I watched Hamlet last night and... well, before anything else, I just want to say that I was craving this particular production because Sarah Blasko is in it. True to form, she did very very well, musically. There were several songs in the play which could only be described as haunting. I know it's not a musical, but still, yay for Sarah Blasko.
I totally get why people would queue up for Brendan Cowell. He is a very intense actor on stage and once he does his thing, he is on fire. It's just that he seems to be dancing to a different beat to everyone else. I knew this was a Sydney Theatre Company production, but he seems to be in Bell Shakespeare mode. And to be honest, there are times I wonder if Hamlet is being played by Brendan Cowell or his ego.
Mind you, I'm not saying this was a bad production. Far from it, really! The set design was yummy and their use of water in this production was ingenious and astounding. I rarely get to work with water on a set because it wreaks havoc on the set. So to see a production using water as a such a powerful symbol is very refreshing. AND! the music of Sarah Blasko is enough to warrant the admission price.
But I don't think I will strongly recommend this production. After the first act, some people on our right didn't come back for the second act. I think they were idiots for leaving, but a very, very small part of me was envious. 3/5 slices.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A Strange One: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Just came from "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea", and I do have to say that it was quite strangely spectacular. It is a mix of goth acting and multimedia and... and... you know, it's really hard to describe. For one, the description of "David Lynch meets Tim Burton" is quite accurate. The acting was superb and the mini-stories are quite ... interesting.
Imagine the video clip for "Tonight, Tonight" (Smashing Pumpkins) on stage, except the script was by Gabriel Garcia Marquez on serious drugs. Yeah, that's how I would describe it.
And there is audience participation - at least, for one fellow in the audience.
In a nutshell, 4 out of 5 slices.
Imagine the video clip for "Tonight, Tonight" (Smashing Pumpkins) on stage, except the script was by Gabriel Garcia Marquez on serious drugs. Yeah, that's how I would describe it.
And there is audience participation - at least, for one fellow in the audience.
In a nutshell, 4 out of 5 slices.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
A Good Leap of Faith: The Altar Boyz (A Review)
Just came back from Altar Boyz, a musical comedy about a Christian boyband. It was held in the Seymore Theatre, and I do have to say I came out of that fairly impressed. It is difficult to sing and dance for 1.45 hours, but I guess boy bands do it live in concerts, so yeah.
As expected, there are a few giggles and laughs at the expense of Catholics, but given the initial premise and all, it was nothing out of the ordinary. What I found surprising was the reaction of one of audience members. At the end of a song, he walked out with his wife in tow, yelling out "Blasphemy!"
I can see how he can find it offensive, but given that this is Australia, where people can take a piss out of themselves, I felt the reaction was pretty extreme. Still, the cast members handled the situation well, and actually managed to turn it to their advantage. No one else walked out after that, and admittedly, the cast energy turned up HEAPS.
Ironically, the man's act of putting down the show actually helped it.
So do I recommend it? As a Catholic, I thought it was funny - from the poke at First Communion mass rituals, to the play on the Catholic nursery rhymes, to the subtle Biblical references and all. It was funny for me, at least. Others might not feel the same way. Still, the energy of the cast members really helped pull the show.
Advice: Get something in the middle of Row F, for a little audience participation... or something in the first two rows for a little stage action.
Rating: 3.5/5 slices
As expected, there are a few giggles and laughs at the expense of Catholics, but given the initial premise and all, it was nothing out of the ordinary. What I found surprising was the reaction of one of audience members. At the end of a song, he walked out with his wife in tow, yelling out "Blasphemy!"
I can see how he can find it offensive, but given that this is Australia, where people can take a piss out of themselves, I felt the reaction was pretty extreme. Still, the cast members handled the situation well, and actually managed to turn it to their advantage. No one else walked out after that, and admittedly, the cast energy turned up HEAPS.
Ironically, the man's act of putting down the show actually helped it.
