2046 - Begin Again

It’s hard to watch this film and not feel like you’re floating.  It’s the kind of film that makes you remember emotions and feelings that you thought were numbed by every good thing that became before it.  It means one thing - it’s the kind of film that makes you feel new feels, and that’s something spectacular in and of itself.  I loved this film.  Kiera Knightly has never been better and she is magic alongside of Mark Ruffalo.  It’s a love letter to the art of creation so it has a special place inside of me.  The music itself is really fantastic and with a purchase itself (which I’m doing as I type this).  There are so many clever and beautiful sequences here that I’d love to go into great detail about, but I’d really rather just convince you to check it out yourself.  This is easily one of my favourite films of the year so far.  It’s a beautiful, entertaining, and powerful little flick.  I liked Carney’s “Once”, I love “Begin Again” - looking forward to a nice third instalment of this ‘making-an-album’ trilogy!

1988 - Hedwig & the Angry Inch

I'm putting together some stuff for a musical-esque project so this was a great back-ground watch.  I love the shit out of this film.  I was lucky enough to discover it first as a play, so I've been with this for a long time.  It's the story of a botched sex change and the rock music that came out of it - sounds bizarre, right?  It's so fucking awesome.  It's about soul mates and identity, it's about the muse, and the art.  It's visually arresting, and the music is so goddamn dynamic, and John Cameron Mitchell just knocks it all out of the park and creates one of the most amazing auteur films of all time.  It's a shame that he hasn't followed it up a whole lot - although his other film Rabbit Hole hit me really hard and is worth checking out as well!
If you like indie rock, and rock operas and you haven't seen this - do yourself a damn favor - it's excellent.

1964 - Once

This film is like a warm stew - it's something the fills you up and makes you feel wholesome.  I revisited this as research for something I'm working on.  It's tough to make a modern realistic musical, but this is about the perfect way to do it.  The style and tone and music is perfectly in sync.  It's beautifully simple.  If you haven't seen this film it's a damn shame.  I'm not sure how interested I am in the musical version of this, as this was just so spot-on perfect.  It's a must see film for anyone who likes their style of music, or films about music in general.

1949 - Frozen

I took my son to see this yesterday afternoon and it was his first 3D experience, which had him pretty excited with the prospect of having things flying at his face.  Ever since Pixar showed up on the block Disney's line-up of films have always felt like they were the not-so-talented cousin - this puts Disney's films back on track, in my opinion.  For me it was up there with the films they were making in my youth - Little Mermaid, Lion King, Aladdin, etc... But what's even better here is we've got an update and a modern message - which I won't ruin with a spoiler alert.  It has an ending that's perfect and inspiring.  It's funny without being silly or annoying - it respects it's audience which can't be said for the humour in most kinds films.  If you've got a little one I highly recommend this one.

1846 - Smash: season two

I have to be quite honest - I can't really explain why I watch this series, or better yet, while it's kind of a guilty pleasure of mine.  But I do.  I'm a musical fan and so that's largely why.  On the whole this show does more wrong than it does right.   I don't have a favorite characters - in fact they're all, largely, unlikeable.  A lot of people who review this series slag on Katherine McPhee - I don't mind her so much outside of her being seemingly "pure" yadda, yadda - but I really can't stand Angelica Huston.  I think she's fine in something like.... The Witches, but I really just find that she kind of plays one-note characters a lot - the characters are often different, but she doesn't seem to know how to shade them with variance - it's puzzling.  I want to like her, I just have difficulty. 
I can't really recommend nor not recommend this.  I'll say this - if you're a music theatre geek, watch it - you'll get a kick of the melodramatic behind the scenes stuff - any one else is probably best to just steer clear.  It's hard to say if I'd have come back for a third season, but I think the show was best to get out now - I think it would be hard to sustain this  much longer.  Get out while the getting's... well... not terrible :)

