‘Arts’ Archives
“La La Land”
By Howard McQuitter II ****1/2 out of five stars “La La Land” (2016) Liongate Drama/Musical/Romance Sebastian has that same passion for jazz as did Andrew (Miles Teller) did in “Whiplash”(2014), by director Damien Chazelle, who directed both “Whiplash” and “La La Land”. In both cases, Sebastian, the pianist, and Andrew, the drummer, have uphill battles, not to mention Chazelle”'s “subtle” love of jazz. (I”'m sure, Mr. Chazelle listens to some of the jazz greats Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins, and more.) The best dance number is at the beginning of the film when people stuck in Los Angeles traffic decide to leave their vehicles temporarily to either jump on tops of their vehicles or stay on the ground to dance and sing. And at first when Sebastian and Mia meet on that highway there is no love at first sight. In time the romance will grow, [...]
“Hacksaw Ridge”
**** & 1/2 stars “Hacksaw Ridge” Summit Entertainment Biography/War (R) I envision climactic moments in war films going back decades; when I see soldiers coming over the threshold with guns in hand, bullets and bombs sounding all around them, as they face their enemies. War movies, such as Steven Spielberg”'s “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), Ken Annakin and Andrew Marton”'s “The Longest Day” (1962), Francis Ford Coppola”'s “Apocalypse Now” (1979), Raoul Walsh”'s “Objective, Burma” (1945), to name a few, that left me hanging on to my seat. “Hacksaw Ridge” is no different. Andrew Garfield, as Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist and a conscientious objector, feels it”'s his duty to serve in the Army during World War II except without touching a gun. Of course, this stance of refusing to carry a gun is in direct conflict with the Army”'s policy. However, Doss”' stance [...]
La Natividad Returns to Minneapolis An urgent plea to open homes, cities, the world, and hearts with love.
BY STEPHANIE ROGERS This Holiday season, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre and St. Paul”'s Evangelical Lutheran Church reprise the popular, bilingual La Natividad performance and celebration with performances from December 15 to December 22. It”'s an event that has become a tradition for many in the neighborhood, and is more relevant than ever as we look towards 2017. La Natividad is a modern-day retelling of the Nativity story, brought to life on the streets of Minneapolis. Drawing on the theatre”'s long history of collaboration, socially relevant theatre, and community participation, La Natividad frames the Christmas story within the context of a Mexican-American Immigrant experience. The pregnant Maria and her fiancé José (portrayed by both live actors and giant puppets) lead the audience along 15th Avenue in South Minneapolis. Who will offer them shelter? In a traditional Mexican Posada, actors portraying Mary and Joseph guide a [...]