So do I recommend it? As a Catholic, I thought it was funny - from the poke at First Communion mass rituals, to the play on the Catholic nursery rhymes, to the subtle Biblical references and all. It was funny for me, at least. Others might not feel the same way. Still, the energy of the cast members really helped pull the show.
Advice: Get something in the middle of Row F, for a little audience participation... or something in the first two rows for a little stage action.
Rating: 3.5/5 slices
Sunday, May 18, 2008
A Bunch of Poems from "The Serpent's Teeth" by Daniel Keene
I really liked the poetry in this play. I think I am writing this more for me, rather than anyone else. :-)
These are all lines from grieving characters.
---
(Sam)
My brother is swallowed in his death
His baffled cry still echoing
Footprints still hardening in his blood
The days at least are merciful
I lose what's already lost
But at night, the darkness blazes
with the music of his voice;
Our games have never ended
The rubber ball we bounced
Pounds inside my chest
Our game of hide and seek
Ends only when I wake
Still searching for his hiding place."
(Catherine)
"They'll carve his name in stone,
Why not here in my breast?
Why not here in the palm of my hand?
I'll wear his absence on my face,
why not his name?
There is a flame that burns
for dead soldiers;
What feeds the flame of remembrance?
The living are the fuel that memory burns.
We burn more slowly than the dead.
Our crematoria are the beds we sleep in,
the streets we walk,
the rooms where we wait
for the son who is not returning.
We leave a trail of ashes
That are slowly scattered by the wind."
(Helen)
We lived in our own country
And knew each other's seasons
His body was naked as air,
His hands a harbour and a sea.
Our bed was a wild garden
Where my eyes were mirrored in his.
We drank from each other's bodies
and slept in each other's silence.
How should I remember him?
Who should I tell that I loved him?
(Tom)
What's left of my son?
What's in that box, draped in a flag?
Have they managed to stitch anything together?
Does it even resemble a body?
Does it matter?
I remember holding his hand
That was in another life
But it was my life
My son in my arms is something I've felt
My son's voice is something I've heard
I've seen his shoulders broaden
His voice darken with manhood
I don't want to see my son again.
I want him in my arms,
dead or living,
the bright grave joy of his youth,
his going away and his coming home again
I want my son.
(Robert)
I hear the voice of son calling
He looks homewards to me
where I burn
in the suspended nightmare of his loss,
not yet able to scream, nor weep, nor curse.
My son calls me
and I answer him.
Come home to me now
Bring your lost life
to grief's foundry.
We'll forge a meaning from it;
the hammer of my tears
on the anvil of your blood.
It is in the labour that matters,
the shaping out of emptiness
the necessary presence of your death.
(Catherine)
Now we will learn our grief, waiting
for those not coming home
to come home nonetheless.
We'll make new lives
and learn to live with emptiness.
These are all lines from grieving characters.
---
(Sam)
My brother is swallowed in his death
His baffled cry still echoing
Footprints still hardening in his blood
The days at least are merciful
I lose what's already lost
But at night, the darkness blazes
with the music of his voice;
Our games have never ended
The rubber ball we bounced
Pounds inside my chest
Our game of hide and seek
Ends only when I wake
Still searching for his hiding place."
(Catherine)
"They'll carve his name in stone,
Why not here in my breast?
Why not here in the palm of my hand?
I'll wear his absence on my face,
why not his name?
There is a flame that burns
for dead soldiers;
What feeds the flame of remembrance?
The living are the fuel that memory burns.
We burn more slowly than the dead.
Our crematoria are the beds we sleep in,
the streets we walk,
the rooms where we wait
for the son who is not returning.
We leave a trail of ashes
That are slowly scattered by the wind."
(Helen)
We lived in our own country
And knew each other's seasons
His body was naked as air,
His hands a harbour and a sea.
Our bed was a wild garden
Where my eyes were mirrored in his.
We drank from each other's bodies
and slept in each other's silence.
How should I remember him?
Who should I tell that I loved him?
(Tom)
What's left of my son?
What's in that box, draped in a flag?
Have they managed to stitch anything together?
Does it even resemble a body?
