Dancing With Myself

These past couple of months have been insane. If you had told me at the beginning of the year that our everyday lives would be put to a screeching halt by a global pandemic, I wouldn't have believed you. Yet here we are. Amidst the uncertainty, UFO sightings, and murder hornets a lot of us are struggling to find some sort of new normal.

The Never-Ending Photo Project

For me personally, this time away from both work and the theatre has been eye-opening. At first I was treating the situation like any rational adult would do. I was angry. I was scared. I was drinking too much. I tried to stay active walking 2 miles every other day. I tried to keep my mind off the rapidly spreading virus with projects around the house. My body had other plans.

Around mid-April I started experiencing massive heartburn. It was completely debilitating. I had to cut my walks short and eventually stopped walking entirely. The home project at the time was cleaning out the garage. I helped as much as I could but felt wiped out after merely an hour's work. I kept a close eye on what I was eating. I cut out all alcohol. I even started meditating twice a day. No matter what I did, I couldn't shake the pain or feeling of existential dread.  

After talking to my doctor (lawd, this feels like an infomercial) and explaining my symptoms, she prescribed me both stronger-than-OTC heartburn and anxiety medication. Welcome to adulthood, Joseph! What I think happened is this. My life has always been GO GO GO! With this sudden stop in any activity whatsoever, my body stepped up and said ENOUGH! Now after lots of rest and 10 days on the new medication, I am feeling better. I'm not quite 100% yet, and maybe I never will be, but it's definitely a start.

First walk in a month!

Now it's time to brag a little bit. Today is a notable benchmark for me. Except for one celebratory mimosa, I have not had any alcohol for a month. One whole month! For anyone who knows me, this is definitely an accomplishment. At first I was upset. What better time to drink than at home during a crisis! Then I realized I had guzzled enough beer to keep a bar up and running. It was time to focus on my physical health. I'm not saying I'm going completely teetotal. However now that a month has gone by I'm in a better place both physically and mentally, and I want to keep that going.

To make a long story short (too late), what I'm saying is it's okay. It's okay to be angry. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to drink but don't get crazy. Stay in touch with loved ones. If you're feeling down, reach out and say something. That's what they're there for. Keep in check with your body physically, mentally, and spiritually too! Do what you have to do to stay sane during these scary times. It's taken me a couple of months to fully realize this much, and we're only at the beginning. As we fight for a new normal please remember to stay safe and stay healthy. I'll see everybody on the other side!

Top 10 of 2019

I know I always say this, but where has the time gone?

I'll keep this short. Tonight is all about the Golden Globes. I have seen maybe 1/3 of the films nominated. So here it is for your viewing pleasure...

JOE MOORE'S TOP 10 of 2019

10) Fighting With My Family

Remember that WWE film that came out early this past spring? No? That's okay. Lots of people don't. But it's seriously like REALLY good. The cast of course is aces, and it's the first of THREE brilliant Florence Pugh performances this year alone.

9) Us

Jordan Peele's sophomore effort, while not as awesome as his debut, is still a marvelous exercise in suspense. No other 2019 flick kept me on my seat, and that is saying something. Also... Lupita Nyong'o can do no wrong.

8) How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

If anyone asks for a great non-Disney franchise, I always point them in this direction. I love the HTTYD series, and this trilogy capper is no exception. The action is rousing, the humor is solid, and the last block will make you cry. 

7) Toy Story 4

While this 4th film in the franchise isn't as heartbreaking as part 3, there's still some tears to be had. Some of your favorite toys (Buzz, Jessie) are brushed to the side, some old and new toys (Bo Peep, Forky, Duke Kaboom) get the spotlight, and the film is better off for it. I'M TRASH!

6) Ready Or Not

This nifty horror/comedy was probably one of my must-sees, and it did not disappoint! Very much in vein with one of my other faves, You're Next, this middle finger to high society is such a riot to witness. So let the blood splatter and the laughs keep coming!

5) Knives Out 

An A-list crime caper led by modern mastermind Rian Johnson?! What's not to like? The cast is gold, the laughs are aplenty, and the twists are neverending. If you passed on this just because you're a Last Jedi hater, figure out your life and see this one pronto.

4) The Farewell

Lulu Wang's Sundance breakout is definitely one of the best of the year. The film, while set in China, is all about family and couldn't be more relateable. Comedienne Awkwafina is astounding in the lead role. I wouldn't be surprised to see her among the 5 Oscar nominees this year.

3) Little Women

Thank you, Greta Gerwig, for making your Alcott adaptation timeless yet somehow thoroughly modern. Some have nitpicked the film for altering the timeline. I think it gives the story a fresh spin. The soundtrack is amazing, and Florence Pugh (yes, her again) is a revelation as Amy.

