Jazz, schmazz.

[mollyringle]

All right, I admit it: I'm just using this entry as an excuse to admire my new icon. Aren't they precious? Don't you think Sean and 'Lijah should consider the Goth look? (Also it amuses me because it looks strangely like an album cover by the Cure, circa 1982. "Angssty Hobbitses," the follow-up EP to "17 Seconds"...) (Sean's not quite as chubby as Robert Smith, though.)

So. 'Chicago' was the big winner at the S.A.G. awards last night. I keep thinking I should see it, because I liked 'Moulin Rouge' and it looks sort of similar, but I can't get excited about it. Deep down I know it's different. 'Moulin Rouge' was a big grandiose mix of music styles, all of them over-the-top romantic; the whole thing was bursting at the seams with...well...freedom, beauty, truth, and love, as they claimed. Despite my cynical exterior I have an alarmingly soft spot for plush, gorgeous romanticism. Meanwhile, 'Chicago' looks sort of hard and snobbish and sophisticated. And, more to the point, I don't like jazz. I mean, I REALLY don't like it. That would surely spoil my enjoyment of 'Chicago' just a tad.

In fact, I'd like to take this space to quote a monologue Bruce McCullough once performed on "Kids in the Hall." In Bruce's usual easygoing way, he said it best:

People say, "What do you hate about poor old Jazz?"

I say, "The sound. The sound that Jazz instruments make when they're being manipulated by Jazz players to the delight of Jazz respondents. I think of it as musical barf."

They say, "I don't think you've given Jazz a chance."

Well, I maintain, I haven't given suicide a chance, but... Well, I did give suicide a chance, but that was only because I was threatened with Jazz. You know. Jazz music.

One thing I hate is being woken up in the middle of the night, when I'm dreaming about, say, promiscuity with dignity, by a rap-tap-tappin' on my window by those guys with goatee things on their faces, saying, "Hey. Can we come in? Beano's clarinet's gettin' wet." And then they go into this sorta Gene Krupa trance. Jazz, schmazz. I'm sorry; I've got to go that far. Jazz, schmazz.

True, I haven't actually seen 'Chicago.' My little sister spent twenty minutes telling me the whole plot, though. I figure that's enough. Give me back my pretty soft-hearted boys in white shirts, and keep your jazz.

Comments

[pipu.livejournal.com]

I love the icon. Delishuosse....

I am also dreading Chicago, but I have to see it because Queen Latifah is in it. I keep thinking, 'well, maybe it won't be horrible, and I'll be pleasantly surprised.'


f

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thanks. ;)

Yeah, going in with low expectations may actually help. And Latifah has been pretty classy, in the interviews and appearances I've seen with her about it so far. She probably does a fine job.

[sweetfires.livejournal.com]

Jazz must die. I loath it. It's too discordant for me to relax and study to. *hiss*

[debellatrix.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't call the music for 'Chicago' jazz, I would say it's pretty classic Broadway. I'm not sure what they've done with the movie, but I've seen the stage play several times, what I would call 'Chicago' is cynical (it was written by Bob Fosse after all). It's about people's craving for fame - any kind of fame, which is pretty appropriate for these reality show saturated times. Actually Fosse based the story on a movie (and perhaps a play before that) called Roxy Hart (I think), Ginger Rogers played the lead. It was cute.

Interestingly, I would never have called 'Moulin Rouge' romantic, as much as I would call it surreal, but then I like the MGM cotton candy technicolor of the 40s and 50s.
*goes off to watch 'Kiss Me Kate'*

[bluekarma42.livejournal.com]

Hey!

I've been reading your journal since I first stumbled across one of your LOTR parodies (which are, by the way, absolutley brilliant).

Even though we have conflicting opinons about certian issues (Jazz, for example)I love reading your journal. ;) You're a damn good writer, to start, and you seem to have a wide variety of intrests and opinons. It's nice to see such a well rounded person posting on LJ.

Just a random little note. Keep up the writing! I definitely call myself a devoted fan.

~Kat

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thank you - it's good to hear the encouragement. :)

And I don't really think jazz is *all* bad. I make exceptions for nicely-performed torch songs.

[lush-rimbaud.livejournal.com]

*nods vigorously*

I don't have any particular issues with jazz, as such, but I really really did not like Chicago. I liked Moulin Rouge, and I think you're right that the difference is that MR is all sweet and romantic and truth-freedom-beauty-love, and Chicago is nothing if not incredibly cynical and nihilistic. And... eesh. Ugh. Did not like it.

/pointlessness.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Good to be vindicated by one who has actually seen both movies. :) I guess I might still rent Chicago someday and see what the fuss is about, but...yeah. Don't really appreciate films whose message is "people sure are corrupt." Apparently I prefer films with the message, "There's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for."

(As if I could get thru this without quoting LotR at some point.)

[versinae.livejournal.com]

I LOVE YOUR ICON! *has a gigantic fit of giggles, probably scaring roommate, again*

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Hehehe...thanks! Just goes to show, everyone looks better in eyeliner...

[oloriel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the angsssty hobbitses rule!

