My holiday movie hopes...dashed

Did it ever occur to anyone to cast singers in the movie adaption of "Nine?" That is, instead of pretty, famous actresses who just speak and breathe through some really wonderful melodies. Maury Yeston - are you still alive and allowing this? Allowing a cohesive - if a bit indulgent - musical to be butchered for the screen is painful each and every time it is done, but "Nine," I fear, could be the worst.

I plan on seeing the film when it comes out Christmas Day. Based on the snippets I'm previewing on iTunes right now, I might have to cook a goose other than the famed Christmas goose. Cinema needs something more than live theater as it loses a keep sense-ual element, I understand that. But the dark, gritty shots and cheesy added numbers like "Take it All" and "Cinema Italiano" in place of the heart-felt "Simple" and the decadence of "Grand Canal" probably won't play well to an audience familiar with the source material.

Daniel Day Lewis seems to be in his element - but of course he is. The man chooses his movies so carefully, there was no doubt he would be great as Guido. As for, well...the rest of the cast, I will remain skeptical. I (potentially scathing) review will follow!

Where are the Scissor Sisters when you need them?

Has any "American Idol" contestant ever come out with a CD that wasn't incredibly generic? After last season's upset - come on, no one saw Kris Allen winning - I expected Adam Lambert to be that exception. "For Your Entertainment," for the most part, isn't a reflection of his creativity from the show - particularly his single "For Your Entertainment."

The song could be any AutoTuned club singer backed by drum beats and synth. The lyrics are vapid - "you thought that I was soft and sweet/that an angel swept you off your feet/but I'm about to turn up the heat" - and the vocals unremarkable, a real disappointment after Lambert's renditions of U2's "One" and his performance with Queen. His high notes seem planned, a gimic rather than a talent. "Pick U Up," "Sure Fire Winners" and "Strut" follow suit. My favorite track, "If I Had You" doesn't deviate from the unoriginal pop formula the rest of the album follows, but it's a fun dance track - I just don't need 6 dance tracks. I wanted his album to have more depth - see a previous entry in which I embedded a video of singing 4 Non-Blones "What's Goin' On." The album seems to embody Lambert's AMA performance, playing more with fun and fame rather than true music, a sad thought considering the quality of his instrument.

Tegan and Sara's "Sainthood," on the other hand, builds nicely on their last two major albums, "The Con" and "So Jealous." The best track, "Hell" uses their typically melodic, but not necessarily major keyed, chorus structure and fast-talking verses. Creative rhymes - "I know you feel it to/These words gets over-used" - dispel critics continual dismissal of them into simple pop. These girls are intelligent, they feel deeply and they express well- it's not the clean and clear "So Jealous" nor is it the crunch of "The Con," but somewhere between. It's still hanging in my car stereo.

Rock Radio ignores day parts

Something about the Beach Boys makes me cry. Whether it be "Don't Worry Baby" or "God Only Knows," I'm all teary when I hear them. Play "Wouldn't It Be Nice" while a ship is going down, as in the new Philip Seymour Hoffman movie "Pirate Radio," and I'm a sopping mess for at least a few hours.

And that's the primary strength of the movie - the music. The songs are hung on a poorly developed story of pirate radio stations sitting in the North Sea in 1966, waiting to be made illegal by the British government (one of which is a formidable Kenneth Branaugh). There's a teenage boy looking to lose his virginity and accidentally comes across his hippie father, an over-sexed DJ named Big Dave and a wedding-that-wasn't, none of which is as compelling as hearing what radio jocks sounded like back then and jamming to The Who, The New Seekers and (as I mentioned) The Beach Boys. Murray from "Flight of the Concords" injects flashes of nut humor and Bill Nighy plays the exact same Brit he does in "Love Actually." The characters - besides Branaugh's dry role - give the movie spark.

I loved it so much, I decided to wear a dress with daises all over it today.

(Not really, but I did rock to some awesome tunes.)

Strangely enough, the class I TA for listened to a DJ from the '70s, I believe, the morning before I saw the movie. The same spirit of rebellion coursed through his words as did those of The Count (Hoffman). They - those behind the tunes spun before BOB FM and other pre-programmed stations - loved music and wanted to broadcast that personality with their favorite songs. I remember listening to the KISS 10 at 10 as a middle schooler; now I listen to my iTunes on shuffle all day. I don't miss the advertising, but I sometimes miss Janet Snyder in the morning. "Pirate Radio" makes me want to support stations again...but unless it's WERG 90.5, they probably don't play what I like anyway.

Losing Lea

Congratulations, Yankees fans. You won. But I'm glad you are no longer playing so I can watch "Glee."

The beginning of last night's episode was thrilling - the prospect of hearing Lea Michele sing "Defying Gravity?" So exciting for a theater nerd (like me). And she didn't disappoint - and neither did Kurt, my favorite character.

What has been disappointing is the almost complete loss of Lea Michele's talent otherwise. At the start of the season, she sang in every episode or had a temper tantrum or fantasized about Finn. Now, she hides behind the guise of no one liking her - even though, while annoying, she's not exactly unlikeable - and has been overshadowed by Quinn's pregnancy. I wrote in a previous post that it is the characters that keep "Glee" together. I revise that now. Lea Michele was one of the reasons I started watching the show and after two weeks without hearing her latest rendition of some famous song, that's what I really wanted to hear.

Some refreshing notes, too: Wheels singing Billy Idol. The tearful scene with Sue and her sister. Tina's admission to affecting her stutter (!).

Lea Michele is my favorite, musically, and I need more of her as a viewer. But the show is really stepping up to the plate with other character development, and I would probably keep watching even without her.

Come on, though. She's so made for "Defying Gravity!"

Go read someone else

It's probably obvious: I don't update as often as I did over the summer. I'm taking in more culture - theater especially - that I ever have, but I have not devoted enough time to writing about it here. Classes have my judgmental eye carefully crafting a piece - choosing a tone, seriously considering my verb choices - and that has taken some of the fun out of my spontaneous bouts of love for Sutton Foster.

So, until the freshman in my class need less help and I don't have to stare at HTML code for hours at a time, you should read: www.thelistomania.com. It's awesome writing (that I edit sometimes, I might add, so maybe I'm biased) - snappy, profane and full of the voice - about his 151 top songs of the '00s. Before you start thinking it's just some kid spouting off about Nickelback, know that he's been making lists like this for years and has a prolific knowledge of his subject matter. And that's all evident in the individual entries. He made me a jammin' mix CD a few weeks ago of Sigur Ros, Jenny Lewis, Chairlift and a bunch of other bands I absolutely will take notice of in the future. (Listen to Chairlift's "Bruises" and see if you don't tear up thinking about being a kid and being in love.) So the List acts as two things: First, he's a dude that knows a lot about music and has some great insight. Second, he makes you remember why you used to listen to Ted Leo on repeat. Ok, and third, the List will open your eyes to some artists you missed the first time through the decade.

www.thelistomania.com - Do it.

"Werewolf" has teeth

Rarely Done Productions’ latest show “Werewolf” proves that the size of the venue does not reflect the amount of meat in a production. Performed to a sold-out crowd at Jazz Central, “Werewolf” explores the darkness of a student’s family history and the fear he produces in a teacher trying to help him. Though Len Fonte’s script waxes and wanes in two acts, the principle actors, coupled with a glorious ‘70s cardigan sweater and McGraw-Hill Literature books, keep hold of at least a sliver of moon throughout their performances.

The looming question around “Werewolf” is a supernatural one – Is Cal Blaine actually a werewolf? Keegan Lounsberry, an actor just a few years out of the woods of the adolescent crises his character faces, handles this two-fold idea with acumen. He has to balance the belief that Cal actually is a werewolf with the reason he needs to believe in the fantasy, all the while keeping his long curly hair out of his eyes. He connects with Mark Austin as his teacher Mr. Alessandro truthfully, even if his longer monologues cross into territory eerier than a werewolf’s lair – Lounsberry doesn’t seem to need to blink.

Austin’s challenges stemmed more from the play’s structure than from acting difficulty – he has to be on stage with himself, 30 years older. The play blends the past and present, an older Mr. Alessandro telling his role in Cal’s story through the eyes of a younger Alessandro. Tom Minion plays the older Alessandro and with Austin successfully creates a man unable to forget the poor boy-wolf who couldn’t get over his past. While both Austin and Minion gave Alessandro the energy and care of a great teacher, it’s really Fonte’s script that allows them to give the character a full mythology. From the relationship with Alessandro’s wife, to the occasional throb from a “dog’s” bite, Fonte includes such specific details that Alessandro could be a long-time friend.

The play loses momentum after intermission, however, when the older Alessandro meets another troubled student, a black baby-Daddy whose sole purpose seems to be modernizing the plot. The playwright’s inclination is a good one; the incident allows the audience to understand what Alessandro thought he did wrong with Cal. But Jeffrey Owens as Tequan Adkins lisps expressionlessly through the powerful dialogue, a harrowing story of a dysfunctional family with drug ties, seeming to disregard the emotional weight of his role. He crosses his arms around the over-sized thug sweatshirt, paces in a circle and ends up feeling more superfluous than illuminating.

