Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake

Swan Lake
Adventures in Motion Pictures
a kate west favorite
music by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky
directed and choreographed by
Matthew Bourne
Tour: www.swanlaketour.com

Matthew Bourne has a great eye for cinema, which is one reason his production company is called Adventures in Motion Pictures. Primarily a brilliant Choreographer, he sees dance as bodies in motion, visualizing the stage in a big picture way. As a result, his productions are luscious feats for the eye and passionate elixirs for the soul. "Swan Lake" is his third and best ballet to date, and by far his most popular.

Deviating from the lovely but tried-and-true productions like the classic Petipa and Ivanov version, Bourne contemporizes famed Russian composer Tchaikovsky's epic vision. Instead of a young girl, he casts a young prince, aching to follow his dreams and escape tedious royal life. The biggest and perhaps most controversial change is that the swans are all strong and fierce men, rather than delicate, slender women. Adam Cooper is the magnificent lead swan, who seduces both versions of the Prince (Andrew Walkinshaw as the younger, and Scott Ambler as the older). Fiona Chadwick is the icy, sterile Queen, taking any lover she can and oppressing her wayward son. Many claim that Bourne's productions have a specifically gay artistic perspective and while it is true that the male presence is quite strong, especially in "Swan", it works. It's an aesthetic choice that still conveys the universality of passion and truth.

Along with the richly beautiful and sublime musical score, this production offers beautiful and sublime dance. The sets and costumes are modern bliss and the characters cavort as paparazzi, Soho club members, East End gangsters and even cold and heartless doctors and nurses. The dancers are all consummate professionals, of course.



Your imagination will be profoundly touched and you won't want it to be over. It's one of the very few original productions that truly deserves a standing ovation. If you missed it in Los Angeles, you can still try and catch the tour or at the very least check out the DVD of the acclaimed production (winner of the Olivier Award).

Also recommended: Bourne's "Cinderella", "Nutcracker!" and "Edward Scissorhands". You can skip "Carman" (Bourne's auto mechanical take on Bizet's "Carmen").

See It Now:
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (Matthew Bourne) Read more!

Toy Stories

Toy Story I & II
a kate west favorite

Once Upon A Time, Pixar and Walt Disney were good friends. And now they're not. But back when they were, they sure made some beautiful magic together - mainly the two "Toy Story" movies. John Lasseter, head honcho at Pixar, put himself on the map of fame forever with those computer animated films.

Woody (Tom Hanks) is a toy cowboy, in charge of a loyal roomful of toys. His reign is threatened when a brand new toy arrives, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), an astronaut, the updated modern hero replacing outdated cowboys. The magic of these films is in the computer effects, certainly, but more importantly, in the poignant depth of character organically written into the story. Woody learns about leadership when Buzz threatens to take over and this challenge ultimately makes him a better person (or toy) and we all need that nemesis to wake us up a little. Buzz too learns about himself and how to be a part of a real community. The sight gags are hilarious and each character contributes something important and we love them all.

Ditto with "Toy Story 2", a real accomplishment in a sequel. This story adds Jessie, a vintage cowgirl doll, who has yet another lesson in self worth for Woody. He's a collectible and worth money too. It still speaks to childhood and friendship, as well as offering a more sophisticated story for adults, the humor appealing to young and old alike. Yet another triumph for Pixar. And of course, the voice talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles and many more are a divine delight.

Well worth renting, or better yet, adding to your home collection, speaking of collectibles. And the best part is these toys aren't lead-based or made in China.

