Radio Like You've Never Seen Before

[filkertom]

I really hope A Prairie Home Companion is good. In fact, I'm almost positive it's gonna be great. My only hesitation is the director, Robert Altman, a deeply gifted creator... except in musical numbers.

Still, PHC, Altman, Cast From Hell (Kevin Kline as Guy Noir!), Streep, Tomlin... I'm there.

Comments

[youngcurmudgeon.livejournal.com]

Except in musical numbers? But ... but Nashville!

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but he made Popeye after that. Still, staging musical numbers in The Hammerstein Zone isn't as straightforward as capturing live performance.

[youngcurmudgeon.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but Spielberg did Temple of Doom, and I still hold that against him. :-) I'm just happy to see anyone sing on film nowadays.

Incidentally, I have to write a paper on one of Sondheim's songs. Any suggestions so I don't end up writing it on Gotta Get a Gimmick?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Roger that on TOD. Awful, awful film. Same with JP2, and I want to bitch-slap him for greenlighting JP3 even if he didn't hold the camera.

My first thoughts would be from Sweeney Todd (Id go with "Epiphany", "A Little Priest", "These Are My Friends", or "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir") or Assassins ("The Ballad of Booth", "The Ballad of Guiteau", "How I Saved Roosevelt", or "Gun Song"). (And get the original 1991 cast album, not the 2004 revival.) Everybody will be doing West Side Story and Forum. Or not. What kinda paper?

[youngcurmudgeon.livejournal.com]

I'm getting very worried about Indy 4, if they ever get around to it. Guys, either give it up or fix the hell out of it.

We're not allowed to do A Little Priest, as that's where we're starting (friend of the prof's got Sondheim's original notes on it and analyzed it). But we're supposed to talk about the purpose the song serves, what the lyrics tell us, etc. We just started the Sondheim Era, but I know we'll be getting into Company, Follies, Sweeney, Gypsy, and probably Passion. If I end up writing about Pacific Overtures, I swear by all that's holy and some that isn't ... :-)

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Well, "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir":

• establishes the characters of Toby and Pirelli (Todd's first victim)
• establishes Todd's reputation in the community as both a skilled barber and a good neighbor
• provides the plot twist by which Pirelli attempts to blackmail Todd
• shows Beadle Bamford's current position in the community
• sets in motion Judge Turpin's visit to Todd

Just a start. :)

[youngcurmudgeon.livejournal.com]

Much thanks! I also get to write a song for my final.

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

That "Popeye" cut is hardly fair. Too many cooks spoiled that broth but good. Consider "Nashville," "Jazz '34" or even "M*A*S*H". If he has a decent sound mixer, he will be just fine I'm sure.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

You must understand... I like Popeye, except for the musical numbers. And I will also fess up that part of the reason I dislike those is that I think Harry Nilsson's songs stank on ice. The other factor is that Altman kept whoever was singing pretty much center-screen the whole time, with very unimaginative blocking (in my own humble opinion). Now, it's entirely possible he was doing everything he could to overcome those obnoxious songs.

No, I think Altman is a superb director. Just... not enough experience with musical numbers. Is all I'm sayin'.

[sarekofvulcan.livejournal.com]

Ummm... and he's supposed to get that experience how, again? :-)

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

More than two musicals in thirty years, and one in the last twenty-six. :)

[annearchy.livejournal.com]

Why is LINDSAY LOHAN in this movie??!? *head esplodes* Isn't she already booked to play Super!Ginny Weasley in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?? ;)

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Aw c'mon. You know that SNL sketch (http://www.celebritymoviearchive.com/tour/movie.php/9737) with her as PubertyBeenMellyMellyGootToMe!Hermione was a hoot.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Direct link (http://www.kontraband.com/show/show.asp?ID=1344).

[annearchy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but you know, La Lindsay is hot enough to play GinnyJoSue and make Harry's chest monster seem realistic ;)

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Word. The only possible reason I can think of for Harry to go for Ginny.

[ddrussianinja.livejournal.com]

Ack. He did the Beyond Therapy movie? God... How did he get an Oscar?

I'm also hesitant about Lindsay Lohan. That was actually my first hesitation when I heard about the movie.

Still, with Garrison Keillor, how could the movie possibly suck? The man's a genius.

[liddle-oldman.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

Any chance I can kill Altman with a cattle prod and saline gel?

Count my fingers crossed.

[seanmonster.livejournal.com]

Wow. I've been listening to Keillor on and off since high school (about 15 years now), and he and his crew have only gotten better with age.

Other than PHC and maybe Le Show, comedy on the radio seems to be a dying art.

Re: Count my fingers crossed.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

huskiebear also got me to appreciate Car Talk and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me.

some movies

[nezmaster.livejournal.com]

There are some movies that can not be good. No matter what happens. Popeye is one of them. Bullwinkle live action is another. I don't care what you did to those films you couldn't make them good. You can only make them suck less. I though popeye was great for what it was. Of course, I hate the cartoons, so what do I know. Actually I like hte movie better than most of the cartoons.