So last night myself and Andrew Coates went to see the Blue Man Group on their opening night here in Orlando. As you can see, the weather was a little on the inclement side as we go to Universal Studios.

Despite stress in getting to Universal on time (to do with bus drivers, weather, and traffic) we managed to get in 10 mins before the start.

The show is very, very interactive, and hilariously funny. As we got in, the staff handed out crepe paper streamers, which the audience was requested to tie around their head. Suitably silly, we waited for the concert to start.

BMG concerts don't really start, as increase the anticipation of the audience. Over the PA is a general BMG drumming rhythm, and a number of electronic signs start interacting with the audience. Firstly with std messages like: "There is no intermission during this concert.... ...Now is the time to Pee!"

Then the messages get funnier, and more interactive. People are called out, the audience is encourage to speak (not sing) "happy birthday" to an audience member, and others are made to stand up. Jokes are made about people "mapping the human genome" so being important, and others just "not very important at all." All the while, the music very slowly increases in tempo and volume.

On either side of the stage were two huge column water tanks, surrounded by sculptures of dancing Blue Men. The water in the tanks suddenly starts spinning (ala whirlpool) and changes colour, and hey presto the concert starts.

The band were in black costumes, with luminous paint, so from the audience looked like glowing animated characters - very cool and effective. And as at other BMG concerts, they threw themselves into the fray with passion and enthusiasm. 1 drum kit, 1 percussion it, another percussionist, and a keyboardist.

So not as many muso's as on the Complex Rock Tour, but still loud, high energy, and timing to be believed.

A couple of the songs were from Complex - the Drombone, "I Feel Love", and a lot of the show was a cut down version of Complex - the rock moves, closer look at the audience. There was a bunch of new stuff as well, and the finale was the entire audience pulling long rolls of tissue paper over their heads from the rear of the theatre to the front. An amazing effect.

All in all, if you get the chance, this is well worth it. An interactive, funny, brilliantly musical experience like you've not seen.

R42

Feeling down?

I wouldn't suggest seeing this movie then. Also, if you have any fantasy about what war is really like. This movie, produced in Germany, by the Germans, on the last days of Hitler, is remarkably vivid. Less sensational than Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan," "Downfall" follows a number of crucial characters in the momentous last moments.

There is a lot of controversy and debate in Germany about the "pro-Nazi" sentiments of the movie. My take is that I didn't see any. The brutality of the Nazi's, the utter ruthlessness of Hitler and (probably more) Goebbels, is well portrayed by some actors who should be in line for Oscars. Of course, not being a Hollywood movie, they probably won't get a look in.

Should You watch this?

Leah (16) and Em (15) want to go and see this, and I reckon it's probably a good thing. Downfall is an accurate portrayal of bigotry, and racism taken to it's ultimate. 50 million people died as a result of the Nazi's (& axis powers) in WWII. Not as many as the 85 million deaths Stalin was responsible for, but something which should not be forgotten.

There are some amazingly disturbing scenes, and not necessarily the gory ones either. Children fighting Russion tanks, fanaticism taken to extremes, and a very poignant, sad scene with the fate of the Goebbels children.

If these will haunt you, then don't watch the movie. It's enough to know that Hitler and his regime was evil, and that he's dead. If, however, you feel that you can handle it, and you're intrigued at those last moments, this is a very compelling film. It is likely to change your mind about a number of Hitler's command.

I'd give it a 4/5 - although it's not on my "must see again" list

[SHORT]

See it!!! If you have any affinity with Star Wars, even peripheral, see this movie.....

[/SHORT]

[LONG]

As when I was 11 for Star Wars IV - A New Hope, I ended up in the 2nd row of the cinema early this morning for the launch of the final installment. George started us with his usual format, the brief flying description of what had happened since the last episode, and a set-up to the action we're about to see. After this fades into the stars, the camera pans down through 90 degrees, and a huge Destroyer crosses the screen. Then you're in the action....

And the action is good in this movie. Paramount in fact. The craft are fantastic, we see the birth of the X-wings, the former models of the TieFighters, and finally some realism in the various craft: Blast marks, grease stains, scratches etc. Not the sleek, unblemished craft of the first two installments.

The action sequences are plentiful. I felt the reaction scenes went on perhaps a bit much, and the dialogue only slightly better than Lucas' usual std. (i.e. stilted) The actors are let down by a weak script, and only Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan) & Iain McDermid (Palpatine) who really rise above this to give creditable performances. It's a pity, because so much could have been built with Natalie Portman as Padme, as well as Samuel L Jackson as Wendu Mace. Even C3P0 isn't as good as in the original 3. But the action scenes & technology do make up for it.