Toy Story:
Directed by
John Lasseter

Writing Credits
John Lasseter (story)
Pete Docter (story)
Andrew Stanton (story)
Joe Ranft (story)
Joss Whedon (screenplay)
Andrew Stanton (screenplay)
Joel Cohen (screenplay)
Alec Sokolow (screenplay)

Cast
Tom Hanks ... Woody (voice)
Tim Allen ... Buzz Lightyear (voice)
Don Rickles ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)
Jim Varney ... Slinky Dog (voice)
Wallace Shawn ... Rex (voice)
John Ratzenberger ... Hamm (voice)
Annie Potts ... Bo Peep (voice)
John Morris ... Andy (voice)
Erik von Detten ... Sid (voice)
Laurie Metcalf ... Andy's Mom (voice)
R. Lee Ermey ... Sergeant (voice)
Sarah Freeman ... Hannah (voice)

Toy Story 2:
Directed by
John Lasseter
Ash Brannon (co-director)
Lee Unkrich (co-director)

Writing Credits
John Lasseter (story)
Pete Docter (story)
Ash Brannon (story)
Andrew Stanton (story)
Andrew Stanton (screenplay)
Rita Hsiao (screenplay)
Doug Chamberlain (screenplay)
Chris Webb (screenplay)

Cast
Tom Hanks ... Woody (voice)
Tim Allen ... Buzz Lightyear (voice)
Joan Cusack ... Jessie, the Yodeling Cowgirl (voice)
Kelsey Grammer ... Stinky Pete the Prospector (voice)
Don Rickles ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)
Jim Varney ... Slinky Dog (voice)
Wallace Shawn ... Rex the Green Dinosaur (voice)
John Ratzenberger ... Hamm the Piggy Bank (voice)
Annie Potts ... Bo Peep (voice)
Wayne Knight ... Al the Toy Collector (voice)
John Morris ... Andy (voice)
Laurie Metcalf ... Andy's Mom (voice)
Estelle Harris ... Mrs. Potato Head (voice)
Jodi Benson ... Tour Guide Barbie / Barbie on Backpack (voice)
Joe Ranft ... Wheezy the Penguin (voice)
Andrew Stanton ... Evil Emperor Zurg (voice)
R. Lee Ermey ... Army Sarge (voice)
Jonathan Harris ... Geri the Cleaner (voice)
Jeff Pidgeon ... Green Aliens (voice)

The Set:
Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (2 Pack)

More Fun Pixar:

Monsters, Inc. (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Finding Nemo (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

The Incredibles (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Most Recent Best:

Ratatouille Read more!

Clueless

a kate west favorite








Clueless is a delightfully perfect modern adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma". Alicia Silverstone is Cher (yes, after the pop singer icon), a sweet spacey high schooler who loves to play matchmaker, just like the classic character Emma. Her latest project is Tai (a young Brittany Murphy), whose clueless fashion begs for a makeover and Cher is only too happy to oblige. Besides setting up teachers with each other and gaining some homework-free days for everyone, she spreads joy by being helpful, despite her sometimes-clumsy meddlesome approach. She does mature in the course of the film of course, and learns to be truly unselfish. She is then rewarded with a love of her own. Aw.

Director/Writer Amy Heckerling created a fun flick, and a pretty brilliantly current and accessible way to bring Jane Austen to the masses. The characters are, for the most part, fairly harmless and often charming. The dialogue is upbeat and trendy, yet still holds its own years later upon repeated viewings. Also, it may inspire you to read the original, which is more than our favorite John Hughes movies accomplished. Hopefully.


Directed by:
Amy Heckerling

Written by:
Amy Heckerling

Cast:
Alicia Silverstone ... Cher Horowitz
Stacey Dash ... Dionne
Brittany Murphy ... Tai
Paul Rudd ... Josh
Donald Faison ... Murray
Elisa Donovan ... Amber
Breckin Meyer ... Travis
Jeremy Sisto ... Elton
Dan Hedaya ... Mel Horowitz
Wallace Shawn ... Mr. Wendell Hall
Twink Caplan ... Miss Toby Geist
Justin Walker ... Christian

For whatever reason, "Clueless" is currently unavailable on Amazon, but you can re-read Austen (below).

Austen's Works:
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen (Wordsworth Special Editions) (Special Editions)

My Generation of Teens:
Brat Pack Collection (The Breakfast Club/ Sixteen Candles/ Weird Science) Read more!