Mamma Mia the Movie

Last night I went to see Mamma Mia the Movie with CZ. It was really good. I mean any movie with Meryl Streep has an automatic expectation of being good. The movie is also packed with a lot of other notable actors and actresses. None other than 007 himself -> Pierce Brosnan. Watching James Bond singing S.O.S was probably one of the funniest things I've seen in a really long time (and I just watched The Drowsy Chaperone... so that's saying a lot). Colin Firth -Mr. Bridget Jones (that's what I call him), but oddly enough his character's name in that movie is Mr. Darcy which he also played in Pride and Prejudice. Amanda Seyfried - who most people would recognize from Mean Girls or one of my favorite shows Big Love. Stellan Skarsgård - whose from Pirates of the Caribbean and Good Will Hunting. Julie Walters - Mrs. Weasley from the Harry Potter series and the Tony award winning Christine Baranski who most people will recognize, but I can't remember anything she's been in right now.

For those who don't know what Mamma Mia is about.. here's a quick synopsis. Sophie is about to marry the love of her life Sky on the Greek Island where they live. She wants her dad to give her away at her wedding, but she doesn't know who she is. She reads her mother's diary from way back when and find out there's three possible guys: Sam, Bill, and Harry. Sophie's mother Donna doesn't know she invited her three summer loves and when she find out they are all on island chaos, singing, and dancing ensues.

I haven't started a movie rating system yet - but I'll give a little review of my thoughts on the movie. Since the plot and script is based on the musical, it's very cheesy and campy - but I Loved it! Just like I loved the musical. Meryl Streep was awesome as Donna, but it was so weird seeing her play that character, because the characters she usually plays are always so poised. The singing was good. The acting was good. The dance group numbers made you want to get up and dance in the aisle. Who knew that Amanda Seyfried who plays the grouchiest girl on Big Love could sing or smile for that matter? haha. The greatest thing about the movie and the musical is the fact that it's based on ABBA music which almost everyone I know loves... some openly like me... and keep their love close to their hearts =) I think most people would enjoy this movie, maybe they wouldn't want to spend $11.50 to see it in the theater... but where ever they watch it... a good time will be had by all. =)

The Drowsy Chaperone

Tonight I went to see The Drowsy Chaperone at the Ahmanson Theatre. The show is about a man who is listening to his favorite musical The Drowsy Chaperone. It starts out in his apartment and he puts on the musical by playing the 2-disc record set of the show that is from the 1920s. He explains the plot of the story and goes over a little background on the characters. The musical plays out with very funny comments from the guy in the apartment.

I had a really good time and I thought it was a very clever show. The show has everything you look for in a musical. Singing, Dancing, solos, group numbers...It even has a really awesome tap number and a guy on skates. What sets The Drowsy Chaperone apart from all the other musicals I've ever seen is that I've never laughed soo much during a musical. It's HILARIOUS! I challenge anyone to go see the musical and not think it's funny!

I give The Drowsy Chaperone
3.5 Stars. The only reason I didn't give it 4 Stars is because I think that every great musical has to have memorable songs. Songs that stay in your head and that you want to listen to when you get out of the show. I'm sitting here thinking about the songs and I don't really remember any of the songs. No lyrics or tunes that stand out in my mind. No songs that I really want to hear again. Now, I have no doubt that I'll know every song by weeks end, because I bought the CD... but I feel that is the one missing component of this musical that makes me only give it 3.5 Stars. However, everything else about this musical was awesome. I think everyone who sees it will come away having a good time and will remember it.