The Best Movies About Broadway

Long before Hollywood, the center of mass entertainment was New York City on the Great White Way- Broadway. With that said, it has been the case for 80 odd years that the movie industry has made films based on that fabled street. The culmination of all this has produced some of the best loved pictures and some forgettable flops. Here now, I present my favorite Broadway-themed movies.

7. The Broadway Melody 1929.

This movie was the second winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture and the first “talkie” to win the honor. The premise is simple- stage hopefuls go through the backstage drama and angst of a Broadway musical. Although praised upon its release, the film is seen today as terribly trite and cliche- ridden. I will have to agree. Nonetheless although it may be worth viewing only as a landmark film in cinema, it does have its moments of humor.

6. Footlight Parade 1933

This classic film stars James Cagney as a Broadway producer who puts on more and more lavish musicals, becoming so involved with his work that he doesn’t notice his secretary has fallen in love with him. The film is a truly worthwhile classic (as opposed to the previous title), for not only are the numbers really spectacular but you get to catch the rare sight of Cagney showing off his amazing footwork.

5. Easter Parade 1948

Who doesn’t love Fred Astaire and Judy Garland? This film a classic treat for not only the holidays, but any day of the year.

4. The Country Girl 1954

As opposed to the other pictures on the list, this movie stands in sharp contrast. Not a musical, this stark drama is based on the Clifford Odets’ play about a washed up actor who is given a second chance, with his wife there for the strength he needs to be great again. The movie stars Big Crosby (in the greatest performance I’ve seen him give), Grace Kelly, and William Holden. With that kind of cast you can’t be disappointed, and you’re not. A wonderful glimpse into the rehearsal process of a Broadway play.

3. The Producers 1968

The title itself sets it up for Broadway. We all know the story, especially since the real Broadway adaptation took the theatre world by storm, but it’s so loved for a reason. Mel Brooks is comedic genius and really put New York theatre in a light it had never been in before- insanity- and he forever changed both Hollywood and Broadway in doing so.

2. The Great Ziegfeld 1936

Based on one of the greatest Broadway producers of all time, Florenz Ziegfeld, it stars the impeccable William Powell as the titular character. The film is longer than you would expect but there is never a dull moment with the humor and depth Powell gives to Ziegfeld.

1. Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942

If Florenz Ziegfeld is the second greatest ever producer of Broadway musicals, George M. Cohan is the undisputed number one. Like the previous film, this biopic also shows the life and times of a producer from Broadway’s early vaudeville days to its golden age in the 1920s. Of course I don’t need to tell you to go see it, it stars James Cagney in his Oscar winning role dancing and singing his heart out, and is indeed one of the greatest movies of all time.

 

Other movies there are renowned classics that deal with Broadway that I’ve seen are All About Eve, Funny Girl, and Kiss Me Kate.

 

So there you have it, my favorite movies based on my favorite place in the world- Broadway.

The Real King of Hollywood

Think of a dinosaur. What popped into your mind first? More than likely it was the classic Tyrannosaurus Rex- the King of the Lizards.

Now think of why that dinosaur is the one that popped into your head. I’m betting it is the pop cultural representation that T- Rex has enjoyed in the past 100 years of movie history, from 1933’s King Kong to 1993’s Jurassic Park and everything in between.

Walking home today this somewhat menial topic came to mind and at first I dismissed it as such, but upon further thought I began to realize that it is not menial to think of the T- Rex as one of the most significant figures in cinema. What other character has had as much long lasting appeal and box office pull as the mighty Tyrannosaurus? Perhaps James Bond, but other than that nobody comes close. This unsubstantiated claim is made even more impressive in that that T- Rex always appears on screen as the biggest baddest villain any hero has ever faced. Sorry Lord Vader and Dr. Lector, even you would be hard pressed to not quake and quiver in front of that mighty maw.

With it being said that the T- Rex is indeed one of the greatest and vilest of all Hollywood movie stars, it should be determined which of all the depictions of the prehistoric beast is the quintessential image we movie goers of 2009 now hold in our conscience. Could it be Sharptooth in The Land Before Time (1988) or the CGI monster from this past summer’s Land of the Lost?

The Lost World (1925)

Adapted from the classic 1912 novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this silent epic is the film that set the standard for the next 70 years. This was not the King’s film debut, but it was his breakthrough role, all in glorious stop motion animation as well. The special effects were top notch and directly lead to Merian C. Cooper being able to film the wondrous creatures in King Kong.

