Tonight’s entry in the Toronto After Dark film festival is the one film in this year’s lineup that I find a little dubious. I love that the festival embraces genre films from all over the world, and that they showcase some fantastic films, but Contracts seems like a bit of misstep. In a post-John Wick…
Tag: choreography
Rocketman (2019) – Blu-Ray Review
The fantasy biopic about musical legend (and one of my favorite artists) Elton John has come home on blu-ray and DVD thanks to Paramount Pictures. Taron Egerton who is bound to be nominated for an Oscar (or should be) IS Elton John in this jukebox musical that tells the musician’s personal history in a fantastical,…
War of the Worlds (1990) – Totally Real, and Max
Debi (Rachel Blanchard) gets another shot at the limelight with Totally Real, an episode written by Jim Trombetta which first aired on 23 April, 1990. While the production value again skirts the noir/apocalypse and the ‘classy’ future look, young Debi finds herself enjoying a fight simulator hologram that was created by the morthren to study…
Mary Poppins Returns (2018) – Rob Marshall
Opening tomorrow, Mary Poppins Returns is an old school, classic Walt Disney film in the magical sense of the words. Knowing that it has to take on one of the iconic characters from the Disney filmography, Mary Poppins Returns has a big umbrella to fill, not to mention those shoes! But the Emily Blunt led…
Dirty Dancing (1987) – Emile Ardolino
The final recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book following my screening of Grease is Dirty Dancing. This is a film I hadn’t seen since it was originally released back in 1987 (and I stole some of the music for a drama presentation I was doing in English class). Coming to…
Grease (1978) – Randal Kleiser
The joyous, infectious, and iconic screen adaptation of the classic stage musical is the next stop in the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film as I return to the musical chapter of the book. Grease, Saturday Night Fever, Jaws, Star Wars, these and a few select other films were staples of the 1970s. You…
Mamma Mia! (2008) – Phylida Lloyd
The final recommendation for my screening of Jailhouse Rock for the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film is the beloved stage musical, Mamma Mia! Using the catchy tunes penned by cherished pop group, ABBA, the tale is a but of a post-modern Philadelphia Story as a young woman, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is on the…
An American in Paris (1951) – Vincente Minnelli
Gene Kelly singing and dancing to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, sounds perfect and entertaining. And this Best Picture winner is definitely entertaining, and my next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of Singin’ in the Rain. I feel bad, because I know this…
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) -Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
For me, screen musicals don’t get any better than Singin’ in the Rain. It’s my favourite. It combines great music, with a fun look at Hollywood on the cusp of transitioning to talkies, and features some wonderful sequences and a completely charming cast in the form of Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds….
Sister Act, Presented by Drayton Entertainment
I love stagecraft, and I love seeing a well-produced, perfectly acted and paced stage production. Drayton’s 2016 season has all of that and more, and playing on the main stage currently at the Huron County Playhouse in gorgeous Grand Bend (though to be honest I feel like I’m on Amity Island from Jaws) is…
Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) – Mervyn LeRoy
The Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book brings me back round to musicals again, and I was quite happy to dig into this 1933 gem that I had heard of, but had never seen. Featuring some wonderful choreography by Busby Berkeley, this had one was a complete delight. Set in the depression,…
Fringe Toronto: Becoming Burlesque
Last night was the opening night, at the Al Green Theatre, for the cabaret/revue/burlesque narrative, Becoming Burlesque. Working with the Love Letters Cabaret Dancers, director and writer, Jackie English (who shares directing credit with Sebastian Marziali), brings to life a glimpse into the burlesque world, featuring scintillating choreography from Pastel Supernova. The bare bones of a…
