It's hard to do a true review of this season for Gaslight Theatre. For one, I directed two shows. While there are some ego-maniacs out there, I try hard to not be one of them. For my shows, I will instead give some general feedback about my thoughts on those shows. Secondly, I seem to have been given this great power to piss people off. Thank goodness for free speech, those that appreciate (whether they agree or not) my perspective in an effort to improve their craft, and the fact that I have always been an outsider.
Keep in mind, the season has 3 shows remaining; Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, Much Ado About Nothing, and Hairspray.
1. Red, White, and Tuna - I have never seen any of the Tuna productions, at Gaslight or elsewhere. Ginny Shipley and Dave Abbott have always performed them in the past, so I imagine that this is more of the same. If you liked them before, you'll like them now.
2. Til Beth Do Us Part - already wrote a review. Keep up. :) I was impressed with the new blood on the stage.
3. Night of the Living Dead - also wrote a review already. I'm a zombie fanatic, but this didn't do for me personally, what I hoped for.
4. A Suessified Christmas Carol - I did not get to see much of this show. I can say that I loved the colorful dynamic set (including the color choices) and the return of a few MIA actors to the stage made me happy.
5. The Somewhat True Tales of Robin Hood - this was the teen show for the season. This was a case of a lousy groan-worthy script, but one which proved how talented the teens are. Standouts; Joshua Beebee (as Will Scarlet, a merry man)- never seen him on the Gaslight stage before but he was strong and could really be one of the better actors in the right parts and the right director. Blake Recknagel (as Little John) - the energy and timing this guy brings to the stage is unmatched. This kind of comedic timing, especially in a teen, is rare to find. He is not what I would have expected, physically, for Little John, but he was such a joy to watch I didn't care. Kimmy Carris, Morgan Carris, Tori Plunkett, and Katherine Jones (as the Fawning Ladies) - possibly my favorite characters in the show. The almost silent improv they provided as extras tickled me unlike anything else in the show. They were having fun, but completely in character. There were other good actors on stage as well; a few choices that I would have cast differently and a bit more directing, but it was the onstage talent that saved the show from being a boring teen romp.
6. Becky's New Car - arguably the best show of the season. It was a stunning look at marriage and choices and consequences. It was high energy, but focused and controlled. Jill Paterson as the title character was phenomenal, remaining engaging throughout the performance. Kay Shaughnessy proved to be a stunning new actress, taking on the role of "Ginger." It was a pitch perfect delivery and every move she made was picture-worthy. Jason Maly as "Walter", Becky's tempting love interest, gave his usual reliable performance. I found Jonathan Suttmiller (playing Becky's son) to be relaxed and natural. He came in just weeks before the show opened replacing a lively and charismatic young actor, but Suttmiller managed to make it blend in with the story organically. Becky's husband (Steve Whitaker) was likable and funny, though something kept me from fully believing that they were married.
7. Distracted - my show. Can't review it other than to say that I got most of what I was hoping for out of the show and performances. I had several actors that were new to the stage and they held it together. I was disappointed in the turn out but also didn't have the time to devote to publicity.
8. Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp - also a disappointing turn out, that was mostly my fault. There were some crowd favorites, but the cast and I had so much fun and I think the audiences did too.
9. Shakespeare In The Park - have not seen it yet, but it will be returning to PEGASYS television this season.
10. Hairspray - Not perfect, but one of the best musicals I have seen. It was energetic and wonderfully cast. Even the extras were entertaining! Elizabeth Lewis, Jaden Dillon, Rynn Day, Tom Barger, Katherine Jones, Chelsea Hunter, and Dave Abbott were standouts (which was a difficult thing because that cast was on fire...especially in Act I). Dawn Hegwood deserves an honorable mention for her fantastic vocals. She had undeniable talent and I could see the "actress" inside of her fighting to the top. She is new to the stage and nerves were there (but only noticeable to someone that had been in her shoes, I think), but her first performance just showed how much potential she has. She's going to be amazing if she chooses to continue. It was an electric show that moved me in a way the big screen musical had not. Where the movie hinged on big names, this show was about skill, hard work, and heart.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Crowsnest - Film (Spoiler Alert)
Itching for a whole lot of nothing? Well, this will scratch it.
Crowsnest is another "found footage" film, following the path of such films as Paranormal Activity, V/H/S, and (the grandfather of them all) The Blair Witch Project. The big difference is that these three films were actual relevant and influential to movies.
Understand that I am a reviewer who finds "found footage" to be the laziest form of film making ever. There is zero writing, directing requirements of a caveman, and absolutely no imagination when it comes to the camera work. Any fool can swing a camera around and point and shoot. While Blair Witch Project was groundbreaking in its idea of storytelling, almost everything else that follows is a cheap imitation where the producers can crap out an hour and forty minutes of garbage and still turn enough of a profit.
However, a few movies in this genre have managed to be more than a Blair Witch wannabe. Crowsnest, however, is not one of them. It takes every cliche and puts it before you to assault your brain cells much like the killers take out the characters in the movie.
First, a group of horrible friends (and a fifth-wheel sister) drivel on and on, establishing their lack of goodness for a good chunk of the intro. The "lead" uses his camera to spy on neighbors (who cares) and attempt to record sexual acts with his girlfriend (so what).
