Love Never Dies | The Phantom of the Opera Sequel

In last night’s post, I could hardly believe it when I heard a whisper of there being a sequel in the works to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.  Indeed, I prayed that it wasn’t true.

This morning I had to find out for certain, and spent my first waking hour looking up all I could find on the subject.

An Understandable Doubt

Remakes and sequels seem to be the way of it now-a-days.  All anyone is concerned with is how much money can be milked out of any one project.  I understand this, I just wish they’d leave some of the great things alone.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d have to worry about Phantom suffering from this plague.  It just isn’t done on the stage.  I thought it was a joke when I first heard about Phantom II.

Then I found Love Never Dies, the official website of the Phantom sequel.  Not only was this serious, but Webber was behind it himself!  I thought, how could he do this to his fans?  I also remembered how tragically the 2004 film version of Phantom failed to live up to the play and Webber’s involvement in it’s demise, realizing that no, it wasn’t so far fetched.  Webber was certainly capable of such a foolish enterprise.

Love Never Dies

This was one of the first things I found this morning:

First off, I want to disagree with Webber here.  The ending of Phantom isn’t unsatisfactory in any way!  Sure, all us phans wish Phantom won Christine over Raoul, but their story isn’t boring.  This is a lame reason for wanting a sequel.  Christine is supposed to be with Raoul.  By all accounts, the Phantom is barking mad.  He’s just a hot and sexy maniac.  Like Charles Manson.

So, the premise!  I’m pleased and vexed (because that means I can’t complain about it) to say that it is more than plausible.  Set in Coney Island ten years after the events of Phantom, a new attraction is about to open: Phantasma.  Christine has married Raoul, and they have a son, Gustave.  Christine is still singing, and receives and anonymous invitation to headline this new attraction in the U. S.

Couple the above with Til I Hear You Sing, Phantom’s first song in the show, and you’ve got me on the edge of my seat, waiting for more.  All of a sudden, the idea doesn’t seem too scary anymore.  I’m intrigued.  Ramin Karimloo, who is currently playing Phantom in the West End, will be playing the same in the new production.  If you listened to the song, then you also know why I’m excited.  This guy has SUCH a great voice.  Sierra Boggess will be playing Christine, she’s also played the part in Phantom.  I know her from the original Broadway cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, where she played Ariel.  Her pipes aren’t to shabby either.I can’t believe I have to wait until March to hear the rest of the score.  *sigh*  We’ll resume this discussion then.

A Theory

So, Rhiannon read this before posting, and still isn’t convinced of the premise.  After writing this article, I can understand how anyone (who isn’t me) wouldn’t buy it.  I’ve had a long-standing, but little talked about, obsession with Coney Island.  It was the epitome of the creepy freak show carnival.  I’m sad that not much of it is left, and I can’t wait to see what Webber et al have done with the material.

Phantom on Ice

Still sick folks, but cognizant enough to post another something silly.  I randomly got in the mood to listen to The Phantom of the Opera movie soundtrack when I got home from work tonight.  So I put it on, promptly remembered all the faults in the movie, and why I usually prefer to listen to the original Broadway cast.

Before I finished listening tonight, I came across a blog by a pal and fellow WriMo, Kat with a K, entitled The Music of the Night… Being a lover of synchronicities, I tromped on over, and watched this nice video:

It’s Phantom on Ice!  Nice medley of Phantom of the Opera, Music of the Night, and All I Ask of You (Reprise) (the part of the reprise used in the figure skating was originally the music the chandelier fell to … and I still imagine it that way, even though they kept the music in the movie, but removed the falling where the music occurs … which I always thought made no sense.  Why keep the music if you’re gonna move the chandelier?).

There are many reasons why I didn’t like Phantom the movie.  Rhiannon may murder me for saying this on the website, but I thought Gerard Butler was a soul-less Phantom.  There was nothing intense about him.  Sure, he was loud–shouted a few of the best notes in the score–but loud can still be hollow.

I remember the last time Rhi and I saw Phantom at the Boston Opera House a few years back.  It was amazing.  The way that Phantom’s voice quavered during the All I Ask of You (Reprise) gave us both a case of Niagara Falls.  Just thinking about it gives me chills.

