If you’re willing to deal with the pre-requisite fifties camp that comes along with this hyper energetic romance musical, then “The Girl Can’t Help It” is pretty much the lightning in the bottle that is the ethereal beauty of Jayne Mansfield. A classic story of the underdog pushed in to becoming a star, “The Girl Can’t Help It” is a wonky romance comedy that stars the immortal Mansfield as the innocent Jerri Jordan, a long leggy, busty, pouty, soft spoken gal seeking only happiness. Pushed in to becoming a star by her dictator soon to be husband Fats Murdock, he insists she become a big music star so he can have something to like about her. Aside from the fact she’s sweet, endearing, intelligent, can cook, is faithful, and insanely beautiful, he just wants to turn her in to a music star and live vicariously through her.
Tag Archives: Musical
School Gyrls (2010)
I swear the first person who asks me “Why did you even watch it?” gets a smack across the face “Melrose Place” style. I don’t know why I am prone to giving movies that assure me will be awful a chance. I’m just a sucker like that. Maybe it’s the hot girls, or maybe it’s the short running time, but I sat there and watched it and laughed at the appearances by the hip hop stars like Justin Beiber and Soulja Boy, people who supply cameos and are bound to be forgotten within the next two years. Attempting to be “Bring It On,” “Mean Girls,” and “Grease,” this Nick Cannon endorsed pop musical teen drama (that’s an exhausting description) watches like a parody that’s meant to do nothing more than market on the gullibility of its tween audience who want to see three annoying girls who we’re told are outcasts (since when are attractive fit girls outcasts?) overcome the odds by–dancing and singing!
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1985) (DVD)
Being a rather big fan of Charles Schulz’s “Charlie Brown” franchise, it was of most interest to me to watch the often talked about “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” a production that I’d often heard about in the past and yet could never quite watch. Finally it’s on Deluxe DVD and it’s a pretty darn good representation.
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
If you only knew how sick and tired I am of the same ho hum romantic comedy we get starring Hugh Grant and some other boring movie star, I tell you I could go on forever. What’s so infinitely excellent about “(500) Days of Summer” is… well everything! From the get go the movie stares you right in the eyes and proclaims “No, this isn’t a romance film.” And boy howdy do they get the message across. What also helps the anti-romantic atmosphere is the casting of the always whimsical pixie Zooey Deschanel who matches wits and lines with the always excellent Joseph Gordon Levitt who by all rights isn’t your conventional romantic lead. But as always Levitt proves why he’s one of this generations excellent young actors.
The Wizard of Oz (1939) (70th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD)
“The Wizard of Oz” remained a favorite of mine all through my childhood and after so much advancement in special effects, it’s still a marvel to watch. Fleming and Warner’s partnering was a match made in heaven as Fleming took the L. Frank Baum beloved novel and gave us a fantasy epic that’s been mimicked and beloved since its initial release. Years after wearing down my old VHS copy I’ve managed to view the Victor Fleming masterpiece as one of the weirdest films ever made. Watching it from the view of a child differs from when you see it as an adult and watching it on the restored 70th Anniversary edition has brought to mind some images that seemed normal then that are surprisingly surreal today.
Hamlet 2 (2008)
Andrew Fleming’s “Hamlet 2” is probably everything “High School High” wanted to be and couldn’t. It’s a raucous comedy that also doubles as an inspirational teacher vs. underprivileged kids flick sans any of the politics and searing melodrama. “Hamlet 2” is probably one of the funniest movies I’ve seen not associated with Judd Apatow and that’s thanks in whole to Steve Coogan who is absolutely hysterical as failed actor Dana, a man who has resorted to making school productions of popular Hollywood films and must find the right play to rejuvenate the arts program when he receives word all arts are being cut from the school he attends.
Awake O’Sleeper (2008)
I was watching “Awake O’Sleeper” on my computer, in my room, in the end of a boring day, half asleep, and ready for a quick film. And what I got at the end was a pretty damn great short musical from Brandon McCormick. And when I say pretty damn great, I mean this is probably one of the best indie musicals I’ve seen in a long time and you can only say that about the 5% of indie filmmakers daring enough to try their hand at the genre.