Wayback Review: ‘The Stepford Wives’, three ways

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Denise
[When the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives hit theaters, I figured why not review the book by Ira Leven, and the classic film from 1975? Why not indeed. Enjoy this triptik from the dearly departed Green Man Review, originally published in October, 2007.]

Ira Levin, The Stepford Wives (Random House, 1972)
The Stepford Wives(Paolmar Pictures International, Inc. 1975)
The Stepford Wives (Paramount Pictures, 2004)

stepford 3 waysSomething is definitely wrong in the bucolic town of Stepford, Connecticut. For one thing, the ladies have a fashion sense that dates back to the 1960’s. Then there’s the problem with their husbands; they look happy. Too happy. Maybe it’s because their wives are all so amazingly beautiful, and such whiz-bang housekeepers. Or perhaps it’s due to the fact that the ladies seem, well, built to please. No matter which way you look at it, Stepford is Trouble with a capital “T,” and that rhymes with “R” and that stands for robot.*

Yeah, I gave away the town’s shocking secret. My apologies to the handful of folks out there who didn’t already know. With Perennial’s paperback edition saying that “…the title itself has earned a place in the American lexicon”, I felt pretty safe in my belief that the surprise ending is no longer such a surprise. What is a surprise is the way the remake of the 1975 film (which was in turn based on the 1972 novel) has changed from a taut, suspenseful thriller to a parody of itself. Which is not surprising, given the release of “horror” movies like Scream and Scary Movie, but disappointing nonetheless. Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: The Conjuring 2!

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Denise

CONJURING 2 posterBoo!  Scared you?  Okay so maybe I’m off my game.  But gotta admit The Conjuring was on point with their horror.  So now there’s a sequel, aptly titled The Conjuring 2, and I’ve got screening passes, Baltimore!  Synopsis!

Director James Wan brings this supernatural thriller to the screen with another real case from the files of renowned demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.. Reprising their roles, Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson star as Lorraine and Ed Warren, who, in one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

The trailer looks incredibly creepy. That’s a good thing.  So of course you want to get some chills this humid, sticky springtime that thinks it’s summer.  Right?  Right.  Right this way… Continue reading →

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Wish “Avatar” was real life? Cirque du SoleiI’s “TORUK” could be just what you’ve been waiting for…

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Denise
Cirque TORUK 22529__LPH9122_ORIGINAL

Photo: Errisson Lawrence Costumes: Kym Barrett © 2015 Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil is one of those theater experiences that I always figured I wasn’t classy enough for.  Too cool for me and my nerdy self, I thought.  I’d have to be able to speak French.  Or at least pronounce Cirque properly.  Then I headed out to Dralion years ago, and was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed it, and how accessible it is.  Sure, it’s gorgeous; so much so that I almost felt intimidated by their otherworldly, fascinating, commercials.  Apparently Cirque has decided to go with their strong suit, because their newest production, TORUK – The First Flight, is inspired by James Cameron’s Avatar.  You can’t get any other-world cooler than the Na’vi. Synopsis!

TORUK – The First Flight, inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR, a live experience by Cirque du Soleil®, envisions a world beyond imagination set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film. It is a live immersive multimedia  spectacle that brings to the stage the breathtaking world of James Cameron’s AVATAR.  Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stage craft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to the movie’s imaginative world and “Makes the bond” between two kindred artistic visions that capture the imagination.  It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.

Narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller” and populated by unforgettable characters, TORUK – The First Flight is a mythical tale set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film AVATAR, and before any humans ever set foot on Pandora.

When a natural catastrophe threatens to destroy the sacred Tree of Souls, Ralu and Entu, two Omaticaya boys on the brink of adulthood, fearlessly decide to take matters into their own hands.  Upon learning that Toruk can help them save the Tree of Souls, they set out, together with their newfound friend Tsyal, on a quest high up in the Floating Mountains to find the mighty red and orange predator that rules the Pandoran sky.  Prophecy is fulfilled when a pure soul rises among the clan to ride Toruk for the first time and save the Na’vi from a terrible fate.

Cirque has always had a wonderful way with set design and lighting, but this time it looks like they’ve really taken it to 11 with TORUK.  And I’m not just saying that because I’d love to romp around in one of their 6-legged animal costumes.  What?  They’re way cool. But what I find especially interesting is the set. It looks enormous.  Apparently it’s so gigantic that they had to practice at CenturyLink Center in Louisiana, just to find a place large enough.  I know.  I’m salivating too.  And as Avatar 2 is starting production – with several more sequels to come – the time is right to get back into the world of the Na’vi.

TORUK – The First Flight opens in Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena on Thursday, June 9th, and will run through June 12th.  Check out the promo video below, and tell me you don’t want to run around with those groovy 6-legged animals yourownself.

