I have always been a big fan of Jesus Christ Superstar,
particularly of the songs themselves. I was privileged to see the show
once in a local production, which was most impressive as I recall.
Shortly thereafter, we purchased the 1973 Norman Jewison film. I was
less impressed with this version. Although it had the advantage of being
filmed on location, that vast expanse was often ill-suited to the style
of the movie. I also was a bit turned-off by some of the extremely
anachronistic touches, such as the tanks and B2 bombers stalking Judas
and the disciples in hippie regalia. And because most of the performers
were rock stars and not actors, the lack of skill in the latter area was
sometimes apparent. Nonetheless, it has been a video that we pull out
every year at Easter and watch.
Last year, I watched Joseph and the Amazing Techni-color Dreamcoat on PBS, and after the show I got a glimpse of several clips of the new production of JCS
which would be coming out shortly on video. I'm not sure why I held
such high hopes for this remake. Perhaps it was my immense satisfaction
with the same company's production of Joseph. Perhaps it was my
immediate attraction to Glenn Carter. Or perhaps it was just wishful
thinking. At any rate, I became convinced that WHYY's offering would
turn out to be the perfect performance of Jesus Christ Superstar. I'm afraid that the reality fell short of expectations.
You see, I held out hope that this movie would "get right what the
first one got wrong", at least in my opinion. First of all, there was
the cinematography. I would say that this aspect of the new version was
handled quite well, and it would have made for a more watchable film
than the first if it had not been for the choice of setting and
costumes.
Most of the film took place in a large room which served a variety of purposes, from Heaven on their Minds to Gethsemane.
There was no Judas running frantically down the cliffs of the desert or
Jesus scaling the heights of the garden hills to make his plea more
audible. It was just a big room. Then there was the long wall covered
with graffiti, which we see as the film first begins. There's the
temple, which looks like a casino/strip joint, and there's the hang-out
of the Sanhedrin, which is centered around a long black table.
The costumes were certainly not biblical. Jesus' disciples all looked
like a bunch of punk rockers, and Judas, the oldest of the bunch by far,
was similarly decked out in jeans, a t-shirt, and a leather jacket.
Mary Magdalene wore a red dress, and Jesus wore jeans and a white shirt,
later a white robe. The high priests all looked like something out of The Matrix,
and the members of the media, also dressed all in black, resembled
witches. The people who cry out to Jesus for help are dressed similarly
but covered with web-like bandages, looking like death itself. Finally,
the Roman officials, Pilate in particular, look to me like members of
the gestapo. I really didn't get much out of the attempt to put this in a
modern setting; I saw Godspell, and that was one of my major
complaints as well. They're trying to make this story happen 2000 years
ago and today, both at the same time. I don't think it works very well.
But now to the meat of the movie. The characters are all well done,
though I prefer the characterizations in the first film to some of
these. Jerome Pradon does a fine job as presenting Judas as a conflicted
individual, though his vocal talents and energy don't come close to
matching those of Carl Anderson in the first film. He's also not as easy
to like as that first Judas. From the beginning, he seems beady-eyed,
sinister, and sarcastic. Throughout the film, his face contorts to show
his affection for Jesus despite his growing frustration, and when he
turns Jesus in he is overwhelmed with guilt.
Judas is undeniably Superstar's
hero in the Greek sense of the word, meaning the individual who
undergoes the most radical change from beginning to end. But this
production messes it up. Judas has just become so crippled by his own
guilt, so remorseful, that he hangs himself. But shortly thereafter, as
Jesus is preparing to carry his cross to Calvary, Judas, along with a
herum of leather-clad floozies, takes the opportunity to stand over
Jesus and gloat. He seems to be saying, "Ha-ha, Jesus, you're so
stupid," and Jesus just remains hunched over under his cross, a
grotesque ezpression of agony on his face. It's my least favorite scene
in the film. Nobody seems to be rooting for Jesus here; the "angels" in
leather bikinis are as sarcastic and cruel as Judas' demon girls. And if
Judas is talking to Jesus right before the crucifixion, in some sort of
vision or something, how is he talking about the current day? It just
doesn't jive. And then, as soon as Jesus makes his journey to the hill,
Judas sobers up and goes back to being remorseful. That whole scene just
blew Judas' credibility out of the water, and it removed the one
indication of resurrection that existed in the first film. I was, quite
frankly, disgusted, but it set up an expectation that they were going ot
give us one doozy of a finale, a real resurrection that would leave no
doubt as to Jesus' triumph and perhaps bring poor old Judas some peace.
But that didn't happen either. I waited in vain. The closest the movie
came to anything like that was the blinding cross in bright lights that
blazed behind Jesus at the moment of his death. That certainly spoke of
the supernatural, but it wasn't enough to satisfy me.
Glenn
Carter was much more satisfactory than Pradon. Although I am pretty sure
Jesus was not that gorgeous -- it just didn't seem to be his style --
Carter did a very convincing job. He has a heavenly voice, and his
heart-felt rendition of Gethsemane was for me the most moving
portion of the movie. His Jesus is straight out of Luke, and then some.
