Musicals

Cadillac Records is a kind of ensemble biopic that focuses on the story of Leonard Chess, founder of Chess Records, and the iconic musicians that entered into recording contracts with him.  Chess Records was one of the first labels to give black musicians an opportunity to have careers, and became one of the premier blues labels […]

Kirsten Sheridan offers a story of hope and love in August Rush, a beautiful, poignant and original look at the world. 
Evan Taylor (Freddie Highmore) is an eleven year old orphan who is constantly tormented by others in the place he has always known as home. He is a gifted musician and openly admits that he believes he can […]

I hadn't watched either of these movies until I was asked to review this one and I really wasn't sure what to expect. Kenny Ortega's High School Musical II was what I expected but better. You have to take it for what it is and obviously it has a certain target audience: young girls, but […]

Adam Shankman's Hairspray was a fun and silly with serious undertones. We'd have a dance number and suddenly there'd be a joke so politically incorrect by today's standards it stopped you in your tracks. Cameos by Ricki Lake and Jerry Stiller who starred in the original film were a nice touch. Watching Ricki Lake walking in as […]

This film, directed by Sylvain White portrays a nineteen year old boy with a record and a knack for street dancing. DJ gets a second chance after tragedy befalls him and he is sent to live with relatives. New to Truth University he has a chance at a life he never dreamed of for himself. While working as a gardener […]

Dreamgirls (2006) is a biographical style movie based on a Broadway musical, which focusses on the fictionalized Soul music scene of the early 1960's.  The main focus is on the female soul trio 'The Dreamgirls' who are based on the actual soul trio of the time, The Supremes.  Throughout there are references to other soul […]

Not having ever seen the Broadway production of this hit starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, I can't say how the film version compares. It certainly was a fun romp, and many of the sets had a stage quality to them. Manic performances from the two leads are reputed to be very similar to what […]