Does it matter?
I remember holding his hand
That was in another life
But it was my life
My son in my arms is something I've felt
My son's voice is something I've heard
I've seen his shoulders broaden
His voice darken with manhood
I don't want to see my son again.
I want him in my arms,
dead or living,
the bright grave joy of his youth,
his going away and his coming home again
I want my son.
(Robert)
I hear the voice of son calling
He looks homewards to me
where I burn
in the suspended nightmare of his loss,
not yet able to scream, nor weep, nor curse.
My son calls me
and I answer him.
Come home to me now
Bring your lost life
to grief's foundry.
We'll forge a meaning from it;
the hammer of my tears
on the anvil of your blood.
It is in the labour that matters,
the shaping out of emptiness
the necessary presence of your death.
(Catherine)
Now we will learn our grief, waiting
for those not coming home
to come home nonetheless.
We'll make new lives
and learn to live with emptiness.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A Breathtaking Night: A Review of "The Serpent's Teeth"
Last Wednesday, I went with the Falster family to watch Daniel Keene's The Serpent's Teeth. Prior to this, I had not seen a production of The Sydney Theatre Company, so I was quite excited. Given that it was at the Opera House playhouse, I felt I was in for a double treat.
True to form, I was amazed. The Serpent's Teeth is actually two one-act plays. The first is called Civilians, a story of Palestinians trapped by the walls that divide their country. In another way, it can reflect as well the walls we erect around ourselves and the way in which we break them down sometimes in order to communicate with others around us. I loved the set here (just a brick wall spanning the entire length of the stage), as there were subtle parts of it which reflect a deeper despair amongst people trapped by overpowering presence of a wall represting the corrupt power of the same people who are supposed to help and protect them.
Because this is set in a country that is so different from my own, it seemed so much easier to accept what was on stage and every little small detail could be easily taken in. Despite its depressing nature, I loved it.
Sadly, I did not find the second one-act play as engaging. It was called Soldiers and revolved around the effect of the death of Aussie soldiers in Iraq. The concept was quite basic and familiar, and perhaps that is what made it less interesting.
However, what wowed me was the way in which the thoughts of the characters were written. It is basically a combination of prose and poetry, and Daniel Keene has such a gift in verbalising the grief, anger and bewilderment that loss can bring.
That second play was so well-written that I had to get a copy of the scripts. Well worth the $15, in my honest opinion.
Here are some lines for your scrutiny.
(from a grieving mother)
"They'll carve his name in stone,
Why not here in my breast?
Why not here in the palm of my hand?
I'll wear his absence on my face,
why not his name?"
(more to follow)
True to form, I was amazed. The Serpent's Teeth is actually two one-act plays. The first is called Civilians, a story of Palestinians trapped by the walls that divide their country. In another way, it can reflect as well the walls we erect around ourselves and the way in which we break them down sometimes in order to communicate with others around us. I loved the set here (just a brick wall spanning the entire length of the stage), as there were subtle parts of it which reflect a deeper despair amongst people trapped by overpowering presence of a wall represting the corrupt power of the same people who are supposed to help and protect them.
Because this is set in a country that is so different from my own, it seemed so much easier to accept what was on stage and every little small detail could be easily taken in. Despite its depressing nature, I loved it.
Sadly, I did not find the second one-act play as engaging. It was called Soldiers and revolved around the effect of the death of Aussie soldiers in Iraq. The concept was quite basic and familiar, and perhaps that is what made it less interesting.
However, what wowed me was the way in which the thoughts of the characters were written. It is basically a combination of prose and poetry, and Daniel Keene has such a gift in verbalising the grief, anger and bewilderment that loss can bring.
That second play was so well-written that I had to get a copy of the scripts. Well worth the $15, in my honest opinion.
Here are some lines for your scrutiny.
(from a grieving mother)
"They'll carve his name in stone,
Why not here in my breast?
Why not here in the palm of my hand?
I'll wear his absence on my face,
why not his name?"