1792 - Les Miserables

 Years ago I saw Les Mis on a school trip to London, England.  I even want to say that Colm Wilkinson was playing the lead still, but I can't recall for certain.  We got last minute seats and so I we were in the sixth balcony of this huge theatre, and even through shared binoculars the actors seemed like ants on the stage.  Needless to say outside of some great music I didn't really enjoy the experience as it was less than ideal.  So that was a great place to enter into seeing the film - my expectations weren't really anything.
This is a really great story - it's epic in scope and yet small and personal.  The performances are fantastic and arguably flawless in some areas.  Tom Hooper made a solid choice to film the ballads in mostly unbroken medium shots and it's inspired and beautiful - really allowing a true performance - and none is more perfect and heart-breaking than Anne Hathaway's.  I'm not an oscar-whore, nor do I take much stock in them, but if she doesn't get some recognition for her supporting role then it's a damn shame, I say.  Jackman is pretty great but I have to say that role isn't all that exciting to me - the stand-out male role goes to Russel Crowe as the complicated and conflicted officer of the law.  What happens to him is heart-breaking in a very bizarre way.  I want to say a lot more, but I won't and will leave that for you to discover. 
If you like musicals of epic scope you'll dig this.  I did find it a touch long in some spots - and some of the sing-songy dialogue I could have done without - give me a proper song and music or just speak dialogue, I say! 
But all in all, a hell of a show well done!  See it on the big screen with the big sound if you're going to see it at all.

1782 - Muppet's Christmas Carol

This is one of my favourite Christmas films and while it made me feel super old to realize that it's the 20th anniversary of this film it was my delight in being able to share this with my little guy for the first time.  He's a fan of the muppets and his only concern was whether Sweetums would be in the film or not (he has a love/hate relationship with Sweetums).  Ultimately he dug the hell out of it despite the 3rd Ghost terrifying him.  The film ended and he declared "I loved it! And we're NEVER GOING TO WATCH IT AGAIN. EVER!"  We'll see next year...

For me, it's a pure and constant pleasure.  The music, the jokes, it's all working and Michael Caine fits in perfectly with the madness and yet gives it a poignant touch.  Outside of Bill Murray he could very well be my favourite Scrooge, and it terms of the classic approach, I think he safely is.

If you've never seen this version of this classic then you really owe it to yourself to - they put it out on Bluray this year for the anniversary and at $20 it's a pretty good price, although I'm sure you can find it on DVD even cheaper.  If you watch this and don't love it, you have no soul...

1775 - Across the Universe

When this first came out I remember a review that said watching this film and how it treated the Beatles songs was akin to watching a neighbour molest his children.  That's a bit harsh - the musical re-imaginings are actually quite good and the strongest part of this film.  I saw this film in the theatres and despite not really liking it all that much, I really liked the soundtrack.  Now, years later, my young son is really into the Beatles and so I needed something to watch/listen to in the background so this fit the bill quite nicely.
Julie Taymor  is a visual phenom - no denying that - but holy shit can she not string a story together into this clusterfuck of a film.  It's actually kind of lazy and insulting.  Characters like Prudence exists, mostly just so that other characters can sing Dear Prudence.  The leads are strong given what they've got to work with.  It's a melodramatic puff piece.  Here's the thing - it's worth checking out for the music interpretations alone - but watch it more like you would a porno - assume that it's really just all about the music/sex and that everything is merely filler to get you from one place to the next.  That's really what it is.
I vowed I'd never watch this again, but here I am - so perhaps it's not all that terrible.  And if it is your neighbour molesting your kids, well, at least they're singing some pretty great songs while they're doing it.