Anyways, this was supposed to be short.  Thanks Kat, for the inspiration!

P.S. For the record, I love most of Gerard Butler’s other work.  In general, I find him smoking hawt, and I wouldn’t mind waking up in a bed with him and Hugh Jackman … now there’s a stud with a voice!

Also, I should commentate The Phantom of the Opera, the book.  Twas a great read.

P.P.S. While looking for that pic of Jackman/Butler, I saw this article about a Phantom Sequel.  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, is this for freakin’ real?  I hope not.  That’d be really lame.  Can’t find anything about it on imdb, so it looks like no movie is being made of it.  I might like to hear the music though.  Especially if they got Jackman.  Anyone know anything else about this, please let me know!

I Love J. K. Rowling … and Joey

I, Joey, have taken the liberty of rewriting this conversation (which happened through AIM).  It’s more fun this way. Haha!

Sitting at their respective computers, the dual headed creature of R. J. Spindle ponders and dreams of their future.  They are talking about their favorite books, and how much fun it is writing their commentaries.  Joey perks up and says how he can’t wait to hear what his readers have to say about their stories.

“I wonder how many ideas JKR got from her readers?” Joey says.

“We’ll ask her someday,” answers Rhiannon.

Joey plants a devilish grin on his face, “And then I’ll say, ‘Here’s another idea from a reader … write another Potterverse book!’”

“NOOOOW,” Rhiannon bellows.  “SIT–HERE is a pen–GO!”

“Haha!” says Joey.  “We’re going to be SO cheeky.”

Rhiannon lets out a cackle, “Poor British Rowling isn’t going to know how to handle us.”

They both laugh heartily.  Then, Joey expression becomes serious.  “Something tells me we’ll both be slightly terrified at the same time.”  He sticks out his tongue.

“Hell yeah,” says Rhiannon.  “but I’ll channel it into being even giddier … like a do.”

Joey laughs again, and starts bouncing around his bedroom.

“And she’ll be like OMGCRAZYAMERICAN!”

“AAAAAAAAAH!” Joey runs and hides under his bed-covers, frightened by the loud noises coming from the Rhianno-Monster.

“And she’ll fight me with a handbag that she stole from the queen!”

Joey then pokes his head out from under the blanket, not being able to resist adding his two cents, “and I’ll be like, ‘HEY! YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY YOUR OWN … leave the poor queen alone.’”  He sticks his tongue out again.

Rhiannon then lies on the floor, defeated by a fit of giggles.

And that, my friends, is you’re normal, everyday, conversation between Rhiannon and Joey-seph.  Thanks for reading!

Nine: The Movie Musical

Not to be confused with 9, the interesting computer animated Tim Burton movie from the fall of this year.

Nine: The Movie

All I have to say is: Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, and Sophia Loren.  Those names are enough to get me into any movie … especially when together.  It’s interesting to see Kate Hudson and Penelope Cruz thrown in there as well.  The whole cast excites me.

What I can figure out from the trailer, the movie is about Guido–and Italian movie director–who seems to have lost his spark.  So, he has affairs … with everyone.

Nine: The Soundtrack

The soundtrack came out two days ago, and I listened to it last night.  Amazing.

Overture Delle Donne

For some reason, my family doesn’t live overtures.  I think they’re a lost art.  When I saw Les Mis on Broadway, they didn’t have an overture.  Most musicals I’ve ever seen/been in have cut the overture.  Overtures are like the preview of what’s to come musically.  My favorite overture of all time is Gypsy’s.  As for this overture … it’s pretty good.  A nice introduction.

Guido’s Song

An amusing little song sung by Daniel Day-Lewis.

A Call From The Vatican

I was surprised, and yet not surprised, at how hawt this song is.  It’s even musically driving.  Penelope Cruz doesn’t have a bad voice on her.  I wonder how much these vocals are corrected.  I hope not too much.

Folies Bergère

Judi Dench has a voice!  Brassy and full of spunk–just like you’d imagine it to be.  She has all her usual fierceness only reinforced by the hint of a French accent. Hah!  I’m already addicted to this song.