His most striking attribute is the concern and compassion he has for
everyone he meets, from the dying multitude to Judas to Pilate. Carter
displays a wide range of passionate emotions, and it was much easier for
me to connect with him quickly than was the case with Ted Neeley in the
first film. At times, he is perhaps a bit too human. He spends the last
scenes of the movie with a permanent agonized expression on his face,
submitting himself to the whims of those who try to hurt him. It does
give him a quiet authority, however. He refuses to fight back because he
knows this is what must happen. Somehow, though, he seems to lose his
control with Superstar, and it seems that he now is starting to
wish he could get out of this. He appears helpless and terrified. He is a
victim, not a triumph. And I'm sure Weber and Rice would have had it no
other way. But Christians will have to look especially hard to see the
determined savior in the eyes of that frightened deer-in-the-headlights.
Rene Castle as Mary Magdalene is excellent as well. Her voice
is incredible, and as with Jesus, she plays her part with much more
emotion than her predecessor (Yvonne Elliman) did. Unfortunately, her
beautiful characterization takes one of the major complaints with
the show by Christians and runs with it. Many Christians have been offended
by the implication that there may have been a romance between Jesus and
Mary. I simply did not see that in the first film. I saw a woman who
loved a man who was different from any other man she had ever known.
Because of this, she did not know how she was supposed to love him.
Jesus' love for her was simply the love he had for any disciple, and I
never got the impression that he was romantically inclined toward her.
This film came a lot closer to implying that. Every time Jesus is with
Mary, he has this rapturous expression on his face, and it is ultimately
a confrontation between Judas and Jesus after Judas sees Mary kiss the
sleeping savior that makes Judas decide to betray his friend.
The high priests are definitely sinister, but Annas goes far beyond
that. He is downright creepy with his bald head, high voice, and cold
eyes. Pilate, meanwhile, who was quite honestly my favorite character in
the first film when it came to performance, comes across as a vicious
gestapo leader here. He does sympathize with Jesus, and there is one
touching moment in the trial when Jesus reaches up to comfort him, but
overall I found his bellowing more obnoxious than anything else. In the
original producation, Barry Dennen made Pilate extremely likable,
pitiable and compassionate. I found his scene with Jesus to be the most
moving scene in the whole film. This guy doesn't even come close.
And then there's Herod. I think whoever plays him is going to wind up
looking like a fruitcake. The first movie's Herod at least tried to
sing, even though his voice was pretty bare of talent. This guy, a
British fellow who sounded like he had a stuffy nose and seemed to come
straight out of the twenties, spent most of his song chanting instead of
singing. He was not nearly as amusing as the first, nor was he menacing.
He was just...there.
All in all, I must say that I was
disappointed with this film. However, magnificent performances of Jesus
and Mary as well as a few others (Simon Zealotes and Peter in
particular) make it worth watching. The music is as fantastic as it ever
was, and as easy to twist around to imply something different. This
play can be very reverent, but this was obviously not the intent of the
creators. Watch it if you get a chance, but listen to the soundtrack
first and work out the rest of the story as you see it on your own.
Because Jesus was more of a Superstar than either Webber or Rice could
ever imagine.
Sunday, April 29, 2001
Friday, April 20, 2001
Let Us Never Forget
Oskar Schindler was a shrewd businessman. He was a womanizer and a Nazi.
He was also a humanitarian. In Stephen Speilberg's amazing epic film, Schindler's List,
the life of this unlikely hero is chronicled through a horrifying
three-and-a-quarter-hour account of the Holocaust, in which six million
Jews met their demise in the Nazi gas chambers.
The entire film is in black and white, except for a few key moments. This lends the movie a documentary feel and adds to the aura of desolation and horror that hangs over all of Europe. When color finally comes, it is first as a means of recognizing a child seen previously in the film during the storming of a ghetto. But moments before the conclusion of the film, it is a symbol of hope in the form of flames from the candles of the Sabbath ceremony performed by the rabbi in Schindler's factory.
Liam Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, a deeply conflicted man who must eventually decide whether to live as he has lived, seeking profit and going along with the cruelty of his political party, or risk everything to make a difference -- indeed, to save lives. His two best friends are the sadistic Ammon Goeth, a psychotic Nazi commandant played chillingly by Ralph Fiennes, and Itzhak Stern, his Jewish clerk, whose gentle wisdom and compassion shine brilliantly through Ben Kingsley's portrayal.
While the movie focuses on the ever-differing lives of Schindler and the commandant, it gives a horrifying account of what happened to the Jews after Hitler declared his plan for the purification of the Aryan race. The brutality and inhumanity which occurred during these years was such that a person watching this movie would be tempted to think that such a thing never could have happened, especially not in our civilized twentieth century. We must not succumb to that temptation. Six million Jews, not to mention several million other people who didn't fit the Nazi ideal, were systematically slaughtered in ghettos and death camps before the war ended in 1945.