(more to follow)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
A New Movie with Old Tricks: Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
To be perfectly honest, the whole "bungled heist that rips a family apart" routine has been done before. There is little in this movie that presents something new to the genre (genre???) and the directing is nothing to get all excited about.
What the movie has going for it: the acting. As expected, Seymour-Hoffman and Hawke are exceptional. Surprisingly, Tomei does a good job as well. She is cute as a button even though her character can be described as two dimensional at best.
What sucks about the movie: Nothing "sucks" too much about the movie, really. However, it doesn't have that much going for it either. I don't regret spending $5.50 on it, but if I had paid full price, I would have been disappointed.
If seeing some of the private parts of the actors above gets your rocks off, then be the first in the queue to grab a ticket. Otherwise, you can seriously give this one a pass in lieu of DVD rentals.
Rating: 3/5 slices
What the movie has going for it: the acting. As expected, Seymour-Hoffman and Hawke are exceptional. Surprisingly, Tomei does a good job as well. She is cute as a button even though her character can be described as two dimensional at best.
What sucks about the movie: Nothing "sucks" too much about the movie, really. However, it doesn't have that much going for it either. I don't regret spending $5.50 on it, but if I had paid full price, I would have been disappointed.
If seeing some of the private parts of the actors above gets your rocks off, then be the first in the queue to grab a ticket. Otherwise, you can seriously give this one a pass in lieu of DVD rentals.
Rating: 3/5 slices
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Mist: ...take
Watched Stephen King's "The Mist" tonight and geez, he has made an awesome horrid mess of Lord of the Flies, the Harvest and Sally Kern.
There is no redeeming value in the film other than a few cheap thrills, the random foreign language singing female (aren't they sick and tired of that style by now??? She sung her snatch out in Braveheart and 300, and she's still belting it out with the best of 'em), the creative creature effects and the awesome old woman who plays the gutsy school teacher.
The ending is so unexpected though. Hehehe. Made me chuckle.
Anyway, don't watch it unless you are super shallow mode. 2 out of 5 slices.
There is no redeeming value in the film other than a few cheap thrills, the random foreign language singing female (aren't they sick and tired of that style by now??? She sung her snatch out in Braveheart and 300, and she's still belting it out with the best of 'em), the creative creature effects and the awesome old woman who plays the gutsy school teacher.
The ending is so unexpected though. Hehehe. Made me chuckle.
Anyway, don't watch it unless you are super shallow mode. 2 out of 5 slices.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
A Doll of a Movie: Lars and the Real Girl
At first, I didn't want to watch it. Given its main premise, I imagined a comedic romp about a man who has an obsession with sex dolls to the point of wanting to marry one. Although it was a unique premise to say the least, I wasn't too keen on really venturing into Ryan Reynolds territory.
Oh, hold on. It's Ryan Gosling, the same tortured soul from Half-Nelson. I haven't watched the movie myself, but people have been raving about him left and right. I still haven't recovered/forgiven him for The Notebook, so I really was umming and ahhhing, but I said to myself, what the hey. Nothing to lose.
The movie was astounding.
The premise was not exactly what I envisioned. Gosling played Lars, a dysfunctional chap who has intimacy issues and his "girlfriend", Bianca, is a reflection of that. I was fearing that the movie would fall into slapstick territory, but not once did it do so. The comic relief came mostly in the form of Lars' workbuddy whose screen time barely lasted 5 minutes. The movie itself was highly dramatic, with excellent performances from Gosling, Patricia Clarkson and Emily Mortimer.
It's not a movie about sex dolls and perverted twists. It's about growing up a few years later than expected, facing your demons and embracing the lovely things in the world, even the ones that can hurt you. Yes, there are a few giggles here and there (given the premise, kinda hard not to), but mostly the movie is still a lot of heart. Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.5/5 slices
Oh, hold on. It's Ryan Gosling, the same tortured soul from Half-Nelson. I haven't watched the movie myself, but people have been raving about him left and right. I still haven't recovered/forgiven him for The Notebook, so I really was umming and ahhhing, but I said to myself, what the hey. Nothing to lose.