2) Once Upon A Time In... Hollywood

Tarantino's penultimate film is a wonderful fairy tale homage to the golden age of Hollywood. DiCaprio and Pitt are terrific together, and Robbie has fun with her ethereal role. Just wait for that last half hour. What a ride!

1) Booksmart

Of course a coming of age story caps off this list! Olivia Wilde's beautiful debut is so incredibly fun and moving. I can't believe it isn't on more Top 10 lists this year. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever work wonders as the leads, but it's Billie Lourd who steals the show. An absolute must see! 

Top 10 of 2018

Wow. My presence on this blog has indeed been lacking. For that I profusely apologize. To be honest, not much has changed. It is a new year though. 2019. WHAAAT?! To celebrate let's start the year looking back at...

JOE MOORE'S TOP 10 OF 2018

10) Crazy Rich Asians

I am not a rom-com fan. The last one I truly enjoyed was How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. So it's been a minute. This flick, however, is how to take the formula and make it WORK. Everything about the movie is great from its exotic locales to its fun soundtrack to its over-the-top supporting characters. I'm also a huge Constance Wu fan so it's great to see her strut her stuff in a mainstream lead role. Get it!

9) Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Since M:I-3 (which is vastly underrated) the Mission: Impossible flicks have gotten better and better. This outing is no exception. The first in the franchise to act as an actual sequel to its predecessor, the film finds time to bring in characters from previous entries, gives everyone adequate screen time, and never lets up on breathtaking action sequences. I'm really upset I missed this one on IMAX. It's a doozy.

8) A Star Is Born

I caught this flick right at the last minute and I'm so glad I did. Some say the film is overrated. I don't know what they're talking about. Sure the story is "been there/done that" but so are most stories these days. The trick is to take a cliche and keep it fresh. That's exactly what Cooper and co. do with this retelling of a classic. If GaGa, Cooper, and Sam Elliot don't get acting nods for their work here, then what is happening to the world?

7) Hereditary

Hands down one of the best horror films to come out in a long time. A Quiet Place has the rewatchability factor that this definitely doesn't. But wow. Once you watch this flick it sticks with you. There are so many standout scenes featuring standout performances. I feel like Toni Collette has been forgotten now that it's awards season. Shall we go back and watch that dinner table scene again? Bam. Oscar nod.

6) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

It still absolutely blows my mind that this amazing film worked as well as it did. There is so much going on here. It could have been a jumbled mess. Yet somehow the filmmakers (one of whom is Phil Lord of The Lego Movie fame) take so many plot threads from so many multiverses and make an exceptional superhero flick! They also take the time for us to get to know Miles Morales, our main protagonist, and give him his own backstory. That is impressive!

5) Eighth Grade

What's a Joe Moore Top 10 list without a coming-of-age flick? It doesn't exist. Apologies to Love, Simon (which is super cute) but this is the best coming-of-age flick this year. Writer/director Bo Burnham takes the trappings of adolescence, modernizes it for the teenage generation, and somehow keeps it timeless. Probably because two things that will never go away are 1) the fear of fitting in and 2) being comfortable with who you are. Bravo!

4) Black Panther

I really can't say anything about this outstanding superhero flick that hasn't already been said. The film deserves every bit of praise it's received since its release back in February. The power of the action scenes, the sneaky strength of its politics, and the ambiguity of its characters all prove it will stand the test of time. Wakanda Forever! 

3) The Favourite 

The Lobster was ya know... something. This film was much more accessible, with enough idiosyncrasies to make it that much more lovable. I loved the Mean Girls vibe among Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone. Without those three this film never would've worked. Let's not forget loving to hate Nicholas Hoult as that obnoxious wannabe Congressman. Such a fun film!

2) Paddington 2

As much as I loved both Christopher Robin and Mary Poppins Returns, only one live-action kids' film remains #1 in my book... and that's Paddington 2. It's perfectly winning and wholesome without being too cloying. It also surpasses its predecessor in terms of story, character, and... Hugh Grant as a vain, former actor of a villain?! Absolutely yes. Best kids' film of the year!

1) Annihilation

That's right. I'm crowning Alex Garland's little-seen, genius of a mind-bending sci-fi flick my favourite picture of the year. Fight me. The story, the characters, that music! So many haunting themes going on in this film. Also that ending! Those last few minutes were quite the trip. Possibly the best sci-fi flick since 2001: A Space Odyssey. That's right. I said it.

Before I leave I want to recognize the one movie/TV show/mini-series that has truly blown me away this year. That is Netflix's "The Haunting of Hill House". Writer/director Mike Flanagan truly outdid himself adapting a classic haunted house story and twisted it to make it his own familial ghost saga. I have many, many thoughts but that's best reserved for another post. Until then let's all be excellent to each other.

