Pop Notes: La La Land, Hidden Figures, Manchester By the Sea
Wow, it's rare that I see many "Award season" films, but I've been doing pretty well lately.
Over the past couple of weeks, I've enjoyed three films that have received Golden Globe nominations and awards, and which will likely be contenders for the Oscars, as well. And they're all good!
"La La Land" will appeal to lovers of musicals, but it's not all song and dance. The film is a tribute to L.A.'s fading glory and reflects on the difficulty of sustaining dreams and romance in the face of reality.
While there are a few upbeat numbers - including the stunning opener, "Another Day in the Sun" - much of the music is understated and carries a whiff of melancholy.
This is a musical that always keeps one tap shoe in the real world. When Emma Stone, as a frustrated barista/actress, and Ryan Gosling, as a frustrated jazz pianist, sing their first song together they are searching for her Prius. And the number ends with the ring of an iPhone.
As much as we root for these two - and they're both completely lovable and adorable - we fret for them, too. They are asking a lot from life. Is it too much? Maybe, so. But what would life be worth if they didn't? This is a musical that asks if it's really possible to live in a musical.
I predict the film's central piece, the lovely "City of Stars," will be played at a million kids' piano recitals over the next 10 years.
"Manchester By the Sea," in comparison to the vivid colors and sophisticated production of "La La Land," is a simple, sad film that flickers with a glimmer of hope throughout.
Casey Affleck is remarkable as Lee Chandler, a broken man called back to his hometown to care for his 16-year-old nephew after his brother, the boy's father, has died. Lee doesn't want, and isn't at all prepared, to take on this new role. He didn't realize it would fall to him and he left town years ago, hoping never to return.
Over the course the the story, we learn why Lee left and we become increasingly more sympathetic to his initially off-putting behavior. Everyone has his or her past hurts, and Lee's are profound. Affleck inhabits his character and provides a very moving performance, as do Michelle Williams as his heartbroken ex-wife and Kyle Chandler ("Friday Night Lights") in flashbacks as Lee's brother, Joe.
"Hidden Figures," about three overlooked, mistreated and vital women working for America's space program in the 1960s, could've clobbered us over the head with it's importance, but doesn't.
Instead, it just gets to the business of telling it's story, which all Americans should hear. Without Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, it might have taken us much longer to get into space and to the moon. And more men likely would've died trying. Yet, up until now, how many of us knew about how much these three African American women contributed to our history?
The film doesn't tell us, but shows us the brilliance and dedication of these women, while also depicting the outrageously poor treatment they were subjected to while just trying to do their jobs.
The bright spots are provided in scenes that demonstrate the camaraderie among these characters. The co-leads, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáem have great chemistry. They make these inspirational figures real and it's a joy being in their company.
Kevin Costner is also excellent as a forward-thinking NASA supervisor and Glen Powell is heroic and charismatic in his brief scenes as astronaut John Glenn.
Over the past couple of weeks, I've enjoyed three films that have received Golden Globe nominations and awards, and which will likely be contenders for the Oscars, as well. And they're all good!
"La La Land" will appeal to lovers of musicals, but it's not all song and dance. The film is a tribute to L.A.'s fading glory and reflects on the difficulty of sustaining dreams and romance in the face of reality.
While there are a few upbeat numbers - including the stunning opener, "Another Day in the Sun" - much of the music is understated and carries a whiff of melancholy.
This is a musical that always keeps one tap shoe in the real world. When Emma Stone, as a frustrated barista/actress, and Ryan Gosling, as a frustrated jazz pianist, sing their first song together they are searching for her Prius. And the number ends with the ring of an iPhone.
As much as we root for these two - and they're both completely lovable and adorable - we fret for them, too. They are asking a lot from life. Is it too much? Maybe, so. But what would life be worth if they didn't? This is a musical that asks if it's really possible to live in a musical.
I predict the film's central piece, the lovely "City of Stars," will be played at a million kids' piano recitals over the next 10 years.
