Rob Marshall is either the bravest director in Hollywood or the most foolhardy. Three of his five theatrical films — the musicals "Chicago," "Nine" and now "Into the Woods" — don't just invite comparison to the eccentric genius of other artists, they insist on it.

Originally a Bob Fosse stage project, "Chicago" was so imbued with Fosse's vitriolic spirit that even in Marshall's more straightforward hands the movie version felt like the missing piece in a triptych with Fosse's "Cabaret" and "All That Jazz."

"Nine" is the musical created from Fellini's masterpiece "8 1/2."

(Marcello Mastroianni in Fellini's "8 1/2")

Odd enough that someone thought Fellini's intimate but epic fugue on his own creative doubts and sexual fantasies should be adapted by others for Broadway; stranger still to re-import the hybrid back to the screen, in the workmanlike form Marshall gave to it.

And now we have "Into the Woods," a film placing Marshall in the long line of moviemakers defeated by Sondheim's difficult musical brilliance and penchant for challenging material. It's distinguished company, reaching back all the way to "A Hard Day's Night" director Richard Lester's re-invention of "A Funny Thing Happened (On the Way to the Forum)" as a kind of psychedelic Keystone Cops movie, and forward to Tim Burton's more adept but still wrong-headed Murnau-meets-Hammer-Horror approach to "Sweeney Todd."

Even director Hal Prince, the principal theatrical collaborator during Sondheim's most fertile and formative period, made an absolute hash of their shared stage success "A Little Night Music" in a film version later disavowed by both men, and mostly remembered for Elizabeth Taylor's chirpy and discernibly flat rendition of "Send in the Clowns."

Liz singing "Send in the Flat Clowns"

It's just possible that the real problem is that Sondheim's self-reflexive and deconstructive impulse (his musicals are almost always and to varying degrees commentaries on the Musical itself) makes his projects unfit for screen adaptation. In movies, we miss the artifice of the proscenium, the sweat on the actor's brow. But if any of Sondheim's late-period projects held out the hope of a successful movie version it was surely "Into the Woods," a droll recombination of the fairytale form's literary DNA into something like Sondheim's masterpiece "Company," set in a realm of magic beanstalks and slippers made of glass.

The characters are straight out of the Disney pantheon (or "Shrek"): Cinderella meets Rapunzel meets Red Riding Hood meets Jack and his Beanstalk, with a generic Wicked Witch, a couple of not so charming Prince Charmings, plus a peasant couple thrown in. But the issues at stake — marital fidelity, raising children, the fear of aging and death — are complicated, and filled with gray tones which Sondheim and librettist James Lapine masterfully etched across the fairytale's Manichean black and white.

What seemed audacious when Sondheim and Lapine conceived it in 1987 ought to fit comfortably into the era of "Sleepy Hollow" and "Maleficent," but in Marshall's hands, it does not. The good news is that though populated by what old school TV shows used to call a Galaxy of Today's Brightest Stars (Anna Kendrick as an appealingly unglamorous Cinderella; Chris Pine as the nymphomaniac Prince who stalks her; Meryl Streep quite moving in the Wicked Witch role made famous on Broadway by Bernadette Peters) this is mostly a very well-sung movie. There have been controversial excisions and revisions (enabled by Lapine, who is Marshall's screenwriter), but as an introduction to one of Sondheim's more beloved scores, "Into the Woods" makes for a solid musical primer.

WATCH: The "Into the Woods" trailer

But though Marshall has taken a lot of flack for daring to cut out characters (most notably the stage production's Narrator, who served as a kind of Greek Chorus in the original) and for softening plot points (Rapunzel died onstage), the big problem is that Marshall isn't nearly ruthless enough in rethinking "Into the Woods" as an honest-to-God movie. There are many moments (Johnny Depp ending a scene with a stagy howl at the Moon that virtually screams "and... fade out!;" the unseen death of a major character) where Marshall embraces the limitations of stagecraft when something bigger and more cinematic is needed, as if afraid to mar the pedigree of Broadway with Hollywood's debased visual stamp.

"Giants in the Sky," Jack's coming-of-age number, where he describes finding manhood in the sexual and physical dangers available above the clouds in the Giant's Castle, is a showstopper onstage, where we're willing to accept rhetoric in place of physical immediacy. Onscreen, it's simply frustrating for a character to suddenly appear and tell us he's just had the adventure of a lifetime, and that it's too bad we missed it.

The Woods themselves — both character and symbol onstage, a kind of living maze representing moral confusion — are lush here and geographically nondescript, like a particularly plush unit set, done up in a generic Lloyd Webber-meets-Disney house style.

Perhaps most unfortunately of all, Marshall seems constitutionally incapable of conveying the pervasive satiric impulse at the heart of the Sondheim/Lapine original, which could have been called "What Happens After Happily Ever After." Without ironic distancing, the film's second half, where the characters betray each other in decidedly contemporary sexual and self-interested terms, plays as non-sequitur.