Had the first act been a play on it’s own, Fonte could be praised and Rarely Done lauded for choosing something to both celebrate the Halloween season and comment on a serious topic like mental illness in those who have experienced trauma. Fonte untangles the facts of Cal’s life one at a time, tossing out his bait and reeling the audience in like a willing fish. But the key player in this production’s second act left much – like diction – to be desired.

"Glee"-ful musings

“Glee” could have been a stale idea. The hour-long comedy about a group of misfits and their teacher trying to revive the floundering Glee Club harkens back to the “Fame” TV show and jumps on the multi-million dollar “High School Musical” bandwagon with mid-episode vocal numbers and choreography. The pilot aired in May following the “American Idol” finale, delivered to a ready-made audience of music lovers, amateur singing critics and performer hopefuls who would need an “Idol”-like fix before January’s new season.

But “Glee’s” fresh spin on high school resembles the quirks of “Freaks and Geeks” more than Disney’s squeaky-clean “HSM” and has something “Idol” has to manufacture in many of its contestants: personality.

Listed among the creators of the show, Brian Murphy might be credited with “Glee’s” bite. Murphy’s past work (“Nip/Tuck,” “Popular”) is known for dark, spiteful characters and plotlines. “Glee” retains the complexity of these shows, but has a more upbeat tone that focuses more on the characters being their best than their worst. Messages about being yourself are introduced with heart – a boy coming out to his father for the first time – but “Glee” inherits Murphy’s darkness through vicious humor – “That Rachel girl makes me want to light myself on fire. But she can sing.” The show foils “Nip/Tuck;” the characters are misfits who feel beautiful on stage, even without plastic surgery.

Almost.

The underdogs in “Glee” – a fashionista who joins the football team to make his dad proud (Chris Colfer), a wheel chair-bound guitar player (Kevin McHale), a Whitney-caliber diva (Amber Riley) – believe in their performance abilities, but not in their social skills. The episodes chronicle their trials, but the teen trauma doesn’t just bring about story lines, it drives character growth. Finn Hudson, played by the rosy-cheeked Cory Monteith, exemplifies evolution in the pilot episode, first watching as Colfer gets thrown into a dumpster, then, after befriending him in Glee Club, helping McHale out of a porta-potty locked by his football teammates. Rather than molding their misfit characters to fit the into the airbrushed world of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, the creators are embracing distinctiveness, whether that be Finn’s realization that he’d rather follow his intuition than the crowd or an impressive vocal range.

“Glee’s” winning cast, some with notable performing resumes already, deserve the show’s focus. Matthew Morrison, who plays the Glee Club director Will Schuster with a sexy half-smile, was nominated for a 2005 Tony award for his role in “The Light in the Piazza.” Lea Michele, playing Glee Club’s star singer Rachel Berry, started performing on Broadway at age 8 and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her leading role in “Spring Awakening” in 2007. Michele shows off her range in songs like Rihanna’s “Take A Bow” and even spars with Tony-winner Kristin Chenoweth in “Maybe This Time” from “Cabaret.” Not every actor has such imposing presence, though. Monteith’s Finn is supposed to be Michele’s vocal equal, but his verses of “Don’t Stop Believing” sound more like Nick Carter than Steve Perry. Still, when he and Rachel lock eyes, his endearing awkwardness makes up for his high notes.

Cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester provides the best comedy, scheming against the self-esteem Mr. Shuster instills in his students with doses of distorted, hilarious reality, as her coaching attitude proves: “I empower my Cheerios to live in fear by creating an environment of irrational, random terror.” Jane Lynch plays Sue with vitriol and deadpan sarcasm reprised from “Role Models” and “40-Year-Old Virgin.” Her absurd proclamations and jogging suits continually upstage her co-stars – and she doesn’t even sing.

As the show progresses, the misfits of McKinley High School have started to find their niche, just as “Glee” has carved one from the imprints of popular movie musicals and performance contests. But the music Glee Club members sing means more to them than notes on a page – and to viewers, the singers matter more than the songs.

CGI Roadtrips and Colin Meloy

I travelled back to the TIFF with some friends to see the gala, North American preimere of "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnasuss." Tom Waits, Lily Cole, Andrew Garfield and Christopher Plummer (the sexiest octogenarian out there) were sitting the level below us at Roy Thompson Hall!

The movie was phenomenal and probably one of the best I have ever seen. It was so impressive, I will avoid spoilers and just urge you to see it when it arrives in theaters this holiday season. "Dr. Parnassus" is Heath Ledger's last movie and he died during the filming. The filmmakers, in addition to a number of Ledger's friends, continued the movie in startling fashion as a tribute to him. They do him justice.

"Dr. Parnassus" is the story of an immortal man, Plummer as Parnasuss, who has sold his soul to the devil (Waits). The conflict is that he has wagered his daughter (Cole). Ledger's character is there to help. The plot is great and compelling - but it's the visuals that make the movie. Vivid colors swirl, giant imaginary shoes rest on lily pads, glass shatters as Cole runs through oblivion.

The next night, I went to NYC to see a one-time-only Decemberists show at Terminal 5. The idea: List the entire Decemberists catalogue on giant ping pong balls, put them all in a bingo ball picker thing (does that have an actual name?) and choose them at random, surprising the band and the audience.

I'll be the first to admit it - as much as I love the Decemberists, I'm not a hard core fan. I have over 100 songs by Bright Eyes or Conor Oberst and only 40 by Colin Meloy and his crew. However, "The Crane Wife" and I have had many a road trip together and I dutifully bought "The Hazards of Love" the week it came out. I have "Picaresque" and a few other single songs, but truly, not an entire catalogue. That's one of the reasons I was looking forward to the show. I might learn some new tracks to pin point, get a new favorite besides "Crane Wife 3," "We Both Go Down Together" and "The Engine Driver." Sadly, they didn't play "The Engine Driver!"

The other reason I was looking forward to their innovative approach to the live show was...well..."Hazards of Love." I get it. It's a concept album. It needs to be played end to end, really - and that's what the Decemberists are doing on their tour, currently.

Except this show. Thankfully.

I could hardly believe the number of instruments the band played, much less how often they switched with each other: organ, accordion, steel pedal guitar, and some sort of keyboard that has a tube attached that the player blows into. Musically, they played better than they do on the record. Vocally, Colin Meloy sounds like he's at the top of his game - except for the very top notes.

Some of the set: "Yankee Bayonet," "Crane Wife 3," "The Rake's Song," and some awesome covers.

The Beatles are still great

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=4474313

Check this link out....and here's what I think:

The Beatles are a significant part of the cultural zeitgeist. A part of American mythology as a whole and a part of many, many people's personal lifetime-long soundtracks. What Shirley relies on is theory: The Beatles are only important because of what they did for rock music. I want to ask him if he remembers what song was playing when he had his first kiss. The first time he drove his car alone. What he was listening to the night his grandfather died (For me, it was "Yellow" by Coldplay...all 90 minutes home from Toronto). The Beatles are sometimes those songs for people; they are emotional and connective tissue of relationships, not only describing them - albeit simplistically - but one of those pieces of cultural that bonds people together by common knowledge. The other night I was in the car and a friend played an Annie Lennox song I was unfamiliar with. I then didn't know a Paula Abdul song they played. Immediately, I wanted to know this music because they did. Because it was something we could share.

Open chords or not, the Beatles are more important than their music - sure. So are all musicians.

But not every musician can write "Octopus' Garden." "Yellow Submarine." "Here Comes the Sun." "Revolution" ........... and so on.

TIFF

Seven movies, three days, eight hours of driving, eight hours of sleep. I got back from the Toronto International Film Festival this morning at about 2 a.m. Here's an overview of what I saw:

Friday:

"Clean Flix" - A great documentary about companies, mostly based in the Mormon community, that edit films for violence, sex and other vulgarity. Apparently, their work is in huge demand. Hollywood directors sued many of the major producers for copyright issues (as they well should). The production was excellent - slick editing, fluid story line and real people used as characters of the story.

"How to Fold a Flag"- Another documentary about the Iraq war vets trying to get back to their real lives. Of course, my favorite thing about it was the Buffalo focus. Jon Powers, 2008 congressional hopeful in my district, was followed around as he campaigned. The other men followed, like Mike Goss, a cage fighter, had a bit harder time readjusting. Goss has suicidal tendencies; another was diagnosed with PTSD and lives in a shack down south. Some of the editing was sloppy, I thought, jumping from shot to shot. The flag theme was a bit heavy-handed for my taste, too. It seemed like every other shot was a flag waving in the wind somewhere in the country. Nonetheless, as a whole, the film really moved its audience. The content was heartbreaking and I heard sniffles through the whole thing, especially when they spoke to the mother of a solider that was killed. I thought it was a really appropriate way to spend 9/11.