Be Italian

So, I’ve heard this song before from a couple of different places.  I’m sure I’ve heard it on T.V. at some point.  According to Rhiannon, Fergie can’t sing live very well.  I cannot attest to this.  However, this version of the song is quite amiable on the ears.  Makes me want to get down and dirty French/Italian style.

My Husband Makes Movies

When this song first came on I thought it was Nicole Kidman singing.  Marion Cotillard has a very similar tone.  For me, the only purpose of this song is to forward the plot.  Having not seen the movie yet, I’m not sure I get it.  The previous two songs are fun enough to get into on their own.  This song does have some nice moments, but most of the lyrics will be lost to me until I see them movie.  It’ll most surely be one of my favorites … these songs usually are.

Cinema Italiano

Another song I’d heard before this.  My first thought is: Kate Hudson … what?  In the trailer you see her performing a little be of the song covered in shiny, surrounded by Italian men.  I have to admit, it was a little scary to watch, but musically it’s rather nice.  Kate Hudson’s voice isn’t that bad at all!  Now I should expect a beating from my sisters … who rather like Kate Hudson.  But c’mon people … how many times does she need to fall down before we get sick of it?

Guarda La Luna

I didn’t expect much singing to come from Sophia Loren–let alone think she’d have a whole song to herself.  I’m glad she does.  I’ve been a fan of this seldom thought of great actress.  Probably because she was just a piece of ass. Haha!  I’m glad she’s in this, and the song has a certain melancholy to it.  It is already one of my favorites.

Unusual Way

Something I never thought I’d hear again … Nicole Kidman singing.  Thank you Ms. Kidman for helping open the doors to movie musicals again! And welcome back!  I know your voice is assisted a little bit, but I don’t care!  Movies are made for dreams to come true … you’re a great singer on film.  Oh!  For a moment I forgot … you did have a song in Happy Feet.  You sang with Hugh Jackman.  Purr.

Take It All

Marion Cotillard is back singing a song worthy of a striptease.  I think I might know where this song goes.  They showed flashes of it in the trailer.

I Can’t Make This Movie

This doesn’t make it sound like the movie ends well …

Finale

… especially since this comes next, and it doesn’t sound too cheerful.

Quando Quando Quando

This has got to be a song the credits run to.  I know this song as well … and Fergie does a pretty decent job with it.

Io Bacio … Tu Baci

Noisettes … not sure who that is, but I think I’ve heard this song as well.  I think I have it mixed in with my Rosemary Clooney/Peggy Lee stuff.  If it’s not there, it should be, because it’s very similar.

Cinema Italiano (The Ron Fair Remix)

The same song spiced up a little bit.  These have got to be the songs that go with the end credits.

Unusual Way

This one sung by Frank Griffith.  I prefer Nicole Kidman’s, but I’m biased.

I can’t wait to see this movie.  Don’t know if I’ll see it when it comes out on Christmas day.  I’ll be sure to update again when I’ve seen it.  For now, ta!

Evidence for Nicole

Three stitches here.  Fill-ins, French Knots (the ones that look like flowers, and line details.

Lady Gaga | The Fame Monster

The Fame Monster

Bad Romance

Ok, I’ll admit the first time I heard this song, I thought the “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa!” was ridiculous, especially when she sang, “Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!”  Especially since the song has such a stereotypical dance song beginning.

Upon a second, third, fourth and millionth time listening I have come to accept the fact that “Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa! Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!” is actually an ancient chant used by magic-men, priests, shamans, and sorcerers for millions of years to control the masses.  Somehow Lady Gaga has found out these secrets and I am now prey to her whims; this song is highly addictive and should not be listened to lightly.  This ALBUM is highly addictive.  I actually considered staying home yesterday because I knew my mother wouldn’t let me listen.  I did manage to leave the house, but just barely.

A random note: I love the way she says the word “love” especially near the end of the song.  Almost lav.

Joey’s Two Cents

Okay, I wasn’t going to do this–but!–with Rhiannon’s growing obsession I am finding myself listening to Lady Gaga more and more often.  Other people’s excitement inspires me, and (shame the devil; I cannot tell a lie) I am in “lav, lav, lav,” with Lady Gaga.  In fact, I can categorically say this gay-guy is GuGu for Gaga.