It's possible to imagine a more idiosyncratic movie director who both understands and embraces the arsenal of cinematic effects available through editing, camera movement and design transforming "Into the Woods" into a rousing cinematic triumph — the young Terry Gilliam comes to mind. But Hollywood doesn't really embrace its daring cranks and visionaries very often, as Gilliam's difficult career demonstrates. Whenever possible, today's studios like to import genius at a safe remove, and then hand it off to a reliable journeyman who won't make waves or piss off the suits. The limitations of that approach are visible in every scene of "Into the Woods," and perhaps they explain its failure best of all. It's one thing not to be up to the task of adapting a work of odd brilliance. It's something else again to not even take it on.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

La soledad del viajero o el nativo, en Madrid, pueden ser una fiesta.

Mars has been a fascination to us for centuries. Early observations falsely gave impressions of an intelligent civilisation but early visiting probes revealed a stark, desolate world. Underneath the surface is a few metres of water ice and a recent study by NASA suggests sunlight could reach the layer. If it does, it may allow …

Continue reading "How Life Could Live Under the Ice on Mars"

The post How Life Could Live Under the Ice on Mars appeared first on Universe Today.

The Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs says the government of Yukon needs to invest more money in the Yukon Fire Marshal's Office so it can continue to adequately support the territory's fire services.

Penn State student Nate Carey, of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, has been nominated as a finalist for the 2025 Marshall Scholarship. 

SpaceX has introduced a Marslink concept, a satellite-based communication network around Mars, to support interplanetary data exchange for future Mars missions. NASA reviewed this and other proposals, including Blue Origin's Blue Ring orbital tug and Lockheed Martin's MAVEN-based network. The Marslink network would build on SpaceX’s Starlink technology, currently providing internet connectivity on Earth. NASA aims to enhance Mars exploration through partnerships, with both commercial innovations and its laser-based communication system for deep-space data transfer.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday said only the lieutenant governor has the power to formulate a policy for permanently reinstating the bus marshals as it is a matter of services and law and order.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday said only the lieutenant governor has the power to formulate a policy for permanently reinstating the bus marshals as it is a matter of services and law and order.

Meteorite contains evidence of liquid water on Mars 742 million years ago  Science Daily

Lau, G E; Trivedi, C B; Grasby, S E; Spear, J R; Cosmidis, J; Templeton, A S. Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences 2022 p. 1-21, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.825019
<a href="https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/images/geoscan/20220029.jpg"><img src="https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/images/geoscan/20220029.jpg" title="Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences 2022 p. 1-21, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspas.2022.825019" height="150" border="1" /></a>

Curiosity: Can Humans Handle Mars Travel Stress?  Mirage News

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore missed practice again on Tuesday with the hamstring injury that kept him out of playing for the Commanders in last Sunday's game against the Steelers as well as his final game as a member of the Saints in Week Nine.

Sporadic incidents of unrest marred the West Bengal bypolls, with a local Trinamool Congress worker Ashok Shaw dying following a crude bomb attack in Bhatpara, an area adjoining Naihati assembly constituency where voting was underway.

Le Snes-FSU, la FSU et six enseignants ont assigné en référé le site et son co-fondateur, Stéphane Cola, pour avoir proposé aux élèves de noter leurs profs nommément. Le sort du site internet "note2be.com", qui, en proposant aux élèves de noter leurs...

largest flying bout used to fight forest fires after retirement from navy
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/martin-mars-water-bomber-grounded-after-53-years-in-b-c-1.624458

Le Musée Marmottan, qui fête ses 90 ans cette année, propose une nouvelle exposition sur un thème vaste et fascinant – la représentation du réel dans l’art. Si le terme trompe-l’œil a été utilisé pour la première fois autour de 1800, le courant artistique date de bien avant, et le musée en présente plus de […]

Plus qu’une simple exposition, le Musée Maillol (pas loin de nos hôtels) propose une rétrospective du travail de Nadia Khodossievitch-Léger, un des grands peintres du 20ème siècle, à travers plus de 150 œuvres. Nadia Léger a quasiment disparu de la mémoire collective, peut-être à cause de ses idées politiques, peut-être à cause de la prominence […]

Le Musée Zadkine, près du Jardin du Luxembourg et à quelques minutes de nos hôtels, propose une nouvelle exposition sur un sujet jamais exploré – le lien fort entre le sculpteur Zadkine et le peintre Modigliani, illustré à travers près de 90 œuvres (sculptures, peintures, dessins, photos…) Zadkine et Modigliani, tous les deux débarqués à […]

Dr. Alexander von Paleske ---- 19.8. 2024 Der ukrainischen Armee ist ein Überraschungsschlag gelungen: sie ist 30-40km auf russisches Gebiet im Raum Kursk vorgedrungen. Viele Unterstützer der Ukraine sehen jetzt offenbar die Möglichkeit, Russland eine schwere Niederlage beizubringen, die möglicherweise auch zum Sturz des russischen Präsidenten Putin führen könne. Welche Kriegsziele? Da die Ukraine Russland nicht erobern will - und kann - stellt sich die Frage nach den ukrainischen Kriegszielen....

