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Posted: March 13th, 2009 under Personal, Television.
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Having just dealt with a friend who’s up in arms about a new movie based on the board game Clue, I’m inspired to write about my annoyance at people who get so upset about remakes.  (That said, this new Clue is not a remake, but a new movie inspired by the board game.  There’s a difference.)

Some people get so upset when a movie is remade.  They’ll rant and rave about how good the original is and how the studio is going to muck this one up.  I mean, seriously, people get upset!  It’s ridiculous.

I have absolutely no problems with remakes.  For one, the original movie doesn’t instantly disappear from the face of the earth.  It still exists.  If you, the viewer, prefer the original, THEN WATCH THE ORIGINAL and ignore the remake.  No one is forcing you to foresake the original and suddenly put your passion behind the remake.  You can completely ignore the fact that the remake even exists.  There is no reason to waste emotion energy on a remake.

For two, sometimes the remakes are better.  Technology is the main area in which this is true.  Go back and watch a horror movie from the 70’s or 80’s.  The thrill and scare may be there, but the blood and effects are laughable.  Today’s technology allows for a much more realistic look.  I’ll concede that remakes of horror films tend to lose some of the thrill and scare in favor of better effects, but that’s not always the case.  I think it worth the risk to remake a movie, with the chance it could be equally as good, script-wise, and undoubtedly better effects-wise.

“Clash of the Titans” is a great example.  The remake is in the works as I write this.  It’s such a classic, that some would say it’s untouchable.  In my opinion, no film is untouchable.  As for “Clash of the Titans”, I love the original.  It’s a great story and truly fantastic.  But, it’s dated.  The effects are not that good.  I’m quite anxious to see it with today’s movie technology.  This movie has the potential to top the original.

And, for three, it’s a movie.  Seriously.  IT’S A MOVIE!  Life, history, the universe is not changed in any way by the fact your favorite movie is getting a remake.  It’s not worth losing sleep over.  So, calm down and tell me what you love about the original.  There’s no need to work up a storm in your soul over a measily movie.

Posted: March 6th, 2009 under Film, Personal.
Comments: none

The competition’s show is on in the background.  I don’t get into that “us vs. them” mentality.  But, I am bothered by the fact they’re now running a movie review of a movie you and I can’t see in the Quad Cities.  “Crossing Over” starring Harrison Ford opens today, but in limited release and not in our area.  So, why run the review?

I’ve made the same mistake, though.  I prepared a review ahead of time only to discover the day of that it was also opening in limited release and not in our area.  But, once I discovered that, it was too late.  Graphics were made and there was no turning back, other than to not run the review at all.  In hindsight, I would have pulled it completely.  Live and learn.

Posted: February 27th, 2009 under Film, Personal, Television.
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This blog is usually used to share my reviews.  However, I’d like to take some time to share some personal thoughts.

I got into this review gig for two reasons: as a means of moving my career in a new direction and as a way to be involved with local theater despite being unable to actively participate due to my work schedule.

Two years ago, I approached the then News Director and asked if there was a possibility I could ever be a news anchor.  Bored with producing, I wanted something new.  And, having theater in my background, I figured anchoring would combine my knowledge of news and performance.  To my surprise, he was keen on the idea and told me anyone interested in anchoring should start with something with which they are passionate.  Since I have an acting background, he suggested I review movies on air.  It’s something I know and a step in the right direction.  That’s how I started.

Sadly, that News Director is no longer my News Director.  He’s moved on and I’ve worked under two other News Directors since.  Since the most recent one didn’t regard me as “on air” and even had my bio removed from the website, my hopes for advancement were dashed.  The thing is, I don’t like others completely controlling my life.  So, of my own doing, I started reviewing local theater productions.

I’ve long loved being a part of the theater.  Unfortunately, my schedule does not allow me to participate at this time.  (I get off of work at 7:15 on a good day, which is usually 15 minutes after rehearsal begins.)  It’s just too much and is hard on my partner, who doesn’t like not seeing me for weeks on end.  Reviewing theaters, however, means I get to experience some of the excitement without the time commitment.  It’s a somewhat empty experience, as I often leave a show I’m reviewing in tears.  Not because the performance was bad, but because I regret that I cannot be a part of it.  I regret and am saddened by the fact I can’t be up there on stage myself.  It’s a longing so deep, I actually cry about it.

There is a bit of solace, odd though it may be, that follows each of my theater reviews.  The day or weekend after I review a show, I find one or two friend requests on my Facebook account.  At first I thought it odd, as I don’t really know these people.  I just watched you on stage, ofter criticism of your work and you want to be my Facebook friend?  In fact, the first request came from someone who received a bad review from me, if I remember correctly.  I found it quite odd.  It continued, though, to a point where I now look for a friend request or two after every theater review.

Odder than the requests from people I don’t know is the fact they’re somewhat comforting.  There are two things I love about the theater: performing and the community.  There truly is something to be said about the theater community.  Friendships are fast, but true and can be lasting.  Not being able to be a part of any shows, I am unable to experience that community.  Or am I?  With each friend request, I feel a part of it.  They’re comforting and, rather than feeling like an outsider criticizing a show, I feel like a member of the community offering my thoughts to praise performances well done or to press for stronger performances in the future.

So, to those of you who’ve requested a friendship with me on Facebook, I thank you.  And to those of you who will request one in the future, I thank you, too.  I welcome and appreciate your friendship, even if it is not face-to-face, but, rather, facebook-to-facebook.

Posted: September 15th, 2008 under Personal, Theater.
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