSCcPNvmLz53L9nrQI2S3yL6-trgHrrIhp253C7fFvGodffB1KSoYIqBABF673FuvYR-sZ1sSNKg7BZz6ZiHlLr1M-OdPJo3mrdLjPl9jXEC3EyDL9jfJT-Epk2f1SDFJNOvt30/s16000/13083234_10209480212704641_7675452216067803678_n.jpg"></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Price as The Kid with a spooky puppet looking like The Count and goading his poor bandmates into eerie submission</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> "Dearly beloved... We are gathered here today, to get through this thing called," well since Thursday, April 21st, 2016, what's followed that sentence is instead "this thing called" death, that of a music icon; an eclectic, eccentric, hydrogenous, brilliant and distinguished performer who was around long before hitting it big with 1999, and then, with his band THE REVOLUTION, the album PURPLE RAIN and the likewise titled motion picture put Prince into the legendary stratosphere, relatively early on...<br>

biopic, eighties, morris day, musical, prince

LIVE 2 SEE THE DAWN: PRINCE IN 'PURPLE RAIN'

Price as The Kid with a spooky puppet looking like The Count and goading his poor bandmates into eerie submission "Dearly beloved.....

REVIEWS OF BREAKIN' & BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7WNq5uqWN7eLQdQwlEOB_UoBKBrAcOIl_XM1qKv96Q3qEHUTYWAHIzzVNr5p9L9nvG8v_mXNvE25hAl22td-b5xmYyRKsqht9-djeZhbrUyu2eZMrl71ozjvDNfiHdrma_oC6yGOjkw/s1600/2.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7WNq5uqWN7eLQdQwlEOB_UoBKBrAcOIl_XM1qKv96Q3qEHUTYWAHIzzVNr5p9L9nvG8v_mXNvE25hAl22td-b5xmYyRKsqht9-djeZhbrUyu2eZMrl71ozjvDNfiHdrma_oC6yGOjkw/s400/2.png" width="270" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Alternate Title Poster YEAR: 1984</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> <u>BREAKIN'</u><b>: </b>It makes sense that Break Dancing was a pop culture phenomenon during the early to middle era 1980's being so damn cool to watch such dedicated and talented performers... And yet it’s completely understandable that as a fad, it faded out rather quickly... <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_rTedR5X4pjd_kHM_R3hzZPLE1tdTr8_An6IgD-0WgaRjTGrMbi5vKaWvQq3V4tvxRJiras7g7mmsopBsjhFqOijoEneawyWQe_cPJclFGQGv7fbikIm-ZhKpTCx21JgyJKTxJbd8cFI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-03-12+at+11.23.04+PM.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="606" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_rTedR5X4pjd_kHM_R3hzZPLE1tdTr8_An6IgD-0WgaRjTGrMbi5vKaWvQq3V4tvxRJiras7g7mmsopBsjhFqOijoEneawyWQe_cPJclFGQGv7fbikIm-ZhKpTCx21JgyJKTxJbd8cFI/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-03-12+at+11.23.04+PM.jpeg" width="207" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Sabrina García as Lucia in Breakin' 2</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> Imagine if, in order to use a Hula Hoop, you had to jump in and out of the ring doing cartwheels while bobbing your hips at the same time…<br /> <br /> Simply put, Break Dancing wasn’t something just anyone could do, on a whim or a dare or a gimmick or hobby, or even imagine they could ever possibly accomplish without years upon years of practice – and on top of that, in real life, kids were literally <i>breakin'</i> their skulls, backs and necks to acquire such unique, niche, otherwise pointlessly impossible skills...