Skip to main content

Transsiberian (2008) - ★★★★☆


If you're not familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber's seminal classic, Starlight Express, it's likely we've never met, for hardly a conversation goes by in which I do not find the opportunity to bring it up. Under the unlikely circumstances that you are not familiar with the piece, I'll offer a brief description, and then, assuming that your interest has been suitable peaked, leave you to do further research on your own. 

Starlight Express is a 1984 masterpiece from the mind of the one and only Andrew Lloyd Webber, creator of such hits as Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Phantom of the Opera's sequel, Love Never Dies, which, naturally, takes place at Coney Island. Starlight Express is the first musical which was ever performed fully on rollerblades. Why does every single actor in the show wear rollerblades, you ask? The answer, really, is quite simple—they're all trains! While Starlight Express wasn't a major hit in the U.S., it did take hold across the pond, and the show has been performing at a specially built theater in Bochum, Germany since 1988. That's thirty-two years! In that time, the show has been seen by over 17,000,000 people. It's no surprise so many people have fallen in love with the musical—Webber's trains struggle with relatable problems like romance, rust, and the threat of being replaced with shiny electric models. 

I trust your interest has been suitably peaked—if not, please take a look at this photo of what the actors' costumes look like. 

Yes, that's right. There are sexy lady trains.

From here, your best bet is to head over to the Starlight Express wikipedia page, which has more fun tidbits for you to discover than I could possibly include here. Or, head to your music streaming service of choice, and take a listen to the soundtrack. Better yet, give a listen to this supremely bizarre podcast, in which host Peter Liciaga, Starlight Express alum, interviews his Starlight Express colleagues. If memory serves, one guest tells Peter that Starlight Express inspired his transformation into a religious man (did I mention that the trains have a God?). Once you're satisfied with your research, please continue on with this post!

All of this important information is relevant because I think it's vital that you know that Transsiberian, the movie which we're here to discuss, has a scene in which train cars are detached that reminds me of my personal favorite song from Starlight Express. Take a listen!

Don't worry—the movie has value besides that! It also includes a bespectacled Woody Harrelson!

Yes, bespectacled! 

In all seriousness, Transsiberian was a much appreciated alteration in course from my recent Woody fare. It's not very often we see Woody as a train-loving Iowan on a mission trip to China. His character is affable, oblivious, and reminds me of someone who would be a great high school history teacher who also is the conductor of the town band which plays on a float in the Fourth of July parade which was a much appreciated break. It's nice to see Woody cast outside of the roles I've seen him in so far—even with his accent and bald head, he really is capable of much more than portraying an officer of the law. For example, I'd love to see him in Starlight Express! Even though the obvious choice for him would be Rusty, I think he could also make a quite persuasive Electra. Let me know in the comments which classic Lloyd Webber role you'd like to see Woody perform!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No Country For Old Men (2007) - ★★★★☆

I think it's interesting that this, the second movie I've viewed on this grand adventure with a motif of tube-related crime, is called 'No Country For Old Men,' because something I noticed while watching it was that there were actually a couple old men in it, and they don't even die. I think that some would have me believe it is called this because it is a line from a famous poem, and is a reference to the disillusionment Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (an old man) feels with these modern times.... kids have green hair and nose piercings, and guys do violence with tubes. He probably feels like he doesn't belong in Texas anymore because of all these crazy kids and their newfangled violence, thus making the country not one which is for an old man. Nonetheless, he's there, and time sort of goes on no matter what, and things have always been bad in one way or another. He should probably get over it. That being said, I have a few ideas of other names this movie (yeah, I kno...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Hi-Lo Country (1998) - ★★★★★

A shockingly underrated and under-talked about Woody Harrelson masterpiece. Reminsicent of the classic Marty Robbins banger, "Tall Handsome Stranger," this is a must watch for cowboy fans and Woody Harrelson fans alike. Unequivocally Woody's best cowboy role!!!!!
Post a Comment
Read more

The Big White (2005) - ★★★☆☆

It is, perhaps, a little-known fact that a movie only needs exactly one (1) ingredient to be a good movie. That ingredient is not a good director (what even is a director? The guy who clacks the black and white thing and shouts "action!"?). That ingredient is not beautiful cinematography (though The Big White  has no shortage of that. I really liked the vast snowy landscapes and also the matching snowy whiteness of the insurance office, especially since it was snowing outside my window while I watched this movie and I guess that just felt serendipitous). That ingredient is not an incredible and talented cast—something I think everyone agree this movie has (Robin Williams, yes, but also  this guy , who looks like Pete "Mad Men" Campbell, but isn't. I like him a lot and would like to see more of him!). That ingredient is not even—dare I say it?—Woody Harrelson. Many a movie, in fact, as this blog evidences, is very bad in spite of Woody's wonderful presence. ...
Post a Comment
Read more