The Land Before Time (1988)

As a young man now in 2009, I can say that as a child one of my biggest fears was Sharptooth in The Land Before Time. What ’90s kid did not have nightmares about T- Rex after watching this movie? We have rooted for Littlefoot and the gang against their struggles with Tyrannosaurus through thirteen movies but it was the early ones and most importantly the original that has stuck in our subconscious even a decade into the 21st century.

Rugrats (1991-2004)

OK, yeah, it is technically a television series but can we really take this blog that seriously? Rugrats started the same year many of us were born and we therefore really did grow up with Reptar, the green T- Rex who was more hero than villain in this instance. As babies in the early ’90s, we tended to have the same view as the babies were watching on the screen and consequently loved Reptar as much as Tommy and the rest. This T- Rex was a breath of fresh air when compared to the alternative Sharptooth and as young kids we craved Reptar Bars at Halloween.

King Kong (1933)

In perhaps the greatest visualization of T- Rex came in this landmark film by Merian C. Cooper. The special effects that allowed Tyrannosaurus to come alive in this movie were directly descendant from The Lost World, only this time they were taken to even great heights when Kong and the T- Rex met in one of the most epic fights ever filmed. And it was all done in stop motion animation. Our favorite dinosaur, while on screen for such a limited time, (a cameo if you will?) instantly stole the show from Kong and successfully imprinted himself into the retinas of subsequent generations despite his gruesome demise.

Godzilla (1954)

The Japanese jumped onto the science fiction bandwagon of the ’50s with this pop culture superstar. For over fifty years Godzilla has either destroyed Tokyo or saved it and we love him no matter what he decides to do. Although technically not a T- Rex, it is clear that old Rex was the defining inspiration so I will make a call now and say that Godzilla belongs on the list (same as Reptar). Godspeed Godzilla, and may you wreck our world for another fifty years.

Jurassic Park (1993)

We all knew this would be the last and greatest T- Rex movie on the list and for good reason. EVERYTHING changed with this movie, Tyrannosaurus got a make over that was well over due. Up until 1993, T- Rex had always been portrayed as a sluggish upright lizard that could hardly walk straight, let alone run. If you don’t believe me scroll up and look at all the other pictures. It was with this film that suddenly T- Rex could run really fast, was more sleek, and almost given personality. What made this possible? Like King Kong and The Lost World revolutionized special effects, so did Jurassic Park. After its release, computer animation open the doors wide open for every movie from the remakes of Kong and Godzilla to even The Lord of the Rings.

 

So in the end, we have to tip our hats to Tyrannosaurus Rex for being with us for so long and achieving all the incredible feats most actors only dream of. He revolutionized movie making (more than once!) as well as being our dearest friend and most abominable foe. Any real person would instantly garner AFI’s Lifetime Achievement Award, so I will now nominate T- Rex for that honor because he certainly deserves it as the real king of Hollywood.

 

 

Well Put

The 2001 and 2009 Yankees: An Ode to Baseball

In 2001, I was only ten years old but I knew that I loved one thing: The New York Yankees. Before that year I didn’t watch baseball, I wanted to be QB for the Miami Dolphins like Dan Marino, yet it was that team of 2001 that forever brought me into the folds of the American Pastime. And why the Yanks? I small town Southern boy like myself; my mom is from Cincinnati and an ardent Reds fan, for cryin’ out loud. But it was their history for me. It was the legacy that the Yankees have left in baseball.

Before the Internet was available to me I went to the library and read books about all the great players. Not just Yankees, but guys like Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Dizzy Dean, and Jackie Robinson. In these crucial moments any one of the teams they belonged to could have become my favorite. However, none of those guys’ exploits stood out to me the way Babe Ruth’s called shot in ‘32 did. Or Lou Gehrig’s humbleness and generosity in the face of Death, or DiMaggio’s 46 consecutive hits, or the race for 61 between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. In short, not only were they great players but they were great men off the field as well. So with all that, it was no wonder I gravitated to the Yankees as my club.

