Friday, November 1, 2013
November 1, 1990
I hope the Dixie Chicks and their fans had a blast tonight at Rexall Place. But I couldn't help remembering that I was at the then Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton on November 1, 1990, watching the New Kids On The Block perform a sold out (17 000 +) show.
I have two words for you: Sonic. Boom.
And it wasn't that the New Kids themselves made ears bleed, but rather the deafening screams of the 16, 991 preteen girls and young women present (yes, I do think I was one of only ten men in the building that night)
But here's the thing:
1) I dug a couple NKOTB tunes back in the day.
2) It was the closest thing (atmosphere-wise) to Beatlemania I'd ever experienced up to that point. Of course, I've since learned that 400 in a casino can sure sound like 17,000 when the Bay City Rollers or Herman's Hermits are onstage. Am I also Mikey The Retro Guy? Yes. Get over it.
3) I have in storage, unopened and in the wrap, a copy of the NKOTB Christmas album.
A big thank you to Penelope's Mom, my sister Jacquie, for standing in line for a day and a half so I got a ticket. And also to the friend I had with me that night, who made sure I was able to navigate my way through the throngs after the show.
Happy weekend everyone!
MTMG
Friday, September 6, 2013
Say What?
Can you imagine Dwayne Johnson singing this in the big screen version of The Fall Guy that he's negotiating to star in? To be honest with you, I just can't see it. But the best that we can hope for is that 45-year-old director McG was a BIG fan when the show aired from 1981-1986, and that Jessica Simpson does NOT land the role of Jody (originally played by Heather Thomas).
Was I a big fan of the show, you ask? The totally honest answer is that from 1981 to 1986 I was consumed with things like school and homework, including our new Apple IIc computer around Christmas 1985. But the cool thing is that I can now enjoy it like new, and now say that I am a big fan.
MTMG
Was I a big fan of the show, you ask? The totally honest answer is that from 1981 to 1986 I was consumed with things like school and homework, including our new Apple IIc computer around Christmas 1985. But the cool thing is that I can now enjoy it like new, and now say that I am a big fan.
MTMG
Monday, August 26, 2013
Passing The Torch
As Miley gleefully torches her career (now off to Daddy's farm to rehearse for that Cyrus Family Christmas casino tour)...
...the torch meanwhile passes from living legend James Taylor - a man who has stirred and soothed many souls over the course of his four-decade career - to Taylor Swift, named after James and a pretty decent musician herself. What a wonderful way to introduce younger generations to his timeless music!
Have a great day!
MTMG
...the torch meanwhile passes from living legend James Taylor - a man who has stirred and soothed many souls over the course of his four-decade career - to Taylor Swift, named after James and a pretty decent musician herself. What a wonderful way to introduce younger generations to his timeless music!
Have a great day!
MTMG
Friday, August 23, 2013
Clint Goes To Jersey
http://variety.com/2013/film/news/graham-king-clint-eastwood-eye-jersey-boys-1200563806/
Jersey Boys, which I had the extreme good fortune to see here in Edmonton last summer, is the one recent musical I can think of that not only cries out to be made into a film, but is also a case where a lot of the dramatic non-singing structure has already been laid into the stage production. And having Eastwood in the director's chair is a real asset as well, given his proven ability to shoot quickly, efficiently and under budget. He is probably also itching to use the musical knowledge and techniques he was ready to use on the oft-delayed A Star Is Born remake with Beyoncé.
Eastwood and producer Graham King's decision to have veterans of various incarnations of the Jersey Boys stage show should also bode well for their success. John Lloyd Young's a Tony Award winner as Broadway's current Frankie Valli, and Michael Lomenda shone as Nick Massi in the touring production I saw. Vincent Piazza should bring all the Boardwalk Empire cred needed to play the layered Tommy DeVito.
I also hope that Eastwood and King will be able to pull off what will amount to the movie cameo of the decade if it happens, concerning a minor but very memorable character in the show. If you've seen it, you're smiling already. If not...sorry, you'll have to wait, which probably doesn't amuse you, but it will be worth it. Just trust me.
In the meantime...
MTMG
Jersey Boys, which I had the extreme good fortune to see here in Edmonton last summer, is the one recent musical I can think of that not only cries out to be made into a film, but is also a case where a lot of the dramatic non-singing structure has already been laid into the stage production. And having Eastwood in the director's chair is a real asset as well, given his proven ability to shoot quickly, efficiently and under budget. He is probably also itching to use the musical knowledge and techniques he was ready to use on the oft-delayed A Star Is Born remake with Beyoncé.
