Gonzo Ballet a treat for Shatner fans
Gonzo Ballet (2009)
The documentary Gonzo Ballet is not about a dancing muppet (thank goodness), but rather it is a full-length feature about the making of a ballet called Common People, created by well-known choreographer Margo Sappington. Common People is a modern style ballet set to the music of William Shatner's collaborative CD with Ben Folds titled Has Been. Much of the documentary focuses not only on the making of the ballet, but also on Shatner's first hand perspective on the making of his CD. Has Been is a collection of spoken-word set to an array of background music. It is meant to help Shatner connect to the common people through sharing some feelings and experiences most people can relate to.
This movie was extremely entertaining as it mixed the art of dance with Shatner's comedic lines and a touching view of the love he has for his wife. The film is not suited for everyone, and I would only recommend it if you are familiar with Shatner's work in Star Trek. However, if you are a Shatner fan, or you do watch Star Trek, this is a must-see. The inside look on Shatner's life, emotions and true feelings gives a new light to his performances, revealing a personality that is otherwise overshadowed by the character “Captain Kirk.”
I had the opportunity to see this movie at Stratford's Doc-Fest which Fanshawe College helped to sponsor. The ticket included a short and moving documentary called Found, viewing of Gonzo Ballet and a cocktail party with a guest appearance from Shatner.
The documentary itself was enjoyable, but the true highlight of the evening was sitting no more than 10 feet away from Shatner as he humorously introduced his film to the audience. The fans were not the crowd I had expected; Instead of the stereotypical Trekkie (or Trekker) in a star-fleet uniform, a good portion of the audience was a mixture of middle-aged women who had the hots for James T. Kirk. The muffled giggles and silly flirtatious whispers made towards Shatner that I overheard were almost as amusing as the documentary itself. I'm not going to lie, I myself got a little giddy when he stepped in the theatre as well.
I suggest this movie, Gonzo Ballet, for a rainy afternoon and a good chuckle. If you love ballet, Star Trek or poetic lyrics, you will not be disappointed. I also recommend the CD Has Been that is not quite suitable for dinner music, but regardless, the songs are unbelievably fun. Though it might be best if you wait for it to go in the sale bin.
The documentary Gonzo Ballet is not about a dancing muppet (thank goodness), but rather it is a full-length feature about the making of a ballet called Common People, created by well-known choreographer Margo Sappington. Common People is a modern style ballet set to the music of William Shatner's collaborative CD with Ben Folds titled Has Been. Much of the documentary focuses not only on the making of the ballet, but also on Shatner's first hand perspective on the making of his CD. Has Been is a collection of spoken-word set to an array of background music. It is meant to help Shatner connect to the common people through sharing some feelings and experiences most people can relate to.
This movie was extremely entertaining as it mixed the art of dance with Shatner's comedic lines and a touching view of the love he has for his wife. The film is not suited for everyone, and I would only recommend it if you are familiar with Shatner's work in Star Trek. However, if you are a Shatner fan, or you do watch Star Trek, this is a must-see. The inside look on Shatner's life, emotions and true feelings gives a new light to his performances, revealing a personality that is otherwise overshadowed by the character “Captain Kirk.”
I had the opportunity to see this movie at Stratford's Doc-Fest which Fanshawe College helped to sponsor. The ticket included a short and moving documentary called Found, viewing of Gonzo Ballet and a cocktail party with a guest appearance from Shatner.
The documentary itself was enjoyable, but the true highlight of the evening was sitting no more than 10 feet away from Shatner as he humorously introduced his film to the audience. The fans were not the crowd I had expected; Instead of the stereotypical Trekkie (or Trekker) in a star-fleet uniform, a good portion of the audience was a mixture of middle-aged women who had the hots for James T. Kirk. The muffled giggles and silly flirtatious whispers made towards Shatner that I overheard were almost as amusing as the documentary itself. I'm not going to lie, I myself got a little giddy when he stepped in the theatre as well.
I suggest this movie, Gonzo Ballet, for a rainy afternoon and a good chuckle. If you love ballet, Star Trek or poetic lyrics, you will not be disappointed. I also recommend the CD Has Been that is not quite suitable for dinner music, but regardless, the songs are unbelievably fun. Though it might be best if you wait for it to go in the sale bin.
