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mysticalhearth · 3 years

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Parade - Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center - February 16, 2015 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Jeremy Jordan (Leo Frank), Laura Benanti (Lucille Frank), Charlie Franklin (Frankie Epps), Emerson Steele (Mary Phagan), John Ellison Conlee (Hugh Dorsey), Alan Campbell (Governor John Slaton), Joshua Henry (Jim Conley), Nathaniel Stampley (Newt Lee), Andy Mientus (Britt Craig), Eric Anderson (J.N. Starnes), Davis Gaines (Judge Roan), Ramin Karimloo (Tom Watson), Andrea Jones-Sojola (Minola McKnight), Katie Rose Clarke (Mrs. Phagan), Rachel de Benedet (Sally Slaton), John Jellison (Mr. Peavy), Caitlin Houlahan (Iola Stover), Allie Trimm (Essie), Ephie Aardema (Monteen), John Jellison (Luther Rosser), Andrea Jones-Sojola (Angela), Charlie Franklin (Young Confederate Soldier), Eric Leviton (Officer Ivery), Nathaniel Stampley (Riley) NOTES: A fantastic capture of this one-night-only concert at Avery Fisher Hall. Jeremy and Laura give incredible performances, as does Joshua Henry and too many others to name. Jason Robert Brown gives a speech after the curtain call. Truly an epic night of theatre. This is a very near perfect video with no obstruction and only slight washout in wide shots. There are two quick dropouts in the first few minutes, but the concert is otherwise fully captured. It’s filmed in 16:9, with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. The sound is excellent. Includes curtain call, Jason’s speech, and playbill scans. Parade - Broadway - December 8, 1998 (Preview) (House-Cam's master) FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Brent Carver (Leo Frank), Carolee Carmello (Lucille Frank), Kirk McDonald (Frankie Epps), Christy Carlson Romano (Mary Phagan), Herndon Lackey (Hugh Dorsey), John Hickok (Governor John Slaton), Rufus Bonds Jr (Jim Conley), Evan Pappas (Britt Craig), Don Chastain (Judge Roan), John Leslie Wolfe (Tom Watson), Jessica Molaskey (Mrs. Phagan), Brooke Sunny Moriber (Iola Stover), Megan McGinnis NOTES: Made from closed-circuit system in Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Stage shot entire time; decent picture and good sound. Also possibly from February 27, 1999. Parade - Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles - November 1, 2009 (Matinee) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: T R Knight (Leo Frank), Lara Pulver (Lucille Frank), Curt Hansen (Frankie Epps), Rose Sezniak (Mary Phagan), Michael Berresse (Governor John Slaton), David St Louis (Jim Conley), Davis Gaines (Judge Roan), PJ Griffith (Tom Watson) NOTES: Released as 2 Disc DVD. One short blackout in the first act, and some washout in the wides; very little obstruction with some heads on the bottom and the sides, but nothing major; good clear and steady video with nice picture and sound. Passion - Netherlands - 2004 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Vera Mann (Fosca), Stanley Burleson (Giorgio), Pia Douwes (Clara) Peter Pan (National Theatre) - London - 2016-, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Paul Hilton (Peter Pan), Anna Francolini (Captain Hook), Madeleine Worrall (Wendy Darling), Marc Antolin (John Darling), John Pfumojena (Michael Darling), Felix Hayes (Mr Darling), Saikat Ahamed (Tinkerbell), Felix Hayes (Smee), Saikat Ahamed (Curly), Lois Chimimba (Tiger Lily), Lois Chimimba (Slightly), Laura Cubitt (Twin One), Felix Hayes (Twin Two), Amaka Okafor (Jane), Ekow Quartey (Nana), Ekow Quartey (Tootles), Anna Francolini (Mrs. Darling) Phantom (Yeston/Kopit) - North Shore Music Theatre - 1994 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Ron Baker (Erik/The Phantom), Kristin Chenoweth (Christine Daaé), Marc Kudisch (Count Philippe de Chandon), Michael Dantuono (Gérard Carrière), SuEllen Estey (Carlotta) Phantom (Yeston/Kopit) - Takarazuka - 2011 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Tomu Ranju (Erik/The Phantom), Ranno Hana (Christine Daaé)

