Just a few words
1.
It was recently announced that J.K. Rowling signed an interest contract for Disney's proposed Harry Potter themed theme park. Upon hearing this news, I was outraged. JKR surely has more taste then that, I thought. I'll admit it, for what could hardly be considered a flicker of a second, I lost a smidgeon of faith in my favorite little british mum. HOWEVER! The announcement was indeed false. It was a rumor started high enough in the information game that it could be counted as real news. Luckily, everything has smoothed over, so there won't be a Harry Potter Disney park. A-fuckin-men.
2.
I recently downloaded the entirety of the Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man's Chest soundtrack. I saw the movie on opening night, and being the geek that you all know I am, I paid most attention to the soundtrack, knowing that they had Zimmer do the score and production this time, rather than the original pair of Klaus Badelt (composing) and having Zimmer only produce. Upon further listening to my bootleg copy, I stand firm by my original decision: They should have kept Badelt. Dead man's chest has a very solid score, however, Black Pearl's more instrmental, less post-produced feel, gave the movie the epic rustic feel it needed. Zimmer's score is equally epic, however with much more prevalent electronic instruments and effects. Oh well.
3.
Dear producers of major musical theatre productions,
WHAT THE FUCK!
Two revival's of "Chicago" by major theatre companies have recently outraged much of the musical theatre community world-wide. The production of Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb's hit cabaret style musical, originally performed in 1975, is finding it's way back to Broadway's Ambassador theatre, with what can be considered one of the biggest stunt casts in the history of musical theatre. Playing the role of Billy Flynn: Usher.
WHAT THE FUCK!
Usher?!?! As Billy?!?! I've had better musical theatre ideas coming out my ass after a bad date at a cheap mexican joint. But what luck! Usher got sick! But guess what that means. Over half a million dollars of refunds for the Ambassador! If the genre of musical theatre is really at stake for dissapearing in the rush for the top techno-entertainement race, then this REALLY is not a way to return some dignity and attention to the art. Chicago is a piece of work much better then any Usher album. Granted Usher can sing. Acting? Questionable. However, it is obvious that he was cast for very different reasons. Reasons which are tearing the classic values and fun of musical theatre out of true fans arms.
as if that wasn't bad enough...I did mention two revival's of Chicago...
London Theatre recently announced that they too were putting together a brand new production of Chicago. Playing the leading role of Roxie Hart: Ashlee Simpson.
need I even say it...
WHAT THE FUCK!
It can be argued that this is an even WORSE decision then the afforementioned Usher-Billy cast.
carrying on...
4.
Still on the topic of musical theatre, some of you may know that Sweeney Todd, a Sondheim musical and my personal faovirte production in the history of entertainment, has recently been put into porduction as a movie by none other than the darkest-of-directors, Tim Burton. Due out next year, Sweeney Todd promises to be the darkest Musical-turned-movie since...well....ever. It was announced quite early on that Tim Burton's right hand man, Johnny Depp, would be stepping into the spotlight once again to take the title role. ever since this announcement, enthusiasts (such as your's truly) have been just itching to find out who will be playing the supporting roles. Some rumors are afoot which prove to be exceptionally exciting:
As Pirelli, Sweeney's ex-assistant turned flamboyant Italian barber: Sacha Baron Cohen....for those of you who don't know who that is (I sure as hell didn't) I'm sure you'd recognize him as none other then Ali G! Borat as Pirelli? Yeah sure...The role is heavily dependant on accents and the characters flamboyant nature, which Cohen can surely take care of. We also know that he can at least carry a tune... (throw the jew down the well?)
and secondly, playing Todd's partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett: Helena Bonham Carter! FUCKING GENIOUS! THERE'S NO BETTER POSSIBLE ACTRESS. as you can tell I'm quite excited by this fact. That woman is genious and will do whatever Burton tells her to (they ARE married, and I'm pretty sure a guy like Burton wouldn't let anybody wear his pants). This hasn't been conirmed however, and the fact that Carter is currently filming for the newest Harry Potter movie (as Bellatrix Lestrange...) it can be argued that maybe this will never amount to more than a rumour.
and that's my entertainment industry update for today.
