Isn’t it something when a movie actually parodies itself. You know, life imitating art and all that stuff. The Producers was such a movie. Never before have I seen such a movie bomb before my eyes within a cinema. I admit I’m not a big cinema goer, maybe only going five or so times in the last few months, but never have I seen a person walk out in disgust. Then came last night; I get to a see a bounty of mutineers, ten in total! Two groups of three and two couples. I was a bit tempted in the first quarter of the film to walk out too! And anyone who stayed were rolling around in their seats in agony from the ciemamatic torture they were being exposed to.
I admit I frown upon remakes, especially of films I like but I do try and be open minded.Lets get things straight first though, this wasnt a remake, oh no, its a totally new movie because its got "musical movie" tagged onto the end of its title... so obviously it has nothing to due with the original. Second, one of the very few positives about the film was that if I was actually watching it on stage I might have really enjoyed it, but after that things go downhill, fast!
The choice of actors was fine, their acting was what stunk. Nathan Lane was an acceptable look-alike but poor imitation of Zero Mostel. Uma Thurman was ok, if annoying can be classed as ok. Will Ferrell was acceptable but lacked the savagery of the original Liebkind. There were a few gimmicky stage props used in the film, totally unrealistic, plastic and cardboardy, but enough about Matthew Broderick. Seriously though, he was awful, awful to a point of being painful to watch. He could have failed the audition for Neo in the Matrix with that kind of acting (considering the acting “ability” of Keanu Reeves, that’s quite an insult). 'Hitler' the very fake pigeon acted with more conviction. I couldnt stomach his "Act like Gene Wilder in 10 easy steps" portrayal of Bloom. Wilder actually seemed to be in hysterics in the original, probably improvising with each take whereas Broderick seemed to be giving some watered down over rehearsed schlock he could repeat verbatim on every night on stage... Im being far to kind... he was shit!
Again this movie parodies itself when it comes to being offensive. The whole gay stereotype joke came and went with the “blue oyster bar” in Police Academy, get over the YMCA thing please! Did every gay stereotype have to be given a character, and why was the director made so obviously gay anyway. The original was funny because it let the viewer accept that he was a bit fruity, without having to have a bevy of homo’s screaming “Make it gay!”. His entrance in this was pretty dismal too when compared to the progressive reveal in the original. In fact all the deliveries of jokes within this movie were dismal. The concept of timing seems to be something that was left out in this film. "its funny no matter how or when you say it", thats the attitude. And, the length of a joke doesnt matter either apparently. The ‘springtime’ parts were too long and flopped, they needed to be as tight as the originals. One thing about this version though, it does feel like the Nazis are being made a fool of throughout, something that the original failed in and tempted to actually glorify the party at times! Having a gay rather than beatnik Hitler certainly help in the overall effect of mocking “Der Fuehrer”.
One last thing, I imagine the DVD release will be in 4:3 format as the actors rarely left the center of the screen. I couldn’t be bothered wasting more time on this, it was awful, and at least 10 other people agree with me.
I went to see the “Nutcracker and Divertissements” preformed by Cork City Ballet in the Opera House on Wednesday the 9th of November last year. I didn’t think I’d like it all that much (I dislike the thought of pop-ballet) but in fairness it was very enjoyable. I went with my sister at the last moment. I had this spare “magic” ticket you see. I wont go into the details but I will say it caused nothing but trouble in its short existence :) So anyway, we went, we saw, we bought the DVD. I’ll comment on this DVD later on. Before that though I’ll just finish up on some points about the show. The divertissements were nice, not just filler. Even the dreaded Paddy Casey number seemed to flow nicely. There was the occasional wobble from one of the danseurs (he’ll remain nameless) but other than that the performers seemed capable. My favourite moments of the evening came from the performances from the Don Quixote extracts. Superb dancing and some fabulous costumes on the principles. A great night again, even if I did get TB from the people sitting around me!
