Sometimes it's hard to find a production that has a little something for everyone. This movie does. I am a fan of and sang opera professionally in my younger days (I'm over 70) I know the Magic Flute well. When I saw that this was being released, I had trepidations, I'll admit. However, I was delighted by the way this was handled. It's a little bit Harry Potter, a little C. S. Lewis (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe), and a lot of Mozart. Except for two professional opera singers (Queen of the Night and Sarastro), the other singing members of the cast did not have the power in their voices to raise them to opera strength. Actually, the times that I have done this opera, I have always sung it in German. Hearing it in English was a bit of a shock, but all things considered, necessary. This to me was the only problem with the film, but then I remembered that this is part real world, part fantasy. Did they change the opera, of course, but they kept the best Arias, and spoke the dialogue that was sung in the Opera. All in all, this is a movie I would recommend highly, as long as the watcher is not expecting a faithful reiteration of the opera. . Enjoy it for what it is.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Bingo Hell
(2021)
Don't Bother
11 October 2021
I am not one for writing negative reviews, but I'm sorry, this movie was just awful. Poor writing, poor direction, bad acting and a plot so convoluted that It was impossible to follow. If this is what Amazon is looking for for it's in-house streaming, it's in deep, deep trouble.
The Christmas Setup
(2020 TV Movie)
Worth a watch
28 December 2020
This year, there have been several LGBTQ themed films, and I have seen them all, but I will admit that this one is by in large my favorite, and I have watched it several times this season. The storyline is pure Hallmarkesque. Young man (Hugo) takes his female best friend (Maddie) back with him to his home town for Christmas where he reacquaints himself with his high school crush (Patrick). (actually, this is the plan of the mother (Kate) to get her Hugo to move back, hence the title of the film). Add Hugo's older brother (Aiden) to the mix and it becomes a well rounded story. Just as Hugo and Patrick are growing closer, an opportunity for Hugo comes up and now he needs to decide what's more important, work or love (stop me if you've heard this plotline before) The actors playing Hugo and Patrick, husbands in real life, are totally believable as characters. Hugo's a little dorky (his own words) and Patrick is a man of numbers and statistics, and are played to perfection with a lot of humorous bantering. Maddie is the foil to Hugo, who knows Hugo better than he knows himself. Aiden, the protective older brother is played low-key and supportive. The Mother, played by Fran Dresher is pure Fran Dresher, and is an absolute gem as the scheming mother, but in a loving way. I highly recommend this film
What's all the fuss about?
27 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I will admit that I have become addicted to Merlin over the last 5 years, although the writing has been spotty on a number of occasions, especially during season 5. "Merlin: Diamond of the Day - Part 2 was not one of those shows that disappointed. I have been fortunate enough to have been able to Season 5 before it comes to the US. (This, however, does not mean that I won't watch it when it comes to SyFy next month and buy the DVD when it comes out)There have been a lot of reviewers that hated the ending, who find the idea of Arthur dying as unacceptable. Since the series has some story base in 'The once and Future King', Arthur dying was inevitable and necessary. I found the whole episode to be well written and wonderfully acted and totally in keeping with previous episodes. That Arthur had difficulty in accepting Merlin's tearful confession of his magic (one of the most emotional scenes) is totally in keeping with Arthur's character and egotism. That Arthur comes to appreciate Merlin for what he is (finally) and what he has done for Arthur and Camelot (finally, a thank you) by the end of the episode, right before he dies (the most emotional scene in the episode)is gut-wrenching. There is no happy ending on this, how could there be? Arthur is the once and future king, and he has to die to become the future king, rising when Albion is of greatest need. When he does, Merlin will be there waiting for him. (as the final scene hints at) Truly, an eternal Bromance.
One of the Best
8 December 2012
Admittedly, I came into the Merlin series late, having only just finished the 3rd and 4th season on iTunes after having watched seasons 1 and 2 on Hulu. After finishing all the past seasons, I find myself going back to "The Last Dragonlord" and watching it over and over again, noticing new nuances every time I see it. In my opinion, it is the best show for character usage and development, storyline, and emotional impact. The range of emotions that Merlin shows in this episode run the entire gamut from sadness to happiness. The other characters support the storyline well and it's one of the best written episodes. I recommend it highly
One of the Best
26 April 2012
Okay, I'll admit I'm a Gleek and proud of it, which is not bad for a 60 y.o. gay man. A tribute episode is always going to be touchy, especially with Whitney's untimely passing fresh in everyone's mind. Not everyone is going to like what some will think is "cashing in" on the tragedy. There are some that are going to look at this episode as cathartic. This was a celebration of Whitney's music. Yes, there was a small set of lines that belied the cause of her death, but that was all. The rest was pure joy of her music, set with the everyday problems that teenagers face, and specifically some of the characters on the show; imminent graduation, rocky relationships, not wanting to let go of a child, a student or a lover. Around this are the good times, the love the characters have for each other and the strong bonds formed over the last 3 years. There were so many good songs done by the characters that it would be hard to rank them, so I won't try. The songs done separately were superb, the songs together were phenomenal. Arguably, one of the best episodes.
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