"Fame" Falls Short

For months, I've been on pins and needles. Ever since I heard there were making an updated version of "Fame," I've been counting down the days until I could see it. Every time I saw an ad or trailer that made me doubt its merits, I'd see another that would renew my hope.

Anyone who was a theatre geek in high school, college, and beyond should understand what I mean. The original "Fame" was iconic. It was something that spoke to every young performer in one way or another. It was one of the first things we could look at and feel like someone got us. Someone understood that it was hard, that it was work to be a performer. It was the first thing I can remember seeing where the artistic people were normal. They weren't some over the top, ditzy, arty, weird for the sake of being weird freak like they always have been in movies and sitcoms. It was the kind of thing you should show your non-theatre friends to help them understand your world. The sort of thing you show to your overachieving History major roommate who doesn't think you work because you're not writing papers and spending 24/7 in the library.

Seeing that the film featured accomplished actors as the faculty gave me hope. I knew that it wouldn't be the movie I fell in love with so many years ago. I hoped it wouldn't be. As long as it held true to the essence, I would be happy.

I'm not happy. The movie fell far short of my expectations. I'm going to try to explain without giving "spoilers" because I hate people ruining movies for me whether they're good or bad.

It wasn't terrible. It could have been much worse. However, it could have been far better. The original showed blood, sweat and tears. It showed the work that goes into the crafts we practice and the love that drives us to make ourselves so vulnerable. I've seen it at least a dozen times and I cry every single time. I didn't cry this time. I didn't see the struggle, so I didn't feel the triumph. No one seemed to be sacrificing, no one seemed to be vulnerable, and everyone seemed to get a happy ending.

I wasn't looking for a rehashing. I wanted it to be different, but feel the same. I wanted to feel the same inspiration at the graduation scene. I didn't. The finale didn't have the power it needed. The whole thing felt rushed. There wasn't enough depth to the characters, which is sad in a movie that's all about finding depth to improve your performance.

Overall, it was a raging disappointment, but not a totally horrible film. I suppose there was no way to live up to my expectations, but I would have given points for effort.

What Is Wrong With These People?!

Last night I was watching one of my favorite zombie movies and began to get frustrated with the same thing that always bothers me when I watch a zombie movie. Why is it that no one in a zombie movie ever appears to have seen a zombie movie? Or heard of a zombie? I can understand a certain amount of shock and mental shut-down, but wouldn't there come a point when you say to yourself or hapless companions "Holy crap! They're zombies!" Shouldn't some sort of knowledge kick in? I mean, it seems to me that we live in an age where few, if any, reasonable adults have never heard of the concept of a zombie.

Thankfully, today we watched a zombie movie we rented. We rented The Slaughter thinking it would be terrible (amusingly so) based on the obvious poor production quality, lack of recognizable actors, etc. I have to say, I recommend it. If you can suffer through the bad acting/writing in the first half, it gets a lot better. There are some funny lines and situations in the second half. My favorite scene involved a zombie shuffling toward his intended victim while her cohorts discussed and debated where this particular zombie fit into zombie culture so they could figure out how to defeat it. Finally! At last I get to see someone doing something more along the lines of what I'd be doing faced with the walking dead.

I'd like to see more people who seem to have even the slightest idea of what they're facing. It's just so much more realistic. At least, as realistic as cinematic walking dead ever are. If the creature villians of the story were rabid squirrels, you wouldn't have a bunch of idiots standing around trying to figure out what these furry little creatures with fuzzy tails are! They'd know they were squirrels!

So let's think about this logically:

Does the person coming after you, whether shuffling or running, have a grey-ish dead tint to their skin?

Did your friend just let out a death rattle, go slack for a moment then open his/her eyes again to reveal a glazed look?

Is someone trying to eat your brain or any other part of your body?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions: ZOMBIE! SHOOT IT IN THE HEAD!

Any questions?

I'll admit it . . .

I love bad movies. I like good movies too, but I really love bad movies. There are movies that I'm horrified with myself for liking. Movies with no cinemagraphic or artistic merit. Movies with bad writing, bad acting, bad directing, bad everything. Movies that don't even have a cult following that I can hide behind. Movies that aren't simply so bad they're funny, they're just bad. Yet every time I see one of these movies on television, I have to watch it. Sometimes, when it's late and I don't recognize the person behind the counter at the rental store, I'll even pay money for the privilege of watching one of these movies.

I'd never actually own a copy of any of these movies for fear that someone may find it and know that I like it. I'm afraid that one day I may accidentally quote a line from one and then my secret will be revealed. I know that there is no reason on earth for me to enjoy watching them, but I do. I can't stop myself.

Let me illustrate with an example so that you can understand my problem.

I love Troop Beverly Hills. Don't ask me why. There is no reason that I should enjoy this movie. It's terrible. But I will not pass it by if I see it. I've encouraged others to see it on occasion. My shame is great.

Perhaps there's a support group or treatment center than can someday help me rid myself of this terrible demon. Until then, I will bear the weight of it.

We Met the Robinsons

We went to see Meet the Robinsons today and it was cute. A little predicable, but very cute. I want a pet tyranosaur like Tiny now, but Chris is being a meanie and won't let me. He says it wouldn't be as cute or nice as Tiny. He doesn't understand the concept of Obedience School apparently. Of course, I'm not sure they tend to takes pets prone to consuming the other students. Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait a while longer until technology catches up with my wishes. Somebody hurry up and get on that please!

Not so common

It's been said that common sense is not so common, well I believe that neither is common courtesy. I know bad manners are just about everyone's little pet peeve, but there are just certain things that bother me more than others.

There's one that's really on my mind today: People who discuss the movie they've just seen while still in the vicinity of the movie theater. It's bad enough if you're in the parking lot, but do people really need to give away surprise endings in the bathroom? I've made a rule for myself that I don't even talk about a movie if I'm eating at a restaurant in the area. Some people would say that's going a little too far, but maybe those people have never had exciting climaxes ruined before they even got to sit down! Honestly people, can't we all respect each other a little more?