'Love Boat' sets sail on DVD
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, March 02, 2008
Remember when Keanu Reeves went to Canada to star in a production of "Hamlet"? Critics scoffed at the idea, but it provided great fodder for "Slings and Arrows," a limited Canadian series that lifts the curtain on regional theater.
Set at the fictitious Burbage Theatre, it shows the kind of backstage drama that happens on a regular basis. In the opener, the theater's artistic director is about to embark on another season -- one filled with a troublesome "Hamlet." Before he even has a chance to get the show up, he dies, sending the theater in flux.
Because he wowed the crowd at the director's funeral, a wild actor (Paul Gross) who left an earlier production of "Hamlet" (because he went crazy) is tapped to replace him.
The company's leading lady is incensed (they had a relationship); the managing director (Mark McKinney) is convinced opportunity is knocking.
Written by Susan Coyne, Bob Martin and McKinney, the series is a delightful romp that's as engrossing as "Six Feet Under." Don't care about theater? No problem. This isn't a show about the horrors of learning lines. It's a tribute to the machinations that go on everywhere. It's a theatrical edition of "The Office," an entertaining episode of "The West Wing."
Gross -- who starred in "Due South" -- is a fine mad man and McKinney is just about perfect as the weasel who has to rely on the underhanded tactics of his girlfriend.
Rachel McAdams (from "Wedding Crashers") turns up as a young actress who hopes to move out of the ensemble and into the spotlight. She gets her chance -- and a romantic opportunity with the visiting movie star.
The first season runs six episodes (that's a far cry from what we see in the United States); the second and third cover two other productions. All, though, have a quirky sensibility that keeps you wanting more.
And the dead director? He's around, too -- as a spirit who keeps nudging his successor.
The complete series is now available on DVD and it's a good investment particularly considering the current state of primetime television.
Also this week, the first season of "The Love Boat" comes to DVD.
You remember the "Boat" -- it gave former Sioux Cityan Fred Grandy a dandy launching pad. As Gopher, the ship's purser, he was constantly getting in trouble with Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) and lusting after Julie the cruise director (Lauren Tewes).
The first package (out Tuesday) includes 12 episodes. They feature everyone from Jimmie Walker to Milton Berle to Jim Nabors. Charo appeared in the fourth episode -- a good sign for the series. She was on so many cruises real Princess passengers expected to see her on their excursions.
Also: 'Jesse James'
Brad Pitt got a career boost from "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" but Casey Affleck got a once-in-a-lifetime role.
As Ford, the 20-year-old who idolized James, he's so creepy you can't stop watching him. Like a stalker, he knows far too much about the legendary Old West robber. He even has a list of comparisons that strikes everyone -- the paranoid James included -- as odd.
Naturally, he gets a chance to join the James gang on its last heist. He's thrilled beyond belief. He's also uncertain what the proximity will portend.
Jesse's brother Frank (Sam Shepard) has his number immediately. But Frank is at odds with Jesse (Pitt), so he doesn't say anything. Instead, James has to learn the hard way -- at home while dusting a picture.
Writer/director Andrew Dominik does much with visuals. He fills his frames with saturated colors and Wyeth-like pictures. At times, scenes are fuzzy around the edges, forcing us to focus on the action in the middle.
"Assassination," though, isn't bursting with typical western shoot-outs. Clocking in at nearly three hours, it takes too much time to cut to the chase.
James -- a man who trusts no one -- stays ahead of his captors but can't get over the idea that his own friends may be his biggest enemies. A gun is always at his disposal; sleep is never sound.
Pitt is believable as the 19th century equivalent of a rock star but doesn't incorporate many of the tics described in the narration. Instead, he finds a weary demeanor that works well in just about every situation. When he's skeptical of his men's intentions, he doesn't give them the benefit of the doubt. He kills them. The dread that fills them is intense; the performances even more so.
