Double Feature: “White House Down” and “Monsters University”

One of my favorite things to do on a hot summer day is see a double feature at a movie theater. I often see two films that coincide time-wise and that I like. They usually have nothing in common which makes it fun: “Crank” and “the Illusionist” is a past example of this idea.

Recently, I caught two summer movies on the same day. What follows is a brief review of each:

“White House Down”-In this action movie about a White House siege, John Cale (Channing Tatum) is a Capitol Policeman for the federal government who hopes to join the Secret Service. After an interview with Special Agent Carol Finnerty (Maggie Gyllenhaal), he gets the news that this is not going to be possible. To gain favor with his daughter, he brings her along that day and takes a tour of the White House with her.  During the tour, chaos ensues in the form of a militant attack. To figure out who is behind this takeover, Cale has to use his training to protect President Sawyer (Jamie Foxx) while keeping in mind his daughter is being used as leverage.

My Verdict: This movie is a victim of Hollywood’s recycled plot ideas. No one bases this on its own merit; they compare it to the earlier 2013 film “Olympus has Fallen”.  As for me, I judge it as an action movie that interjects humor amongst tense situations. Jamie Foxx is great as President Sawyer, and plays well against Channing Tatum’s John Cale. Tatum himself carries the action sequences well as John Cale. Other actors worth noting for their performances are James Woods (Agent Martin Walker), Jimmi Simpson (Tyler), and Richard Jenkinson (Eli Raphelson). (5.5 out of 10)

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“Monsters University”-This Pixar movie is an animated feature adults can enjoy as much as the kids. I see this story as “When Mike Met Sully”: the two “Monsters Inc.” team members meet up at Monsters University as rivals with a similar major: Scaring. They are opposites as Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) has the intellect and James P. Sullivan (voiced by John Goodman) has a legacy and presence that makes him popular.  Circumstances compel them to join forces with a lowly regarded campus fraternity- Oozma Kappa.  Through a series of Monsters University campus games, they face the issue of how to fit in at an academic institution.

My Verdict: In the past, Pixar has made you care about the emotional bond between a boy and his toys, and have shown that cars can carry more than just cargo.  In this prequel to “Monsters Inc.”, viewers see familiar characters Mike and Sully as college students with a self-assurance that gets quickly grounded to reality. The common higher education experience is oddly reflected in the characters’ journey.  I appreciate a good animated feature that tells a story, and “Monsters University” did just that. (7 out of 10)

*I want to credit the sources for my blog: www.whitehousedown.com/site, and www.imdb.com

Barnes and Noble June Events: 2012 “Annie” Broadway Cast CD Signing

On June 18^th, 2013, the cast and creators of the 2012 revival of “Annie” were at the 54^th Street and 3^rd Avenue Barnes and Noble to promote the recent release of the Broadway show’s soundtrack. The classic musical retains its charm and universal appeal through the songs that keep even a home listener in good spirits.

As the popular song “Tomorrow” would say, the sun did come out for this signing. The CD was purchased at the cash registers on the first floor of the store. Fans attending the event were directed up the escalator to the second floor. Right around the corner from the escalator was the line that was forming amongst the aisles of cookbooks. The crowd was around the corner by 11:13am, and would grow as the signing drew near.  Store employees asked to see the receipt to verify the location purchase as well as assisted in removing the plastic wrap on the CD. Everyone was told to remove the booklet inside for the event.

The cast and creators would begin appearing by 12 noon. Lilla Crawford (Annie) walked by the line with Broadway.com cameras and asked people to wave before reconvening with those scheduled to be at the event. Shortly after 12:50pm, the cast and creators emerged to start the signing and take pictures for the various photographers gathered.  The crowd was greeted warmly by the cast and creators as they got the booklets signed. Photographers selected some fans to show off their autographed CDs, and then it was across the room to the exit of the event, where a member of the show’s production was there to personally thank you for buying the album.

That said, I want to thank the actors and creators by name for the theater experience they introduce every audience to in their show “Annie”: 

(From far end of table to front of shot)Madi Rae DiPietro (July); Emily Rosenfeld (Molly);Tyrah Skye Odoms (Kate);Georgi  James  (Pepper)

(From right to left) Brynn O’Malley (Grace Farrell); Clarke Thorell (Rooster Hannigan)

(From right to left) Charles Strouse (the show’s music); Martin Charnin (the show’s lyrics); Thomas Meehan (the show’s book)

Lilla Crawford (Annie)

 Jane Lynch (Miss Hannigan)

Thomas Z. Shepard (who produced the cast recording)-not pictured

*I would like to credit the sources for their useful information:  www.anniethemusical/cast_and_creative    for character information, and Annie the Musical ’s Facebook page that supplied me with the names of those that signed autographs that day.

*All photos were taken by me and are my property.