[NOTE: I’ve received opening night tickets in exchange for an honest review.  Keep your eyes peeled for that later this week!]
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TrailerWatch: “The Bet”

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Denise

Indie films.  So proper.  So staid and serious.  SIKE!  Just because something’s indie doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.  Case in point; this trailer for the indie comedy The Bet.  Synopsis!

A down on his luck man gets into an absurd but high stakes bet where he has one summer to find, and hook up with, every girl he had a crush on from 1st to 12th grade.

This trailer shows a story with lots of promise, and doesn’t spoil everything by cramming in every good gag into the trailer.  Still, there’s enough here to make me interested in seeing more.  And isn’t that what trailers are supposed to do?

The Bet comes your way this summer.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: Me Before You!

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Denise

me before you onesheetL’amour.  L’AMOUR.  Amirite, people?  Nothing like a sweet love story to make you forget that we got approximately 5 seconds of Springtime this year.  This time, the love story in question is Me Before You, starring the Mother of Dragons and Finnick Odair…or something like that.  Synopsis!

Oftentimes you find love where you least expect it.  Sometimes it takes you where you never expected to go…Louisa “Lou” Clark (Emilia Clarke) lives in a quaint town in the English countryside.  With no clear direction in her life, the quirky and creative 26-year-old goes from one job to the next in order to help her tight-knit family make ends meet.  Her normally cheery outlook is put to the test, however, when she faces her newest career challenge.  Taking a job at the local “castle,” she becomes caregiver and companion to Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young banker who became wheelchair bound in an accident two years prior, and whose whole world changed dramatically in the blink of an eye.  No longer the adventurous soul he once was, the now cynical Will has all but given up.  That is until Lou determines to show him that life is worth living.  Embarking together on a series of adventures, both Lou and Will get more than they bargained for, and find their lives—and hearts—changing in ways neither one could have imagined.

The trailer is just adorable, and apparently these two loved pulling pranks on each other onset.  So I’m betting the onscreen chemistry between these two will be very cool. Passes?  Passes! Continue reading →

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“Alice Through the Looking Glass” – Wonderland whimsy

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Denise

ALICE one sheet

Nutshell: Entertaining, fun, and surprisingly – refreshingly – deep. Alice packs a whole lot of glorious enchantment into just under two hours. Alice herself isn’t quite the same, nor are a few other characters…but overall that’s not overwhelmingly bad, and the film’s rainbow colored fever dream makes it worthwhile.  Good thing; Time doesn’t like to be trifled with. Grade: B+

A sequel to 2010’s Alice in Wonderland was never really thought about…until the money started rolling in opening weekend.  Then?  Of course – bring forth the sequel!  Hey, there’s a pre-fab story already written by Carroll, let’s do this! In the vast film library of unnecessary sequels, there are plenty so horrible as to give even the most kindhearted filmgoer pause.  Luckily, Alice Through the Looking Glass isn’t horrible.  Does it feel like a cash grab? A’yup.  Absolutely.  But it’s entertaining enough an pretty to look at, and the time flies by as the screen is filled with the same kind of ornate psychedelic beauty the original film gave us.

It’s years later, and Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is now a ship’s captain.  Yes, that’s jaw-droppingly feminist for a time period flirting with the early 20th Century.  But don’t worry, MRAs; as soon as she returns to London, she’s brought back down a peg or twelve.  Her mother has sold Alice’s stock in the shipping company, and the only way to keep their house is if Alice signs the Wonder – Alice’s ship that she inherited from her father – over to the new Lord Ascot. (Or something like that. It’s tough to keep track with the rapid fire way we’re brought up to date on Alice.) Alice, naturally, walks away from the situation, and after seeing her Wonderland friend Absalom (voiced by Alan Rickman *sniff*) follows him into a study with a huge mirror.  Absalom flies into the mirror, and when Alice hears people trying to break down the door, she follows.  And while she’s happy to be back in Wonderland, all is not well; the Hatter (Johnny Depp, in his element) isn’t doing well.  Nobody believes his family is still alive, but he’s just discovered something that makes it clear that they are.  Well, clear to him.  But to find the truth of what happened to them, Alice must visit Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen) and borrow his Chronosphere.  Problem?  Time says no-one should touch the Chronosphere, or else Dire Consequences.  Onward, to the Chronosphere! Continue reading →

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Wayback Review: Iron Man

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Denise
[Since Green Man Review is just a memory, let’s revisit my review of Tony Stark’s first MCU joint, shall well?  From GMR, 6/11/2008.]

iron-man-posterI’m sorry. This is the fun-vee. The hum-drum-vee is back there. — Tony Stark

Another summer, another super-hero movie. Mask, cape or utility belt, the idea of one more homage to comic books leaving you a little overdosed? Don’t worry. Iron Man puts the fun back into the superhero genre. And it’s about time.

