BROADWAY'S SPRING AWAKENING

Enlightening musical, high energy theatrical entertainment, great to see a cast with the stamina of this cast. The only part in the musical where there could've been a bit more energy was in the finale. The cast puts forth a  high amount of energy during the show, but  seems to lose  energy  and the grasp that it had on the audience during the ending scene. The theme and dialogue of the musical has the potential to make a lasting impression on the audience. The musical cannot veer far from the story/truth of the book that holds premise to the original story. This delightful musical  production can accomplish a powerful and memorable closing by simply adding a prolonged segment of song and dance.
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Academy Awards 2008

Now that the writers strike is over, the television networks/ film studios agenda is to try and rehabilitate the industry, deliberately trying to salvage something positive from the past year.
February 15, 2008 - By Michael Cieply - Movies
The industry is relying on the platform of the Academy Awards Feb 24, to accomplish this. Hopefully it will be viewed / reviewed a huge success, and most is forgotten. Always some  notable names will help the effort  restore the presumption of glam-our.
AcademyAwards 2008 - Oscars 2008, Red Carpet : People.com
( Zellweger, Clooney, Hanks,kidman, Alan Arkin, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Colin Farrell, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Garner, Hillary Swank, Travolta, Denzel Washington, etc) there job is to provide damage control and show good will to all . Let us not be concerned with who's getting the credit and top billing. The industry as a whole has allot at stake, not the viewing audience. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should allow a minute or two (during each selection) talking about the films, showcase them, explain a little bit about them from a insiders perspective, make the Academy Awards Show interesting, knowledgeable. Talk about the industry, selective locations used for filming, the hard work, bring the audience into the mix, deliver something informative, otherwise, viewers attention evaporates quick, the results are posted throughout the media outlets the following day.
There is no doubt that this year's Academy Awards will deliver a stellar performance given excellent quality of work, coupled with the energy to revitalize the industry , it certainly sure to deliver, (2008)

Woody Allen's "CASSANDRA'S DREAM".

I was never a huge fan of Woody Allen, so I really wasn't expecting any big surprises, or a movie with much  creative  make-up. Woody Allen's resume is supported buy some very good movie roles,  and has shared the screen with some fine actors. Allen's style is to predicable, things just fall apart, or seem to be left undone. In Cassandra's Dream, ,  where there should be a continuous stream of intrigue, and cleverness, there is none. At the very beginning of Cassandra's Dream, Woody Allen has what seems to be a great idea, and begins the movie with a bit of intrigue. But, that's the extend of the thought, he just waltzes through the rest of the movie as if he just wanted to finish without cultivating any more suspense. This film had the potential to be a really fine film.

Cassandra's Dream was simply okay, predictable Woody Allen. The movie would've been a really fine suspenseful mystery. It had many options available for creative exploration. He should have allowed himself to explore some of them. Instead, some parts were left empty and the ending typical Woody Allen. The acting was superb. A story that had the potential to be one of the years best mystery's certainly fell way short. Maybe next time Woody Allen will allow himself to dig a little deeper into thought and develop something special, he certainly had all the makings for it with this film.

BROADWAY basics

 Superb actors are performing up and down and across Broadway, wonderful sounds of song are being sung, awakening costumes,  it's Broadway.  Broadway basics - talking by the cast during the show's performance poops the production.  Dialogue carried on for too long  creates down time, quiet time, not good,  Broadway is  song and dance storytelling. This is Broadway, not TV, Film, or a book reading. When the performers sing & dance, oh, so beautiful. When you first hear the volume of voice you crave for endless song, when its absent,  impatiently you wait  for more. In many productions many of these extremely talented actors should have the opportunity to reveal more talent, it would  take  slight revisions in the script, along with some great songwriting. And the finale should be a  progressive build up to a bursting finale, full with energy, never just let it happen, not good. 

No talking, sing ladies and gentlemen , sing.

Open the Doors.

Ever wonder why you watch less and less television. Prime time television, precisely what that insinuates, the actual time the networks consider to be their best time, the prime time for watching television. Except for the exceptional sitcom,  reality show, variety shows are a thing of "once upon a time," there usually is only  three, maybe four shows  that are actually enjoyable to watch. WHY ? because the networks seek to find out what the other is doing, and decides to , "let's do the same, or similar." What you see are slight variations of something previous. Spin - offs can be OK, but it's an easy way to capitalize on something old without having to create new, the big screen is guilty of this. Apparently, the industry has kept it's doors shut to new streams of creative thought. Rarely is a new vision accepted, I'm sure it's offered, but rarely accepted. The industry seemingly does not allow for the unknown creative thinker, unless they, the industry can arrange for the credit. Open the doors, and I'm sure you will see some really fine entertainment. Television networks and film studios should be a melting of / for  creative material.

city streets

Amazing,  I never imagined how many people walking New York City streets are actually tourists. Strolling the city streets, I cannot help but notice the distinct color of yellow in search of the next fare.  My attention was not so easily aborted towards the distinct color and noise of the New York City Taxi Cabs. Usually as I walk the city streets , I'm dodging the massive flow of people walking towards me. Amazing, not a scent of someone's  body brushed against me,  science in the art of walking,  looking at tasty places of food, noticing attracting billboards, and other attractive scenery.  Refreshing are the sounds of delightfully interesting accents, wondering as I do at times, what part of the world  that accent comes . A huge part of New York entertainment lies dormant, as do New York City streets and sidewalks.

striking out in hollywood

The writer's are entitled to a spoonful of the pie. How much is a spoonful ? Negotiate a percentage based on the works that a select group, or individual contributed towards a specific project. Any work that eventually will be released into the market  on any form of new technological  platform. The behind the scenes person(s) that had a direct written contribution should be compensated, there really is not much argument involved , it is what it is, negotiate the terms and percentage allowed for the written words, because the sole purpose of the works is that it will eventually find its way to an audience / marketplace.

At this point, the television networks & studios can quickly resolve this. Apparently, the networks must feel that that they will be compensating for most anything written, understandably so, but, then simply explain to the, "Writers Guild Of America,"  (union of representation) that a percentage can be agreed upon. In return, the film studios and television networks request quality content, or the selection process for all creative works will be held to a higher standard. There argument must be, we do not pay for junk.

HOLLYWOOD BLACKOUT
What are they thinking!!! to allow the writer's of possibly the best sitcom on television to sit idle is ridiculous. Two and a Half Men has / had some of the best written material devoted to a half hour show. The show is  known for its blunt usage of  descriptive language. The industry allows it, and the network that produces it certainly has enjoyed the rewards. Due to the success of this show, a new avenue of satire has been allowed to blossom during prime time television.  Notice in the past how the Television network executive seems to be blinded by their own profile, seemingly a case of egotism. The networks have had a history of losing sight of creating the best possible enjoyment for the viewers. Satisfy the writer's and in-return demand great creative content.