by Will Gottlieb
Coastal Journal staff

BRUNSWICK — "Xanadu," Maine State Music Theater's latest offering of summer musicals, opened last Thursday to a mostly full house, which was mostly filled with people who for the most part had no idea of what to expect.

"Xanadu," the movie, is widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made. It won the Razzie Award for Worst Director, and was nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, Worst Actor, Worst Actress, Worst Original Song, and Worst Musical. This being 1980, however, the race for the bottom was fierce and densely populated.

And so we wondered as we waited for the curtain to rise: What was to be expected from this "Xanadu"? Would anyone, cast or audience, make it through the first act?

by Kurt Frost
Special to the Coastal Journal

BATH — The following DVDs are now available at River Bottom Video in Bath, located at 221 Water St., next to the rear entrance for Reny’s. 

“Arthur” (dir: Jason Winer) Who’s the wackiest British comedian Americans can think of? Russell Brand! So they hired him for this movie to be in! But here’s the real question...can a man choose a woman over a money? That’s a “toughey” that sounds funny to me, and so does this movie!

“Brother’s Justice” (dir: Dax Shepard) That’s right, he’s back! Everyone watched “Zathura” and was all like, “I can’t WAIT for more Dax Shepard, that guy is so hot right now.” Years later he decided to make a documentary – very fake – about how he wants to become a kung-fu action star. It could have been great if it was real but they wag the dog all over the place in this docu-rama. Just stop thinking I’m stupid, okay? Dax? I was with you for “Zathura” but don’t belittle me and think I’ll eat up whatever fake mocku-rama you put out. Watch “Zathura” today!

“The Lincoln Lawyer” (dir: Brad Furman) If there were three things I could think of to describe Matthew McConaughey they would be: Luxury, success, fast cars. I would then follow up those three things with: Handsome, professional, great hair. And listen, this list could go on for hours...so trust me and check out this new feature film about a lawyer in a car, probably solving legalities and driving around. 

“Insidious” (dir: James Wan) Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson are acting like they are married in this movie with these kids that are all creepy. And it’s pretty convincing for a movie...like, it makes me wonder if the actors ever like playing a part so much that they just don’t stop. Think about it...I’m pretty sure Danny Devito never stopped playing the Penguin from the second Batman movie. Anyways, this movie has got it all, horror, monsters, daemons, and HELL! 

by John Maguire
Coastal Journal staff

NEWCASTLE - Heartwood Regional Theater Company's "Sunday in the Park with George" earned a standing ovation for their performance Friday night at the Parker Poe Theater in Newcastle. 

Projected images danced among the actors in the small theater where their voices sang out clear, united in chorus and singularly, in a stupendous rentition of what can best be described as a work of art.

The July 1 performance generated laughter from the audience packed into the small theater, as well as applause for solemn and heartfelt scenes. 

This was the first of several performances of the Pulitzer Prize winning Stephen Sondheim musical that dramatized the life of an artist, inspired by the George Serat painting "Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of Le Grande Jette." With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, the musical premiered at the Book Theater in 1984 and received a Pulitzer Prize the following year.