Schindler's List depicts this mindless genocide in stark detail. This movie is not pleasant, and you should consider carefully whether your child can handle such graphic material; indeed, you may not be able to yourself. Prepare yourself, and prepare your child for the horror he or she is about to witness. I would not eagerly endorse this film for anyone under the age of thirteen, though I do think that younger children should be informed of what happened during the Holocaust. I just don't think they are ready to see it presented in such graphic detail.
Despite this film's bleak subject, it is not without hope. It provides a powerful testimony of the profound difference one person can make. Oskar Schindler bankrupted himself to save 1100 Jews. Over 6000 "Schindler Jews" are alive today. That is a powerful legacy. Let us never forget the horror of the Holocaust or the power of a person to bring a ray of hope into the darkest hours of human history. For "all that is necessary for evil to exist is that good men and women do nothing."
The entire film is in black and white, except for a few key moments. This lends the movie a documentary feel and adds to the aura of desolation and horror that hangs over all of Europe. When color finally comes, it is first as a means of recognizing a child seen previously in the film during the storming of a ghetto. But moments before the conclusion of the film, it is a symbol of hope in the form of flames from the candles of the Sabbath ceremony performed by the rabbi in Schindler's factory.
Liam Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, a deeply conflicted man who must eventually decide whether to live as he has lived, seeking profit and going along with the cruelty of his political party, or risk everything to make a difference -- indeed, to save lives. His two best friends are the sadistic Ammon Goeth, a psychotic Nazi commandant played chillingly by Ralph Fiennes, and Itzhak Stern, his Jewish clerk, whose gentle wisdom and compassion shine brilliantly through Ben Kingsley's portrayal.
While the movie focuses on the ever-differing lives of Schindler and the commandant, it gives a horrifying account of what happened to the Jews after Hitler declared his plan for the purification of the Aryan race. The brutality and inhumanity which occurred during these years was such that a person watching this movie would be tempted to think that such a thing never could have happened, especially not in our civilized twentieth century. We must not succumb to that temptation. Six million Jews, not to mention several million other people who didn't fit the Nazi ideal, were systematically slaughtered in ghettos and death camps before the war ended in 1945.
Schindler's List depicts this mindless genocide in stark detail. This movie is not pleasant, and you should consider carefully whether your child can handle such graphic material; indeed, you may not be able to yourself. Prepare yourself, and prepare your child for the horror he or she is about to witness. I would not eagerly endorse this film for anyone under the age of thirteen, though I do think that younger children should be informed of what happened during the Holocaust. I just don't think they are ready to see it presented in such graphic detail.
Despite this film's bleak subject, it is not without hope. It provides a powerful testimony of the profound difference one person can make. Oskar Schindler bankrupted himself to save 1100 Jews. Over 6000 "Schindler Jews" are alive today. That is a powerful legacy. Let us never forget the horror of the Holocaust or the power of a person to bring a ray of hope into the darkest hours of human history. For "all that is necessary for evil to exist is that good men and women do nothing."
Tuesday, April 17, 2001
The FBI Meets Miss America
I finally saw Miss Congeniality a couple weeks ago with my mom and a good friend of mine. She had wanted to see it ever since we saw the previews for it on Unbreakable,
and we finally got our chance. I wasn't sure going into it what to
expect, but when the movie ended I could say with conviction that the
movie had been well worth watching.
Miss Congeniality begins much like Sister Act, with a moment from our heroine's past. She is sitting on the playground, reading a mystery, when she spies a boy of whom she is fond being beaten up by a bully. She springs to the rescue and the bully flees, but instead of being grateful, the boy she saved is angry because now everyone will think he had to be rescued by a girl. Furious, she then proceeds to punch him in the nose.
Fast forward to a small restaurant, where Sandra Bullock plays the still-tomboy Gracie Hart, now all grown up and working for the FBI. When her compassionate side kicks in while trying to apprehend a Russian criminal, one of her comrades is injured and she faces disciplinary action for her insubordination. This comes at a most inconvenient time, for the Bureau has just gotten its hands on the latest in a string of letters written by the serial killer "the Citizen". Ordered not to participate in the investigation, she gets a reprieve in a most unwanted form when Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt), the agent in charge of the case, assigns her to go undercover in the Miss United States Pageant, where the Citizen is expected to strike.
Unfortunately for the uncouth Hart, that means undergoing an incredible transformation to become a lady worthy of the pageant's honored tradition. Candace Bergen plays the pageant administrator, Kathy Morningside, a woman you love to hate. She is horrified at the thought of having Gracie (re-dubbed Gracie Lou Freebush) contaminating her beautiful event, and she only agrees to consider the idea if Gracie agrees to undergo instruction by Victor Melling (Michael Caine), a fallen giant who trained several past pageant winners.
Stan Fields (William Shatner), meanwhile, is the lovable but clueless host of the pageant who will be hosting for the final time this year. He is much more receptive to Gracie, who will be taking over Miss New Jersey's slot. (She explains that they discovered the winner was in a porno flick called "Armaget-it-on," to which a shocked Fields replies, "That was her??!")
Michael Caine is charming as always in his role as the unwilling Mr. Higgins trying to find a proper lady in the Eliza Doolittle he has been given. The snooty but ultimately kindly man accomplishes the miraculous by readying Gracie for the walkway in just three days.
