“Hamilton An American Musical” was not something I “had to see” but became the thing I was compelled to see a second and third time. Is it over for me? “Not yet.” It’s terrific.
My thoughts will inevitably compare New York and Chicago performances, having seen them both. My essential impression is this:
“the show is the show.” Continue reading Hamilton 1 – Love at First Lyrics
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Why was “Hamilton An American Musical” something I had to see a second time in May 2016? Because I “heard” and “felt” far more than I saw that first time in 2015 (Hamilton 1 – Love at First Lyrics). My mental “vision” was obscured by the fun of processing all those delightful words that enamored me while I embraced them. Continue reading Hamilton 2 – May I have 20,000 words with you?
How does the musical Hamilton “go on and on, grow into more of a phenomenon?” I ventured to the Chicago production of “Hamilton An American Musical” in April 2017, full of wonder for something exceedingly familiar.
I would be “delighted and distracted” in this third viewing after two in NY (cast contrast later in this post), but more aware of lighting, scenery, costumes, and movements that combine with words I knew well and discussed in previous posts:
Mezzanine seating in Private Bank Theatre differed from orchestra level in NYC, particularly for observation of complex and varied lighting schemes. Spotlights can be squared rather than rounded. Red on the stage can represent blood spilled in battle. A character can be illuminated differently than any other “loyal, royal subject” because every aspect of his appearance is unlike any other role. Continue reading Hamilton 3 – The Third Time and I’m Charmed
“Trapped” (2002) arrived via the way-back machine, but why not a suspense thriller featuring Charlize Theron? (See her in 2005’s “North Country.”) Dakota Fanning’s acting was awesome at just eight years old.
The cast built drama and character across three well-directed settings that meshed. Unfortunately, when they all came together the film fell apart. It resorted to chases, crashes, stunts, pyrotechnics, and more “art” Hollywood often can’t resist injecting in a good story.
I began skeptical that Tommy Lee Jones produced, directed, and acted this movie only because he needed work late in his career, and doubtful that any Western could still be likeable.
I finished with an appreciation for all the acting, for Hillary Swank’s strong character, and knowing that Jones remains active in Bourne and others. A good cast was assembled, and the story made this film worth my time.
“Carol” is a 2015 movie with little more to offer than the enticement of Rooney Mara with Cate Blanchett. I’m not saying it was bad, but … it … was … a … long … two … hours!
Cate is a star with stature and two Oscar statues. Rooney’s portrayal of a confused young 1950s woman seemed to conflate Audrey Tautou’s “Amélie” with Audrey Hepburn’s “Sabrina,” taking looks from each minus their charm. See “more-a” the real Ms. Mara in 2016’s Lion instead.
“Mao’s Last Dancer” is based on a true story pitting life in Communist China versus life in the United States for the favor of a talented young ballet dancer. Its genesis is the autobiography of Li Cunxin, centered around 1980.
It succeeds as a rags-to-riches story, a love story, a tale of intrigue, a history lesson, a coming-of-age concern, a family affair, a treatise on trust, a stage for the arts, and more. There is something for everyone in this film.
Hamilton The Revolution – by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter
Why am I effusive about Hamilton – The Musical, and certainly recommend a deep dive under the encyclopedic covers of “Hamilton The Revolution?” The answer has as many layers as the topic itself. As I peel them back, I’ll still maintain the whole is serendipitously greater than the sum of the parts.
Hamilton The Revolution is a book about a musical about a book about a man. Having read this book as a complement after seeing the stage action, my review conflates the two.
The hook for me: “words, words, words,” wrote Jeremy McCarter in chapter 28. Those words of which he spoke, nearly 22,000 in the production, grasped me by intermission of the stage show, securing the immediate and everlasting thought, “This is creative brilliance.” The book reinforces that, with more words about the exquisite weaving of words; there are brilliant pictures, too. Continue reading Book Report: “Hamilton The Revolution”
“The Raven” stars John Cusack, whose films are the box of Hollywood chocolates that make you wonder what you’re going to get when you open one of them.
This time you get a reasonably-good storyline, darn good cinematography (ignore the gore), other sharp actors, and a solid conclusion that delivers just the right “twist” of surprise. Those admirable attributes are sometimes supported and other times interrupted by the irregular, quirky actions of Mr. Cusack.
Aside: Brendan Gleeson appears, though not as the lead he was “In The Heart of the Sea” watched earlier in 2017. I hope it is worthy to say he is a Lego(R) that fits and holds things together wherever placed. His understated portrayal of “The Guard” (2011) made me respect his presence on the screen.
“Trumped: Inside the Greatest Political Upset of All Time” is an engaging “while it happened” collection of film clips and “while it happened” interviews. Its chronological starting point is the Trump announcement that he will enter the race for the Republican nomination. It ends on election night, November 8, 2016.
America itself began as the greatest military upset of all time, did it not? America loves upsets, right? True! But this film makes clear that the election was the greatest “pundit” upset of all time. The experts were following the playbook of conventional politics while guerilla warfare, campaign grenades, and other unconventional tactics and mishaps exploded on the scene.
They never could made sense of it. So they made a movie they could watch again and again to see if it will ever sink in. It just so happens you can watch it as well, and as well you should if you have the stomach for it.
"Across My Spectrum" 