The Strip: Las Vegas and the Architecture of the American Dream
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The Las Vegas Strip has impersonated the Wild West, with saloon doors and wagon wheels; it has...
Social Strategy: How We Profit from Social Media
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Almost no one had heard of social media a decade ago, but today websites such as Facebook, Twitter,...
Union Pacific: The Reconfiguration: America's Greatest Railroad from 1969 to the Present
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Praised by the Chicago Tribune as "thoroughly and compellingly detailed history," Volumes I and II...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Rent: Filmed Live On Broadway (2008) in Movies
Jul 10, 2020
The 1990's brought us a "rock musical" that focused on a global pandemic set against the backdrop of social protesting and racial injustices (sound familiar), this musical is Jonathan Larson's RENT.
Following (loosely) the plot of the 1896 opera LA BOHEME, RENT tells the tale of disaffected artists trying to live and love (and make rent) while living their lives the way they wish to live it. Writer Jonathan Larson (who passed, suddenly, the day before previews began) created a powerful, rock driven, story that is poignant, sad and hopeful all at the same time. The original Broadway production Iwhich I am bragging that I saw 2x with the original cast) brought such talent as Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel to the forefront.
But...skip the film version of this musical (starring most of the original cast) that came out in 2005. It is purfunctuary and lifeless. Instead, seek out the 2008 RENT: FILMED LIVE ON BROADWAY. Like Hamilton, this is a filmed version of the stage show and is able to capture the power and emotion that only live theater can provide.
The cast in this production is outstanding - with the standout being (no surprise) a young Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schulyer in Hamilton) who shines brightly as Mimi.
Like Hamilton, Rent showcases the power - and purpose - of live theater. A place that I cannot wait to go to again in 2021.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated A Faint Cold Fear (Grant County, #3) in Books
Jul 13, 2019
It got off to a powerful start but soon turned into a bit of a slog. The previous books felt more story driven, while this more focused on the characters which isn't my ideal. Despite the focus the characters didn't seem to develop. Lena I could do without at this point, yes she's been through a lot and she's not coping well but god make the odd good decision at least, just so frustrating.
Jeffery and Sara's constant bickering followed by making up is tedious, why she wants to get back with the guy is lost on me. When Jeffery looses is because Sara is speaking to an old colleague in a hospital while a loved one is in critical condition made me just want to yell run from him he's a controlling, cheating bastard stop going back to him your a strong woman you don't need that. Updates on the critically injured sister just got stupid how many times was it just "she's doing better" without really addressing what was going on with her just seemed odd, we got more detail on how long and much traffic there was on the way to the hospital.
The main plot just never caught on for me and the investigation just lacked any sense of urgency or intrigue.
I'll be continuing with the series hoping this one was a blip and we return to stronger stories.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Games and Entertainment
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Welcome back to Vice City. Welcome back to the 1980s. From the decade of big hair, excess and...
My Life, Our Times
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As former Prime Minister and our longest-serving Chancellor, Gordon Brown has been a guiding force...
biography politics
Comic Book Collectors for iPad
Catalogs, Comics and Reference
9.0
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** Look for our apps on the iPhone too! ** Quickly catalog, filter, sort, and manage all of the...
The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World's Longest Treasure Hunt
8.0
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In 1795, a teenager discovered a mysterious circular depression in the ground on Oak Island, in Nova...
History Oak Island Nonfiction Treasure hunt Archaeology Lagina brothers