Where Do I Go From Here

I want to preface by saying I cannot believe it is 2018. Am I the only one who is absolutely bamboozled? No? Great.

It has almost been 2 years since I moved back home after spending 9 incredible years down in Orlando. When I first moved back my intent was to break into the film industry. Being the expert procrastinator I am that still has yet to happen. In the meantime, I have rediscovered an older passion: community theatre.

Let me explain. I've always thoroughly enjoyed performing. I didn't dance through my adolescence and Goof around during my 20s for nothing. I've always thought of myself as more of a behind-the-scenes guy. Whether it be as a writer, a choreographer, or an editor, I never considered myself much of an actor. These past couple of years things have changed. 

It's been an honor to be an active part of Newnan Theatre Company. I've dabbled a bit being a stage manager and choreographer for a few shows, but that's backstage. Onstage I found my inner Caveman in The Addams Family, portrayed a vagabond ex in One Slight Hitch, had the time of my bloody life playing an asshole in Evil Dead, and OPENING TONIGHT (!!!) I'm part of the ensemble cast (and everyone's favorite first mate, Smee) in Peter and the Starcatcher.

Where is my life going? I have absolutely no idea. Two years ago I decided to put my time at Disney at an end. Last year I kept saying "This is my last show". Here we are in 2018. Possibilities are endless. Typing that causes me great anxiety. Do I want to persue my dream to get into film? Do I study dance/continue choreograping? Do I continue to grow as an actor? Why not D) all of the above? Exactly how that is going to happen I'm not sure. Whatever it is, I'll keep you posted.

*Please come see Peter and the Starcatcher. It's one of the funniest, most heartwarming shows I've ever done. For tickets/more information, visit http://www.newnantheatre.org/

**You're welcome for the shameless plug.

Top 10 of 2017

This past year was a lackluster year for movies. It started out with a bang, the summer was a bust, and a lot of independent flicks didn't get to my part of town. Do not fret! I still have my own personal favorites which you will soon see below. First here are the runners-up:

In alphabetical order: Blade Runner 2049, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Thor: Ragnarok

Now some Honorable Mentions!

Colossal - I love wacky independent flicks. This film is the definition of "wacky". Anne Hathaway is perfect as the 30s party girl who discovers she has an odd connection with a Kaiju destroying Seoul. Like I said it's wacky. And I loved every second of it!

Wonder Woman - Please don't hate for me not including this in my Top 10. I love everything about it. Director Patty Jenkins defied all nay-sayers and made an almost perfect superhero film. I just can't let go of that last block, which falls right back into superhero CGI awfulness. Everything else is, excuse the pun, wonderful.

Finally: 

JOE MOORE'S TOP 10 FILMS of 2017

10) War for the Planet of the Apes 

The latest Apes trilogy blew everybody away by how great it is. This entry is a terrific prisoner of war film with absolutely mind-blowing special effects. As usual Andy Serkis's motion-capture performance is sensational. I wish the Academy would finally give him the respect he deserves.

9) The Disaster Artist

I love trashy cinema so when I heard James Franco was filming a behind-the-scenes film about the making of The Room, I was hooked! You don't have to see one of the worst films of all time to be in on the joke, but it does help. It'd be great to see Franco and the screenwriters get Oscar nods for their work here. Hilarious!

8) Logan

James Mangold and Hugh Jackman get it RIGHT! Jackman, Stewart, and neewcomer Keen are all fantastic here. It's a superhero movie that keeps the powers to a minimum and the characters and their interactions at the forefront. Powerful stuff!

7) Get Out

What can I say about this astounding piece of work that hasn't already been said? Writer/director Jordan Peele has created a terrific genre mashup. Yes its roots are in horror, but the film has so much more to say. Hopefully the Academy will recognize one of the best films of the year.

6) Dunkirk 

War films are not my favorite, but there's no denying Christopher Nolan has created an exceptional piece of work here. Telling three different stories and giving each time to breathe in less than two hours is nothing short of amazing.

5) The Big Sick

Writers Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon take the true story of how they met and turn it into one of the most heart-warming films of the year. All the work here is exceptional, but Holly Hunter gives one of her best performances ever as Emily's spitball mother.

4) Baby Driver

Edgar Wright's latest (and greatest? I'm biased) had to make my Top 10. Every heart-pounding moment is terrific. The performances are great, the action is non-stop, and that soundtrack is everything! The editing here is also top-notch. I would scream if it got an Oscar nod. 

3) Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

Martin McDonagh (writer/director of In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths) has created a darkly comic look at the tale of a heartbroken mother who turns a midcountry town upside-down and found its broken-down soul. The writing is nothing short of extraordinary, as are the three central performances by McDormand, Harrelson, and especially Rockwell. Bravo!