Saturday:

"Jennifer's Body"- (Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried) It seemed like everyone in the theater thought this movie was hilarious, thrilling, sexy. Not me so much. Fox meets a band, fronted by Adam Brody wearing some ridiculous eyeliner, who turn her into a demon. From then on, she starts eating boys. The premise feels like a horror movie, and it is bloody. Seyfried ably plays Fox's best friend, a nerd with an adorable boyfriend. She tries to save the school from Fox while retaining her friendship. Diablo Cody, who also wrote "Juno," wrote the script, which was story-wise pretty strong. The dialogue, however, was a different story for me. I laughed at very few lines that my group laughed at, mostly because I felt like I was supposed to laugh - and I don't like to be directed toward the funny. Additionally, Ellen Page felt legitimately precocious in "Juno;" Fox's boobs are too big to take her seriously when she tries any word beyond two syllables. I recognize that it's not her fault that she has become such a pin-up, but it just didn't work for me. Also, the movie didn't feel entirely cohesive. Parts were comedy, parts pretty scary but instead of complementing each other, it felt like the sections felt disjointed. Sometimes, it even felt like Seyfried and Fox were acting in different movies - accept when they make out. And that was unnecessary pandering to the men in attendance.

"The Hole"- I would try to review this, but I never saw the end. The fire alarm went off and we were escorted out of the screening. For the most part, it was a typical, tame horror film: Boy is mad at world. He finds a hole of nothingness in his basement with his cute girlie neighbor. Scary stuff happens. But it was in 3-D! I love 3-D! Except when the director "plays with depth" (as they said in the intro of the movie) rather than throw stuff at the audience. Well, maybe "Avatar."

"The Disappearance of Alice Creed"- The movie, another thriller, was from a first-time British director. It's the story of a woman who is kidnapped by two men and what relationships unfold in that triangle. One of the kidnappers is in a love-situation with the woman kidnapped AND the other kidnapper, who is also a dude. The audience laughed when they started fervently kissing. I'm not sure how the director intended that to read, but it was more funny than concerning. It's entertaining, but it could have been tighter as far as time.

Sunday:

"Va, lhalla Rising"- About 40 minutes into the movie, I went to the bathroom. When I left, a bunch of Viking-age Christians were on a boat in the middle of a mist, unable to move and get to the Holy Land. When I came back, they still were on that boat in the mist. What else happened in the movie? Not much. A mute, one-eyed savage disemboweled, beheaded, and otherwise kicked the crap out of many people. He then had some followers. In between all that, he met some Christians and stood on a lot of mountainsides. I'm sure the movie meant something, but I dozed too often to want to think what ti was. However, despite its length and boring subject matter, it had resulted in many jokes. Funny where humor comes from.

"Chloe"- This was my favorite movie of the festival. That doesn't mean it was without flaws, but as far as production value and interest, this was the only one I didn't think about doing something else during. It's a cool story: I got out of "Valhalla Rising" with a fellow AJ and he and I walked many blocks to the theater "Chloe" was debuting in. He already had a ticket, so I got in the rush line and started chatting withe people around me. Another AJ walked by and told me she had a ticket, too. I expressed jealousy. We talked a few more minutes and a man approached us from the street and said to me, "Linda and I would like you to have this," and handed me a Priority-seating ticket to the "Chloe" premiere! Priority means that you can sit on the same level as the movie stars. "Chloe" stars Julianne Moore and Amanda Seyfried, and they were there. I was so excited, but decided to sit in the balcony with my common friends.

The movie was another thriller-type, disguised as a love-triangle film. It's a bit disturbing. Liam Neesen is also in it as Moore's husband, a flirt. She thinks he's cheating on her and hires a high-class prostitute (Seyfried) to test him. Then there's a twist, which I will not reveal, in case it comes to theaters. A warning for the especially moral and faint of heart: There's a lot of nudity and sex in the movie, which isn't my favorite thing to see, but it was pretty classy as far as you can be in those situations. In general, the film was well done, though my film-expert friend would disagree. I enjoyed it, in the context of the other films I saw, which were no where near as well produced and written.

As far as TIFF goes, it is a really good experience. I went in with only two tickets and ended up with seven pretty easily. I got up at 5:30 a.m. every day to wait in the box office line and rushed "Daybreakers" to no avail. I would definitely go again.

Please, wear pants!

A friend recently send out an e-mail about a blog post he read regarding wearing leggings instead of jeans in the winter, the premise being it's generally an impractical idea. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed.

When the legging craze started a couple of years ago, I resisted. Wholeheartedly. There was one occasion about six months ago in which I did wear leggings, though. It was cold out and I had a cute dress to wear to my friend's bachelorette party. They really weren't my style. I even remember my boyfriend at the time telling me that he knew he was supposed to think I looked "hot" but that he liked the way I usually dressed. (My jeans and solid colored shirts really whip the fellas into a frenzy, let me tell you.) I have not tried the look since.

However, many other chicks have. And it's gone further than just converting a short skirt into a socially acceptable outfit. Now, girls are prancing across Waverly Ave. wearing T-shirts and just leggings - not even long T-shirts, no skirts, no shorts. They may as well not wear any pants for as much as they are showing off. While at the gym this week, I noticed a number of girls wearing full-length spandex pants to run. I had on an old pair of my brother's basketball shorts. So, not only did I not understand the fashion choice of a form of leggings at the gym, I felt frumpy and manish.

It seems reasonable to ask when it became cool to go pants-less.

It's also reasonable that I can't wait for winter. Although, maybe thermal leggings will be in then.

We are stardust, we are golden

Demetri Martin tells my second favorite joke: (it goes something like this)

I went to a party and I saw a guy in a leather coat. And I thought, That is cool.

Then I saw a guy in a leather vest. And I thought, That is so not cool.

That's when I figured out the secret to coolness: leather sleeves.

I haven't ever watched his show, though The Knight gave it a lukewarm review when it premiered last year. I have seen a few of his stand up routines via YouTube.

Maybe that was my mistake. I thought "Taking Woodstock" would be a comedy. Demetri Martin has that dead-pan, non-sequitor comedy down pat and so I expected the light-hearted '60s love the trailer seemed to promise. The movie takes a more serious tone, dealing with a Jewish-American family, PTSD and a young man's coming of age in the context of building the Woodstock concert. As one of the most culturally defining moments in recent American history, and music history in general, Woodstock is a big undertaking to consider, especially since so much has been said about its anniversary this year. That's not the problem with "Taking Woodstock," though.

The scope is there and the behind-the-scenes building and deal signing is all there, too. Finding out how Yasgur - a gone-too-soon Eugene Levy - ended up hosting the event was fascinating and I plan on watching the documentary now. The problem for me was Martin. The movie focused so much on his struggles, the concert felt secondary. His acid trip and mudsliding seemed to be important, personal experiences attendees would have had, but I just have to believe the attendees would have been more interesting than Martin. I don't know if it he was miscast or if the part was just that bland, but I never felt emotionally invested in him enough to cry when with him when he looked down from that grassy hill onto the tiny music stage. I couldn't feel how beautiful it was.

While most the film was pretty standard, grainy, documentary-style shots and split screens made it much more interesting. Paint and pictures swam brightly on Martin's acid trip. The rolling grassy hills of the Catskills. Topless chicks swaying to the rhythm of their own inner peace. Watermelon slices selling for 35 cents on the New York State Thruway. The detail was complete, even if the acting wasn't all the time.

Most importantly. Woodstock was peace and music and there is startlingly little music in "Taking Woodstock." I mean, I'm sure there's a soundtrack somewhere, but the movie focuses so much on the non-music parts, the event feels hallow because we don't get to experience what the half-a-million-strong drove thousands of miles for.

After all that, I would say I enjoyed "Taking Woodstock." It needed a bit more oomph to be the Woodstock movie. I don't think it was trying to be, but someone has to do it and this movie has potential. I though it might give me what I wanted "Across the Universe" to, as it's early previews promised: a front seat to the greatest musical event and one of the most inspiring musical eras of all time...that I missed.

Because I wasn't born yet.

Jazz Fingers

A couple years ago, I wrote a review of a JazzErie performance at Gannon University. Students got in for free and the public had to pay $25 or something. It was phenomenal. I remember giving it a rave review and suggesting the school bring more eclectic music to campus - not just the programming board's few attempts at coffeehouses and "big concerts." I don't think Fabalous is quite big enough to draw a huge crowd. Jazz is an experience you have with your body, not just your ears. It's a sound that reaches down in your stomach and tells you to sway, to love the wind through the trees and appreciate. Jazz is like butter - smooth and subtle when used right.

