Cinco DeNio

Weird. I don't remember that scene in the movie with Ann-Margret at all!

I think this would be like Repo! The Genetic Opera for me where I get far more out of the music without the visual “distractions”. The Last Five Years as well, come to think of it.

Saw Black Swan. Will check out the others.

I didn't know that about Matthew Libatique. I loved Requiem for a Dream. Didn't care for A Star is Born but that's not his fault. I'll have to check out his other movies.

I should have been more specific. I mean shows written by the people who are their subjects. The stage productions were written by their subjects. There are movies like Coal Miner's Daughter, What's Love Got to Do With It? and others that are based on peoples' autobiographies but not written by the subjects.

So between this and The Last Five Years we've done two shows in a row that are basically fictionalized autobiographies. What's next?

They had to signal that externally because "vatsinsideisjustalie".

I absolutely agree with you about the filming. I was commenting on the publicity calling it a Spike Lee Joint put preconceptions in my mind that the material didn't live up to. If it had just said "Directed by Spike Lee" it would have been a different story for me. That's all I was trying to say. Also Spike himself said he tried to put his spin on the material so he did change it somewhat.

John Leguizamo's 1998 show Freak is shown as "Directed by Spike Lee" in the promo picture shown on IMDB. Can't speak for earlier materials. Also, there's this about Passing Strange:

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.

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 wound up rewatching part of Passing Strange right after because grudlian and I had problems with Rabbit's new mobile-style format. I missed a lot up to the trip to Amsterdam. Now I'm ready to discuss it on Monday. First up is my last visit with Jamie and Cathy tonight.

I think I've got it. Updated link

Rabbit's changed a lot. Not sure I can figure the new way out. If anyone wants to join at that link we can work on it together.

My Rabbit room is open

I promise this is my last post on this. I was listening to the soundtrack yesterday, especially "Nobody Needs to Know", Jamie's last song before the finale. It finally struck me how vulnerable he is, grasping for love and affection from anywhere. He says several times "It's alright. The panic recedes." He's panicking because he's not sure what life will be like after he leaves Cathy. Then later he says "It's alright. I'll get what I need." (It might be "I get what I need.") Then he says to his new lady Like "Shiksa Goddess", it's a really strange way to woo someone, especially when they're lying next to you. (He also says "Don't cry yet" to his new lady when he says he's really leaving Cathy. I haven't figured out if her tears are of happiness or wondering if he'll leave her like he did Cathy.)

I apologize that my comments were misunderstood. I wasn't arguing for Jamie. I was just trying to get in Cathy's head because I admit I was on her side for several reasons. 1) What we've already said, 2) As a man I know what Jamie is like but I have no clue what Cathy is like, 3) It's wrong but I sympathize more with the woman when there are conflicts. I was actually commenting thinking it was more in line with what you and SaraK have been talking about.

Darn you @taylorannephoto! Two weeks I didn't know this show existed and now it's a favorite!

It seems like Ohio was a deliberate choice so Jamie wouldn't seem like such a jerk. Living in Delaware I'm aware of theaters in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania and elsewhere in New England that would be easier to get to and seem to be a better choice. Since she ends up back in Ohio a second time seems to say she either isn't trying very hard or isn't going about it smartly. I agree Jamie's cheating wasn't predestined and that is also a two-way street (on Jamie's and the other's part). I think the stage show is implicitly saying he's cheating with Alise the editor. One of the rare talking sections has him telling Cathy he was over at Alise's office working on his book. (I presume it's the followup book.) In the finale he writes he called Alise to help him pack up his things. It seems Alise was the closest friend he had (in multiple ways) if he asked her over to help him pack and declared that to Cathy. I think Jamie's relationship with Alise is one of the reasons Cathy says she thinks Jamie "is feeling just fine" in her first song. He's already replaced her with someone and she's got no one. (She could always go back to Richard, the guy in Ohio who wants her.)

I would be willing to do a Rabbit showing of Passing Strange on Thursday night. The rest of my weekend is full.

I can do a free trial through Amazon Prime channels. Could do this Friday. Cancel that or it would have to be later. Seeing The Last Five Years one last time before it closes.

I can agree to an extent. (Sorry CaleBug!) Seeing the song "Moving Too Fast" in the stage show made it a little easier for me just because you're only focused on the one actor. The stage nor the other actor draw your eye. He comments repeatedly that he's unprepared for what's happening. It's just a shame he only pulled in yes men to encourage him to keep going instead of people to keep him grounded. Cathy's song "Climbing Uphill" starts with "I'm climbing uphill, Daddy" not "I'm climbing uphill, Jamie". She's calling her dad to complain, partly showing she's still somewhat immature about all this, reaching for Daddy instead of her husband. Also I don't remember in the stage show where Anna is walking around theaters and says "I don't know where I am. Come get me." and then Jamie gives his "I'll be there soon" stuff.