tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post3502783592662707991..comments2024-03-23T21:46:50.843-04:00Comments on the passionate moviegoer: an "occasional musical" and its clueless admirersjoe baltakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-39932505966586630742016-12-28T16:44:46.196-05:002016-12-28T16:44:46.196-05:00Happy to read that I am not the only lover of Byrn...Happy to read that I am not the only lover of Byrne's "True Stories," a decidedly different film musical but a film musical nevertheless.David Kastnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-64963451317693323752016-12-28T13:11:22.527-05:002016-12-28T13:11:22.527-05:00Thanks, Jennifer. I think "True Stories"...Thanks, Jennifer. I think "True Stories" is ripe for rediscovery. If anything, it was ahead of its time. Personally, I love it and can't get enough of it. Other new-style musicals that are rarely regarded as musicals include Christopher Guest's "Waiting for Guffman," Paul Simon's "One-Trick Pony" (directed by Robert M. Young) and the Henry Selick-Tim Burton collaboration, "The Nighmare Before Christmas," which has a fabulous Danny Elfman score, a major score.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-31396074672672287742016-12-28T13:07:45.532-05:002016-12-28T13:07:45.532-05:00Joe, I agree with you about David Byrne's &quo...Joe, I agree with you about David Byrne's "True Story" being a new-style musical. It frustrates me that the film never made its mark and is hardly remembered now and that Byrne never made another film. SadJennifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-80190312416403837122016-12-28T12:04:32.089-05:002016-12-28T12:04:32.089-05:00Thanks again for enlightening me. Marvin
Thanks again for enlightening me. Marvin<br />Marvinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-76680562769492577982016-12-28T10:15:25.007-05:002016-12-28T10:15:25.007-05:00These days it is a rarity to want to see a movie m...These days it is a rarity to want to see a movie more than once. La La Land is one of those movies. Enchanting!Joeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08396228442241622851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-40891602435547391572016-12-28T09:21:28.517-05:002016-12-28T09:21:28.517-05:00Being a bit cynical, just a "bit," I hav...Being a bit cynical, just a "bit," I have a feeling that 90% of the people seeing this film, and 85% of the "critics" seeing this film, have NO CLUE exactly why the film is "good" and are merely parroting what they have seen/heard from other people/critics, who themselves were merely parroting what they had seen/heard from others, etc, etc., ad infinitum.<br /> <br />Marilyn Halprinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-42096262989843252522016-12-28T08:51:47.955-05:002016-12-28T08:51:47.955-05:00I am sad for all who resist this film’s witty, ele...I am sad for all who resist this film’s witty, elegant play on the musical and its with Old Film/New Film binaries.James L.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-34776550288220965022016-12-28T08:07:44.508-05:002016-12-28T08:07:44.508-05:00Joe, this is one of your most brilliant reviews. ...Joe, this is one of your most brilliant reviews. And now I fucking get it. The musical film is one of your "favorite" genres. You know so MUCH about that genre. I don't know anything at all! So, if I knew as much as you do about musicals, I probably would have felt the same way that you did about the film. Really . . . Marvinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-68700195719940853312016-12-27T20:39:06.303-05:002016-12-27T20:39:06.303-05:00I realize that the two films are in no way alike, ...I realize that the two films are in no way alike, but "La La Land" reminds me of the Astaire-Hepburn "Funny Face." Perhaps it's the French connection?Ellen Shawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-74468683350525137932016-12-27T16:48:24.709-05:002016-12-27T16:48:24.709-05:00loved, loved, loved it! I was worried about seein...loved, loved, loved it! I was worried about seeing it because I love movie musicals and the "newer" ones rarely live up to the hype. Totally terrific! alissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-85696197365017119182016-12-27T16:21:24.233-05:002016-12-27T16:21:24.233-05:00You’re right. "La La Land" is beautiful,...You’re right. "La La Land" is beautiful, the most elegant film I've seen in ages. Very sophisticated. Lots of short lenses, too. Nicolasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-78977961039248500332016-12-27T16:19:29.309-05:002016-12-27T16:19:29.309-05:00Vienna- The two leads do very well with the steps ...Vienna- The two leads do very well with the steps they were given to execute. I've no idea if Mandy Moore wanted to keep the dancing low key or if she was accommodating the skills of her players. There are no ligament-straining high kicks here. Stone and Gosling essentially do a relaxing soft show, which works at this particular moment in the film. It an entrancing moment.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-65832859053805938852016-12-27T16:05:53.961-05:002016-12-27T16:05:53.961-05:00I am SO looking forward to being on the 405 next m...I am SO looking forward to being on the 405 next month! With all of the actual and aspiring entertainers out here and ways to connect on social media, it's not out of the realm of possibility.Sam Lnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-12252465199320536152016-12-27T15:48:48.644-05:002016-12-27T15:48:48.644-05:00I loved the film and I'm just happy that Mandy...I loved the film and I'm just happy that Mandy Moore did not even attempt to trigger Bob Fosse's "happy-hands" choreography, keeping it as original as possible. I've had enough of modern choreographers aping Fosse. Let him rest in peace, please!Sabinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-61471814427794832142016-12-27T15:25:21.181-05:002016-12-27T15:25:21.181-05:00Sheila- You're right, but these kind of casua...Sheila- You're right, but these kind of casual, scratch-pad dances predate "The Band Wagon." Fred and Ginger performed them several times and so did Eleanor Powell with whatever partner.joe baltakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11467420961490314339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-46267490542063617022016-12-27T15:16:46.198-05:002016-12-27T15:16:46.198-05:00Joe- I believe that another musical is quoted in &...Joe- I believe that another musical is quoted in "La La Land." The dance that Stone and Gosling do in the park overlooking Los Angelese reminded me a great deal of the "Dancing in the Dark" number by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in "The Band Wagon."Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-6960156807664089582016-12-27T14:02:07.964-05:002016-12-27T14:02:07.964-05:00I also agree that UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG leaves me...I also agree that UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG leaves me untouched. Good review of LA LA LAND.David Bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-33811951344541892302016-12-27T13:59:45.690-05:002016-12-27T13:59:45.690-05:00Still to be released here in Scotland. Looking for...Still to be released here in Scotland. Looking forward to seeing it, though I'm heavily prejudiced in favour of vintage Hollywood musicals. I mean,is it a musical without Astaire, Kelly , Garland , Ann Miller, Eleanor Powell, the Nicholas Brothers, Busby Berkeley.....<br />Only kidding. Will try to view it on its own merits.<br />Thanks for your excellent review which I'll read again after seeing it.<br />How were the two leads' dancing skills.Viennanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-31050194018137019572016-12-27T13:53:39.808-05:002016-12-27T13:53:39.808-05:00Joe, I loved your comments on Gosling's handli...Joe, I loved your comments on Gosling's handling of his songs. A "musical doodle" is a nifty way to put it. Brian Lucasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18439960.post-74046370047908885322016-12-26T17:42:00.435-05:002016-12-26T17:42:00.435-05:00Fabulous review, Joe. You covered every possible ...Fabulous review, Joe. You covered every possible angle and brought up issues that hadn't occurred to me while watching (and enjoying) the film or afterwards. Now, I have to see it again!Charlottenoreply@blogger.com