Piaf - The Netherlands - January 9, 2009 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (SD) CAST: Liesbeth List (Edith Piaf), Esther Roord (Toine), Daphne Flint (Young Edith Piaf), Geert Hoes (Marcel), Ara Halici (Paul), Jan Elbertse (Lucien), Eliane Feijen (Madeleine) Pippin - Broadway Revival - July 13, 2013 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Patina Miller (Leading Player), Matthew James Thomas (Pippin), Terrence Mann (Charles), Charlotte d'Amboise (Fastrada), Andrea Martin (Berthe), Rachel Bay Jones (Catherine), Erik Altemus (Lewis), Ashton Woerz (Theo) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the 2013 Tony Winning Revival. I certainly see why Patina and Andrea won their Tonys. A sleek and stunning revival with performances and ideas to die for! Certainly not to be missed! A Pippin - Broadway Revival - June 14, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Ciara Renée (Leading Player), Kyle Dean Massey (Pippin), Terrence Mann (Charles), Charlotte d'Amboise (Fastrada), Andrea Martin (Berthe), Rachel Bay Jones (Catherine), Erik Altemus (Lewis), Andrew Cekala (Theo) NOTES: Wonderful HD capture of the new leads who have joined the cast. The show is still in top shape, Kyle gives a great Pippin and beautiful voice to match! Ciara gives some great vocal variations of her own. A Pippin - Broadway Revival - December 30, 2014 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) | TRADER'S NOTES: Working on uploading, PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST CAST: Carly Hughes (Leading Player), Josh Kaufman (Pippin), John Dossett (Charles), Charlotte d'Amboise (Fastrada), Priscilla Lopez (Berthe), Rachel Bay Jones (Catherine), Mike Schwitter (Lewis), Eli Tokash (Theo) Pippin - World AIDS Day Benefit Concert - November 29, 2004 FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Ben Vereen (Leading Player), Billy Porter (Leading Player), Darius de Haas (Leading Player), Kate Shindle (Leading Player), Rosie O’Donnell (Leading Player), Michael Arden (Pippin), Terrence Mann (Charles), Julia Murney (Fastrada), Charles Busch (Berthe), Laura Benanti (Catherine), Cameron Mathison (Lewis), Harrison Chad (Theo), Adam Fleming, Barrett Foa, Caitlin van Zandt, Cheyenne Jackson, Colin Hanlon, Erin Quill, Jenna Leigh Green, Jennifer Malenke, John Tartaglia, Jordan Gelber, Josh Young, Julie Garnye, Kate Pazakis, Kearran Giovanni, Kristoffer Cusick, Marty Thomas, Michael Longoria, Natalie Joy Johnson, Randy Redd, Robb Sapp, Sara Chase, Sriram Ganesan NOTES: If you've been wanting to see Rosie O'Donnell perform "Magic To Do" with a dancer in a bikini top grinding up on her, then look no further! *Ben Vereen, Darius de Haas, Billy Porter, Rosie O'Donell, Kate Shindle as the leading players The Pirate Queen - Broadway - March 24, 2007 (Preview) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Stephanie J Block (Grace (Gráinne) O'Malley), Linda Balgord (Queen Elizabeth I), Hadley Fraser (Tiernan), Marcus Chait (Donal O'Flaherty), Jeff McCarthy (Dubhdara), William Youmans (Sir Richard Bingham) The Pirate Queen - Broadway - April 11, 2007 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Stephanie J Block (Grace (Gráinne) O'Malley), Linda Balgord (Queen Elizabeth I), Hadley Fraser (Tiernan), Marcus Chait (Donal O'Flaherty), Jeff McCarthy (Dubhdara), William Youmans (Sir Richard Bingham) The Pirate Queen - Broadway - April 13, 2007 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Stephanie J Block (Grace (Gráinne) O'Malley), Linda Balgord (Queen Elizabeth I), Hadley Fraser (Tiernan), Marcus Chait (Donal O'Flaherty), Jeff McCarthy (Dubhdara), William Youmans (Sir Richard Bingham) NOTES: Wonderful crystal clear capture and top notch amazing performances. Much improved from Chicago version. Includes performance on the the View. A+ The Pirate Queen - Pre-Broadway / Chicago - October 8, 2006 FORMAT: MP4 (SD) | TRADER'S NOTES: PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST. Working on uploading :) CAST: Stephanie J Block (Grace (Gráinne) O'Malley), Linda Balgord (Queen Elizabeth I), Hadley Fraser (Tiernan), Marcus Chait (Donal O'Flaherty), Jeff McCarthy (Dubhdara), William Youmans (Sir Richard Bingham) The Play That Goes Wrong - Broadway - May, 2018 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Mark Evans (Chris Bean), Preston Truman Boyd (Robert Grove), Jonathan Fielding (Jonathan Harris), Amelia McClain (Sandra Wilkinson), Alex Mandell (Max Bennett), Harrison Unger (Dennis Tyde), Ashley Bryant (Annie Twilliol), Akron Watson (Trevor Watson) NOTES: (not Master's notes) Beginning from pre-show where the comedy 'bit' of the set breaking starts. Throughout, very clearly shot with no obstructions, in a mixture of wides and closes, following the action well. I think it's shot from the front of the circle. Once or twice the camera falls but never during key moments, and is quickly fixed. No long blackouts. Audience energy is great. The Play That Goes Wrong - West End (Duchess Theatre) - March, 2020 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT: MTS CAST: Ross Green (Chris Bean), Tom Bulpett (s/b Robert Grove), James Watterson (e/c Jonathan Harris), Ellie Morris (Sandra Wilkinson), Milo Clarke (Max Bennett), Michael Keene (Dennis Tyde), Leah Penston (s/b Annie Twilliol), Blayar Benn (Trevor Watson) Pokémon Live! - First National Tour - December 30, 2000 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT: MP4 (SD) CAST: Dominic Nolfi (Ash Ketchum), Heidi Michelle Weyhmueller (Misty), Dennis Kenney (Brock), Darren Dunstan (Giovanni), Lauren Kling (Jessie), Andrew Rannells (James), Dee Roscioli (Delia Ketchum), Patrick Frankfort (Professor Oak), Jennifer Risser (Pikachu), Kathleen Roche (Meowth), Leah Smith (Psyduck), Shaun Bradley (Mewtwo), Leah Smith (Jigglypuff), Natalie Weld (Nurse Joy), Suzanne Wogisch (Officer Jenny), Sinclair Mitchell (Dexter) NOTES: HOUSE-CAM and soundboard. Shot from the back of the theatre with some washout. Upgraded file with audience heads cut out and cropped image retaining all action Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience - Off-Broadway - May 23, 2012 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner NOTES: All seven Harry Potter books condensed into seventy minutes. Full/mid stage shot. Pretty Woman: The Musical - Broadway - January 16, 2019 FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Samantha Barks (Vivian Ward), Adam Pascal (t/r Edward Lewis), Jennifer Sanchez (u/s Kit De Luca) NOTES: A lot of washout. Wide shot. Shot from the mez. Pretty Woman: The Musical - Broadway - February, 2019 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Samantha Barks (Vivian Ward), Adam Pascal (Edward Lewis), Eric Anderson (Mr. Thompson/Happy Man), Jason Danieley (Philip Stuckey), Kingsley Leggs (James Morse), Orfeh (Kit De Luca), Tommy Bracco (Giulio) NOTES: (not Master notes) Seems a fantastic capture of the show. Virtually no dropouts, obstructions and spotlight washout. Filmed more centre than the preview recording by the same master; mix of wides, mediums and some closeups; very good capture of the sets and actor choreography. Both are worth watching. Pretty Woman: The Musical - Broadway - July, 2018 (Preview) (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Samantha Barks (Vivian Ward), Andy Karl (Edward Lewis), Eric Anderson (Mr. Thompson/Happy Man), Jason Danieley (Philip Stuckey), Ezra Knight (James Morse), Orfeh (Kit De Luca), Allison Blackwell (Violetta), Tommy Bracco (Giulio), Brian Cali (Fred/Alfredo), Robby Clater (David Morse), Anna Eilinsfeld (Susan/Scarlett) NOTES: (not Master notes) Seems a fantastic capture of the show. Virtually no dropouts or obstructions. More spotlight washout than the Feb 2019 recording by the same master, but it's very minimal. Filmed at slight angle and with more closeups compared to the other recording. Very good capture of the actors' expressions. Both are worth watching. Pretty Woman: The Musical - Hamburg - September 25, 2019 (Preview) (Rumpel's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Patricia Meeden (Vivian Ward), Mark Seibert (Edward Lewis), Paul Kribbe (Mr. Thompson/Happy Man), Nigel Casey (Philip Stuckey), Frank Logemann (James Morse), Maricel (Kit De Luca) Pretty Woman: The Musical - Pre-Broadway/Chicago - April 13, 2018 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Samantha Barks (Vivian Ward), Steve Kazee (Edward Lewis), Eric Anderson (Mr. Thompson/Happy Man), Jason Danieley (Philip Stuckey), Kingsley Leggs (James Morse), Orfeh (Kit De Luca) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the PreBroadway production. This includes Steve as Edward before he left the production prior to Broadway. Such a fun show with terrific performances and a rare glimpse of Steve in the role! A Pride and Prejudice - TheatreWorks Silicon Valley - December, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Mary Mattison (Elizabeth Bennet), Sharon Rietkerk (Jane Bennet), Justin Mortelliti (Fitzwilliam Darcy), Travis Leland (Charles Bingley), Monique Hafen (Caroline Bingley) NOTES: Streamed by TheaterMania on April 10, 2020. Hosted by Julie James, Laura Osnes, and Beth Leavel. The Prince of Egypt - West End - March 5, 2020 (BwaytoWestEnd's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Alexia Khadime (Miriam), Christine Allado (Tzipporah), Gary Wilmot (Jethro), Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron), Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Queen Tuya), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Mercedesz Csampai (Yocheved) NOTES: Approx 12 gb stageshot filmed from stalls. Audio is awful most of the time. Master of this is BwaytoWestEnd The Prince of Egypt - West End - February, 2020 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Alexia Khadime (Miriam), Christine Allado (Tzipporah), Gary Wilmot (Jethro), Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron), Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Queen Tuya), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Mercedesz Csampai (Yocheved), Iman Pabani (Young Miriam/Leah/Young Hebrew Girl), Leo Babet (Young Aaron/Young Egyptian Boy/Young Midian Boy) NOTES: This video is never to be publicly shared on YouTube, tumblr, Facebook, Stage Dork etc. The Prince of Egypt - West End - February, 2020 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master)

