Category Archives: Television

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Star Trek Into Darkness vs Ironman 3 – The No #Spoiler Review

Cover to the 2000 novel, Wagon Train to the St...

Cover to the 2000 novel, Wagon Train to the Stars by Diane Carey. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gene Roddenberry, when pitching to studio executives the concept for Star Trek, described the television series as “Wagon Train to the stars.” The analogy was easily understood: hostile natives, from alien planets not the American prairies, would cause the group of people venturing into an unknown landscape to examine their values, presumptions and relationships. From time to time, weapons would be drawn, good guys and bad guys would die, but in the end right would prevail. That was nearly 50 years ago.

The premise still holds with Star Trek Into Darkness. Unlike most beloved television shows turned into major motion pictures, the fundamentals that engendered the loyalty of a generation of fans have not been thrown out with the dilithium. Mythic, with characters that act and react as the audience anticipates. Even the baddies are textbook. Yet, just as the original series did, the plot becomes a commentary on current events. A commentary palatably packaged in a distant future.

Ironman 3 on the other hand forgot its roots for half the film (as I explained in great depth in a previous review).  The hero strayed from his essential qualities, whereas Kirk and Spock – The hero and his sidekick – at their core remain the same: wise-cracking, one-upping, sacrificing and pushing emotional boundaries. If they were Bing and Danny, they would be lip-syncing Sisters, on a Miami club floor.

I loved Star Trek Into Darkness so much that I refuse to deliver spoilers. The best advice I can provide is to go see it!

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SMASH and The New Normal Cancelled: Pedigree Counts for Naught

Spencer Tracy, narrator and Garson Kanin, dire...

Spencer Tracy, narrator and Garson Kanin, director, at the Long Island Studios of the Army Signal Corps for the recording of Spencer Tracy’s narration of the “Ring of Steel,” an Office of Emergency Management (OEM) film, on February 19th, 1942. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Spielberg produced, Garson Kanin inspired,  Broadway Soap – SMASH – will not see a third season. Spielberg wasn’t the only name producer behind the series. Craig Zadon and Neil Meron put their reputations behind it. The cast’s pedigree was equally strong. Megan Hilty, Christan Borle and Anjelica Huston were standouts. Debra Messing brought a television pedigree. Pedigree, however, was not enough to save it.

The cancellation of The New Normal was announced last week. No surprise to devotees of the Ryan Murphy produced series. Justin Bartha brought Hangover fans into the audience. Andrew Rannells, hot off Book of Mormon, should have captured hearts. Ellen Barkin, who barked through the role of Nana, and NeNe Leakes, a reality television star, should have counted for something. Yet they were not enough to find a significant audience on Tuesday nights.

Both shows were shown on NBC in the US. Perhaps distribution killed them both? The network moved the shows around regularly. They were hard to find. An audience can’t build, if the program can’t be found. The New Normal did not benefit from following Matthew Perry’s new sitcom.

One significant difference between SMASH and The New Normal was consistent vision. SMASH was all over the place. Broadway audiences are preRENT or postRENT, and despite the efforts of Glee, never the twain shall meet. Season 1 of SMASH was about producing a show in the preRENT style. Season 2, in hopes for capturing a younger audience, a postRENT production was added. Neither audience was enticed.

There is an adage – You are only as good as your last show. Both these shows were good. And they didn’t last.

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Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts: 2013-14 Season @RHCPA

The new season’s catalogue was released last week. You can view the production list online. There really is something for everyone. Take the Nonagenarian for example, she does not like music in any form. The new season offers evenings featuring guest speakers of renown. We will be attending Ambassador Ken Taylor’s night, October 23, 2013. Rex Reed will talk film in 2014.

Families with young children will enjoy Alexander and the Terrible Day – January 15, 2014 or A Christmas Carol, December 7 and 8, 2013. Tickets can be bought individually or in simple to understand packages like the Family Series with admission to Peter Pan, Romeo and Juliet, the aforementioned Alexander and more!

I’m particularly chuffed by the New Year’s Eve celebration. 9:30 PM, December 31, 2013 – Big Band New Year’s. I quote, “A live recreation of the famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert by Bennie Goodman.” No date required!

Two great comedians are in the line-up – David Brenner and Sandra Bernhard.

Keeping the tradition going, RHCPA will present some of Canada’s finest acts – Jesse Cook, Honeymoon Suite and the third play in the Wingfield cycle.

Free Summer Jazz Series

Jazz in the Plaza returns, every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 PM, all summer long. The patio is licensed. The music is cool. The nights should be warm. See you there.

Elvis Stojko in Land of the Eternals

RHCPA has never been afraid of presenting unique productions. Just last year they presented the world premier of a new musical. The 2013-14 season includes Land of the Eternals – October 10, 2013. Richmond Hill native and champion figure-skater Elvis Stojko stars. RHCPA promises a one-of-a-kind event.

This short post is not inclusive. There are so many more offerings – tribute bands, a film series, plays and Suite Thursdays – a cabaret series. Visit RHCPA online.

PS – James Darren will make us swoon and Molly Ringwald will bring her Jazz song stylings!

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Deanna Durbin died today. Another pop culture reference is lost.

Deanna Durbin on the Argentinean Magazine cover.

Deanna Durbin on the Argentinean Magazine cover. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My condolences to the friends and family of Deanna Durbin, a child star of the 1930s and someone instrumental in educating me about orchestras. She was 91 when she passed. She retired from acting at 28. There are Glee stars older than that who are just beginning their career.

People of my generation remember Ms. Durbin, because her black and white films were shown repeatedly on televisions after school. The after school movie was a staple at my house. I remember them all as black and white: We didn’t have a colour television.

There was a time I could mention 100 men and a girl and I would be understood. That no longer happens. If my pop culture references are not from Harry Potter, Britney Spears or the Spice Girls, a translator is required.

There are some older references that work – Star Trek and Star Wars. A current pop culture reference that I find is understood by nearly all is The Big Bang Theory. I was at a party recently where three generations grinned when a reference to Sheldon and Knock, Knock Penny was made.

Ms. Durbin, I hope a new generation of fans are inspired to watch your films. Thanks for the orchestra lesson.

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2013-14 Sneak Peek @RHCPA: Hint: Stella Adler was his drama teacher

English: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performi...

English: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How did little ol’ me get a sneak peek at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts line-up for 2013-14? Easy, I bought a ClubRHCPA membership. Buy one today, and you could attend the season launch on Monday night – April 29. One of the many privileges of membership is the ability to purchase tickets in advance of the general public.

RHCPA has a reputation for diverse programming. The 2013-14 season is no exception. Teen idols from two different generations are represented. The options available for children are classic. Suite Thursday’s return. They take place in the Plaza Suite, an intimate space that adapts to suit the occasion. This year you can buy tickets in advance. A convenience I really appreciate. There are dramatic productions, some classical concerts, tribute bands…and an evening with a guest speaker who has a world of experience. [Another hint, Ben Affleck made a movie about his exploits.]

The Reel Thing returns – that is a Monday night screening, once a month, of the best films from around the world. Need convincing? This Monday, April 29, I’m going to see Amour – which won the Oscar for best Foreign Film this year. RHCPA brings the world to our doorstep.

Equally exciting is the Centre’s plans for New Year’s Eve 2013. I bought a box…yep…and I plan to dress for the occasion. The Nonagenarian will be tapping her feet, and I’m going to be doing the One O’Clock Jump!

Email me if you want to know which student of Stella Adler is coming in October to entertain us. Better yet, call the box office and buy a ClubRHCP membership. There are no secrets for club members.