Eastwood and producer Graham King's decision to have veterans of various incarnations of the Jersey Boys stage show should also bode well for their success. John Lloyd Young's a Tony Award winner as Broadway's current Frankie Valli, and Michael Lomenda shone as Nick Massi in the touring production I saw. Vincent Piazza should bring all the Boardwalk Empire cred needed to play the layered Tommy DeVito.
I also hope that Eastwood and King will be able to pull off what will amount to the movie cameo of the decade if it happens, concerning a minor but very memorable character in the show. If you've seen it, you're smiling already. If not...sorry, you'll have to wait, which probably doesn't amuse you, but it will be worth it. Just trust me.
In the meantime...
MTMG
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Groovy, baby! But seriously, David O. Russell is one of the most talented directors working today. And if he can invest American Hustle with as much heart as 70's period detail, then I daresay we will have this Oscar season's Boogie Nights.
And we know that David O's got heart to give, because he let us see it (likely somewhat begrudgingly) in Silver Linings Playbook last year.
MTMG
Sunday, May 5, 2013
VHS Memories
http://theclinteastwoodarchive.blogspot.ca/2013/04/dead-technology-or-how-we-came-to-love.html
Yes, everyone that knows me well knows I'm a big Clint fan. But this article, from the blog of the UK's biggest Clint fan, caught my eye for a few other reasons as well. Mostly it got me thinking about my 12th birthday party in 1983. My parents told me I could rent 3 movies plus the machine. So off we went to Box Office Video in Mill Creek, where I happily picked my 3:
On Golden Pond (my dad having vetoed Best Little Whorehouse In Texas)
1001 Rabbit Tales (a Looney Tunes compilation film)
Buck Rogers in the 23rd Century (a short-lived Battlestar Galactica knockoff starring Gil "Who?" Gerard.
Yes, Dolly's boobs were off limits, but occaisionally foul-mouthed Henry Fonda was OK. Which was fine, because On Golden Pond gave me an understanding of the elderly that I still have today.
One more thing about Dolly though. A few nights ago I saw the 'making-of' featurette on the Best Little Whorehouse DVD, which was promo material and interviews from the film's release in 1982. Aside from learning that Burt Reynolds took two months of singing lessons (guess the teacher wasn't available for Stallone in Rhinestone a couple years later. But I digress) the thing that struck me was Parton's assertion that she had reservations about playing Miss Mona because "we have to protect the public with what we do." Would Lindsay Lohan say that these days? Or even Sandra Bullock? I assume Dolly also meant that there was more desire to produce quality entertainment.
MTMG
Yes, everyone that knows me well knows I'm a big Clint fan. But this article, from the blog of the UK's biggest Clint fan, caught my eye for a few other reasons as well. Mostly it got me thinking about my 12th birthday party in 1983. My parents told me I could rent 3 movies plus the machine. So off we went to Box Office Video in Mill Creek, where I happily picked my 3:
On Golden Pond (my dad having vetoed Best Little Whorehouse In Texas)
1001 Rabbit Tales (a Looney Tunes compilation film)
Buck Rogers in the 23rd Century (a short-lived Battlestar Galactica knockoff starring Gil "Who?" Gerard.
Yes, Dolly's boobs were off limits, but occaisionally foul-mouthed Henry Fonda was OK. Which was fine, because On Golden Pond gave me an understanding of the elderly that I still have today.
One more thing about Dolly though. A few nights ago I saw the 'making-of' featurette on the Best Little Whorehouse DVD, which was promo material and interviews from the film's release in 1982. Aside from learning that Burt Reynolds took two months of singing lessons (guess the teacher wasn't available for Stallone in Rhinestone a couple years later. But I digress) the thing that struck me was Parton's assertion that she had reservations about playing Miss Mona because "we have to protect the public with what we do." Would Lindsay Lohan say that these days? Or even Sandra Bullock? I assume Dolly also meant that there was more desire to produce quality entertainment.
MTMG
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead Or Alive
One of the coolest songs ever. Period. If Jon Bon ever decides to get off the road permanently, Wanted Dead or Alive practically cries out to be a movie. Happy Sunday!
MTMG
MTMG
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