2) Lady Bird

Of course the best coming-of-age story in years has found its way on my Top 10 list. Of course it's written and directed by Greta Gerwig, one of Hollywood's brightest and most off-kilter stars. Of course it has top-notch performances from its cast but especially Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, who take the central mother-daughter relationship and give the film its beating heart. 

1) The Shape of Water

I love Guillermo del Toro. I even enjoyed his recent lesser works (Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak) more than the average movie-goer. But THIS is del Toro at his finest. Another eccentric fable a la Pan's Labyrinth, del Toro sucks you into this beautiful film and never lets go. It's thrilling, heart-warming, and absoutely perfect. It may not be for everybody, but if you have the least bit of a soul, please go see this amazing film. 


Well there you have it! As I said before, there were a few films that I still have yet to see. I'm sure if I had checked out Call Me By Your Name and I, Tonya they would've made this list too. But alas what can you do?

I hope everybody out there had a amazing holiday season. Here's to 2018 and making it bigger and better than ever! Let's do this.

GROOVY

I have some very exciting news for all of you. Some of you already know so just bear with me but...

I'VE BEEN CAST IN EVIL DEAD!

Yup. Newnan Theatre Company is performing Evil Dead The Musical this October. I knew I was going to choreograph for it. I went into auditions not expecting much, but I'm cast as Scott! Woo!

For those of you who are not familiar, the musical is based off of Sam Raimi's original horror trilogy. It combines the plots of both The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II with lines and references sprinkled in from Army of Darkness. Ya know, for shiggles. It's a typical story. Five stupid bitches college students drive to a secluded cabin in the woods, and they get picked off one by one by a demonic force. Scott is one of the aforementioned college students. He's a party animal/horndog. He's over-the-top in an absurd way, the exact opposite of my usually introverted self. So that'll be fun to play!

The musical is littered with gags, gore, and great musical numbers such as "Cabin in the Woods" and "All the Men In My Life Keep Getting Killed By Candarian Demons". We're even gonna have a splatter zone reserved for the first couple of rows, but don't worry. There will be a disclaimer like you're riding Splash Mountain. You may get wet.

As I said before I'm super excited for this opportunity. I've loved the movies since I was a teenager. (Somehow my parents were okay with me watching gore-drenched flicks back then. Thanks, Mom and Dad!) (Also Bruce Campbell is pretty much THE MAN. Or THE CHIN.) I found out about the musical in 2010 when a local Orlando theatre performed it. Thanks to a certain nighttime parade we do not mention, I was unable to audition OR attend. But that is not the case anymore! We've assembled a great cast, music rehearsals have started, and basically it's gonna be AWESOME!

So if you love musicals, come see it! If you love cheeseball horror movies, come see it! If you wanna watch me play an over-the-top asshole, come see it! If you wanna see some amazing choreography, come see it! If you have to call in three days in a row for that one point (WORTH IT!), come see it! I could go on and on. The performances are here in Newnan on October 19-22 annd 26-29. Don't worry. I'll be pestering all of you to... 

JOIN US. 

P.S. Hey, Tony! If you're reading this, we better get a Michigan State shirt for someone to wear. Only Michigan State kids are stupid enough to visit a secluded cabin in the woods. Am I right, Minish? Okay. Now I'm done. 

ALRIIIGHT!!!

Hi. I'm Joseph Moore, and I like Bob's Burgers. 

Wait scratch that. 

I LOOOVE Bob's Burgers. 

I can't believe that the show recently finished its 7th (SEVENTH?!?) season. To celebrate I thought it would be appropriate to make a Top 10 list. I mean, y'all know how much I love Top 10 lists. Almost as much as I love... well you know. BOB'S BURGERS!!! So without further adieu here are my 10 favorite episodes. And yes this list took forever to compile. Enjoy! 

Honorable Mention: "Sheesh Cab, Bob" (S1), "Bad Tina" (S2), "Boyz 4 Now" (S4), "The Gayle Tales" (S5), "The Runway Club" (S5), "Hawk & Chick" (S5), "The Hauntening" (S6), "Glued, Where's My Bob" (S6), "There's No Business Like Mr. Business" (S7), "The Laser-Inth" (S7)

10) "Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl"

"Everybody knows Working Girl is the sister film to Die Hard." I couldn't have put it better myself. This season 5 opener takes the love/hate relationship between Gene and his ex Courtney to a whole new, 80s abusing level. I love every second of it! Not only do we get to see fragments of Gene's Die Hard: The Musical, we also see fragments of Courtney's Working Girl Musical. It's when the two ultimately agree to meld the two together that every 80s fiber in my body explodes. A classic for sure.

