Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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We are David and Valerie, friends, former colleagues, film devotees. Welcome to our discussion room on films off all kinds. From blockbusters to bombs, indies to guilty pleasures, even HBO and AMC. Love it? Leave it? Skim, study, or skip, but bring your celluloid or digitally-enlightened intelligence and let's talk! We suggest you start first by weighing in on our post: What's Your Favorite Movie.
Valerie
about mz. v.
As a recovering high school English teacher, and currently doing a stint as education adjunct at CGCC, she is mad for travel, tai chi, chai tea, writing, mosaic tiling, current events, visiting kiddies in Austin and Manhattan, sipping Americanos with her beloved. She seeks continual enlightenment, and movies are one path to that.
David
About Dr. D.
David has enjoyed a number of careers: university professor, high school teacher, businessman...and currently bluegrass banjo player, jam leader, wood artist, glass artist, and would-be novelist. He proudly watches hours of TV and film. He considers film one of mankind's greatest achievements. He enjoys all genres, and appreciates both great and not-so-great films.
Upcoming Titles
What would YOU like us to see?
Thanks, Valerie, for reminding us that TV is part of the fun! If you post Glee, I'll post 24 and American Idol! ok?
ReplyDeleteThis week's episode was a little over the top. The kick-ass Madonna theme got a bit weary. The songs were ok. The do-sex, don't-do-sex motif left me a little on the sidelines as well. But ah, last week! What a winner! Loved the boyfriend-girlfriend humor. The lead, who's apparently also Jewish in real life, is a heartwarming, quirky character...very adorable. OK, back to you, Glee vet!
ReplyDeleteI see this entire series as "over the top" and that's what I love about it. Yes, we all saw "Like a Virgin" coming, (better watch where I put those quotation marks!) but I enjoy watching several sub-plots coagulate into one theme, so to speak. Each situation was unique, yet with commonality. I also was intrigued by the twist in "confessions." The girl (Rachel) pretends she has had sex, while the boy (Finn) denies it. Quite a swap from my era. I also liked the points made about the kids who get overlooked for the solos, and males figuring out how to respect females.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Valerie. There is lots at play concerning sex. As I review last season, I laugh at some scenes: the blond girlfriend who says "Let's pray" when things heat up a bit! Will they or won't they? Good old-fashioned stuff that reminds me of the Annette Funicello beach comedies. I really enjoy the portrait of the Spanish teacher turned glee coach. He's got the passion, the love of the kids. Touched a chord in me...probably you too, Valerie. In every one of us who loved teaching high school, there was probably a kid within us lurking in the shadows, enjoying their crazy antics. The "over the top" humor and satire is indeed what motivates the plot. I truly enjoy the song and dance. Such a talented cast. Of course Lea Michele, who plays Rachel, steals the show. But she's so talented, why not?
ReplyDeleteYes, this touches more than my teacher nerve...I participated in chorus my entire four years of high school. Coronado High School's Advanced Choral Ensemble, which was a prelude to today's blow-out routines as seen as Glee (that is actually accurate) was just too dorky at the time for me, tho. Came across more like our parents' Ray Coniff Singers!
ReplyDeleteThe cast was on Oprah recently and the producer said Lea is a "once in a lifetime" find, on the level of Streisand. I agree.
Hey, I had no idea you had some Glee past in you, English teacher! I'm impressed. Yes, the old days of singing were so goody-goody compared to todays bump and grind routines. I'll take the openness of today's sexuality any day over our frumpy, 50's mores. Lea Michele is indeed a unique performer. In real life she's 24! She looks 17.
ReplyDeleteLast Tuesday's show was quite weak. Way off the mark for me. Songs were not quite up there. But most of all, the plot is getting a little tough to stomach: Gay son of a father, macho son of mother, parents in love, kids in conflict...dunno if this works. My general feeling: Whenever Lea Michele is not center stage, with her enormous acting and singing talent, Glee falters. Do you agree, film buddy?
ReplyDeleteI agree in parts. I was totally bummed by this episode. First one I haven't felt lifted by afterward. I thought it was awful. The parent plot came out of nowhere. I liked the weight issue raised, but the whole show could have revolved around body image. The songs were so contrived and I didn't even follow the entire point of last stage number. Just seemed all thrown together. A real disappointment. It happens.
ReplyDeleteI differ from you regarding Rachel (Lea), however.Despite her enormous talent, I adore many of the characters, (I loved gay guy's - can't remember his name :-{ solo). I resist the inclination to make this a one-star show - after all, school chorus is about the ensemble, the mixture of talents, and, in this show, plotlines. In fact, i wish more would be devoted to high school life; vying for assembly time, newspaper coverage, the big end of year musical, members' conflicts with sports (like last year), keeping grades up to stay in club...
Well, they better do a better job next week!
Always great to hear your point of view. I think we're relatively in agreement on this one. Yes, let's hope they regain their center. Good note on this not being a one-person show. I enjoy the songs where Mr Shu does duets and dances. I really like the voice of the football player when he harmonizes with Lea. The pretty cheer girls do well in comboi too. OK, glee club must be a balance. But when one character is so strong, as with LM, and so likeable, hard to keep order in the music house.
ReplyDeleteRe: Glee of Tues May 4.... Better than last week! Loved the rap number in the opening scenes. Super dance and rhythm. The teacher reallly rocked! Again, when Lea took over the reigns about half way through the episode, lights sparkled. She's a major attention-getter. As for Olivia, not sure if she's still got it. Rather sad to see some of the older stars get old. The coach is getting a bit annoying...just too over the top too much of the time. Nice scene with Mr Shu counseling the mama-blond kid. Can't really say I'm crazy about the glee crew, except for the guy who was Rachel's former boyfriend. Back to you, Valerie.
ReplyDeleteGlee finale. I loved it. Poignant for a teacher to watch, especially one who has many moments of really missing that world. But then I tee off at 8 a.m. and get over it! haha
ReplyDeleteI love the points this show makes about what education is truly about - the individual's learning about his world and relationships, also the long-reaching benefits of a music program.
Have you ever noticed, however, that every t.v. show/movie ever made about a teacher shows him/her with ONE CLASS?! (Dead Poets' Society, Stand and Deliver, To Sir With Love, Mr. Holland's Opus, Dangerous Minds...............) I want to tell people, now imagine handling all this with FIVE entirely different sets of students every single day. AZ state legislators, take note.