Does Howard Keel always play the worst boyfriend ever? I mean, he masterminds the kidnapping of innocent women with the aid of misguided book-learning, and then he beats up his BFF and secret love, and now I find that he spanks his ex-wife on stage during a musical rendition of Shakespeare's creepiest love story?
Why are any of these women clamoring back to him. I mean, I'm a fan of a tall drink water and a deep voice as much as the next person, but goodness, there has to be a line in which you think "dealbreaker."
I don't know. Maybe if you're into the physically domineering type. And I can't say I'm against all that facial hair he sports:
And those gams! Has anyone seen this one (Jupiter's Darling)? It looks awful, in the best way possible.
Being born in 1987, I was the perfect audience for Disney's animation renaissance in the last decade of the 20th Century. As much as I watched and listened to the music of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King as a kid, I'll deny absolutely loving those movies now*.
And then I hear one of the songs from them and I get goose bumps and realize I know every lyric.
Take "Part of Your World" from 1989's The Little Mermaid for example:
The voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson, also voiced an old (non-Disney) favorite: Thumbelina(1994).
Watching The Little Mermaid now, it's fairly apparently film that it has an anti-feminist message about a shapely teenager in a seashell bra who finds out she can still get a man just based on looks. And there's the hidden penises all over the place, and a frighteningly buxom villain; the film is kind of a mess.
But just listening to this song, it's clear there is some brilliance in this, and it helps me get over the fact that I watch this movie 234987 times a week when I was 5.
If you're going to bring in prostitutes, they better be the fun part of the musical.
"Le Val D'amour" from Notre Dame de Paris
The call and response between singer and (fake?) strings make this way more catchy than it should be. And yes, those are flesh colored leotards with weird attachments (Star Wars or All That Jazz?).
"Lovely Ladies" from Les Miserables
This one is actually pretty icky; so much detail about the smell of women. But the melody sure sounds fun!
"El Tango de Roxanne" from Moulin Rouge!
General awesomeness in the form of strained, gruff voices, jealousy, and the tango.
"Crossroads" from Perhaps Love
What was that? You want another depressing envy involving prostitutes song? Coming from the utterly confusing pastiche-heavy film that is Perhaps Love, here's "Crossroads." It sure looks and sounds gorgeous, in a dirty sort of way. Starts about 1:09.
"Come Together" from Across the Universe
The whole thing isn't about prostitutes, but they've got the sweetest harmonies out the other scenarios. Plus, Joe Cocker is a pimp.
Through the magic of Hulu, I was able to watch the entirety of the 1973 film adaptation of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. It's shockingly more watchable and interesting than you would think. It's a funky retelling of Jesus' final week and passion. It develops minor roles from the gospels, like Judas and Mary Magdalene, but ultimately respects the accepts the traditional story.
1. The beginning and end of the film make it seem like some young adults came to the middle of the desert to some ruins to stage a hip, new passion play. They arrive on a bus in normal clothes and quickly change into vaguely first century garb and pull a giant cross off the top of the bus. At the end of the film, they all get back into the bus, but just a little more pensive. I'm not sure what that's supposed to imply other than a good excuse for why everything looks so cheap and minimalist.
2. Reading the bible you forget that Jesus must have had quite the entourage following him around. The "superstar" status that he must have built up to be a threat to the Sanhedrin probably was a lot more raucous than what I usually imagine. Interestingly in this film, the combination of the Christ entourage and 70s inspired dance moves and dress draws a connection between the many movements of the 60s and 70s. It seems that part of this 1st century movement managed to have an impact for 2000 more years.
The kids in the Jesus/anti-Rome movement. (Starts at about a minute in.) Also, the really enthusiastic Simon Zealotes trying to get Jesus to go all Lucifer.
3. I like the idea of Judas being a sympathetic character. While you can't gather the reasons for his betrayal in the standard gospels, you can read in between the lines that he had other motivations besides greed. In this version of the story, he noticed that the crowd was getting out of hand and Jesus and his followers were drawing too much attention to themselves so he took the only action he could think of to save them all.
I know I posted this song before, but it's so well written and Carl Anderson gives a great vocal performance.
4. We get to see a fairly conflicted character of Jesus in this film. While it's assumed that he is what the gospels declare he is, the film also shows Jesus struggle with the demanding crowds, a betraying apostle, and also questioning God why he has to die--all while singing at the top of his rock opera lungs. And Ted Neeley does a pretty good job of navigating through one of the most idealized and enigmatic people/characters/concepts ever.
5. Mary Magdalene (played by the 70s pop star Yvonne Elliman) is also developed a little, with the lovely "I Don't Know How to Love Him." The song expresses her confusion about how she feels about Jesus, which may or may not be romantically. Perhaps she's grappling with Jesus' special nature. But I think this, more than anything, develops the idea that he's someone ineffably different: the Christ.
5. The title song's performance only competes with the final sequence from All That Jazz in flamboyantness. In fact, I think it's quite distracting from the lyrics of the song, which is quite thoughtful. But, I guess fringe and girls in half shirts are all part of the message...?
6.Conclusion: Jesus Christ Superstar is an interesting retelling of Christ's last week that with catchy rock music that gives the story more tangible emotion than a usual retelling.
I'm in a cheesy mood and have been remiss in my blogging duties, so here's a little something to tide you over and distract you from election ridiculousness:
The Sound of Music"My Favorite Things" Not too long ago, I rediscovered this movie and found it to be awesome. This is my favorite song from it; honestly, the melody is gorgeous. Too bad this scene doesn't have more of that sexy Captain Von Trapp.
Notre Dame de Paris"Belle" There is an astounding number of version of this musical, including in English. My favorite I've accidentally encountered is in Russian. It just doesn't sound right: same melody, but different words/singers. Anyway, enjoy the original in French. When all three men start to sing together, it's heavenly. Just ignore some of the creepy lyrics and the kind of poor sound quality.
Oklahoma"People Will Say We're in Love" This is the London production with Hugh Jackman. Seriously adorable. I love good rom-com banter...in music form.
Speaking of musical banter, Calamity Jane"I Could Do Without You" In the most ridiculous of musicals, this is a surprisingly sexy scene. Something about the huge Howard Keel and adorably small Doris Day trying to boss each other around. Anyway, enjoy.
Today I filled out my absentee ballot for Washington state*. This is the first presidential election I've been able to vote in, so I think that calls for a medley about America.
First up, Simon and Garfunkel's "America". Please bask in Art's hair and vest in this live version:
The American dream vs. Reality in West Side Story's "America", complete with fabulous choreography:
I think the most important thing we can learn from the following song is not that "You Can Still Rock in America", but that Night Ranger had more than one hit:
Did you think I could do an America medley without a country song? Here's Waylon "Good Ol' Boys Writer"Jennings with his song "America":