1732 - Smash: season one

I was one of those people who absolutely loved the pilot for Glee, and then couldn't make it through the first season.  I love me a good musical, but just as much I love story and character development, and sadly for Glee, it doesn't really know what that is.  Smash, on the other hand, seemed to put those things first.  The pilot started with a question "Who will play Marilyn?" and I loved that it became the central question of the finale. 
Here is a show that I finding myself loving aspects of and feeling 'meh' about a great deal otherwise.  The musical numbers are, for the most part, pretty damn outstanding.  And I'll argue with anyone who claims that this isn't one of the best show series currently on television.  The biggest problem with this show is that... well... I don't really LOVE any of the characters.  I like Derek.  I like Cartright.  I like Tom and Julie.  I find Angelica Houston's character to be... well... played by Angelica Houston (nothing against her - I just have never been a fan).  And then there's the character of Ellis who I know I'm supposed to hate - but he actually makes me angry, mostly because I just have a hard time buying that they'd let the little shit stick around.  And then there's the character of Dev, who I've never liked.  And don't get me started on Debra Messing's son character...
If you like musicals and Broadway there's a good chance you'll like this show as it's a window into that world.  The biggest problem I forsee is that I just don't see how this show continues past a second season.  What keeps it motivated and interesting?  Hopefully they've got something up their sleeves.  I like this show quite a bit, but I don't love it.  Let's see if a second season can change that...

1720 - Annie

This was Ephraim's movie night selection and, due to it's length, had to be split into two.  It's been a long time since I've seen this, probably not since I was in high school and we performed the musical.  This is a musical full of great songs, but the film version has some absolutely phenomenal choreography.  Anyone wanting to study a musical that makes ridiculously difficult dancing seem effortless, here's a great one.  And on top of that you've got a really stellar cast with Albert Finney, Carole Burnette, Bernadette Peters (bit of a crush on her, I have), and the always awesome Tim Curry (for extra fun make this a double feature with Rocky Horror!).
When we finished watching Ephraim turned to me and said, "Let's watch that one again some time.  It was a good one."  I have to agree.

1708 - The Muppets

You don't have to know me all that well to know that I'm kind of a Muppet nerd.  Kermit was my favorite doll when I was a kid, and because of him my favorite color was green.  I have a Muppets Take Manhattan poster in my office, as well as an original Muppets lunchbox, and my own customized Muppet from FAO Swartz.  So there it is. 
I'm also a fan of Jason Segal and Amy Adams and so when I saw this in theatres I had high hopes.  I remember feeling weird while watching it.  Almost like I wanted to like it more than I was.  It's full of some great moments, but a lot that are just... well.. good.
I love half of the songs (Everything that I Need, Pictures in my Head, Man or Muppet) and the rest just feel like filler, and not great filler.  Actually there are some songs in this that I downright dislike.  Chris Cooper doesn't fit.  I don't know why, but he didn't add anything to the mix for me, and I HATE the "maniacal laugh" bit.  Did people actually find that funny?
So as a re-introduction film, it was pretty decent.  But I'd like to think that there's still a great Muppet film coming down the pipeline.  This one was just merely good for me.  I'm still glad I sprang for the Wokka Wokka edition bluray! :)

1664 - The Muppet Christmas Carol

It's funny, having revisited a lot of the Muppet collection recently this may very well be one of my favorite among them.  I think the original is still tops, but this might be my second favorite (will confirm that when I revisit the newest film...).
I was a teenager when my mother passed away at Christmas time and so it was always a bit of a gloomy time of year for me, but if nothing else this was one of those films that could always put a smile on my face and get me into the holiday spirit.  I really do need to find a DVD version of the film as my VHS is starting to get a tad worn...
If you've never seen this it's a real treat - it stays extremely true to the Dicken's story and is easily the Muppet's best (and probably only good) adaptation of a classic work.  Full of catchy and delightful music, and a really solid performance from Michael Caine, this is a holiday classic that you just can't miss.  I love it to pieces!

