Meridian Hall in Toronto celebrates the 30th anniversary of “Jurassic Park” with the TO Live Orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score on Friday March 3 and Saturday March 4.
Before the show, from 7 to 7:30 pm, I’ll host a preshow chat, located in the lower lobby at Meridian Hall, with orchestra member, trombonist Robert Conquer. We’ll talk about the movie, the score and reveal what it is like to play along to one of the most famous movies of the 1990s!
I join CTV NewsChannel anchor Sean Leathong to talk about the drama “Women Talking,” Christian Bale in “The Pale Blue Eye” and the music doc “If These Walls Could Sing.”
Watch as I review three movies in less time than it takes to cheat on your new diet! Have a look as I race against the clock to tell you about the drama “Women Talking,” Christian Bale in “The Pale Blue Eye” and the music doc “If These Walls Could Sing.”
I joined CP24 to have a look at new movies coming to VOD, streaming services and theatres. Today we talk about the drama “Women Talking,” Christian Bale in “The Pale Blue Eye” and the music doc “If These Walls Could Sing.”
I sit in with CKTB morning show host Tim Denis to have a look at the drama “Women Talking,” Christian Bale in “The Pale Blue Eye” and the music doc “If These Walls Could Sing.”
I join 1290 CJBK in London and hosts Ken and Marina to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the drama “Women Talking,” Christian Bale in “The Pale Blue Eye” and the music doc “If These Walls Could Sing.”
I sit in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with guest host Andrew Pinsent to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the drama “Women Talking,” Christian Bale in “The Pale Blue Eye” and the music doc “If These Walls Could Sing.”
Liam Gallagher calls it “a national treasure.” “Music seeps from the walls,” said Elton John. Film, composer John Williams called it the “mother of the music that was birthed there.”
The place is London’s Abbey Road Studios, one of the most famous recording studios in the world, and the subject of “If These Walls Could Sing,” a new documentary/hagiography now streaming on Disney+, directed by Mary McCartney, eldest child of Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman.
From playing home to everyone from cellist Pablo Casals and Cliff Richard to Pink Floyd and Kate Bush to Fela Kuti and all the above-mentioned stars to, of course, the Beatles and so many other 20th and 21st century luminaries, the studio has made an indelible impact on recording arts and popular culture.
Broken into sections defined by era, McCartney presents an engaging nuts and bolts history of the studio, from its grand opening in 1931 to early rock and roll, to the heady days of Beatlemania and onwards to the young artists who create new music there, while soaking up the vibes of everyone who came before. The mix of archival footage, music and talking heads from the musicians who recorded there, paints an affectionate and informative portrait of the people and the place.
The stories are fun. Did you know Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin played acoustic guitar on Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger” in Abbey Road’s Studio Two? That Linda Eastman brought a pony named Jet, who would later inspire the famous Wings’ song, to the studio? That Elton John, then still called Reginald Dwight, played piano on The Hollies’ “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”?
There are more tales from the recording studio, by-and-large, told by those who made the music, including Kanye West in a segment obviously shot some time ago, but the movie lacks real depth. When Paul McCartney is asked what makes Abbey Road so special, he says, “It’s a great studio. All the microphones work. It sounds silly but you go to some studios…” It’s not the most illuminating answer, but if you want details, John Williams goes deeper later in the film, describing the studio’s “nice face” and “nice sound.”
“It’s a gift to music,” he says. “I have to tell you.”
“If These Walls Could Sing” is nostalgia dolled up in a pretty package, with all the rough edges shorn off. Rock docs probably shouldn’t be this respectful, still, as music movies go, this one mines rich, entertaining territory.
For the second of two night! Friday, December 30 at 7:30 PM. Read all about the first night HERE!
Experience the inspiring classic, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on a vast HD screen while John Williams’ iconic, triumphant score is performed LIVE, in sync with the film by the Motion Picture Symphony Orchestra conducted by Evan Mitchell.
“A night to iPhone home about” (LA Times)
“A perfectly poised mixture of sweet comedy and ten-speed melodrama, of death and resurrection, of a friendship so pure and powerful it seems like an idealized love” (Time)
“[E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial] made my heart glad. It is filled with innocence, hope, and good cheer. It is also wickedly funny and exciting as hell” (Roger Ebert)
Director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial follows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott.
Experience the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®*-winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync to the film projected on a huge HD screen!
Prior to the screening, join film critic Richard Crouse with special guest Thom Ernst in the lower lobby for an in-depth discussion of the film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial at 6:30pm.
Take part in the conversation as they discuss the legacy of Steven Spielberg’s 1982 creation and why it remains one of the sweetest and most personal blockbusters ever made.
Richard Crouse is the film critic for CTV’s News Channel and CP24. His syndicated radio show, The Richard Crouse Show, originates on News Talk 1010 in Toronto. He is the author of nine books including the bestselling Raising Hell: Ken Russell and The Unmaking of The Devils and Elvis is King: Costello’s My Aim is True. His weekly Metro column appears on Fridays.
Thom Ernst is a Toronto based film writer and critic. He is currently the host and producer of Making Movies the Canadian Way airing on Bell Fibe TV1. Thom also hosts the podcast This Movie’s About You. CBC listeners across Canada can hear him as a replacement film critic and commentator on CBC Radio Syndication and Fresh Air. Thom is best known as the former Host and Producer of TVO’s popular film show, Saturday Night at the Movies. Thom’s film writings have also appeared in the Toronto Star, The National Post, Playback Magazine and toromagazine.com.
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions present
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Live in Concert. Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30 at 7:30PM. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto. Tickets on sale NOW. Ticket prices range from $49-99. Ticket prices do not include service or delivery fees. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Sony Centre Box Office, over the phone at 1-855-872-SONY (7669) or online at www.sonycentre.ca.
Meridian Hall in Toronto celebrates the 30th anniversary of “Jurassic Park” with the TO Live Orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score on Friday March 3 and Saturday March 4.
