Elton - DENIED!

I've been teasing you over the last few posts that I was going to a BIG show with a BIG star.  I did my part.  I climbed on a plane, flew to Tampa, and was ready to go.  But the star, Elton John, got sick and postponed the show. 

Now, I understand that people get sick.  And old people get hammered by bacteria and viruses.  Nonetheless, it was a disappointment to freaking fly to Florida to see Elton and then get DENIED.  He's supposed to reschedule the show, but having the stars realign so that I can attend is unlikely.  The Man usually finds something else to do with my time.

I'm not a huge Elton John fan.  In fact, I wouldn't have gone but for the fact that tickets fell into my lap and I had to be in Florida for something else anyway.  I can't say that I dig Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or Honky Cat or whatnot, but I always liked Bennie and the Jets and Saturday Night's Alright For Fightin'. 

And I became a Tiny Dancer fan because of this scene from one of my favorite rock movies, Almost Famous:

While I hoped to give you more on the show, the spectacle, and the music of Elton John, that's all I have. 

But wait, don't go away yet!  I have a couple more things to say.

Since I am now on the topic of movies, I saw two music-related films recently, and I recommend them both.  The first was the 15th remake of A Star Is Born.  This one features Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in the lead roles.  I like both of these stars, and I thought they both did a great job.  Gaga is just immensely talented, and to see her carry over to the big screen and kick butt, well, it cemented my belief that she is remarkable.  And Cooper plays the role of the fading music star well, and certainly did not glamorize the use of alcohol and drugs like many Hollywood films do.  And there were parts of the movie that were touching, like when Gaga is walking away from Cooper's car and he calls to her.  She turns around and says "what?" and he replies "I just wanted to see you again."  It was cool and made you believe that there really was a love interest between the two.  The music itself was good, and if you saw it in a theater with a good sound system, you were happy. 

Then there is Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury bio-pic.  Disclaimer:  I am not a huge Queen fan.  Sure, I like some of their songs, but there are plenty that leave me cold.  Nonetheless, I like enough and I admire Mercury's stage presence and his sense of the theatrical - he wasn't just a musical artist, but a PERFORMER.  In some ways, the film was an extended and better conceived Behind The Music.  You know, the rise and fall of a prodigy, largely due to total and complete debauchery.  Mercury had an insatiable appetite for sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, and it cost him everything.  Still, the film is generally believable, has some great performance scenes, and provides an insight into Mercury's life that I wasn't aware of before. 

 A few more recommendations for you:  the film The Green Book is really good - go see it.  If you have Netflix and like violent action-adventure, check out Fauda (about an Israeli agent who comes out of retirement to hunt for a Palestinian fighter), The Last Kingdom (8th Century England struggle between Danes and Saxons), and the latest in the Narcos series, this time focusing on the rise of the Mexican drug cartels. 

Isn't that cheery holiday stuff? 

I'll be back shortly.  I just bought tickets to see another show before year's end, and will write that up following the event.  But I have more, much more, to keep you entertained.  Mosey on over when you get bored - I'll be right here.  See you soon.