Off the shelf...

I had some free time last night so I checked out two films I haven't seen in a while... and I highly reccomend revisiting them...

SLEEPERS
I haven't seen this since 1999 (three years after its release)... I was really too young to fully appreciate it then. It's amazing. The ensemble members are terrific (Pitt, Bacon, Crudup, Eldard, Patric, etc) but it is astonishing to watch Dinero and Hoffman in these subtle supporting roles. Dinero understates everything a the boy's father figure Father Bobby ... and Hoffman plays drunken attorney Danny Snyder (his court room scenes are freakin' brilliant)...
This is the kind of film that inspires aspiring actors like me. Such brilliance...

ROAD TO PERDITION
I LOVE this film... Mendes, you are a God.
It's a cool, old fashioned crime story. I love this noir type of stuff. Hanks (in one of his best) and Newman are riveting... and Jude Law gives one hell of a nuanced performance as well.
Interesting to note that Newman's character is based upon real life gangster John Looney who was originally from Rock Island (Quad Cities... where I grew up)...

MVP '05 season comes to a close...

SANTALAND DIARIES ended the 2005 MVP season with a bang.
BRILLIANTLY directed... thank you, Michael Oberfield.
BRILLIANTLY performed... thank you so very much, Adam Lewis.
It was a thrill to have these guys on board... it was an honor to work with them! The show sold EXTREMELY well and was well received by the audience. It's a tough call in that area; we're never sure what will or will not sell. All of our shows have been articitically successful (in their own way)... and we're happy SANTALAND was commercially successful...

MVP has been rocking since June and Sean and I plan on taking a break until sometime this spring. We will be back... with what we don't know... but there are some ideas out there:

THE GRADUATE (Directed by Michael Oberfield) - the new stage adaptation fresh from New York City. We will be the first to tackle in the Quad City Area...

TITLE TBA -
a variety hour in the vein of the Dean Martin and Carol Burnett Shows... a joint production with QC favorite THE METROLITES.

We have some other projects in mind as well... including several short/feature films. I am currently working on two projects: FLASHING PINK FLAMINGOS (one man show about a young man's experiences with his redneck family) and a three man drama about the Rock Island crime ring in the 1920's...

Check myveronaproductions.com and seanleary.net for further info...

SANTALAND DIARIES...

ONLY TWO MORE CHANCES TO SEE THE HOLIDAY SHOW CRITICS ARE CALLING A ``MUST SEE!'' --- ``SANTALAND DIARIES''

My Verona's Production of David Sedaris' ``SantaLand Diaries'' is a hit! Critics and audiences have raved about the ``superb'' performance of star Adam Lewis and called the show ``hilarious.''

Ruby Nancy of The Quad City Times says, ``...ANYONE WITH A CLEVER --- OR EVEN JUST SLIGHTLY WICKED --- SENSE OF HUMOR NEEDS TO BE MAKING PLANS NOW TO SEE THIS TERRIFICALLY FUNNY SHOW'' and ``THIS SHOW IS SIMPLY TOO GOOD TO MISS.''

Jason Tanamor of the Rock Island Argus/Dispatch says, ``FOR FANS OF DAVID SEDARIS AND/OR HOLIDAY HUMOR, AND FOR THOSE THINKING ABOUT PICKING UP AN EXTRA JOB OVER THE HOLIDAYS, `THE SANTALAND DIARIES' IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD SEE.''

There are only two more shows left --- 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Comedy Sportz, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island. Tickets ($12) are available at the door, at the Circa '21 box office and by phone at (309) 786-7733, ext. 2.

For more information, see www.myveronaproductions.com.

Macy's...

Several of Broadway's biggest hits were featured on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this morning... and here's a recap...

SWEET CHARITY
I am not a huge fan of this show... or the current production... but I was pleasantly suprised by Christina Applegate. That's a long way from MARRIED WITH CHILDREN. Good for you...

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
I LOVE Norbert Leo Butz. Love him. It's too bad his big Tony Award winning number had to be sensored (it has some clever lyrics that are not appropriate for national television)... in its full form, it's brilliant. Butz had fun, though... as usual... and seemed to even make fun of the fact that he had to change so much...
If you are ever in NYC check this show out. Butz is electrifying... and so is his partner in crime (literally) John Lithgow. They are a winning comedy team (watch out Lane and Broderick)...
It's worht seeing.
But hurry, Lithgow leaves the show in January...

