FAREWELL TO VILLAGE VOICES MICHAEL MUSTO

****

THE GLORIOUS CORNER

By: G. H. Harding

****

John Goodman

Bradley Cooper

HANGOVER 3 – THE END --- We just caught a screening of the supposed last installment of The Hangover – Part III: I was excited to see this as the advance word has been most positive and I’m happy to report that it is indeed a return to the hijinks's of the first one. The second one, which found our Wolfpack stranded in Bangkok, was somewhat confusing. This time, they’re eventually back in Vegas, as the story begins with Galifianakis’s character of Alan facing some personal issues; the work here from Ken Jeong and first timer John Goodman – whose character (Marshall) was actually briefly referenced in the first one, is strong, strong, strong. John Goodman … what a career resurgence! I’ve always enjoyed his work (last year’s Argo) and here again, he’s just terrific. Jeong’s character, Leslie Chow, has emerged as just a force of nature and he again he does not disappoint in this one. Bradley Cooper, as Phil, is just tremendous and I flashed several times on the fact that he has, during the course of these 3 movies, become Hollywood’s newest star. Ed Helms, as a more self-assured Stu is terrific too. Melissa McCarthy is also here and delivers a great scene with Galifianakis, whose work here is just of the highest caliber. Face it: has there been a more compelling comedic presence on the screen as Zach? Part Andy Kaufmann, part Jim Carrey … he’s tremendous. The writing and direction from Todd Phillips is spot-on perfect; from the filming, to the writing and music. Let’s face it; these three movies have always contained just great music and here again, perfect! It takes the first hour to get the lads back to Vegas, but when they officially arrive, Stu says, “I told myself I’d never come back.’ Phil responds with the line: “Don’t worry … it all ends tonight.” I was hoping for a reprise of the tiger or maybe even Mike Tyson, but was satisfied nonetheless. There’s a welcomed ending after the credits, so sit tight. This movie will be the biggest one of them all. I loved it!

Lady Bunny




MUSTO MUFFLED AT THE VOICE --- I was out of town last weekend, but when I returned late-Monday, I was greeted with the news that NY’s venerable Village Voice, had axed their chief columnist Michael Musto. The story goes that the paper’s new owners fired him, food critic Robert Sietsema and theatre critic Michael Feingold. I’ve known Michael for something like 25 years and there's really no better soul out there; he’s been at The Voice since 1984 years and essentially was the voice of paper. His daily musing on everything from Lady Bunny to Rock Hudson, Barry Z, Keith Haring and Rosie O’Donnell too, was just essential reading. He championed the newest and the brightest, while his thoughts and words were true words of wisdom. Vince Aletti, who used to work at the Voice and now covers photography for The New Yorker, said in essence, this was probably the best thing for him, as the paper’s readership dwindled and dwindled, thereby diminishing Musto’s audience. Reportedly, he’s been besieged by new offers (rightly so!) and I predict he’ll wind up at a prestigious entity like the New York Times or even The New Yorker (which would be a delicious choice). I don’t think he’ll fade into the wind like George Wayne did … because he’s always been spot-on perfect and a very prescient voice. Plus, he's consistently witty, fair and dependable. Many a night, I'd be at an event and lo and behold, there'd be Musto ... arriving on his bicycle and dutifully locking it up. Seeing him at an event was sometimes like the Pope giving his blessing. Seeing Michael always made it OK. The New Yorker’s Philip Gourevitch wrote on Twitter, “The Village Voice firing Michael Musto amounts to the Voice firing itself.’ Just about any gay-centric gossip column is a derivative of Musto, who gave gay issues, gay artists, and gay nightlife a central place in his column. While Page Six was covering the rich and famous socialites of the world, Musto was shining a spotlight on a universe no one else did. So true.

 Justin Timberlake




JT DAZZLES --- Every so often a song just dazzles me; earlier this year, it was Of Monsters And Men’s “Little Talks”; right now, hands down it’s Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors.” The production is JT’s typical flawless production; the lyrics are the real jewel here: “Aren't you somethin' to admire, ‘cause your shine is somethin' like a mirror. And I can't help but notice, you reflect in this heart of mine. If you ever feel alone and the glare makes me hard to find. Just know that I'm always parallels on the other side”. I’ve always been sort of on the fence with him; His “Cry Me A River” was a masterpiece, but “Suit And Tie” just confused me: was he trying to be the next Sinatra? And, what exactly did Jay-Z bring to the song? Whatever, “Mirrors” is the jewel on his 20/20 Experience album. I also saw the accompanying video for the song yesterday; again, flawless. JT’s the real deal!


Photo By: Walter McBride/Xavier Collin/RD Winn/Kirkland/Retna