Director Danny Boyle and writer Richard Curtis have a fascinating premise for “Yesterday,” and when all is said and done, after two hours, they—have a fascinating premise. They don’t actually do much with it, in all honesty. They take what could have been a unique and bizarre tale about an iconic band completely inexplicably being erased from all of culture around the world and turn it in to a conventional tale of rags to riches. I mean the script does nothing with the idea of the Beatles not existing. What would happen to all the singers, performers, bands, and artists they inspired? Would they cease to exist as a whole? “Yesterday” barely scratches the surface at two hours.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001): Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]
The thing about cinema is that it’s an often very literal art form that takes what is often very metaphorical or performance art about stage productions and has a hard time supplanting it for the audience. For “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” it’s a very good cult rock film that often feels like it has to be seen on stage in order to soak in the true experience. I’m not trying to take away what a cult classic John Cameron Mitchell’s musical drama is, but I couldn’t quite help but feel that “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” could have been much more appreciated as a live show.
Rocketman (2019)
Another year, another mediocre big budget biopic, filled with Oscar aspirations, about a musical genius. I’m a huge fan of Elton John, and have been for years, but he deserves so much more than what is mainly just a serviceable musical drama about his life. While it gets credit for consciously dodging biopic tropes (and seems to also be a retort to “Bohemian Rhapsody” which openly shied away from Freddie Mercury’s sexuality), “Rocketman” only inspired me to re-visit his classic music.
The Bootleg Files: To Tell the Truth
BOOTLEG FILES 713: “To Tell the Truth” (long-running television game show).
LAST SEEN: Plenty of old episodes are on YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: A few of the older episodes are on DVD from a highly dubious label.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Never properly repackaged for home entertainment channels.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely at all.
Liars are the most fascinating people. After all, they can give you a spiel that could be utterly convincing and compelling, but it is only later when you realize their smoke-and-mirror act played you for a fool. And it takes a certain brand of talent to sell a falsehood in a manner that it is happily embraced as a fact and its seller is welcomed as an all-around good sort.
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The Reliant (2019)
“The Reliant” is that movie you watch when you thought that 1984’s “Red Dawn” wasn’t jingoistic enough and well–just didn’t preach enough about the love for guns and God, dagnabit. What we get is post-apocalyptic clap trap where a group of wholesome, blonde, upper class, white kids and their guns survive an economic collapse as they are relentlessly hunted by evil, gun toting atheists. “The Reliant” is based on a book that is perfect fodder for Kevin Sorbo and his increasing library of movies that preach about Christianity, and the danger of not being Christian.
Cats (2019)
Twenty five years too late, “Cats” is that kind of Broadway hit that may have worked wonders on the stage but fails spectacularly when it’s given a very literal adaptation on screen (e.g. “Jersey Boys”). I say that as someone that’s never liked “Cats” or really ever seen the big deal behind it. I barely stayed awake during a production airing on PBS back in the mid-nineties, and I only fondly remember it thanks to a classic TV ad that played around the clock in the eighties and nineties. “Cats” has always been that production I hope studios would stop trying to put on to the big screen.
And sadly, here we are. Oh the horror.
A Message for Readers for the Holidays
The holidays can be a joyous time, a time where we can celebrate our year and be with our families. We pig out, we indulge in gifts, and we also reflect on our successes and failures. But for many it can be a very tough time. It’s a time where we still grieving the ones we’ve lost, are reminded of those we love that couldn’t be here to enjoy the holidays with us. For those people out there that don’t see the holidays as a joyous time and think they need some serious help, we know how it feels.
There’s absolutely no shame in getting help and seeking counseling from a professional in times of great stress and or pain. Especially when you have to endure Christmas, and or Hanukkah. It’s okay to not be happy during the holidays, it’s okay to be in pain and it’s okay to admit that you need help, and you need help from someone who can remind you that life is worth living and this too, shall pass.
No matter what happens in your life, you deserve good health. You deserve to have peace of mind. You matter. You’re wanted. People care about you. Most of all, you’re not alone. Not in the world, and not in suffering.
If you’re contemplating suicide please consider the Suicide Prevention Hotline, right now.
Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Fun Festivus for the Rest of Us, and Happy New Year!
Thanks for another wonderful year from Cinema Crazed.