Media update

[daasgrrl]

I feel like I should think about Sherlock more, but a) I'm just not as invested as I used to be, even though I am still enjoying it and b) my brain is insisting that I deal with unfinished business first, which means writing about stuff I've seen so far this month. I'll keep it brief, since it's mostly for my own benefit anyway *g*

Fantastic

Comments

[splix]

Haha, you can blame me for the Mads accusation, I'll own up to it. What was the one and a half? Mild annoyance? Mild surprise? Stoic resignation? Weary cynicism? :D I'm glad you liked the movie, and I got such a squee when I saw Anderson. And he was still playing Anderson! Poor guy. :)

I saw a trailer for La La Land and wasn't drawn in at all, even though I do like a musical. I suppose I'll skip it or wait for the digital edition at most.

Okay, I hadn't planned on seeing Moana, but Jemaine Clement.... <3 <3 <3

So I love Bowie's Berlin period. I can't imagine someone else singing that particular set of songs unless they were going to totally reimagine them. As you say, I don't listen to "Be My Wife" because his voice soars, as such. Still, seems like a neat show. Do they only do Berlin?

[daasgrrl]

What was the one and a half? Mild annoyance? Mild surprise? Stoic resignation? Weary cynicism? :D

...yes? ;D

And it really was Anderson. Playing dress-up. In another galaxy Oh, god, it's like a mini-crack-crossover in a single scene *g*

See, I went *because* it was purportedly a musical, and because it was critically acclaimed. But judged purely as a musical, it wasn't appealing at all.

Hee! A Conchords fan, perhaps?

Yeah, one of the women did have strong vocals, and I think it worked better with her because she gave it her own style, but I have some of Bowie's intonations imprinted on my brain, so it's difficult to listen without prejudice *g*. And yes, it was specifically Heroes, Lodgers and Low, from which I have heard surprisingly little. The band really gave the music its due, though, and that was wonderful.

[splix]

...yes? ;D

Ahahahahahha!!! Oh my word. :D

God, now I want to write a crack crossover, Anderson In Space. Someone stop me.

I am a Conchords fan! Lurve.

Bowie is probably a super-tough act to tribute, so you have to give them props anyhow for doing that particular set of songs!

[daasgrrl]

God, now I want to write a crack crossover, Anderson In Space. Someone stop me.

*aggresively doesn't stop you* :)

I'm not a huge fan of the Conchords but I do know who they are and like what I've heard/seen from them. And the other half, Bret Mackenzie was fantastic in Austenland *g* I'm really kind of surprised you've heard of them, but that's cool!

Yes, I think it was a very interesting period to choose, in that it had very few 'crowd-pleasing' numbers, but the songs were quite complex and interesting musically, which is why I suspect they were chosen. It was very much a band-driven show, not a vocalist-driven one.

[srsly_yes]

La La Land Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For the first 30 minutes I was seriously considering walking out. Then the story switched to Sebastian's pov, which was slightly more interesting. IMO, the singing, songs, dancing, and choreography were mediocre. I heard the montage at the end was phenomenal, but meh. I don't get why the critics were crazy about it.

Like you and your mother I have a similar story with my mom. We went to an amateur production of The Song of Music years before the film came out. The singing was off-key and the length interminable. Since this was a mom and daughter outing, I sat and tried not to squirm until the curtain rang down. Can't remember who cracked first but as we walked out into the fresh air we admitted we hated it. OMG, we could have gone shopping! We ribbed each other for years about it.

[daasgrrl]

LOL, I'm so glad to hear you say so. I mean, who am I to buck the decree of highbrow critics, but as a musical - no. The opening number was impressive in terms of choreography, but the rest of what I saw was only passable at best. I did like the jazz band, pity they were barely featured :)

Oh, dear, I feel for your suffering! At least next time you'll know that leaving is an option. My mum said she was prepared to stick it out for my sake, but she was far more scathing about the singing and dancing than I was...

[cuddyclothes]

I'm so glad to read this about La La Land. I have no desire to see it. As a big fan of classic musicals (My favorite is The Bandwagon) I have no desire to see mediocre singing and dancing. My mom hated it and wants me to see it so I can hate it too.

Uh, no, Mom.

[srsly_yes]

Compared to The Bandwagon (also one of my favorites, IMO underrated), it's a unicycle.

[indybaggins]

I haven't seen any of these so I can't comment, but I am with you with wanting to see Hidden Figures for sure!

[daasgrrl]

I'm hoping it'll be as awesome as the trailer, but it's got a good buzz, so that's a start :)

[potentiality_26]

Like you I found Fantastic Beasts and Rogue One to be pleasant surprises.

I'm probably going to have to see La La Land, but I'm not enthused. That kind of story isn't particularly interesting to me (old school Hollywood nostalgia can be fun if done but I'm just so, so bored of typical movie romances) and while being a really good musical could probably save it, it doesn't seem like it is a really good musical. So, a little disappointing to hear that I'm right to be dubious, but not surprising.

[daasgrrl]

Like you I found Fantastic Beasts and Rogue One to be pleasant surprises.

Hee, the power of low expectations, possibly! No, I really do think they were well done for what they were.

I'd be interested in hearing what you think of La La Land. The reviews have been seemingly so universally glowing that I can't help thinking style over substance is where it's at, nowadays.

(Not that I was impressed with that, either - like, if I wanted to see true Hollywood old school spectacle, I'd actually watch an old Hollywood movie, lol.)

[gentlespirit]

I held my breath all through reading your thoughts on Fantastic Beasts because it is one of those things that I just love so much! But it was virtually designed for me! I mean, Harry Potter universe, NYC, and HUFFLEPUFF MAIN CHARACTER NOT STRICTLY ADHERING TO EXPECTED GENDER ROLES. Gah! Newt! <33

(I'm so glad that you liked it. Also agree with you on the beasts themselves! I NEED a huggable niffler!)

[daasgrrl]

Eee! Yes it was lovely, and I loved it as a standalone work.

The niffler was gorgeous, but when I first saw it, I thought, "but that's just a thieving platypus!" LOL.