At the pageant, Gracie is immediately befriended by Cheryl (Heather Burns), the slightly ditzy but extremely friendly Miss Rhode Island. She is kind, caring, and genuine, and she also has a very low opinion of herself. The two of them quickly bond, and slowly Gracie grows to have more and more respect for the women who participate in pageants such as this one.
She still feels terribly out of place, though, and her talent displays are unconventional to say the least. She frequently has outbursts which she only narrowly manages to cover up, but she does so with wit and hilarity. But the main concern still hangs over her head. When the Citizen is apprehended, her boss thinks the pageant is safe. Gracie, however, believes that the bomb threat for the pageant is from a Citizen imitator and is still in effect. She gives up her badge to go on her instincts, and the final segment of the film is both exciting and riotous, culminating in Gracie's teary-eyed acceptance of the Miss Congeniality award.
This movie is absolutely hilarious from start to finish, and it's got a little bit of action, romance, and warm fuzziness to round out the experience. Each actor does a fantastic job; my favorites were Caine, Shatner, and Burns. Burns is just so genuinely sugary sweet, it's impossible not to love her. Caine is a kindly curmudgeon, a softie who shines through his mask of sternness. And Shatner is just plain goofy. As a huge Star Trek fan, I love a good Shatner parody, and here he parodies himself. (He even "sings" at one point, and anyone familiar with his Priceline commercials will recognize the tuneless droning.)
Rent the movie. You'll laugh yourself silly. I know I did.
Miss Congeniality begins much like Sister Act, with a moment from our heroine's past. She is sitting on the playground, reading a mystery, when she spies a boy of whom she is fond being beaten up by a bully. She springs to the rescue and the bully flees, but instead of being grateful, the boy she saved is angry because now everyone will think he had to be rescued by a girl. Furious, she then proceeds to punch him in the nose.
Fast forward to a small restaurant, where Sandra Bullock plays the still-tomboy Gracie Hart, now all grown up and working for the FBI. When her compassionate side kicks in while trying to apprehend a Russian criminal, one of her comrades is injured and she faces disciplinary action for her insubordination. This comes at a most inconvenient time, for the Bureau has just gotten its hands on the latest in a string of letters written by the serial killer "the Citizen". Ordered not to participate in the investigation, she gets a reprieve in a most unwanted form when Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt), the agent in charge of the case, assigns her to go undercover in the Miss United States Pageant, where the Citizen is expected to strike.
Unfortunately for the uncouth Hart, that means undergoing an incredible transformation to become a lady worthy of the pageant's honored tradition. Candace Bergen plays the pageant administrator, Kathy Morningside, a woman you love to hate. She is horrified at the thought of having Gracie (re-dubbed Gracie Lou Freebush) contaminating her beautiful event, and she only agrees to consider the idea if Gracie agrees to undergo instruction by Victor Melling (Michael Caine), a fallen giant who trained several past pageant winners.
Stan Fields (William Shatner), meanwhile, is the lovable but clueless host of the pageant who will be hosting for the final time this year. He is much more receptive to Gracie, who will be taking over Miss New Jersey's slot. (She explains that they discovered the winner was in a porno flick called "Armaget-it-on," to which a shocked Fields replies, "That was her??!")
Michael Caine is charming as always in his role as the unwilling Mr. Higgins trying to find a proper lady in the Eliza Doolittle he has been given. The snooty but ultimately kindly man accomplishes the miraculous by readying Gracie for the walkway in just three days.
At the pageant, Gracie is immediately befriended by Cheryl (Heather Burns), the slightly ditzy but extremely friendly Miss Rhode Island. She is kind, caring, and genuine, and she also has a very low opinion of herself. The two of them quickly bond, and slowly Gracie grows to have more and more respect for the women who participate in pageants such as this one.
She still feels terribly out of place, though, and her talent displays are unconventional to say the least. She frequently has outbursts which she only narrowly manages to cover up, but she does so with wit and hilarity. But the main concern still hangs over her head. When the Citizen is apprehended, her boss thinks the pageant is safe. Gracie, however, believes that the bomb threat for the pageant is from a Citizen imitator and is still in effect. She gives up her badge to go on her instincts, and the final segment of the film is both exciting and riotous, culminating in Gracie's teary-eyed acceptance of the Miss Congeniality award.
This movie is absolutely hilarious from start to finish, and it's got a little bit of action, romance, and warm fuzziness to round out the experience. Each actor does a fantastic job; my favorites were Caine, Shatner, and Burns. Burns is just so genuinely sugary sweet, it's impossible not to love her. Caine is a kindly curmudgeon, a softie who shines through his mask of sternness. And Shatner is just plain goofy. As a huge Star Trek fan, I love a good Shatner parody, and here he parodies himself. (He even "sings" at one point, and anyone familiar with his Priceline commercials will recognize the tuneless droning.)
Rent the movie. You'll laugh yourself silly. I know I did.