<br /> <br /> Well obviously, the two main male stars know their trade, and both BREAKIN’ the film and the story raises the same question... If there’s a fad to be had, better bank on it... Although Adolfo "Shabba-Do" Quinones as a stubborn, idealistic Ozone doesn’t want anything to do with money unlike the leading lady Lucinda Dickey aka Special K who, not getting where she wants as a low-rent dancer, constantly hit on and threatened by her nefarious coach (Ben Lokey as Franco) while stuck in a hopeless waitress gig, joins the street ranks, trying desperately to get the guys (with the help of best friend Phineas Newborn III) "to move on up" to where she, not they, want to be…<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8eYwgFIFpfkWqEcA-lKA_vj0pST_GnULOHBnJ0i06sbac7K73o95EGR6NBIm21o9G6Hdm_JrGCRtvXxgDt92DSxI7R3O_ihllv4mRXJrbAjgDmPKQlDKGcyN0YRzz5sGZI8F41Bt7XA-/s1600/ninja1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="284" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8eYwgFIFpfkWqEcA-lKA_vj0pST_GnULOHBnJ0i06sbac7K73o95EGR6NBIm21o9G6Hdm_JrGCRtvXxgDt92DSxI7R3O_ihllv4mRXJrbAjgDmPKQlDKGcyN0YRzz5sGZI8F41Bt7XA-/s400/ninja1.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Lucinda Dickey's <a href="http://www.cultfilmfreaks.com/2015/12/dickey-N3.html">other</a> Cannon film</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> As a film, BREAKIN’ has all the makings of a cult classic, including taking itself extremely serious. And although Ozone is the film’s leader, moping around about our lovely starlet and not letting anyone see behind his wall of steely reverse...<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJe94MxVCBxF8JPjzXjbng_67bcLPuMPKBf9MFRtPw8_UBEJH1XD-KnJ_k7Lk8-eCEpmB27Y3C5As_VemxMPO2i2KEh2KmWrjyGVF1k4XBygcnRvQIX7598TQuJXvEr1u7ehZprpZ58PU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-03-12+at+11.04.46+PM.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="460" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJe94MxVCBxF8JPjzXjbng_67bcLPuMPKBf9MFRtPw8_UBEJH1XD-KnJ_k7Lk8-eCEpmB27Y3C5As_VemxMPO2i2KEh2KmWrjyGVF1k4XBygcnRvQIX7598TQuJXvEr1u7ehZprpZ58PU/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-03-12+at+11.04.46+PM.jpeg" width="187" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://wp.me/p2GYYT-BX"><u>See more Sabrina Garcia</u></a></td></tr> </tbody></table> <i>And</i> while Lucinda Dickey's training moves the story along and provides a perspective-glimpse into a strange new world, the scene-stealer is loyal, trusting, open-minded yet still apprehensive  Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers as the really short, multi-talented mascot named Turbo (Arnold to Ozone's Willis), partaking in one dance with a broom that brings the movie to a Classic Musical ala Fred Astaire fantasy element. A study in pure escapism mixed with your typical "underdogs reigning over cultural adversity" tale, and without getting too preachy...<br /> <br /> Thus, BREAKIN' truly balances all the best campy virtues of a “What Were We Thinking?” pop culture nostalgia while being completely entertaining. And future HAPPY GILMORE villain Christopher McDonald, as the group's agent, actually plays it warm and friendly... But he (supposedly) wanted nothing to do with the now infamous followup...<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTUixql8f3gF1mi6R0CimhA4l76T0dcEBgvZSu2vIQ3E_uW-myG8AW641H1dUX9g6XMeIhzrhsRzaILpWXesBzyAtDRt0N2bEifo2dRQcp7o7Q9K59bVNLqmxRaR2DRXpzJYyN6O0z03n/s1600/bb6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="599" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTUixql8f3gF1mi6R0CimhA4l76T0dcEBgvZSu2vIQ3E_uW-myG8AW641H1dUX9g6XMeIhzrhsRzaILpWXesBzyAtDRt0N2bEifo2dRQcp7o7Q9K59bVNLqmxRaR2DRXpzJYyN6O0z03n/s400/bb6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Addicted to Sabrina Garcia from Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> <u>BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO</u>  was churnned out the very same year after the original's box office success, and is more of a “Musical Based on The