We're expecting the major plot of the movie; Anakin's betrayal of the Light side of the Force, and the Jedi. The subtext of course is the transformation of democracy, liberty, and freedom to dictatorship, iron rule, and enslavement. Setting us up nicely for the next three movies. Revenge of the Sith takes us there, and then some. Anakin, whilst not being that good a character (too petulant and angry) so the betrayal isn't that much of a disappointment, certainly becomes the epitome of evil. Helped by slaughtering the Padwan's and the final duel with Obi-Wan. For that he pays the price in his relationships, which serves to increase his anger, bitterness, and malice.

The scene where he actually swears allegiance to the Sith is pretty contrived. All the story threads are there, but one second he's threatening Palpatine, and the next he's on his knees swearing allegiance. (With remorse about his actions in the middle) It all seems a bit sudden & out of context at the time. All is forgiven, however, in the ensuing action.

Ewan McGregor is brilliant as Obi-Wan, and Frank Oz's (the only character to act in all six?) Yoda steals a couple of scenes as well.

The music is up to John William's standard. A difficult task to maintain the well loved score, without flogging it to death. i felt it was very Vangelis-like, something from Mythodeia, with a lot of sustained strings and choral voices. Not the std Star Wars fare.

A couple of missing threads. We do meet Chewbacca, but we don't meet young Han Solo, which is a shame. Nor the Jabba crowd, which as part of usurping the Emperor's trade blockade sets up the smuggling storyline in the next three movies. Also, we don't meet Mon Mothmar, the architect of the new Rebel Alliance. A pity, but probably cut to keep the movie to an acceptable length. No visibility of Bobar Fett, the young bounty hunter's son, who saw his dad killed by the Jedi in Attack of the Clones.

I agree with the decision to rate the movie 'M' (15) Mainly for the scene where the beautiful (and there's no other way to describe him really) Anakin is defeated by Obi-Wan, and is physically disfigured. It's the most gruesome and graphic scene in all 6 movies, but necessary to make the transformation complete. It adds to the power of Darth's evil, and gives the new character some realism. But I wouldn't let my little girls watch it.

The scene where the new Darth Vader is 'rebuilt' and expresses his pain and anger is very "Frankenstein's Monster" Was this deliberate? If so, it's a shame, as he doesn't need to stumble around like that, and it takes away from his overall power. Far better I'd imagine to set him up with an insatiable desire to avenge Padme's death on the (not yet formed, but inevitable) rebel alliance, or remnants of the Jedi. And to rise, not stumbling, but determined; not mourning, but blazing... But then hey, I'm not the billionnaire from writing, producing, or directing the SW series

I do have to add, that the overall story is ok, the universe compelling, but I still don't like Yoda's cut-down Westernised Buddhist philosophy:"It's attachment that leads to jealousy, which is the Dark Side! You have to let people go to avoid the Dark Side." Bollocks I'm afraid. Good is a function of Love, which is all about commitment and attachment. We know it's entertainment, fantasy, not real and a great suspension of disbelief for a couple of hours; but it leads to difficult inconsistencies in the Jedi philosophy, which niggle the watchers throughout.

I am really glad I saw the launch, and completed the series, which is a large part of my generation's story. It started as a satire on (Russian) communism, and ended with a warning against tyranny. All the way through it's fun.

I'm looking forward to seeing it again at Gold Class tomorrow during the day

[/LONG] 

In a short, short time, at a cinema very, very, close....

Of course I have no option. I was eleven when Darth Vader exploded onto a huge screen (Four Star Drive-In in South Africa) and epitomised Evil for almost an entire generation.

No, the first two weren't as good as the original three. Nevertheless, all the reviews of Revenge of the Sith are that it is brilliant. And anyway, there needs to be some closure. So along with two other Gen-X's, I'm going to the launch of the final act in the Star Wars series tonight.

May the Force be with you....

With a nickname like mine....

You knew I was going to see it! A bit obvious really. In fact one of the downsides of DA's recent popularity is everyone thinks of me as a "bit old for that sort of fanatic adulation" Whereas the reality is, I've been known as Rog42 since, hmm, let's see, 1993. So 12 years now.

It used to be an interesting "You're not 42, so why Rog42?" and I'd explain it's because I know the Answer etc. Personally!

Now, it's just "So you've seen the movie have you?"

42

What to say - it's worth it! See it! More detailed review later....