The movie was astounding.
The premise was not exactly what I envisioned. Gosling played Lars, a dysfunctional chap who has intimacy issues and his "girlfriend", Bianca, is a reflection of that. I was fearing that the movie would fall into slapstick territory, but not once did it do so. The comic relief came mostly in the form of Lars' workbuddy whose screen time barely lasted 5 minutes. The movie itself was highly dramatic, with excellent performances from Gosling, Patricia Clarkson and Emily Mortimer.
It's not a movie about sex dolls and perverted twists. It's about growing up a few years later than expected, facing your demons and embracing the lovely things in the world, even the ones that can hurt you. Yes, there are a few giggles here and there (given the premise, kinda hard not to), but mostly the movie is still a lot of heart. Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.5/5 slices
Saturday, March 29, 2008
A Deadly Combo: Death Proof & Planet Terror
We decided to humour ourselves this weekend and rented the Grindhouse flicks Death Proof (by Quentin Tarantino) and Planet Terror (by Robert Rodriguez).
Although we watched Planet Terror first, this review will start with the Tarantino movie Death Proof.
In a nutshell, it was awful - absolutely atrocious and worthless. The acting was done better in this movie, but without a script that had some semblance of direction, not even the best actors could pull this one off. I understand that Tarantino had a vision for this movie, a homage to Grindhouse movies of old. However, surely he could have done it with a little bit more twists and turns. A homage without structure just doesn't sustain my interest (Superman Returns, anyone?). From my point of view, Tarantino redeems himself only in the last 9 minutes of the film, which means I just lost an hour and 37 minutes of my life.
For pete's sake, I'm already 34. I can't afford to lose any more time.
Planet Terror, however, is another thing altogether. It was silly and camp and just atrociously wonderful. It was so ridiculously cheesy that one automatically puts down one's guard and because of that, it was easy to enjoy this silly ride. Watch this film without any expectations and you will enjoy it. By the time it got to the rocket launcher scene, I was just slackjawed in utter shock.
The best thing about this movie is its sheer camp appeal and its playful tongue-in-cheekness. The bad thing about this flick (both flicks, actually) is Rose McGowan. She executes a finer acting job in Death Proof, which only proves one point - she REALLY can't act. Even her pole dance scene was numbing - it was as enticing as watching a dog taking a poop in Centennial Park.
Planet Terror - 3/5 slices
Death Proof - 1.5/5 slices
Although we watched Planet Terror first, this review will start with the Tarantino movie Death Proof.
In a nutshell, it was awful - absolutely atrocious and worthless. The acting was done better in this movie, but without a script that had some semblance of direction, not even the best actors could pull this one off. I understand that Tarantino had a vision for this movie, a homage to Grindhouse movies of old. However, surely he could have done it with a little bit more twists and turns. A homage without structure just doesn't sustain my interest (Superman Returns, anyone?). From my point of view, Tarantino redeems himself only in the last 9 minutes of the film, which means I just lost an hour and 37 minutes of my life.
For pete's sake, I'm already 34. I can't afford to lose any more time.
Planet Terror, however, is another thing altogether. It was silly and camp and just atrociously wonderful. It was so ridiculously cheesy that one automatically puts down one's guard and because of that, it was easy to enjoy this silly ride. Watch this film without any expectations and you will enjoy it. By the time it got to the rocket launcher scene, I was just slackjawed in utter shock.
The best thing about this movie is its sheer camp appeal and its playful tongue-in-cheekness. The bad thing about this flick (both flicks, actually) is Rose McGowan. She executes a finer acting job in Death Proof, which only proves one point - she REALLY can't act. Even her pole dance scene was numbing - it was as enticing as watching a dog taking a poop in Centennial Park.
Planet Terror - 3/5 slices
Death Proof - 1.5/5 slices
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A Movie with Heart: Be Kind, Rewind
I personally didn't want to see this movie at first, and I think it had a lot to do with its two lead stars: Mos Def and Jack Black. For me, these two "actors" should be shot, a punishment for all the films these two have starred in and a grim reminder to all the young children that they should not emulate these less than ideal people.