9) "Mother Daughter Laser Razor"

There are plenty of episodes that feature the mother/daughter struggle between Linda and Louise. It's never featured more prominently or better than in this season 3 episode. Linda just wants Louise to like her so of course her attempts get more and more aggressive. She finally decides to take Louise to an all-day seminar. That's when the episode gets reallllly good. Like Freaky Friday references and "Harry Truman" good. 

The B-plot about Bob taking Tina to her first leg waxing is also hysterical, as both Bob and Gene end up getting their legs waxed too. There's an awesome Terminator 2 reference with Tina and her little furry friends. Also Bob and Gene itch like crazy the rest of the episode. 

And like Harry Truman I am dead. Dead dead dead dead dead.

8) "Bob Actually"

What a wonderful Valentine's Day treat! If you love Love Actually there's plenty to love about this season 7 beauty. Little vignettes for so many characters all in a terrific 22-minute package. Bob learns to dance for Linda (hip hop, hysterical), Tina wants a romantic moment with Jimmy Jr but she has the chili poops, Gene falls for the Italian lunchlady substitute, and Louise has to deal with Regular-Sized Rudy potentially like-liking her. It's all just so cute but not overly so. This is Bob's Burgers after all.

7) "The Kids Run Away"

Louise hates the dentist. Take that idea and run with it. 

While Dr. Yap (hysterically voiced by Ken Jeong) informs Louise she has a cavity and needs a filling, Louise promptly runs away. She ultimately finds herself staying with their Aunt Gayle (yay Megan Mullally!!! yay cats!). When Bob and Linda find out Louise's whereabouts, they send Tina and Gene to run away with her. The deal is if Louise can make it through the weekend without Aunt Gayle driving her crazy, she doesn't have to get her filling. But of course she has to get it anyway.

The shenanigans the kids get into at Aunt Gayle's is just hilarious. I will never think of gale force winds the same way again. And the ending is very touching. Aunt Gayle ends up out-parenting Bob and Linda when she helps Louise face her greatest fear: getting a filling.

SQUAT!!!

6) "Hamburger Dinner Theater"

Season one of Bob's Burgers is kinda hit or miss. I loved it when I first watched it, but everything from the animation to the storytelling has vastly improved over the show's run. There are episodes that truly shine though. Like this one! 

This is the episode where we first find out about Linda's passion to randomly break into song, Tina's stage fright (uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh), and just how twisted Louise can really be. There's also Bob's obvious love for his family even though he can't stand what's happening around him, and of course Gene gets to play some tunes. Well, tones. 

After attending her latest dinner theater, Linda wants to put on a show at the restaurant. Bob is completely against the idea but allows the show to happen anyway. For one weekend only. That's when insanity strikes. Every failed effort to put on the show is amazing. Anything that could go wrong does go wrong, but in typical theater style, the show must go on! And thank groodness it does.

5) "Burgerboss"

Oh man. What is there to not love about this episode? 

Bob is excited when he adds a childhood favorite arcade game, Burgerboss, to the restaurant. Then Jimmy Pesto of course shows up. Not only does he best Bob at his favorite game, he also puts "Bob Sux" on the leader board. Bob goes crazy trying to one-up his competition, but of course to no avail. Never fear though. Jimmy Pesto, as usual, gets some form of comeuppance.

All I have to say is: YES! This season two episode introduces Aziz Ansari's Darryl, who is perfectly nerdy in every way. It also introduces Linda's bizarre love for porcelain babies (LIL BABIES!!!) and capitalizes on her catchphrase (ALRIIIGHT!!!). There's also arcade game references galore. So there's that. What a winner!

4) "The Kids Run the Restaurant"

Bob slices his hand so Linda rushes him to the hospital. The kids are told not to keep the restaurant open but per Louise's insistence, they do anyway. Only it's not so great. Then Louise hatches the scheme to open up a casino in the cellar. Which is just genius.

Bob and Linda's trip to the hospital is absolutely hysterical, but it's the casino scenes that really make the episode. I mean come on. We get a Marshmellow cameo! Who doesn't love that?! It all culminates in a perfect game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Then Linda gets a song over the closing credits. This episode is by far the best out of all the kid-centric episodes. 

3) "Topsy"

"They'll say 'Aww Topsy' at my autopsy!"

Those are just some of the wonderful lyrics to what is the greatest of all the Bob's Burgers songs: "Eletric Love". And that is only one of the many reasons this season 3 episode is one of my top 3 favorites.

Louise's substitute science teacher is an Edison nut. The substitute destroys Louise's chances of phoning in her science project, and she is forced to come up with something Edison related. That's when she, with the help of the bitter librarian Mr. Ambrose (voiced by BILLY EICHNER! woo!), discovers the story of Thomas Edison and Topsy the elephant.