NASA's Perseverance rover, on Mars for the past three years, has found potential signs that the planet may once have supported life.

Fr. John Whiteford preaches on the account of St. Paul's discourse on Mars Hill (Acts 17:18-34).

Steve and Christian discuss the new Christianity Today podcast, "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill." This is part 1. They discuss authority, celebrity, and spiritual abuse. christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill Additional Resource: markdejesus.com/14-signs-spiritual-abuse Subscribe to "Pop Culture Coffee Hour" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. We do more than simply offer reviews. Just like a bee can take good things from flowers (and leave the rest behind), we can learn to take the good things from pop culture as we seek to open ourselves to Christ and His saving work in our lives. It's Orthodox Christian engagement with today's culture.

Steve and Christian are back to continue their discussion on the new Christianity Today podcast, "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill." They explore authority, culture wars, and celebrity. christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill Additional Resource: markdejesus.com/14-signs-spiritual-abuse Subscribe to "Pop Culture Coffee Hour" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. We do more than simply offer reviews. Just like a bee can take good things from flowers (and leave the rest behind), we can learn to take the good things from pop culture as we seek to open ourselves to Christ and His saving work in our lives. It's Orthodox Christian engagement with today's culture.

(Belga) La reine Mathilde et la princesse Élisabeth effectueront une visite de travail en Égypte du 14 au 16 mars, a indiqué le Palais royal dans un communiqué lundi soir.

"Cette visite marquera l'intérêt historique de la famille royale pour l'Égypte antique et rendra hommage à la reine Élisabeth, dont l'intérêt et la passion sont à l'origine de l'épanouissement de l'égyptologie en Belgique. La Reine et la Princesse visiteront plusieurs sites que la reine Élisabeth a elle-même visités lors de ses voyages en Égypte, notamment le tombeau de Toutankhamon. Au Caire, elles assisteront également au vernissage d'une exposition consacrée à la reine Élisabeth et à l'égyptologie belge", peut-on lire dans le communiqué. La Reine et la Princesse visiteront aussi différents sites archéologiques à Louxor et ses environs, où des institutions et des universités belges effectuent des fouilles. Cette visite de travail commémore par ailleurs plusieurs anniversaires célébrés en 2022 et 2023: le 200e anniversaire du déchiffrement des hiéroglyphes par Jean-François Champollion, les centenaires de la découverte du tombeau de Toutankhamon et de sa visite par la reine Élisabeth, le 125e anniversaire de l'émergence de l'égyptologie belge et le 75e anniversaire de la mort de l'égyptologue belge Jean Capart. (Belga)

MARSHALLTOWN held a ground-breaking ceremony on Oct. 23 at its new distribution center site in Kansas City, Kansas. The state-of-the-art facility will be a key hub in the company’s nationwide logistics network, with operations scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025.

The former chief executive of NSPCC has led the creation of a new set of ethical principles for charities. Now the sector needs to step up to the mark

Newburyport, MA — Fire drill schedules on college and university campuses should be maintained, and fire drill plans and responses updated or modified, during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to University of Delaware Fire Marshal Kevin T. McSweeney.

Mars Wrigley unveiled several new insight-backed offerings that deliver on shoppers' evolving requests for a wider variety of products. 

As Mars looks to double its Snacking business in the next decade, the new facility will give Mars' 300 R&D Associates in Chicago runway to create and refine new products for the company's multi-billion-dollar snacking portfolio before they are scaled at large around the globe.

Mars Wrigley broke ground on a new, best-in-class, global research and development hub adjacent to the company's existing Global Innovation Center on Goose Island. Leaders from Mars as well as key Chicago stakeholders, including Michael Fassnacht, CEO, World Business Chicago, and Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., gathered together to commemorate the milestone for the company.

Mars knows that c-store shoppers and those on the go are adventurous with their purchases, making variety key to winning in the c-store space. The latest Mars Wrigley innovations and offerings aim to fuel category growth and provide new options to consumers.

When Mars published the Mars Net Zero Roadmap in 2023, the company committed to investing more than $1 billion over three years – and continuing to commit financial resources as needed until net zero is achieved.

These partnerships aim to encourage wheat, corn and rice farmers in select regions of North America to implement regenerative agriculture practices, contributing to scope 3 carbon reductions.

Mars announced that it would be reviewing its Uncle Ben’s brand in response to the protests against systemic racism worldwide.

At the end of 2020, Mars announced its acquisition of Kind North America, a maker of healthy granola and energy bars.

The modern distribution facility includes 12,000 sq. ft. of fully automated freezer capacity, end-to-end research and development capabilities, automated production lines to increase sales capacity, and space for five additional production lines. 

Dusangh and Bakker will report to global president of Mars Food & Nutrition, Shaid Shah, and will begin these roles immediately.