However, this movie was also directed by Michel Gondry, the directorial equivalent of Bjork, and who doesn't like Bjork? :-) So I watched it, thinking that finally, Mr. Gondry has sunk to the low that is Jack Black.
To my surprise, it turned out that the two have risen to the level of Michel Gondry. The movie is quite quirky (not to my surprise) but it has a strong cultural commentary on film making and the companies that capitalises on it. It touches on the money-grubbing film companies and directors who churn out film after film of crapilicious proportions.
But more importantly, it tells of a story of how, in the hands of the right director, movies have the power to transform people, which I think is the strongest point made by the film. It shows how even the
Given the erratic pace of the film, I don't think this film will win Best Picture anytime soon. However, the ending makes up for the wait. Also, it does get points for having a beautiful message and -in all honesty- the directorial vision is nothing short of breathtaking.
I would definitely recommend it. 3.5 / 5 slices.
However, this movie was also directed by Michel Gondry, the directorial equivalent of Bjork, and who doesn't like Bjork? :-) So I watched it, thinking that finally, Mr. Gondry has sunk to the low that is Jack Black.
To my surprise, it turned out that the two have risen to the level of Michel Gondry. The movie is quite quirky (not to my surprise) but it has a strong cultural commentary on film making and the companies that capitalises on it. It touches on the money-grubbing film companies and directors who churn out film after film of crapilicious proportions.
But more importantly, it tells of a story of how, in the hands of the right director, movies have the power to transform people, which I think is the strongest point made by the film. It shows how even the
Given the erratic pace of the film, I don't think this film will win Best Picture anytime soon. However, the ending makes up for the wait. Also, it does get points for having a beautiful message and -in all honesty- the directorial vision is nothing short of breathtaking.
I would definitely recommend it. 3.5 / 5 slices.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
A Recipe: Mikey's MegaMagnificent Mangria
It's actually a sangria, but I wanted the 4M effect - also, I may have stolen this recipe from Princesse who doesn't know this blog exists, so tough luck.
This makes a pitcher of Mangria. I suggest half everything and start from there.
750 ml of Red Wine
22.5 ml of Triple Sec (roughly 7 jiggers)
22.5 ml of Brandy (roughly 7 jiggers)
135 ml of lemon juice (a bit more than half a cup)
675 ml of Sprite / Lemonade
135 ml of Grenadine (or any nice cordial that you have. I like raspberry)
Mix these up in a jug, add tonnes of chopped fruits. Put this is a fridge. Enjoy!
This makes a pitcher of Mangria. I suggest half everything and start from there.
750 ml of Red Wine
22.5 ml of Triple Sec (roughly 7 jiggers)
22.5 ml of Brandy (roughly 7 jiggers)
135 ml of lemon juice (a bit more than half a cup)
675 ml of Sprite / Lemonade
135 ml of Grenadine (or any nice cordial that you have. I like raspberry)
Mix these up in a jug, add tonnes of chopped fruits. Put this is a fridge. Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Welcome to A Harmonic Slice
I've always wanted to do a blog that is connected to my gmail account - and this is the result. A Harmonic Slice is a blog about the music, the food, the shows and the lifestyle that make Sydney so appealing to me.
I hope you all get to enjoy the stuff here. I will posting recipes, insights, critiques and whatnots from the point of view of someone who is a relatively new to the scene.
My thanks to all the LJ bloggers who helped me decide the name for the new blog, and of course, Olav who remains the inspiration behind all the beautiful things in my life.
May you all enjoy A Harmonic Slice.
I hope you all get to enjoy the stuff here. I will posting recipes, insights, critiques and whatnots from the point of view of someone who is a relatively new to the scene.
My thanks to all the LJ bloggers who helped me decide the name for the new blog, and of course, Olav who remains the inspiration behind all the beautiful things in my life.
May you all enjoy A Harmonic Slice.
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