Musicals Monday

One of the more "racy" musicals, Chicago has also been a favorite since I saw the Academy-Award winning movie with Richard Gere, Renee Zellwegger, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in 2002 (Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Best Actress Nomiee, Renee Zelwegger; Golden Globe for Best Actor, Richard Gere). 

Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago.  The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal". The musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes she reported on.  

Murderesses Velma Kelly (a chanteuse and tease who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together) and Roxie Hart (who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star) find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.

One of my favorite songs from this musical is "We Both Reached for the Gun".  Billy Flynn, the lawyer with a perfect record, takes on a ventrilliquist roll to keep Roxie from saying anything she shouldn't.  Not only is the song fun, but I love the choreography.  The characters really look like puppets!

I also enjoy when we find that movie stars can actually sing.  Richard Gere is awesome, and while you won't see her here, Catherine Zeta-Jones is amazing!

Star Wars Saturday

Usually I'm not a big fan of YouTube videos that have kids, or animals in them.  However, I found this a few weeks ago and couldn't stop laughing.  A three year old gives us her version of Star Wars:  A New Hope

YouTube Friday!

As promised, the 2nd season gag reel from Friends.  I wonder how they managed to ever get an episode taped in one week.  I would've loved to have been in the audience...how fun! (Beth, this one is for you!!)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Zero Tolerance

Yesterday, a second grader threatened to stab his teacher in the hand with a pencil.  He also told her that he hoped it would hurt.  Coming from California, this is not a big deal to me.  I've heard stories about teachers having their lives threatened by students.  So a potential pencil stabbing just isn't high on my "terrorist watch" list!

What DID surprise me was the reaction from the school.  The student was suspended, and there's talk of possible explusion.

When I heard this, I almost fell over.  For months I dealt with a student who had threatened the lives of teachers multiple times, had been violent with them, and NOTHING HAPPENED TO HIM.  He would be suspended for a day and come back the next continuing his horrible habits. 

I was SO EXCITED to hear that I'm subbing in a school that takes threats seriously, that the principal won't stand for this behavior, acts quickly and takes a zero tolerance approach.  I can only imagine what would happen to this student if he threatened the life of a teacher!!!

Another HUGE difference between California and Utah....AND I LOVE IT!   

Who Sings It Better?

Today we take three versions of a classic Disney movie song and pit them against each other to determine who sings it better!

Beauty And The Beast is one of my favorite Disney movies.  I love how they finally came up with a heroine who was educated, independent, knew what she wanted, and was dressed appropriately for a female Disney character!  (Yes, Ariel, and Jasmine, I'm talking about the two of you!!) 

First up, the version by Angela Lansbury, featured in the movie during the groundbreaking dinner/dancing scene.

One thing I've always enjoyed about Disney is how they take the main song from the movie and have famous singers cover it to be released as a single and play it during the credits of the movie.  A very young Celine Dion, and Peabo Bryson covered this song for that purpose.

When Disney re-released the movie AGAIN this year for the "diamond" edition, they had another artist cover the beloved song.  Jordin Sparks became the voice for the new, "hip" version.

Which do I prefer?  Well, the version by Angela Lansbury works great for the movie.  Cute Mrs. Potts singing the song is just what the scene calls for.

Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson made the song famous.

And Jordin Sparks?  I'll leave it at that.

I prefer the version by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson.  Here's what I don't understand though.  Why does Disney take a classic, famous, popular song and have someone else cover it so many years later?  I can't stand Jordin Sparks version.  It's the stupid pop version that is too fast, and has no real emotion to it like the other two versions.

Stop messing with classic songs, Disney; even if they are yours to mess around with!!