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I agree about being on the fence as far as re-viewings. I understand Spike Lee's name was needed to bring in the money and exposure but calling it "A Spike Lee Joint" did this a dis-service. I was expecting Spike Lee's touch on this or for him to have written it. For him to have just adapted it to be filmed wasn't as much of a contribution as Stew and the actors. Do we even know who directed Piya Berupiya or the live-on-Broadway Rent? Yet here Spike Lee's name is the main one on the promotional material. I didn't pay as much attention to the material as it deserved because of that.

Jean Claude Van Damme has to stop a group of terrorists from blowing up the hockey arena and killing the vice president of the USA during game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Some of the highlights of this film include: JCVD fighting the Pittsburgh Penguin mascot, JCVD setting someone on fire with a lighter and a squirt gun, but the ultimate highlight that immediately asks the question "How Did This Get Made?!" is when he changes into goalie equipment and enters the game to stop a penalty shot! This movie is so enjoyably bad it's almost good, but definitely bad...

Rob Lowe, Cynthia Gibb, Patrick Swayze, a little Keanu Reeves. Did you ever want to see Rob Lowe as a Junior Hockey player? Have you ever wondered if Rob Lowe was ever (arguably) statutory raped in a movie? Have you ever wanted to see Rob Lowe partake in a swordfight that takes place on ice, using hockey sticks as weapons? Youngblood.

“Exquisite. Like an orgasm in reverse.” We watched:

44:40 - 45:20 you almost made me cry Conan! you are not suppose to make me cry. you beautiful basterd. awesome episode.

IIRC, and it's been forever since I've seen it, wasn't John Leguizamo's first filmed Live on Stage one man show marketed very similar as being a Spike Lee Joint? At one time (and he still may) I know Spike prided himself on doing the Woody Allen thing where he directs a movie a year, I think these were done for that purpose. I still disagree, that Spike did anything that I hadn't seen before in a love on stage version. Some are better than others and this is one of the best ones, but I just don't think it's super ground breaking in changing the landscape of how Live On Stage productions are filmed.

Mr. Franklin is very much every church music director I have ever known

I Know Who Killed Me is definitely one of those movies where you’re better off just listening to the episode. The last time I listened to it, I was like, “I have to see this movie! It sounds bananas.” And it is, but not in a very interesting way. I found it to be pretty dull overall.

For a movie trying to be Canadian, why did they use Starbucks and not our beloved Tim Hortons?? Also, surely they could have found a better Canadian actor than Baby Jedi dude with dyed black hair. We are a country full of great actors (many of which are named Ryan). After the truly terrible movie Awake (which should be one of this podcast movie selections as it has to be the worst movie ever made), Baby Jedi should have been banned from acting forever. But, this movie was better than Awake so I didn’t feel the need to throw things at the movie screen. I brought my 11 year old (the movie was NOT rated R in Canada so I have no idea why it was in the US). She really liked it and wanted to go again. Her enthusiasm for the movie was worth it... even though we only went because the movie we wanted to see was sold out.

I think Lee did quite a lot with this. Yes, the material and performances are excellent. But Lee was able to get cameras really close and intimate to capitalize on that energy. But I never saw a camera in any of the shots. Even when they had a camera right in someone's face, in a wide shot, I didn't see the camera filming the extreme close up from earlier. I think that's great filming and editing. The planning on filming this must have been pretty deep. I've seen filmed plays that basically have 2-3 cameras filming wide shots from a couple angles. I would have liked the content of Passing Strange if it were just a single camera on a wide shot but Lee was able to get us in on the action.

I just wanted to say, everything Colman Domingo (Mr Franklin/Joop/Mr Venus) did was amazing. The whole “Arlington Hill” number (“Coward’s ain’t got shit. Cowards only have...consequences”) was incredible. I also thought Eisa Davis (Mother) was pretty great. I feel like that could have been a pretty thankless part - considering the things everyone else got to do - but she imbued the role with so much gravitas and humanity. It was lovely work.

I saw this a number of years ago, (2011 I believe) and was blown away by it. It was literally unlike any musical I had ever seen with Stew narrating his own story, on stage. It was brilliant and shocking and moving and repeatable and everything I want in a show. Is it my favorite show? I can't say, this being my only exposure to it and while I love that Spike Lee directed it, it kind of reminds me of what Kevin Smith says about going in to direct The Flash or Supergirl or The Goldbergs, these types of things are fun but they aren't a "director's medium". I hate saying that because the music, the theatricality, the uniqueness of this show is just brilliant, but I think we need to judge these things as a whole. If I was seeing a live production, I wouldn't have these comments but having seen several "Recorded Live On Stage" shows (including others that Lee has done) there's nothing new or groundbreaking about the filming process, which is a shame because this show is so unique, I wish Lee had done more then point the camera.