This song is huge.  It’s edgy, it’s got a good beat, and (most importantly) it’s catchy!

Alejandro

Once again, I went into this song thinking, “This is absolutely ridiculous: why is she even talking like that?  Who the hell is Alejandro, and why should I care?”  And then the beat started.  And once again I was completely hooked.  I seriously hope to choreograph this song with Joey, because I think it would make an amazing partner dance.  It would be a Latin/ballroom/hiphop/modern combo, because I have no actual dance training: I go with how I feel!  I SO hope he decides to do it – dancing on Tuesdays would be so much fun and get our creative juices flowing!

Joey’s Two Cents

This song makes me want to drink wine and do Dirty Dancing kinda dancing.

Monster

OMG, this SONG!  If it weren’t so dirty, I would’ve played this at the haunted house.  I can’t keep saying these songs are addicting, but they are.  If only my boyfriend would condescend to listen to her with me, I’d dance my little ass off.  Ah, well.

(Lesbian question number one: “I asked my girlfriend if she’d seen you round before / She mumbled something while we got down on the floor baby / We might’ve fucked not really sure, don’t quite recall / But something tells me that I’ve seen him, yeah.”  Okay, who is saying what here?  Just pointing it out.)

Speechless

I won’t make the pun, but she did an amazing job on this song.  She has an incredible voice!  The way she emphasizes words and phrases in this song has such a tug on my soul—and really, who hasn’t felt like this?  I want to give her a hug!  As I said to him earlier, “Does it sound like she killed him at the end of this song, or am I just ‘Pulling a Joey?’”  Seriously, the way she says, “Why you speechless,” sounds like she offed him.

Joey’s Two Cents

Turns out we BOTH pulled a Joey.  The song is actually about Lady’s father who wouldn’t get surgery he needed to survive.  It’s a song she wrote on tour, because she couldn’t get to him.  I already thought the song was melancholy … now, infinitely more so.  I love this song.

Dance in the Dark

Not gonna lie, this song turns me ON!  It’s such an edgy sort of romance that runs through this whole section of the album.  I wish this album had come out the end of high school, although the music snob in me then would never have let me listen to it.  But it fits so well and fits so many eras of my life.  These songs would have made a nice companion, although I probably wouldn’t have recognized why, then.  Although I will say, her random Madonna “Vogue” moment is kind of strange—don’t get me wrong, I love it.  But that was immediately what I thought of, which makes me wonder if she meant to?

Telephone

This is an anthem.  I probably would have played this song at top volume in our dorm.  I’ve always wished I had the self confidence that Beyonce has, in this song and in Irreplaceable.  The content of these songs have a lot more depth than the earlier songs, in sound and in lyrics.  I love how this song goes from Beyonce telling off this guy to singing, “I’ll be dancing, I’ll be dancing,” and the beat picks up.   I also love how she distorts her voice on, “ringing,” to sound like a cell phone.  Lav, lav, lav…. I’m repeating myself way too much!

Joey’s Two Cents

Highly addictive.

So Happy I Could Die

This song makes me want to dance and cry at the same time.  It’s also my Lesbian question number two.  I can’t even use one quote to demonstrate it because the whole thing sounds like to me like a girl in love with her best friend.  Now, in context of the whole album, it could be that she is so relieved to be out with her best friend and away from her asshole boyfriend.  This is another song that’s edgy and sexy, but listening to the lyrics takes you a lot deeper than the sound itself.  Just hearing this in a club would be wicked fun to dance to, and you get the pleasure of catharsis by listening to the lyrics when sitting at home.

Teeth

I LOVE THIS SONG!  Seriously, the driving, carnal beat in this song is original and hypnotic, and the lyrics are suggestive of filth.  Bad girl meat?  Vampires?  What is not to love about this song???  I would love to choreograph this song, too, but I envision a group number for this.  I’m going to leave off, now, because I can’t help dancing to this song!

V | Humankind’s Last Stand | The Original Miniseries

At this point, I’ve watched the first episode of ABC’s new scifi series of the same name.  All I really know is the premise:  huge space ships are hovering over the major cities of Earth.  Aliens have landed, claiming to bring peace, but what they really want to do is eat everyone.  Not usually my thing, but the new series looks nice.

