Before The Prince Passed (Book Review, Fairy Tale Interrupted, Rosemarie Terenzio)

I bet you knew exactly where you were when you found out that John Kennedy Jr's plane crashed.  I remembered where I was vividly. My friends and I were in Boston, and we were on our way to spend a week in our vacation house in Provincetown, Massachusetts. I remember we ere leaving the house and saw the news on television, and knew we wanted to follow the story so as soon as we were in the beach house, we tuned into what the update us. I was veru curious to read "Fairy Tale Interrupted,' by Rosemarie Terenzio because I wanted to get a glimpse on JFK Jr,. the man. Terenzio worked as his personal assistant for five years. It was a love/hate thing, and they came from different worlds, which was probably the main reason for the success of their relationship. The book is immensely readable - Terrenzio has a great distinct voice - and you can really feel that you are right there with them. However, I can say that I did not really learn much more about John. Not that I was expecting a warts-and-all bio, but I thought it was just lacking enough depth. Still, you cannot feel but sympathize and empathize with her, and I was dreading the chapters of the inevitable. This was a page-tuenr, but the pages were pretty light.

BC-37

Fizz Orange Pop (Perfume Review: Diptyque Oyedo)

There are few notes that I do not like, and one of them is orange. That fizzy orange soda smell kind of turns my stomach. But some time ago, I ended up with Diptyque's Oyedo, and I cannot for the life of me remember how I procured a bottle of this. I think this is possibly because Diptyque is one of my favorite houses, and at the time I was completing all their releases. Since the weather has been spiking up recently, I decided to wear this today. Well, after all these years, I still am not a big fan of the orange note, but the orange here is very elegant: it is mixed with grapefruit and yuzu, so it's not sticky-sweet - there's a tartness to it that I like. Plus, on me, the mint note becomes prevalent after a while, giving it heat. I get a "mint halo" feeling after I spray it, like my skin is stinging, like the fizz on soda. Since this is Diptyque, the scent is well-behaved - it doesn't scream, but you know it's definitely there. I guess if I had to choose an orange scent, this would my favorite. I am somewhere with dry heat, so the note is tolerable, but I know if I were somewhere more humid, I would despise this scent.

Candles Burning, Glasses Are Chilled (Television Movie Review: Behind The Candelabra, HBO)

Thank God for HBO.  Steven Soderbergh, in interviews, have said that they shopped Richard LaGravenese's screenplay of "Behind The Candelabra" everywhere, but no one wanted to touch it, saying it was too gay. Everyone said that they did not know how to market a movie like this. The cable channel, bit, and reportedly this movie got huge ratings over Memorial Day weekend.  So, was it all worth it? I'll start by saying that I am glad that this movie exists. It's certainly not as mainstream, and it doesn't skimp on the camp, the sex, and the salaciousness. And I am more glad that it starred two of the biggest stars: Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. I mean, their names and sheen do not get any brighter. They both give fantastic performances, and I would bet that Douglas comes away with an Emmy for this. I thought Damon was better, mining more depth in his character. But that was easier to do, as the story is told from his character's point of view. And I think both of them gave brave performances, as they were certainly game for all of it. I wish I understood Liberace more, but this movie focuses more on their relationship. I wish there were more to the movie, but it has enough. I think this is partly because I have seen a lot of similar stories like theirs: a lot of it seems familiar. I chuck that because of my life experience and people I have known, though. The movie was intelligent enough to still make me ponder. For example, what is it about Liberace that made him appeal to a lot of people? As a piano player, he is good, but his selling point was his flamboyance. So why then would his fan base not accept that he might be/is gay? Lee's denial also fascinates me, and it may be because of his strict Catholic upbringing. I mean, he had instructions to hide his cause of death in the end, claiming they were complications from a "watermelon diet."  The supporting cast was also commendable, by the by, starting with an almost unrecognizable Debbie Reynolds as his mother, and Rob Lowe as the cooky plastic surgeon who botched operations for Lee and Scott. This is a first class production, and I am happy a lot of people will get to see it.

Sandy Hook (Book Review: Susane Colasanti, All I Need)

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of the Summer season, so why not read a summer-themed love story ? Susane Colasanti's "All I Need" has the summer book cover perfectly placed, and this is one of those frothy young adult romances. I didn't really expect anything more from it, so I wasn't truly disappointed. But it's pretty thin, plot wise. There's nothing truly wrong with that, though. Seth and Skye meet at the beach one summer night - make that one end-of-summer night, and they realize they are soul mates. But Seth is going home the next day si they plan on meeting one last time. Things happen and he doesn't show up. So they spend the next months trying to find each other, and of course they do. And then they have to deal with a long-distance love affair, complicated by the fact tha Skye is still in high school, while Seth is a Freshman in college. This is a sweet story, and mindless enough to read by the beach. The only thing I disliked was that I wasn't at the beach while reading it.