Unbeknownst to me when I was ten, was that these 2001 Yanks were the last of the Dynasty from the late 1990’s and 2000. But looking back now, eight Octobers later, the 2001 Bombers were just as good. Sure they didn’t win the Series that year but they battled it out seven excruciating games- a hearty testament to that veteran dynasty roster. And as a ten year old kid, watching my first Fall Classic, it was more than I could have asked for. I remember it perfectly:  staying up way past my bed time watching Game 7 …

Earlier that day I had gone to Target with my family and my older brother David (who was over from England), bought me a Yankees t-shirt with Bernie Williams’ name and number #51 on the back. I was so happy and couldn’t wait to wear it in victory the next day at school. Of course victory was not the end result and the image of Luis Gonzalez’s Series winning bloop into shallow right field winning it all for the D-Backs, is still vivid in my psyche.

After that season the Yanks were never the same. They’ve only made the Series once since then (a 2003 loss to the Marlins) until this year, and despite the constant Division Championships and Pennants it’s the World Series that everyone remembers. In the end the Yankees of 2001 will always stand alone in my mind as the club that got me into baseball, the club that changed my life, and the club that gave me so much enjoyment.

Paul O’Neill OF

Chuck Knoblauch OF

Derek Jeter SS

David Justice DH

Bernie Williams OF

Tino Martinez 1B

Jorge Posada C

Alfonso Soriano 2B

Scott Brosius 3B

Now with all that said and done, I want to say something about this years Yankee club of 2009. No other team since the 2001 roster has deserved to win baseball’s biggest prize more than the guys playing right now. Perhaps I feel that way because it seems as if that old fervor is back in my bones. Sure I’ve watched baseball regularly since 2001, I remember every postseason and All-Star game, but this year seems different. It feels like I’m a ten year old kid again staying past my bedtime waiting for another Yankees championship, only this time I feel like it’ll come. But don’t get me wrong, I am by no means underestimating the Philadelphia Phillies. If anyone can topple the Bronx Bombers it is them- but when I watch the 2009 Yanks play I’m just reminded of the guys in 2001 and I take great pleasure in that. I sincerely hope that Jeter, Posada, and the rest can pull it off this year and turn a now 18 year old young man into 10 year old boy again.

Derek Jeter SS

Johnny Damon OF

Mark Teixeira 1B

Alex Rodriguez 3B

Jorge Posada C

Hideki Matsui DH

Robinson Cano 2B

Nick Swisher OF

Melky Cabrera OF

Favorite Quotations!

“So Kanye West likes teddy bears and school.”- Max Hannam

“I like baseball, movies, good clothes, whiskey, fast cars… and you. What else you need to know?”- Johnny Depp in “Public Enemies”

“My heart beat quick; this was the hour and moment of trial, which would decide my hopes or realize my fears.” – Frankenstein

“I hear it’ll tear ur heart right out, pour salt onto it, then lay it gently on a pillow and read it a bedtime story” Roger on “Up”

“Someone you can talk to about anything. Someone you can talk to about nothing.” – Paul Cartwright on a good girlfriend

“I want two small Sprites and a Diet Coke.” – Me in my dream

“That’s what happens when you’re not single; life is just one big tinted window.” -Mr. Foley 4/27/09

“Marriage is like being paralyzed- you just don’t feel it.”
- Mr. Foley 12/15/08

“To hell or to glory. It depends on one’s point of view.”- Errol Flynn in “They Died With Their Boots On”

“‘We’re Parisian.’ ‘Really? We’re Promiscuan’.”- Me in my dream

“Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll die today.”- James Dean

“Don’t ever confuse my kindness for weakness.”- Mr. Gibbs

“The trouble with life is that there are so many beautiful women and so little time.”- John Barrymore

“That’s not taunting, that’s ‘ask me out stupid’”- Roger Thacher

“I like to enjoy the thrill of living every day, every hour of the day, for we are here only this once, and lets feel the wind while we may”- Errol Flynn

“In one hand I have Marlon Brando saying ’screw you’, in the other is Montgomery Clift saying ‘help me’, and somewhere in between is James Dean.”- Dennis Hopper

“Vince, you are America”- Thor Jonsson

“I used to take solice in the fact that the reason I never got anything that high was cause it wasnt humanly possible. Vincent disproves my logic.”- Luis Penedo

Adventure!

Tonight four friends took a hike through the woods in the spirit of Adventure.

11:47 p.m.

What ensued was an hour of the most grueling terror. Unimaginable horror that the movies can’t even recreate. This is the story of Vincent Hannam, Roger Thacher, Luis Penedo, and Brian- Luis’ roommate.

Before we trekked out, we came together in this pavilion where Luis spotted something on a picnic table. It was a sleeveless sports jersey with what number on the back? 13. I can’t make this stuff up. Only a mere 10 minutes later Luis gets a reminder text message on his phone concerning a BLOOD drive on October TWENTY-THIRD.

