Well, there’s not much else to say about this saga once the first two films are done.  The success of the first two films warranted this third film to be released in theaters nationwide.  It did quite well for a teen drama, grossing over $90 million at the box office in the US.  Most the moviegoers were probably female teenagers going for Zac Efron, and possibly some male teenagers going for Vanessa Hudgens. “High School Musical 3: Senior Years” is obviously the close of the saga for Disney.  The film wraps up the gangs final year of high school.  Gabriella (Hudgens) is still together with Troy (Efron).  She has been accepted into Stanford, with the possibility of an early honors program acceptance on the way.  Of course no one knows of her early program other than best friend, Taylor (Monique Coleman).  ...

  Disney has a track record of creating numerous successful original TV movies.  The initial film’s success spawns sequels, usually turning into a trilogy.  I must admit, I find several of the original Disney channel movies to be upbeat and fun.  “High School Musical” is the latest in original Disney channel success stories.  In fact, the series was so successful that the third installment of the saga was released to movie theaters. “High School Musical” also perpetuated its child actors into stardom, another side effect of being in a Disney production.  Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens will forever being known as Troy and Gabriella.  That may cause issues in the advancement of the acting career – note I did not say singing career.  More on that in a bit. Zac Efron stars as Troy, the star basketball player at a New Mexico high ...

  Mention the name Chris Columbus to any 'Rent' fan and they'll likely respond with a frown and a few verbal jabs.  The man responsible for bringing Jonathan Larson's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical to the screen isn't very popular among the show's faithful throng.  To say Columbus ruined 'Rent' overstates the case, but his antiseptic approach and questionable creative decisions drained much of the power and passion out of this raw, emotional work.  Watching  'Rent' live on stage, however, is an entirely different experience– intense, visceral – and few other musicals can duplicate the feeling.Thanks to director Michael John Warren, who videotaped the show's final Broadway performance last September, anyone can now succumb to 'Rent' fever.  'Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway' is better than a front row seat; Warren's 16 cameras put viewers on stage with the actors, heightening the intimacy, ...

  “Drumline” delivers us a high-impact look at the world of elite college marching bands – the training, the seriousness, the feuds.  The film is not perfect by any means, but it does keep the audience involved.  There is really a dull moment in the film.  Even simple conversations have a purpose, which is more than I can say for many of today’s films.  The film did fairly well at the box office, grossing about $57 million in the United States, making a tidy profit over its $20 million creation budget. Nick Cannon plays Devon Miles, a cocky drummer that feels his God’s gift to the world.  After high-school graduation, he is recruited by the head of music at Atlanta’s A&T University.  He immediately butts heads with the current leader of the snare drum line, Sean Taylor (Leonard Roberts).  Both ...

  "Mamma Mia!" first hit Broadway back in 2001.  It was instantly a smash.  While it used to be un-cool to like ABBA (and it still is I suppose), the stage show drew in millions of viewers.  While I absolutely adored the stage version of the musical, I can't quite make my mind up about the theatrical version of the show.  It is campy fun, but at the same time it is a cinematic disaster. First, let's move past the story.  Some think it is silly and weak, while others think it is interesting and fun.  I find myself stuck between the two.  You have to remember that stage musicals usually do not have complex stories.  It is just too hard to convey on the stage.  Cinema is much for forgiving.  Viewers expect complex.  We don't get that here. Basically, a 20 year-old ...