Day: October 5, 2008

Movie Review: “The Producers”

EmmaLeave a comment

This 2005 colorful movie musical stars Broadway/film actors Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.  The lyrics to the songs (by the hilarious Mel Brooks) are terrific; I got the CD pf the play several years ago.  They are joined by traffic-stopping beauty Uma Thurman, who wears some of the most beautiful dresses I’ve seen recently onscreen.  Oh, and she sings as well! 

Sleazy Broadway producer, Max Bialystock (Lane with a purposefully bad hairdo), is very depressed after his recent play (Funny Boy, a comedy version of Hamlet) closes on Broadway. 

After a bad review, Max explains himself in a song; below are some lines (that I REALLY liked):

I am Max Bialystock!
The first producer ever to do summer stock in the winter!
CHORUS:
Once he was the king…
MAX:
You’ve heard of Theatre in the Round?
You’re looking at the man who invented Theatre in the Square!
Nobody had a good seat!

Max gets his books examined by shy accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick- looking boyish as always).  Thinking out loud, Leo comments that one could make more money with a flop than with a hit.  Max is overjoyed!  He even asks the neurotic Leo to join him- become a producer.  Leo confesses that being a Broadway producer has been his “secret dream.”

Max and Leo find a play that is sure to offend people of all backgrounds- Springtime for Hitler by Franz Liebkind (Ferrell), an exciteable German ex-soldier who raises pigeons on his rooftop.  Oh, he also adores the Fuhrer! 

Ulla, a bubbly Swede, comes in to audition for a role.  Max and Leo’s eyes nearly pop out of their heads as they watch her sing and dance.  “If you got it, flaunt it!” Ulla belts out (see above pic); this was coined first by Mel Brooks.  That Ethan Hawke is one clueless shlub for letting Uma go!

Next, Max and Leo seek out Broadway’s worst director, Roger De Bris (Beach, a great Broadway actor/singer).  Yes, he is wearing an evening gown resembling the Empire State Building!  His very gay team (personal assistant Carmen, choreographer, costume designer, etc.) all live with him in a VERY feminine mansion (actually a private school on the Upper East Side). 

How can you NOT love lyrics like this!?:

ROGER & CARMEN:
A happy ending will pep up your play…
ROGER:
Oedipus won’t bomb…
CARMEN:
If he winds up with Mom!
Keep it gay!
ROGER:
Keep it gay…


By “gay” Mel Brooks meant “happy/light/breezy” BUT it takes on a different connotation when sung by a big guy in a dress.  LOL!!!

Violinists love to play an E-string
But audiences really love a G-string

Ven I was yust a little girl in Sveden
My thoughtful mother gave me this advice
If nature blesses you from top to bottom
Show that top to bottom, don’t think twice

Who are those little old ladies?  They’re lonely, rich, and Max’s “backers” (who he puts “on their backs”).  You get the picture!  These ladies are all Broadway actresses who are great comics, dancers, singers, etc. 

Max explains the relationship in a song:

They’re my angels
I’m their devil
And I keep those embers aglow
When I woos ’em
I can’t lose ’em
‘Cause I cast my spell ‘n’
They start yellin’
Fire down below!

How can you NOT laugh?

Check out this movie because you’ll see:

1) Great interplay/physical comedy/timing from BOTH Lane and Broderick

2) An AWESOME dance (waltz) number with Broderick and Thurman

3) Lots of cool NYC locations

4) Terrific sets, costumes, song, and (especially) dance

5) Beautiful girls wearing nothing but pearls (actually intricate bodysuits with pearls created especially for the dancers) in a BIG dance sequence reminiscent of old Hollywood

Movie Review: “American Graffiti”

EmmaLeave a comment

Are you feeling nostalgic about your high school days, glorious or not?  Do you think fondly back on your first car, bf/gf, or your old hometown?  Do you like classic rock ‘n roll music?  Then you’re in the right mood to check out American Graffiti, director George Lucas’ first “big” picture from 1973.  I can’t believe that such a fun, sweet, good quality film had a budget around $750,000!

 

The actors including Ron Howard (just 18), Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Paul Le Mat, Mackenzie Phillips (wow- only 12!)  and Harrison Ford, were all young/relatively little-known actors.  George Lucas filmed in a small California town not unlike the one he grew up in.  The characters are based on Lucas and kids/teens he grew up with.  He explains in the Bonus Features that 1962 (when the film is set) was an “age of innocence”- before Vietnam, before the death of JFK, etc.  The 4 main boys in the film are concerned about ordinary things: cars, girls, college/work, and (of course) beer.

 

Steve (Howard) is your typical boy-next-door; he’s a HS senior who loves hanging at the drive-in (with gf/first love Laurie, played by Williams), is very careful re: his car, and looks forward to (maybe) going East to college.  

 

 

Laurie, a popular cheerleader, is worried about what may happen to their relationship if Steve goes away.  There is a great scene, with little dialogue, where the couple slow-dance.  You can see the characters’ emotions come through.  The actors relate very well to each other!

 

Laurie’s big bro Curt (Dreyfuss) has received a scholarship to college, but he’s not sure if he’ll go.  Steve tells him that this is what they’ve both been waiting for, so why is he suddenly scared?  Curt (who Lucas based on himself) is smart, funny, but a little anxious- he’s seeking something from life.  It’s really cool to see Dreyfuss as an young actor; even then, he was a little chubby.  I always enjoy his acting!     

 

 

 Curt sees his “dream girl” (Suzanne Somers) cruising along the strip, but she eludes him.   

 

John (Le Mat), a tall, blonde mechanic who goes to JC (junior college), also cruises about looking for girls.  Suddenly, he gets stuck with the little sis of a friend (played by Phillips) who wants to see some “action.”    They have good screen chemistry.  She’s a cute, eccentric character. 

Later, John is challenged to a race by a newbie in town with a fancy car, Harrison Ford (then in his late 20s).  Before this film, Ford had been working (for several years) as a carpenter to support his 2 kids.  He wasn’t a carpenter before going to Hollywood, he taught himself after facing hard times getting roles.  Ford had many small roles, but American Graffiti got him more notice.  He wore a cowboy hat (see above pic) b/c he didn’t want to cut his hair too short (in case another acting job came up).  

Another kid, Terry the Toad (Martin Smith), borrows Steve’s car and meets a beautiful, ditzy girl.  He’s a nerdy, short, but sweet guy.  Terry is also very nervous around girls; that creates funny moments.  I related with him and Curt the most while watching the film!

This film has a lot good acting- the actors did a lot of improv b/c Lucas encouraged it.  They all lived, dressed (no separate trailers!), and partied together during the 5 week filming.  Lucas is known to be a laid-back director on-set; he did most of the work in the editing room.  The movie has wall-to-wall great music reflecting the times; that was rare for Hollywood at the time.