R.I.P 'Smash'

'smash' was a valiant effort that was ruined by misguided plotlines. but there were moments of musical genius. and some less than genius. and a number that were downright awful. i'm going over my list of musical numbers and may, probably, will post, repost, my favorites.

but for now here are a two highlights from it's curtain call. i will say they wrapped things up nicely. they left no loose ends. some seem inspired and others seemed forced. but generally when a series ends we are left hanging. the writers i think did their best, almost best, to conclude the series.

'under pressure' gave us most of the cast together to say goodbye to.

     

          'broadway here i come'

''big finish' did indeed give the leading ladies the chance to finish big.

'Light a Light'

from the soundtrack of my life
janis ian

Sneak Peak: Marion in 'The Immigrant'

ms cotillard is getting early raves since 'the immigrant' premiered at cannes on friday. my friends are taking bets that i will give her best actress of 2013 sight unseen. they may be right.
here are two scenes from this sepia filmed turn of the century new york.

first up is marion and joaquin phoenix

  

and ms cotillard with jeremey renner

                          

'Behind the Candelabra' Tonight on HBO

advance word of mouth is twofold: it's damn good and michael douglas will win best actor whenever tv awards are given out this year. as it premiers on hbo in the usa it will open in theaters internationally.

let's face it without liberace there may never have been an elton john. he was flamboyant, outrageous, a showman and a closeted gay man. closeted? has another man ever been more obviously gay? but at the time of his 'fame' being openly gay was a no no. hello rock hudson.

matt damon stars as the next young thing liberace takes under his wing and under the sheets.

it's set up on my dvr. the choice is yours.

'Before Midnight'

'before midnight' there is a 'sunrise' and a 'sunset'.

'before midnight' opened yesterday in ny and los angeles. we're waiting for the wider release. it is the third film in a series that includes 'before sunrise' and 'before sunset'. each film takes place nine years apart. celine and jesse meet 'before sunrise', reconnect 'before sunset' and make bigger life decisions 'before midnight'. i love these two characters. i love the first two films. advance word tells me i will not be disappointed with this new chapter. it may stand alone but i'd rent the first two if i were you. start at the beginning and become part of their lives.
julie delpy and ethen hawke are wonderful as soulmates brought together by kismet. they not only star in these films but cowrote them with director richard linklater.

anne thompson's , of thompson on hollywood' interviews the trio.

these conservational films are a feast for your ears.

The Goddess

audra has a concert performance tonight on pbs. check you local listings.

'the glamorous life' from 'a little night music' is listed as one of the songs she will perform.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's 'Don Jon' Trailer

i like gordon-levitt a lot. really, a lot! i think he's one of the best of his generation. 'don jon' is directed by him and stars scarlett johansson by his side. it is scheduled for a fall release.

Marion: Stunning at Cannes Yet Again

Coming This Fall

i like the premise. headless horseman and all. worth a shot.

Coming in the Fall

i'll try anything vampire. i love jonathan rhys meyers, it's from the producers of 'downton abbey' and the director of 'the tudors' all of which makes this 'dracula' a go for me.

Coming in the Fall on ABC

'once upon a time in wonderland' a 'once upon a time' spinoff

i'm not quite sure about this one.

Josh's Juke Box: 'Run This Town'

the soundtrack of my life

I've Got a Crush on You

'Downton Diddy'

Downton Diddy from Sean Combs

Matthew Morrison Partners with HRC

Lea: 'To Love You More'

from the soundtrack of my life

rachel's callback for 'funny girl'

A 'Smash Moment: 'Some Boys'

from the soundtrack of my life

as 'smash' winds down (and out) i'm going to publish the musical numbers in the queue.

katharine mcphee

Josh's Jukebox: 'Hopelessly Devoted to You'

from the soundtrack of my life

a 'glee' moment

darren criss

and

olivia newton john

darren criss has proven to be an amazing talent. he grabs hold of a song and makes it his own. and he ain't bad to look at either.

olivia newton john

This 'Gatsby' is Not 'Great'. It Is Not Even Good.

this gatsby is mediocre at best. more like 'the meh gatsby'. for once i should have listened to the great majority of critics. so i have to go along with the vast majority. it is a monumental bore and now qualifies as the worst film of 2012 thus far. it is even worse than 'oz the great and powerful. that's saying a lot. leo was wasted. in fact for the first time ever i will say that he, one of my favorites, was awful. carey mulligan? why? why do directors still want this woman in their films. she is a vacant actress. there is nothing there. she is basically expressionless throughout this film as usual.

3d? why? there was no need for this to be filmed in anything but 2d if it needed to be filmed at all. which it was not!

1/2* and i'm being kind.

 oy!

Agnetha: 'Dance Your Pain Away' and 'It Hurts so Good'

agnetha's new cd drops stateside today.  'a' is available on itunes and amazon.

from the soundtrack of my life

the mix

 

 

the cd recording

A Glee Moment: 'Girl of Fire'

from the soundtrack of my life

naya rivera...i love this woman. she's an amazing talent.
this is one of the shining moments of this past season.

'Once Upon a Time'

karl lagerfeld's 18 minute short film starring keira knightley as coco chanel's beginnings. 
it's definitely worth having a look.

All Eyes on Amanda

Smashed: "Fade Out on a Girl"

as predicted 'smash' has deservedly been cancelled.

'Gravity Is Coming

From the Soundtrack of My Life and 'Miss Saigon'

'the last night of my life'

lea salonga and john mcdermott

David Bowie's 'The Next Day'

from the soundtrack of my life

bowie's awesome and somewhat bloody video with marion cotillard and gary oldman.

Tonight!

Extra Extra Read All About It: Neil to Host Tony's for 4th Time

thank god. nobody does it better.

2012 opening

neil and hugh jackman duet 2012

the special appearance by the cast of 'company' 2012

2012 closing

Who Hasn't Fallen in Love with Olivia Pope and Kerry Washington

kerry washington and her alter ego olivia pope are kicking butt on 'scandal'. she graces the cover of 'elle' this month as the second season of her hit series comes to an end. it's not officially renewed but there's not a chance in hell it won't be.