Friday, October 21, 2016

Initial thoughts on The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again @RockyHorrorFOX #RockyHorror



I just finished watching both The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again Fox TV Reboot, followed by the original on Logo the #cocktailsandclassics version where guest stars share their impressions during the movie breaks. My mom mixed up a batch of cocktails, and it was fitting we watch it together as she introduced me to the original movie. (Don't be jelly because I have the coolest mom eva!)

The Re-Boot Cast:

Laverne Cox as Dr. Frank-N-Furter
Victoria Justice as Janet Weiss
Ryan McCartan as Brad Majors
Annaleigh Ashford as Columbia
Adam Lambert as Eddie
Reeve Carney as Riff-Raff
Christina Milian as Magenta
Staz Nair as Rocky
Ivy Levan as Trixie, the Usherette
Ben Vereen as Dr. Everett von Scott
Tim Curry as the Narrator/Criminologist
Jayne Eastwood as The Butler
Kelly Van der Burg as Betty Hapschatt-Munroe

I have to admit I watched it setting it out to *hate* it. I just don't like re-boots, so far they have *all* disappointed me, until now.

I have watched the original so many times I didn't think anyone would do any of it any justice. And let's face it, as a New Yorker, could anyone play it better than a NYC Midnight Screening Audience? Probably Not! Barry Bostwick who played Brad Majors in the original movie, was interviewed on Logo last night during #cocktailsandclassics and he described what the scene was like at the NYC midnight screenings to a tee.

My impressions of the cast performances? I'm so glad you asked:

Tim Curry - seeing him as the Narrator/Criminologist was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It just didn't feel real that he wouldn't be Dr. Frank-N-Furter but I was so glad he was there in some way. I can't help but think it must have been hard to watch the reboot for him on so many levels.

And I have to put a flashback photo of Tim Curry in his iconic role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter:



Ivy Levan as Trixie, the Usherette - She opens the re-boot with a good deal of sass and energy. Trixie was the original Usherette for the Rocky Horror Show and sang Science Fiction/Double Feature. Patricia Quinn (who played Magenta in TRHPS) was also Trixie for the original stage version.

Here's a throwback to the original:



Laverne Cox - If this makes sense she made the doc somewhat less 'dark' - she brought a lighter touch to the character which was surprisingly refreshing! Tim Curry's Dr. Frank-N-Furter is a bit darker than the doc in this version.

Victoria Weiss - There is something funnier about her Janet being led to the 'dark' side of lust and life, somehow Susan's Janet struck me as an undercover freak so her antics never fully surprised me!

Ryan McCartan - Ryan gets his traction as Brad more toward the middle of the movie for some reason but overall I enjoyed his portrayal.

Annaleigh Ashford as Columbia - She should look familiar if you watch Showtime's Master's of Sex as Betty Dimello. She is honestly my FAVORITE of the cast. She literally plays Columbia to pure perfection. But then again she rocked it in my fave play Kinky Boots as well so I should have known she would dominate the role.

Laura Elizabeth "Little Nell" Campbell was the one who played Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show - In 1986 she opened the nightclub Nell's on W. 14th St in Manhattan and it was one of my fave clubs, did you ever hit Nell's? It was pretty much Webster Hall, Paladium and Nell's for me back then!

Here is a throwback photo of Laura as Columbia:



Reeve Carney as Riff-Raff - I wasn't living for his performance, they nail the look, but I didn't totally feel it with Reeve.

Christina Milian as Magenta - I think she over did her performance to be honest. Reeve underwhelmed me as Riff Raff and Christina was just plain trying too hard and because of that comes up short.

Staz Nair as Rocky - I can't tell you how much I love that he played Rocky as being 'in on the joke'. And I knew he looked familiar and Viggle Trivia confirmed it, he was Qhono on my favorite show Game of Thrones (GoT). He was one of the Dothraki that was contemplating raping Daenarys, I hated him so much on GoT, and love him so much in Rocky Horror.

