Life outside the internet has been getting the better of me. But I plan to recommit to publishing my useless thoughts on this confounded machine. Today's topic?
Contemporary Musicals I Love:
"American Astronaut" 2001 recommendation courtesy of Sam
A gritty indie B&W flick about an astronaut crossing the universe in a scheme to get rich, followed by a demented birthday boy and his raygun. It's interesting to note that no women sing in this movie. Whoever said musicals were gay? American Astronaut got under my skin very quickly, and I hope someday to own it and sing along to "The Girl with the Vagina Made of Glass." Any questions?
"Dancer in the Dark" 2000
Devastating, as is expected of Lars von Trier. Rich, emotionally charged music, as is expected of Bjork. It was a surprise to some that Bjork pulled off this weighty role, but I knew she could. Who knew Catherine Deneuve could sing though?
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" 2001
A show in the showiest sense. I saw this at Cinema 21 and fell instantly in love with John Cameron Mitchell. The songs are of a variety of sap that makes me instantly nostalgic for a time and place that never really existed. It doesn't take itself or the medium too seriously, which I would have thought was the only way to make a contemporary musical (until I saw "Dancer in the Dark" see above) Plus, that blonde hair and red lipstick made me jealous in a way only a man in drag can.
"Moulin Rouge" 2001
Oh, the theatricality! I love the color saturation, the frenzy, the sparkle, and the pop music. Add Ewan McGregor and what's not to love? A Vegas style show that Vegas never had the class, creativity, or music rights to pull off.
"Once More, with Feeling" 2001 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode (not technically a movie)
I'm way too embroiled in Buffy fandom to be a good judge of the quality of this episode. I tend to think it might not be appreciated by the casual viewer as few of the actors or songs are outstanding. That being said, within the framework of the show, it makes most fans' top 10 lists. That includes the writer and creator of the show, Joss Whedon. The show overall is all about camp but this episode takes it to a new level while still advancing the plot in exciting ways. I've seen this episode more than any other single episode. More of a comment on me, I think, than on the show. ::cough.cough. NERD. cough::
0 comments:
Post a Comment