I love being from Indiana. That’s not necessarily a popular opinion, but the fact is I enjoy my Midwestern roots. I think that’s why I find it so exciting when TV shows like Parks and Recreation and The Middle and various films decide to set their stories in my home state. Two prime examples are… Read more »
Tag: musicals
When Cole Porter Met William Shakespeare…
The Sound of Music. Singin’ in the Rain. The Wizard of Oz. Cabaret. When people talk about the best movie musicals, these are often the titles that you’ll hear. In my opinion, there is one glaring omission: 1953’s Kiss Me, Kate. A brilliant mixture of William Shakespeare and Cole Porter, Kiss Me, Kate first opened… Read more »
The Exquisite Esther Williams
Guest post by Michaela Owens. Let me start this by saying that it was a miracle I didn’t end up writing 10,000 words. When it comes to a woman named Esther Williams, I honestly can’t stop myself from blubbering. Strong, confident, funny, self-aware, and resilient, Esther Williams became an instant role model to me when… Read more »
Om Shanti Om: A Giddy Cinematic Ride
Guest post by Michaela Owens. Four years ago, I watched a film I never forgot. Every week for my musical theatre class, we would watch a range of musicals, from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes to Rent. I had heard of all of them, except for an export from Bollywood called Om Shanti Om. Only one person… Read more »
Jacques Demy in La La Land
When I was a freshman, I saw two Jacques Demy musicals at the IU Cinema. They were The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and The Young Girls of Rochefort. I saw them on Saturdays that were a week apart. My friends and I sat near the front both times, the better to absorb the spellbinding mixture of… Read more »
Beyond the Zombie Saga: Elvis Presley in 1960s Hollywood
Guest contributor Landon Palmer shares insights into the enduring appeal of Elvis Presley’s film career in anticipation of IU Cinema’s Elvis in Hollywood: Shaking Up the Silver Screen film series, which starts on Sunday. Throughout the 1960s, following his stint in the army, Elvis Presley’s career was devoted principally to performing in films and recording their… Read more »