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Fav Movies: Musicals *tra lalalala*
I have my mother to thank for my love of musicals as from an early age she introduced my sisters and I to her favourite musicals and we (but mostly me) subsequently added our own favourites to this genre. The musical though, on the surface, is an odd format for story telling. People bursting into song to express their feelings and explain events. Its also a very old, familiar genre, which fell into decline and has had a recent resurgence in popularity. And I think due to its close proximity to theatre and how theatrical musicals make their way into movies and vice versa that we tend to view all musicals in the same light, whether they are on stage, film or both.
I however, will limit myself to musical movies, and movies that fall into the category that: the characters sing part of the narrative and there may or may not be dancing.
Moulin Rogue
Premise: *swoons* Boy meets fancy Lady of the Night, who wants to free/famous, they fall in love but of course there is a Duke and drama and well... singing
Why I like it? Honestly, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for when I saw this film on its opening weekend. No clue. I was pleasantly, delightedly suprised. I have a soft spot for original scores, but somehow, using songs I knew and loved as part of the score wowed me. The story itself is not 'exactly' original but between Ewan's smile, his voice and Kidman's smile and voice,... sigh. It also has a plethora of fabulous characters, and a bittersweet ending, just the way I like :)
Fav quote; The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.
Sound of Music
Premise: Yes, my mother got us watching this early on (its her fav). Singing Nun leaves convent to become a Nanny, falls for widower father, escapes Nazis and sings.
Why I like it? What's not to like? A love story, historical drama, singing children running through the hills of Austria. I think its mostly the score that wins me, and the fact that it's basically in my genes to like it.
Newsies
Premise: A disney musical made during the timespan of years during which musicals were not popular. But its the odd subject for a musical, the story of early 20th century New York, and the lives of a group of young Newsies (newspaper sellers) and their fight/strike against Joe Pulizter.
Why I like it? Christian Bale is in it. And he sings :) Bill Pullman is in it too. The story is also just my cup of tea - young man seeking his fortune, caught up in events and making a name for himself. I loved (and continue to love) this movie
Mary Poppins
Premise: Magical Nanny (with a handbag I'd kill for) introduces two children (and their parents) to a magical world and brings them closer together. There are chimney sweeps, Dick van Dyk and singing.
Why I like it? Fun, quirky, amusing, magical. The songs certainly make the movie. Oh yes, and as a kid, I think it remains an awfully good movie but as an adult, it rocks :)
Annie
Premise: Little orphan Annie gets her shot at a family when Warbucks needs some PR and adopts an orphan for a week
Why I like it? This is another childhood classic that I think my sisters and I re-enacted on a weekly basis. I still know the words off by heart. And it had a fairly all-star cast. Carol Burnett simply steals the show as Miss Hannigan. But as usual, I think its the score that wins me.
Fav quote: We love you, Miss Hannigan
Every Single Disney Cartoon
Premise: Lion King, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, etc etc
Why I like them? Because they are awesome.
I however, will limit myself to musical movies, and movies that fall into the category that: the characters sing part of the narrative and there may or may not be dancing.
Moulin Rogue
Premise: *swoons* Boy meets fancy Lady of the Night, who wants to free/famous, they fall in love but of course there is a Duke and drama and well... singing
Why I like it? Honestly, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for when I saw this film on its opening weekend. No clue. I was pleasantly, delightedly suprised. I have a soft spot for original scores, but somehow, using songs I knew and loved as part of the score wowed me. The story itself is not 'exactly' original but between Ewan's smile, his voice and Kidman's smile and voice,... sigh. It also has a plethora of fabulous characters, and a bittersweet ending, just the way I like :)
Fav quote; The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return.
Sound of Music
Premise: Yes, my mother got us watching this early on (its her fav). Singing Nun leaves convent to become a Nanny, falls for widower father, escapes Nazis and sings.
Why I like it? What's not to like? A love story, historical drama, singing children running through the hills of Austria. I think its mostly the score that wins me, and the fact that it's basically in my genes to like it.
Newsies
Premise: A disney musical made during the timespan of years during which musicals were not popular. But its the odd subject for a musical, the story of early 20th century New York, and the lives of a group of young Newsies (newspaper sellers) and their fight/strike against Joe Pulizter.
Why I like it? Christian Bale is in it. And he sings :) Bill Pullman is in it too. The story is also just my cup of tea - young man seeking his fortune, caught up in events and making a name for himself. I loved (and continue to love) this movie
Mary Poppins
Premise: Magical Nanny (with a handbag I'd kill for) introduces two children (and their parents) to a magical world and brings them closer together. There are chimney sweeps, Dick van Dyk and singing.
Why I like it? Fun, quirky, amusing, magical. The songs certainly make the movie. Oh yes, and as a kid, I think it remains an awfully good movie but as an adult, it rocks :)
Annie
Premise: Little orphan Annie gets her shot at a family when Warbucks needs some PR and adopts an orphan for a week
Why I like it? This is another childhood classic that I think my sisters and I re-enacted on a weekly basis. I still know the words off by heart. And it had a fairly all-star cast. Carol Burnett simply steals the show as Miss Hannigan. But as usual, I think its the score that wins me.
Fav quote: We love you, Miss Hannigan
Every Single Disney Cartoon
Premise: Lion King, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, etc etc
Why I like them? Because they are awesome.
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He's definitely made for the stage :)
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Yes, he's all about "giving back", wanting to help people just like others helped him.
I guess it must be pretty cool that the 16 years old boy, who liked to sing Andrew Lloyd Webber songs, grew up to work for and with the man and become friends as well.
I also love the story how he came into the business - he went to an open audition for "Anything goes" at the age of 23, and he must have impressed them so much that they engaged him on the spot. He hadn't even finished his musical degree yet. So unlike others, who have to do background first, he was put right in the center right at the beginning.
That's the thing I like about John - he never forgets where he came from, and always thanks his fans, that they made his dream come true, and he always stops to give autographs and do pictures with fans on the street. He is very down-to-Earth. He's also a fellow geek himself, buying lots of fannish stuff at Comic con etc. He loves his action figures! So now you can understand why he didn't hesitate to be on "Arrow" *g*
Have you ever heard him sing, though? This is one of my favourite songs, "I won't send Roses", pretty intense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuFIzHifuu4
I also love this one, it's called "I'm the one" from a comedy show and he is never afraid of poking fun at himself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wzCheWUNXs
He also did an awesome duet with Daniel Boys, the song is called "I know him so well" from "Chess" and actually sung by two women, but I really love this version, and always have to listen to it repeatedly, as one time never is enough:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62JAq6sXaE4
And of course no JB concert would be complete without "I am what I am" - it's his hymn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JFHQg3zJCs
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If you are interested to see what his concerts are like - I wrote a detailed report about last year with lots of video links to all the songs and also the stories in between. He really has a gift of telling funny family stories while showing some pictures on the big screen. It's in the best way entertaining. His parents also do always have a guest spot on the stage. Which other singer is touring with Mom & Dad? *g*
The first part can be found here, the second part is linked at the end: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/39522.html
And I promise I will now be silent on the whole topic, as I feel I have spammed you enough. Unless you require to see more, then I'm happy to serve. But just putting the name "John Barrowman" into youtube should keep you occupied for days. He's a busy man...
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Thanks again! :)
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