LALA LAND, SO. AFRICA, HOPKINS MANN

HOLLYWOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA

“Untamed” is a Fifties romanticized Hollywood whitewash of the “taming” of the native African continent by whites.  It’s best to cheer when a Zulu heaves a spear that lands in the chest of an unwelcome white.  

A related documentary in 1993 is worth a look: “In Darkest Hollywood:  Cinema and Apartheid.”

DIM IMAGES AT CINEPLEX

At the Mann Hopkins yesterday for “LaLa Land” we experienced a very dim image on the screen which makes us think that Mann is trying to save a few nickels on electricity.  If you were home you would select “dynamic” on the remote.

This has happened elsewhere, including the AMC Rosedale.  But the Riverview is consistently brilliant.

LALA LAND REVISITED

A good reason to revisit this movie is the argument between the two leads about whether she should accompany him on a gig in Boise.  Having been a Boise resident, I appreciated the humor in that.  Also watch for the symbolism about the importance of taking the right exit ramp from the freeway (of life.)  

Cues about the retro life in the arts community include the references to the Rialto Theater (So. Pasadena) and the audio cassette deck in Ryan’s Olds.

The ending is reminiscent of Bogart and Bergman in “Casablanca” and dancing on the stars is from the MGM Fifties musical “Lovely to Look At” which is a lame remake of the RKO hit “Roberta.”