I was amazed at how the actors switched characters so easily. I knew it was an actor playing the character each time because they can't change their look but they all changed mannerisms, way of walking, moving, etc. so fluidly that it was easy to get involved. Given that Youth and the mom stayed the same character throughout I thought the whole play was going to be the youth choir and Mr. Franklin. I was never happier to be wrong. That was INSANE!

I'm mad at you CaleBug. I watched Sharpay's Big Adventure for nothing?!?!

I agree, I had no real idea what I was picking, but I had this film highly praised and recommended by a playwright I respect, who said without hesitation that it was his favorite musical ever. That's a big claim to make, so I think I had the expectation of that ringing in my ears as we went, and was glad I did this instead of Sharpay's Big Adventure... Also, a few days ago, I was doing basement karaoke with my kids on my daughter's karaoke machine, and while waiting for my song to begin I wrapped the cord around my neck and started doing Mr Venus. So now my kids sit at dinner and every time there is a lull in conversation, they whisper 'vat's inside is yust a lie'. 10/10 parenting right there.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I loved Passing Strange - the acting, the staging, the heart and humor. I love the music and the way it all kind of washes over you. They’re maybe not the most sing-a-longable, but it completely immersed you in the emotion that’s being conveyed. This is the kind of movie where I really appreciate Musical Mondays as this was completely off my radar. I’m glad CakeBug picked it or I would never have known it existed.

vatsinsideisjustalie

There's a quote "no one hates Star Wars as much as Star Wars fans"

Yeah, I always hate when a movie I dislike kind of aligns with a cultural thing I support. It was really rough having problems with Wonder Woman because I'd get some judgmental side eye like I'm an MRA red pill jerk. So, if someone asked if I saw it, I'd start with five minutes of genuine, enthusiastic fawning before demurely saying "maybe the third act is kind of weak..." EDIT: And I'm sure it was especially hard with Last Jedi because many of the people who dislike it are very toxic and I wouldn't want to be lumped in with them. Like making that one actress quit acting, rating it hundreds of times on Rotten Tomatoes just to lower its score, starting petitions for the "real" version to get released. Ok, please get a life.

I feel like the conversation has gone in the direction of whether or not superhero movies are good, but from what I gathered from Taylor’s initial response that’s not really the issue she had. I think everyone can agree that some superhero movies are better than others. I feel like the issue isn’t so much an argument against their quality and more against their popularity. For me, people reacting against superhero movies for being popular is a lot like people turning their noses up against pop musicians in favor of some secret, brooding indie artist that they personally enjoy. No, a lot of pop musicians aren’t exactly pushing the envelope artistically - at least, not outside of their particular niche - but neither are they necessarily aspiring to. Furthermore, I find the people who like to turn their noses up at popular culture in favor of their esoteric favorites, are usually the first to turn their backs on their favorite artists the moment they achieve a modicum of commercial success. It’s all very high school. It’s claiming all the popular jocks are a bunch of morons, but because you harbor an affinity for early 19th Century Romantic Poetry it makes you “deep” (i.e. better/smarter.) It’s outsider chic; a means to justify misanthropy. “I’m not a nerd. I’m cool because I’m into this thing and you’re dumb because you’re not. And, no, I won’t even attempt to learn anything more about you that might shatter my narrow, two-dimensional perception of you.” Ultimately, who cares if something is popular? No one’s forcing anyone to enjoy something they don’t like. And certainly, no one should be getting distressed over people liking a specific type of movie. That’s silly. Enjoy or ignore them as you see fit. But don’t dismiss something that people like just because it doesn’t work for you personally. Nobody likes pretension.

It played in the only Italy that matters.

For those not on Twitter THE ROCK ANSWERED PAUL AND JASON

look out for their cronies

John Kreese teams up with billionaire businessman and President of Dynatox Industries, Terry Silver, to seek out revenge against a teenager for winning a small karate tournament against his dojo a couple years ago. What could be better than this??!!!

Know what. I like The happening. Sure it may be a little silly. But its really entertaining.