It was my mother who brought my attention to the original miniseries.  Actually, she bought the miniseries, the sequel film, and the television series that followed.

I figured, I do commentaries for books, why not do them for movies as well?  They are for my benefit after-all, and if it gets you interested in checking it out, all the better.

The miniseries is a little over three hours long, but (I assume) it’s broken up into episodes.  However, I’m not sure, since I’ve never watched a miniseries from the eighties before.  Haha.  So, I’m not sure how I’m going to write this.  I can’t go chapter by chapter like books.  Since it’s a DVD, maybe I’ll give the current minute count when I have something to say.  That sounds good.  Here we go!

Disc One

+00:01:15

“To the heroism of Resistance Fighters–past, present, and future–this work is respectfully dedicated.”  War.  It’s always about war.  I suppose I’m a resistance fighter in my own right.  I resist fighting.

+00:12:54

“Ray Bradbury was just on with Arthur C. Clarke“…haha!  They would be the experts for this kind of thing, wouldn’t they?  So far everything is pretty much the same as the new series began.  Sans El Salvidor stuff.

+00:30:13

Haha!  Of course they have a marching band that play’s the Star Wars theme!

+00:37:00

Well, the archeologist is dead.  Serves him right for messing with alien reptiles.

+00:37:23

I wonder if they thought those glasses were cool in the 80s?

+00:42:27

Hrm.  Did they burn the archeologist?  Something burned in his car, that’s for sure.  I wonder if it’s a chemical combination…like some people guess that Dragons might be able to spit fire chemically.  That is, if Dragons were real of course.  And of course they are!

+00:48: 35

Totally siding with him on this one, because she’s not making any sense.  She wants him to stop being a cool Dad because she can’t “compete?” What?

+00:50:07

Another death.  Laser gun.  Figures.

+01:00:44

Omigod, my mom’s an ALIEN!  According to this, alien’s are left-handed, and my mother’s a lefty!  EAP!  And Aliens playing Atari!  Amusing.

+01:09:13

I love old special effects.  I wonder if they looked fake in the 80s.  I know when I watch movies I loved as a kid, the effects don’t seem as “real” as they once were.  I do love seeing how they dealt with them though.  All these prosthetics, I would hate to be the actor who has to get up 5 hours early just for that makeup.

+01:43:06

Death number 4.  Oh yes, the doctor can die!

Disc Two

+00:09:19

Is Robert Englund actually playing one of the GOOD V’s?  It seems to be.  Although, I don’t think we’ve seen any good V’s in the miniseries yet.

+00:16:49

At this point, I’m wondering what the V’s motives are.  They haven’t said yet.  My mum says they eat people.  We’ve seen them kill bunches of them, and they’ve definitely taken over everything.  No one has said or even wondered WHY the V’s would do this yet.  Come to think of it, no one’s motives are clear.  This whole anti-scientist crap is contrived too.  Gotta love the 80s.  They wouldn’t be able to get away with this today…oh wait…there is War of the Worlds.

+00:29:00

The first official good V’s.  They wasted a lot of time.  Got them out and about in the first episode of the new series.

+01:00:00

Okay, so it’s about water.  They want all the water and to kill humanity.  Great.  A little late though.  Where did my mother get eating people from?  I keep telling her all these “end of the world” flicks are the same.  She even gets confused about which aliens do what.

+01:04:00

I spoke too soon.  They do want to eat us.  My mother is still nutzo though.  Haha.  I won’t be watching the sequel or the series.  I MAY watch the new series on ABC, but I won’t be commentating.

End of Film Thoughts

Mom SWEARS it gets better.  She thinks this is awesome.  I think it’s the same as every other SciFi C-Movie…yeah, not even B-Movie.  The new series seems to be an improvement.  I still don’t think I need to waste my time with the next movie or the show.  Although it was fun seeing scary German guy do other projects.

Anyone else think I should continue on?  Tell me what YOU thought of V.

Neil Gaiman is a Vampire

They do kinda look a like.  Although I love Neil Gaiman’s work…it’s suspicious.  Is it the Hobbit hair or the “I wanna eat you” eyes?