-Joshua
It was recently announced that J.K. Rowling signed an interest contract for Disney's proposed Harry Potter themed theme park. Upon hearing this news, I was outraged. JKR surely has more taste then that, I thought. I'll admit it, for what could hardly be considered a flicker of a second, I lost a smidgeon of faith in my favorite little british mum. HOWEVER! The announcement was indeed false. It was a rumor started high enough in the information game that it could be counted as real news. Luckily, everything has smoothed over, so there won't be a Harry Potter Disney park. A-fuckin-men.
2.
I recently downloaded the entirety of the Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man's Chest soundtrack. I saw the movie on opening night, and being the geek that you all know I am, I paid most attention to the soundtrack, knowing that they had Zimmer do the score and production this time, rather than the original pair of Klaus Badelt (composing) and having Zimmer only produce. Upon further listening to my bootleg copy, I stand firm by my original decision: They should have kept Badelt. Dead man's chest has a very solid score, however, Black Pearl's more instrmental, less post-produced feel, gave the movie the epic rustic feel it needed. Zimmer's score is equally epic, however with much more prevalent electronic instruments and effects. Oh well.
3.
Dear producers of major musical theatre productions,
WHAT THE FUCK!
Two revival's of "Chicago" by major theatre companies have recently outraged much of the musical theatre community world-wide. The production of Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb's hit cabaret style musical, originally performed in 1975, is finding it's way back to Broadway's Ambassador theatre, with what can be considered one of the biggest stunt casts in the history of musical theatre. Playing the role of Billy Flynn: Usher.
WHAT THE FUCK!
Usher?!?! As Billy?!?! I've had better musical theatre ideas coming out my ass after a bad date at a cheap mexican joint. But what luck! Usher got sick! But guess what that means. Over half a million dollars of refunds for the Ambassador! If the genre of musical theatre is really at stake for dissapearing in the rush for the top techno-entertainement race, then this REALLY is not a way to return some dignity and attention to the art. Chicago is a piece of work much better then any Usher album. Granted Usher can sing. Acting? Questionable. However, it is obvious that he was cast for very different reasons. Reasons which are tearing the classic values and fun of musical theatre out of true fans arms.
as if that wasn't bad enough...I did mention two revival's of Chicago...
London Theatre recently announced that they too were putting together a brand new production of Chicago. Playing the leading role of Roxie Hart: Ashlee Simpson.
need I even say it...
WHAT THE FUCK!
It can be argued that this is an even WORSE decision then the afforementioned Usher-Billy cast.
carrying on...
4.
Still on the topic of musical theatre, some of you may know that Sweeney Todd, a Sondheim musical and my personal faovirte production in the history of entertainment, has recently been put into porduction as a movie by none other than the darkest-of-directors, Tim Burton. Due out next year, Sweeney Todd promises to be the darkest Musical-turned-movie since...well....ever. It was announced quite early on that Tim Burton's right hand man, Johnny Depp, would be stepping into the spotlight once again to take the title role. ever since this announcement, enthusiasts (such as your's truly) have been just itching to find out who will be playing the supporting roles. Some rumors are afoot which prove to be exceptionally exciting:
As Pirelli, Sweeney's ex-assistant turned flamboyant Italian barber: Sacha Baron Cohen....for those of you who don't know who that is (I sure as hell didn't) I'm sure you'd recognize him as none other then Ali G! Borat as Pirelli? Yeah sure...The role is heavily dependant on accents and the characters flamboyant nature, which Cohen can surely take care of. We also know that he can at least carry a tune... (throw the jew down the well?)
and secondly, playing Todd's partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett: Helena Bonham Carter! FUCKING GENIOUS! THERE'S NO BETTER POSSIBLE ACTRESS. as you can tell I'm quite excited by this fact. That woman is genious and will do whatever Burton tells her to (they ARE married, and I'm pretty sure a guy like Burton wouldn't let anybody wear his pants). This hasn't been conirmed however, and the fact that Carter is currently filming for the newest Harry Potter movie (as Bellatrix Lestrange...) it can be argued that maybe this will never amount to more than a rumour.
and that's my entertainment industry update for today.
-Joshua