Let a Ray Of Light And Thanks Wash Over You

Tags

Madonna, Ray of light

I’ve just been feeling so much love at the minute from everyone here and I wanted to express it. As it would be pages and pages to explain my gratitude, I thought I’d find a song of positive energy that would explain it. So here is Madonna singing the euphoric Ray of Light and a photo of the Queen of pop living it up.

A Madonna Post

Tags

Madonna

As most of my fellow bloggers will know, I’m a huge fan of Madonna. Her sheer talent, determination and sense of control have made her such a fascinating entertainer. As of late I’ve been listening to her Erotica album and the period of her music that got very racy again and fully appreciating it again for its dark grooves, sultry lyrics and doom laden pulse. Although it was controversial at the time, the music and the videos still hold up and are as daring and raunchy as they once were. Here are two of the sexy songs I’ve been listening to again.

Happy Birthday Madonna

Tags

Happy Birthday, Madonna

Madonna turns 57 today. For decades, this one-woman show has been a powerhouse performer of undeniable ambition. From her raunchy image changes, controversial persona and ability to put on one hell of a show, she is a woman of many faces. Madonna has been one of my favourite singers for years and I’ve found her immense career extremely fascinating and influential. So below are images of Madonna over the years, from look to look and persona to persona, this woman is the Queen of Pop most definitely.

 

Body of Evidence

Tags

1990's, Anne Archer, Body of Evidence, Erotic Thriller, Jürgen Prochnow, Joe Mantegna, Julianne Moore, Madonna, Thriller, Uli Edel, Willem Dafoe

Film Title

Body of Evidence

Director

Uli Edel

Starring

• Madonna as Rebecca Carlson
• Willem Dafoe as Frank Dulaney
• Joe Mantegna as Robert Garrett
• Anne Archer as Joanne Braslow
• Julianne Moore as Sharon Dulaney
• Jürgen Prochnow as Dr Alan Paley

It was meant to be an erotic thriller with an added dash of courtroom drama but from watching the critically derided box office bomb that is Body of Evidence, it becomes abundantly clear that is neither erotic or thrilling. With Madonna in a weak performance and the talents of good actors wasted, Body of Evidence represents what can only be described as a train wreck of a film.

In Portland, Oregon, a wealthy old man by the name of Andrew Marsh has been found dead after suffering a fatal heart attack while restrained to his bed with handcuffs. At the time of death he was watching a home movie and the police believe that the girl in the film, Rebecca Carlson, a beautiful art gallery owner and Andrew’s much younger lover is connected in some way to the death of him. Rebecca is arrested and put on trial, where her adventurous and unusual sex life is brought up as a means for her to kill her elderly lover. Representing her is Frank Dulaney, who tries everything he can to clear Rebecca’s name and counteract everything said by the opposition of Robert Garrett, the ambitious defense attorney on the trial. Garrett believes that Rebecca used her seductive charms and vigorous bedroom activities to murder Andrew, as the man had a debilitating heart condition and was set to leave his young lover $8 million in the event of his death. Yet as the trial goes on, the married Frank becomes increasingly entranced by Rebecca and throws professionalism out the window to pursue a torrid and unusual love affair with his client. Rebecca dominates Frank with her sadomasochistic tendencies in the bedroom and firmly sets herself up as the one in charge in the strange game of pleasure and pain that she plays. But sooner or later, Frank is left questioning whether or not this seductive woman was capable of cold-blooded murder with the use of her more than sensual body and is he really defending as well as sleeping with an avaricious lust murderer?

The whole set up of Body of Evidence just seems so ridiculous and one can’t take it seriously. The film itself tries to be serious in the court room scenes and surprising with attempted red herrings but it just ends up being completely laughable. Director Uli Edel tries to take the material seriously and does give the movie some good visuals such as billowing MTV see through curtains, candles flickering and sinister shadows, but even that can’t save this movie from inevitable disaster. The score manages to give the film some of the eroticism it sorely lacks with twinkling percussion and seductive guitar forming the backbone. Those two points about the visuals and the music are two of the only things that I can think of that can be praised in this weak film. Marketed as an erotic thriller, Body of Evidence falls short in both departments. The sex scenes between Rebecca and Frank are supposed to be eye-opening and titillating, with the femme fatale Rebecca introducing her dark world of pain and pleasure to the wide-eyed Frank, but the scenes( including the use of candle wax, restraints and an unusual encounter in a parking lot) end up feeling boring and not all erotic in the slightest. The writer tries to incorporate thrills into the story and make us guess whether Rebecca is guilty or not, but with the weak script we really don’t end up caring about whether Rebecca committed the crime.