FORMAT: video CAST: Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Alexia Khadime (Miriam), Christine Allado (Tzipporah), Gary Wilmot (Jethro), Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron), Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Queen Tuya), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Mercedesz Csampai (Yocheved), Iman Pabani (Young Miriam/Leah/Young Hebrew Girl), Leo Babet (Young Aaron/Young Egyptian Boy/Young Midian Boy) NOTES: This video is never to be publicly shared on YouTube, tumblr, Facebook, Stage Dork etc. The Producers - Hollywood Bowl - July 28, 2012 FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Richard Kind (Max Bialystock), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Leo Bloom), Gary Beach (Roger De Bris), Roger Bart (Carmen Ghia), Rebecca Romijn (Ulla), Dane Cook (Franz Liebkind) NOTES: Excellent capture of this year's Hollywood Bowl production. Action is followed well with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. The first minute of the show is missing, and the next few minutes are a bit shaky with scattered blackouts, but after "The King of Broadway" it settles and the majority of the show is captured nicely. SPOILER: Before "Keep It Gay" started, when Roger says "What's the word?" someone from the audience shouted out "Gay" which sent the cast into a laughing fit. The Prom - Broadway - August 11, 2019 (Matinee) (Closing Night) (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Caitlin Kinnunen (Emma Nolan), Brooks Ashmanskas (Barry Glickman), Isabelle McCalla (Alyssa Greene), Beth Leavel (Dee Dee Allen), Christopher Sieber (Trent Oliver), Michael Genet (Mr. Hawkins), Angie Schworer (Angie), Courtenay Collins (Mrs. Greene), Josh Lamon (Sheldon Saperstein), Becca Lee (Kaylee), Kalyn West (Shelby), Teddy Toye (Nick), Josh Franklin (Motel Clerk), Drew Redington (Kevin), Courtney Balan (Olivia Keating), Anthony Norman, Brittany Conigatti, Fernell Hogan, Jack Sippel, Jerusha Cavazos, Joomin Hwang, Mary Antonini, Shelby Finnie, Sheldon Henry, Vasthy Mompoint NOTES: Gift upon request. Unobstructed closing performance with the full cast! Starts in the beginning of "Changing Lives" and is a little washed out. For whatever reason my camera was mad at me and didn't want to focus in the beginning of Act One. It warmed up and got better, and to be honest I opted for wider shots because everyone was doing crazy things and I didn't want to miss anything. I stood up for all but one of the standing ovations and when I did so I have no idea what my camera did or what it was looking at. I would say sorry but it wouldn't be true. I'm just so damn proud of all of these people. Please do not post this bootleg publicly! The Prom - Broadway - February, 2019 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Caitlin Kinnunen (Emma Nolan), Josh Lamon (u/s Barry Glickman), Isabelle McCalla (Alyssa Greene), Beth Leavel (Dee Dee Allen), Christopher Sieber (Trent Oliver), Michael Genet (Mr. Hawkins), Angie Schworer (Angie), Courtenay Collins (Mrs. Greene), David Josefsberg (u/s Sheldon Saperstein) NOTES: Excellent capture! Josh mistakenly mentions Alyssa in 'Tonight Belongs to You' despite not being meant to know her name at this point. The last three minutes of the show are from a different performance, during previews, with Brooks Ashmanskas as Barry and Josh Lamon as Sheldon, but it is a full video in total. The Prom - Broadway - March, 2019 (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT: MP4 (HD) CAST: Gabi Campo (u/s Emma Nolan), Brooks Ashmanskas (Barry Glickman), Isabelle McCalla (Alyssa Greene), Beth Leavel (Dee Dee Allen), Christopher Sieber (Trent Oliver), Michael Potts (Mr. Hawkins), Angie Schworer (Angie), Courtenay Collins (Mrs. Greene), David Josefsberg (u/s Sheldon Saperstein), Becca Lee (Kaylee), Susie Carroll (s/w Shelby), Teddy Toye (Nick), Drew Redington (Kevin), Courtney Balan (Olivia Keating) NOTES: This video starts at "Dance With You" and is super focused on Gabi. There are less heads in this than most of my videos and a railing that gets in the way occasionally, but they were mostly worked around. The cast as a whole is doing top notch work, though at times you can tell that Brooks and Izzy are just back from being sick. Overall this is a really great video of one of my favorite shows, and I'm really proud of myself for containing my crying at the end of act one. The Prom - Pre-Broadway / Atlanta - September 17, 2016 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT: VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Caitlin Kinnunen (Emma Nolan), Brooks Ashmanskas (Barry Glickman), Anna Grace Barlow (Alyssa Greene), Beth Leavel (Dee Dee Allen), Christopher Sieber (Trent Oliver), Martin Moran (Mr. Hawkins), Angie Schworer (Angie), Josh Lamon (Sheldon Saperstein) NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the Pre-Broadway tryout. A really touching and funny new musical, led by a hilarious cast of Broadway veterans. A perfect mix of comedy and drama.