To bring the substitute down, Louise enlists the help of Tina and Gene to put on a show at the science fair. Both Mr. Fischoeder (KEVIN KLINE!) and Aunt Gayle (MEGAN MULLALLY!) also get roped into assisting, Singin' in the Rain-style. The last five minutes are just pure magic, and if "Eletric Love" doesn't get stuck in your head, I'm not even sure we can be friends.

2) "Fort Night"

Bob's Burgers has terrific holiday episodes. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, you name it. Like The Office good, you guys. No episode is better than the season 4 Halloween episode though.

Molly Shannon guest voices as Millie, one of Louise's classmates. Millie is obsessed with Louise and the chance to trick-or-treat with her. Louise is not having any of that crap. Unfortunately that comes back to bite her and the gang in the butt (BUTTS) when Millie discovers Louise doesn't really like her, and the kids end of trapped in their fort in the back alley. 

Meanwhile Bob and Linda have no idea where their kids are. They've been slaving away over a dragon costume for their kids all day, and when the kids don't show, well... just watch the episode and find out. The whole 22 minutes is just wonderful. It's my go-to every Halloween. And whenever I want really... except for...

1) "The Equestranauts" 

Y'all. This episode... I have no words.

This season four episode is the greatest Bob's Burgers episode ever, and if you disagree... you are wrong.

Dan Mintz (the voice of Tina) wrote this episode, and it really shines. I just... I can't. But I will try.

Tina's love for her favorite show "The Equestranauts" reaches new heights when she gets to attend Equestra-Con with her Chariot doll. (Bob gets a great line here. "Hey who's pulling the chariot? It's Chariot. Oh my God, why am I analyzing this show?") Tina gets more than she bargained when, in a hilarious reference to the "Bronies" culture, she discovers that the Con is for grown men who love to dress up like their favorite characters. THEN she gets swindled out of her doll by the evil Regina George of Equesticles, Bronconius (hilariously voiced by Paul F. Tompkins). Bob gets roped into going undercover as an Equesticle to retrieve Tina's beloved doll.

I think that's reason enough this is the best episode ever. It's always hilarious when Bob gets roped into things to help out his beloved family, but it's even better when he actually finds himself enjoying what he's doing. Tina realizes over the course of the episode just how ridiculous the whole Equestranauts universe is. The last few seconds between Bob and Tina are pure comic gold.

EQUESTRANAUUUTS!!!

Well there you have it. My absolute favorite Bob's Burgers episodes. Wow. What a terrific show. I'm gonna go watch it right now. Peace.

Nothin' But A Good Time

Welcome one and all to a new column on my blog! This column is dedicated either to movies that I love while others detest or underappreciated movies that deserve another shot.

  Moore Underappreciated Flicks

I know I promised the 2009 coming-of-age flick Bandslam as my first of many articles. But! I recently rewatched the cheesy 2012 musical adaptation Rock of Ages, and I figured what movie would be more appropriate for this lavah of all things 80s?! So without further adieu let's investigate this celebration of 80s hard rock.

Let's start with what the detractors say. Is this movie too long? Yes. Are the leads bland? Yes. Is it anywhere near as good as director Adam Shankman's previous movie musical Hairspray? Absolutely not. However! There's enough pure joy and energy here to pull off a pop culture trash romp.

Yes, Shankman falters a bit here compared to Hairspray. However he and the writers (one of whom is the awesome Justin Thoreux) clearly have an unabashed love for the 80s. In lesser hands this would've been absolutely atrocious. If you ask some people, it is. But I'm here to rally against that suggestion.

What really sells the flick is the supporting roles. Some players are wasted. Bryan Cranston has nothing to do as Zeta-Jones mayor husband. Malin Akerman (so funny in TV's "Children's Hospital" and the later released The Final Girls) is similarly wasted as a Rolling Stone reporter, though she does get a few cute moments with the true star of the show. But before we get to him, there's a few others worth mentioning.

Zeta-Jones is hilariously campy as Cranston's protestor wife. Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand nearly walk away with the flick as The Bourbon Room's co-owners. More screen time for them would've been nice. Leads Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta are cute enough, and it helps that they can pull off their 80s ballads with aplomb. Everybody here seems to be having a blast, and isn't that what the 80s are all about?

The true star here is, of course, Tom Cruise. He is "Stacee Jaxx", a rock star pining for the golden days and coasting through the 80s thanks to alcohol, drugs, and his adoring fans. The star is larger than life here, roaring through Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and having a ball with Akerman during "I Want To Know What Love Is". It would be nice to see Cruise in more roles like this. He's clearly having the time of his life, and it definitely takes the film to the next level.

