CityCynic.com » Movies

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the Broadway storytelling go on

Anthony — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:04:43 +0000

Broadway is all about telling a story.

Tonight Melissa went to see the musical Mary Poppins at a theater in the area that is what I can only assume California’s answer to Broadway.

While I’m sure seeing the touring productions of Broadway shows are an experience in themselves, I’ve always enjoyed (and only known) the Broadway version of, well, Broadway musicals. And I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve ever been to.

Being a native New Yorker, I’ve been fortunate enough to see many Broadway productions from The Lion King to Wicked, from Ragtime to Phantom of the Opera, and from Les Miserables to RENT.

And while I usually have seen shows with friends, my family, or on a school class trip, I always wanted to keep seeing more.

Because while some people seemingly don’t “get” the whole Broadway thing, live theater draws me in because its all about telling a story. And the creative forces behind Broadway have found literally thousands of ways to tell a story.

A scene from the Broadway production of RENT.

Its similar to the way I am captivated by movies. I don’t just go for the popcorn, you know. (In fact, I recently gave up movie theater popcorn altogether, but that’s a story for another time.)

Its all about the story — finding about a certain character’s motivations, gleaming a lesson or two from character’s struggles to apply to my own life, watching how different colors or designs can move a story along.

Some people are content to get all of this out of books, but let’s face it, these days its all about the visual.

And there is nothing but colors and motivations and lessons on Broadway these days.

Anyway, I’m just happy to have found someone to go with me now who enjoys the storytelling as much as I do. Broadway, here we come!

Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 4

Anthony — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:28:15 +0000

Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly include any other good-looking movies coming out these holidays than I did in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, I found even more movies of interest.

And I proudly present them to you in what I’d like to call Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 4:

Everybody's Fine

Everybody’s Fine

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell | Premieres: December 4, 2009

Robert DeNiro plays a father who seeks to reconnect with his grown children after the death of his

PROS: It’s like Meet the Fockers with a an actual moral to the story and without Ben Stiller.

CONS: If the holidays don’t bring back great family memories, than this film is not for you.

Sherlock Holmes

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams | Premieres: December 25, 2009

A mystery-adventure film about the detective who always seemed to rely a little too heavily on his assistant Watson. This version has a good bit of action thrown in as well.

PROS: Downey Jr. as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson

CONS: Hard to improve upon the original story of Sherlock Holmes

Invictus

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon | Premieres: December 11, 2009

Based on a true story, this movie is the story of how South African president Nelson Mandela and the captain of the country’s rugby team came together to unite the country after apartheid. Directed by Clint Eastwood.

PROS: Getting to see Morgan Freeman in the role you know he was meant to play.

CONS: Matt Damon trying to make us believe his South African accent.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Starring: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell | Premieres: December 25, 2009

A fantastical adventure starring Heath Ledger in his final starring performance about a traveling theater troupe who must deal with the consequences of making a deal with the devil.

PROS: Heath Ledger, Think Big Fish fantasy but with a point

CONS: Hard to believe Heath Ledger can make a bigger impression than his Joker role in Dark Knight

==============================================================

So many movies, so little time, right? Well thanks for checking out some more of my holiday movie picks.

If you get a chance, let me know in the comments which movies you see and what you think about them!

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 3

Anthony — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:18:46 +0000

Watching a movie is a great break from holiday shopping. But who knows what movies are worth seeing? To help you out, I proudly present Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 3.

[If you missed Part 1, it's right here. And Part 2 is here.]

Brothers

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman | Premieres: December 4, 2009

A compelling and timely story based on Susanne Bier’s 2004 book about a soldier (Tobey Maguire) thought to be dead who comes home to discover his brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) has entered into a relationship with his wife (Natalie Portman).

PROS: Interesting twist on a soldier’s homecoming, Tobey Maguire going nuts, Natalie Portman!

CONS: Nothing I can think of…

The Princess and the Frog

Starring: Anika Noni Rose, John Goodman, David Keith | Premieres: November 25, 2009

When the directors of Aladdin and the Little Mermaid join forces, you know you’re in for an animated classic.

PROS: A family-friendly flick for those who want to skip Twilight mania

CONS: With all the 3D animated films out now, traditional 2D animation just seems boring

Armored

Starring: Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne | Premieres: December 4, 2009

An action-packed crime thriller about an armored car heist that is seemingly foolproof.

PROS: Star powered action film

CONS: None, unless you happen to be anti-gun and anti-explosion

Up In The Air

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman | Premieres: December 4, 2009

George Clooney stars in the story of a corporate downsizer attempting to reach 10,000 frequent flyer miles.

PROS: Sure to be hilariously dramatic

CONS: George Clooney overload… nah, just kidding

================================================================

Thanks for reading my Holiday Movie Picks guide. If you guys leave some positive feedback in the comments, I’ll be sure to continue this feature in the future here at CityCynic.com.