1653 - The Muppets Take Manhattan

Found the above photo and couldn't help but use it.  Ephraim and I got through these a lot faster than I thought we were, even though we watched them in sections.  I remember not being particularly fond of this one as a kid.  It's my wife's favorite, and I think it was the first film she saw in the theatre.  I guess for me it just didn't feel big enough - most of it takes place in a diner and the gang is more or less broken up for the majority of the film.  Not to mention they all disband and leave Kermit to carry the heavy load, essentially saying, "We're all going to move on with our lives, but give us a shout if you so happen to find a way to make us all rich and famous".  Kind of makes them all assholes, really... and there are just too many easy plot moves at the end.  Kermit's amnesia is great but them finding him is way too easy.  I know this is a kid's film, but I still think the storytelling was just a tad weak in this one.  Also... I kind of think Miss Piggy is annoying... there, I said it.  And so any time she's mad at him for being with another woman, I kind of like it... :)
I'm railing on this one a bit, but I still enjoyed it enough, it's just not a great film.  I still think that the first one is the strongest of the original three, and I've got a better appreciation of the newest one as well, which I'm going to try and revisit sooner rather than later...

Billy Elliot: The Musical

For the last couple years we've been buying my Dad tickets to things for Christmas and this year he picked this and we decided to tag along.  I only kind of remembered the film version of this so it was nice to be able to go into it fresh.  The show's had a decent run so far and with music by Elton John, I mean, what's not to like right?  Right?...
Billy Elliot is the story of a young boy whose mother has just died and he grows up surrounded by working class people, but has dreams of something more.  So, if you know me, you know that I should have a pretty damn personal connection to this story.  First off, the production design is fantastic - which is expected.  The show looks great, the dancing is really phenomenal, especially considering that the heavy lifting is done by a twelve year old.  But this is also the major problem with the show - so much effort is put into the spectacle of the show that they didn't bother making me care.  First off, I know history, and even I was confused by all of the Strike business.  And SPOILER ALERT, but I have no idea what happened at the end.  They lost the strike, which was a bad thing, but yet the men were all going back to work, but they were apparently going to be part of a dying industry, and yet someone they could still afford to send Billy to school... what?! 
At three hours long the show could use some trimming.  There are a number of numbers that are there just because they're cute and serve no purpose to the story.  A character like the grandmother could have been cut entirely and it wouldn't have mattered a single bit.  Not that I didn't enjoy her, but she didn't contribute anything.  The majority of the dance numbers, like the one where Billy first discovers the ballet class, go on and on and on without moving the story along.  And with music from Elton John, leaving the theatre I couldn't recall a single piece to hum along to.  It was forgettable. 
There were some laughs, and some nice little moments, but honestly, when I pay the kind of money you have to pay to see a show like this, I want to be taken on a journey, and this show was all razzle dazzle and no substance, sadly.  Given how long a run it's had I'm sure that others disagree, but I can't recommend this show.  Sorry Billy Elliot, I wanted to like you, but you were just entertaining, and that's not enough.

1557 - Nine

I remember seeing the marketing campaign for this film and thinking it looked pretty damn cool - and of course, that's exactly what they wanted you to think.  It's a beautiful looking film, it's full of talented people, and it's a re-make/re-imagining of one of the most beloved foreign films of all time, and it's spear-headed by Rob Marshall who did a pretty damn good job with Chicago.  What could possibly go wrong?
Well, there is great irony in this, a film about a director who has lost the ability to make something with substance, ends up being the lead character in a film that's about as shallow as it can come.  The film just feels like we're waiting for the next set-up to a dance sequence - all of which look more or less the same but with different people singing them.  It's probably unaware of the comment this film is actually making on current cinema - the idea that all these people have been hired and are sitting around and waiting even though there is no script, probably isn't far off some productions made these days.  As long as it looks good and you through the right cast in there shouldn't be a problem, right?  Sadly, it appears that they applied that logic to this film. 
I didn't have massive built up expectations going into this film but given how many talented people were involved in this I have to say that I was greatly disappointed in it from nuts to bolts.  Does it look good?  Does it have some fun song and dance sequences?  Sure.  But it's not enough.
If you're looking for a good english-language homage to 8 1/2 then instead I recommend checking out one of my favourite Woody Allen films Stardust Memories - classic vintage Woody filled with wonderful characters, dialogue, and ideas that, in the end, actually amounts to something in the end.
Nine  Nine [Blu-ray]