Behrend Was My School Long Before I Was a Student
Penn State Behrend has been a part of my life for as long as I can
remember. My dad has taught at this college my whole life, so I wandered
around the campus many times as a child. The grand sloping hill behind
the Behrend Science Building was a favorite sledding spot. I frequented
the pool by the Glenhill Farmhouse, which is no longer used, during many
a hot summer. I still tramp around in the creek with my family, my dog
running back and forth to be sure that we're following her. So I knew
long before I began to attend school here that the scenery couldn't be
beat.
But great scenery does not make a great school. Behrend has a lot more going for it than babbling brooks and squirrel-filled trees. It has a cozy atmosphere where students can get to know one another. There are about 3,800 students here, and most classes contain an average of 20 or 30 students. The teachers here are very helpful and willing to meet with students outside of class. In class, most of the teachers I've had have been engaging and knowledgeable. The college consists of four Schools -- Business, Engineering, Science, and Humanities -- and each major within those schools is filled with stimulating required classes and teachers who really want the students to succeed.
There are over 75 clubs at Behrend, ranging from service organizations to gaming clubs to theatrical groups to student government to campus ministry. Whatever your interests are, you're sure to find something right up your alley at Behrend. We've also got lots of special events and speakers. In the past couple years, we've had such guests as comedian Al Franken, musician Ellis Marsalis, and poet Stephen Dunn. We are about to welcome Shaggy for a concert. Details on upcoming events and much more can be found in our nifty newspaper, the Behrend Beacon.
Students looking for a place to hang out can go to Bruno's, which is hailed as "Behrend's nightclub". Well, that's a stretch, but it is a very nice little cafe, named after Ernst Behrend's dog, where students can watch tv as they munch on a piece of pizza or a chicken wrap.
It takes about ten minutes to walk from one end of campus to the other, and the newly built Athletic and Recreation Center (ARC) is just across the street. There are computer kiosks in the Academic Building and Reed, which is where Bruno's is located. Also in the Academic Building is the library, where there is an actual computer lab. Another lab is located in the Hammermill building on the other end of campus.
One frustrating thing about Behrend for many has been the lack of adequate parking space, but the school continues to strive for improvements in that regard. All in all, Behrend is a great school with dedicated teachers and a comfy atmosphere. You may be able to transfer to State College after two years, but I'm staying right here until I graduate.
But great scenery does not make a great school. Behrend has a lot more going for it than babbling brooks and squirrel-filled trees. It has a cozy atmosphere where students can get to know one another. There are about 3,800 students here, and most classes contain an average of 20 or 30 students. The teachers here are very helpful and willing to meet with students outside of class. In class, most of the teachers I've had have been engaging and knowledgeable. The college consists of four Schools -- Business, Engineering, Science, and Humanities -- and each major within those schools is filled with stimulating required classes and teachers who really want the students to succeed.
There are over 75 clubs at Behrend, ranging from service organizations to gaming clubs to theatrical groups to student government to campus ministry. Whatever your interests are, you're sure to find something right up your alley at Behrend. We've also got lots of special events and speakers. In the past couple years, we've had such guests as comedian Al Franken, musician Ellis Marsalis, and poet Stephen Dunn. We are about to welcome Shaggy for a concert. Details on upcoming events and much more can be found in our nifty newspaper, the Behrend Beacon.
Students looking for a place to hang out can go to Bruno's, which is hailed as "Behrend's nightclub". Well, that's a stretch, but it is a very nice little cafe, named after Ernst Behrend's dog, where students can watch tv as they munch on a piece of pizza or a chicken wrap.
It takes about ten minutes to walk from one end of campus to the other, and the newly built Athletic and Recreation Center (ARC) is just across the street. There are computer kiosks in the Academic Building and Reed, which is where Bruno's is located. Also in the Academic Building is the library, where there is an actual computer lab. Another lab is located in the Hammermill building on the other end of campus.
One frustrating thing about Behrend for many has been the lack of adequate parking space, but the school continues to strive for improvements in that regard. All in all, Behrend is a great school with dedicated teachers and a comfy atmosphere. You may be able to transfer to State College after two years, but I'm staying right here until I graduate.
Monday, April 16, 2001
They-y-y're Ba-a-ack!!!
I've been a huge fan of Veggie Tales for the past four years, and I
eagerly await each of their new releases. I was especially anxious for
this one, though, because their last video, Esther, seemed to be a
major departure from the Veggie Tales I know and love. It was still
very good, but many key characters were missing and it was far more
serious than normal. I hoped that Lyle would bring back the silliness I know and love. It did.
Ironically, this video is an attempt by Archibald Asparagus to present a classy and cultured show. After all, if Jimmy and Jerry Gourd, could host a show, why not him? And so Archie begins his presentation in a cozy Masterpiece Theater setting which the French Peas provide for him. Unfortunately for him -- but fortunately for us -- that's about the only thing they get right. Unable to locate Hamlet at the local library as they were instructed to do, the peas bring back Omelette, which they vow is a very similar play. It certainly has a very Shakespearean feel to it, and there are several distorted quotes from various Shakespeare plays. In this production, Prince Hamlet is a hapless gourd desperate for light and fluffy eggs. Sadly, his breakfast is comprised of the last eggs in the kingdom. Will Omelette's concern for his kingdom outweigh his concern for himself? Will he share his eggs?
