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Sardu
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
1126 Posts |
 Posted - 07/17/2007 : 6:03:17 PM
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OK, as a lover of all things camp and heinous in the world of rock musicals (Can't Stop The Music, Glitter, Sgt. Pepper, Phantom Of The Paradise, the list goes on) it always pained me that I had never seen Xanadu. So recently I TIVO'ed it and since I was home sick today I watched it.
The many failings and crimes of this movie are well detailed elsewhere, of course, but I gotta share one observation: in the world of terrible rock musicals this one stands alone. Because all the other movies I listed have casts that they deserve. Bee Gees, Bruce Jenner, Paul Williams, Neal Diamond in Jazz Singer, Bette Midler in The Rose, Babs in A Star Is Born (what was it with those remakes, anyway??)- they all were in films equivalent to their talent. But Xanadu, on the other hand, by casting Gene Kelly becomes an Affront. Abomination. A Criminal Act. His presence in the film is like a Faberge egg in a cow turd. It's like wiping your ass with the Mona Lisa. It truly sets Xanadu apart from the pack, and part of what is good in the universe is diminished, never to be restored.
And don't tell me about Olivier in Jazz Singer either. He and that tripe deserved each other too with that performance.
"Meeting you makes me want to be a real noodle cook"
--Tampopo |
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Ericb
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
648 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 6:07:12 PM
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Just think of it as a kind of Purgatory for him. Because of Xanadu he was able to go straight to Heaven when he died.
"I reserve the right to look as well as be boring." - Robert Fripp |
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Sardu
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
1126 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 6:23:41 PM
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True.
Actually, I will give Xanadu one begrudging bit of credit even though it was entirely accidental. The mash-up of the 40's song with the rock song by the Tubes predicted fat Boy Slim by about 20 years.
Who knew the Tubes were in this dog, anyway? And they got beaten with the crap stick just as hard as everyone else. No wonder no one talks about it.
"Meeting you makes me want to be a real noodle cook"
--Tampopo |
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RossM
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
USA
427 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2007 : 11:52:34 AM
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There is a Broadway musical of Xanadu that knows exactly how silly this movie is and plays on it for all its worth. The show is getting great reviews and big laughs. Silk purses can be made from a sows ear.
rossM |
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Ken HPoJ
Supreme Potentate
USA
1530 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2007 : 4:59:06 PM
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"Xanadu? Sweet merciful crap!"
Well...one out of three, anyway.
PEGGY: I don't see how having a girl on the team would ruin it. Did a woman judge ruin the Supreme Court?
HANK: Yes, and that woman's name was Earl Warren.
--King of the Hill |
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