Burlesque. Moulin Rouge meets Chicago and everything that Nine should have been but wasn't.

I think when Christina Aguilera bit off a piece of Moulin Rouge with Lady Marmalade, the taste lingered.  Burlesque has many of the same elements of Moulin Rouge without the craziness (sadly, without the heart as well), or a jazzed up Chicago.  The songs are upbeat and might have me hunting down the soundtrack after Christmas. Likewise the chorography is sharp and stylish and a lot of fun to watch. Between the costumes, the showmanship and the songs – they put on a damn good show.

That being said - it's a noble acting start for X-Tina, but don't be expecting heaps of accolades. She stole the show on stage but when required to 'act' she didn't sell me much more that my ticket price. The main credit I will throw her way is that, to an extent, I bought the sweet farm girl thing and had to remind my self that she was Miss.'Diiirty'. (Umm, I guess it's Mrs. Diiirty now that she is married). Also, nice job on the executive producer of music for the film - I already said I liked the songs, a lot.  Could have done without some of Christina Auguileras vibratos – holly man that girl likes her own voice.

Awesome part for Cher - couldn't have cast that sucker any better and she looks amazing! In fact, the whole cast was pretty awesome - Stanley Tucci and Kristin Bell are standouts to me. Overall, fun movie but it's popcorn without the butter - filling and tasty but with something missing. It tries to move you and ends up only giving a light push equivalent to a toddler’s angst. But not everything has to tap your soul; some things just need to be fun and shiny.

Thank you Burlesque, for filling the hole in my expectations that Nine left me with. I am, at last, satisfied with a new musical.

PS: If you want a sample of the treat that is the Burlesque soundtrack, I recommend “Express” (X-Tina), “Show Me How You Burlesque”(X-Tina), “Welcome to Burlesque” (Cher)

"Skyline" I Could Fart a Better Movie

Wednesday afternoon I saw a trailer for the movie "Skyline", after I was kinda thinking "Wow, for the special effects extravaganza that it is - I am surprised that they didn't draw a better cast." Seriously Ed Balfour as the main draw? With that dopey kid from "Clueless"?

Interesting choices.

Since my good buddy works at the movie theater, she snuck me into the staff pre-screen so I could give it a watch. After seeing the movie, I get it.

They couldn't PAY someone with any real talent to be in this movie. Literally.

Dialog = crap. Logic = crap. Acting = (you guessed it) Crap. It was utterly predictable, to the point where I could guess who was going to be next to die - it's nice when they add an extra character right on time to bump them off... not that they needed to, because I didn't give two shits for any of the main characters.
In my opinion, they ripped off aspects of better movies (War of the Worlds, District 9, Cloverfield) and did them no justice. This movie is the type that takes a genre and makes it a laughable stereotype - this movie does for Alien flicks what strippers do to woman's lib- undermines the creditability that others have worked hard to achieve.  The only saving grace that stopped me from walking out of the theater was the special effects, while they have NOTHING on District 9, they were shiny.

I guess if I could put the continuity issues, the bad casting, the rip offs and the garbage ending out of my mind then... no, wait. I don't want to. I'm glad I didn't pay to watch this because I could fart a better movie.

Save your money and go rent Scott Pilgrim VS the World.

Calling all Ladies... time to stick together.

After reading an article in a magazine about women in movies, my mind was left to meander the truth of it. Must say, didn't like what I concluded.

1. A womans roll in cinematic adventures are limited.

2. When something is aimed at women, it is usually met with ridicule.

Would you like me to elaborate?

Thanks, I think I will.

Point one. Woman in movies. We watch movies, right? I know I do, so let's look at the "Bechdel Test". (Recently resurfaced) It asks: 

1. Does the movie have at least 2 women in it?

2. Do they talk to each other?

3. Is that conversation about anything other then a man?

Newer criteria:

4. Do the women have names?

Let's look at some box office toppers:

1. Other Guys. Fail.

2. Inception. Fail. While they do have 2 female protagonists, the only conversation they have is about a male character.

3.Dinner for Schmucks. Fail. Two male leads, any girls are present are 'handbags' to the men.

4. Salt - Fail. But is one of 3 movies in the top 20 with a female lead.

5. Scott Pilgrim. Fail.

Looking at the top 20 movies at the box office right now, I see ONE that fits. 'The Kids Are Alright'. Possibly 'Eclipse' if Alice and Bella ever talk about anything other than Edward.

Upcoming flicks? Harry Potter. Fail. Wallstreet, Fail. Social Network. Fail. I just looked at the 98 'buzz' movies for the fall and found 6 that have the potential to pass. (Won't know for sure until I see them)

Of the 10 Oscar Best Picture Nominated films? I see 5  that might make the cut. Re-read the 4 qualifiers, is it so preposterous to have 2 or more women in a movie that talk to each other about anything other than men? (BTW, if  the rolls were reversed, 1 of 10 best pics noms might not make it. 'Precious'.)

Point Two. Ladies, think of any media entertainment that is aimed at us as a demographic. Now think of one that isn't by and large ridiculed. Books, Movies, magazines, TV.... In my experience, I have heard them be the butt of many jokes-because women like them. I don't feel that any of these outlets are substandard and many have merit but are mocked. Why is this? Worst, why do I feel embarrassed liking girlish things? Maybe this is in my own head but I work in a entertainment driven environment (Movie store) and I hear a lot of bashing and mocking to the point where, at times, I won't admit what I like.

Don't get me wrong - I don't like the majority of rom-coms and such fare, but not because they are girly. More so that the scripts are unrealistic and sometimes ridiculous. I live in reality and like my movies to be reasonable if I accept the premise. (For example: if I accept that people live in outer space and there is a large rebellion in the works... then are the actions/reactions of the cast of Star Wars realistic? Is it realistic that a person would cut the belly of a Ton-Ton to save their friend?) If the dialog makes me think "Who would ACTUALLY say that, or who would seriously DO that...?" you've lost me. Also, I freely admit that there are many movies where adding women wouldn't fit in the story. But so very few that do? Really?

I look at the thrashing 'Twilight' gets, and wonder how many of the people bashing it have READ it? Have they even seen the movies? I liked the books-a lot, and my fondness of the movies has wained only because of the media / merchandise blitz that has followed. Eat, Pray, Love (book and movie) has been targeted for no better reason (that I know of)  than it is a story by a girl for girls. The author herself quipped "If women like it, it must be stupid." to make light of the negativity she's been getting.

Why after all this time are our interests still substandard? Women are the majority consumers!!

We can vote right? We have the right to equal pay for equal work, right? Let's also grant ourselves the freedom to like what we like and embrace being feminine and all things that appealing to us?

I'm not trying to be on a soap box here, nor crying the woes of the female world or simpering about being hard done by. I just want to point this out and get your mind meandering as well about the truth of it. 

PS

Seriously, I am going to watch 'Eat, Pray, Love', 'Never Let Me Go', 'The Bridesmaids',  and 'You Again' this year purely to support the few women driven movies there are! Also 'Burlesque' because it's a large female cast AND a musical-I am women, watch me watch musicals, and love it!