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| Sidebar: Isn't Emily Yoshida a terrific writer? The theater could use her. | |
| Last Edit: Delvino 08:43 am EST 12/21/17 | |
| Posted by: Delvino 08:41 am EST 12/21/17 | |
| In reply to: I guess we're seeing the reason for that whole embargo and all. (unsurprised.) - GrumpyMorningBoy 02:03 pm EST 12/20/17 | |
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| It's the only review of this film that manages to tell me (albeit subjectively, understood) exactly what went wrong, and why and how. I now want to do some archival reading of her other critiques. I learned more from her about pop cultural influences on musicals than anywhere else of late. And for the record: I'm much more generous toward Benj Pasek and Justin Paul than she is. But she makes a compelling point about the generic blandness in the prosaic lyrics. | |
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| re: Sidebar: Isn't Emily Yoshida a terrific writer? The theater could use her. | |
| Posted by: GrumpyMorningBoy 02:01 pm EST 12/21/17 | |
| In reply to: Sidebar: Isn't Emily Yoshida a terrific writer? The theater could use her. - Delvino 08:41 am EST 12/21/17 | |
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| Agreed, and as a deeper sidebar, I do think Pasek and Paul are probably guilty of little more than being overly prolific and churning out things on quick deadlines. When they give their work the time to revise and develop, their work seems richer and more nuanced. I mean, honestly, wtf do I know?! We all need to pay the bills. We can't fault them for making some money while the chances are here. But I have a hunch they can tell the difference between the tunes they crank out quickly versus the ones they nurture for a long time. And one thing I can say about my favorite musicals is this: they generally sat in the minds and notepads of their creators for years before we ever heard them. - GMB |
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| Pasek and Paul | |
| Last Edit: Delvino 09:38 am EST 12/22/17 | |
| Posted by: Delvino 09:36 am EST 12/22/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Sidebar: Isn't Emily Yoshida a terrific writer? The theater could use her. - GrumpyMorningBoy 02:01 pm EST 12/21/17 | |
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| I thought LA LA featured songs and lyrics*consistent with the voices of the young, starry eyed characters. And the film is a stylized fable. Even the L.A. portrayed is through a specific prism, and shot to look like -- well, LA in a musical film. (I lived there 9 months, and commuted regularly; I have some integrity behind my observation.) I feel like the jury is still out on this team, an admittedly ludicrous statement in light of their success. They are wisely taking advantage of being the flavor of the year(s). I remember when Ashman and Menken went Disney, and many bemoaned losing theater folk to commercial factories. But Menken produced some of the most beloved melodies, ever (and Ashman, tragically gone before his time, was a muse who inspired). Songwriting isn't profitable without some corporate investment, with few exceptions. I hope the next show or film is ambitious. Now watch these Showman songs take off in Karaoke heaven forever. *Re-listen to "Someone in the Crowd" or "Another Day of Sun" and getting those dance breaks out of your head. They are unique songs that way -- those instrumental sections are actually the hooks, not the lyric-driven verses or chorus. |
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| re: Pasek and Paul | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 10:56 am EST 12/22/17 | |
| In reply to: Pasek and Paul - Delvino 09:36 am EST 12/22/17 | |
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| Delvino, I couldn't agree with you more. ... I actually LOVED ''La La Land'' and Pasek and Paul's work on it (and think it's their best yet). Their lyrics were so spot-on and evocative of Gosling and Stone's characters, and perfectly paired with Justin Hurwitz's catchy melodies. I was soooo happy for Pasek, Paul and Hurwitz winning the Oscar for Best Song (and soooo pissed ''La La Land'' lost Best Picture). |
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