Reviews Written By: A1RN3ZIPXQIZS8provided by Amazon.com |
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 | Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street | |
 | "Watch This Instead of the Movie" | 2009-10-04 |
| This film of the original stage production of "Sweeney Todd" is really a gem. If all you saw was the movie with Johnny Depp you missed out. This production has the tension, the disturbing images, the true scariness, and even the humor that the movie lacked. A lot of the credit goes to George Hearn and Angela Lansbury as the demonic leads. They have both the singing voices to handle Sondheim's difficult music and the acting chops to make you believe their characters could calmly contemplate murder and cannibalism and even enjoy it.
If you want to see the master of modern musical theatre at work, supported by a cast that can handle the work, buy this video. You may not sleep well that night, but it will be worth it. | ||
 | Eerie, Indiana - The Complete Series | |
| "As Good As I Remember" | 2009-01-25 |
| My memories of Eerie, Indiana from its premiere back in the 80's were of a witty, absorbing, and innovative program that, while aimed at tweens, was universal enough to engage adults too. Re-watching the DVD set convinced me that my memories were not false and that the show was cancelled way too soon. Follow the adventures of Marshall, newcomer to a "typical american town" where Bigfoot rummages through the garbage and extraterrestrials land in the woods. And that's just for starters. The pilot "Foreverware," is amazing and I wish I could browse in the World O' Stuff and join the local lodge. Get it, not just for your children (if any), but for you - and enjoy the world becoming mysterious and wonderful again. | ||
 | Our Town | |
| "Wonderful "Town"" | 2004-03-15 |
| This PBS production of "Our Town" catches much of the flavor of the play as Thornton Wilder intended it to be staged. Paul Newman is fine as the Stage Manager, bringing his long lifetime of experience to a subtle interpretation of the role. The rest of the cast bring the town of Grovers Corners to life. Fans of the original "Saturday Night Live" may be surprised to see Jane Curtin as Mrs. Webb; although I would have advised her to lose the weird accent she uses, her performance is realistic and adds to the play. For those who don't know the play, it shows life in a small town in New Hampshire circa 1901 - 1913. The main characters are two young people who grow up, fall in love, get married, and are separated by death. On the surface, it's just another piece of nostalgia, but there are dark currents in Grovers Corners, little ironies and inconsistencies that are often commented on by the Stage Manager, and are embodied in the town drunk Simon Stimson. Be advised if you don't like sentiment: you'll have a lump in throat throughout the entire third act as the play explores the beauty of everyday life. And afterward, you'll look at your family and friends in a different way. Bravo to PBS for having the vision to bring this classic to a new audience, staged in the bare-bones way of the original play. Buy this DVD - you'll watch it over and over and force it on your friends. | ||
 | Our Town | |
| "Wonderful "Town"" | 2004-03-14 |
| This PBS production of "Our Town" catches much of the flavor of the play as Thornton Wilder intended it to be staged. Paul Newman is fine as the Stage Manager, bringing his long lifetime of experience to a subtle interpretation of the role. The rest of the cast bring the town of Grovers Corners to life. Fans of the original "Saturday Night Live" may be surprised to see Jane Curtin as Mrs. Webb; although I would have advised her to lose the weird accent she uses, her performance is realistic and adds to the play. For those who don't know the play, it shows life in a small town in New Hampshire circa 1901 - 1913. The main characters are two young people who grow up, fall in love, get married, and are separated by death. On the surface, it's just another piece of nostalgia, but there are dark currents in Grovers Corners, little ironies and inconsistencies that are often commented on by the Stage Manager, and are embodied in the town drunk Simon Stimson. Be advised if you don't like sentiment: you'll have a lump in throat throughout the entire third act as the play explores the beauty of everyday life. And afterward, you'll look at your family and friends in a different way. Bravo to PBS for having the vision to bring this classic to a new audience, staged in the bare-bones way of the original play. Buy this DVD - you'll watch it over and over and force it on your friends. | ||
| Twisted Tales from Shakespeare | |
| "Must Reading for Anyone Who Had English Lit" | 2000-03-26 |
| Twisted Tales is the best summary of Shakespeare's great plays ever written. Will himself would love it (all those puns!). My English Lit teacher in High School used it as a summary of "Hamlet" and almost choked laughing while reading to the class. My own copy has been read so many times it is falling apart - and I'm still coming back for more. | ||
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