A Review: Mamma Mia!

If you want a feel good movie experience where thinking is not necessary, I highly recommend seeing Mamma Mia. The film, directed by Phyllida Lloyd is no grand masterpiece of cinematography, but it certainly is a good time. I was guilty of singing ABBA hits as I left the theater. The character of the young bride-to-be, free-spirited Sophie is played by Amanda Seyfried who has a magnificent voice. Her portrayal of the character is light and breezy while she attempts to figure out who her true father is the day before her wedding.

Sophie's mom, Donna, is played by Meryl Streep who looks fantastic. Her singing voice isn't bad either. Donna was a free-spirit in her youth, but now has grown older and more adult. Sophie stumbles upon Donna's diary and learns that her dad could be one of three men. The three suspected dads Bill, Sam, and Harry played respectively by Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth also bring flavor to the movie.

Bill, Sam, and Harry are invited to the wedding by Sophie without Donna's knowledge. When Donna stumbles upon her former lovers she is thrown back into the past. Sophie tries to get to know each of her potential fathers. However, all of them decide they want to be the one to walk her down the aisle at her wedding.

To make a long story short, Sophie decides marriage isn't right for her at this time in her life. But Donna finds love with Sam (Pierce Brosnan). The musical scenes in Mamma Mia are light and airy. The dancing isn't fabulous but illustrates the hap-hazard nature of the film. The sing for the most part is tolerable except when Pierce Brosnan takes the stage--cover your ears. He should stick to just being debonair and chivalrous.

The setting of the movie is absolutely gorgeous--set in Greece, this movie's scenery is breathtaking. I personally have never seen the Broadway version of Mamma Mia, but I would definitely consider buying a ticket after seeing the movie. So, if you are having a low day or can't beat the heat, head to the movie theater and enjoy Mamma Mia.

A Review of The Dark Knight

$11.50: The amount spent to purchase an advanced ticket on Fandango.com to see The Dark Knight. Getting to see Heath Ledger in his last performance: Priceless.

I spent my Friday evening glued to the movie screen as I watched the next installment of the Christian Bale Batman series. This movie is big. Opening weekend boasted a whooping $158 million. This past weekend grossed $72 million according to Reuters.

The movie lived up to its hype in my opinion. I haven't heard anyone say it was, "just okay." Everyone says it's a great film. I remember seeing Batman Begins in the theater when it first came out and thought it was an awesome flick. Christian Bale is probably the best Batman ever (second to Michael Keaton, of course). I anxiously awaited the opening of The Dark Knight and was very pleased with the outcome.

I was interrogating a friend after they saw the movie (I hadn't yet at that point) and this is what he told me--"Whenever the Joker wasn't on the screen, you sat there wondering what he was doing. That's how powerful Heath Ledger's performance was." And it couldn't have said it better.

The character of The Joker, portrayed by Heath Ledger, had all the qualities many of us have come to know through Jack Nicholson's portrayal of The Joker in the 1989 film, Batman. The outrageous laughter, the signature joker card, the purple suit, the makeup was all kept intact. But there was a deeper, more realistic and terrifying quality to Heath Ledger's character. His makeup was painted on, which made it seem more real and less comic. His character traits like sucking his teeth and licking his lips were eerily jolting to the viewer. I'd go as far to say that he stole some of the glory from Batman, Christian Bale, himself.

The plot of the movie was also well done although the only problem I had with The Dark Night was with the character of Two Face. Aaron Eckhart did a bang up job playing the demented Harvey Dent after he loses his love, Rachel Dawes (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal who really didn't do her role justice--okay, so I have two issues with the movie). But I absolutely loved the scene in the hospital where Joker plants the seed of evil into Harvey Dent sealing his fate to become Two Face. The movie had a shortcoming with Two Face's character. It would have been enough to see how Two Face became Two Face and save him for the movie's next installment. But instead Two Face was created, committed some mayhem, and then was defeated. It seemed like a jip to me.

But I won't complain. Overall, The Dark Knight, was a wonderful action movie. Heath Ledger definitely deserves to be considered for an Oscar. When it comes the question of an Oscar, I believe Ledger at least deserves the nomination because his portrayal of Joker is probably one of the best pieces of acting I've seen on the silver screen in a while. The matter of his death is really very tragic--it is still unclear to me whether his death was accident or intention, but we lost a rising star nevertheless. Also, as those of you who saw the movie know, the Joker did not die. So, were they planning on keeping Joker in the film's plot? My guess would be probably, but now that Ledger is gone I don't know if anyone can do the role justice.

The Dark Knight, as a part of the Batman series, is a staple of American movie culture. It's deeply embedded into the veins of Hollywood and in the lives of many Americans who have grown up loving the comic books, action figures, and movies. But one story caught my eye this week. 20-year-old Spencer Taylor of a little town in Michigan donned Joker makeup and a purple suit to visit the local theater and rip down posters for The Dark Knight. He was arrested for larceny and malicious destruction of property. His mug shot, which you can see here, shows him wearing his makeup. It's too funny.

Have you seen The Dark Knight yet? If you haven't get to the theater! Even if you aren't a comic book movie fan, you'll be glad you spent the $11.50. And while you're at it, treat yourself to a popcorn.

Yes, You Can!

I'd like to share with you all the first full-length article that I wrote for Reader's Digest. The link is below.

The article is called, "Yes, You Can" and it's an inspirational piece about seven ordinary folks who weren't particularly athletic when they were younger, but took up a sport after they were over the hill. All of the stories inspire me. But at the same time I feel a little embarrassed that I'm not as fit as the 94-year-old I profile. Eek! Well, all I can hope is that my health is that great 70 years from now. Enjoy the piece! I certainly enjoyed writing it.


For my story, click here.

Addicted to Media?

I was doing some research for a story I was thinking of pitching to my editors at Reader's Digest. The idea was all about giving up media for a month. And when I say giving up media--I mean it. No blackberry. No cell phone. No e-mail. No video games. No T.V. No video games. You get the idea. The only time you could use media was at your job (and no cheating allowed!). How would this impact someone's life? My guess it would be pretty dramatically.

A few months ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics published their 2007 report all about how Americans spend there time. Here is a very basic breakdown.

Sleep: 9 hours
Work: 8 hours
TV: 2.5 hours
Phone, E-mail, Mail: 2 hours
Eating: 1.25 hours
Chores: 1.25 hours

It's pretty interesting stuff. But think about we have about 15 waking hours every day. Eight of those are spent at work. So, over half the remaining hours are spent with the TV or online or on the cell phone. We spend the least amount of time eating at the dinner table where there are conversations to be had. What's going on here?

Of course, the simple answer to that if we've become more and more media-dependent and our world is becoming more technically advanced. When I was a freshman in college, my professor gave my class a project: abstain from media for one week. It nearly killed me. Whatever TV show I was watching religiously at that time, went unwatched and I almost physically writhed in pain knowing I was missing an episode.

I wonder if anyone in our society could get by without media today? I recently saw the movie Witness with Harrison Ford for like the 10th time. It's a great movie and the people in it--the Amish--have lived for decades without the technology we see as so vital in our lives.

What's my point? I guess there really isn't one except, I'd like to hear if you've tried to have a "media fast." How'd it go? More to come soon since I plan (yet again) to take advantage of technology and keep my blog current (or at least, somewhat current).