Chief among the problems of Body of Evidence is the decision to cast pop superstar Madonna in the lead role. She’s never going to go down as the best actress in history, but at least in past movies such as Desperately Seeking Susan and A League of Their Own she was watchable enough and wasn’t a complete disaster. Here her delivery of lines is stilted and unconvincing as her character is accused of using her sex life to kill her old lover. Everyone knows that Madonna can be sexy( hell if anyone knows that sex sells, it has to be Madonna), but that is all she brings to the part and nothing else. Willem Dafoe is wasted as Rebecca’s lawyer Frank, who enters into an illicit relationship with her. Joe Mantegna and Anne Archer don’t fare much better in their poorly written roles as district attorney and secretary for the deceased. And Julianne Moore is just wasted here as Frank’s wronged wife and it really is a shame to see one of my favourite actresses having to slum it with this weak film. Even an appearance from Jürgen Prochnow as an unreliable witness in the case can’t bring anything that great to this mess of a movie.

Unconvincing and not remotely as thrilling or sexy as it wanted to be, Body of Evidence is a weak film that seemed destined for the critical drubbing it received and with good reason.

 

 

 

 

Desperately Seeking Susan

Tags

1980's, Aidan Quinn, Comedy, Desperately Seeking Susan, Laurie Metcalf, Madonna, Mark Blum, Robert Joy, Rosanna Arquette, Susan Seidelman

Film Title

Desperately Seeking Susan

Director

Susan Seidelman

Starring

• Rosanna Arquette as Roberta Glass
• Madonna as Susan
• Aidan Quinn as Dez
• Mark Blum as Gary Glass
• Robert Joy as Jim
• Laurie Metcalf as Leslie Glass

A screwball comedy in an 80’s setting, Desperately Seeking Susan is a charming movie with memorable work from Rosanna Arquette and of course Madonna as the eponymous Susan along with a cool soundtrack and tons of kitsch appeal.

Roberta Glass is a bored housewife living in Fort Lee, New Jersey. She is married to Gary, a moronic hot tub salesman who barely pays any attention to her as he’s so wrapped up in his work. To pass the time she reads through the personal sections of the paper. One particular set of articles catches her eye, they detail the relationship between Jim and a woman known as Susan. She reads of a rendezvous between the two in Battery Park and so still feeling unfulfilled she heads to New York. It is here that she catches a glimpse of Susan, a wildly dressed sexy girl. Unfortunately neither of the women realise they are mixed up in a criminal plot involving some valuable Egyptian earrings that were in possession of Susan’s gangster boyfriend before he was killed. Events reach a head when Susan sells her famous jacket and Roberta purchases it, unbeknownst to her one of the earrings is in the pocket. A criminal mistakes Roberta for Susan and attempts to retrieve the jewel only for Roberta to hit her head and fall into amnesia. When she awakes, she begins to believe she is in fact the thrifty Susan and so finds her herself embroiled in a madcap web of crime and comedy that never lets up.

Susan Seidelman directs with an assured touch and keen eye for detail that captures the retro glam of Downtown New York and the fashionable 80’s setting that serves as the backdrop to Roberta’s misadventures and Susan’s free-wheeling existence. The whole film resembles an old MTV video and gives Desperately Seeking Susan an appeal that is stylish and charming. The soundtrack is a well-chosen mix of soul grooves and 80’s power pop. This is the film that featured one of Madonna’s most memorable dance tunes ‘Into The Groove’ which is heard at two pivotal moments in the film. Thomas Newman contributes a score of New Wave beats, synthesisers and pounding drums to echo Roberta’s obsession with Susan and the wild lifestyle that Susan herself leads. The script is witty and full of some interesting twists on old genre conventions. Some of the antics may become repetitive as the film goes on but it’s such a blast that one may not realise because of the charming film unfolding in front of them.

