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My movie passion began when I was a little, very little boy “looking for strawberries in the woods”. I love to seat in the dark and to escape to the movies’ magic world. I can honestly say that I like almost all genres, but my heart has always been with the musical and the fantastic (horror included). This may sound strange, but both genres deal with fantasy worlds and I find it irresistible. One day someone asked me what criteria did I use when I rated the movies. The answer is simple, I see the movies with my heart. I like movies that make me feel something and I rarely have patience for what people call intellectual films. You can call me dumb. To read the reviews just click on the covers; As for the rating, it's from 1 (awful) to 5 (excellent) stars. |
| Last update: April 13th, 2008 |
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WORDS AND MUSIC BY JERRY HERMAN - A Review by Jorge While I was watching this great documentary I couldn’t stop thinking that I wish there were more Jerry Herman musicals. For someone who began his career in the late 50s, we should have more shows by him; I’m sure the musical theatre would be a richer place. |
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A closer look at Jerry’s life and career, it has in Jerry himself the perfect storyteller. He simply loves his work and his enthusiasm and joy of living are contagious. A host of stars (Carol Channing, Angela Lansbury, Charles Nelson Reilly, Michael Feinstein, Fred Ebb, George Hearn and many others) talk about him and his shows, and they do it with affection and respect. Thank you Mr. Herman for all the joy and pleasure you have given us. Rate: |
SWEENEY TODD - A Review by Miss Diva I know I should have written this review early, but laziness is a thing that happens very often to middle aged women like me. But since this movie was recently release on DVD I think it’s about time for me to say what I think about it. |
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The problem was when I heard that dear Johnny Depp and Helena Bonhman Carter were cast in the leading roles. Could they sing? Weren’t they too young for the roles? Would this movie be a terrible mistake? Well, my worst fears didn’t happen, but the end result was a little disappointing. |
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NAKED BOYS SINGING - A Review by Jorge Oh, this is fun! I never thought this would be so fun. |
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I can’t make comparisons with the stage show, but I guess directors Robert Schrock (who directed and conceived the stage play) and Troy Christian managed to get the spirit of it intact. There’s no doubt that the target audience is a gay one and I confess I didn’t knew this was so gay in content (I thought it was only gay because of all the naked boys), but I believe everyone can have a good time with it. Unless you are shy of male genitals (I am not, for the contrary) there’s nothing shocking here. Everything is done in the best of tastes, the music is pleasant, the lyrics are sometimes hilarious (“Perky Little Porn Star” and “Jack’s Song”), the choreography is funny and the sense of seeing a live show is here. In fact, this movie is basically the shooting of the stage play, with some cinematic effects to rich the events. As for the naked boys, they surprised me with their strong voices, good dance movements, acting abilities and the way they easily face their nudity performances. The big moments were “Jack’s Song”, with choreography that would make Tommy Tune proud, Kevin Stea as “The Naked Maid” and the opening number. Not every number is a comic one, so there’s the tender “Window to Window” or the sad “Kris, Look What You’ve Missed”. Snooty performer Jason Currie has the worst moment of the movie with the “Robert Mitchum” song, but he redeems himself with “The Entertainer”. In fact, although each one of us will have his favorites (mines are Kevin Stea, Joe Souza and Joseph Keane) I believe everyone gives their best and they work perfectly as a team. This musical revue is a good piece of entertainment and the fact that it has a few guys in the nude also contributes to the party. In fact it’s perfect to be shown among a friends, or even family, party. Don’t miss the DVD extras. Rate: |
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ENCHANTED - A Review by Miss Diva Once upon a time, in the magic land of Andalasia, the beautiful Giselle is about to marry her prince, but his jealously stepmother tricks the poor girl and sends her to the real world, more exactly to New York. Once there she meets Robert and his small daughter; they both decide to help her find her prince. In the meantime, the prince follows her to New York and so does the evil stepmother. Disney returns to the land of the fairy-tales and the result is a funny comedy with songs. I always dreamed of being a princess with a gorgeous Prince Charming and I |
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would love to be able to enchant animals with my singing voice (I tried, but it was a big failure). Here, Giselle has to do with not very gracious animals, but on the other hand she had two good-looking guys to choose. One is the cute James Marsden as the silly singing Prince, the other the charming and very real Patrick Dempsey as Robert; both actors are very convincing in their roles and if I were in Giselle’s shoes I would have a hard time choosing with which one I wanted to live happily ever after. |
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THE DANGEROUS CHRISTMAS OF RED RIDING HOOD - A Review by Jorge On November 1965, the ABC Network broadcasted for the first time the television special THE DANGEROUS CHRISTMAS OF RED RIDING HOOD, also known as OH WOLF, POOR WOLF!, where the famous fairy tale is told by the Wolf, who doesn’t see himself as the bad guy. |
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and white, with cardboard sets, theatrical acting and static camera work, this looks dated, but it doesn’t mean that’s uninteresting. |
