With a cameo from Gamera!!!
25Jan12
Turning Into a Right Diva
22Jan12
Underworld: Awakening
Since I’ve seen the other Underworld movies, I was predisposed to want to see this latest installment in the ongoing war between vampires and lycans. Awakening was a kick-ass entry in the series and the addition of 3D worked well for it.
This movie jumps forward from film number two (film three was a prequel for the series). We see a brief bit of a war that went down between the humans and the non-humans. This would have made a good movie on its own, but it’s only the prologue to the main story. Jumping forward 12 years, we catch up with Selene defrosting from a long sleep. She goes hunting for her hybrid lover Michael, but discovers a young girl instead. From there we find out what the surviving vampires and werewolves are up to and who exactly the girl is and why science is so interested in her.
I was quite impressed with the 3D. This movie was 90% or more shot at night, yet the 3D was sharp. I’m used to darker films, like Tron Legacy, looking murky because you’re looking through dark glasses. The Underworld team took that into account and did some excellent 3D photography. The action sequences looked great, without throwing too much blood on the audience.
Hopefully in 2014 or 2015, Beckinsale will done the tight black costume again and continue the story.
Posted by Jeff in Theatre | Tagged Broadway, Darren Criss, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, musical
During the time that Daniel Radcliffe was in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Will and I considered going many times and any number of things kept us from going. However, when word came that Darren Criss from Glee was coming into the show for three weeks we didn’t hesitate to order up tickets.
It was well worth the trip.
Criss looked like a natural in the role of J. Pierrepont Finch, a young man who is eager to climb to the top of the business world. His voice is great and his character choices were perfect. He had a blend of enthusiasm, naiveté, cunning and charm. He rocked the choreography too, especially in the complicated finale of “Brotherhood of Man” as well as in the mailroom number “Company Way” and the football themed “Grand Old Ivy” (which featured dancers diving down a slide to make their exit through a hole in the stage).
Beau Bridges, who replaced Tony winner John Larroquette, was also delightful to see in the role of the president of World Wide Wickets. A major standout among the original cast members was Christopher J. Hanke as Bud Frump, the president’s nephew and someone who’s trying to stop Finch’s rise to the top. Frump was hysterically sneaky and coniving.
Director/choreographer Rob Ashford, who captured the 60s in 2010′s Promises Promises did it again with this show. The sets were in a 60s futuristic look. His choreography was fantastic as it was with Promises. His direction was also great as he kept the show moving at a good pace with some great comic timing.
I enjoyed this revival more than I did the 1995/96 version which had Matthew Broderick as Finch and Megan Mullally as the secretary he falls for. For some reason the show just didn’t stick with me, whereas I think this new production will.
Criss exits the show today after a limited 24 performance run (he does have to get back to work on Glee after all). Pop star Nick Jonas steps into the Finch role starting on January 24. Ugly Betty star Michael Urie also starts that day as Bud Frump. I’m not sure how Jonas will be in his role, but I have no doubt that Urie will be hysterical.
