In case you missed THE LORD OF THE RINGS segment, you can access it below:
Click on the link below: http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=2db83090-cb2e-48f5-9282- 0d7402d85204&f=kw_goog With a cast of 55, a running time of 3-1/2 hours, an estimated cost of $27 million and a boast that this is a new genre of theater, "The Lord of the Rings" finally has opened. One has to admire the single-mindedness of producer Kevin Wallace and his creative team to adapt the J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy into one evening in the theater. Whether it works is another matter. Rob Howell's set and costume design is nothing short of spectacular. The set revolves with sections rising and falling suggesting mountains, valleys, rumbling rivers and deep earth. Paul Pyant's brilliant lighting is equally as effective in creating this dark world. Then why is "Rings" so boring? Because with our senses being bombarded by dazzling images and blaring sound effects, there is nothing left for the audience's imagination. Added to that is the complicated story. Those unfamiliar with the books and films will be mystified by Shawn McKenna and Matthew Warchus' crammed book. While there is an extensive synopsis in the program, there is so much information whizzing by in the production that we have either information overload or not enough information for clarity. Most problematic is that, for the most part, we don't care. With most of the cast declaring their lines as if on a mountain addressing the multitudes, there is an unengaging sameness to many performances. The usually compelling Brent Carver plays the wizard Gandalf with such deliberate uncertainty in many scenes that you wonder why anyone would revere him. But he then rises to the occasion by being commanding when faced with evil. The exception is the touching story of the friendship of Frodo and Sam. We can identify with their loyalty -- certainly when acted with such genuine compassion by Loye and Howe. Special mention must be made of Therriault as Gollum. He is an embodiment of evil and twitchy impishness. Therriault is nothing short of mesmerizing. Warchus directs with a keen sense of the big picture. Scenes moves with efficiency, but the details slip by. Frodo putting on the ring and becoming invisible, for example, is muddy. Wallace says this is not a musical, in spite of lovely music and songs by A.R. Rahman, Finnish folk-rock band Varttina and Christopher Nightingale and athletic choreography by Peter Darling. Nor is it a play with music. Rather, Wallace says, it's a "theatrical spectacle." Spectacular, yes, but boring. Explore, Experience, Enjoy A.R.Rahman - The Man, The Music, The Magic. Only at arrahmanfans.com - The definitive A.R.Rahman e-community. Homepage: http://www.arrahmanfans.com Admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arrahmanfans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
