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brucks18
Reviews
Rent (2005)
Good translation from the show
I saw rent off Broadway, the second it played. The intensity was infectious. Later, I saw it on Broadway, and the intensity was a little missing, though it was the same cast. The reason was simple: the off Broadway theatre seated about 220 people, and no matter what, you were 30 feet away. The Broadway theatre sat about 1,500 and the average person was 100 feet away. The movie brought the intensity back, since the movie could use close-ups to let us into their lives. Frankly, there is nothing like live theatre for a musical, but the movie actually may have told (an explained) the story better. The music is terrific no matter where you hear it. All in all, a very good movie (and for movie musicals, that's tough). One other thing, Jessee Martin is great in everything he does. And he's great here.
Brooklyn Lobster (2005)
Nice little film about a man, his family and his crustaceans.
This movie is a labor of love for its writer and director, who has created this autobiograghical film. A family with a 60 year old business is hit with many changes, and the film loving deals with how the patriarch handles these problems. You cannot help but enjoy the movie, as Danny Aiello once again plays a tough Italian father who tries to hold on. Jane Curtin plays his wife with care and success and the rest of the actors do a fine job, but it's Danny show. Though the themes are clearly universal, anyone from Brooklyn (or New York, for that matter) will feel an affinity for the characters and the settings, and there are a number of items in the film which give a New yorker a warm feel of familiarity. A little film, made in New York, by a New York, with New Yorkers. Go see it and support New York films.
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
One of the great comedies
Cary Grant was one of the great comedy actors. In Bringing Up Baby, he really shines. Katherine Hepburn is wonderful as well. They make the perfect pair. Unfortunately, so many younger people think of her as some old actress, but in reality, she had style and timing. This movie is the absolute typical "mad cap" comedy that Hollywood did so well in the 1930's. Anyone who loves movies should view this movie, as well as one of the Hepburn/Tracy movies. The thing that makes this movie so special is that you have two people who look so nice, and are seemingly so intelligent, and yet they can be crazy and turn the world upside down. Imagine: a funny movie without nudity or cursing. Is that possible?? They simply do not make movies like this anymore.