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
Raul Esparza, where in the hell were you? You are one of my favorites and you're a no show? Lame. You understudy (Chicago actor Rick Hilsabeck) rocked, though... and so did Erin Dilly (who I believe could be the next Julie Andrews).
{I saw Rick Hilsabeck in the Chicago production of RAGTIME. He
was a brilliant Henry Ford. Hilsabeck was also in the ill-fated
pre-Broadway try out of Sondheim's BOUNCE...}

JERSEY BOYS
I am so excited about this show. I can't wait for this soundtrack!
I have watched several clips and medleys now... and this looks like the real thing. A "jukebox musical" (please don't shoot me for using the term) that actually works. These four guys are incredible. Keep a close eye on this show... I think it will be a hit (unlike similar shows LENNON and GOOD VIBRATIONS). Watch out MAMMA MIA... the BOYS are in town...

...and Broadway doll and current WEST WING cast member KRISTIN CHENOWETH was adorable! Her rather classical rendition of the title song from OKLAHOMA was... ok, I will use the word... "darling." Yes, absolutely darling. I think we will be married some day...

Another Oscar nom for Depp?

Depp and Oscar...

They may meet again this year. A win is VERY doutbful, but a nomination is a very serious possibility...

This time with the underground release of THE LIBERTINE in which Depp plays the debauched John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester. It's one of the first releases from the newly formed Weinstein Company that Rolling Stone's Peter Travers calls "a wild thing."

Very exciting...

Rent?

I have not yet seen this.. but since it opened today, I have already received two calls from friends...

Their reactions?


Anthony Rapp's "performance is fantastic"

Jesse L. Martin's voice is "amazing"... his performance is "the best in the film"

"too busy"

"loses its simplicity... and its beauty" (called that one)

"a disappointment"


I am VERY apprehensive... I am expecting so much because it is one of my favorite shows. I think Larson's music and the cast will save this film... and Columbus and the fact that this IS a stage show (and was meant to be one) will kill it...

Columbus, Schumacher. Schumacher, Columbus.
You have something in common; you both makes BAD movie musicals. :)

"I have such doubts" (anyone?)

We'll see...

(I am a huge musical theatre geek and will probably love it... at first. I will honestly enjoy it. That's me. I love the show. I love the characters - which I have not been able to say too much this year. However... I don't think it will go down in the books as one of my favorite movies. In fact, shortly after the viewing I will probably realize how poorly this beautiful show was adapted to the screen... and realize how much I really disliked it. That's sad. That's ok... I have THE PRODUCERS...)

The Interpreter

I finally watched THE INTERPRETER tonight...

I thought it was great... Directed by Sydney Pollack, it was a solid character driven piece led by a subtle Sean Penn (well, subtle for him) and an intense Nicole Kidman.

Strong story. Strong cast. Worth seeing.

It's a wonderful acting piece - two power houses doing their thing VERY WELL...
For fans of Pollack, Penn, or Kidman I would say it's not their career best, but definitely something in their collection that is worth seeing...

Keep It Gay?

One of the reviews came out for SANTALAND today. It was rather amusing. Remember when MVP shows were TOO gay? Not anymore... they are not gay enough. Apparently, our production of SANTALAND DIARIES was too straight? Look, I know author David Sedaris is gay. Everyone who is a Sedaris fan knows this. It's not a big secret. His work, however, does not have homo written all over it.... and I don't think that aspect of this hilarious work should be played up. It's not a gay satire. SANTALAND is simply story of a man who once worked as en elf at Macy's. Yes, it's the account of Sedaris' personal experience... but I don't think the actor is to actually become Sedaris. It's a performance piece. A stand up act. A one man show with a rather funny and often touching story of one man's journey into Macy's SANTALAND... not "I-Suck-Some-Serious-Dick-LAND."

Check out the review: www.rcreader.com

I really hate critics who let their own "personal preference" (or whatever they call it these days) get in the way of their enjoyment of a show. It always has to be an issue...