My friend will be interning with Jazz Central in Syracuse this fall. Tonight we went to a Jazz in the City performance in Little Italy on North Salina Street. It was outdoors, it was the perfect temperature and the average listener was probably 60. (We got hit on a few times, more because we were the youngest girls there than our beauty. Though we were a good-lookin' trio.) I'm glad to see that because it's considered gospel that people don't like to come downtown for anything, though I don't know if the crowd was from the suburbs or the city. Anyway, the turn out was pretty good, despite the lack of young people. What was really interesting was the number of young people helping, though. A few sat behind tables and we chatted with a current intern at Jazz Central who is in his mid-20s. Obviously, from the way he talked about it, jazz isn't just for those that lived through Miles Davis' glory years. 

The playing was great, of course. The flutist really impressed me, maybe because I play the flute and maybe because he was just that good. The guitar-player spun through runs and the drummer had some wailing solos. Those are the best words I can use; I don't know jazz terminology. I can't tell if it's improv or on paper. But I can tell a tight band. And I can react to the music itself and feel the reactions of those around me. With jazz, good jazz (the kind Guy Patterson likes), you feel it. I don't think I need to know the proper terms for that.  

A night at the opera

Having grown up listening to, seeing and participating in musical theater, I don't consider myself a novice about performance. I've done my own performing, sets, design, costume and been a willing audience member. Never have I been to the opera, however.

The Glimmerglass Opera's "La Traviata" was my very first experience with the art form and it was as spectacular as I had hoped. First of all, the soprano playing Violetta, Mary Dunleavy, is extraordinary. Her highest notes seemed effortless and she looked just beautiful. In the first act, though, Dunleavy's costume didn't seem to fit her character, a courtesan. Instead of red, or lace, or something particularly busty to signify her promiscuity, she wore pastel pink and green with sequined roses. True, the creation was lovely and it matched the set's sofa nicely, but it did not set an appropriate contrast with act two's white dress. A member of our group told me that was to signal her "new virginity" as she began her life with Alfredo.

Alfredo, played by Ryan MacPherson, had a good voice. My favorite male role was the Baron, mostly because of all the male players, his voice was the brightest - the closest to a music theater sound, which I can tell you I much prefer over the dark tones of male opera singers. MacPherson held up well next to Dunleavy's stage prowess. Another but: In act two, he lays helpless on a couch in such a position that I couldn't take him seriously as he sang this gorgeous aria. Similarly, he leaned against a wall at one point later in the scene so pathetically. Granted, Alfredo isn't the manliest of men, in fact, he reminded me of Alex in "Aspects of Love" a little bit, but I couldn't help but think he was a wuss, simply from these stances. I recognize how picky that is. Some things just stick with you.

Oh! Justice Ginsberg was also there tonight. That's just crazy. 

Glimmerglass is truly a treasure to Central New York. It's interesting that such an accomplished opera company exists in literally the middle of nowhere. A beautiful nowhere, but it's even 20 minutes or so from the actual village of Cooperstown. 

By the way, the Baseball Hall of Fame is great. I thought of it as a nice contrast to the opera, an everyday-person's kind of outing. After seeing "La Traviata" at Glimmerglass, though, I would take anyone to see an opera. I'd always been under the impression that opera was inaccessible to those not in the know, those who don't speak the language, either Italian or of "high art" (I quote that will some disdain and disagreement). Glimmerglass's Alice Busch Theatre is perfect, only about 900 seats, and always sub titled. We also got to meet Robert, one of this summer's Young American Artists. To me, that was excellent. It took these anachronistic singers off the stage and into jeans, just in general. I also think the YAA program is a great idea and if I had more than $11 in my wallet, I might consider giving to it. 

Someone's got to fund their dreams.

More Ugly than True

"The Ugly Truth" falls into the same category as "Superbad" - a category of  over-the-top, vulgar wannabes.

While I didn't expect anything particularly thought-provoking, I did expect to have fun watching Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler hate each other and then fall in love. There's a long tradition of hateful relationships, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, for one, and audiences love to hate their love/hate relationship. 

"The Ugly Truth" offers that, topped with (my new favorite word) scads of scategorical humor, vibrating underwear and plenty of R-rated dialogue. I loved "Old School." I loved "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." I am not against the occasional naked butt or f-bomb. But if it's easy to see that an R-rating was the goal and a PG-13 could have given that same plot a little classier, I'm really turned off.

I even left the theater in a bad mood.

Butler gives an admirable performance, despite his character's despicable opinions about women, and as usual, he's convincing. Heigl has found her place among the Sandra Bullocks and Lauren Grahams of the world as a neurotic. But how many times must we watch a neurotic woman make a fool of herself over a man? For a long time, it was the lonely, frustrated housewife that needed to be set free. Now, we have the successful, gorgeous career woman - frigid, unhappy and cat-owning. I guess women only have two categories. 

There were funny moments, sure. And some sincerity, OK.

Couldn't save it in my eyes.

Ink...again

I just realized that my last entry promised ink but only talked weddings. Here's the deal:

I'm working on a story for my news writing class about the tattoo studios in Syracuse. So far, I've talked to a tattoo artist, a guy that works at a tattoo parlor as just an appointment guy and a tattoo studio owner. It's going really well and it's a far more interesting topic than one might expect. I was worried that they story I suspected was there wasn't - but that's always the case when just starting a story! Sterilization is a big issue - though disposables seem to  be the trend now - as is general safety. The artistry, of course, is addressed but I was surprised to learn today that the man I talked to said he hires people with art backgrounds - and traditional ones like painting and drawing. He has architecture training and design experiences, even though he doesn't actually tattoo. He does the piercing. I don't want to go to in depth with my findings because who knows if I could actually sell this story, if it's any good when I finish it up next week!

I can't believe what different feels each studio has thus far. If I were looking to get inked, my options would certainly be open. I wonder if there are marked personality differences in clientele at these places.

My other story finally came to fruition today, too. Let's just say I'm having a great reporting day! That is going to be published in the Post Standard Sept. 5 so I'll make sure I put a link to it what it comes out. For our Issues for Arts Journalists class, all the AJ students are putting out a Sunday supplement called The Mix and that's where my piece will be published.

I'm beginning to see the arts and culture in Syracuse in the same way I saw them in Buffalo and feel I'll be able to write a lot more once I get fully immersed. A lot of cool places are hidden - like this little coffee place I got a mocha at today. It's called Freedom of Espresso and is located directly across the street from Starbucks in Armory Square. I felt so bohemian shunning a delicious soy chai latte at Starbucks for organic, free trade coffee products. It's decorations are minimal, had one person behind the counter - a shaggy-haired, Hollister T-shirt wearing barista - and Willie Nelson playing from a little stereo set up. Announcements for local events covered one wall and a huge, gorgeous watercolor of a young woman hung on the opposite. 

I brought my newspaper and drank my mocha in preparation for my interview, which was just down the street. While I had to deal with a gaggle of teen girls, they also made me smile because they were in there. If no one has noticed, I love non-chain cafes and coffee places. I always write about them! But I seek them out. The other day a guy in my program and I went to get coffee at Dunkin Donuts in Armory Square before class and I just missed Tim Horton's and Spot so much. However, Freedom of Espresso is about the same distance from The Warehouse as Dunkin so, maybe I don't have to succumb to the bitter taste of their coffee - and the woman who called me "baby" and Jason "sweetie" (actually, sort of funny).

In other words, I'm figuring out this Syracuse thing. One cup of coffee, one interview, one vegan restaurant at a time.

Weddings and ink

Being a graduate student is quite a bit busier than one would expect. I am in class eight hours a day and reading the news or doing assignments the other hours I am awake. I'm tired, but not stressed, and alone in my place, but not lonely.

It's all a very good thing!

I also attended the wedding of my roommates Ben and Chelsey this past weekend. It got me thinking about the cultural norms of weddings: a church, a little "Here Comes the Bride" (read: "Bridal Chorus" by Wagner), some blue borrowed new things. It's usually wonderful.

Ben and Chelsey did not do it that way. First of all, they got married on a beach. Chelsey wore white, but she walked down the aisle to Jason Mraz. They cut the cake and shoved it in each other's faces but they didn't make us listen to schmoozy music at dinner. We heard Bright Eyes, Damien Rice and other great indie artists, as well as some classic crooners. 

They also bucked a recent trend: Chels is 22 and Ben is almost 25. They are incredibly young to be getting married. I read that for the first time, 30 is the average age to get married (though I think women still hit about 28). Those numbers make me feel pretty good about where I am, but then again, my friends know they love each other.

And that's comforting.

I would also like to mention that the movies are true - maids of honor hold the bride's dress while she visits the restroom. 

I did that on Saturday night.

Billie Jean A Capella

Take me out to the ball game

Somewhere in Pennsylvania there has to be a Pittsburgh Pirates fan that would sell his soul to the devil for a winning season. He might be middle-aged, middle-mangement real estate salesman living in the suburbs with his wife. From the outside, it might seem like the American dream - almost. 

The Cortland Repertory Theater proves that the American love for baseball has changed little over the course of a century in their current production of the 1950s musical "Damn Yankees." 