For those of you who aren’t up on the comic (or haven’t seen a tv or movie trailer in the last year or so), Iron Man is billionaire arms manufacturer Tony stark. A suave, womanizing, hard-partying playboy who earned his money the old fashioned way, by inheriting it. Stepping up to helm Stark Industries at the ripe old age of 21, the child prodigy developed toys the big boys couldn’t wait to play with. Unfortunately, they also tended to show up in the clutches of the bad guys. And when an all-grown-up-now Tony takes a tour of Afghanistan, he’s attacked and wounded with his own munitions, a hunk of which ends up lodged in his heart, inoperable. With the help of advanced magnetics and Tony’s know-how, he creates a device that keeps that piece of steel from piercing his heart, and also creates a way to get back at his captors. How, you ask? Cue Black Sabbath: dum, dum, dum dah dum . . . why, it’s Tony Stark as Iron Man! The suit gets more and more advanced as the movie goes on, which is a nice touch considering the many changes the suit has gone though in comic form over the past 40 years. But it’s not all smash-and-burn. There’s corporate power-plays, gravitas galore as Tony struggles to find his way after his near-death experience, and even some serious belly laughs (mostly at Tony’s expense.) Not to mention a little Tony and Pepper chemistry, which should play out nicely in future films. Oh, what’s that? Yeah, a sequel is coming. So get on board. Don’t wanna miss the start of this ride. Continue reading →

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Mystery & Mayhem: Lynn Cahoon, ‘Teacups and Carnage’

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Denise

cahoon teacups and carnage

Nutshell: Looking for a cozy mystery that’s heavy on characters but light on grue?  You’ve found it here.  While I would have liked a more tied-in death to make the story feel relevant to the main characters, Cahoon has a lovely way with storytelling that will hook you immediately.  Grade: A-

In South Cove, California, Jill Gardner – owner of Coffee, Books, and More – is getting her store, her coffee truck, and the rest of the South Cove businesses ready for a beach festival.  And there’s a new business getting ready to open; Tea Hee, a specialty shop run by former beauty queen Kathi Corbin.  As the fellas in the business association get all twitterpated, Kathi’s sister Ivy comes to town, and the discomfort between the two sisters is palpable.  When a dead body is discovered at the local no-tell motel, things start looking grim for Kathi.  Can Jill and her honey, Detective Greg King, figure it all out before Kathi’s in hot water? Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: latest “Finding Dory” trailer is cute and (environmentally) conscious

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Denise

finding dory onesheetDory!  Who doesn’t love that addled Blue Tang that helped Nemo?  Of course, everybody now knows that Dory is getting her own movie – Finding Dory, duuuuuh – but now you can know more with this new trailer!

What I love about this film?  More Dory!  More of the Tank Gang!  Scenes that show what trashing up our oceans can do to the creatures living in it! And, of course, more of that gorgeous Pixar animation.  What I didn’t particularly love?  I know this is a kids film first and foremost, I kinda wish there were more bits of realism with the fish and invertebrates.  Someone picking up a Tang will most likely get a nasty cut thanks to their caudal spine.  An octopus shouldn’t be put in a touch tank; they’d clamber right out. (They’re crazy smart – the scene with Hank the octopus wandering around the aquarium building isn’t too far off the mark.  I’ve heard that they’re able and ready to get moving if anyone leaves their enclosure open even a crack…)

Enough of my marine bio nerdom.  Synopsis!

Six months after the events of the first film, Dory suddenly recalls her childhood memories. Remembering something about “the jewel of Morro Bay, California”, accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, she sets out to find her family. She arrives at the Monterey Marine Life Institute, where she meets Bailey, a white beluga whale; Destiny, a whale shark; and Hank, an octopus, who becomes her guide.

Finding Dory hits theaters June 17th.

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TrailerWatch: Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” teaser brings the misty

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Denise

beauty and the beast teaser posterTale as old as time… And here I go, misting up again.  Because Beauty and the Beast is a classic, from the original tale to the animated Disney musical.  And now Disney is upping its game, bringing Beauty and the Beast into live-action, as they’ve recently done with Maleficent, Jungle Book, and Cinderella.  With the first teaser-trailer hitting the interwebs, it’s time to look at what they’ve got in store.  And I have to admit, I got the misties once the music hit my earparts.

While there’s not too much given away here – you barely see Emma Watson as Belle until the very last shot – I got the tingles when I saw the dusty castle, and heard the low growl of Beast.  And as Luke Evans said singing is his “first passion”, I can’t wait to check out his pipes as Gaston.  And to be honest, I can’t wait to hear Watson and Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens duet as Belle and Beast. (Meanwhile, as Velvet Goldmine is one of my favorite not-so-guilty pleasures, I know Ewan McGregor will kill it as Lumiere…)

Check out this sneak-peek; Beauty and the Beast hits theaters March 17, 2017.

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