Adam Lambert as Eddie - Adam definitely brings the right energy to the role, and all of ya'll saying this was Eddie after weight watchers, you are all just plain mean! LOL

Ben Vereen as Dr. Everett von Scott - I did not like him in the role. I like the actor, but he just added nothing to the role. In an interview with Today, Vereen talked about the mission of the remake, saying that:

"It’s a tribute to the original, you cannot reinvent, you cannot touch the original, so we are paying homage to those who went before us." ~ Ben Vereen


My Take:

This has to be one of the most respectful reboots that I have seen in awhile. I think Ben Vereen did describe it best, it's a 'tribute' to the original it's an homage, the movie can't be re-invented, but this an enjoyable reboot in my humble opinion.

Fox got this one right!

And watching it with my mom who introduced me to the original, us throwing stuff at the screen, dancing the time warp and sipping cocktails was another great memory I will always have of the movie.

It was pure fun and silliness for me last night!

Did you watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again? If so, what did YOU think of it?

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24 comments:

  1. I may be aging myself here but I have never seen the Rocky Horror Show, when it first came out I was too young and every time it came on tv I was ushered into bed. Now that I am older I would love to see what the fuss was about. They have quite a cast so you know it's going to be good!

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  2. I am a huge Rocky Horror junkie. In my 20s we went every year to the local theater to watch it as well as do the live commentary. So much fun. I did not get to watch the reboot yet, but I will! I love Laverne Cox and I can't wait to see how she does.

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  3. Holy. Moly. I saw Rocky Horror Picture show last night, and it was amazeballs. SUPER amazeballs.

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  4. I have never seen it. But after reading this I'm totally going to!

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  5. I've actually never seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I might have to watch this version, though!

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  6. I am a HUGE RHPS snob. Have seen it more than 300 times, have met Tim Curry and just took my daughter to a live midnight show. I HATED the re-boot. Tim Curry was heartbreaking. I am glad they included him, but oh my goodness. I did enjoy Annaleigh.

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  7. You know, I have never actually seen Rocky Horror Picture Show? I am glad that they did justice with this homage to the original. Reboots are so hard to nail.

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  8. Perfect just in time for Halloween! You know I don't think I ever watched the show! I've got to watch it!

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  9. Can I duck my head and quietly admit that I have never seen the original? It's been on my to-do list for years, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I am glad that you liked the reboot. I agree, most times the reboots are horrible!

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  10. I've never seen Rocky Horror picture show. I think I was too little when it came out. I will have to watch the first one before the newer one to compare.

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  11. This sounds like a great show. I can't wait to see this!

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  12. I've never seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show before... But the outfits are quite something to see! I will have to check it out - jeanine

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  13. Reboots usually disappoint me as well. Now I can't wait to go watch this myself.

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  14. I watched the reboot of The Rocky Horror Picture Show the other night. It was amazing. I think they did a great job.

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  15. I have watched the original movie a few times, but I have never seen the reboot version of it before. I'd love to, though!

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  16. I haven't seen this and It's so great to watch this movie.

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  17. My husband watched the remake & then realized he'd never actually seen the original. It's a great movie for Halloweentime.

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  18. I've never seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show before but my husband las and says he loves it

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  19. I hate re-makes too but some turn out ok but there is no way this one could EVER be matched. There is a cult for RHPS and this was not meant to be rebooted.

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  20. I'm glad you found the show entertaining! There's been so many reboots of this and it's tough to keep up. But I honestly think this one is worth watching. Sounds like they put together a good cast.

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  21. I haven't heard about this and sounds so interesting for me

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  22. I've never seen the show. This is the first time that I've heard of it actually. Hubby's familiar of it though.

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  23. I have never been a huge fan of the original but I wanted to see this. I love Laverne Cox and Christina Milian.

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  24. Wow they modernized the Rocky Horror Picture show! Thats pretty interesting. I knew Christina Milan was gonna be in it because she kept promoting it on Snapchat but I didnt know about Laverne Cox thats awesome!

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