Author: LGmgr1

Jerry Saltz Is His Own Work Of Art

I’m a big fan of New York Magazine and yes, I admit it makes me feel just a little more a part of the “in crowd” to read it.  Jerry Saltz, the lead judge for the Bravo TV show WORK OF ART, writes an interesting piece about what he learned from being a part of the show. The article is both insightful and educational. It’s rare that the viewer gets an inside look of a reality TV production. But it’s even more rare for a critic to talk about how he can do his job better. And because of that, he is now a friend in my head. We sit over dinner of pasta fazool while we discuss well…he discusses, I just listen, the many facets of the art world.

As a writer, I know the importance of criticism. I am also well aware of the biting sting criticism can leave. One small word can send me to the edge, pondering for about the 80 millionth time why I didn’t just join the Peace Corp when I had the chance. Why do I continue to isolate myself in my apartment drinking Dunkin Doughnuts coffee to create the most near to perfect storytelling I can?

But this isn’t about me. It’s about criticism. We all need to hear it at some point. It’s important to take feedback in a constructive manner and learn from it.  And that even a critic such as Jerry (yes, as a friend in my head I can call him by his first name) can critique himself and learn to do better.

Bravo!

The Town – Go See Gone Baby Gone

I have to admit that I usually don’t go for a cops and robbers type of flick. But I do make exceptions – Ransom, Inside Man, and Gone Baby Gone. Speaking of Ben Affleck, (like my segue?) The Town is his latest toss of the hat into the directing arena. He also co-writes the script and stars as the lead character Doug. He’s a multi-tasker.  And he does it well. The movie has been compared to Scorsese’s The Departed (probably because the two movies both take place in Boston) and since the three people who read this blog (yes, that includes my mother) knows my position about Leonardo Dicaprio – then you can guess that I already like The Town much better.

Affleck brings together a great cast. There’s the stoic FBI agent Special Agent Adam Frawley (everyone’s favorite from Mad Men – Jon Hamm) and the quick to the draw best buddy to Doug  Jem (Jeremy Renner.  You remember him from The Hurt Locker). There’s the beautiful and gentle potential girlfriend Claire (Rebecca Hall from Woody Allen’s Vicki Christina Barcelona. Don’t blink or you might miss her in this movie). The real star is the incredibly underrated Chris Cooper (check him out in John Sayles’ Lone Star – perfection), playing the incarcerated father of Affleck. Amazing.

But there are exceptions to the great cast – okay I’ll just say it. Blake Lively. Ick. Playing the junky, drug-dealing ex-girlfriend Krista. Again. Ick. Her portrayal is cringe-worthy and unfortunately attempting a Boston accent and encircling her eyes with smeared black liner does not provide her with the added depth needed to make her mere seven minutes on screen tolerable. She is unable to portray lust, pain, or despair. She is too much of a girl in this part when it really requires a woman.

The story is basic. Good guys vs. bad guys – Hollywood loves a formula. The difference in The Town is how the city of Boston is another character in the movie. Affleck includes some establishing shots and the camera work actually bursts through some of the scenes. There is an amount of old-fashioned hoke in this film that’s absent from Gone Baby Gone, which is why for right now, I prefer Affleck’s first attempt as a filmmaker. But I’m excited to see what he does next.

Andy Cohen – The Voice of Reason on Bravo TV

Bravo TV is known for its famous franchises of reality shows, but who knew Andy Cohen, Vice-President of Original Programming and Development would be such a breakout star?  His Watch What Happens Live shows are just plain hysterical and as the lone voice of reason among the housewives reunions shows, he’s really made himself a steady fixture in the Bravo TV lineup. It’s impossible to forget his standard cheeky wink when one of the wives says something so incredibly wrong that we either groan or just laugh – loudly.

His terrific sense of humor has come in handy this season. When Theresa Giudice (Housewives of New Jersey) tosses him like a rag doll in the middle of a fight, the audience is a little amused ….and shocked. But Andy’s quick and witty acknowledgment of the situation, made everything right with his panel and with the viewing audience.

Andy is a friend in my head. Someone I’d like to sit and have a cocktail with and discuss pop culture in a way that doesn’t seem too shallow. I know – that hardly seems feasible. But with Andy it’s totally possible. That’s what makes him an integral part in Bravo TV’s storytelling. With someone like Andy – a funny, smart, yet somewhat eccentric moderator – the craziness of the network’s reality shows stars are called to the carpet by his many skeptical looks – also hysterical. He’s just brings a sense of relevancy to the table, making the story – as insane as they story may be – easier to swallow – especially with a Maker’s Mark and Ginger Ale.

Matzel!

A Little Night Music – A Stage Revival Revived

When I grow up I want to be Bernadette Peters. Really. I’ve wanted to be her since 1984 and I saw “Sunday in the Park With George” (also starring one of the loves of my life, Mandy Patinkin). Wait. I take that back. Ever since I saw her on the Carol Burnett Show in the 70’s, I’ve wanted to be Bernadette Peters. But now that desire is stronger than ever since I’ve seen her in Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music”.

Peters, along with the phenomenal Elaine Stritch, play mother and daughter each seeking something new. They took over the roles from the Tony award-winning Catherine Zeta Jones and the multi-award winning Broadway legend Angela Lansbury (this show I unfortunately did not get to see). The new additions are magic on stage. No one. I repeat. No one sings Sondheim like Bernadette Peters. It is a journey in sound and sight that stays with you for the rest of your life. It is a privilege to see her perform.

The renowned Elaine Stritch is a bit shaky in spots, but her unshakeable commitment to the performance cannot be unraveled. Literally wheeled out in a wheelchair, Stritch’s comic timing is spot on. TV viewers know her as Alec Baldwin’s acerbic mother on 30 Rock.  But the legendary Broadway icon shines in her  Tony-winning one woman show – Elaine Stritch At Liberty.  Netflix it. It’s wonderful.

Go see this revival that’s been revived by these truly talented additions. It’s musical theater at its finest. It’s Sondheim. It’s just good.

Going the Distance – A Refreshing Rom-Com

You have to be in the mood to see a romantic comedy. At least I do. And sometimes I’d rather subject myself to every Police Academy, Friday the 13th, or even Rambo film ever made to avoid seeing a terribly formulaic romantic comedy starring a skinny actress who is unfortunately so stuck with Botox that she is incapable of emoting anything except disdain…or maybe its hunger? Anyway – because of the fondness I have for Drew Barrymore (don’t ask me, I just like her) I hit the theater for Going the Distance.

I have to say the movie is a little confusing. The couple (Drew Barry and Justin Long) meet and almost immediately (with the help of the all important montage) have to embark on a long distance relationship. It takes place in the present, but doesn’t offer up any present day technology when it comes to staying in touch. There is not a text message to be found. And the jobs of the characters are throwbacks as well.

But the storytelling is refreshing. The couple are together (well, at least try to be together) because they really care for each other’s company. And the one real-world complication of the bad economy is a good twist as to why the couple can’t seem to get together.  It’s also truly invigorating that this rom-com doesn’t rely on the mostly crappy slap stick that non-creative executives almost always insist on adding to a character driven script.  Because of that, the movie is smooth and low-key. You’re not tempted to get up to go to the bathroom in order to avoid the stupid scene with someone either getting hit or “accidentally” having an important piece of clothing ripped from her body.

Bravo, Drew! You’ve come a long way, Gertie.