improbable fiction

Oh hello dear readers! You may have noticed that I haven’t been posting very often, and that there have been quite a few Mondays that were not so Musical. If you want the long version it would be best to just go to my personal blog and read about the adventures. If you want the short version, I have a TON of homework and my French professor is a douche bag (sorry mom, but he is). But FEAR NOT! For I bring you good bloggings of great musicals. So let’s begin.

I must say my main reason for getting into this movie was Kristen Bell (who does not disappoint). I was searching around on YouTube looking for songs from the movie to see if I would be interested when… I found it. The most amazing love song ever written and before you get all “oh here is the girl of bullshish talking about a love song, typical” just go and listen to it because oh my gosh this song was written just for my Shakespeare loving heart. Whew.

But enough with run on sentences that would make my grammar professor weep. Let’s get to the PLOT! First off, what is with the name? Well Reefer Madness was one of those movies back in the day (1936 to be exact) that warned parents of the DANGERS of marijuana. Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical begins this way, a simple black and white film with a man (our narrator) talking to a group of parents about this horrible, horrible thing that is becoming a sensation with their precious children. Then it breaks out into a musical and pretty much makes fun of that 1936 version. The main story revolves around Mary Lane and Jimmy Harper, two nice, Christian people who are at the beginning of a relationship when ALL OF THE SUDDEN Jimmy takes a hit of the REEFER MADNESS  and pretty much becomes addicted, leaving poor, old Mary Lane alone at a Church. (By the way, did you know that a slang term for marijuana is “muggle”? Sort of brings a whole new meaning to the Harry Potter world…)

CHARACTERS: This movie is made up of the most hilarious, weird, crazy and annoying characters ever. Mary Lane (Kristen Bell) and Jimmy Harper (Christian Campbell) are both brilliant in the fact that they are so innocent until they try a bit of the Mary JANE (… see what I did there? No?…) and then become absolutely crazy. It is like that episode of Arrested Development where George Michael and Anne go to get pre-engaged and Anne’s mother is all pure and stuff then after one kiss with Michael she get’s all crazy shouting, “Take me to your secular world!” If you know what I’m talking about, then Mary and Jimmy are like that. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go watch Arrested Development you crazy person!

The rest of the characters are all very entertaining. Mae Colemon (Anna Gasteyer) and Jack Stone (Steven Weber) kind of became annoying towards the end of the movie, but for the most part were enjoyable enough. Side note: I didn’t know Anna Gasteyer could really sing THAT well! I mean, sure if you take the role of Elphaba in Wicked you have to have a nice set of lungs, but it never really occurred to me how good she was until I saw this. And of course I couldn’t go through this entire post without mentioning our lovely narrator played by the always awesome Alan Cumming, who is no stranger to musicals. Lastly I just have to mention that Jesus was played by Robert Torti who I’m sure is a really stand up guy, and he does have a great voice, but I know him from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody as Zack and Cody’s father, and that is what he will always be in my mind, so it was a bit weird to see him in this role…

MUSIC: As previously stated, one of my favorite musical love songs (that isn’t anything like you are thinking) comes from this musical. It is so hilarious and awesome! The rest of the music is quite catchy and I enjoyed pretty much every song (that I can think of). I do remember a couple of the numbers being way to long… sort of like that one scene in An American in Paris (or any dancing scene in a Gene Kelly movie really) that goes on forever and ever and everrrr. Other than that, I loved it all!

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Like I said, a few of the numbers can go on a bit long and by the end of the movie you are thinking, “what the heck am I even watching” yes, it gets THAT INSANE, but it is really a very well done movie and I am glad I have seen it. I’d say watch it if you have the time.

The Virgin Suicides tells the story of the mysterious Lisbon sisters and their attempts to lead some sort of a normal life after their youngest sister commits suicide. The hard part is surviving with their overbearing, protective, religious mother who thinks she is doing the best for her daughters. The story is told through the eyes of the five boys across the street who loved the Lisbon sisters and came together 20 years later to try and solve the mysterious outcome of the family.

I should start this post out by saying I knew absolutely nothing about it when I rented it, but I think that worked in the story’s favor. You become attached to the characters and yet you are somehow detached, as you only know what is going on through the narration of a boy who lived across from the sisters.

I think the cast was fantastic. James Wood and Kathleen Turner were exceptional as the overbearing parents and really sold their characters. Of the sisters the main focus was on Lux, played by Kirsten Dunst. She has perfected the right amount of innocence and a girl too old for her age. She was rebellious, which cost her sisters dearly, but overall you could tell she loved her family. The rest of the sisters had familiar faces, but none that I could place. Josh Hartnett was great too, though I have a special place in my heart for Josh.

I also think the music should be mentioned. The way Sophia Coppola used music in this movie is genius, especially during one scene where the boys across the street have a phone conversation with the sister, but instead of talking they play lines from various songs that create a conversation. I love, love, loved it.

Overall I really enjoyed this movie and can’t wait to read the book on which it was based. It sort of has that whole Moulin Rouge thing going for it; you know what is going to happen because they tell you at the beginning, but by the end you are attached to the characters so the ending is still sad. I really recommend it.

This is a post about a show that (sort of) starts next Thursday. You should be watching it. Now, maybe you are wondering how a show can (sort of) start next Thursday. The answer is they aired the pilot episode on May 19, as a sort of “preview” so people can get EXCITED. And I am.

Okay so, plot. The show revolves around the members of the Glee Club who are, quite frankly, losers. The Glee Club takes relatively popular songs (with a few oldies) reinvents them, and comes up with choreography. When the Spanish teacher becomes the Glee Club’s new leader he helps to make them the best they can be. The first step? Blackmailing the star football player with the incredible voice so he has no choice but to join. But even with the superstar on their side things don’t go quite as they expected.

The cast for this show is fantastic. The Spanish teacher, Will Schuester, is played by Broadway alum Matthew Morrison, better known as the original (and the best) Link Larkin to all you Hairspray fans out there. Number one Glee gal Rachel Berry is played by another Broadway alum (and one of my favorites) Lea Michele, better known as Wendla from Spring Awakening. I’m also very happy to report that Jane Lynch will be playing cheer-leading coach Sue Sylvester who wants to keep the Glee Club at the bottom of the social food chain while her cheerleaders, the “Cheerios” get all of the attention. Sadly she will be leaving Party Down, but it will still be nice seeing her on a show. Heros fans will recognize Jayma Mays as the school guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury. The other actors on the show aren’t particularly well known, but they show great promise in the future season.

Although this show is getting mixed reviews I really enjoyed the first episode and think if it is given a fair chance, it will only improve. I can’t wait to see what songs are coming up in future episodes and how they plan to redo them. I really suggest that you watch this show. It is the right thing to do. (You can find the first episode here.)