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alex6186 · 5 years

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My MCM aka Movie Crush Monday a black cinema & cult classic THE LAST DRAGON. Back then was the most underrated movie, now the most popular Kung fu film in the world.

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Leroy Green (Taimak), a young martial artist living in New York City, trains tirelessly to attain the same level of mastery as the great Bruce Lee. One night, his life changes forever when he rescues television personality Laura Charles (Vanity) from evil businessman Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney). Impressed by Leroy's bravery, Laura falls for Leroy -- but to keep her safe, he will have to defeat a gang leader named Sho'nuff (Julius J. Carry III), the self-styled Shogun of Harlem.

#MYMCM #MCM #MovieCrushMonday #AJBMCM #TheLastDragon #Vanity #kungfu #cultclassic #blackcimena #Tiamak #JuliusCarry #faithPrince #mikeStarr #LeoOBrien #JimMoody #ErnieReyesJr #KeshiaKnightPulliam #LouisVenosta #JamesContner #barrygordysthelastdragon #BarryGordy #MicaelSchultz #kungfumovie #denisematthews #ripvanity #ripdenisematthews

#my mcm #mcm #movie crush monday #the last dragon #vanity #julius carry #faith prince #mike starr #ernie reyes jr #keshia knight pulliam #barry gordy

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jokeronthesofa · 5 years

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Netflix Review - The Last Dragon: Cocaine Makes a Hell of a Film

Netflix Review - The Last Dragon: Cocaine Makes a Hell of a Film Happy New Year! Let's start the year off right with a review of one of the most insanely awesome creations of mankind: The Last Dragon. #TheLastDragon @Netflix #Shonuff

Before I start, several people related to this film died from drug-related illnesses, including Vanity. If you or anyone you know has substance abuse problems, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s hotline (https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline) at 1-800-662-HELP. Thank you.

Now that I’ve done my due diligence, I’m going to spend the next 30…

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#Berry Gordy #Chris Murney #Ernie Reyes Jr #Faith Prince #Glen Eaton #Julius J. Carry III #Leo O&039;Brien #Mike Starr #Netflix #Netflix Review #Sho&039;nuff #Sho&039;nuff the Shogun of Harlem #Taimak #The Last Dragon #Thomas Ikeda #Vanity

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disappointingyet · 3 years

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The Last Dragon

Director Michael Schultz Stars Taimak, Vanity, Leo O’Brien USA 1985 Language English 1hr 47mins Colour

Hang on, Motown made a 1980s kung-fu flick?

That’s right: as the credits announce, this is ‘Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon’. The man who had reigned over Hitsville USA had decided the way to stay relevant in the 1980s was with a movie that transplanted a bunch of martial arts cliches to New York City and blended them with a music biz storyline, complete with a guest appearance from Motown’s bright young hopes DeBarge. Directed by the guy who had just made Krush Groove and starring a complete unknown alongside Prince’s ex Vanity. And while grumpy critics might watch this film and see an inept mess with lousy fight scenes and worse music, it made a bunch of money at the time and – judging by its respectable 6.9 user score on IMDB – has a lot of stubborn fans to this day.

It goes something like this: 1) Leroy Green (Taimak) is told by his martial-arts instructor that there’s nothing more he can teach him, and the young man will have seek another master to take him to the next level. So Leroy wanders around Chinatown in search of his new guide. Leroy is the kind of innocent you sometimes get in kung-fu movies – maybe one who has been raised in a Buddhist monastery. Leroy indeed walks around NYC dressed as a (apparently fairly wealthy) Chinese peasant – but since he’s Harlem-born and bred, I spent a lot of time wondering how he had survived high school. Maybe that’s why he became so good at kung-fu?

2) Local bad guy Sho’nuff (Julius Carry) – who dresses in the post-apocalyptic manner of a member of the Soul Sonic Force – is determined to get Leroy to fight him. But Leroy, being pure of heart, will only fight to protect others. Sho, naturally, is not to going to give up…

3) Gangster Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney) wants to get his talentless girlfriend’s pop video played on a TV show hosted by singer Laura Charles (Vanity), and is quite happy to use kidnapping and torture to make that happen. 4) Laura’s biggest fan, who genuinely seems to believe he has a shot with her even though he is only 14, is Leroy’s brother Richie (Leo O’Brien). Richie believes that he is as worldy as his brother is clueless.

I was going to say you can guess where this is going, but guessing suggests your mind would be working much harder than it needs. You’ll know what’s going to happen next. Which doesn’t have to be a problem. And the lack of acting experience in the main cast also didn’t necessary need to be a problem – if the fight scenes had been great. But they are not, they just look clumsy, which is probably more to do with the way they were filmed than the quality of the fighters. And that’s made much worse because we get two long scenes in which the characters (and us) are watching the Bruce Lee classics Enter The Dragon and Fists Of Fury. Which seems to invite the audience to go, ‘Oh, that’s how this should be done.’

Taimak had never acted before, which is fairly obvious. Vanity is fine, given a barely written part. Leo O’Brien* is basically doing an approximation of Gary Coleman’s schtick. On top of which, his dialogue is packed with racial slurs aimed at his brother – ‘chocolate-covered yellow peril’ just being one. Charming. At least Curry as Sho’nuff is giving it full ham. And William H Macy pops up in one scene and is very much himself, so that’s fun.