Film” (or a failed attempt at the first episode of a TV-series based on the film) than a necessary followup on its own: Instead of just one whimsical (broom) dance, the fantasy sequences replace the former urban, realistic street grooves and back-room competitions. In fact, within the first five minutes the entire downtown is dancing… including mailmen, cops, everyone... And the same thing happens in a hospital where the film’s endearing puppy, and whose actual nickname "Boogaloo" morphs into the title... that being Michael "Boogaloo Shrimp" Chambers as Turbo... mends his wounds after trying to thwart construction workers from tearing down the local Youth Center that could be replaced with a shopping mall unless, like THE BLUES BROTHERS, they get enough money to save the day…<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WZJvJV198MEWV3xi3e3GWgu4JYZxNN0BINur5uNHkGhQymZV8LASW7A_AiiZSKfQpTPlAguN2NC7MAxg9sh9K4xLUnE5-94oGDPS_u1DgAgqFKKqxEZojYzlmBEx2Ca7Se1otWEOxXvG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-03-12+at+11.18.54+PM.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WZJvJV198MEWV3xi3e3GWgu4JYZxNN0BINur5uNHkGhQymZV8LASW7A_AiiZSKfQpTPlAguN2NC7MAxg9sh9K4xLUnE5-94oGDPS_u1DgAgqFKKqxEZojYzlmBEx2Ca7Se1otWEOxXvG/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-03-12+at+11.18.54+PM.jpeg" width="158" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>More Sabrina García</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> This idealistic plot-line mostly rears up within scenes involving the corporate villains: a billion dollar goon and his shifty lawyer (paling to the original's seedy dance czar). Although, some of the more noticeable Class Envy returns from the original: for example, while the first film had our two heroes visiting an uptown party, here they go to our leading lady's mansion, owned by a close-minded father (her abundant wealth was never mentioned before; in fact, she was struggling as a grease spoon waitress to make ends meet)...<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBymVNdkwlKaNEu8JB5_yxGmhmicoawyEQBRK2FRLp35i-Sy90PRs8060HdtwDAsiyqqsNl1lE4oCJYITLDet2BXHY2XQ93IMzt5Sa59EYckYtz2gpUVofdzL3C2NglVG7Dn3mrBHxfe2g/s1600/bb1.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="527" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBymVNdkwlKaNEu8JB5_yxGmhmicoawyEQBRK2FRLp35i-Sy90PRs8060HdtwDAsiyqqsNl1lE4oCJYITLDet2BXHY2XQ93IMzt5Sa59EYckYtz2gpUVofdzL3C2NglVG7Dn3mrBHxfe2g/s400/bb1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Camp Value: BREAKIN' **** BREAKIN' 2: ***</u></td></tr> </tbody></table> Ozone and Turbo's more caustic reaction to this filthy rich millionaire sums up the lightweight social aspect of the unfairly maligned and infamous ELECTRIC BOOGALOO, also featuring <a href="http://cinemastarlets.com/2015/06/25/sabrina-garcia-breaks-in-boogaloo/">Sabrina Garcia</a>, a Spanish speaking (and possibly voice-dubbed) dream-girl for Turbo...<br /> <br /> And in the wise old mentor role, Harry Caesar plays the Youth Center’s leader, and a young ICE-T returns as the "Greek Chorus" DJ in bigger form, progressed from the grungy warehouse competitions of the original to an immense outdoor telethon showcase, where, unless enough money is raised, it’s all or nothing for the shelter and, of the production numbers, one in particular… where Ozone and Turbo dance with a dummy for a lesson in picking up chicks... is the most effective, actually moving the story along: The rest is pure eye-candy and, well, BREAKIN' 2 really doesn’t try to be anything but fun and banal... so this rushed, frivolous and infamous venture can and should be forgiven despite the severely maligned reputation.