"Manchester By the Sea," in comparison to the vivid colors and sophisticated production of "La La Land," is a simple, sad film that flickers with a glimmer of hope throughout.
Casey Affleck is remarkable as Lee Chandler, a broken man called back to his hometown to care for his 16-year-old nephew after his brother, the boy's father, has died. Lee doesn't want, and isn't at all prepared, to take on this new role. He didn't realize it would fall to him and he left town years ago, hoping never to return.
Over the course the the story, we learn why Lee left and we become increasingly more sympathetic to his initially off-putting behavior. Everyone has his or her past hurts, and Lee's are profound. Affleck inhabits his character and provides a very moving performance, as do Michelle Williams as his heartbroken ex-wife and Kyle Chandler ("Friday Night Lights") in flashbacks as Lee's brother, Joe.
"Hidden Figures," about three overlooked, mistreated and vital women working for America's space program in the 1960s, could've clobbered us over the head with it's importance, but doesn't.
Instead, it just gets to the business of telling it's story, which all Americans should hear. Without Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, it might have taken us much longer to get into space and to the moon. And more men likely would've died trying. Yet, up until now, how many of us knew about how much these three African American women contributed to our history?
The film doesn't tell us, but shows us the brilliance and dedication of these women, while also depicting the outrageously poor treatment they were subjected to while just trying to do their jobs.
The bright spots are provided in scenes that demonstrate the camaraderie among these characters. The co-leads, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáem have great chemistry. They make these inspirational figures real and it's a joy being in their company.
Kevin Costner is also excellent as a forward-thinking NASA supervisor and Glen Powell is heroic and charismatic in his brief scenes as astronaut John Glenn.
Cool: Doctor Who, Willy Wonka, Sherlock and more - Playmobil-style
Playmobil and Funko have teamed for a series of pop culture figures. They look like Playmobil figures, but at 6-inches tall, are a little bigger.
Here's a look at the first wave, out this summer:
Here's a look at the first wave, out this summer:
Willy Wonka
Doctor Who
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Sherlock
Back to the Future
Pop Culture Roundup: The Hulk; Wally Wood; Mark Hamill
Via Plaid Stallions: The Inflatable Hulk.
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Fantagraphics is launching an exhibit featuring works by the legendary comics artist Wally Wood.
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How did I miss out on this as a kid? I must've been born slightly too late for it.
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Mark Hamill is recording Donald Trump tweets in the voice he used for "Batman: The Animated Series."
Fantagraphics is launching an exhibit featuring works by the legendary comics artist Wally Wood.
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How did I miss out on this as a kid? I must've been born slightly too late for it.
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Mark Hamill is recording Donald Trump tweets in the voice he used for "Batman: The Animated Series."
The Trumpster quote #1#ANewJeersToast https://t.co/qZQEGU18r6— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) January 8, 2017
New music releases Jan. 13, 2017: Flaming Lips, Madness
Click the links to order discounted items from Amazon.
Marvel's TV Defenders featured on Entertainment Weekly cover
Marvel is banding its Netflix heroes into a small-screen version of the Defenders. The new Entertainment Weekly features a look.
Pop Notes: Sing Street; Miss Sharon Jones; Riverdale; Jack Flanders
I caught a good family movie - with the family, of all people! - over the holidays. "Sing Street" is now playing on Netflix and is delightful in much same way as "The Commitments." In fact, it's sort of a "Kid Commitments," but a nice film in its own right.
It tells the story of a young teen, Conor, and his friends who are growing up in tough circumstances in post-punk Dublin. Music is their hope and salvation, and each week brings them new sounds and looks via "Top of the Pops." Conor and his pals try them all on for size. Their band isn't too bad, and the film's original songs do a dead-on job of catching the styles of the era while providing simultaneous laughs.
There's a little cussing here and there, but it's a good film for pre-teens and older. Despite being set nearly 40 years ago, its themes of alienation, adversity and acceptance still resonate.