[If you missed Part 1, it's right

[If you missed Part 1, it's right here.]here.]

Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 2

Anthony — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:34:15 +0000

Want to know what to see in the theaters this holiday season? To help you out, I proudly present Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 2.

[If you missed Part 1, it's right here.]

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson | Premieres: November 20, 2009

The second movie of the ultra-popular Twilight series focuses on a forbidden werewolf love instead of the previous movie’s forbidden vampire love in the small town of Forks, Washington, but teenagers and most other “Twi-hards” are sure to love it.

PROS: A love story you can really sink your teeth into, Vampire/Werewolf drama, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

CONS: Where is all of this going anyhow?, Heavy on the teen angst and forbidden love

Planet 51

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel | Premieres: November 20, 2009

Unlike a certain other holiday animated feature film sequel starring 3 chipmunks, Planet 51 is actually based on an original story about what happens when a human is the alien.

PROS: Original story, family-friendly alternative to Twilight

CONS: Let’s just hope The Rock and Jessica Biel are better voice actors than movie actors…

Bad Lieutenant

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes | Premieres: November 20, 2009

Nicholas Cage plays a bad cop in the streets of post-Katrina New Orleans

PROS: Nicholas Cage movies have great action scenes

CONS: Katrina victims might not particularly enjoy the setting

Broken Embraces

Starring: Penelope Cruz | Premieres: November 25, 2009

A scintillating tale of an enigmatic woman who leads her two romantic interests down a road of jealousy and ultimately heart break.

PROS: Penelope Cruz… need I say more?

CONS: Hardly an uplifting holiday flick

The Road

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee | Premieres: November 25, 2009

Viggo Mortensen plays a father trying to help his family survive a post-apocalyptic world against all odds. Early word is that Mortensen’s performance in this film is Oscar-worthy.

PROS: Viggo Mortensen playing a character that will do anything to survive

CONS: Same type plot we’ve seen before in Children Among Men, Zombieland, etc.

==============================================================

Hope I’ve helped you find some movies you want to see. Be sure pick up some delicious popcorn along the way — makes every movie better!

Check out Part 3 of my Holiday Movie Picks tomorrow.

Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 1

Anthony — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:45:03 +0000

If you know one thing about me, it’s that I love movies. I love watching movies, I love experiencing movies on the big screen, and I love dissecting the pros and cons of movies. I go to several movies a month and I enjoy just about everything about the movie-going experience, except maybe paying $11 a ticket.

So as a public service to you guys, and to help me remember what’s coming out the next month or two, I put together my Holiday Movie Picks for you.

Disney's A Christmas Carol in 3D

Disney’s A Christmas Carol in 3D

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey | Premieres: Now Playing

Charles Dickens’ holiday classic – now with Jim Carrey in 3D! Finally a way to improve on a story made into about a million movies over the years.

PROS: Jim Carrey, 3D, movie with a moral

CONS: The animation: While an amazing technological feat, the characters still looks too plastic for many people’s tastes.

2012

Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet | Premieres: Now Playing

This is the disaster movie to end all disaster movies. Directed by “the destroyer” Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Armageddon), this film shows how the world and it’s leaders might react to the end of the world planet. It’s non-stop action and definitely worth the $11 ticket.

PROS: Special effects, Danny Glover as US President, John Cusack’s acting

CONS: Two weak special effects scenes (out of 30+), unnecessary giraffe/elephant helicopter transport scene

Precious

Starring: Gaboure Sidibe, Paula Patton | Premieres: Now Playing

This Sundance award winner is about the tough life of an abused 16-year-old. Some critics have called it the most important movie of the year. Gaboure Sidibe’s performance has earned rave reviews.

PROS: Gaboure Sidibe, A movie that really makes you really feel for the characters

CONS: It’s hard to take Mo’Nique seriously since she’s so funny

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman | Premieres: Now Playing

Based on a book by Roald Dahl (“James and the Giant Peach”), foxes voiced by George Clooney and Meryl Streep act out this family-friendly story in stop-motion animation.

PROS: Family friendly, George Clooney literally as a fox, another Roald Dahl classic

CONS: Nothing!

===============================================================

More to come! Be sure to check out Part 2 tomorrow.

Happy Holidays! And Happy Moviegoing!

Michael Moore surprises moviegoers with tease for new film

Anthony — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:58:27 +0000

Michael Moore is at it again, running a teaser for his as-yet-untitled upcoming film about the bailout of CEO’s:

I’m excited about this new film, that’s carrying the tagline, “This time it’s personal.”

Like the healthcare industry failures targetted in Sicko, the federal bailouts of multinational corporations using taxpayer’s money need to exposed for what they really are and for what connections really underly the process.

And Michael Moore, as he’s shown, is the man for the job.

Moore’s new movie comes to theaters October 2.

Michael Moore passing around the Save Our CEOs jar