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jeanmichel
jeanmichel's stats
- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes1
- First reviewDecember 13, 2010
- Last reviewJune 19, 2011
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.5
jeanmichel's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
COMPANY dazzles with all-star cast!!
PostedJune 19, 2011
jeanmichel
from Philadelphia, Pa.
This theatrical simulcast of Stephen Sondheim's classic musical "Company" preserves a once-in-a-lifetime all-star cast in a 2011 semi-staged concert performance with the New York Philharmonic. The performances are absolutely riveting, including TV and Broadway star Neil Patrick Harris as the lead character, Bobby, whose 35th birthday is the catalyst for an evening of revelations. Stunning support is given in the form of the singer/actors portraying his friends - all married couples - and three specific girlfriends, who Bobby has dated but cannot commit to. Martha Plimpton, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, and Patti LuPone are among the participants who elevate this concert performance into legendary status. Highly recommendable !!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Colin Firth makes this an Oscar worthy effort!!
PostedFebruary 13, 2011
jeanmichel
from Philadelphia, Pa.
The King's Speech recounts the true story of how King George VI of England worked to overcome his frustrating speech stammar. The film contains a rounded portrait of the King and the time when he lived, and how difficult it was for him when he had to assume the throne by default, when his brother, Edward, abdicated to live with the woman he loved, American divorcee Wallis Simpson. George also had to deal with the looming threat of World War with Germany, as well as the inevitable fact that he would have to use the wireless (radio) to communicate with his people. Colin Firth gives a vivid, believable portrayal of a man struggling with his own human frailty, yet realizing that history has dealt him a hand with which he must deal. Firth truly deserves his Oscar nomination! He is ably supported by Helena Bonham Carter, as his loving and supportive spouse, and by Geoffrey Rush as the man who used his knowledge of theatrical elocution to help George overcome his demons and rise to the challenge of speaking to his people. (Note: Rush's character is not a speech therapist.) The story includes many important historical details, helping to flesh out the period, but the cinematography is a little murky, like a lesser HBO movie from the 90's. Its many Oscar nominations, especially Best Picture, are puzzling, since this is a great performance in a good movie, but one that would not be recommendable without Colin Firth. He alone elevates this film to Oscar worthy status. Without him, this would just be an interesting HBO movie.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
4
/
5
Biutiful: emotionally brutal but haunting
PostedFebruary 13, 2011
jeanmichel
from Philadelphia, Pa.
Biutiful has a very complicated story, all revolving around the main character, Uxbal. He has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and needs to tie up the loose ends of his life. Uxbal is taking care of his two children, ages 10 and 7; his unreliable ex-wife is a bipolar party girl; he is involved with illegal merchandise sales; and he and his brother supply construction sites with illegal Chinese immigrant workers. As if this weren't enough, he also has yet another job: he receives messages from people who have recently passed on, and is sought out by families who want reassurance about their loved ones. The film is deeply emotional, very intense, and Bardem is riveting, in a tour-de-force role. He certainly deserves his recent Oscar nomination! The film is lengthy, at two and half hours, allowing each of the areas of Uxbal's life to have some sense of closure, but there are many disturbing images and jolting events that make this film difficult to watch yet compelling. Recommended, but for adults only. Subtitling is well-done and appropriate.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
5
/
5
Best DON CARLO thus far!
PostedDecember 13, 2010
jeanmichel
from Philadelphia, Pa.
Last Saturday, the Met Opera's HD telecast of their new production of Verdi's DON CARLO was magnificent in its simplicity and emotional resonance. The production was spare, suggesting the period, but the costumes were authentic, as were the performances. Led by a charismatic Roberto Alagna in the title role, the singers acted as well as they sang, pulling the viewer into the tragic drama as it unfolded. Alagna has sung this role in its original French but this is his first time singing it at the Met, and in Italian. He did a fantastic job through the long work, his voice sounding both youthful and expressive, and equal to the work's enormous challenges. Marina Poplavskaya was a revelation! Her voice was plangent and sturdy, and she sailed through the role's difficult hurdles with grace and ease, proving herself a Verdian soprano of the first rank! As Marquis de Posa, Simon Keenlyside was literally the power behind the throne, his acting equal to anyone on the screen today, abetted by his rugged good looks. His voice was stunning in its raw emotional power, and he brought subtle emotional shading and heft to the role. Ferruccio Furlanetto as King Philip did a good job, acting credibly and sounding very noble, but he did not erase or surpass this viewer's memory of Rene Pape in 2006 in the prior Met production. Anna Smirnova was a curious choice for Eboli. She has the power for the role, with an expressive face, but appeared to flatten the role's many high notes, especially in the Veil Song and O Don Fatale. The other roles were well cast and sung, and the chorus was particularly effective in the many ensembles. The orchestra and the conducting were superb, and this was, overall, extremely recommendable!!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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