As with all modern "found footage" movies, the cast is either left to come up with brilliant dialogue on their own or some genius has wracked his brain and slaved over a computer. The end result is such quotable gems as "F*ck, man. I don't know." or "F*ck! What was that?" or just simply "F*ck" Makes you think, doesn't it.
Reality doesn't have to be so boring.
Anyway, these horrible snobby people with a two word vocabulary decide to trek into the woods for a little getaway. On their journey they see a skinned animal that they stop to poke with a stick, the little girl from The Ring, and an angry RV that I was praying was not possessed like the car from Christine. It's all pretty random and does not build mystery so much as it does confuse and frustrate.
So, after the group stops to let the sister puke her brains out from drinking a beer, she gets plowed over by the RV. The group has the dumbest argument ever where everyone blames the driver for stopping on the side of the road (dumb because they were mad at him for NOT stopping just 60 seconds earlier in the film). In fact, the driver has done everything that a normal person would do and the entire group has verbally attacked him for it (most of it contained variations of "F*ck you, Jeff!"...or whatever his name was). They yelled at him for poking a dead animal. They were mad because he said they needed to get off the road. They were mad when he didn't get off the road. They were pissed when he wanted to go somewhere to find cell phone service so they could call for help. These people bitched the entire time and did NOTHING helpful, yet the film maker seemed determined to make the driver seem like the bad guy.
Anway, they all continue to get picked off by two killers who reside in the RV. The killers are never completely shown and yet you never get much more of an impression than that they are fat and bad dressers. Their characters are so vague and normal that you don't fear them at all.
The movie ends with two characters finding their car and a signal. It happens to be the driver that everyone hated and the b*tchiest girl of the group (the girlfriend to the camera guy who is long dead by this point). They call the police and drive to road sign to give directions, when the RV comes out of nowhere and puts an end to this wretched movie.
I've watched a series of "found footage" movies over the last month. A few of them were better than I expected. Some of them were mediocre. Then there is Crowsnest. It is the bathmat to which all these other movies wipe their feet.
RECOMMENDATION: I would rather rent an RV and drive it off a mountain than watch this movie again. So, I say avoid it.
Crowsnest is another "found footage" film, following the path of such films as Paranormal Activity, V/H/S, and (the grandfather of them all) The Blair Witch Project. The big difference is that these three films were actual relevant and influential to movies.
Understand that I am a reviewer who finds "found footage" to be the laziest form of film making ever. There is zero writing, directing requirements of a caveman, and absolutely no imagination when it comes to the camera work. Any fool can swing a camera around and point and shoot. While Blair Witch Project was groundbreaking in its idea of storytelling, almost everything else that follows is a cheap imitation where the producers can crap out an hour and forty minutes of garbage and still turn enough of a profit.
However, a few movies in this genre have managed to be more than a Blair Witch wannabe. Crowsnest, however, is not one of them. It takes every cliche and puts it before you to assault your brain cells much like the killers take out the characters in the movie.
First, a group of horrible friends (and a fifth-wheel sister) drivel on and on, establishing their lack of goodness for a good chunk of the intro. The "lead" uses his camera to spy on neighbors (who cares) and attempt to record sexual acts with his girlfriend (so what).
As with all modern "found footage" movies, the cast is either left to come up with brilliant dialogue on their own or some genius has wracked his brain and slaved over a computer. The end result is such quotable gems as "F*ck, man. I don't know." or "F*ck! What was that?" or just simply "F*ck" Makes you think, doesn't it.
Reality doesn't have to be so boring.
Anyway, these horrible snobby people with a two word vocabulary decide to trek into the woods for a little getaway. On their journey they see a skinned animal that they stop to poke with a stick, the little girl from The Ring, and an angry RV that I was praying was not possessed like the car from Christine. It's all pretty random and does not build mystery so much as it does confuse and frustrate.
So, after the group stops to let the sister puke her brains out from drinking a beer, she gets plowed over by the RV. The group has the dumbest argument ever where everyone blames the driver for stopping on the side of the road (dumb because they were mad at him for NOT stopping just 60 seconds earlier in the film). In fact, the driver has done everything that a normal person would do and the entire group has verbally attacked him for it (most of it contained variations of "F*ck you, Jeff!"...or whatever his name was). They yelled at him for poking a dead animal. They were mad because he said they needed to get off the road. They were mad when he didn't get off the road. They were pissed when he wanted to go somewhere to find cell phone service so they could call for help. These people bitched the entire time and did NOTHING helpful, yet the film maker seemed determined to make the driver seem like the bad guy.
Anway, they all continue to get picked off by two killers who reside in the RV. The killers are never completely shown and yet you never get much more of an impression than that they are fat and bad dressers. Their characters are so vague and normal that you don't fear them at all.
The movie ends with two characters finding their car and a signal. It happens to be the driver that everyone hated and the b*tchiest girl of the group (the girlfriend to the camera guy who is long dead by this point). They call the police and drive to road sign to give directions, when the RV comes out of nowhere and puts an end to this wretched movie.
I've watched a series of "found footage" movies over the last month. A few of them were better than I expected. Some of them were mediocre. Then there is Crowsnest. It is the bathmat to which all these other movies wipe their feet.
RECOMMENDATION: I would rather rent an RV and drive it off a mountain than watch this movie again. So, I say avoid it.
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