Obviously, this blog post has absolutely nothing to do with Chicago theatre (though, I technically saw this movie in a theatre in Chicago, so there’s that). But Lars Von Trier’s masterpiece had such a deep, personal impact, I felt compelled to write about it. Please note: This isn’t a review — just my thoughts. Also,… Read More Thoughts on ‘Melancholia’
A few friends and I drove up and over to icky Rosemont yesterday to see the filmed NYPhil concert of Company starring Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert, Patti LuPone, Martha Plimpton and more. Here are a few of my thoughts: Neil Patrick Harris was very fine in the book scenes. He’s a charmer and, yet,… Read More Some thoughts after watching Sondheim’s ‘Company’ in the movie theatre
This weekend I sat on my couch and downloaded a movie I’d intended to watch for months. And then I watched it. After that, I downloaded another movie I also had an interest in. And I watched that one, too. And now I’m going to write about them. Watch out! It’s a party around here.… Read More Thoughts on two completely unrelated movies
If you’ve attended one of my “Valley of the Dolls” viewing parties, you know how much I adore the film. So when playbill.com announced a starry cast for the Actors Fund’s upcoming benefit reading of the movie script (I wonder how they’ll adapt it for the stage?), I peed myself a little. Let’s be overly… Read More Over-analyzing the Actors Fund’s casting for ‘Valley of the Dolls’
You haven’t lived until you’ve heard a 125-plus chorus sing Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony backed by a world-class orchestra. It’s really quite thrilling. However, what made it even more exciting was that majestic moment was in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., as part of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual tribute to the… Read More Honoring MLK with the Chicago Sinfonietta
I remember ten years ago when I saw this scrappy movie called “The Blair Witch Project” in East Lansing, MI. Oh, we’ve all heard about it by now of course, but I saw it before all the hype set in — just before the tipping point when the film’s stars unveiled themselves and were on… Read More The quest for the Blair Witch, or something like it
“Oh Neely! You know how bitchy fags can be.” I’m currently cleaning my place in preparation for Saturday night, where I’ll be hosting a very special screening of the cinematic masterpiece that is “Valley of the Dolls.” God, I love this fucking movie. At least two attendees have never seen the movie before. And it… Read More This weekend: VOTD viewing party
There was this coworker. I didn’t know him that well, but I worked with him roughly four times a year for two years. He helped me set up the audio/visual equipment for big employee meetings. He seemed like a nice guy, always helpful and professional. And then two weeks ago when I was planning logistics… Read More Thanks for everything, Patrick Swayze
I don’t know how I watched all these movies this weekend and still had time for laundry, grilling by the waterfront, Market Days, Retro on Roscoe, cleaning, and karaoke singing. But I did. The Yes Men Fix the World I’ve never heard of The Yes Men until I selected this free On-Demand HBO documentary. In… Read More Movie reviews
Stop what you’re doing right this minute and watch this trailer for Nine (not to be confused with the Tim Burton movie, 9) How glorious is THAT? Rob Marshall seems to have done it again. I appreciate that they don’t pretend it’s not a musical by using generic underscoring matched with closeups of the A-list… Read More Two Must-Sees
Yesterday evening, I started to feel a little better and decided to hop on the Red Line to the AMC 21 to see a free screening of Every Little Step, a documentary about the creation of the original production “A Chorus Line” and the casting of the recent Broadway revival. A Chorus Line is the… Read More “Every Little Step”
^ That’s how I’d describe the torturous experience that is He’s Just Not That Into You. My darling Patty came to visit this weekend, and asked me to go see it with her on Sunday. Being game for a good chick flick, I obliged. Wow. We couldn’t leave the theater fast enough. And, really, I… Read More Like a long, slow papercut to the eye
I’m participating in srah‘s Oscar pool, and here are my pics based entirely on conjecture and my highly-tuned intuitions. I might win a CD of her choosing, so cross your fingers! Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire Best Director: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire Best Actor: Sean Penn in Milk Best Actress: Kate Winslet in The Reader… Read More My Oscar picks
So I finally saw “Doubt” (“Milk” is up next). If you haven’t seen “Doubt”, I’d suggest not reading this post. I discuss some key plot points. Long story short: the play was better. However, the movie was darn good. I love movies like this. I eat this shit up. I mean, I loved “The Hours,”… Read More I have “Doubt”
…and I enjoyed it. Much like “The Godfather” films, it’s one of those movies that has been on my list for years. I mean, for a two hour 40 minute movie, not much really happened. Meryl Streep was accented and actressy, Robert Redford was dusty and blond (much like yours truly), and John Barry stuck… Read More My mom made we watch “Out of Africa”
Chicago Theatre Addict 