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Betty Jo Tucker

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· Cinema Stanzas Two: Poet Laureate of the Movies

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· Paris Christmas Waltz Review and Film Poem

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· Twisters Review and Film Poem

· A Family Affair Review and Film Poem

· Jim Henson: Idea Man Review and Film Poem

· The Fall Guy Review and Film Poem

· Tony Shalhoub and Monk

· The Beekeeper Review and Film Poem

· The Beekeeper Review and Film Poem


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Hello Again: Review/Film Poem
by Betty Jo Tucker
Last edited: Friday, November 17, 2017
Posted: Friday, November 17, 2017



     


Missing Magic

As the world’s most avid movie musical fan, I’m always excited when a new one gets released. I usually enjoy watching the singing and dancing on screen, even if those two elements overpower the story. So, of course, I was looking forward to “Hello Again,” a film musical with a host of wonderful actors, including Audra McDonald, Martha Plimpton, Rumer Willis, Sam Underwood, T. R. Knight, Cheyenne Jackson and more. Unfortunately, this musical left me feeling very disappointed.


Directed by Tom Gustafson (Mariachi Gringo), the movie contains ten different segments, each one taking place in New York during a different time period. All of the vignettes boast a similar theme about sex, loneliness, longing and love experienced by a diverse group of couples living in the 1900s . Even though the theme is similar, this unusual motion picture comes across as disjointed. And there’s only one musical number from the entire movie that I felt like applauding. Unfortunately, wonderful five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald and her gorgeous rendition of “Beyond the Moon” could not save this musical adaptation of the acclaimed stage presentation written by Michael John La Chiusa.

 

Nevertheless, kudos to cinematographer Austin F. Schmidt (Hurricane Bianca) and costume designer Rebecca Luke (What Happened, Miss Simone?), for their artistry. Their work definitely helps create the feel and atmosphere of various time periods depicted in Hello Again. Plus, the production, art decoration and make-up crew members deserve recognition for a job well done.           

 

Musicals mean so much to me.

They’re magical for us to see.

“Hello Again” I’m sad to say

just did not make me feel that way.

 

Singing abounds by short and tall

while not much dance appears at all.

Ten vignettes deal with love and lust.

But most of them end up a bust.

 

It seems desire to have and hold

becomes the message to be told.

Actors sing their roles with ease

despite a plot that fails to please.

 

Still, Audra is a real standout.

Her blue moon bit deserves a shout!

I hate to write bad news and such.

But this film lacks that magic touch.

    

 

Life at best is bittersweet. --- Jack Kirby

 

Only the young and stupid are confident about sex and romance. --- Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for. --- Bob Marley

 

(Released by Screenvision. Not rated by MPAA.)

 

Web Site: ReelTalk Movie Reviews


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Reviewed by Ronald Hull
Reviewed on November 18, 2017
I believe this is the only bad review I've seen you write. I'm not a big fan of musicals and find myself switching channels when I start watching them on television. Even though I remember a lot of the great songs as well as their song and dance routines, I find the genre rather stilted when it comes to singing about something that requires only action.

Ron


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