Musical Extravaganza
Yesterday me and my cinematic partner in crime took the opportunity to get tickets for a special evening of "Musical Extravaganza" in our small local arthouse movie theater.
They were screening 2 classic "musical-ish" pieces. So for the interested people out there, if you're always keen on watching stuff both for the eyes and ears, I will share my experience under the cut.
Phantom of the Paradise
USA 1974
Director: Brian de Palma
Written by: Brian de Palma
Camera: Larry Pizer
Music: Paul Williams
Cast: William Finley, Paul Williams, Jessica Harper, ...
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5 / 5)
What a ride!!!
I, resp. we, absolutely L❤️VED it!!!
When I read "Brian de Palma", I was surprised, since I only know his later work, mostly Thrillers and Gangster movies.
This early work, however, is something...well...completely different, to put it mildly.
It's a wild mix of "Phantom of the Opera" with a liitle bit of "Dorian Gray" towards the end.
Everything in a wild 70s setting with awesome costumes and sets.
The music is brilliant and the whole staging is completely crazy with all actors being comitted to the bit.
I can absolutely recommend this one!!!
Streets of Fire
USA 1984
Director: Walter Hill
Written by: Larry Gross, Walter Hill
Camera: Andrew Laszlo
Music: Ry Cooder
Cast: Michael Paré, Willem Dafoe, Diane Lane, Rick Moranis, Amy Madigan, ...
Rating: ⭐ (1 / 5)
Ok. The euphoria of the first movie quickly subsided the longer the second one lasted, I am afraid.
Walter Hill is in my book known for rather hard actioners in the 80s and 90s and, honestly, besides of some music scenes in this one, it is really more an action movie, than a musical - and not a particularly good one at that.
The acting is really B movie quality. I really like what has become of young Diane Lane over the years, but this was not one of her proudest moments. The did good lip-sync on the singing scenes, but did not actually sing.
Michal Paré. One can clearly see, why he stayed a b-movie actor and never made it to the A list of that era. Apart from his handsome looks he basically switched between two facial expressions: stoic staring and wounded staring. His dialogs sounded like that voice announcing the next stop in trains and busses.
Rick Moranis was ok. Less geeky than usual but not really challenged by the meh script.
The only positive appearance was actually done by Amy Madigan.
She played the chummy ex-army gal with enough ease and made the best of her part.
The music was nothing special and sometimes a too wild mix of genres. Besides the opener, nothing really remained in my memory. Sad, since I normally like Ry Cooder's work. I guess he got better with age.
So, in sum, not really a recommendation. Neither as a musical, nor as an action movie.
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