This entertaining excursion into olde English theatre is complemented by an ongoing barrage of cardboard props of a quality only slightly superior to those found in The Englishman Who Went Up the Hill and Came Down With All the Bananas (King George and the Ducky). One thing I noticed here was that Scooter, who played the cook, seemed to have a different voice. Other than adjusting to that, it was smooth sailing through the first portion of the video.
Next comes Silly Songs With Larry, which Archie hastily changes to Classy Songs With Larry. The song, Larry's High Silk Hat, has the tune of a famous opera (I don't know the name of it, but it's the same one used in the commercial for the board game The Grape Escape). It begins like Forrest Gump, with a feather floating down to the ground, landing upon a fellow sitting on a bench, waiting for the trolley. That fellow is Larry, a proper gentleman with an impressive top hat and a box of scrumptious chocolates. As more and more veggies come (including the Art Bagodi of Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space fame), Larry continues to brag about his hat and his candy, annoying the others. This trolley takes a long time to arrive, and the hot sun begins to worry Larry. His head is getting hot from his hat, and his chocolates are beginning to melt.What will Larry do to avoid their demise? Will he come to his senses and share before it's too late? The hilarious ending may surprise you, but you'll be left once more with the impression that sharing is a good thing. This is a very enjoyable song, but it is sung very fast so it's hard to catch some of the words. You may have to watch it a few times before you completely understand what is being sung.
And now we come to the feature presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan's lost musical. The playbook is a pop-up, and from the scene in the book we automatically go to the actual scene of the village where the Vikings live. The musical begins with two Viking wives complaining about their husbands' lives; the Vikings, who are arriving home from a raid, then take up a second verse by saying how terrific their lives are. When they arrive, the raiders are most perturbed to find Lyle (Junior Asparagus) coming towards them contentedly with a box of pot-holders. He never participates in the raids; instead, he ventures off on his own after his comrades return. What's worse, as the Viking leader Olaf (Mr. Nezzer) darkly remarks, "he leaves with his boat loaded down and brings it back here empty."
So this time, when Lyle leaves, two of the Viking crew decide to follow. Sven and Ota (Bob and Larry) pursue Lyle miraculously undetected, as they spend the whole trip loudly arguing about how close they should be to Lyle's ship. Larry's personality clearly shines through his Viking mask as he spends much of the show singing (very loudly and badly) his spoken lines because this is a musical; Bob's reminders that singing is not always necessary are of little avail. When Lyle arrives at his destination, his Viking pals are shocked to discover that he has come to return his share of the loot to the monastery that they had raided the day before. This explicitly violates the Viking code, and Sven and Ota are eager to confront Lyle about his mis-doings.
When they do, however, Lyle convinces them that by sharing, he gets lots of friends, which are worth a lot more than gold. They vow to keep Lyle's transactions secret. Unfortunately, this is not possible for long. On one of their next raids, Sven and Ota spot Lyle on the shore talking with the monks. Despite their desperate and hilarious attempts to distract Olaf, the leader spots the miscreant and vows to make an example of him. As a vicious storm brews, Olaf steers his mighty vessel toward's Lyle's Viking dinghy and hops aboard to relieve him of his sail and oars. Luckily for Lyle, his monk friends rush to the rescue when his boat capsizes. But the waves are too strong even for the mighty Viking ship, and Olaf, Sven, Ota, and the others all wind up in the water. What will happen to them? Will Lyle find it in his heart to share the life preserver with those who persecuted him?
This musical fun fest teaches yet again that God wants us to share, and it notes that when we share, we have more friends. Highly enjoyable for everyone concerned -- except for poor Archie, who discovers that the play was written by the wrong Gilbert and Sullivan. Oh, well. He tried. The video concludes with Bob and Larry wrapping up the show amidst the cries of the outraged asparagus and the mischievous peas and the crashes of cardboard sets. Archie may have missed the point, but we get it, and we sure have a lot of fun along the way.
This video was everything I expected and more. More? A couple years ago, my brother and I were brainstorming about other videos Veggie Tales should make. One that we came up with was Jonah, with Archibald as Jonah. Whaddya know? It happened. Not only that, Jonah will be released in theaters next year. Imagine it: Veggie Tales on the big screen! I can't wait! Till then, though, I've got 15 great Veggie videos at my side, which I'll have to review in order to decide on my favorite Silly Song so I can vote for the next video, which is the ten best Silly Songs ever. Silliness is back with a vengeance!