BC-36

I'd Like To Thank You Strouse And Charnin (Music Review: Annie - The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording)

I have expressed here my thoughts on the current revival of Annie on Broadway, and suffice it to say, I really wasn't that happy with the production. So I approached listening to "The New 2012 Broadway Cast Recording" with a little trepidation. I wanted to be fair in my assessment of it. And I have to admit - my first go-round wasn't really positive. Maybe it's because I know every click and hiss of the Original Cast Recording, it's one of those scores that's very dear to me, and of course, the original production was my very fist Broadway experience. At first listen, the orchestrations sound a lot thinner, and I miss the energy of Andrea McArdle. But I gave myself a challenge and listen tot he recording again. And again. And again. And I started to love it. The beauty of the music shone through - it really is a great Charles Strouse score, and even though Martin Charnin's lyrics could be corny and uneven, it has charm in spades, which is something I rarely find in today's musicals. Lilla Crawford, in all her Brooklyn awkcent glory may be a little too much of a spitfire for the role thereby losing some of the vulnerability, has the voice for the iconic songs. She gives justice to "Tomorrow," and "Maybe," and that's difficult to pull off. Anthony Warlow, who was superb in the production, was successful in translating that performance in the recording, and even Katie Finneran, who I thought was weak in the production, is great here. Perhaps without the trappings of the staging, they are able to essay their roles. I am glad I dis not dismiss this recording - it's a wonderful representation of the score, and is better than the flawed thing at The Palace. And just think of the hundreds and thousands of little Broadway divas who will be using this as a benchmark for their Broadway careers - may their light shine bright tomorrow! (It's only a day away!)

The Show Is Over, Say Goodbye (Television Review: Smash: The Nominations, and The Tonys: Series Finale)

 

SMASH is done. It's gone. It aired its final episode this evening, and it ended with a bang. Megan Hilty and Katherine McPhee performed a number called "The Big Finish," and it was so meta that it was their goodbye to the loyal viewers of the show. I know there are probably not too many, like myself, who stayed with it through thick and thin, but the ending felt good. All the loose ends were tied up, and it was a great farewell. You got a sense that they knew it was the last episode, and it was bittersweet, yes, but mostly a celebration. But first, let me just say that I was so happy that Ivy Lynn won over Karen Cartwright. I know I have been bashing Karen this season, but I really do like Kat McPhee. I have her two pop albums even before this show started, and I listened to them. I thought she was one of the better Idol alumns in its history. She just wasn't a fit for Karen Cartwright. I will follow and support wherever she ends up after this. This show made a star of Megan Hilty. I am now a fan of hers, and I know she has a lot in store for her.  Actually, the whole core cast was great:  Anjelica Houston, Christian Boerle, Jack Davenport.  Yes, I had issues with the characters of Jeremy Jordan and Krysta Rodriguez, but only because the characters themselves weren't served well by the writers. I read that the forthcoming DVD will have all the extras: scenes cut, fell scenes of musical numbers, so in a way, this isn't a last goodbye. I'll see you again, SMASH.

Too Shy To Say (Book Review: So Hard To Say, Alex Sanchez)

I have been reading a book that is very "literary," and wanted a break from it, so I started Alex Sanchez' "So Hard To Say." I thought it  would be light-hearted, and kind of dumb. I was wrong - this is a great gay YA novel, and I just thought again, kids nowadays are so lucky for these precious gems of novels: they give them such affirmations that anyone who is unsure about how they feel would get a sense that yes, it is ok to be yourself, no matte what. This is not just another coming-of-age novel. Frederick moves to California, and befriends Xia, a Mexican classmate. She falls for him instantly, but he is confused. The boo is narrated from their alternating points of view, and I cannot help but empathize with Xia as well. First love can be both ecstasy and agony at the same time - we have all been there. This is a great book, a fantastic breather. 

BC- 35

Peace Musk (Perfume Review: Kenzo Vintage Edition/Kenzo PEace)

I don't know why I call this scent Kenzo Peace. I guess because there is a very big peace sign on the bottle? I also initially associated this as a sort-of hippy scent: the packaging of the box I guess kind of evokes it, and again, because of the peace sign. But Kenzo Vintage Edition (its official name) is essentially a heliotrope and musk scent. I am just thinking I should recommend this to my friend Therese because heliotrope is her favorite note. I always wore this scent during wintertime, but I thought why not wear it today, on a 80 degree day. It works just as fine. This is a white musk, so it is more an internal musk, and it blooms a little bit more with the warm temperature. Kenzo Vintage Edition is pretty much a skin scent - it is very intimate, and quite sexy, It doesn't scream. It sizzles only when you sniff it closer. The clean musk is inviting, and heliotrope gives it a nutty and almond-y projection. The woody/creamy base is a little off-putting during warmer weather, but if you are in an air-conditioned environment, you should be fine.