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ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - A Review by Miss Diva Jude (Jim Sturgess) is a British lad who goes to the States looking for his father; there he meets Max (Joe Anderson) and they become friends. Later Max introduces him to his sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) and the boy fells in love with her. Meanwhile, the Vietnam War goes in full steam and Lucy’s boyfriend dies overseas. She joins the boys in New York, falls in love with Jude and they all live in a funny/artistic environment. Things change when Max is forced to go to Vietnam and America starts fighting against the war. |
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Julie Taymor is the director responsible for Broadway’s big hit THE LION KING. Personally, although is has some brilliant moments, I didn’t like that musical; so I approached this musical inspired by the Beatles songbook with caution. I’m a too old fashioned Diva to enjoy the psychedelics of this movie and I never cared much for the Beatles songs.Curiously, Taymor and her creative team were able to build a consistent story using the songs that sound like if they were written specially for the movie. The musical numbers don’t look forced and Taymor’s camera is a creative one and she has completely control over it. Its true, the film is a bit too long and sometimes she lets her imagination run too wild (the circus sequence), but there’s also some genius moments like the army inspection sequence. The cast is perfect and the three principals all deliver their songs with feeling and talent. Among the supporting cast you can find Joe Coker, Eddie Izzard, Deidre Goodwin, Orfeh and Salma Hayek. This kind of mix of HAIR with RENT is a visually strong and colorful movie, that I’m sure will appeal to the young crowd. As for me, well, I love the likes of HELLO, DOLLY! and THE BAND WAGON, do I need to say anything else? Rate: |
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SHOW BUSINESS: THE ROAD TO BROADWAY- A Review by Jorge Irving Berlin once wrote “there’s no business like show business” and in the recent CURTAINS they sang about show people living in a world of their own. Now director Dori Bernstein invites us to a backstage trip to the fascinating world where musicals are created and, if you accept the invitation, you can confirm those words. |
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TABOO, the intellectual CAROLINE OR CHANGEand the little show that become a surprise hit AVENUE Q. We’re introduced to the people behind those shows and to its actors, all of them share with us their hopes and fears and, if you’re emotional like me, I’m sure you’ll feel moved. It’s exciting to be with them from the first rehearsals to Tony’s night; it’s a journey worthy taking. Bernstein had the good idea of including the reunion and opinion of a few theatre critics. To imagine that those impossible pretentious people have the power to destroy a show it’s scary. Who do they think they are? It’s true, I’m doing a review here, but I’m doing it just for fun and I don’t take myself seriously. I confess I read those critics reviews, but regardless what they say I’ll see the shows that interest me, even if they said they are horrible. Thankfully, a lot of theatregoers think like me and made hits of WICKED and AVENUE Q, two shows the critics seem to despise. You don’t imagine the pleasure I had when those people were faced with the AVENUE Q Tony awards, it really made my day. |
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ROMANCE & CIGARETTES - A Review by Miss Diva Directed by John Turturro in 2005, this movie opened in Europe last year but only now gets released on the States. It tells the story of a married construction worker who, although he loves his wife, has a torrid affair with the red haired Tula; when his family discovers about the affair, they don’t want to have anything to do with him. |
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heavy hand for the musical sequences and those look forced. I know that not all musicals should be light, but they need some magic to work and unfortunately Turturro is no magician. What saves the movie from the total disaster are some of the performers: the talented Susan Sarandon as the wife, Kate Winslet is a breath of fresh air as the mistress and Bobby Cannavale is a funny Elvis-wannabe. I confess I thought in leaving the theatre before the end of the movie, I only stayed because of the starry cast that also includes James Gandolfini, Mandy Moore, Mary-Louise Parker, Christopher Walken, Steve Buscemi, Elaine Stritch, Aida Turturro, Barbara Sukowa, Eddie Izzard, Amy Sedaris, Cady Huffman, Tonya Pinkins, Michael McElroy, Mary Bond Davis and John Selya. Rate: |
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HAIRSPRAY: THE MOVIE - A Review by Miss Diva “Welcome to the 60s” and to the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical! If, like me, you saw the show you’re in for a surprise. The rarest of things happened; the film version is better than the stage production. Director/choreographer Adam Shankman fills the screen with excitement and joy and the result is a contagious musical that have you dancing on your seats. The cast could hardly be better and everyone seems like they’re having a terrific time. As Tracy, newcomer Nikki Blonsky is a winner leading lady, with dreamy eyes, strong |
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voice and lots of energy. Michelle Pfeiffer is perfect as the bitchy Velma and Queen Latifah is “big, blonde and beautiful” as Motormouth Maybelle. Christopher Walken is flawless as Tracy’s father, Zac Efron (there’s something gay about him and I guess he’ll grow into a gorgeous adult male) looks and acts exactly as a teenager idol, the cute James Marsden (I want to be on The Corny Collins Show too and have fun with him) looks like he just come out of a sixties show and Amanda Bynes is really funny as Penny. One last word for John Travolta (not among my favorite actors), who has the performance of his life and he’s truly amazing as Edna, Tracy’s big mother. One word of warning, this is a musical (that genre where everyone sings and dance every time they have a chance) and to enjoy it you need to stop disbelief and accept the genre’s fantastic rules. This isn’t one of the best musicals in movie history, but you’ll have a good time with it and, believe me, “You Can’t Stop the Beat”. Rate: |
