UMOJA

Umoja-The Musical

Move over American Idol fabrications, this incredible (and live) experience will blow you away. Amazing singing and dancing, for an amazing price. Check it out!

I’m No Film Expert, But..

Okay, so I have been to my share of films over the past few weeks/months, and although I’m no film expert, I thought I might share my expertise, in order to save some of your hard earned dollars at the box office.

*****Across the Universe

If there is a theatre still playing this movie, GO AND SEE IT. It is phenomenal, and a definite best of 2007. Its gets a little trippy with the whole drugs/on-acid scene, but what seems to be nonsense does in fact ground the gilm in the 70’s era.

*1/2 No Country for Old Men

Um…for the most part, save your money. Woody Harrelson is the best part of this movie–and he’s in it for about 15 minutes of comic relief. Just a guess, but my feeling is that the “hidden” message is that the US is no longer a country for the gentlemen of the past (in case you couldn’t tell from the title..?) I think it was mostly an attempt to see the most amount of blood outside the horror genre.

***1/2 27 Dresses

Yes, of course, a perfect piece of chick flick–but it never really aspired to be anything more than what is seemed. Don’t dig for the deeper meaning here, just enjoy every minute of Izzy Stevens turned Plain Jane in this cute and neatly packed story of wedding nightmares.

*** Alvin and the Chipmunks

I’m sorry, but who can resist this adorable remake of their past? Sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the tube, Saturday mornings, bowl of cereal tucked between your footy pyjamas, watching another episode with those crazy chipmunks. It is incredible that such a simple concept has lasted 50 years. My favourite part of the movie: watching the furry rodents sing their rendention of the modern “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter while they monotonously pack their nuts away in a tree for the winter. Here’s to another 50 years…

* In the Name of the King

Again, save your money. After seeing way too many ads for this movie on the subway (nicely done promotion by the way), I decided to experiment with this preview-lacking film. Along with the audience, my confusion about whether or not this was a Lord of the Rings-type spoof, or an actual serious piece came out in peals of laughter. Burt Reynolds–easy on the botox there buddy. And casting Matthew Lillard as the constantly drunk heir to the throne…a joke, right? No, seriously, right?

** The Golden Compass

For those who have read all the books, curiousity will probably bring you to the film anyway (if it hasn’t already), so I will just caution you to not expect too much. The world of Philip Pullman is far to great to be captured within the four walls of the screen. For those new to His Dark Materials series, my advice would be…read the books. The film is interesting, but in no way an accurate adaptation of the literary experience.

**** P.S. I Love You

P.S. I love this film. I *sniffle* DID NOT cry through the entire thing. Ahem… Who knew Hilary Swank could be semi-adorable and woman-ish. It was a little morbid, but it was kept light enough in parts that it wasn’t completely depressing. I’m not entirely sure I would want letters from the beyond the grave to keep me reminded of my beloved’s passing, but the love story was real enough to get away with it. Oh, and kudos to Gerrard Butler for turning his Scottish accent into a beautiful Irish voice.