Therefore, we were sufficiently freaked out even before starting our journey into the moonlit abyss of the Florida scrub. As we walked we of course threw sticks and pinecones into the brush to scare each other. It worked. Eventually we came upon a compound structure. The kind of floodlighted, gated fortress you see in Zombie stories. Naturally we strolled towards it and discovered it was the UCF softball field. A bird whistled- the Threshold Guardian- that officially instigated the adventure. The first challenge was to jump the chain linked fence about, oh say, 10-12 feet high? First Brian hopped over and then Luis followed by myself. Roger had some issues unfortunately. We were in the dugout just taking pictures when Luis spotted a light, like a flashlight, and we got the hell out of Dodge, so to speak. After that ordeal we got back on the path and continued to follow the “Red Arrow.”

Treading through a stretch of isolated field we heard a noise- a rustling in the bushes. We froze and heard it breathing as it slowly lurched away. Now I eat my carrots so my eyesight isn’t the worst and I could just make out a black mass about knee tall lumbering along. We took the still unidentified beast in and ventured on towards darker depths of the jungle.

This was our Heart of Darkness.

Like Marlowe on the Congo, I traveled through the unknown wilderness that is the human condition. Nearing the end of our odyssey we heard another rustling to our right and paused. As we listened we realized that this fiend was not backing away. In fact it was almost as if it were walking towards us. For five minutes the four of us stared at the bush we were certain was concealing the creature as it stared right back. It knew of our presence from Luis yelling, “Hello! We want to talk to you!” Despite the flashing of our cameras we could not see the animal and decided it would be best to leave the monster in peace.

In the aftermath of our beastly encounters we made our way back to the lights of the UCF campus and civilization. As we sit here now playing Guitar Hero: World Tour we reflect on our adventure and how next time Armando is coming with us.

October 7, 2009

1:40 a.m.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

Summer Movie Review

Indeed the summer is winding down, Autumn only a few weeks away. And while the Fall season will produce superb, high quality films there’s still something to be said about the movies from the past several months. Only now do I feel comfortable writing such reviews, because only now have I had the freedom to attend the theaters and witness many opening weekends. However, I will say that I’ll be ranking the BEST movies, not the worst, because frankly I didn’t want to waste my precious $9 ticket on garbage.

Public Enemies- This was probably my favorite movie of the summer. It’s a genre I love and Johnny Depp executed it perfectly, never missing a beat. A great period piece as well, the costumes and sets were fantastic- not to mention the killer soundtrack. Perhaps the film would have been better suited as a fall-season flick. This aside it presents Depp as a probable Oscar contender.

Inglourious Basterds- The other film from the summer that I foresee being included among the now 10 Best Picture nominees. Whereas Public Enemies had heart and grace, Basterds was just a rollicking gory good time that still managed to captivate us despite somewhat cumbersome plot lines. Brad Pitt and definitely Christoph Waltz as “The Jew Hunter” (destined to rank among the most infamous of movie villains) are probable Oscar nominees.

Drag Me to Hell- Despite fizzling with moviegoers, this was the best horror film I’ve seen in a long time. Why? Because it’s more slapstick comedy that horror, poking fun at it’s own genre. I will admit, however, that even I was hesitate at first but after hearing the name Sam Raimi (Evil Dead and Spider-man) as  director, my curiosity got the better of me. This picture was very well directed with the perfect amount of campy-ness from it’s stars. While not worthy of the Oscar, it will certainly be worthy of my DVD shelf.

Up- Yes, this movie is all that it’s hyped up to be. Now I’m not usually a fan of seeing animation at the theater, but after regretting not seeing Wall-E on the silver screen I knew I’d have to see Up. Full of action, adventure, and suspense this is another step for Pixar into more adult themed stories, and it worked. So if you’re like me and are dubious of the often over hyped animated movies, just know that you cannot go wrong with Pixar.

Star Trek- This was simply the best action movie of the summer. Sorry, but Transformers and G.I. Joe really did suck. “But it’s not supposed to be ‘good’, we just want action!”, they cry.Well Star Trek certainly defied that logic by being both action packed and good, great in fact. And what made it such a superb film was that even if you’ve never seen the TV series (like me), you’ll still laugh at the “inside” jokes and get wrapped up by the characters. Definitely worth your time, Trekkie or not.

