Time Magazine's 6 to miss- Page 2

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 12:39pm

I hate it when people who don't really know what they're talking about also happen to be in a place of power (Time is a well respected magazine).

Was this the same guy who rated "All Shook Up" better than "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"? Or was that EW?

[Magdalene]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 12:54pm

Boy, has Time gone downhill....

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 1:13pm

definatly screwed p those lists. Why on earth would you miss the histroy boys but see Tarzan?

[FrontRow]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 1:29pm

This was interesting, since "Threepenny" and "Tarzan" were almost universally panned by everyone else, whereas "History Boys" and "Awake & Sing" pretty much got unanimously good reviews from others. And to everyone on this board going nuts about the article: Look, you don't have to agree with him, but he supports every pick or pan he makes.

I agree that "History Boys" is overrated, in part because I didn't see the new teacher as such a bad guy, or even as such a severe contrast with Hector's class. He conducts class in a laid-back manner and asks the boys to think differently. So I think the Time critic's last line was good.

And his last lines about "Faith Healer" are totally accurate! Whatever its worthy qualities, it's a pretty boring play (hard to avoid with that monologue format; interact, dammit!).

As for "dismayingly rotund," don't have such a knee-jerk reaction anytime someone mentions a performer's size. When I saw "History Boys," I was wondering if Griffiths was padded, except I couldn't figure out why they would pad him, there was no need for the character to be so large. Griffiths is not just fat; he is extremely fat. I'm not saying that to be mean or even as a judgment, it's simply a fact. And I could see where his extreme size might be a bit distracting to theatergoers--like, you're waiting for a reference to it or something. Again, this would not necessarily be the case with any overweight actor, but Griffiths is not any overweight actor.

I don't agree with everything in this Time piece ("Festen"? ugh), but I think he brings up some valid points. Again, you may have liked/disliked a show anyway, but he explains his opinion well enough.

One more thing..about "Caine Mutiny." When this was first made into a play, why did they only use the courtroom part of it? It would be more interesting to dramatize the actual goings-on on the ship, which I think is what the Time writer said. And there wasn't enough buildup to justify the vilification of the Keefer character, I agree with that.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 1:34pm

Um...more importantly, did anyone note his titular inaccuracies?

It's FAITH HEALER, not THE FAITH HEALER.

It's COURT-MARTIAL, not COURT MARSHAL.

Clearly, this man is totally void.

[holly]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 1:42pm

I totally agree with his comments regarding History Boys.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 1:44pm

His HISTORY BOYS comments are unfounded, uneducated, and just stupid.

[gwalke4]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 1:47pm

I hate TIME magazine almost whenever it does anything on theatre - or with a lot of their arts and entertainment coverage. The problem that a LOT of their arts/entertainment journalists have is that they try SO hard ALL THE TIME to have purposefully different and "interesting" opinions, which usually are wrong.

This article especially seemed to me a case of "Look at me, I have a very different opinion! Aren't my ideas interesting? I love going against the grain of common sense/popular opinion just to get attention!" Save us.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 2:10pm

For the record, in The History Boys, you're supposed to find the new teacher more interesting or even a better teacher. If we don't, it wouldn't make sense why the boys do. The point is, that sort of learning is the way we learn in the modern world, and Griffith's character's learning is the learning that, though good for the soul, may be practically useless.

We should stop trying to boil the play down into a maxim or lesson of some sort and just look at what's there, which is what this Variety critic failed to do. That he finds Tarzan the admitted kitschy theme park ride speaks more to his tastes than The History Boys (which has twee moments as well) is telling. I can see how the latter failed to appeal to him, but placing it in the worst list is a bit much.

I think the guy probably just doesn't get it, whatever that entails.

[FrontRow]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 3:03pm

Why is that, munkustrap? The Time writer made it clear why he thought what he did based on what took place on stage. How is that uneducated and unfounded? All I see from you on this thread is he's an idiot, he's a jerk. THAT sounds unfounded to me.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 3:08pm

I would switch Faith Healer and Threepenny Opera and then I'd totally agree with this list.

[tophertilson]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 4:26pm

Miss HISTORY BOYS?!?!? Hit TARZAN?!?!? This critic is barmy!

TT

[holly]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 4:40pm

Let's see -- he doesn't agree with your opinions and therefore he is dismissed and not having the capability or qualifications to write his own review? HMMMMMMMMMM!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 5/17/06 at 7:38pm

holly, you don't happen to write for Time do you?