A lot of the time this feels like a kids movie – Arkadian’s lair is like something off of LazyTown – but there is some swearing and characters smoking weed, as well as some nasty weapons used by Leroy, which doesn’t make sense with his character at all. But I guess that would please the nine-year-olds this movie seems to have been aimed at – and who presumably grew up to be the people who love it still.

*RIP Vanity, O’Brien and Curry – that’s a big chunk of the cast who died too young.

This is part of my ‘Every girl should be given an electric guitar on her 16th birthday’ series of reviews about early/mid 1980s movies

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doomonfilm · 5 years

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Thoughts : The Last Dragon (1985)

The 1980s were a magic time for movies. It seems like most any premise you could come up with would fly if you were able to finance it, and due to this energy, we were given a ton of obscure films that have gained iconic and cult status. Fans of most any genre can find a bit of weirdo gold from the 1980s, and fans of martial arts and/or exploitation films have a sure shot favorite that has gained popularity as the years go by : Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon.

Leroy Green (Taimak), known by the residents of New York City as Bruce Leroy, is furiously dedicated to his martial arts training in hopes of reaching levels of skill similar to his idol Bruce Lee. After passing his Master’s (Thomas Ikeda) final test, Leroy is sent out into the world to complete his training and fulfill his destiny, but due to his hesitant nature, he is challenged to seek a new master in the form of Sum Dum Goy, to whom he is supposed to give an ancient relic that once belonged to Bruce Lee in hopes of achieving the mystical and all powerful skill known as The Glow. Meanwhile, Sho’nuff (Julis J Carry III), The Shogun of Harlem, sees Leroy as an obstacle to his supremacy of New York City, and with his gang in tow, he feverishly seeks Leroy in hopes of defeating him in combat and becoming the true master. While this struggle takes place, arcade mogul Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney) is hoping to branch out into the entertainment industry, and in an attempt to do so, he decides to strong arm local celebrity, DJ and host of the hit show 7th Heaven, the VJ Laura Charles (Vanity). Leroy defends her from her attackers, making him the apple of Laura’s eye and the source of Arkadian’s ire. With multiple people seeking vengeance as he seeks spiritual and physical enlightenment, Leroy is forced to face the biggest challenge of his life.

On paper, this movie should come off as a complete comedic farce, and a satire of both martial arts and exploitation films. For some reason, be it the actors’ committal to their roles, or just those intangibles you cannot account for, this film satisfies as both a martial arts exploitation film and a slice of 1980s ridiculousness, and the dated nature of the film does little to nothing to the enjoyment factor. Bruce Leroy’s journey of personal enlightenment, Sho’nuff’s quest for dominance and Eddie Arkadian’s delusions of grandeur provide a triangle of motivations that reveal a rich tapestry of conflict as their paths continue to cross, sometimes due to pure happenstance. Juxtaposing Bruce Leroy’s respect for his discipline against Sho’nuff’s cartoonish portrayal allows the movie to be both respectable to martial arts on the whole, while mocking those who do not take it seriously.

Motown’s involvement in the film gives the entire proceeding the energy of a musical film, or a long-form music video with a narrative between the musical pauses. This also allows them to do what they do best when it comes to the love story aspects, utilizing the techniques they honed in on in films like Mahogany to balance out the martial arts aspects. Placing the film in 1980s New York was not only a good choice for the time, but one that has stayed aesthetically pleasing as the years go by due to the mark that New York left on world culture that lasts to this day.

The costuming in this film is amazing, be it the tons of 1980s fashion and hairstyling, Sho’nuff’s crazy Shogun-inspired getups, or Bruce Leroy’s versions of Bruce Lee’s iconic outfits. The pre-Hip-Hop era (at least commercially) this film lands in allows R&B to rule, with many of the day’s bigger artist given soundtrack and music video placement throughout the movie, as well as a few jokes at the expense of musicians on the Motown roster. The character dynamics and relationships are palatable and numerous, be it Bruce and his brother, he and Laura Charles, he and his students, Eddie Arkadian and Angela’s unhealthy relationship, or even the way Eddie uses Rock to get what he wants. It is clear that the fight choreography takes itself seriously enough to not mock martial arts on the whole, but a handful of the performers bring very dynamic and high energy moves to the table. The balance of score and soundtrack works quite well, leaving a truly lasting impression.

Taimak is the anchor of honor and dignity, grounding the film and giving the audience a character to relate to and cheer for. Vanity exudes a sexiness and desirable quality that, decades later, still makes her performance iconic. Julies J. Carry III’s dedication to making Sho’nuff over the top blasts off the screen, making him an instantly iconic cult character. Chris Murney also brings an absolute dedication to his rule as a two-bit boss, with the perfect set of flunkies cast in Mike Starr and Faith Prince. Leo O’Brien and his youthful energy bring a modern-day connection and aesthetic to the film. Glen Eaton shows comedic and athletic chops, as well as tons of personality, in his few appearances. Jim Moody and Thomas Ikeda provide fatherly guidance from two different worlds to Bruce Leroy’s character. The tons of cameos in this film from people who would go on to star in TV shows andfilms is crazy, including Ernie Reyes Jr., Keshia Knight Pulliam, Chazz Palminteri, William H. Macy and Carl Anthony Payne II.