And real quick the movies I did indeed waste nine bucks on.

Dragonball Z: Evolution- Ruined a classic television series.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- Longest 2.5 hours of my life.

Huh, only 2? I’m so disappointed.

Tom Cruise Movies I’ve Seen

1. Risky Business

2. Collateral

3. Goldmember

4. Top Gun

5. Days of Thunder

6. Born on the Fourth of July

7. Rain Man

9. Jerry Maguire

11. The Color of Money

12. Valkyrie

13. Far and Away

14. Tropic Thunder

15. War of the Worlds

16. Mission Impossible III

17. Mission Impossible II

18. Mission Impossible I

19. The Last Samurai

20. A Few Good Men

Messed Up Dream

Here goes another dream from another night in my mind.

I was at home with a few friends, among them two girls named Sandy and Dolores. Now if you know me then you know how important these two dames have been in my life this past year. And if you know them you know that they don’t exactly see eye to eye on some things- including me. Anyways, Dolores asked a question about whether or not a hotel would reimburse you if you decide not to stay in the hotel after paying for it, in the event of you having to leave suddenly due  to an emergency. A fair question but she was wording pragmatically and I kept asking her, “What are you trying to say?” Sandy on the other hand was telling her flat out no, not that that’s a problem it’s just she had this superior attitude towards Dolores which was even getting on my nerves. Dolores noticed this too and started to get upset because people were treating her like an idiot. I completely sympathized with Dolores. “How do you know?” Dolores demanded. “Because I bar tend there.” Sandy retorted. This useless bickering continued.

Then I lost it.

I started yelling all of a sudden about how completely imature I thought both of them were. Finally I yelled, “Neither of you is better than the other!!” and stormed out into my backyard kicking things. Whilst outside I spied Armando (who I hadn’t seen in forever) after the greetings I told him the story I just told you. However, I told him that me lashing out like that was completely acting. Normally, I said, I just keep my anger and frustration inside but when I do act like I’m furious then people respond. This is true in real life too, I’ve found.

Either way, I don’t really remember what happened after that but everything else was enough for one night.

Resumé

THEATRE

Our Great Declaration

George Washington-  St. Cloud Amphitheatre, 2009

As You Like It

Sir Oliver Martext- Harmony HS, 2009

A Few Good Men

Daniel Kaffee- Tampa Theatre, 2009

Woman at a Threshold, Beckoning

John- Tampa Bay PAC black box, 2009

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Peter Quince- Osceola Center for the Arts, 2008

Big River

Tom Sawyer- Gateway HS, 2008

14^th Annual Arts Alive

Monologues- Osceola Center for the Arts, 2008

“Greece”

Ensemble- Eau Gallie HS, 2007

Charlotte’s Web

Gander- Gateway HS, 2007

The Love of Three Oranges

Brighella- Gateway HS, 2007

Honk!

Greylag, Billy, Froglet, Boy’s Voice- Gateway HS, 2006

I Hate Hamlet

Andrew Rally- Gateway HS, 2005

Into the Woods

The Mysterious Man- Gateway HS, 2005

FILM/ TELEVISION

Charlie

Dr. Howard- L.F.P. Productions, 2008

“Cool School of the Week”

Gander- Fox- 35 News, 2007

Contrasting Monologues

The Misanthrope by Moliere

I’m young, healthy [coughs], and sitting on oodles and oodles of wealth.

At the Battle of St. Gotthard, I took the Turk’s right flank

And Louis’ undying thanks.

Did I mention I have lots and lots of francs?

Then too, my mind is subtle, my figure sleek;

I have good bearing, good looks and unusually pretty teeth.

And as for the statement made by the way I dress,

Well, it its own quiet way, it invites patronage and success.

Yes, I’m loved by the king and deemed a total national treasure

By scores of women to whom I bring enormous pleasure.

Did I mention I have money beyond measure?

The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O’Neill

I kept swearing to her

every night that this time I really wouldn’t, until I’d made

It a real final test to myself- and to her. And she kept en-

couraging me and saying, “I know you’ll conquer it this time,

and we’ll be so happy dear.” When she’d say that and kiss me,

I’d believe it, too. Then she’d go to bed, and I’d stay up alone

because I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t want to disturb her, tossing

and rolling around. I’d get so damned lonely. I’d get thinking how

peaceful it was here, sitting around with the old gang, getting

drunk and forgetting love, joking and laughing and singing

and swapping lies. And finally I knew I’d have to come.