Another great music film now on Netflix is "Miss Sharon Jones," a documentary about the powerhouse Dap Kings singer and her struggle with cancer. I saw it, and Sharon herself, shortly before her passing late last year, but I figure it still plays as an inspiring story about an amazingly talented and brave woman - just with a sadder ending. Lots of fantastic musical performances, too.
Anyone else annoyed by the prospect of "Riverdale," the CW's upcoming "dark" take on Archie Comics?
All the images and materials I've seen from the show are willfully provocative in a silly, not interesting, way.
I enjoyed Mark Waid's "realistic" update of the Archie universe (my daughter is fan). It places Archie and friends in a world more like our own, but retains elements from the classic comics, including its humor and upbeat perspective. But things like Afterlife with Archie and this new TV series just seem dumb.
Subverting Archie's archetypal characters doesn't take much imagination or skill. Will doing so yield any interesting or compelling stories? I doubt it. It's just a stunt that provides a few moments of intrigue and soon becomes a bore. Why not just watch "Twin Peaks" or "Buffy" or "Walking Dead" or any of the other series this show steals from, instead?
The new show also may ultimately be harmful to the comics. Right now most Archie series are kid-friendly and a way to potentially get younger kids interested in the medium. They are available in grocery stores and book shops, not just comic book shops. But if Archie, of all things, becomes something for teens and "grown-ups," we stand to lose that, too.
Finally, a plug for ZBS Media and it's new, final, Jack Flanders audio adventure series: "League of the Velvet Chairs."
Robert Lorick, the super-talented actor who voiced the intrepid Jack for more nearly 50 years died last year. This new series features Lorick's last recorded work and, according to Jack's creator, Tom Lopez, serves as a tribute to Jack and Lorick alike. You can hear samples and order it here.
It tells the story of a young teen, Conor, and his friends who are growing up in tough circumstances in post-punk Dublin. Music is their hope and salvation, and each week brings them new sounds and looks via "Top of the Pops." Conor and his pals try them all on for size. Their band isn't too bad, and the film's original songs do a dead-on job of catching the styles of the era while providing simultaneous laughs.
There's a little cussing here and there, but it's a good film for pre-teens and older. Despite being set nearly 40 years ago, its themes of alienation, adversity and acceptance still resonate.
Another great music film now on Netflix is "Miss Sharon Jones," a documentary about the powerhouse Dap Kings singer and her struggle with cancer. I saw it, and Sharon herself, shortly before her passing late last year, but I figure it still plays as an inspiring story about an amazingly talented and brave woman - just with a sadder ending. Lots of fantastic musical performances, too.
Anyone else annoyed by the prospect of "Riverdale," the CW's upcoming "dark" take on Archie Comics?
All the images and materials I've seen from the show are willfully provocative in a silly, not interesting, way.
I enjoyed Mark Waid's "realistic" update of the Archie universe (my daughter is fan). It places Archie and friends in a world more like our own, but retains elements from the classic comics, including its humor and upbeat perspective. But things like Afterlife with Archie and this new TV series just seem dumb.
Subverting Archie's archetypal characters doesn't take much imagination or skill. Will doing so yield any interesting or compelling stories? I doubt it. It's just a stunt that provides a few moments of intrigue and soon becomes a bore. Why not just watch "Twin Peaks" or "Buffy" or "Walking Dead" or any of the other series this show steals from, instead?
The new show also may ultimately be harmful to the comics. Right now most Archie series are kid-friendly and a way to potentially get younger kids interested in the medium. They are available in grocery stores and book shops, not just comic book shops. But if Archie, of all things, becomes something for teens and "grown-ups," we stand to lose that, too.
Finally, a plug for ZBS Media and it's new, final, Jack Flanders audio adventure series: "League of the Velvet Chairs."
Robert Lorick, the super-talented actor who voiced the intrepid Jack for more nearly 50 years died last year. This new series features Lorick's last recorded work and, according to Jack's creator, Tom Lopez, serves as a tribute to Jack and Lorick alike. You can hear samples and order it here.
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