LYT Linkage: Super Jesus, Passion Jesus, Beavers and Scallops
And they're not all from Slashfilm this time!
For those who don’t follow me on other social media, and even those who do but don’t see everything due to the algorithm, it’s time to round up the things I’ve been writing at other sites besides this one. And hey, they’re not all Slashfilm listicles!
First, in a change of pace, I reviewed a local community production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Though I know some of the people in it, those who know me realize that doesn’t necessarily make you safe from my critical eye. Fortunately, they did well.
Don't expect a strictly scriptural passion play. When Judas (Booker Harrap), mildly unshaven and clad in black leather like his “priestly” heavy metal band namesakes, sings of loving Jesus (who's clad in white and tan not unlike Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars), we might wonder if he means something more than brotherly love (Rob Halford would likely approve!). He certainly acts cattily jealous of Mary Magdalene (Catt Christine), whose chemistry with the savior reads as spousal. Rice offended some in the '70s by saying the portrayal of Jesus in the songs is of a man and not God; both interpretations could be made here, but its view that Judas is ultimately redeemed as a necessary part of the plan is undeniable.
Read the whole thing at Broadway World.
Mel Gibson’s Jesus, played by Jim Caviezel, makes an appearance in my list of actors who faced backlash for the roles they took on. And he’s not the only one:
Ronald Reagan was one of the oldest U.S. presidents, so it can be challenging to find name actors who are still active at the same age to play him. In theory, James Brolin was the right type, still healthy, and with both amiable and tough-guy sides to portray the great communicator and cold warrior aspects of the 40th U.S. president. Then bits of the script from the planned CBS miniseries "The Reagans" leaked, and conservative pundits were infuriated. Scenes depicting Reagan as callous towards AIDS patients and his wife Nancy (Judy Davis) effectively running the White House induced charges of left-wing revisionist bias. Furthermore, since Brolin was married to prominent outspoken Democrat Barbra Streisand, right-wing pundits insisted he'd be inherently biased in his portrayal.
While we’re on the biblical tip, that time Kirk became the metaphorical serpent in a space garden of Eden is among the worst things each original Star Trek crew member has ever done:
Kirk initially gets mad at himself when the first (of four) red-shirt deaths occurs, saying he should have aborted the mission then and there. Later, he and McCoy decide that this is a society in stagnation, and they need to be freed. Vaal proceeds to get mad when Chekov makes out with Yeoman Landon and two of his people try to copy the behavior; he teaches his people to kill, and locks the Enterprise in a tractor beam. Kirk ensures Vaal is starved of fuel, then has it blasted with phasers and destroyed. The surviving people, who are so weak and naive that even Chekov can kick their asses, are left to their own devices, which Kirk tells them will be great. They can have sex now, but Vaal won't protect them from deadly rocks and plants.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the cast of Leave It to Beaver? Well, I found out for you anyway:
During the time he was away from acting, Osmond was the subject of two major rumors. One was that he was actually shock rocker Alice Cooper, based on a misreported quote from Cooper. Another was that he had become porn star John Holmes, which was so pervasive was that he had to confront a theater and bookstore wrongly promoting it.
Also, I’m back on TikTok! I can’t promise regular content, but I’ll try.
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