Posts Tagged ‘Jimmy Smits’

NEWSTALK 1010: BOOZE AND REVIEWS WITH RICHARD CROUSE ON THE RUSH!

Richard joins Ryan Doyle and Jay Michaels of the NewsTalk 1010 afternoon show to talk about the history of champagne cocktails, the Kardashians retreat from television and “In the Heights”!

Listen to the whole thing HERE!

CROUSE CLIP: JIMMY SMITS ON “IN THE HEIGHTS” AS A “VAX FOR JOY!”

“In the Heights” (in theatres and on PVOD) is a crowd pleaser that offers heart and uplift in almost every frame. HERE’S Richard’s interview with stars Jimmy Smits and Olga Merediz! HERE’S a a shorter version OF “Vax for Joy!”

IN THE HEIGHTS: 4 STARS. “offers heart and uplift in almost every frame.”

“In the Heights,” now playing in theatres, is a joyful movie based on Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony award-winning musical, that will make you feel better by the end of the movie than you did when it began. Energetic, exultant and empathetic, it feels like a long weekend away from real life.

A series of connected stories, “In the Heights” transcends its Broadway bound beginnings with a production cut loose from the confines of the stage. Shot on the streets of Washington Heights, New York, the story of a bodega, gentrification, a winning lottery ticket, love, community and the dreams of its characters is lovingly painted in big, bright colors by director John M. Chu.

The spider-web of a story weaves in and out of its character’s lives, centering around bodega owner Usnavi, played by the charismatic Anthony Ramos. Like almost everyone in the film Usnavi has a dream of a life beyond his neighborhood, and, in a sentiment borrowed from another famous musical, soon, most everyone discovers there’s no place like home.

“In the Heights” is a story of the immigrant experience that touches on the DREAM Act and fear of deportation, but is more concerned with its characters and their day dreams of creating better lives for themselves. It’s a story of resilience, of hope and it’s a tonic during these pandemic times when it seems the media, both social and mainstream, are incapable of delivering anything but unsettling news.

In an eager cast, Olga Merediz, who reprises her Broadway role as the neighborhood’s grandmother Abuela Claudia, and Melissa Barrera as Usnavi’s love interest Vanessa, are standouts.

The sheer spectacle of it all, however, may be the real star. Chu’s camera is in constant motion, capturing the many ensemble dance numbers that accompany the soundtrack’s hip-hop, salsa, merengue, soul and R&B, in an eye-popping manner. The Busby Berkeley-style “96,000” number, shot at a public swimming pool is a total throwback to Hollywood’s Golden Age, as is a terrifically staged gravity-defying dance on the side of a building.

It doesn’t all work, however. A framing device that sees Usnavi tell his story to a group of kids is clunky and the opening number, “In the Heights,” an almost eight-minute set-up to the story, is stylish but overstays its welcome.

Still, those are small issues in an invigorating crowd pleaser that offers heart and uplift in almost every frame.

NEWSTALK 1010: “IN THE HEIGHTS” AND IN-DEPTH WITH EDM SUPERSTAR MOBY!

On this week’s Richard Crouse Show Podcast we meet two of the stars of “In the Heights,” the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway smash hit show. You know Jimmy Smits from everything from “NYPD Blue” and “The West Wing” to “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” and “How To Get Away with Murder.” He plays Kevin Rosario, owner of his own taxi cab service in In the heights. Joining him is Olga Merediz, who originated the role of “Abuela” Claudia, the loving matriarch of the barrio, in the Broadway show and now stars in the movie.

Then, I have a no holds barred conversation with musician, songwriter, singer, producer, and animal rights activist Moby. He has a new album called “Reprise” and a documentary called “Moby Doc” available right now. in the interview we talk about everything from using alcohol and drugs in a misguided attempt to find happiness to screwing up the courage to ask David Bowie to duet on Heroes… on acoustic guitar in his living room!

Listen to the whole thing HERE!

Here’s some info on The Richard Crouse Show!

Each week on the nationally syndicated Richard Crouse Show, Canada’s most recognized movie critic brings together some of the most interesting and opinionated people from the movies, television and music to put a fresh spin on news from the world of lifestyle and pop-culture. Tune into this show to hear in-depth interviews with actors and directors, to find out what’s going on behind the scenes of your favourite shows and movies and get a new take on current trends. Recent guests include Ethan Hawke, director Brad Bird, comedian Gilbert Gottfried, Eric Roberts, Brian Henson, Jonathan Goldsmith a.k.a. “The most interesting man in the world,” and best selling author Linwood Barclay.

Listen to the show live here:

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