What your opinion of the film basically boils down to is this: do you love 80s rock? If so you will definitely get a kick out of it. If not you should probably steer clear. The flick is a too-long bubblegum rock opera with too much saccharine and zero substance whatsoever. But that's not such a bad thing. So the next time you're lounging around on a rainy Saturday afternoon, give this flick a shot. You'll have "Nothin' But A Good Time".

Welp there you have it! My first of many random reviews. On a completely unrelated note, Happy 20th Anniversary to what is perhaps the most bizarro sci-fi flick ever made... The Fifth Element.

MULTIPASS

Movies, Music, and Moore!

Welp, the Oscars came and went and I didn't even blog about them. For shame, Joseph.

Speaking of movies! I've decided I'm going to start a sporadic movie column. Each one will be dedicated to a film I love but not a lot of people have seen and/or know about. I've already chosen the film that's gonna start the ball rolling: the little-seen 2009 coming-of-age flick Bandslam. It's been 7 years since I watched it so I wanna rewatch it to see if my opinion is the same. I remember digging it back then so we'll see if I still do.

In other news, after a couple of months of strenuous rehearsal time, Godspell opens tomorrow night! I'm not performing this time around. I choreographed the show. I'm extremely proud of this cast. Every single one of them has really worked hard, and it really shows! One of the things our director Andrew made sure of is there was a strong chemistry among all the cast members. I'm very excited for the show to open so we can see the public's reactions.

Finally, what would an update be without some kind of 80s reference? SOOO the other day I was being an American citizen scrolling through Twitter when I saw that not one but TWO of my favorite 80s bands are going on tour TOGETHER this summer!!! 

That's right folks. Tears for Fears AND Hall & Oates are teaming up to tour the country together, and I AM LEGITIMATELY FREAKING OUT!!! Tickets go on sale March 10th, and you better believe I will be up before Jesus so I can get mine. I mean, I'm not NOT attending this concert. I've already missed so many concerts this past year due to scheduling conflicts, but I AM GOING TO THIS ONE. End of story.

Start Out With A BANG

Oh hellooo!

First things' first. Have you watched Sing Street yet? No? Stop reading right now and watch it. I MEAN IT.

...

Is it over? Wasn't it fantastic?! Ahem, okay let's move ahead.

This year is really starting out with a bang. Let me explain what I mean. I work in the mornings at Target... whatever. Then sometimes I have time to nap in the afternoon before spending the rest of my day at the theatre. And boy oh boy are we swamped this time of year!

I'm rehearsing for "One Slight Hitch" which opens the first weekend of February. We are starting our full runs off book this next week. Yikes! We've got a great cast, and I spend the majority of the show in a rain slicker and boxers. So if that isn't reason enough to see it I don't know what is!

I'm also choreographing for "Godspell". I'm not as close to the cast as I was with the "Addams" cast, but I'm hoping that changes in February after "Hitch" is over. I've already set a couple of numbers for the show, and from what I've seen it's going to be a lot of fun!

We also have a Gala TOMORROW NIGHT showcasing our upcoming 2017-2018 season. We've spent the past two weeks or so rehearsing skits and songs for that ON TOP OF all the other rehearsals going on. So yeah it's been quite a lot. I'm in a skit from "The Kitchen Witches". If you haven't heard of it, look it up. It's really funny! Then I get to sing in the opening number for "Evil Dead: The Musical". If you know me at all you know I'm' a huge horror nut. Evil Dead is one of my absolute favorites, and the musical version is pretty frikkin hilarious. I'm honored to even sing one number from the show.

So yeah. That's Target, theatre... what else? Somewhere in all that I found time to teach a few dance classes. Sure it's hectic but you know what? I'm used to hectic. It sure beats sitting around at home like I was doing when I first moved back home last March. Jeez it's almost been a year since I left Orlando. That's crazy.

Oh! Oscar nominations come out... I believe next Tuesday morning. I'm still wayyy behind on catching those flicks, but I have a month or so to catch up. AND now most of the films that will be nominated are actually playing nearby. Makes it slightly easier to check them out. So there's THAT!

Before I go, I know that today is the start of a very scary four years. Take your minds of that! by wishing a very special movie a very happy 11th anniversary.

Remember, We're All In This Together!

Top 10 of 2016

First things first...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Before we move on from the trials and tribulations that was 2016, let's look back at Joe Moore's favorite flicks from the year. Note: as with every year, there were a number of films I did not see. Huge hits such as Doctor Strange and Moana? Didn't see them. Oscar hopefuls such as Manchester By the Sea? Never came to my area. Also note: while there were many good horror flicks this past year, none of them were GREAT at least in this guy's useless opinion. Let's get started!