Sometimes The Snow Comes Down In June (Book Review: The Snow Ball Effect, Holly Nicole Hoxter)

After reading the first chapter of Holly Nicole Hoxter's "The Snow Ball Effect," I told myself, this is going to be a depressing read. The narrator, Lainey Pike, loses her stepfather in a freak accident, and then her mother commits suicide all in one chapter. But as I read more, I find out this is a more uplifting read. It deals with how she copes with the tragedy, and her reunion with her elder sister, Vallery (i can't stand the cutesie spellings of their names, by the by) as they raise their adopted brother, Collin. Even though Lainey has an almost-perfect boyfriend, Riley, another guy catches her eye, and she has to deal with that as well. It was interesting how she deals with relationships as a result of what happened in her childhood, and recent tragic experience. The middle part sort of slouches, but the last third of the book is satisfying. This is a worthwhile read, the narrator's voice is concise and interesting, and the arc was fully realized.

BC-34.

The Unreal In Real Estate (Television Review: Million Dollar Listing New York)

I have been meaning to write about the new season of "Million Dollar Listing: New York," because I have been enjoying this new season very much. It has become a guilty pleasure of mine, and I really do feel guilty because it's such a train wreck of a show. But, it's one of those good train wrecks. I cannot possibly think that this is all reality, but I lap it all up like a hungry puppy. Fredrick Ecklund and Ryan Serhant are both back, and that's great: they make the show. Years and years ago, I remember seeing Ecklund at a Los Angeles bar, during his "art movie" phase, and I have always been fascinated by him, and more so know. He is a character, for sure, whether put on or not. And Ryan Serhant is a sleaze ball of a broker, but there's something about him that's endearing and charming. And the new recruit, Luis D. Ortiz, is a little Puerto Rican spitfire. He definitely has the energy and drive, though it can seem a little too much. He reminds me of an ex co-worker of mine who is a hustler in all his jobs. All three have combustible chemistry, and it is kind of interesting how they would all collide. And in the second episode, they even try touchy-feely, by showing how all three of them were affected by Hurricane Sandy, as all three of them live in downtown Manhattan. This show is pure junk food, but I gladly ingest it. One small observation, though: most of the apartments being highlighted recently have been underwhelming. It's been just a little unsatisfying for those in the lookout for real estate porn.

Back To The Nineties (Book Review: Someday, Someday, Maybe)

I always confuse, in my mind, Lauren Graham from Mary Louise Parker. I guess they are the same physical type, and again, in my mind, their acting is the same. I know there are" Gilmore Girl"  groupies out there, but I never saw an episode of it. I have seen the first couple of seasons of "Parenthood" and liked the show. But now I don't remember which season I stopped even though I want to continue watching it on Netflix. I also kind of remember her on the last "Guys & Dolls" revival on Broadway, but ... not really. That's all the back story I have on her before I started reading this book, and I only got really got curious with it after I saw her guesting on Andy Cohen's show. I found out that Connie Britton was her old time roommate. So of course when I started reading the book, Franny Banks was Lauren, and her friend Jane was Connie. I also liked that the book was set in he mid 90s, and the setting feels like a curio piece. It's a piece of time I vividly remember, and kind of cherish actually. Think before cell phones became common place in our lives. I haven't thought about an answering machine in a long time, and that figures prominently in this story it's practically a plot point.

I have mixed feelings about the book. I liked it enough, for sure. I got invested into the Franny Banks character immediately, and kept on rooting for her. But, nothing much happens, though, and I thought this was going to be one of those "slice of life" books. But then when we do get a "payoff" at the end, then I think maybe not. But the book really got me thinking, which in the end, isn't bad. 

BC-33

Forget Your Troubles C'mon get Happy (Perfume Review: Jean Paul Gaultier, Ma Dame)

