Out of all the Hanna Barbera series to stem from the sixties and seventies, I’d have to say that “Josie and the Pussycats.” Sure, it was in essence a pure “Scooby Doo” rip off, with a Shaggy character voiced by Casey Kasem, a Freddy character with an ascot, goofy animal sidekicks, and even re-using its chase music on many occasions, but it’s just so much better than “Scooby-Doo” which I’ve always considered an overrated franchise to begin with.
Tag Archives: Musical
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
The Beatles are now and have always been four men who carried with them a presence that is hard to pin down or describe. Something about these fab four, these mop tops always inspired an attraction from music lovers and fans around the world. It doesn’t matter what they did or do, people responded and they came in droves to watch the four do what they did best. The transition to film is rarely a successful venture for a musical star. Many times you’ll see a singer anxiously trying to act and failing or just pretty much supplying a string of mediocre performances. “A Hard Day’s Night” makes no bones about itself. It’s a vehicle, a promotional tool, and of course a way for fans to see the Beatles without going to a concert.
Hairspray (1988)
Though it’s true I’ve never been much of a John Waters fan, the prospect of the upcoming remake has entertained me some. Not only is the prospect of seeing John Travolta in drag a hilarious option for movie viewing, but, yes, I think it looks entertaining in spite of the serious possibility it will be completely watered down, and void of any of the civil rights commentary posed. Before that, though, I thought I’d see “Hairspray” for the first time to see what the big deal is. Like all of Waters’ films, it’s a cult classic, and one that’s an acquired taste.
American Dreamz (2006)
Muslims that speak primarily English and not their home land’s language, a Muslim young man who sings and dances and isn’t killed for it, a glorified karaoke show that’s staged, scripted, and twisted, a dumb president who can barely walk on his own, and a vice president that pretty much coaches the president’s appearances and speeches. “American Dreamz” is not only incredibly stupid, but it pretty much states the obvious from minute one. Weitz and crew almost create a “Satire for Dummies” film, featuring gags and social commentary that are neither funny, nor edgy, and tread over the same old crap we’ve seen in various other television shows, and films time and time again.
Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! (2006)
In 2004, the Beastie Boys handed different hardcore fans Hi-8 Cameras to walk around the audience shooting the concert and offering up their own view of the concert taking place in Madison Square Garden. And my first thought was: Did any of them steal the camera? I can imagine one of them just making a break for the door with this great camera in hand. But I digress, “Awesome;” is for the hardcore fans only.
Undiscovered (2005)
So by the logic present here, if you take a picture with a huge star, you will, in effect, become one yourself. Wondering what the hell this movie is? You’re not alone. It’s not a big coincidence “Undiscovered” has been undiscovered by almost every movie goer in America. It’s a piece of crap. Pure and simple. I mean, can you really expect quality from a film that’s relied on a steady campaign of “It stars Ashlee Simpson” to get the word out about the production? Yes, “Undiscovered” is a horrible movie, and for many reasons. But one of the reasons is that it’s so utterly insulting, even as a fairytale of stardom.
Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic (2005)
At some point, within the tirade of racial jokes Silverman willingly passes, and within the admissions of peeing in her bed, and having unusual body hair, you have to wonder. If she was an ugly utterly huge woman, would we be okay with this? If a heavy woman went on stage and said “I pooed a little,” would we still laugh? It just seems that just because Sarah Silverman is basically good looking, it’s okay to say this stuff, and get out of jail free because—well, she’s hot. And in some way, she seems to know this, and that’s why instead of groaning, the audience simply laughs. I like Sarah Silverman. She’s funny, quick with the put downs, and is very pretty, but “Jesus is Magic” is an uneven balance of skits, musical numbers and stand up comedy, neither of which as uproarious as I would have wished and hoped for.