Ironically, this video is an attempt by Archibald Asparagus to present a classy and cultured show. After all, if Jimmy and Jerry Gourd, could host a show, why not him? And so Archie begins his presentation in a cozy Masterpiece Theater setting which the French Peas provide for him. Unfortunately for him -- but fortunately for us -- that's about the only thing they get right. Unable to locate Hamlet at the local library as they were instructed to do, the peas bring back Omelette, which they vow is a very similar play. It certainly has a very Shakespearean feel to it, and there are several distorted quotes from various Shakespeare plays. In this production, Prince Hamlet is a hapless gourd desperate for light and fluffy eggs. Sadly, his breakfast is comprised of the last eggs in the kingdom. Will Omelette's concern for his kingdom outweigh his concern for himself? Will he share his eggs?
This entertaining excursion into olde English theatre is complemented by an ongoing barrage of cardboard props of a quality only slightly superior to those found in The Englishman Who Went Up the Hill and Came Down With All the Bananas (King George and the Ducky). One thing I noticed here was that Scooter, who played the cook, seemed to have a different voice. Other than adjusting to that, it was smooth sailing through the first portion of the video.
Next comes Silly Songs With Larry, which Archie hastily changes to Classy Songs With Larry. The song, Larry's High Silk Hat, has the tune of a famous opera (I don't know the name of it, but it's the same one used in the commercial for the board game The Grape Escape). It begins like Forrest Gump, with a feather floating down to the ground, landing upon a fellow sitting on a bench, waiting for the trolley. That fellow is Larry, a proper gentleman with an impressive top hat and a box of scrumptious chocolates. As more and more veggies come (including the Art Bagodi of Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space fame), Larry continues to brag about his hat and his candy, annoying the others. This trolley takes a long time to arrive, and the hot sun begins to worry Larry. His head is getting hot from his hat, and his chocolates are beginning to melt.What will Larry do to avoid their demise? Will he come to his senses and share before it's too late? The hilarious ending may surprise you, but you'll be left once more with the impression that sharing is a good thing. This is a very enjoyable song, but it is sung very fast so it's hard to catch some of the words. You may have to watch it a few times before you completely understand what is being sung.
And now we come to the feature presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan's lost musical. The playbook is a pop-up, and from the scene in the book we automatically go to the actual scene of the village where the Vikings live. The musical begins with two Viking wives complaining about their husbands' lives; the Vikings, who are arriving home from a raid, then take up a second verse by saying how terrific their lives are. When they arrive, the raiders are most perturbed to find Lyle (Junior Asparagus) coming towards them contentedly with a box of pot-holders. He never participates in the raids; instead, he ventures off on his own after his comrades return. What's worse, as the Viking leader Olaf (Mr. Nezzer) darkly remarks, "he leaves with his boat loaded down and brings it back here empty."
So this time, when Lyle leaves, two of the Viking crew decide to follow. Sven and Ota (Bob and Larry) pursue Lyle miraculously undetected, as they spend the whole trip loudly arguing about how close they should be to Lyle's ship. Larry's personality clearly shines through his Viking mask as he spends much of the show singing (very loudly and badly) his spoken lines because this is a musical; Bob's reminders that singing is not always necessary are of little avail. When Lyle arrives at his destination, his Viking pals are shocked to discover that he has come to return his share of the loot to the monastery that they had raided the day before. This explicitly violates the Viking code, and Sven and Ota are eager to confront Lyle about his mis-doings.
When they do, however, Lyle convinces them that by sharing, he gets lots of friends, which are worth a lot more than gold. They vow to keep Lyle's transactions secret. Unfortunately, this is not possible for long. On one of their next raids, Sven and Ota spot Lyle on the shore talking with the monks. Despite their desperate and hilarious attempts to distract Olaf, the leader spots the miscreant and vows to make an example of him. As a vicious storm brews, Olaf steers his mighty vessel toward's Lyle's Viking dinghy and hops aboard to relieve him of his sail and oars. Luckily for Lyle, his monk friends rush to the rescue when his boat capsizes. But the waves are too strong even for the mighty Viking ship, and Olaf, Sven, Ota, and the others all wind up in the water. What will happen to them? Will Lyle find it in his heart to share the life preserver with those who persecuted him?
This musical fun fest teaches yet again that God wants us to share, and it notes that when we share, we have more friends. Highly enjoyable for everyone concerned -- except for poor Archie, who discovers that the play was written by the wrong Gilbert and Sullivan. Oh, well. He tried. The video concludes with Bob and Larry wrapping up the show amidst the cries of the outraged asparagus and the mischievous peas and the crashes of cardboard sets. Archie may have missed the point, but we get it, and we sure have a lot of fun along the way.
This video was everything I expected and more. More? A couple years ago, my brother and I were brainstorming about other videos Veggie Tales should make. One that we came up with was Jonah, with Archibald as Jonah. Whaddya know? It happened. Not only that, Jonah will be released in theaters next year. Imagine it: Veggie Tales on the big screen! I can't wait! Till then, though, I've got 15 great Veggie videos at my side, which I'll have to review in order to decide on my favorite Silly Song so I can vote for the next video, which is the ten best Silly Songs ever. Silliness is back with a vengeance!
Saturday, April 7, 2001
Turn Those Forwns Upside-Down with these Animal Clowns
Have you ever had one of those days when it feels like everything is
going wrong and the whole world is out to get you? Maybe you're swamped
with work, you got into a big fight, or you just woke up on the wrong
side of the bed. Well, whatever your malady, this delightful little
volume is sure to bring you comfort and a whole lot of smiles.