And jazz absolutely doesn't. And I couldn't care less for Chicago. I keep trying to tell me "well, they all say it's SO good so maybe you should give it a chance", but.. nah. I read the blurbs, and they don't sound like I'd like that movie. *sigh*
So hey - I'm with ya ;)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)
Yes, unfortunately, the movies that always win awards are seldom the movies I love best. Don't know why this is. Maybe I don't have much in common with the Hollywood elite. (Gee, there's a shocker.)

[juliebean.livejournal.com]

I don't think it necessarily follows that if you like one musical so you must like the other.

I haven't seen Chicago on film. I have seen it in London on stage - once. Not my favorite. On stage, I found it focused on the dance far more than the music or the plot. And of course, it's by Fosse, so that makes sense. There are a couple of tunes that do stay with you, and I wasn't sorry I went. I do intend to see the movie eventually.

Really, I'm just glad that musicals are making somewhat of a resurgence. It gives me hope that they might eventually film RENT.

One major difference between Moulin Rouge and Chicago is the glaring lack of a gorgeous Scottish boy. Let's have more of him. I'd see him sing in any movie.

And by the by, I'm with you. Can't stand Jazz. I will even go so far as to say that I don't understand it. I like music with a chorus or a bridge or at least a crescendo. I guess I'm pretty pedantic that way.

[kateelvellon.livejournal.com]

Hahaha I had to comment cause your icon made me laugh out loud!
That was our German teachers' favorite story to tell in undergrad ;)

Ich bin ein Berliner!

[juliebean.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they told that one in my German class, too! I'll bet most German teachers tell it. But the icon actually came from my Eddie Izzard community. He does a very funny routine that includes talking about that speech. If you haven't seen "Dress to Kill", I give it my highest recommendation!

Re: Ich bin ein Berliner!

[kateelvellon.livejournal.com]

Hmmm I shall have to find it. Sounds like something I would be most entertained by.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

One major difference between Moulin Rouge and Chicago is the glaring lack of a gorgeous Scottish boy.

Amen. I'd be happy - more than happy - to see Chicago if Ewan replaced Richard Gere. Just a bit biased that way...

Overall, I'm glad too that musicals are coming back. It requires actual talent to sing and dance - talent that I personally don't have, so it's all the more impressive to me when actors prove they can.

And I also love the "donut" icon. :D

[rachel2205.livejournal.com]

Cute icon, you silly lady, you :)

[kateelvellon.livejournal.com]

Now that is an icon!

[dorei.livejournal.com]

Like both hers and yours ... tho I have to admit I had to re-read your icon. I thought it said you have become better at "felching". Yikes!

Re:

[kateelvellon.livejournal.com]

Do you play EQ?

Re:

[dorei.livejournal.com]

I know of EQ, but I have never played it before.

[melieltathariel.livejournal.com]

I liked Chicago- but Moulin Rouge was much better. Your icon is very nice, yess it iss.

[cenire.livejournal.com]

I saw "Chicago," and it was okay, but I have to say I really preferred "Moulin Rouge." You've got the right idea. ;D

[ladydragonspaw.livejournal.com]

I have to say that... I didn't really like Moulin Rouge. Yes. I know I'm committing a royal sin... and probably misspelling it to boot. But... The movie was high flung and... It just never captured my emotions. I found it rather hard to watch with all the pomp that was needed to keep it going. And... to be harsh. I thought the whole of it rather silly. It might just be that both times I tried watching it, it was with people who had already seen it and it was in their homes... I saw Chicago in the theater, and yes it does have a darker undertone.. But it isn't so emphasized. The movie is quite grandiose... There was a part of the movie that made me sad because it pointed out that even the innocent among us are not safe.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

That's okay, no one's required to agree with me on this. :) (And you spelled it right.) Most of my family is on your side, as a matter of fact. They found Moulin Rouge too fast, too garish, too MTV (that was my mom, on the last one). And definitely there are parts that are silly, but I think that's part of what I admire about it: it's a wild mix of comedy and tragedy, which somehow seems to work. (For me, anyway.)

I'll probably still see Chicago someday - as a rental, say - and can give a fairer comparison then.

[ladydragonspaw.livejournal.com]

ah. good thinkin'! I've always been one to wait until the movie comes out on one of those movie cable channels. I mean... Why else does my mom pay for them??

[wildendeavour.livejournal.com]

Chicago was cool but Moulin Rouge was so much better. I like the number "All That Jazz" but hey, I am basically eclectic so I like most everything.

re: jazz

[raethe.livejournal.com]

Based on the responses to the jazz I've sent you over the years , I'd say the problem is more with post Miles Davis' Bitches Brew jazz. You know, jazz inflected noise that you have to be stoned, drunk, and/or tone deaf to understand/appreciate.

The vocal jazz has mostly been recieved well enough. Unless, of course, you were just humouring me. :P

Re: jazz

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I like a well-done torch song. :)

I just don't like brassy instrumentation/voices, and squealing clarinets, and yeah, that free-form nonsense. Also I think some of the stuff I dislike would go under "swing." Squirrel Nut Zippers drive me crazy (in a bad way), for instance. And Chicago looks like it contains some of that style.