I guess that means that everytime I watch ANGELS IN AMERICA (one of my favorite films... and yes, I call it a film not a series... a whole other issue we'll get into later)... so, everytime I watch ANGELS I will detest it because there an utter lack of straight people involved... ? Yank.

Sad.

The Good Shepherd

Keep a close eye on this project currently in development...

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Directed by ROBERT DINERO
Written by Eric Roth (Forrest Gump fame)

Cast list features DINERO and PESCI (together... FINALLY) in addition to
MATT DAMON, BILLY CRUDUP, ALEC BALDWIN, TIMOTHY HUTTON, WILLIAM HURT, ANGELINA JOLIE, JOHN TURTORRO, JASON PATRIC, and ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY (brilliant jazz singer)...

It's a brilliant line up.
Hopefully it's a brilliant film.

Interesting flicks to see in the next few weeks...

SYRIANA
George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Peet, Tim Blake Nelson
One of the best films of the year? Brilliant reviews thus far. Clooney is said to be in top form...

WALK THE LINE
Great reviews. Strong cast. Crazy Oscar buzz.

THE PRODUCERS
Brooks. Stroman. Lane. Broderick. Ferrell. Bart. Beach. Thurman.
I am not sure this has the ability to suck...
(P.S. the stage show is amazing)

RENT
I am a huge fan of the simplicity of the stage version... I am apprehensive...
Columbus, this better not be HOME ALONE. It's great material.

THE LIBERTINE
Depp's latest... he plays John Wilmot (Depp), a.k.a. the Earl of Rochester, drank and debauched his way to an early grave; in death, the work of this 17th century poet won universal acclaim. Could be interesting...

FUN WITH DICK AND JANE
Jim Carrey doing the comedy thing again. Could be fun...

TOP 10 Enjoyments...

1. Christmas music performed by The Rat Pack... and Harry Connick, Jr.
2. My Verona Productions (SANTALAND is freakin hilarious)
3. DONNIE BRASCO - Depp and Pacino. Enough said.
4. Broadway.com (JERSEY BOYS and SWEENEY TODD clips)
5. FRIENDS - seasons 4 and 5
6. Of Montreal - thanks, CJ!
7. TABOO - Hate me... but Raul Esparza and Liz McCartney fucking rock on this soundtrack. Euan Morton and Jeffrey Carlson are also entertaining...
8. Abbott and Costello - NAUGHTY NINETIES at the moment
9. Comedian Louis CK - his latest HBO gig was brilliant
10. Queen / WE WILL ROCK YOU soundtrack - vocalist Tony Vincent is amazing...

Close calls:
Billy Crudup, The Nadas, Your Favorite Band soundtrack, writing a one man show entitled "FLASHING PINK FLAMINGOS"...

SANTALAND DIARIES

This is the must see holiday show in the QCA!
It's funny, I promise...
:)

DAVID SEDARIS'
``SANTALAND DIARIES''

STARRING ADAM LEWIS
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL OBERFIELD

A thirtysomething aspiring soap opera star finds himself desperate and has to work as an elf at Macy's over the holidays. What ensues is a hilarious trip through the bizarre, goofy underbelly of retail life in the Christmas season.

``SantaLand'' is rated PG-13 for some adult language.

SHOWS ARE NOV. 18-27 at Comedy Sportz, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island. Friday and Saturday shows are at 9:30 p.m. Sunday shows are at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at the door, at the Circa '21 box office and by phone at (309) 786-7733, ext. 2.

Remakes... ?

Ok, ok, I just wasted the last 30 minutes of my life watching a 1988 remake of the 1958 hit THE BLOB. 30 minutes watching a crappy horror remake. A crappy remake! That's familiar. I am beginning to have a huge problem with this whole REMAKE shit...
Especially with horror movies...

From the very first scene where we meet the blob (for those of who don't recall... this is the scene where the old dude sees the comet hit Earth and quickly examines the gelatin blaze), I wanted to kill the guy who said "Hey, let's make THE BLOB...again." No, not kill... have a demon fuck him up the ass. Yes, that's justice. Let's discuss why this moment angers me so much, shall we?

The 58 blob was freakin creepy because it the formed around the stick very slowly.
The 88 blob has a jaw which latches on to whatever it touches.... so naturally it quickly grabbed the stick.