Joe Boyd (Jef Canter) a man very much like that Pirates fan, says "hell" so much during a poorly played Washington Senator's game that the devil himself shows up to offer him a deal: to leave his wife and become 22-year-old Joe Hardy, star baseball player from nowhere. 

He takes it. 

Canter sings well as Boyd, channelling a Willy Loman-like despair, especially into his interactions with his ignored wife Meg, played sweetly by Erica Livingston. But the best moment for Boyd is his change into Hardy, a truly surprising moment on stage when Canter walks out a door only for his Superman counterpart, played by Peter Carrier, to walk in.

Carrier can do no wrong as a singer, confidently grasping notes others might reach for and offering tenderness as well as power; "A Man Doesn't Know" is particularly touching. Still, Hardy isn't the deepest of characters and though Carrier's vocal talent is evident, his abs might be more memorable than his A's.

Alyson Tolbert, playing the scantily clad Lola, might have a similar problem. Her miles-long legs stretched to the ceiling say more than any line she sings - they scream that she's a dancer who doesn't get a chance to bust a move. Such is the almost stagnant nature of several dance numbers, with the exception of "Shoeless Joe" danced with footlights-to-spotlights energy by Megan Rozak as journalist Gloria Thorpe. 

Tolbert did redeem a lackluster "A Little Brains, A Little Talent" in the second act with "Who's Got the Pain" in part because of a number of talented male dancers, dance captain Jared Titus and the soon-to-be-on-Broadway Gerald Avery (He starts in "Spiderman" in just a few weeks) particularly. Her scenes with standout Dominick Varney are equally as charming.

As Applegate - the devil - Varney comes across more mischievous than sinister and he makes it work as the show needs a little comedy amidst all of Joe Hardy's moral dilemmas: Does he go back to his wife? Or should he remain a big baseball star?

However, much of the fun of "Damn Yankees" comes from the supporting players: The Senators.

The team functions as a character all its own - a rambunctious, sometimes partially dressed character. Each of the men's ensemble add something remarkable to the performance simply by doing their work as actors. They appear united, a team through and through, but each, if you watch closely, has given himself over to a unique character that has a moment to shine with each choreographic shift or new song. Nathan Norrington's enormous grin, Robert Conte's endearing bumbling and Kristopher Dean's adorable slides through the crowd of men's legs continually brighten a sometimes moody show. And their singing ain't too bad either. "Heart," their inspirational number right at the beginning, comes across sincere, rather than corny. As I met the gentlemen portraying the Senators, I think a lot of that comes from the performers themselves bringing joy to the stage and each other, not just the script calling for jolly good guys. 

"Damn Yankees" has got heart, in 1953 and in 2009. It both condemns and glorifies the life of the average American - but even that analysis might be too serious for a show just right for the season and just right for CRT. Guaranteed, you'll leave smiling. 

The Wegmans That Time Forgot

Today's adventure occurred early. I woke up, had breakfast and decided to run some errands sporting my Lemuria "Get Better" T-shirt. Repping Buffalo is important in a new city :-D. Much of my driving around so far has been aided by my TomTom GPS. American English Molly kindly tells me where to turn right and "go straight on." She also lets me search for things like "Nearest Petrol Station" and Wegmans, both of which I visited today. I knew when I found the gas station that I would be in for a treat at Wegmans because the atmosphere made my poor suburban heart clutch my purse under my arm as I walked to and from the little convenience store in which I paid for my measly 10 gallons ($2.73 each. Ugh.). So when I saw that the nearest Wegmans was only a couple miles away, I thought it might be very Amherst Street, maybe even like the now-closed Waldon store. I had no idea. 

First of all, the front doesn't even look like a Wegmans. I thought the GPS had taken me to the wrong store. I should have taken a picture - I think this was the Pond Street store, could be known as First North also. Anyway, inside it resembled a Jubilee more than a Wegmans, not that that really matters, right? There was no Nature's Market, hardly a prepared foods section to speak of and when a customer (a white chick with cornrows no less) asked a woman doing price checks where the contact solution was she said "You know as well as I do. No idea." She vaguely gestured behind the deorderant and returned to her job. It was so unWegmanslike, in addition to the fact that this employee wore jeans and white T-shirt. When I checked out, I then spotted some front end coordinators - I think - one in a huge Wegmans polo and one in a fourth of July T-shirt and jeans. Now, I know that some stores allow outfits like that on holidays, but it wasn't even neat. 

I have to admit that I understand people working at this Wegmans probably reflect the clientele since they are from the same geographic pool but I was under the impression that Wegmans was able to transcend those constraints. It truly was the Wegmans time and Danny Wegman forgot. It didn't look updated, the employees obviously have not seen any Who We Are videos or anything. Now, it wasn't a bad experience but after having visited the Cicero store on Thursday, this was quite a shocking reality.

You know what else is? People slamming doors at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday that is also a holiday. Unnecessary fellow tenants! 

I-90 East

I am now blogging to you from my new apartment in central New York State. Despite all of the trouble I thought I would have - no stove, one sink, no living room - it's really cute and just my size. (And it has room for a five inch high cactus named Merve. How nice is that?) I've just put up all my posters and pictures, said good-bye to my parents ( :-( ) and took a turn about the neighborhood. I had to find a convenience store to buy a lighter so my new candle could start counteracting the smell of Fantastik in this little room I now call my studio apartment. You know what? It's clean, it's close to campus and my car is parked in the garage right across the street ($800 later...). I think life is going to be good here! Additionally, lucky me gets to see Meg tomorrow because she's pretty durn close to me doing "Damn Yankees." I'll give my report on how that goes after I see the show Sunday!

Yesterday my dad and I had a full day. Between making deposits at the bank and picking up things like stamps, we managed to see a pretty cute movie and grab some cheap and friggin' awesome tunes. 

I'm listening to Ryan Adams' "Heartbreaker" right now, a yesterday purchase and recommendation from two illustrious Gannon Knight editors (shoutttts Ab!). Though a 2000 release, the hubby of Mandy Moore is new to me. I first caught wind of him around The Knight office and then he popped up on my "Waste" (Phish) station on Pandora. It's like Bob Dylan met Johnny Cash, had a baby and that baby met Griffin House and produced Ryan Adams. He's got that old-time feel of classy country crooners and a modern sensibility that would probably translate to a rock audience as well as it does to the CMA crowd. I'm loving it, particularly "To Be Young" - which made me cry as I pulled away from my house - and "Come Pick Me Up" - which made me dance on my way through the torrential downpour on I-90 East.  

I also picked up "Reflections," a collection of Carly Simon's greatest hits. Now, I would never turn down a listen to Simon in my dad's van, but I have very little of her catalogue and so would not call myself a fan per se. I must be now! From "You're So Vain," classic, to "Jesse" and "That's the Way I Always Heard It Should Be," I feel like she and I could have been friends, thinking about the same things. I can concede that she did it much more eloquently than I can in song, though :). Her songs are conversations with her audience, something that's pretty unique as artists usually seem to write for an audience, but aren't necessarily asking for anything back. Simon's songs seem to ask for that as if she needs us as much as we need her songs. 

As for the free Snow Patrol album I got, "Final Straw," I didn't expect much. I got it because it was buy one get one and I love the song "Chocolate." Yep, that's the best one on the album, which isn't a bad one, it's just not as good as "Eyes Open." I think polish is the difference.

I've got to get back to reading my AP Stylebook. Yes, reading, not consulting. Tomorrow, things really get going!

Ice Cream Bills

The Buffalo area has been in recession since Bethlehem Steel closed many years ago. That's a fact I grew up knowing and it hasn't really gotten better. My mom made the comment the other day while we were walking around Williamsville that she wondered if Buffalo wasn't seeing the crunches other areas might be because its residents were already used to recession conditions. I agreed, thinking that made sense. Today, though, I found a place that was feeling it. Sweet Jenny's, a homemade ice cream place on Main Street, recently moved locations from a converted house that had a number of tables and a long bar at which to order in it, to a cramped store front next to a self-dog groomers. The ice cream is just as good, the chocolates just as enticing, but the location leaves much to be desired. It turns out that the building owners raised the rent. My guess would be that the economy hurts people of all walks of life, store owners and those that they rent from, but it would seem a little bit irrational to do so, especially this time of year when an ice cream place right on the main drag of Williamsville will be doing better business and might then be able to survive a rent increase. But who buys a cone to walk with in winter? (OK, I would eat one in my car, but some people are soup people in the winter, not ice cream people.)

I wonder if other local businesses are feeling the economic problems begin to build up. My good friend's father owns a construction company and I started to wonder if fewer people would build. If more people are staying where they are because they just can't go somewhere new. I guess I needed somewhere I'm familiar with to change before I really understood the power of the dollar in a business. That's just not an end of the world I am well-versed in. While I can keep one checking and one savings account pretty much in order, I don't think a book of accounts would be my cup of tea.

