Once upon a time, I was a movie hound. My now lost friend Jim and I used to catch every new release and some of the more interesting "art films" that showed up a our local cineplexes. For some reason, I have shied away from the cinema lately. Not much has grabbed me and made me part with my money to spend a couple hours in a dark room with other popcorn munching fans. From the looks of the upcoming attractions previewed at my cinematic soiree last night, I will not be back in the theatre for a while.
They are making a movie about the man who invented the intermittent windshield wiper and was screwed over by the Big Three automakers. He battled in court for years, losing most of the money he won on legal fees but proving a point. I would have taken the money and ran.. but then there would be no fodder for a movie. And that could be a good thing. There is another flick about a minority kid who overcomes southern racism to win big on the football field..Yawwwwwwwwnnnnn... not again. Star Wars XCIX (that is 99 for the Roman Numeral challenged)is upon us and Batman is back...again.
But, being in a bit of a funk, and deciding the world is crap, I did what millions have done when times are tough and went to see a silly, bright, cheery, happy ending musical "Momma Mia". The fact that Bruce wanted to go was the deciding factor...he'd buy the popcorn!
The plot is simple. 20 year old Sophie lives a challenging but happy life with her single mother, Donna, running a rustic hotel on a breathtaking Greek island. She is preparing to marry her Scottish boyfriend Sky who has captivated her and is willing to stay on the island and make the hotel a success. One thing is missing from her idyllic life, she wants to find her father before her wedding. Finding her mother's diary from when she was born, she secretly invites three of her mom's old flings to the wedding. She is sure she will instantly know her father when he sees him and will have her dream fulfilled to have him give her away.
You know the rest....
Starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth and a whole slew of Greeks, the lighthearted story is told using hit songs from ABBA including "Dancing Queen", "Money Money Money", "Mamma Mia", "Winner Takes it All", "SOS" and others.
What can I say??, good clean fun, not long, fabulous scenery, happy ending... worth a shot. Streep was good, Brosnan and the other men not as good. Julie Waters as Donna's friend Rosie was a hoot.
Worth a trip to the theatre for sure. Not sure why so many critics have panned the movie; yes it is not a ground breaker and is not controversial,yet "Mamma Mia" is certainly better than that flimsy contrived "Rent" ever was.
Besides, a little ABBA never hurt anyone.
About Me
- Don
- Kansas City, MO, United States
- Pictures on Silence features classical music reviews from the audience member's point of view. Opera, new music, CDs from time to time,symphonic music and the occasional off topic post is the fare. With 40 years of classical music listening, concert going and study, I kind of know my way around. Hopefully not stuffy or naive but honest and sincere. I simply love classical music, love writing about it and wish to share my experiences with other enthusiasts.
HM The Queen 1999-2011
as Queen Pugtoria
2 comments:
Also, consider a Netflix.com membership for $5 or more per month. I use it to rent foreign films and classics that even TCM doesn't show. For example, going back and watching movies from the early to mid-1960s is great, seeing all the brilliant colors, the cars, the scenery, the buildings, and the direct hints at things to come in future decades.
No movie illustrates this better than Jacques Tati's Playtime. It's a real joy to rent series, too, like BBC specials, operas, Trailer Park Boys (never shown in the US!), and Cowboy Bebop.
this is one of the only plays i've ever seen, which ended up being great... it's funny to think of ol' Pierce taking a stab at singing, yeeesh
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