Also this week:
TV: "Backyardigans"; "Ben 10," season three; "Human Giant," season one; "Magnum P.I.," season eight; "My Friends Tigger and Pooh"; "Saturday Night Live: Lost and Found"
Movies: "101 Dalmatians"; "12 Angry Men"; "Mrs. Doubtfire," "My Kid Could Paint That"
Set at the fictitious Burbage Theatre, it shows the kind of backstage drama that happens on a regular basis. In the opener, the theater's artistic director is about to embark on another season -- one filled with a troublesome "Hamlet." Before he even has a chance to get the show up, he dies, sending the theater in flux.
Because he wowed the crowd at the director's funeral, a wild actor (Paul Gross) who left an earlier production of "Hamlet" (because he went crazy) is tapped to replace him.
The company's leading lady is incensed (they had a relationship); the managing director (Mark McKinney) is convinced opportunity is knocking.
Written by Susan Coyne, Bob Martin and McKinney, the series is a delightful romp that's as engrossing as "Six Feet Under." Don't care about theater? No problem. This isn't a show about the horrors of learning lines. It's a tribute to the machinations that go on everywhere. It's a theatrical edition of "The Office," an entertaining episode of "The West Wing."
Gross -- who starred in "Due South" -- is a fine mad man and McKinney is just about perfect as the weasel who has to rely on the underhanded tactics of his girlfriend.
Rachel McAdams (from "Wedding Crashers") turns up as a young actress who hopes to move out of the ensemble and into the spotlight. She gets her chance -- and a romantic opportunity with the visiting movie star.
The first season runs six episodes (that's a far cry from what we see in the United States); the second and third cover two other productions. All, though, have a quirky sensibility that keeps you wanting more.
And the dead director? He's around, too -- as a spirit who keeps nudging his successor.
The complete series is now available on DVD and it's a good investment particularly considering the current state of primetime television.
Also this week, the first season of "The Love Boat" comes to DVD.
You remember the "Boat" -- it gave former Sioux Cityan Fred Grandy a dandy launching pad. As Gopher, the ship's purser, he was constantly getting in trouble with Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) and lusting after Julie the cruise director (Lauren Tewes).
The first package (out Tuesday) includes 12 episodes. They feature everyone from Jimmie Walker to Milton Berle to Jim Nabors. Charo appeared in the fourth episode -- a good sign for the series. She was on so many cruises real Princess passengers expected to see her on their excursions.
Also: 'Jesse James'
Brad Pitt got a career boost from "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" but Casey Affleck got a once-in-a-lifetime role.
As Ford, the 20-year-old who idolized James, he's so creepy you can't stop watching him. Like a stalker, he knows far too much about the legendary Old West robber. He even has a list of comparisons that strikes everyone -- the paranoid James included -- as odd.
Naturally, he gets a chance to join the James gang on its last heist. He's thrilled beyond belief. He's also uncertain what the proximity will portend.
Jesse's brother Frank (Sam Shepard) has his number immediately. But Frank is at odds with Jesse (Pitt), so he doesn't say anything. Instead, James has to learn the hard way -- at home while dusting a picture.
Writer/director Andrew Dominik does much with visuals. He fills his frames with saturated colors and Wyeth-like pictures. At times, scenes are fuzzy around the edges, forcing us to focus on the action in the middle.
"Assassination," though, isn't bursting with typical western shoot-outs. Clocking in at nearly three hours, it takes too much time to cut to the chase.
James -- a man who trusts no one -- stays ahead of his captors but can't get over the idea that his own friends may be his biggest enemies. A gun is always at his disposal; sleep is never sound.
Pitt is believable as the 19th century equivalent of a rock star but doesn't incorporate many of the tics described in the narration. Instead, he finds a weary demeanor that works well in just about every situation. When he's skeptical of his men's intentions, he doesn't give them the benefit of the doubt. He kills them. The dread that fills them is intense; the performances even more so.
Also this week:
TV: "Backyardigans"; "Ben 10," season three; "Human Giant," season one; "Magnum P.I.," season eight; "My Friends Tigger and Pooh"; "Saturday Night Live: Lost and Found"
Movies: "101 Dalmatians"; "12 Angry Men"; "Mrs. Doubtfire," "My Kid Could Paint That"
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Jandra wrote on Mar 4, 2008 1:11 AM:
Keanu was quite good in Hamlet and received positive reviews. "