adolfo quinones, cannon, christopher mcdonald, cult, dance, eighties, lucinda dickey, michael chambers, musical, sabrina garcia

REVIEWS OF BREAKIN' & BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

Alternate Title Poster YEAR: 1984 BREAKIN' : It makes sense that Break Dancing was a pop culture phenomenon during the early to midd...

GROUNCHY GROWNUP REVIEW OF INTO THE WOODS

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WVhMokHyBa-q6g7A5n_elBMR4t7DarMtztkivy-HXz6v2ZCOZfOplgBBO-DVI3pL2GPsIWwdmsU2Q9G5llNX7KsixJlPL4MDNgJ-wnv8sOaZ2oJJh4YfyZM8i4BeEWFWwlDI98hlj64/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6WVhMokHyBa-q6g7A5n_elBMR4t7DarMtztkivy-HXz6v2ZCOZfOplgBBO-DVI3pL2GPsIWwdmsU2Q9G5llNX7KsixJlPL4MDNgJ-wnv8sOaZ2oJJh4YfyZM8i4BeEWFWwlDI98hlj64/s320/1.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2014 rating: **</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> In any musical, the songs should be unique, setting apart each sequence while moving the story along instead of, in this particular case, every tune sounding so similar, it's like each character were taking a piece of the same thread, tying it around the same tree, over and over again… and again and again… like a scratched record... Or fingernails on a chalkboard.<br /> <br /> An hour feels like three, but INTO THE WOODS isn’t without artistic and creative value. Whereas TITANIC added unknown characters into a known (true) story, here we have a common baker and his wife intertwined within a handful of fairy tails including Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and of course, Little Red Riding Hood… And with the promotion of Johnny Depp as the Big Bad Wolf, you would think he was more important – but JD's a tiny shriek of a howl compared to the other players, all lost within a busy maze that is sometimes entertaining and other times, just plain redundant.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7i614coKGx0Rm2_pRjjlQvE14Vo9wN1LLx6YqWblaanKr_nU6vOBMa2giqdTvV8pkK4QJaAzcS4HcQZOGZ-OK-0Ans_oI2nl_zX4S-7von6VBbztbhZp3v_ZaY2tY7NMjAFGQKbrLl8/s1600/2.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7i614coKGx0Rm2_pRjjlQvE14Vo9wN1LLx6YqWblaanKr_nU6vOBMa2giqdTvV8pkK4QJaAzcS4HcQZOGZ-OK-0Ans_oI2nl_zX4S-7von6VBbztbhZp3v_ZaY2tY7NMjAFGQKbrLl8/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Johnny Depp Cameo</td></tr> </tbody></table> The funniest number has our two handsome studs, Cinderella’s Prince and Rapunzel’s Prince, outdoing each other's sorrow and rejection, providing genuinely witty satire and giving the characters a tongue and cheek platform. At certain moments throughout, right when the movie gets humorous the characters take themselves too seriously, and vice versa. Yet Chris Pine in general seems to realize an important element: this is a parody liken to THE PRINCESS BRIDE… And here we catch the tail end of each famous tale: For example, Cinderella’s dance with the prince and Jack’s adventures in the clouds are spoken of and dealt with afterwards, which can be frustrating... It feels like we're missing all the good parts. <br /> <br /> Meryl Streep plays the Witch who cursed the Baker’s wife, sending the couple on a scavenger hunt (also the main plot) to retrieve one item from each story including Red Riding Hood’s Red Hood, Jack’s cow and Cinderella’s slipper. Streep, who gets nominated on an annual basis, feels like a special guest star; her input is nothing special, really. The two most talented performers are the youngest: Jack and Little Red were probably hired for their voices, both obvious "ringers" to legitimize this patchwork musical that occasionally breaks into dialogue.

2014, disney, emily blunt, johnny depp, meryl streep, musical

GROUNCHY GROWNUP REVIEW OF INTO THE WOODS

2014 rating: ** In any musical, the songs should be unique, setting apart each sequence while moving the story along instead of, in th...