I have some scents that I unintentionally ignore. Jean Paul Gaultier's Ma Dame is one of them. I don't know why I don't wear this more because it's a scent that never fails to make me happy. Created in 2009 by Francis Kurkdjian, it was created to attract a younger, hip crowd to JPG's perfume line. It was fronted by supermodel Agyness Deyn, and she seems to be the perfect face for Gaultier: with her crop blonde hair and hip reputation, she represented exuberance and youthful allure. And the campaign was swathed in pink. It also had one of the most beautiful bottles I have seen of late: a crystal chun of ice with the Gaultier bustier carved inside, in the middle, like a stamp. This fragrance was a hit in Europe, and at the time I thought it smelled very current. Well, I wore it today, and it has held up pretty well. I think it's even better - it is certainly a lot more interesting than all the fruity floral concoctions that have come and gone since then. Kurkdjian has a flair for mixing notes that normally would be a question mark on paper. Here he pairs orange with rose, but he mixes it will dollops of vanilla and musk. The vanilla gives it a lot of weight, and this is not a shy fragrance - this Ma Dame makes herself known when she enters the room. And she is fizzy - there is grenadine here - that gives you the impression that she is ready to party. And there's musk - so you know she means business (wink, wink) This is one of those sexy fragrance - the musk is that kind of musk that gives a kind of "halo" effect. This perfume makes me want to laugh, and have a good time. It was a nice and sunny day today and this was the perfect scent to match the weather. 

Captain Kirk Dies On This Trek (Movie Review: Star Trek Intp Darkness)

I am the farthest thing from a Trekkie, but I kind of enjoyed "Star Trek: Into  Darkness."  I mean, it was good, and I didn't regret seeing it. I remember seeing the first movie of JJ Abram's reboot a couple of years ago, and even though I have no recollection of anything from that movie, I do remember enjoying that as well. I think what I liked best was the human interaction between Kirk and Spock. Played with both cockiness and coyness by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, you can sense the great chemistry between them, probably because apparently these two are close friends in real life. I love that they seem to be having fun with their characters, even playing around with its dynamics. Actually, the whole crew was great, as they settle into their characters. I particularly loved Simon Pegg and Zoe Saldana. As for the plot, I think you have to be a real die-hard to get all the intricacies of it, and I just got the basics, which was enough for me to understand what's going on. The action scenes were pretty basic, but Abrams really need to resort to cheap tricks, like having Kirk die? Does the audience really need to be manipulated like that? This movie is still commercial fare, but there is a hint of morality play in their somewhere. Hopefully it isn't too subtle for its target audience so they get the message. But it was a hot Saturday afternoon, and this movie was good enough coolant.

Owl Be Darned (Book Review: Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls)

I'll give you a shocker: I am not a big fan of David Sedaris' written work.  Don't get me wrong - I think he is a good writer, great even, and he certainly strikes a chord with a lot of people, but i just don't connect with his work emotionally. I wish I did, and I know tons of people who do, but I just...don't. I wish I had an explanation for it so I can explain myself, as if I needed to. I found myself starting "Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls," and got into it quickly, and yes I found his essays kind of funny, but I wasn't laughing out loud. I liked this a little better because he talks a lot about his travels all over the world, and I found the anecdotes interesting: contrasting food between Japan and China was insightful, but I found it a little mean-spirited towards the Chinese. His exploits in the Australian wilderness was fun to read, but felt exaggerated. I liked his wry observation at airport behaviours, but I have heard them before, and as funny. This was an ok read for me, it kept me interested, but had to admit felt a little critical to enjoy it fully. And I am still trying to figure out the relevance of the title.

BC-32

The Greatest Love Of All (Movie Review: The Great Gatsby)

Going into Baz Luhrman's "The Great Gatsby," I was uncertain about how I would feel. I know it is getting polarizing responses, and I have some investment in it because I love the F. Scott Fitzgerald book. This movie isn't the best interpretation of it, and I don't think there will be a great one in my lifetime, but as a movie, Baz Luhrman's take is a very engaging and entertaining one. What comes out in the movie is the book. It was weird to revisit the story now, a an older adult - the themes still resonate, even more so. Age, maturity, and experience make one appreciate the classic story of Jay Gatsby and his longings, his life, his greatest love. Ultimately, the book is a story of the greatest love, and for me, anyway, Luhrman was able to capture that. There are a lot of imperfections in the movie: Carey Mulligan's Daisy is a bit dowdy, and she doesn't seem to have the beauty, grace, and breeding that Gatsby was so obsessed with. Still, DiCaprio gives a winning performance, injecting the character with a lot of charm that you root for him, and mourn his downfall. But I was also very taken by Tobey Maguire's Nick Carraway, which the heart of this movie. I think his personal friendship with DiCaprio gave their characters an electric chemistry. I would even say the relationship bordered on homo-erotic, giving the movie an unexpected layer to peel. The parties are extravagant visual marvels, and beautifully captured, and  the 3D expeirnce even heightens it. I especially liked the feeling of being in Times Square in the 20s. This is still a Luhrman production, after all, and so the garishness is there. I didn't mind, not even the mixture of hip hop scoring by Jay-Z. The segue from Gershwin to Lana Del Ray was seamless, oddly. I hope this movie finds it audience - it's out there somewhere.