The 58 blob slowly went for the old man's hand... you weren't really sure what was happening.
The 88 blob snapped at the old man's hand... going for that good old "let's be super fast about this and surprise everyone" scare tactic. Lame!

The 58 blob swallowed the man whole (at the hospital)... and you never really anything but a shadow. You were forced to use your imagination.
The 88 blob was discovered eating the man... and upon closer examination you saw the blob eating the man alive... and upon an eve closer look saw the blob only half the man... leaving a hollow shell for the upper body. They wanted their audiences to say "ew, gross." I say, "ew, fuck you."

The 58 blob always seemed to creep away within the heating vents, etc.
The 88 blob seemed to simply disappear.

The 58 blob relied heavily on lighting and shadows.
The 88 blob relied heavily on the gross out and special effects factor.

My point is this:
I hate horror remakes.... and I will come back to this shortly... however...
I prefer older horror movies. Why? They make you think. They make you use your imagination. This is why such films as HALLOWEEN, BLAIR WITCH PROJECT - perhaps one of the freakiest movies to come out in the last ten years (hate me now but I will explain later) - and THE BLOB... or any Legosi stuff (and even the comical horror flicks with Abbott and Costello)... are so effective. You don't see everything. You let your mind wonder. The fact that you don't know, don't see everything helps intensify the experience. If your mind starts going nuts it becomes personal... and nothing is scarier than that.

Horror remakes?
THE AMITYVILLE HORROR? Don't bother. See the original.
REAR WINDOW? Hitchcock is brilliant. Don't touch his stuff.
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE? Yikes. Enough said.
THE HAUNTING? What the hell?
DAWN OF THE DEAD? Didn't even bother.
THE STEPFORD WIVES? Yeah, I own it because it's funny (and I am a huge fan of Roger Bart and Matther Broderick)... but it's not supposed to be...

Now, remakes... in general...
I don't mind this as much... but I still say come up with your own fucking material. (Note: While I am huge theatre fan, the stage needs new shit too. Enough with the revivals and turning every film into a stage fiasco.) There are many remakes that I found quite good... but that's because they strayed far from the original design.

A few good remakes:
*THE NUTTY PROFESSOR. Fat, black sweetheart who turns himself into a skinny, smooth talking jerk. Not really what Mr. Lewis did in the first.
*FATHER OF THE BRIDE. Steve Martin at his finest. Great stuff.
*OCEAN'S ELEVEN. Brilliant stuff here. Not really what the Rat Pack went for and it worked extremely well.
*VANILLA SKY. Abre Los Ojos.
*CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. New. Fresh. Depp and Burton, much thanks. (Don't worry... I still LOVE the original. It will always be a favorite.)

Now, there are a numbers of terrible remakes... most of the in the last few years:

A few bad remakes:
HONEYMOONERS? Please. I didn't even bother to see this crap.
BAD NEWS BEARS? Shut the fuck up.
DR. DOOLITTLE? What went wrong with your career Eddie?
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN? I never liked this and hated the remake even more. You will die, Kutcher, you will die.
THE FAMILY MAN? Way to change the title you "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" wanna be... you suck.

I swear if anyone tries to remake THE WIZARD OF OZ or recreate any of Johnny Depp's performances I will quit life.

That's all for now. I am emotionally exhausted.... this may beat my McRib situation.

Coming soon:
*McRib, or How I Learned to Love Chicken When the Bastards at McDonalds take it away
*TABOO and FRIENDS... my guilty pleasures
*THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and why it's scares the crap out of me
*RENT film review...
*My top 10 list…

Best wishes!

This week's guilty pleasures...

FRIENDS

TABOO, the Boy George musical


thoughts on this to come later.... :)

So... I am back...

And... not that anyone REALLY cares... but...
I am back.
I have found some creative inspirations.
I will be posting regularly. Hopefully.


What can you expect to find?


Random thoughts on life, acting... etc.

Updates on what I am doing now with My Verona, WIU, etc.

RENT film review. WIll it live up to the brilliance of the stage version. I am rather apprehensive...
Chris Columbus? Enough said.

And anything else I choose to share with the world.


That's all for now...