It is hard to call this a “movie” - it is, rather, a series of voiceovers with still lifes. Yes the actors move, stiffly, but even the dialogue is in total deadpan with no emotion. Even the knife scene is done almost without movement. Sex? Jung never even unbuttoned his shirt nor undid his tie. Maybe this is the way life was in the time period portrayed but I found no life in the characters. The scenery was gorgeous. The movie, not so.

Whoa - it is hard to believe that we have not sold out for Nanci Griffith on Thursday April 12. But is a way, that is good because that means there are still some tickets available. Get them while you can because this portends to be an AWESOME concert!

I had heard of Nanci Griffith for years before I heard Other Voices, Other Rooms. I wore that CD out. And the replacement CD. And my iPod got tired of it, but I didn’t. Then Flyer. Clock Without Hands. I was blown away again and again but her songs and her covers. Her West Texas twang has filled my head for many years.

Yes thee are stull tickets available for Nanci Griffith. I hope it sells out so she can see what a monserous welcome Blacksburg can give a fantastic singer!

War Horse is not a great movie but it is a nice movie and a good movie. War Horse is an animal movie straight out of the 1930s and 40s. The acting is competent, the characters well thought out and the story unbelieveable but fun to watch. I remember seeing Lassie Come Home and falling in love with collies. Joey the horse was very much a Lassie with a personality unlike many a horse.

The story is one of a farm lad watching a colt being born, the drunken father with a hidden past using the rent money to buy the horse, a spirited race horse not well suited to farm work, then fighting with the landlord to keep the farm. Sure enough, the horse has a heart of diamonds and plows the turnip field in time to get the crop planted. The movie then follows the trials and tribulations of Joey the horse and the effect he has on many people’s lives in several different European countries as he fights in World War One. I found myself pulling for the horse as he pulled the huge canon, a job that kills his best horse friend.

Is War Horse a cinema masterpiece? No. But it is a film that harkens back to when movies were a great escape from the Great Depression and the Second World War. I heartily recommend you see it!

There are still lots of tickets available for the Ugly Duckling and Tortoise and the Hare by the CORBiAN/Light Wire Theater presents The Ugly Duckling & The Tortoise and The Hare on Friday, February 10, 2012, 7pm. Tickets are $15 Gold / $12 Silver / $10 Children.

Away from the pond and on his own, the Ugly Duckling’s adventures lead him on a search for others who will love him for who he is. The famous story of the race between the Tortoise and the Hare is best known today for teaching the moral that “slow and steady wins the race.”

The electroluminescent wire (EL Wire) puppets and props are three dimensional and brought to life by 3 performers who are dressed in full black. Each glow in the dark story will feature classical and contemporary music ranging from jazz to pop. At this time, short narration will precede each story. This all takes place in a totally dark theatre which enhances the bright lights used to tell the stories.

I really liked this movie! First, three things that disturbed me: 1) why 3D? I don’t think the animation would be any more enhanced (and it is very good) with the addition of 3D. 2) Okay, this one has been around since Mickey Mouse and Goofy. If Pluto is a dog, what is Goofy? Well, we have cats all over the land acting like people but we have pigs and horses as animals. And 3) I spent much of the movie trying to keep up with Puss’s hat. It always came back in an explanable way. Never did it just …. appear after being blown away.

My rants aside, I really enjoyed Puss in Boots. There was humor for all age levels. The animation was great. The story held my interest. There was good character development and surprises galore! AND I was warmed up by some hot cocoa from the concession stand. How can one argue with that?

Puss in Boots is at the Lyric until Thursday night. Take the kids, take your honey, or go alone as I did. It is a really fun movie!

What a joyous, happy, romantic holiday romp. It even has little kittens in it! Martha Marcy May Marlene is just the movie to bring a tear to the eye and a smile to the lips ….. if you are Charlie Manson. Whoa, dogs, this movie is CREEPY! The time and memory juxtapositions keep you on your toes as you follow Martha/Marcy May in her journey from commune life to bitchy sister. The hippie life seems so idyllic and the normal life so restrained and confining until the memories start haunting …. haunting.

Not wanting to give too much away, the movie is not for the faint of heart and the ending is ….. whoa! See it at your own risk - it is a well constructed movie of a disturbing topic.

Wonder what the hoopla is over the OWS movement? See Margin Call. Early in the movie, one of the young traders is asked what his degree is in. He rattles off a whole long list of degrees and universities. He is asked if that means he is a rocket scientist and he answers yes. Why is he working on Wall Street? “It’s all only numbers …. and the money is much better.”

Therein is the crux of the money managers on Wall Street. Sam loves his dog who is dying and cries while at the vet’s. When asked to destroy the stock market and hurting millions of people by flooding the Market with worthless “instruments” though, he examines his conscious but then realizes that although he made $2.6 million last year, he needs the money. But hey, it is only numbers.

The story line takes place over a two day time period and in that period we see all the various levels of a trading firm. It is interesting to watch the various hierarchies explain and coerce those above and below to do the despicable and hurt themselves in the process all in the name of the game.

I found the story line revolting but the movie hypnotized me like a rattlesnake and then it bit. It is well worth seeing, showing now thru Thursday night.

Confusing? Challenging? Deceptive? Anonymous is a play within a play within a play and may have to be seen two or three times to get the story straight. The time shifts and wide range of characters are indeed challenging to keep straight. As well, perhaps, is the toying with history and historical facts.

I liked the movie for its richness. The costumes and sets are awesome. The acting is superb. Figuring out who is the Earl of What and the spawn of whom is indeed “challenging.” I say see it and let the players play on. The scenes at the local theatres are stunning and I suspect a true portrayal of the soap operas or reality television of the time. I could see similarities in our current political situations as well. I would take the actual drama as just that - theatrical drama, but well played. Well worth the price of admission.

And thank you, Mary, for the descriptive use of “challenging.”

The Lyric Theatre has been and will be jam packed with jammin’ live shows. We have been having a busy season with Lyric shows and rental shows by other organizations. In October we had middle eastern music, the English Concert, Charlotte Blake Alston and Mountain Heart with Laura Beth & Clover Hollow.

As we come in to November we have another full line up. Thursday 11/3 we have the Barter Theatre with Civil War Voices - a complex theatrical production to be sure. On November November 6, Planned Parenthood brings Robin and Linda Williams and their Fine Band back for an evening of Americana music. They are often featured on Prairie Home Companion and were in the movie of the same name. 11/11/11 is an a capella night with Juxtaposition. This show is always a dazzler and fills up quickly. Finally, on November 13 is the fantastic Dar Williams for the final Live at the Lyric show in 2011.

If you have never seen live theatre or been to a concert at the Lyric, November is a great month to get acquainted with it. The acoustics in the theatre are phenomenal. It is truly a great experience to see these shows live and up close.

The Lyric Theatre: The Heart of Downtown Blacksburg!

SENNA is a movie masquerading as a documentary. In the late 60s and early 70s there were a slew of racing movies and SENNA could stand with the best of Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in any of them.

Ayreton Senna’s career was well and intensely filmed, from his go cart racing to his death at the San Marino Gran Prix. The film from his car camera brings the audience right into the race. The bumps and grinds and twists grab you as he races F1 tracks bringing fame and honor to his native Brazil. Watching him win a world championship while racing in a car that is stuck in 6th gear is awesome.

The audience on Tuesday night was sparse but they were enthusiastically there to see SENNA. Unfortunately a lot of people are going to miss this great movie that ends Thursday night. Don’t be one of them!

Charlotte Blake Alston, the great story teller/musician, graces the Lyric stage on Sunday at 3 pm. Tickets are still available!