When I grow up, I'm going to save Christmas with a vampire!

[thehefner]

There were a number of people to whom, for a number of reasons, I was unable to personally wish a Merry Christmas. You people probably know who you are. Well, it's late, but I sincerely hope you had a Merry Christmas and, in case I don't see you, I hope you have a Happy New Year.

(oh, and a happy belated birthday to myoffenceisrank! All hail the Sultan of Twat!)

I don't know if THE PRODUCERS is for everyone. Mom couldn't understand how anyone could possibly dislike the movie, whereas I'm well familar with the mind of the snob. I should know, after all. I hate lots of crap. If people are gonna dislike THE PRODUCERS, fine, go ahead, be snobs. Be superior. Call it "dated" and "stagey" and "over the top" whatever else.

Me? I fucking loved the whole damn thing, warts and all. As with when I saw the original broadway cast perform, I don't think the smile left my face for a second. This was pure happy in a movie. It's kinda like SPAMALOT in that it cannot, should not, and MUST not replace the original. Everyone should see the original, if only for the performances. This is a big musical homage to the original. Unlike SPAMALOT, however, it's actually more than a decent fun time. It's pure delight.

There is not one ounce of subtlety in this movie, and I loved every second of it. I mean, I would! This is pure John Hefner. This is the biggest Audience Whore movie I've ever seen. Seriously, I want to play every male role in the show. Every single one. Hell with it! I want to do a one-man-show of THE PRODUCERS, with special guest star Val Larson as Ulla!

(Because holy God, I want to see Val as Ulla. Stat!)

The cast: Nathan Lane is one of the last great vaudiville performers, from the mold of Jackie Gleason and, yes, Zero Mostel. I liked Matthew Broderick much better here than on stage; on film he's able to play off his wonderful facial expressions much better. Roger Bart is delightfully freaky. Will Ferrel was pretty well perfectly cast as Franz Liebkind, and his "new song" during the credits is fucking beautiful. I'm really trying hard not to transcribe here what he whispers to the audience at the end, it's great. And holy bejezus, I'm no longer the only person in the world not to find Uma Thurman sexy. Ooh wah wah wah WAH wah wah!

If you see it, don't be a wimp. Stay to the end of the credits. Seriously. I always do, and it sometimes pays off. This is one of those cases.

Oh, and also? Baileys Irish Cream + Egg Nog doesn't equal crazy delicious. It equals soothing and lovely and oh so the happy. Hmmm. Nighty night.

Comments

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

As someone who has (probably) never seen the original movie nor the broadway show, but thinks this looks interesting and fun nonetheless, er... thanks for the review, I guess.

You're, uh... welcome...?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

See, I have to wonder if people will like the new movie if they haven't seen any of the things before it. Because here's the thing, they haven't changed the script pretty much at all from the 60's version, so as a result, I imagine it could really kinda really dated in its humor. Besides, like King Kong, it's such a love letter to the original that in many ways (I think), it's almost imperitive to have seen the original to get the full effect. Nathan Lane grew out his hair for a comb-over purely as a nod of Zero Mostel. See the original if you can.

And besides, Gene Wilder is the man.

Re: You're, uh... welcome...?

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Gene Wilder is the man, true. Although sometimes he seriously creeps me out - but that might be intentional.

Actually a lot of the time.

Anyway... I should seriously watch the original first? :/ What if I can't find it? I honestly don't mind dated humour.

Re: You're, uh... welcome...?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

He creeps you out? I can definitely say that's the first I've heard anyone say that! Were you scarred by his evil Wonka performance? His role in Producers actually is kinda creepy, in its way.

Yeah, if you can track down the original, you totally must watch it. Absolutely. It should be pretty commonly availible. If you can't (which would surprise the hell out of me), then yeah, you'll be fine just seeing the new one.

Re: You're, uh... welcome...?

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

While Willy Wonka can be creepy in his way, no, I don't think that's it. But can't remember what was.

Although I did spend like a half an hour last night unable to go to sleep because I couldn't remember what it ws that made him made at Charlie. Still can't. Neh.

I think I shall likely watch the new one without watching the old, first. Because my main reason for wanting to see it is Nathan Lane, really.

Re: You're, uh... welcome...?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Ok, if you must, but Nathan Lane's whole performance is done as tribute to Zero. He even grew out his hair to do the comb-over!

The original is a brilliant comedy classic, really worth the watching. Please do try to find it if you can!

[pondering-duck.livejournal.com]

I would like to see this (having liked the original so much I was planning on it) but what really concerns me is...well...that not really Vincent Price trying to sell me Tilex is it? I'm hoping that's someone else I'm mistaking him for.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Nope, it most definitely is Vinny-P himself. Buy Tilex, muwahahahahaha!

[myoffenceisrank.livejournal.com]

Thanks Mr. Hefner...for the birthday wishes...and for recognizing me for my domination of the twat...

[rosinslady.livejournal.com]

IT'S JUST BECAUSE SHE'S PLAYED BY UMA THURMAN, ISN'T IT?!

No, seriously, thanks for the compliment. I'll start rehearsing "If You Got It, Flaunt It" immediately. I need a new shower song anyway.

Remember ven Ulla dance? ULLA DANCE AGAIN!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Actually, this time around *she* reminded me of *you*. And honestly, you're the much better singer.

Seriously, I so wanna play either Max or Leo (or both) opposite your Ulla. Chalk that one back up to one of my dream shows.