What really gives Desperately Seeking Susan the memorable factor is the cast, most notably Rosanna Arquette and Madonna. In the lead, Rosanna Arquette has great comic timing and a personality that alternates between vulnerable and flinty strength as Roberta finds herself caught up in a twisting plot. In the pivotal role of Susan, Madonna finds a role that suits her like a glove. Her other ventures into cinema may not be that great, but she brings a sexy, edgy and wise-cracking charm to the role of this thrifty girl who knows how to handle herself. Aidan Quinn is suitably dashing as Dez, who takes a shine to Roberta when she believes she’s Susan. Mark Blum provides eye-rolling humour as Roberta’s business minded husband Gary who doesn’t have the time to make a go at his relationship with her, which in turn makes Roberta turn to the personal ads to add some spice to her dull life. Other colourful supporting cast members include Robert Joy as Jim, the guy who placed the advert and Laurie Metcalf as Roberta’s comical sister-in-law Leslie.

It’s not the best comedy ever and some of it may fall into farce, but Desperately Seeking Susan has a nifty appeal, some great visual techniques and colourful characters to hold the attention for an hour or two.

 

A League of Their Own

Tags

1990's, A League of Their Own, Drama, Geena Davis, Jon Lovitz, Lori Petty, Madonna, Penny Marshall, Rosie O'Donnell, Sports, Tom Hanks

Film Title

A League of Their Own

Director

Penny Marshall

Starring

• Geena Davis as Dottie Hinson
• Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan
• Lori Petty as Kit Keller
• Madonna as Mae Mordabito
• Rosie O’Donnell as Doris Murphy
• Jon Lovitz as Ernie Capadino

Inspired by the relatively unknown All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, A League of Their Own tells a funny and often moving fictionalised story of the creation of the league during the Second World War and the women of one particular team .

As World War II rages on overseas, there is a threat to the Baseball League which may have to close. Candy magnate and Chicago Cubs owner Walter Harvey has the idea to create a baseball league for women in the hopes of attracting money. Dottie Hinson is an attractive girl talented at baseball from Oregon who is spotted by scout Ernie Capadino. Dottie’s sister Kit also plays, but feels like the lesser sibling because she isn’t as talented. Dottie agrees to go only if Kit comes, which she eventually does. Soon the sisters are trying out for a team and are eventually accepted into the Rockford Peaches. Also occupying the team is Mae Mordabito, a former taxi dancer and her loud friend Doris Murphy, as well as many other talented girls. The person appointed coach is Jimmy Dugan, a once great player himself who has since become an embittered alcoholic. At first the Peaches struggle for success, but little by little, they begin to rise up in the ranks because of their team spirit and attitude. They manage to overcome the idea that women can’t play baseball by showing of their skill. The success of Dottie as the leader of the team begins to take its toll on Kit, who feels pushed back in favour of her sister. The girls must also deal with the knowledge of their spouses fighting in the war and if they receive a dreaded telegram informing of death. Funny, charming and surprisingly moving, A League of Their Own depicts with respectful historical detail the long neglected beginnings of the Women’s Baseball League.

Penny Marshall’s crafts this entertaining story with down to earth characters and a sense of nostalgia for the era. She also manages to infuse an emotional streak to the story, best embodied by the wedge driven between Dottie and Kit as the cracks begin to form in their close bond. The baseball scenes are entertaining and thrilling to watch as they are crafted with such authentic detail and loving care. The various cutting between matches and spinning headlines make for nostalgic and surprising viewing as the film progresses. The musical score adds to the sense of camaraderie that builds within the Peaches as they edge closer to the world title. Costume design and make-up should be rightfully praised for its authenticity to the War era styles. The script for the most part creates both humour and pathos in depicted the journey of the women. Only in the last two-thirds does sentimentality creep in but for the main duration the overriding nostalgia keeps this a moving and funny movie. The ending of the movie is a really moving one that is well executed.