The Blue Day Book: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up is a small hardcover book which, in under 100 pages, delivers a healthy dose of encouragement with its simple, witty prose and its delightful photographs of animals displaying all-too-human emotions. You'll go from depressed dogs, grumpy hippos, and exhausted lions to playful chimps, singing zebras, and smooching warthogs, taking the opportunity to laugh at yourself through their antics.
I first discovered this book at my aunt's house. It makes a great coffee table book; even if you don?t feel like reading it, you can flip through the pictures and find your favorites. But reading it is well worth the half-hour or so that it takes. I can't imagine the time it must have taken to find so many excellent photographs which fit so well into the theme of the book.
Each page of this book is precious in its own way, but I'll share with you some of my favorites:
Just getting started seems impossible (9) - a polar bear slumped over with his posterior high in the air, trying to get himself up
On blue days you can become paranoid that everyone is out to get you. (This is not always such a bad thing.) (10) - a guinea pig trapped in the beak of a large bird
...which can induce a nail-biting frenzy that can escalate into a triple-chocolate-mud-cake-eating frenzy in the blink of an eye! (12-13) - a skinny groundhog nibbling on something between clenched claws, then a roly-poly groundhog
[You might] be afflicted with a demeaning nickname (28) - a dog sticking his head out of a hole in the door of a doghouse, over which the name "Porky" is painted
or just have a plain old bad hair-day. (29) - one of those really tall, skinny dogs with long-stringy hair
...or, even worse, become addicted to Billy Joel songs. (48) - a serious-looking kitten playing a toy grand piano
[The world is full of]...scrumptious snacks to share. (55) - a pair of mice nibbling together on a piece of fruit
But best of all, there's romance. (65) - two swans head-to-head, the space between their arched necks resembling a heart
So how can you find that blissful "just sliding into a hot bubble bath" kind of feeling? (74) - a seal with an expression of ecstacy on his face
Be proud of who you are, (84) - a very haughty-looking hippo
Live every day as if it were your last, because one day it will be. (87) - a lion cub standing on the ground where an elephant is about to place his foot
Take big risks. (89) - a mouse standing on top of a cat's head
If you've ever had a lousy day - and I know we all have - Bradley Trevor Greive's book is sure to strike a humorous chord with you and maybe just give you the will to keep persevering until the storm passes. If you get a kick out of this one, check out his newly-published Dear Mom: Thank You for Everything, equally delightful and guaranteed to touch the heart of the woman who brought you into this world.
The Blue Day Book: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up is a small hardcover book which, in under 100 pages, delivers a healthy dose of encouragement with its simple, witty prose and its delightful photographs of animals displaying all-too-human emotions. You'll go from depressed dogs, grumpy hippos, and exhausted lions to playful chimps, singing zebras, and smooching warthogs, taking the opportunity to laugh at yourself through their antics.
I first discovered this book at my aunt's house. It makes a great coffee table book; even if you don?t feel like reading it, you can flip through the pictures and find your favorites. But reading it is well worth the half-hour or so that it takes. I can't imagine the time it must have taken to find so many excellent photographs which fit so well into the theme of the book.
Each page of this book is precious in its own way, but I'll share with you some of my favorites:
Just getting started seems impossible (9) - a polar bear slumped over with his posterior high in the air, trying to get himself up
On blue days you can become paranoid that everyone is out to get you. (This is not always such a bad thing.) (10) - a guinea pig trapped in the beak of a large bird
...which can induce a nail-biting frenzy that can escalate into a triple-chocolate-mud-cake-eating frenzy in the blink of an eye! (12-13) - a skinny groundhog nibbling on something between clenched claws, then a roly-poly groundhog
[You might] be afflicted with a demeaning nickname (28) - a dog sticking his head out of a hole in the door of a doghouse, over which the name "Porky" is painted
or just have a plain old bad hair-day. (29) - one of those really tall, skinny dogs with long-stringy hair
...or, even worse, become addicted to Billy Joel songs. (48) - a serious-looking kitten playing a toy grand piano
[The world is full of]...scrumptious snacks to share. (55) - a pair of mice nibbling together on a piece of fruit
But best of all, there's romance. (65) - two swans head-to-head, the space between their arched necks resembling a heart
So how can you find that blissful "just sliding into a hot bubble bath" kind of feeling? (74) - a seal with an expression of ecstacy on his face
Be proud of who you are, (84) - a very haughty-looking hippo
Live every day as if it were your last, because one day it will be. (87) - a lion cub standing on the ground where an elephant is about to place his foot
Take big risks. (89) - a mouse standing on top of a cat's head
If you've ever had a lousy day - and I know we all have - Bradley Trevor Greive's book is sure to strike a humorous chord with you and maybe just give you the will to keep persevering until the storm passes. If you get a kick out of this one, check out his newly-published Dear Mom: Thank You for Everything, equally delightful and guaranteed to touch the heart of the woman who brought you into this world.
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