The Film Committee's theme this week was Musicals. Tuesday was Aladdin sing-along, Wednesday Singing in the Rain, and Thursday High School Musical 3. I went to all of them because, hey, free movies!
The Aladdin sing-along was truly an experience that changed my life. I'd never been to a sing-along before, and seeing an entire theater-ful of people bursting into song/spontaneously splitting into male/female parts during a most awesome rendering of "A Whole New World" was beyond words. None of my friends came along, as they were too busy doing whatever it is my friends do when they don't want to come along. They regret it now, and I had fun without them singing at the top of my voice and linking arms with total strangers in a dark theater. On the way home, I hummed the songs over and over again. Those were the good old days, when animated movies were 2-D and had good music and songs. Nowadays, it's all plot, plot, plot.
I know it's a classic, but Wednesday was the first time I saw Singing in the Rain. And I loved it. Tap dance? Singing? Flashing lights? Props? No special effects? Choreographies? Gene Kelly? Count me in. Those were the good old days, when movies had real actors who were talented, no special effects or computer animations... Needless to say, I swung around every streetlamp between the theater and my dorm.
Now, High School Musical 3... The movie is worth seeing just for the heckling value. Unrealistic characters, unrealistic setting, unrealistic plot... And incredibly shallow. But hey, that's apparently the life us American teenagers are supposed to be leading. Moreover, the audience was composed of 300 college girls and maybe ten guys, either unfortunate boyfriends or very flamboyantly gay. The funniest aspect of the movie was the ear-splitting squealing and cheering every time any one of the male characters took his shirt off or kissed his girlfriend. And the singing, DEAR GOD, THE SINGING. They were singing along, despite the fact that they very obviously were not thirteen-year-old girls. We tried to organize a choreography on the way home, but failed due to the fact that in real life, people don't actually burst into song and dance. Although it would make life very much more interesting. Those were the good old days, when Disney actually made good movies, like Alice in Wonderland, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book... (Not Snow White, though. I hated Snow White. And Sleeping Beauty.) (Also, out of all the princes, I personally think the Beast is the best-looking one. Also, he has an actual personality and redeeming qualities/character struggles instead of being a boring dude on a white horse who shows up in time for rescues/kissing the dead girl.)
While we're on the topic of movies, I saw the last fourth of Gone With the Wind today, and had to look up the plot on Wikipedia because I was extremely confused.
I also saw my first episode of Star Trek last week, and might have to watch the entire series because it is that fascinating. Mostly for the bad acting, I admit it. The science is quite interesting, though.
Next week, Film Committee is showing Apollo 13, which I will most definitely attend because I haven't seen it since my Space Science class in the seventh grade and also Gene Kranz is giving a lecture the day after. Gene Kranz! THE Gene Kranz! I am getting in that auditorium if I have to sell my liver and both kidneys. Fortunately, tickets are free for students! I love the University. Very, very much. What they can't guarantee is that I will actually have a spot, even though I have a pass, so I will get in line several hours before, just in case.
I can sense a very large nerd-fest coming on...
The Aladdin sing-along was truly an experience that changed my life. I'd never been to a sing-along before, and seeing an entire theater-ful of people bursting into song/spontaneously splitting into male/female parts during a most awesome rendering of "A Whole New World" was beyond words. None of my friends came along, as they were too busy doing whatever it is my friends do when they don't want to come along. They regret it now, and I had fun without them singing at the top of my voice and linking arms with total strangers in a dark theater. On the way home, I hummed the songs over and over again. Those were the good old days, when animated movies were 2-D and had good music and songs. Nowadays, it's all plot, plot, plot.
I know it's a classic, but Wednesday was the first time I saw Singing in the Rain. And I loved it. Tap dance? Singing? Flashing lights? Props? No special effects? Choreographies? Gene Kelly? Count me in. Those were the good old days, when movies had real actors who were talented, no special effects or computer animations... Needless to say, I swung around every streetlamp between the theater and my dorm.
Now, High School Musical 3... The movie is worth seeing just for the heckling value. Unrealistic characters, unrealistic setting, unrealistic plot... And incredibly shallow. But hey, that's apparently the life us American teenagers are supposed to be leading. Moreover, the audience was composed of 300 college girls and maybe ten guys, either unfortunate boyfriends or very flamboyantly gay. The funniest aspect of the movie was the ear-splitting squealing and cheering every time any one of the male characters took his shirt off or kissed his girlfriend. And the singing, DEAR GOD, THE SINGING. They were singing along, despite the fact that they very obviously were not thirteen-year-old girls. We tried to organize a choreography on the way home, but failed due to the fact that in real life, people don't actually burst into song and dance. Although it would make life very much more interesting. Those were the good old days, when Disney actually made good movies, like Alice in Wonderland, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book... (Not Snow White, though. I hated Snow White. And Sleeping Beauty.) (Also, out of all the princes, I personally think the Beast is the best-looking one. Also, he has an actual personality and redeeming qualities/character struggles instead of being a boring dude on a white horse who shows up in time for rescues/kissing the dead girl.)
While we're on the topic of movies, I saw the last fourth of Gone With the Wind today, and had to look up the plot on Wikipedia because I was extremely confused.
I also saw my first episode of Star Trek last week, and might have to watch the entire series because it is that fascinating. Mostly for the bad acting, I admit it. The science is quite interesting, though.
Next week, Film Committee is showing Apollo 13, which I will most definitely attend because I haven't seen it since my Space Science class in the seventh grade and also Gene Kranz is giving a lecture the day after. Gene Kranz! THE Gene Kranz! I am getting in that auditorium if I have to sell my liver and both kidneys. Fortunately, tickets are free for students! I love the University. Very, very much. What they can't guarantee is that I will actually have a spot, even though I have a pass, so I will get in line several hours before, just in case.
I can sense a very large nerd-fest coming on...
6 comments:
If ever there was anything guaranteed to lift up one's heart it is an old song and dance film. I just love happiness.
I agree with you about The Beast. I never fancied kissing a dead princess, any way - too gruesome. Dare I admit I have still never seen Singing in the Rain?
Oh. SS. How could you not have seen Singing in the Rain? But even worse how could you make such a confession in public and to a lady you only met recently! The shame upon the family.
please don't sell your liver and kidneys! you might want them some day!!!!!
Peace, gentlemen, peace!
Scriptor Senex, I cannot judge you as I was so recently in the same state of ignorance, I can only wish you to see it someday and be lifted into the cloud of light where Those Who Have Seen It reside.
GB, you know I would never use such information for nefarious purposes!
And, dear sir or madam A. Nonymous, should I sell any of my organs, I promise to buy them back on the black market if ever I need them again.
Very cheesy but absolutely wonderful! Nothing quite like the uniquely uplifting sing-a-long world of Singing in the Rain (incidentally, try John Martyn's version of that song...fab). Would that we all conversed in song! What a wonderful working world that would make for. Can't quite imagine what soundtrack would be best for my boss though...perhaps the music which accompanies gollum (Lord of the Rings - but you knew that...). Persevere with Gone With the Wind - it, too, is devine (if only for the gowns and Clark Gable... yum). Have fun little nerd! x
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