Film & Theatre Reviews

Friday November 9, 2018  “Breaking the Code”

“Breaking the Code” – a Catco production of a play written by Hugh Whitemore. According to Wikipedia, “Breaking the Code is a 1986 play by Hugh Whitemore about British mathematician Alan Turing, who was a key player in the breaking of the German Enigma code at Bletchley Park during World War II and a pioneer of computer science. The play thematically links Turing's cryptographic activities with his attempts to grapple with his homosexuality.”

Since my husband Andrew and I had visited Bletchley Park back in late July (having previously seen the PBS series, “Bletchley Circle” and having met local WWII vet, John Bergmann, who was a code breaker and one of Turing’s colleagues), we felt it was only fitting to see the play about Mr. Turing.

Although I had already learned quite a bit from visiting Bletchley Park and having seen the film, “The Imitation Game,” I still learned a few new things about Mr. Turning (like the fact that he lived in America briefly – in Princeton, NJ which was also where Albert Einstein resided, though I am unaware if the two actually met).

All in all, an excellent performance, and most timely for us, so I’m glad this was the play they chose to do for their autumn production.

Sunday November 11, 2018  “Liz and the Blue Bird"

Today Andrew and I drove to the (OSU) campus to see the film “Liz and the Blue Bird,” which is based on an anime series Andrew is a fan of, though you don’t have to have seen the series to be able to follow the plot of the film.

“Mizore Yoroizuka plays the oboe, and Nozomi Kasaki plays the flute in Kita Uji High School concert band. As seniors, this will be their last competition together, and the selected piece "Liz and the Blue Bird" features a duet for the oboe and flute. "This piece reminds me of us." Nozomi says cheerfully, enjoying the solo, while Nozomi's usual happiness to play with Nozomi is tinged with the dread of their inevitable parting. By all accounts the girls are best friends, but the oboe and flute duet sounds disjointed, as if underscoring a growing distance between them. Talk of college creates a small rift in their relationship, as the story evolves to reveal a shocking and emotional conclusion.”

(above from Google)

This was a great movie. Like a lot of great anime, it was pretty to look at, the music was lovely, and the plot sentimental enough to not be too saccharine. I can honestly say I would be happy to see it again. If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli films, I can recommend this one to you.

Friday November 16, 2018  “Bohemian Rhapsody”

“I always knew I was a star.  And now the rest of the world seems to agree with me.”

-        --Freddie Mercury

After hearing so many positive reviews for this film and not wishing to wait and rent or stream it later, I finally convinced Andrew to come with me to see this much-liked Freddie Mercury biopic.  I was more than impressed as I can honestly say I was totally blown away by how much I enjoyed this film. Though I’m familiar with Queen, I didn’t know much about Freddie Mercury’s background, so I certainly learned a lot. Andrew and I had seen an interview with Rami Malek a few days before seeing the movie and learned that Malek wore a special mouthpiece to better replicate Mercury’s somewhat toothy grin. This was explained by Mercury who told his future bandmates he had four extra teeth, “which means more range,” a claim which he more than proved in his phenomenal performances over the years.

Reviewers rave about the scene recreating Queen’s performance at Live Aid, which is all the more poignant when you consider Mercury had only recently been diagnosed with Aids, so this was one of his last few concert performances.

After we got home we did what I’m sure many other fans did, which was to go online and watch the real concert footage from “Live Aid,” which was quite nostalgic. I was 15 when Live Aid aired, and I honestly have very little recollection of it. Though I always listened to the radio and liked music, I never worshipped musicians like most other teenagers do (like my friend Romy who liked Bon Jovi or my friend Debbie who was a fan of Duran Duran). If I could go back in time I would tell my teenage self to tune in and watch at least some of it (then in about 4 years time be sure to watch the Berlin Wall come down).