Washin' and Wonderin'

I've never been in a laundromat - until today. The past four years, I have had laundry facilities in my apartment buildings and while I admit I was more of a twice a month laundress, I guess I didn't know how inexpensive they were. My last apartment charged $1.50 for wash and $1 for dry. This laundromat, where my mom and I needed to go to wash her freakin' huge comforter,  charged $3.75 per wash and 25 cents for each six minutes of drying. That's pricey, man. Despite that, there was something about the atmosphere that seemed so much less stressful than the laundry areas I have been familiar with. Part of that might have to do my insistence of trying to do laundry at 7 a.m. when I am convinced no one else will be awake and washing, wearing nothing but cut off sweatpants and a huge Sabres T-shirt. Then, I would run into the only football player I was ever friendly with in the elevator and pretend I had already showered and brushed my teeth, though that was not the case.

I don't know how I'm going to be a journalist, seeing as the laundromat musing was supposed to simply lead into my review of the other new coffee joint on Main. Nice tangent. Anyway, it's called Coffee Culture and I believe it's part of a Canadian franchise - though my deduction of this has to do with the Web site on the cup sleeve being .ca, not because I actually asked anyone (my reporting skills are a little rusty, it seems). Atmosphere-wise, the cafe seems a bit slicker than coffee places I choose as daily haunts. There are dark woods and leather couches that matched the suited business men and women seated at the various tables and booths. My estimation of the general clientele would be unfair because I was there around noon and at that time, who else would be there except business people from the Williamsville area getting coffee and mothers with children? Most of the high schools in the area are not out yet and Spot seems to have grabbed the college vote. The prices were reasonable and the coffee quite good. The winning point of the visit - excepting when the waitress recommended something on the Starbucks menu to me - was the blueberry scone. My dad and I are really into scones and this was probably the best I've ever had. So, go to Coffee Culture and get a one! 

Funny coincidence I noticed reading the paper yesterday: In one of my recent entries I wrote about my love of "Chess" and how I thought a modern revival would be nice. Seems that a Josh Groban/Idina Menzel concert of it aired on PBS June 17 and I missed it! Looking up some YouTube videos of Menzel in "Chess: In Concert," I have to say I would have liked to see it, but she is no where near as appropriate for that role as when Julia Murney did it with Groban and (you guessed it!) Sutton Fostor. I'm for Menzel as much as any teenage girl with a "Rent" soundtrack and a "Wicked" T-shirt (things I already own), but her voice came out harsh in a number of places and she gave too much in "I Know Him So Well." Kerry Ellis was a nice touch though. One of the best "Someone Else's Story" renditions I've found, and that's one of my favorite theater songs period. 

In a similar vein, I think that "Wicked" is becoming the new "Les Miserables" - everyone, it seems, has played Elphaba or Glinda just as for awhile it seemed like every tour bio you read had Eponine in an actress's credits. I suppose that's what happens when a show runs for a number of years but the more I've been looking into it the more surprised I got. I do have one to point out. Annaleigh Ashford was the lamest Glinda possible. She didn't seem to really succeed vocally, she was good but not great, and her version of "Popular" hadn't any pop at all. Then I clicked around and see she also played Elle in "Legally Blonde." Next, I'll see her as Cathy in "The Last Five Years" and realize that audiences love boring performers and decide to write a musical about working at a grocery store.

Unless you think that customers who ask for a half cheese, half pepperoni pizza, "But could you please put the same amount of pepperoni that you would weigh out for a whole pepperoni pizza on that half?" funny, which I do, then maybe Annaleigh has led to my life's calling. 

"Double Cheese" A Musical Exploration of One Young Woman's Wish for Pizza Perfection.

That could also be an expose. 

This is hilarious:

It's Tony season!

Ah, my favorite night of television :) I love the night of the Tonys because it helps me to decide what musical I want to buy next. It turned me on to "The Light in the Piazza" a few years ago and had me YouTubing "The Little Mermaid" last year. This year wasn't my favorite as far as the show went. There was a lot more dancing than singing, it seemed (granted, I did miss the first hour due to...what else? Wegmans.) and having that who-knows blonde girl sing "Legally Blonde" and not Laura Belle just disappointed me. I loved "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat" but I really would have loved to see Lauren Graham sing something. I thought it was nice to see one of the "Billys" dance but he kept yelling "ah" instead of singing anything. Does he sing? I'll have to find that out. Anyway, it almost seemed a stronger year for plays, though "Next To Normal" looked like it might be interesting. I remember reading the NYTs review of that and it wasn't as spectacular as the Tony audience was making it out to be. Also, I couldn't really see how the lead from that could beat my personal favorite. (see the below entry, haha!)

Right now, I'm catching up on BBC's "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?" I've been told so many times that I should play Maria in "The Sound of Music" - maybe because I wore a Maria-like hat in "Nine," maybe not - and so I want to see what my competition is (at least in Britain! :). Watching it made me think of two things.

First, many of these woman are very good, not just at singing, but at selling a song, connecting with their audience and having this innate confidence Simon Cowell and, dare I mention her as an authority, Kara Dioguardi continued to harp on the "Idol" contestants for. And so continues my support of Adam Lambert. Yes, it's wonderful when someone can sing many genres and be unique, but musical theater training gives performers a whole other dimension of stage presence. So, whether or not Kris Allen should have won a competition like "Idol" or not, Adam Lambert showed that showmanship fostered in theater is not something to be shunned, as the judges have done in the past. 

Second, why in the world, with so many out-of-work actors are we having reality TV shows looking for actors? The thought is baffling. I'm sure if they had held auditions for Maria for the West End revival, a Maria equal to or better than Connie Fisher would have been found. It's bothersome that producers and directors, who I'm sure struggled for their art at one time or another, would buy in to such an idea instead of investing in the talent of those willing to go out, day after day, to audition after audition, trying to keep a dream alive. Instead, we got so-and-so from Bristol who's favorite musicals are "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Starlight Express." Really?

Astonishing

I am absolutely, 100% not tired. I hate nights like this, especially ones that are followed by wonderful days of sun. I think tomorrow may be one of those days and I was trying to get a good night's sleep so I could enjoy it. Lies. The lines from "When You're Good To Mama" from "Chicago" keep running through my head; I just rediscovered the CD. Granted, Renee Zellweger is not a very good singer, but the show is much better than I gave it credit for back when I received it (the movie recording if you didn't catch that yet) back in 2003 or thereabouts.

Yeah. Watch that! My cousin Megan turned me on to it a couple months ago. This is a truncated version of the song, but you can see all of the girl's faces and I really like that about it. Sutton Foster is so fabulous.

Speaking of Sutton Foster, I've also been listening to "Chess" a whole bunch. While it has a lot of rather poor '80s bits, songs like "Nobody's Side" and "Heaven Help My Heart" can really take a listener by surprise. One of the strengths of "I Know It's Today" is the really modern arrangment, instrument choice, particularly that acoustic guitar at the end. "Chess" on the other hand seems to really hold on to the electronica in the recordings I've got my hands on. I think it would be great if "Chess" had some sort of revival or revamping that updated the sounds. You know what else should be revived? "Aspects of Love." While Andrew Lloyd's last show didn't smash like many of his have, I think that the world loves drama and love triangles and "Aspects" has always felt like an episode of "The Real World" to me. Perhaps a nice update might give it an audience - but who can replace Michael Ball. Oh right, no one. My biases are so obvious because I was first introduced to Ball in the 10th Anniversary Concert of "Les Miserables" when he played Marius brilliantly. "Les Mis" is my all-time favorite show and the 10th Anniversary is probably the very best recording out there, including the original cast.

 

I guess I'll stop rambling and just keep YouTubing Sutton until I feel sleepy :)

Adventuring

Since the weather has been so cool and not as summery as I would like - the new zebra-print bathing suit has only gotten use when I try it on and will the sun to come out - I have been watching a ton of movies. But, first thing's first.

Saw "Up" tonight. In a word, precious. More than once I asked myself why I don't see children's movies more often, especially ones with messages about over-development in places where there used to be neighborhoods and honoring the elderly. I smiled the whole way home. Something that really caught me, and usually doesn't, was the animation. I remember seeing "Toy Story" in theaters - I think that was before Disney acquired Pixar but I'm not positive about that - and I know for a fact that detail wasn't as in depth or specific. Heck, the little boy's cub scout-like badges had visible thread around the edges! It reminded me of when my brother was in the Boy Scouts (much more than my brief stint as a Brownie). The colors, especially of the balloons, were so vivid, too, I giggled like a 6 year old, pointing at them, probably to the embarrassment of my viewing companion. Though, I'm sure it embarrassed him more when I started sniffling over the love between two cartoon old people. 