REVIEWS OF REBOOT ANNIE AND THE ORIGINAL THEATRICAL

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO9hpSftEN3dh6TfLnVMMP9WKLhkFrtdCx09Z_kI6W9lF79o169RVvMdxIXUGyGsNVe_Lbqxz-BYd7msBdu6L82Rli1lAdJ-_kQwekBAIjp5gDxeeqBHPTgz0xI3n4JMb72aiENNtuVI/s1600/HARD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO9hpSftEN3dh6TfLnVMMP9WKLhkFrtdCx09Z_kI6W9lF79o169RVvMdxIXUGyGsNVe_Lbqxz-BYd7msBdu6L82Rli1lAdJ-_kQwekBAIjp5gDxeeqBHPTgz0xI3n4JMb72aiENNtuVI/s320/HARD.JPG" width="208" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 2014 rating: *</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <b>ANNIE 2014:</b> To make people forget what you’re taking the place of, the most effective device is to mention that particular thing to get it… or in this case… to get <i>her</i> out of the way, quick.<br /> <br /> So begins the new ANNIE inside a classroom where a redheaded <i>white</i> girl wraps up an annoying presentation... and then it's time for the next student, also named ANNIE, played by last year’s Oscar nominated Quvenzhané Wallis, who not only trumps this movie’s pseudo Annie but the original, Aileen Quinn’s iconic orphan, is outdone in one aspect – compared to a <i>haves and have nots</i> opening number inspired by The New Deal, FDR never had such posthumous promotion.   <br /> <br /> ANNIE, a MR. DEEDS style mainstream comedy with pop culture references galore, introduces each character as if they were cameos in a parody instead of a genuine remake, or in this case... altering from the 1930's into modern day... a reboot.<br /> <br /> Wallis sleepwalks through the pains and joys of the title character, and replacing Carol Burnett as the mean orphanage… or rather… Foster Home den mother is Cameron Diaz. Almost letting her guard down right off the bat, Miss Hannigan seems more like a cranky Aunt than a villain with a hatred for little girls… Providing the orphans nothing to really fear. In fact they seem completely at home, and in control: The place ain't too shabby.  <br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ2zCbMUXtYWB4wJ8Wb6rfGpXpuI0sLQrC6AXpF2T18SNgxijdZ9yXwq5iw2eHlbxs-RGaaxnk8_ajeEqCj7pwVmz1Eaz3v9lg67ySqW4dZn95SEmccwkyYS0e-xZX0MHK7k-a93-vdQ/s1600/onset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ2zCbMUXtYWB4wJ8Wb6rfGpXpuI0sLQrC6AXpF2T18SNgxijdZ9yXwq5iw2eHlbxs-RGaaxnk8_ajeEqCj7pwVmz1Eaz3v9lg67ySqW4dZn95SEmccwkyYS0e-xZX0MHK7k-a93-vdQ/s320/onset.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warbucks Unnamed</td></tr> </tbody></table> The real heavy is Bobby Cannavale, stepping into the Tim Curry role as a nefarious climber seeking a big raise from his boss, the new Daddy Warbucks in the form of Jamie Foxx as Stacks, a cell phone magnate running for New York City Mayor and, losing in the polls, he takes in an orphan for a needed boost.  <br /> <br /> During their pivotal field trip bonding experience, Foxx and Wallis have the awkward non-chemistry of two actors who just started rehearsing lines. Stacks isn’t very uptight to begin with for his eventual heart-melting transition to matter, while Annie doesn't seem to really <i>need</i> anything, much less a new parent. Songs between the duo border banal and creepy. And as Rose Byrne attempts tying loose ends together, there’s just not anything between anyone – even the dog seems bored. <br /> <br /> The original hard knocking classics aside, the new tunes lend nothing to an actual story, which isn’t an entertaining rags to riches coming-of-age musical but a pointless attempt to bring a famous Comic Strip/Broadway/Cinema character back to life by throwing everything into the pot, hoping something will land. <br /> <br /> Not to jump on the breaking news bandwagon, but SONY PICTURES scrapped the wrong film!