Its very rare a Broadway musical finds its way to the big screen but with Newsies it was just destined to happen with some of the best dancing, and singing you will ever see. Newsies is has always been a 10/10 but now thanks to this professional recording its an 11 in my book
I'm not usually a fan of filmed theatrical performances - especially musical theatre. The television so often fails to capture the vitality of the performances and often we are left with something rather lacking. Well, to be fair to Disney, they have managed to capture loads of the energy and dynamism of this adaptation of Harvey Fierstein's book about the strike by the newspaper delivery boys in New York in 1899. The strike itself is fairly legendary - as were the almost Oliver Twist-ian conditions under which these kids were exploited, rather than employed. Jeremy Jordan tops the bill and positively glows as the ring leader "Jack Kelly" who finally has enough of the poverty-stricken existence of his colleagues and who organises a protest that initially invites disdain, but eventually recognition from the city's great and good who all of a sudden realise that these tiny cogs are actually pretty crucial to their entire enterprise thriving or failing. He is well supported by Kara Lindsay, an enthusiastic Ben Fankhauser and Steve Blanchard as the original, if not terribly generous of spirit, "Pulitzer". Alan Menken and Jack Feldman have combined to churn out a remarkable number of memorable songs here, too - "The Bottom Line", "That's Rich" "Seize the Day" and "Kings of New York" are all amongst the toe-tappers that help get this sprightly song and dance musical up and running. The sparing set lends itself well to the television coverage, as does the careful use of lighting and the frequently ensemble approach to the presentation of the story. Stage is certainly best, but this is a close second that skips along well for 2½ hours effortlessly and enjoyably - even if you might be a bit vicariously out of breath at the end!
The Alps, late 19th century. Greider, a mysterious lone rider who claims to be a photographer, arrives at an isolated lumber village, despotically ruled by a family clan, asking for winter accommodation.
In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.
In 1973, 15-year-old William Miller's unabashed love of music and aspiration to become a rock journalist lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview and tour with the up-and-coming band, Stillwater.
Slaking a thirst for dangerous games, Kathryn challenges her stepbrother, Sebastian, to deflower their headmaster's daughter before the summer ends. If he succeeds, the prize is the chance to bed Kathryn. But if he loses, Kathryn will claim his most prized possession.
A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.
In the boorish city of Agrabah, kind-hearted street urchin Aladdin and Princess Jasmine fall in love, although she can only marry a prince. He and power-hungry Grand Vizier Jafar vie for a magic lamp that can fulfill their wishes.
A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the 20th century. A young poet, who is plunged into the heady world of Moulin Rouge, begins a passionate affair with the club's most notorious and beautiful star.
A Russian and a German sniper play a game of cat-and-mouse during the Battle of Stalingrad in WWII.
As U.S. troops storm the beaches of Normandy, three brothers lie dead on the battlefield, with a fourth trapped behind enemy lines. Ranger captain John Miller and seven men are tasked with penetrating German-held territory and bringing the boy home.
An alienated teenage boy runs away from home and ventures to New York City where he falls in with a gang of juvenile delinquents working as drug dealers and pickpockets for a shady crime boss.