1488 - Crazy Heart

I had wanted to see this film last year when it first came out and getting lots of buzz, but now thanks to the wonders of netflix I've finally seen it.
Jeff Bridges is pretty goddamn fantastic here. It's no small wonder that he won an oscar for this role. First off, he's effortless in the part of a country singer - you buy it - in fact I'd be surprised if he wasn't approached to do an album at some point. But as a singer, he's a mess. And while we already like him, we grow to love him as we see him interact with Jean and her son.
I love Maggie Gyllenhaal, I think that she's fearless and she does wonders with whatever she's given. She excels at strong women that are flawed. Here she plays a woman who is consumed by feelings for Bad (Bridges), but yet knows that she has to be a mother first.
There is no shortage of films about people on their way to hitting rock bottom, but it's a hard type of film to do without resorting to the cliched or melodramatic. Here, it's pretty damn near perfect. You believe that these two people are falling for one another, and you know that the choice she makes is the right one - for both of them. I won't say too much to save on the spoilers.
Colin Farrell shows up briefly in a role that could have easily been the cliche protege who forgets where he's come from, but they make a real character out of him - he loves and respects Bad - he doesn't forget that he owes the man everything.
This was a lovely little film full of great performances, wonderful honest storytelling, and some pretty damn fine music by genius T Bone Burnett.
If you like films about real people with flaws and all - and if you like country music (which I myself are not particularly fond of), well then you can't go wrong with this one. It's a gem.

1460 - Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (commentary)

If you've read my blog at all you know that I absolutely love the comic series this is based on, and you know that I had a luke-warm response to the film. I still haven't revisited it to make sure it wasn't just because I was too close to the series at the time. Regardless of that I still picked up the film today when it came out - and on BluRay no less! Look at me!

The reason? I love everyone involved in this project? I think Edgar Wright got his ass handed to him a bit when this film performed poorly at the box office, and because I think he's a gifted filmmaker I want to show my support for him by voting with my wallet. Hopefully others do the same. It wasn't hard to convince myself to pick this up given how loaded to the tits it was with special features. At this point with my netflix and zip it's really the only thing that's going to keep me buying new films and adding them to my collection.

So I listened to the filmmaker commentary with Wright, O'Malley, and Becall. I have to say that it was a little 'meh'. Not horrible by any means, but I didn't really learn to much about them or their process other than what I'd already read or heard in interviews. It was a bit lackluster. I have no idea what I was expecting, but it just felt a little basic.

So I will re-watch this film as a film at some point in the near future and see if my opinions have changed any. Who knows - I'm an inconsistant bastard.

1436 - This Movie is Broken

I'm only a casual fan of Broken Social Scene (which will probably change now) but I loved the idea and the trailer for this film, and since it was playing on my flight home from Calgary I couldn't pass up the chance to watch it. I love how Bruce is turning out films these days, but his quality doesn't suffer do to it. The love story here is pretty simple, and the film actually plays, more or less, as a concert doc that has this side love-story going on with it. The film cleverly using music to enhance the emotional impact of the relationship - some would call it a crutch, but I think it's intentional and serves it well. It's beautifully shot and you feel like you're at one of those most amazing unique concerts ever. I'll definitely be putting an effort into listening to more Broken Social Scene now. With the exception of a sequence later on in the film that doesn't feel like it fits at all to me, this is a pretty lovely film. Check it out.

1426 - Score: A Hockey Musical

I'm not a hockey fan so it's hard for me to really judge this film from an appropriate standpoint. What's great about it is that Michael is really trying to make films for Canadians. I really loved One Week and so it's easy to see where his passion for the country lays, and I think that's a pretty damn fantastic thing. The audience at the Edmonton premiere were in fits of non-stop laughs and cheers, and so while it's not necessarily my thing, I think it could do pretty well across the country.

1348 - Dr. Horrible's Song-Along-Blog

I don't really have a whole lot to say about this other than I really quite enjoyed it. The actors and everyone is having a lot of fun - for good reason. It's full of really fun and catchy music. Now I need to check out the musical commentary.
This is very very easy to recommend, especially if you're a Joss fan. Check it out!