Heading the ladies of the cast is Geena Davis. She is on fine form as the beautiful and strong Dottie who takes on the role of leader. Yet Tom Hanks steals the show with his hysterical performance as Jimmy, the washed up star managing the Peaches. He gets all the best lines including the now famous “There’s no crying in baseball” which really adds to the humour. As soon as he enters the picture, Tom Hanks commands attention with his excellent comic timing. Lori Petty movingly portrays the wounded Kit, who feels inadequate next to her talented older sister. Out of the other girls of the team, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell stand out. They make a comic double act that is really engaging. Madonna isn’t known to be the best actress, but she plays the role of the team flirt Mae with charm and humour to burn. She also contributes the moving ballad “This Used to be my Playground” which can be heard near the end of the movie. Rosie O’Donnell as her best friend Doris greatly adds to the humour that both bring. In a small but memorable role, Jon Lovitz is crusty and wise cracking as Ernie, the baseball scout.

It may lapse into sentimentality from time to time, but despite this Penny Marshall directs this heartfelt story of some groundbreaking women.

What is your favourite Madonna ballad?

Tags

Ballads, Madonna, Music

I decided to post another article on the Queen of Pop as my last ones proved popular. Today’s question is which is your favourite ballad released by her? Although she is primarily known as a pop and dance artist, she has had her fair share of ballads that show another side to her. Whatever your choice please give it and the reason why. Soon I will be posting articles on another artist of my choice.

In case anyone is racking their brains trying to think of a ballad, here are the one’s I like;

Take a bow– A sombre tune that uses the theatre and masquerade as the way to tell the story of a painful break up.

Bad girl– One of her most underrated ballads, this one accompanied by sweeping strings and heartbroken vocals tells of a women’s self-destructive behaviour as a result of unrequited love.

This used to be my playground– A melancholy number about childhood memories and the past, this has one of her best vocal performances.

 

 

 

What are your favourite albums?

Tags

Coldplay, Florence and the machine, Garbage, Lungs, Madonna, Music, The Verve

Another music post. This one is asking what albums can you never get bored with listening to and the reasons behind it. I have a really varied taste in music but I will try to list some of my favourite albums. Off the top of my head they are;

Lungs- Florence and the machine

Parachutes- Coldplay

Ray of light- Madonna

Urban hymns- The Verve

Garbage- Garbage

So whatever your answer please give it.

What is your favourite Madonna music video?

Tags

Christopher Walken, David Fincher, Madonna, Music video, Sean Penn

To round of the musical posts on Madonna, this one is focusing on her many music videos. Controversial, memorable and indelible are the words that spring to mind when I think of her multitudes of music videos. So do you like the controversial and much discussed videos such as the infamous Like a Prayer or the raunchy Justify my Love? Or do you prefer the more artistic and expressive ones in her repertoire like the surreal Bedtime Story and the atmospheric Frozen? Whatever your answer, please give it.

My personal favourites are:

Bad Girl, which features Christopher Walken as the Angel of Death watching over Madonna’s depressed businesswoman character and is directed by David Fincher.

Take a Bow, a period piece, in which Madonna plays the neglected lover of a matador.

Live to tell, in which she sings the song like a narrator accompanying images from then husband Sean Penn’s movie At Close Range.

And Frozen, in which she plays a melancholy being clad in black, in the desert that shapeshifts in to a flock of birds and a dog.

What is your favourite Madonna album?

Tags

Erotica, Like a prayer, Like a virgin, Madonna, Ray of light, True Blue

With my last post revolving around the Queen of Pop proving popular, I decided to do another post about another aspect of her music. In this post I’m asking what is your favourite album by Madonna. Do you prefer her early 80’s stuff such as Like A Virgin and True Blue?   Do the confessional tones of Like a Prayer provide you with a good listen? Or do you like the more electronic and reflective side of Ray of Light? Whatever your answer or opinion, please give it.

        My three choices of her best albums would be;

True Blue- The album that truly announced Madonna as a superstar and featured some of her best work up until that date.

Erotica- One of her most underrated records, partly because of the highly sexual content, this is actually an interesting listen, combining dark grooves, some effective ballads and shocks. An underrated gem in the Madonna canon.

Ray of light- This is the album in which I think Madonna sounds her best, both sonically and vocally. Influenced by the burgeoning techno scene and the recent birth of her daughter, the record is a rewarding and emotionally honest triumph.