The joy that Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon brings me is seemingly endless. It’s one of those films that is guaranteed to get viewed if I stumble across it, I often reference it jokingly in conversation, and Busta Rhymes even famously adorned the Sho’nuff costuming for one of his music videos. If you’ve not seen this film, do yourself a favor and seek out a viewing, and I guarantee at the least that you will not be bored.

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mrsdawg4908 · 2 years

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https://youtu.be/Z7Crt4S1IZM

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justbeingsincere · 6 years

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#datenight with #bae Leroy Green (Taimak), a young martial artist living in New York City, trains tirelessly to attain the same level of mastery as the great Bruce Lee. One night, his life changes forever when he rescues television personality Laura Charles (Vanity) from evil businessman Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney). Impressed by Leroy's bravery, Laura falls for Leroy -- but to keep her safe, he will have to defeat a gang leader named Sho'nuff (Julius J. Carry III), the self-styled Shogun of Harlem. #netflix #shonuff #hesgothatglow #bruceleroy #vanity (at Harlem) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrJaCIslIg8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vcd65ygg7sfo

#datenight #bae #netflix #shonuff #hesgothatglow #bruceleroy #vanity

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juliaeffingmurney · 3 years

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Happy Birthday Julia!

It’s Julia’s birthday today and we’re giving you some gifts. Below is a link to every interview, clip, and podcast we could find from the last year. Enjoy and reblog/let us know if there’s any we missed.

FILM APPEARANCES:

Big Time Adolescence (Hulu) First One In (Prime) Boy*Friends pilot (YouTube, 18+)

YOUTUBE:

Broadway Nosh (capture of IG Live) Broadway Playlist Suggestions Face to Face Feminist Cocktail Hour #65 Good Morning Tonight Slumber Party Live Stars in the House: A Coven of Elphabas (w/ Eden Espinosa, Brandi Massey, and Jessica Vosk) Stars in the House: Hair Reunion (w/ Adam Pascal, Lillias White and Annie Golden) Stars in the House: Seth's Favorite Broadway Stories (w/ Camryn Manheim, Paul Castree, and Chris Fitzgerald) The 5:30 Quarantini Virtual Halston (w/Julie Halston and Jen Cody) Something Good: 92nd St Y Lyrics and Lyricists.

INSTAGRAM:

Interview w/Seth Herzog Stage Door Medium Theatre Camp Live

(These two are from a rather niche, but very honest interview) SU Black Box Players 1 SU Black Box Players 2

PODCAST: E Ticket to Broadway

BROADWAY WORLD:

Backstage Live (w/Richard Ridge and Andrew Lippa) Julia Murney Word Search

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spryfilm · 6 years

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“Ken Burns’ The Civil War” (1990)

TV Series/Documentary

Episodes: Nine

Created by: Ken Burns

Featuring: David,McCullough, Sam Waterston, Julie Harris, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Kellor, Athur Miller, and many more

Abraham Lincoln: “As a nation, we began by declaring that “All men are created equal.” We now practically read it, “All men are created equal, except Negroes.” Soon, it will read “All men are created equal, except Negroes, and Foreigners and Catholics.” When it comes to this, I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty. To Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”

If you don’t know who Ken Burns is then you are missing out on an entire genre of television documentaries that are all almost second to none. It used to be that Burns (with partner Novak) used to produce the very best long form documentaries but with the advent of reality television, binge watching, crime shows and many other innovations as well as new formats Burns style has suffered from comparison whilst bordering on nostalgic. What is interesting is that this series only borders on the nostalgic but never crosses the line, which in itself is a gift that Burns exploits in all of his documentaries.

In fact “The Civil War” was to be not only the first of Burns’ epic television documentaries that would capture the imagination of a welcoming television audience, it also forms what is, in my mind, one of the cornerstones of his selection of masterpieces that follow and include; Baseball” (1994), The West (1996), Jazz (2001) and The War (2007). This was the first time that Burns; inimitable style as well as the way in which he would illustrate facts came to the fore; it instantly made him an authentic documentarian as well as master showman, unrivalled in his chose medium. When this series was screened on PBS in the US it had a then record viewership for PBS of over 40 million viewers.

In creating the documentary regarding the American Civil War (1861-65), Burns is innovative in a variety of ways; these innovations would become his trademark. First is his emphasis on personal journals rather than the nuts and bolts of battle strategies as well as the dry politics of the day. There is little use of interviews with academics, instead we are given personal journeys of those actually there, in letters written on the battlefield by soldiers on both sides, in diaries kept by Mary Chesnut, the wife of a Confederate officer, by newspaper columnists, abolitionists, escaped slaves, poets, generals, and presidents. Their intimate expressions of hopelessness, exhilaration, exhaustion, terror, confusion, repulsion, and just about every other emotion you can imagine vividly brings this age to life.