<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dvSifrAsHwosVYKxOGO9u9V7PXlcdMm7vPWuGICjGUtN1VjrZK43n6zeOBIJoCgr5MOM7NFnqg33oMBKyDAjEDxasTEHL1_g6kWEJbtTd1lQy54kEN9QCzixSB6dLiuSy1XH9tCD2Ws/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dvSifrAsHwosVYKxOGO9u9V7PXlcdMm7vPWuGICjGUtN1VjrZK43n6zeOBIJoCgr5MOM7NFnqg33oMBKyDAjEDxasTEHL1_g6kWEJbtTd1lQy54kEN9QCzixSB6dLiuSy1XH9tCD2Ws/s320/3.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1982 rating: ***</td></tr> </tbody></table> <b>ANNIE 1982:</b> “Why a kid would want to be an orphan,” barks the villainous Miss Hannigan, “is beyond me!” Well who can blame the bitter lush: No matter how bad these poor little tykes are treated in that rundown dilapidated orphanage, they're having loads of fun singing and dancing like there’s no… tomorrow!<br /> <br /> Although this big budget extravaganza’s loaded with great actors like Albert Finney as bald millionaire Daddy Warbucks, Tim Curry as a con artist and Carol Burnett as the bearer of the quote above, Aileen Quinn’s ANNIE steals the show.<br /> <br /> Displaying an everygirl persona mixed with a dynamic musical talent, Quinn provides the essential energy for the iconic redhead without lacking pathos and vulnerability.<br /> <br /> Even when given a dream-week to stay with Daddy Warbucks for his publicity, her true aim is having a real family. Determined to find her original parents, Warbucks makes a radio campaign with a hefty reward – perking ears of the wrong people.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGc1LJ7xIXjX9FnLqCWbEEgC_oA0eOHC3vHkLI3tUdQugRcd60CG0k0cy2W02qgnkhaHcwZiT6L4GEATa5Ibl_LOxHHyolhKs-IrxYmytJzH84Cd3b8-MyfQndHTXvFu8OjmUrVtCp-Zo/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGc1LJ7xIXjX9FnLqCWbEEgC_oA0eOHC3vHkLI3tUdQugRcd60CG0k0cy2W02qgnkhaHcwZiT6L4GEATa5Ibl_LOxHHyolhKs-IrxYmytJzH84Cd3b8-MyfQndHTXvFu8OjmUrVtCp-Zo/s200/2.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aileen Quinn</td></tr> </tbody></table> While Annie slowly warms the heart of the steely industrialist, songs break out in just about every other scene. The tunes are catchy, showcased with incredible dance numbers.<br /> <br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt8C-phWyk6wEN1t_fZ4Jjuo9jyNdatEju9ksxMiAGHVe31CPTr7CC4FuaXFjtGvZpwM07_nUh77EFO5hyphenhyphenL_jDOJ0z6vbwFOs8O71ifVRop3ykRxCKtn9K3-KOcw91ojE0EeZJJrMNng/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggt8C-phWyk6wEN1t_fZ4Jjuo9jyNdatEju9ksxMiAGHVe31CPTr7CC4FuaXFjtGvZpwM07_nUh77EFO5hyphenhyphenL_jDOJ0z6vbwFOs8O71ifVRop3ykRxCKtn9K3-KOcw91ojE0EeZJJrMNng/s1600/1.png" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert Finney with Quinn</td></tr> </tbody></table> The time-period sets look and feel authentic; from poverty stricken streets and alleyways to the plush Warbucks mansion, veteran auteur John Huston takes us to a polarizing time of haves and have-nots in the Depression-era '30s with vibrant reality.<br /> <br /> Although one particular overlong scene, as Warbucks (constantly regarded as a greedy Capitalist) is talked into the New Deal by President Roosevelt, distracts from Annie’s personal adventure, we sporadically return to the orphanage where Miss Hannigan and her nefarious brother's plot to recover the reward: providing the audience – especially the younger ones – a constantly suspenseful edge, making ANNIE a kid's movie with just about everything: including a heroine with <i>everything</i> to gain or lose.

2014, aileen quinn, bobby cannavale, cameron diaz, eighties, jamie foxx, musical, remake, rose byrne

REVIEWS OF REBOOT ANNIE AND THE ORIGINAL THEATRICAL

year: 2014 rating: * ANNIE 2014: To make people forget what you’re taking the place of, the most effective device is to mention that ...