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MAME - A Review by Jorge When I was 14 years old I went to the movies to see MAME. By that time I didn’t knew anything about it, only that it was a musical. That was reason enough for me to see it. From the fantastic opening credits by Wayne Fitzgerald to the last scene I was completely fascinated. I loved the score and I loved the story; I still do. Later, much later, I discovered that Angela Lansbury had create the role on stage and that many people, Jerry Herman included (according to several sources), hated the movie adaptation of this big Broadway musical. Personally, I never understood why. |
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I have been waiting for years to have MAME on DVD and finally here it is, in a gorgeous cover! I just saw it again and it didn’t loose any of its charms. It’s one of those movies that dated well, in fact I think it’s timeless, and deserves to be rediscovered by all musical fans. To all of those people who say terrible things about this movie adaptation, I would like to ask a question. Where else will you see the unforgettable performances of Beatrice Arthur and Jane Connell as, respectively, Vera Charles and Gooch? Both recreated her stage roles for this movie, with terrific results. Also from the original stage show there’s director Gene Saks and choreographer Onna White. In a nice touch of casting, Robert Preston plays Beauregard, Mame’s love interest, and sings a new Jerry Herman song, “Loving You”. The big problem seems to be Lucille Ball. Maybe she was too old for the role (she was 63 against Angela’s 41), but she looked the part. She’s sweet, funny, loving and motherly. What she didn’t have was a strong singing voice, so her deliver of songs like “”If He Walked Into My Life” or “It’s Today” (my all time favorite song) is poor. I believe that’s the only reason I don’t give five stars to this highly enjoyable movie, otherwise I still love it as much as I did when I was 14 years old (I’ll be 43 next month). This MAME still has the power to make me laugh, cry and feel happy and that’s more than I can say for hundreds of movies. So, forget the terrible word of mouth surrounding it, put all your prejudices aside and buy it! You’ll be pleasantly surprise. Rate: To visit my MAME webpage, just click here. |
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LA VIE EN ROSE (LA MÔME) - A Review by Miss Diva Like me, French chanteuse Edith Piaff, was a small woman but, unlike me, she had a powerful voice. This movie (or should I say film? After all it’s a French production) by Olivier Dahan tells her story through a series of flashbacks, that sometimes become confusing. You see, Dahan doesn’t follow a straight line (that doesn’t mean he’s gay), he prefers to show us episodes of her life, moving forward and back in time and the result isn’t as effective as it should be. Curiously he, with a couple of exceptions (the thrilling last number comes |
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to mind), doesn’t pay too much attention to the musical numbers, they are there more as background than to help the action move on. Anyway, there are several moving scenes and one in particular is really magical. While in New York, Piaff receives a visit by Marlene Dietrich who tells her that she brought Paris to New York and that her voice is the soul of Paris. It’s a very touching moment that you won’t easily forget. As Piaff, Marion Cotillard delivers an incredible performance that should give her an Oscar; she is simply fantastic! As the man of her life, Jean-Pierre Martins is a hunk that many of you (me included) won’t mind having an affair with. This isn’t a great film, but gives us an affective look at the great Piaff’s life. Rate: |
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DREAMGIRLS - A Review by Miss Diva I love musicals, period! My Diva heart always feels very excited every time I read about a new movie musical, but at the same time I’m always afraid that I’ll be disappointed. No reason for fear here; DREAMGIRLS isn’t the best musical I ever saw but Bill Condon did a good job and the result is very enjoyable and moving. I never saw the stage show, but this tale about three talented girls looking for a break in the music business and the success they achieve seems perfect for the screen. We all know that the musical was inspired by the story of the Supremes and Condon |
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perfectly caught the spirit of their act and of those times. The beautiful Beyoncé Knowles shows that there’s acting talent in her soul and Anika Noni Rose is a joy to watch (they should have given her more to do), but everyone is talking about Jennifer Hudson. I confess I don’t like her persona (I simply hated her at the Oscars) but she convinces as Effie and strongly delivers two of the musicals best songs, “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” and “I Am Changing”. On the male side (the one that makes me tingle) the surprise is Eddie Murphy, who gives his best performance ever and should have won the Oscar (the real world is full of injustice). Jamie Foxx is the convincing bad guy and the pretty face Keith Robinson has star quality. I had a good time with this musical; I even share a tear or two during the “Family” number and in the final. Anyway, I had the pleasure of seeing Jennifer Holiday singing “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” and she’s is the real Effie. Rate: |