Over the course of nine episodes, viewers become as intimately acquainted with Mary Chesnut (voiced by Julie Harris), ordinary Confederate soldier Sam Watkins (Charley McDowell), and Union private Elisha Hunt Rhodes (Chris Murney) as they do with Abraham Lincoln (Sam Waterston), Ulysses S. Grant (Jason Robards), and Robert E. Lee (George Black). The ingenious mix of voice talent also includes Morgan Freeman (as Frederick Douglass), Arthur Miller (as William Tecumseh Sherman) and, in various roles, Colleen Dewhurst, Ronnie Gilbert, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, Kurt Vonnegut, Laurence Fishburne, Pamela Reed, and M. Emmet Walsh.

The Civil War doesn’t attempt to document every minor skirmish, though it is obsessed with little details about daily life: the price of a barrel of flour, the food Union and Confederate soldiers ate in the field, the diseases that killed as many men as in battle. Most of all, it is obsessed with the human cost of war, expressed in the photograph’s by Matthew Brady.

The Civil War notices the many ironies of the war, and it frequently takes the time to pause and reflect upon the cost of war.

Episodes:

The Cause – Opening with a anecdote that sets the tone for the whole war, this episode also introduces some of the key players in the war without actually revealing who they are and the importance they will play. The beginnings of the war are shown to have come from slavery and how the south supported it and the north opposed it. The effect on the country is shown, from the attack at Fort Sumter to the 5,000 casualties that were the product of the battle at Manassas, Virginia.

A Very Bloody Affair – Opening with the writing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, this episode shows the immediate effects the start of a civil war had on the country. The political problems that Lincoln had to the technological advance in warfare with the introduction of ironclad ships and gatlin guns. More than just focusing on the battles, this episode focuses on what it was like being a soldier at this time and the amazing story of the young children that were enlisted in the armies.

Forever Free – Lincoln comes to his decision that slavery is necessary but wants to wait and issue the proclamation after a Union victory. The politics of war are explained as the South cuts cotton production to England and France. General Benjamin “The Beast” Butler is made infamous after his General Order No. 28 proclaims that women insulting any of his troops will be treated as ladies of the street. The episode closes with the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862.

Simply Murder – The episode starts off with a history of the rebel yell and then describes the mistakes that plagued the North. After a brief introduction describing more of the major players and events that would happen that year you learn more about the troubles facing the north. Despite their numbers, the North was often overwhelmed and the South too faced problems. Despite popular belief many northerners were against the Emancipation Proclamation. The highlight of the episode has to be section four where the food of the army is focused on. Worms seemingly infested every inch of food and drink. One soldier comments on the fact that the worms were easily skimmed off and they left no taste in the food. The episode ends with the death of Stonewall Jackson after losing his arm.

The Universe of Battle – The main focus of this episode is the Battle of Gettysburg. Over 150,000 men will fight in what will come to be known as the greatest battle fought on American soil. Ironically enough the battle was started by marching Confederate soldiers who were in search of shoes. Their March led them straight into the Union army. Interludes in the episode provide information on the role that black troops and women played in the war and ends with Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death – Like many of the episodes this one shines when it focuses on more than just the battles. The highlight of this disc is the exploration of the growth of hospitals. The largest hospitals had gardens, livestock and breweries. Poet Walt Whitman is profiles when his trip to find his wounded brother winds up involving him with the plight of the wounded soldiers. Appalled by the conditions he found, he stayed on and read the men poems and talked to many of them “providing a medicine that the doctors could not.” The harsh reality of the situation is conveyed with a slow procession of photos from an outdoor embalming session only accompanied only by the hot summer clicking of the insects often heard outdoors.

Most Hallowed Ground – With a focus on Lincoln’s political bid for reelection, this episode is a little slower than others. Interest in inserted with stories about spies for both sides and the important role that slaves played in that area. Black soldiers in the war face both a victory and a vicious defeat. They are elated when given equal pay and Nathan Bedford Forrest shocks many as he slaughters 300 black soldiers that surrendered. The episode ends with a look at the thousands killed and the creation of Arlington National Cemetery.

War Is All Hell – With only two episodes left, the series seemingly ends early with the events that lead to the surrender at Appomattox. General Sherman makes his famous march through the south, destroying all in his path. Slaves are freed and soldiers desert their units as the South begins to lose all hope of victory. After the formal surrender the episode ends on John Wilkes Booth.

The Better Angels of Our Nature – The surrender is revisited once again as the motive behind John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of Lincoln is explored. As a final look, the episode revisits most of the key players in the war. More than just generals and leaders are focused upon. Finally all the elements are brought together one last time with an examination of what the war meant to the nation.

“Ken Burns’ The Civil War” (1990) is available now on DVD & Blu-ray.

DVD & Blu-ray review: “Ken Burns’ The Civil War” (1990) “Ken Burns’ The Civil War” (1990) TV Series/Documentary Episodes: Nine Created by: Ken Burns Featuring: David,McCullough, Sam Waterston, Julie Harris, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Kellor, Athur Miller, and many more…

#blu-ray #bluray review #bluray reviews #civil war #documentary #documentary review #dvd #dvd review #DVD reviews #DVDReviews #ken burns #ken burns civil war #PBS

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