The other thing "Up" offered me was a look into my past through a future film: "The Princess and the Frog." I've read about the movie somewhere because I guess it's a breakthrough as the leading lady will be the first Disney African-American Princess. Nice. What I'm excited about is that they are coming out with another princess movie! I grew up on Belle, Ariel and Cinderella (Malifacent in "Sleeping Beauty" scared me too much to watch it much) so adding another legitimate princess - I never really bought into Mulan - is exciting to girls like me. But it's not just us '90s kids that are going to reap the benefits, or have been. My boss at work has a 2-year-old daughter who loves the Disney princesses; they have reached audiences for over a decade and Disney has for 75 years. Talk about longevity. It's all really interesting though, because it seems natural to ask why people still find these fairy tales so enchanting, shall we say. I asked that very question in my senior thesis. But you'll have to drudge through 10 pages of literary theory, a counterpoint, to get there. However, if you want to know, I'll drag it out for you :)

I also saw "Knowing" at the cheap theaters about a week ago. I thought the whole idea was scary even thought my mom, who saw it when it was $9.50 a ticket, did not. I wondered, after talking to her about it, if i missed something, or mistook something. The idea, to me, that someone knew the day "everyone else" was going to die, is terrifying. First, that a prophet would exist among us, and second, that the day could be arriving.  But I'm not talking religion here, I'm talking Nicholas Cage. He plays a tormented man well and while "Ghost Rider" was a misstep, I'll always love him for "Moonstruck."

My intelligent friend and I rented "Rachel Getting Married" this weekend, too. Well, Anne Hathaway went from "The Princess Diaries" to "The Rehab Diaries" in just a few short years. That's nice. While I felt the movie had a few unnecessary scenes - like the many-minute long dance sequence at the end, yawn - it mimicked life. Though I don't know if driving the plot was the director/writer's intention - and if I want to get picky, I could say the creator's intention doesn't matter anyway - it did capture the complexity of familial hatred and love, the entanglement of resentment with loyalty and the internal chaos that manifests in relationships when it festers over a long period of time. It was very realistic, to say the least, and Hathaway probably deserved that Oscar nod. (But, I saw "The Reader" and, performance-wise, Kate Winslet deserved that one).

Can I also give a shout-out to "Tootsie?" and "Something Wicked This Way Comes?" The first is a favorite. Dustin Hoffman, who's recent sorry-soaked "Last Chance Harvey" was great, when he plays his roles true (See: Meet the Fockers. Unecessary.), is truly excellent. The second, another Disney film, I thought was actually pretty scary for a kids movie. As for "City Slickers," one of my top 10 movies I'd say, it's gets better every time I see it. I particularly enjoyed Daniel Stern this go-round. I'll never really like Bruno Kirby, RIP.

And so, I'll leave with my favorite quote from "Up," spoken by dejected dog Dug:

"I hid under your porch because I love you."

See it. With a little one :)

An address and an elitist

Well, I travelled east on the 90 yesterday an found myself a homestead for the next year. 

It's roughly the size of a shoebox, a glorified dorm room as the woman who showed it to my mom and I pointed out. It's a studio and if you come to visit, I gladly allow you to sit on my bed seeing as there may not be other seating. I don't have a stove and there is one sink between the bathroom and the kitchen. I will be brushing my teeth next to dirty dishes, I suppose. However, it's right on campus and what would I need a living room for anyway? I do feel sad that my culinary masterpieces will be far more minimal, but I'm sure I will be able to work out some sort of toaster over or stove top piece. Signing the lease was really exciting. And, there is something so thrilling about signing checks (decorated with sunflowers) for a lot of money. Something powerful, I guess - yeah, until I write one for my first month's rent and start praying for my loan refund to appear. A glorious moment to be celebrated with the decadence that is Wegmans' Nature's Market I'm sure.

I've a confession: I started watching "Gossip Girl" on the CW Web site. I have seen two other episodes, once with the dear Terri Motraghi and our clan, the other in a hotel on my March trip to visit the University of Baltimore. Now, I am officially addicted and smitten with Chuck Bass, better known the to real world as Ed Westwick. Though, as in many cases, the actor's name doesn't matter. It's the character of Bass that has me so enamored. He's all mysterious, a bad boy type, with a softy love for pretty Blair. On the season finale, which I finally watched tonight, I got tears in my eyes when he told her he didn't love her. Oh, Chuck! Just go travel Europe and buy her some nice stockings and tell her you love her - ah, if only all men were able to do such things. 

The "Gossip Girl" fixation has drawn me to another neglected place: Blockbuster. Generally, if I rent a movie, which is not terribly often, I would use Red Box. It's so cheap! and easy! Thus it's appeal! Now, I rented season one, discs one and two last night. Total - $9.77. How in the world did that get so expensive? I suppose the actions I have been practicing, watching the shows online for one and using Red Box for another, have been a part of the downfall of video rental establishments. I remember going to Blockbuster and getting my rental card as soon as I had a credit (read: debit) card as a senior in high school. It was a rite of passage as far as my friends were concerned because now we could rent a bunch of chick flick and indie films, hit up the bulk foods sections at Wegmans or Tops and have an evening of it. Times have changed.

As for me? I'm moving. But tomorrow I go to Erie to see my favvvvvvvorite (I apologize for the repeated letter. These ladies deserve emphasis.) girls and some other friends and head to Chelsey's first bridal shower. Classy.

xoxo.

Kris Allen?

Can we get a recount? I feel like George W. Bush somehow stuffed the ballot box yet again. 

I happened to miss the actual broadcast because, silly me, I went and got sushi with some friends. So here I am, many hours after the fact, watching a VHS taped version of tonight's show. Is it just me or did they lower "No Boundries" for Kris tonight? It sounds way better. Still, his performance doesn't quite have the impact other "Idol" finales have had, for me. True, he's good. But, Adam is a better vocalist. Perhaps some critics (my astute Aunt Mary for instance :) ), say that his career would be better served without an "Idol" album weighing him down, and I agree with that. The principle of the matter is that the best singer lost. That doesn't jive with what at least Simon says the show is supposed to do - find a superstar.

A few weeks ago, Entertainment Weekly did an Adam Lambert cover and since my roommate let me read all her subscriptions, I immediately flipped to the accompanying story. To my disappointment, the story focused solely on the impact of a potentially gay idol. True, Adam's vocal chops were praised but at the time, I suppose I didn't realize what a widespread issue that posed. My dad, not really an "Idol" watcher but a pop culture follower in general, actually told me the other night that he thought that might affect some viewers. I guess I'm just voting for a good singer, not a political stance. Modern criticism is much the same way, my other roommate (the dude one that the gal one is marrying; another entry) rightly pointed out: it's always looking for the angle. Sometimes, and I've told teachers this even with my feminist arguments and historical leanings, I want to base my thoughts purely on the aesthetic. How beautiful is it? Or, how ugly is it? Ah, such is life.

So, here. This is why I love Lambert:

Glee

I've never been too into TV. OK, I do have my "Idol" obsession, and I enjoy "The Office," but those were just as much social events for my friends and I as they were story lines for me to follow.

But, I have found the perfect TV show. It's called "Glee" and it debuted after "Idol" (of which I missed most of. Silly job. Gotta watch it online tomorrow.) - it reaches out to all of those who did musicals and show choir in high school. Which I did. It also features Lea Michele, the powerhouse lead of "Spring Awakening" fame. From the first note of "On My Own," the girl oozes talent but plays such an awkward character, it hurts to hear her speak. The sympathy pains of teenage years gone by resurface in uncomfortable glory. Plus, the music arrangements are kickin'.

Then there is the goofy-cute motivational teacher, Mr. Schuster. All I want for him to do is leave his shrew of a wife and get with the OCD Emma. I think she was in "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" and has this really interesting voice that's sort of stuck in her throat. That was a terrible movie. On "Glee," thought, she's adorable with her tidy wipes and Lysol.

And I have to wait until fall to see more episodes of it? 

Now, I finally watched the season finale of "House," actually while I was typing about "Glee." Man, House is in for it. Bringing Kutner in at the end was great, though watching House walk into that hospital made me rather sad, especially coupled with Cameron and Chase's wedding. By the by, loved Cameron's dress; it was so pretty and tasteful. I'm not sure I'll watch next season without Chelsey to prompt me, but this was a good one and I would like to know what becomes of Cuddy and House...

Spot on Main

I have a new favorite place. I've always been a fan of Spot Coffee on Elmwood. Heck, I'm a big fan of Elmwood in general. However, Spot has always held a special place in my heart. It has a vegetarian friendly menu, an awesome bohemian atmosphere and until recently was right next to New World Record, so you could get coffee, browse some music. It had such a great vibe.

Let's face it: Williamsville, in general, does not lend itself to the Birkenstock-wearing, hair-dreading, braless crowd. I wouldn't place myself in that category anyway. But, I think people who live that life are so interesting. They don't care about money or fame or success. They care about each other, about getting through the day with happiness etched into each inked body part, making music, and being altogether lovely human beings. I generalize - but you get the point. 

Bringing a place like Spot to Williamsville (and Clarence too, I hear) could be risky. If the new location didn't look so slick and new. The people behind the counter are clean, they serve that upper-middle-class ladies with their neon green pants and matching plaid bags with a smile. Spot is mainstream on Main Street. 