Honorable Mention: 

     Star Trek Beyond - Much better than Into Darkness, this third entry in the Trek canon feels like an episode of the show, and I mean that in the best possible way.

     The Nice Guys - Thank you, Shane Black, for what I think is the most underrated flick of the year. It's a fun homage to the action-comedy buddy genre (which Black is known for) set in the swingin' 70s. If you haven't already, check it out!

Okay! On to the actual list!

10) (tie) Nocturnal Animals/Swiss Army Man

     I'm cheating with a tie, but I couldn't decide between these two films. Both are independent flicks. Both are not for everybody. Both are fantastic! 
     Animals is a twisty, neo-noir thriller with great performances and beautiful cinematography. At first the ending seemed a little abrupt, but after some thought I realized it is brilliant!
     Man is an extremely odd bromance anchored by terrific performances by Dano and Radcliffe. Dano is his usual bizarro self, but Radcliffe as a corpse... is really the best Radcliffe has been post-Harry Potter. If you like weird definitely check it out!

9) Midnight Special

The flick starts with a bang and doesn't stop until the conclusion. Which is great, but a little meat would've been nice. We never truly connect to the characters, and more about that cult would've been nice. That being said, this is a wonderful sci-fi thriller from writer/director Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, Mud) with an moving yet eerie score by David Wingo. Between this and Netflix's "Stranger Things", the 80s sci-fi nostalgia was on point this year!

8) Deadpool

Superhero flicks have become the norm lately, and honestly they've become slightly repetitive. Enter Deadpool to be the breath of fresh air we all needed. Thank you, Ryan Reynolds, for really pushing to make this as dirty and vulgar as it should've been with a little bit of heart sprinkled in because why not? Also thanks to current events, the song at the end hits even harder and the flick is all the better for it... Wham! 

7) The Edge of Seventeen

The award to best coming-of-age flick goes to... *drumroll please* no not Moonlight (because I didn't see it... yet) but this wonderful flick full of teenage angst. Usually that would be annoying but the writing is so well drawn-out you definitely side with the lead and can't wait to see where the story takes her. Speaking of the lead, Hailee Steinfeld is wonderful and totally deserved that Golden Globe nomination. You go, gurl!

6) Zootopia 

As with most Disney films, the trailer for this didn't excite me much but I decided to check it out anyway. I was blown away! Funny, heartfelt, and bizarrely topical, this Disney flick will go down as a classic and one to watch with your families for years to come. Bravo, Disney!

5) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Wow. I will say I was worried when I heard about the production hiccups. Fortunately none of them show up onscreen, and this flick works as both a prequel to the original Episode IV and a balls-to-the-wall war flick. There are the occasional missteps (that Tarkin CGI... ugh) and perhaps one too many appearances from series' favorites, but overall this first standalone entry in the Star Wars saga is terrific.

4) La La Land

What can I say about this wonderful film that hasn't already been said? It's a delightful ode to the golden age of musicals. Gosling and Stone continue to prove that their chemistry together is absolutely perfect. And yes, I definitely teared up a few times. If you're a fan of classic musicals, do yourself a favor and see this great film soon!

3) Kubo and the Two Strings

Laika continues to impress with yet another fantastic venture in stop-motion animation. Just the pre-credit sequence alone is breathtaking! I was worried that the big-name cast would hinder the flick, but the stars seemlessly blend into a wonderful story that's both inspiring and heartbreaking.

2) Arrival 

I knew I was going to love this film, but I didn't realize just how much. In vein with both Close Encounters and Contact, this is a more cerebral alien-invasion flick. It's not about aliens so much as it's about humankind and how we connect around the world. Also, just give Amy Adams the Oscar now. She is absolutely magnificent. Wow.


1) Sing Street

As if there was any question this would be my #1 choice of the year. I remember when the trailer was released toward the end of 2015. I was already sold, but then the soundtrack included Duran Duran, Hall & Oates, and The Cure? I was in love! This charming coming-of-age flick set in 1985 Dublin is truly one of the greats. Thank you, John Carney (Once, Begin Again) for this wonderful glance back into your childhood. If you like the 80s at all, if you enjoy a good coming-of-age flick, or if you just want to watch a feel-good movie with toe-tapping music, definitely check out this true winner! Now we need to get a campaign going for a Best Original Song nod for "Drive It Like You Stole It". Gah! I can't recommend this movie enough. Just see it!!

I think that about wraps things up for now. See? 2016 wasn't all bad. Even if it was, let's band together and make 2017 one we'll never forget! In a good way of course. Until next time, peace!

(Psst... me again. Sing Street is currently streaming on Netflix. You can literally watch it right now. Okay? Okay.)