He does have that wolfish dog, and we all know the Cullens get the shape-shifters on their side in the end.

Also, he comes from a very rainy place that has experienced an unusual amount of sun.  Where did he move to?  Well, it’s been really wet here in the states.

Ha ha!  This was all in good fun, by the way.  Don’t want to start any trouble if someone’s keeping secrets.  *nudge nudge*  Keep it real, Mr. Gaiman.  I know your secret!

EDIT: And then there’s this, of course.  It was, conveniently, posted on his blog today.  Further proof no doubt.

Gratitude

As I said in Home Cleansing, an essential component to magic – or anything else, really – is gratitude. Not only does it make you feel good, it makes the object of your appreciation feel great! There is something mystical about how emotion is not tangible, yet always given or received; be careful to give off good emotions and watch how they come back to you.

Gratitude is the base of all other good feelings we have. Yes, love even stems from gratitude. I know it is common to think that love and fear are the two ground level emotions, but really…what are they? To answer that question you have to figure out what love and fear means to you.

For me, the definitions are simple. Love you express by giving and receiving gratitude. Fear is not having the ability to do just that. No matter what religion or credo you guide your life by…giving love and gratitude to others takes a front seat. Even those who strive for the lime-light long to express their gratitude for success. [Rhiannon's two cents: Really? I don’t think Kanye West is thanking ANYONE. Just a thought. Joey's rebuttal: Yeah, yeah, yeah.]

Rhiannon and I believe we are on the brink of something big. We have huge dreams for the future, not only as writers of books – but as living inspiration for creative minds all over the world. We dream of sparking the imaginations of the young and old alike; of giving meaning to our poorly represented generation; of bringing magic back into the world. Real, true magic. And all these things start with gratitude.

My collaboration with Rhiannon would not be possible at all without the actions of one individual: Richard Hutchinson. Big Rich, if you hadn’t pressured me into joining the Lowell High School Spindles Show Choir, Rhiannon and I would have missed our connection and possibly our chance to join forces and make each others’ dreams come true. Thank you. In every possible way, thank you.

In Memory of Mary Travers, In Defense of Puff, the Magic Dragon

Mary Travers

Yesterday the world lost an amazing woman and musician; Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary has gone off to the Land of Honalee. I hope she enjoys, “Frolicking in the autumn mist,” for the rest of eternity.

Her unfortunate death has prompted me to address a subject that has always been a thorn in my side, pretty much since I was old enough to express myself. I’ve been listening to the albums “Peter, Paul and Mommy” and “Peter, Paul and Mommy, Too,” for as long as I can remember, and I’ve loved the song “Puff, The Magic Dragon,” just as long. And regrettably, for just as long, people have been telling me the song is about marijuana.

I am here to tell you that this is not true. Not only do all three artists deny these references, but if you listen to the song, it has so much meaning without looking for hidden, silly ones.

It is the inevitable fact of life that as we pass from our childhood innocence and imagination to our adult experience and self-consciousness, we become afraid of, or uninterested in, opening ourselves up to the images and scenarios that come to us so easily as children. That is what this song is about – losing your imagination. When’s the last time any of you have climbed in a refrigerator box and rocketed to outer space? If you’ve done this lately, I say good for you! But chances are you haven’t, unless you have a little kid, of course.

This song paints a picture of a young boy who has grand adventures with his best friend, Puff. Puff is a big, friendly dragon, and the two are inseparable for all of Jackie Paper’s early life, accompanying him on trips to meet royalty and fight pirates. Unfortunately, “A dragon lives forever, but not so little (girls and) boys.” Jackie grows up and probably becomes interested in girls and cars and no longer has time for his old friend.

When I graduated from high school, I remember listening to this song on repeat for quite a while and crying a few times, mourning the loss of my childhood. Little did I know that it would be after college that I actually found my way back to imagination – and how improved my life is now! I hear this song and no longer mourn the loss of my childhood (although today I mourn the loss of Mary), but instead revel in the fact that Puff isn’t really gone, but still in his cave, waiting for me to call him out and, “play along the cherry lane.” I think I will go do that now.

Thank you, Mary Travers, for your extraordinary talents and lovely voice. You will be missed.