Movie review: Anonymous

"Anonymous," now open in theaters, is receiving mixed reviews from critics and moviegoers alike.
The Shakespeare "authorship"conspiracy, which has been tossed about for centuries, charges that the world's most read, taught and performed works of English literature are, in fact, not penned by William Shakespeare, portrayed by Rafe Spall.

Various theories and alternative authors have been mentioned, including the idea there was a group of individuals writing collectively under one pseudonym. Resurfacing over time, the conspiracy theorists each put forth their own surmised view, including the Oxfordian, which is this film's basis.

Shakespeare, known throughout history, is a twice-removed character from the proposed true playwright. In this fable it is Edward De Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, portrayed by Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill). From frolicking in bed with his (unbeknownst to him) mother, to unwillingly marrying a shrew, the earl is played with absolute cowardice, frustration and despair by Ifans. A nod at Oscar time for his performance would not surprise this critic.

Due to inner turmoil, religious constraints and political back stabbing, any involvement in plays is considered seedy making Edward, as a nobleman, unable to be awarded his due credit. The earl orders up-and-coming playwright, Ben Johnson (Sebastian Armesto) to "front" his work. Johnson is ousted by a quick-witted Shakespeare, an actor able to read but not write, who happens upon the scheme. Being paid well, both continue on with the fabrication until death.

The film attempts to explain the reason for almost every one of the Bard's plays as if the earl had written an unauthorized biography of the royal family, including his own incestuous affair with Queen Elizabeth I. Vanessa Redgrave portrays superbly the aging monarch injecting both compassion and sadness into the character; traits not normally found within that role. Another actor in this movie who may receive Oscar attention.

Whether or not the true identity of the playwright is Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon, a frightened royal family member, or a play-writing group of many, remains unclear due to lack of cohesive evidence.

Bottom Line: Take "Anonymous" with a grain of salt as you would with any conspiracy-theory film and it turns into, not an unveiling and accurate documentary, an enjoyable and entertaining flick.
Photos: Sony Pictures
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Paul McCartney Really is Dead

Fans of conspiracies or The Beatles will find it interesting that somehow a mysterious cassette has surfaced with numerous claims. The subject? Once again, or perhaps still...Paul McCartney’s death.

Claims of McCartney’s secret burial, underhanded dealings, fear and clues are revealed in the DVD, Paul McCartney Really is Dead. Director Joel Gilbert of Highway 61 Entertainment describes the unusual occurrence:
“In the summer of 2005, a package arrived at the Hollywood offices of Highway 61 Entertainment from London with no return address. Inside were two mini-cassette audio tapes dated December 30, 1999 and labeled THE LAST TESTAMENT OF GEORGE HARRISON. A voice identical to Harrison tells a shocking story: Paul McCartney was killed in a car crash in November of 1966 and replaced with a double!”

Events are told in chronological order via the supposed voice of a scared George Harrison. The so-called Quiet Beatle was in the hospital recovering from a violent attack from a deranged fan. The story unfolds with interjected displays of reenacted scenes and actual interview and documentary footage.

Various clues are claimed to be on numerous album covers including: Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, “Yesterday”...and Today (The Butcher Cover), The Beatles (The White Album), Magical Mystery Tour,Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road and Let it Be.
Examples of album clues note McCartney: facing backward on Sgt. Pepper’s, appearing barefoot on Abbey Road, smoking “coffin nails” (cigarettes) on Rubber Soul and sitting inside a coffin (trunk) on the final cover of “Yesterday”...and Today.

Reasons are given for numerous song titles and lyrics, why the Beatle married Linda Eastman and, later, Heather Mills, even why he grew a beard and mustache.
Although the rumors of McCartney’s demise following a November 9, 1966 auto accident have been denied repeatedly by all involved, they still persist among the conspiracy theorists.

Taking in account the unlikelihood of the claim, this DVD is still a great addition for collectors of Beatles' memorabilia, conspiracy lovers and music historians. Bonus material includes a clip covering Bob Dylan’s relationship with the Fab Four and how he introduced them to marijuana.

Bottom Line: This new take, Paul McCartney Really is Dead, on the oldest rock music rumor is meticulous in its approach. Not many stones were left unturned...even the rolling ones.

Website: seeofsound.com
Photo: Submitted
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her at gottago.us, as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

The Phoenix Theatre: Yankee Tavern

The difference between art and entertainment, according to my former professor of theater appreciation, is that art broadens your thinking, entertainment merely amuses you. Others have likened it to the difference between healthy and junk foods.

I believe both are correct and would like to state that sometimes a spoonful of sugar truly does help the medicine go down. Mine comes in the form of Jessica's Magic Cookie Bars at The Phoenix Theatre's snack bar. Purchasing a couple of her baked goods is an absolute must for every one attending a performance at Indy's off-Broadway theater. Hey, we all support the arts however we are able, and the proceeds benefit the theater.

Yankee Tavern, another Stephen Dietz play, opened at Phoenix, 749 N. Park Avenue. You will remember my fondness for IRT's version of Dietz' Becky's New Car. This piece is set in a NYC tavern near Ground Zero, post 9/11.

Bar regular Ray, who is depressed and lives in the abandoned upstairs, is portrayed by Stephen Hunt, and is the over-the-top-everything-is-a-conspiracy personality. The tavern’s owner is graduate-student Adam, played by Shane Chuvalas.
Chuvalis comes into his own strengths in this play, giving a solid performance as the guy who has secrets of his own, as well as demons to deal with concerning his father's death.
Hunt turns in a superior performance as the emotional conspiracy zealot. The interpersonal exchanges between Chuvalas and Hunt are, by far, the best quality in this show, with these two actors keeping the flow of the show zipping along. Dietz' speedy dialogues are part of his gift and finding actors able to keep up the pace is a big plus.

A bothersome point is when Ray, who up to this point believes all conspiracy theories, doesn't believe Palmer, played by Doug Johnson, when he offers a hard-to-believe theory. It’s a little out of character and rather noticeable, at least to me.

The extra story lines, Adam's father, the wedding plans, and a couple of others, tends to misdirect the focus and muddies up what could have been an exciting ride. The thrill and momentum is lost a little when an affair is brought into the mix and ghosts of the tavern are discussed.

However, the ins and outs are less important than the final message in this work. It brought up excellent points and caused one to reconsider a few others.

Bottom Line: Yankee Tavern should be seen so as to create a need for answers in each of us and to reopen questions we asked ourselves on 9/11 and immediately afterward, but left unanswered and forgotten.

Looking ahead: I will be attending the 17th Annual Stutz Artists Open House Friday and Saturday, 1060 N. Capitol Avenue.

If you have an event, performance or restaurant you would like reviewed, please send an e-mail to elizabeth@gottago.us. Me, I'll be right here, thinking about my favorite conspiracies.

*All photos are courtesy of Julie Curry Photography
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This post was originally published under "Gotta Go" in the West Side Community News in Indianapolis, and the West Indianapolis Community News.