Category Archives: musicals

U2 3D

Posted on February 24, 2008

A testbed for a new generation of 3D technology, U2 3D is no gimmick. One of the trailers was for the upcoming Scorsese-directed Rolling Stones concert movie and the difference was clear. Another trailer, by the way, was for a … Continue reading →

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Music and Lyrics

Posted on February 25, 2007

Alex Fletcher was one half of the creative force of ’80s British hair band PoP–think Andrew Ridgely of Wham but playing keyboards and doing more of the singing and songwriting–who sunk into the lowest rung of the oldies circuit after … Continue reading →

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New York Doll

Posted on January 24, 2007

While the band was incredibly influential after blasting onto the rock stage in the early ’70s, the New York Dolls came along about two or three years too soon for me to really have gotten into them and by the … Continue reading →

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Happy Feet

Posted on November 24, 2006

The latest marvel in computer animation, this movie has a couple of serious surprises: first, it delivers a powerful ecological message suitable to the kids who’re the primary audience; second, hot blonde Brittany Murphy shows off some powerful vocal talent … Continue reading →

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Walk the Line

Posted on October 4, 2006

I’ve been of two minds about seeing yet another biopic of a musician caught up in the demands of stardom and ego so it got past me in the theatrical run but with a little free time today and HBO … Continue reading →

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Grace of My Heart

Posted on September 4, 2006

I always thought that this sweet, musical movie deserved a better reception than it got but I guess in 1996 people were more interested in Kurt Cobain’s still fresh suicide than a look 40 years back. There must be something … Continue reading →

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Eddie and the Cruisers

Posted on February 9, 2006

Though it kind of sank without a trace on release in 1983, Eddie and the Cruisers has always been a favorite of mine. How could it not be? After all, the main character is a fusion of Bruce Springsteen and … Continue reading →

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No Direction Home: Bob Dylan

Posted on October 4, 2005

PBS series American Masters broadcast the Bob Dylan documentary last week but I finally got to watch the second part last night. Zimmy is a musician who’s always been in the background for most people my age and younger, making … Continue reading →

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Grand Theft Parsons

Posted on September 21, 2005

A quirky little film, Grand Theft Parsons is the story of what happened when country-rock originator Gram Parsons died of a drug overdose in September, 1973. He and his pal Phil Kauffman (not the film director) had pledged that if … Continue reading →

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Edgeplay

Posted on August 27, 2005

Back in the ’70s teen chick rockers the Runaways almost pushed it over the top but, sadly all too common in the history of rock and roll, fell apart in a frenzy of intramural ego battles, drugs and external manipulation. … Continue reading →

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