One of my other favorite Buffalo establishments is Amy's Place, also on Main but closer to UB South Campus than North Campus. Seeing that Spot can survive suburbia and its inhabitants, I wonder, what if Amy's, another joint supporting independent music and independent thinking, came to the North towns? Part of the charm at Amy's is the shaved head of your female waiter and the sleeves of tattoos dancing around your table. 

I guess my big thought revolved around this idea - is where a place is ideologically as important as where it is location-wise? I suppose it is. Any business model conforms to the location of a new outpost, it only makes sense to. In any case, I may still visit Spot on Elmwood if my Spot on Main starts to feel like to Starbucks down the street, though that is a venue I have enjoyed, especially in summer, for many years.

Til then, I'm going to drink a Cinco Shake with my hummus wrap. Take that Starbucks.

Pups and Moons

Man, I have a lot of things on my mind tonight. First of all, to set the scene, I'm sitting indian style on my bed with my 71-lb German Shepard Lab mix trying to lay on my lap with my laptop. She misses my dad who is away this week and is getting fed up with me typing instead of petting her - she just huffed at me in fact. I swear, she takes up more of the bed than I do! 

Well, I just got home from hanging out with a friend I was close with in high school. To be honest, I had the biggest crush on him when he played Perchick in "Fiddler on the Roof" and I was Golde. We've kept in touch intermittently throughout college and have met up a handful of times, always hoping to see each other more after each encounter. It's not a romantic thing, it's an innate feeling of connection with someone who knew you before you knew you. To this day he is able to say, "that's so like you to do that" or say that or whatnot. And he's right, which calls into question the nature of friendship. Are true friends those that have seen you from the beginning, who remind you of where you've come from? I always ask myself that after I see someone who I have known for many years. No, I then remind myself, friends are the people that accept that you've come from somewhere, whether they too remember it or not, and take that as part of you. I think that it might be easier for someone like my good friend of this evening to have that acceptance, but I think all good friends learn it. 

And so my worry begins. Today I found out that I have a bunch of reading to do before I start graduate classes in July. While I should have anticipated this, I didn't, and finding out about it shocked me a bit. I realized: This is going to be something challenging. There might be people who are better at this than I am. I thrive on competition, but do I search for it to make myself better? No. I've always been inwardly driven enough to have that motivation some get only from competition, for example, Paris from "Gilmore Girls." I'm more Rory-esque, or would like to fancy myself as such, that I learn because I like it and do well because working hard isn't a question, it's a certainty. 

All of this ties together, I swear. I'll say it. I'm worried that making friends in this program is going to be difficult because of our varying levels of education, professional experience and drive. Yeah, I worry someone might be better than me. Ok, I should prepare myself that someone will be better than me. That's more realistic. Suzanne Malveaux of CNN was the commencement speaker at my graduation last week and she commented that coming in first shouldn't always be the goal. Sometimes you don't learn from that. And so, I need to wrap my mind around other places. And with people, too, not just academically. I know that I get really overzealous when I meet new people and that can be a turn off. 

Be yourself, yeah?

Going...Gokey...Gone...

I'm glad I didn't make an predictions in my last blog. After last night's "American Idol," I think I was pretty convinced that Danny Gokey was going to be in the finale. Somehow, as I thought about it during the 45 minutes of not anything important on the results show, I decided Kris would be the one to go on. And so he is. Next week we'll have a serious battle - the 13 year old girls vs. the most talented contest Idol has ever seen. 

Even though I loved this last season...

...we'll see if I did that right.

One part of "Idol" I really have not enjoyed on this year is the performances on the results show. First of all, Kelly Clarkson, the supposed best Idol ever, was terrible. She looked pregnant and sang a song she is too old to sing - my life would SUCK without you? A grown woman does not express her feelings in those terms. I was just so disappointed with the performance, especially after Carrie Underwood rocked it with Randy Travis on "I Told You So" weeks before that. Phenomenal performance AND she goes to Africa to help lil babies with malaria. Take that Clarkson. But it wasn't just her; all the "Idol" returnees really did not impress. Jordin Sparks, however, did very well. Perhaps it's because she has a good song to sing? David Archuleta, David Cook, Jennifer Hudson - they all sang things that just sounded generic. Generic pop, rock, and r&b respectively. Lady Gaga was just ridiculous and while Katy Perry's song was cuter, I suppose, I think her performance proved that yeah, she's pretty, but as far as singing goes, Jasmine Murray could take her out pretty easily. 

Boxes

My mom made it clear to me today that though she is happy to store my belongings for the two months that I am here, the garage is not the place she wants those things to be. And so, my unpacking continues. I'm having a really hard time staying focused, though, because I keep checking Facebook to see if there are any new posts from my future classmates. Good thing I return to making pizzas tomorrow or I would lose my brain altogether.

More importantly, tomorrow's "American Idol" results show is going to be a doozy. I'll admit it, I spend a good chunk of time redialing to vote a few dozen times for Adam Lambert. However, I also can admit that Kris Allen and Danny Gokey did well tonight. I can't help having a weakness for theater guys and please, no one else is in Adam's vocal league. "One" was a phenomenal choice for Adam - and I say that meaning that the beginning, the low, controlled, untheatrical (yes, I said it) part was gorgeous. Yeah the man can see like a woman and it's crazy, but he also proves his talent when he stops all of that and shows vocals like that. Loved it. It's not quite as fun to watch "Idol" without my equally critical roommates, though. My mom is a great lady but I'm not sure she much cared what I had to say about the trio.

I'm just full of pop culture today. Saw "17 Again" last night with my best friend. I suppose if the economy has got you down, grab a date and spend $19 to see Zac Efron with his shirt off. Yeah, $19- you read that right. Maybe Buffalo is behind the times, but that much for two movies tickets? It strikes me as down right painful. Get yourself an Entertainment Book or six and rip out those $6 coupons. Regal Cinemas does not need my hard earned (or won!) money. 

As for the movie, I loved it. First of all, Efron has the right amount of nonchalance, confidence and charm to play a lead in a major motion picture. He even throws down some non-HSM dance moves that remind the audience that he has more talent than just a quick tongue (I mean in delivering his lines wittily you dirty-minded reader) and perfectly coiffed hair. Side note: I just Googled "coif" for the spelling - it's not even hair! It's a close fitting cap. So when I'm talking about Efron's coif, I am specifically praising his lovely locks. They certainly are the kind a girl would want to run her hands though. Thus why I dislike Vanessa Hudgens. Oh and her lack of singing talent, but I don't believe I'm discussing her. I'm discussing how well Efron delivers lines - except when he says "weiner" for the male genetalia, I mean come on dude, the movie is PG-13 isn't it? - that aren't sung. He must have stage training though. Every scene he is in, he is "on," constantly reacting, always staying with his character. There are no dead fish eyes on this guy. It's almost out of place next to his six-pack.

Was it better than "Star Trek?" Hell no. But I'm convinced that Zac Efron - or young Christian Bale, or a serious Ashton Kutcher-type - could have played James T. Kirk just as well as Chris Pine does. The man has the face of Apollo, no doubt, however, the troubled rogue part is not a difficult one to play. Spock, absolutely nailed by Zachary Quinto, on the other hand, much be terribly hard to play. Instead of flashing devilish smiles at the ladies and making sarcastic remarks, Quinto has to not smile. He has to keep his face and voice as expressionless as possible. It's staggering to even think about that and Quinto's ability to pull it off makes it even better when his Spock loses it. But I'll try not to ruin any more of the movie. It's great! JJ Abram's film takes a well-known mythology and challenges it while staying true to it. "Star Trek" forces die hard fans to think back on what they know and question it, compare it, hope that the newest installment is not found wanting because of some minutiae about the Romulans or Vulcans or the Federation.

I'm still sorry Data is dead. But it's good that Matthew Perry has come back to life.

Like how I tried to tie that all back together? Yeah, it doesn't do much for me either.  

Sophia II

I type to today on my brand-new, pristine MacBook, Sophia II. My PC (Sophia, the first) is jealous of how hot my new toy is. I think she'll cope with time, but she needs to get used to it as I don't plan on lugging her to Syracuse when I start class there in July. Sophia II and I will be making a lighter, more sophisticated trip than Sophia and I did four years ago when we headed to Erie, PA. And that's good.

If there is one thing I have thought about a lot this week is that moving on is a good thing. From a newly-minted college grad, I bet that's pretty trite. Wow, Krissy, you're sooo deep thinking that a person has to move on. Well, cynical voice in my head, I know. 

I haven't much else to say tonight except that Apple, your products are beautiful. I suppose the aesthetic might be as important as the way it works, for me. So now I'm going to go through and edit my photos from the last few weeks and feel satisfied, sitting at home, watching Ruby fall asleep on the couch and knowing that tomorrow, all I have to worry about is cashing a check.

Sweet.