Just as an aside, I don't really go to the movies anymore mainly because of the skanky people. Don't get me wrong. I love people but the last few times I went there was a guy behind me that was snarfing, the theaters themselves just were not up to sanitary standards, and there was more commentary by the LOUD audience versus the actors in the movie. I know this is nothing new but I wanted to explain the reason why my movie reviews are somewhat belated...I wait for this wonderful thing called Netflix where buns and I can sit back with a bowl of popcorn and enjoy a flick.

Anywho, last night I saw "RENT" finally. The first production I saw of "RENT" was when it opened in London with the original cast. The next time was here in New York with my best girl, Ryan. From the second the lights come up on the stage, the experience is like no other as the cast grabs your heartstrings and doesn't let go until the curtain falls in the Finale. Whenever you adapt a stageplay successfully to film, specifics are even that more crucial. The lens is that much closer. Chris Columbus, director, made some FANTASTIC choices in specific directions to clarify the storyline. After seeing the play twice, there were subleties that I was missing until I saw them in the movie. That may have been a direction Chris chose to take, but they were good...and clear. I enjoyed seeing most of the original cast together again. I always love to see how the role of Joanne is played because there are truly so many ways to go. Tracie Thoms was brilliant. As the "more uptight" character, she had so much fun with this role. The only other one I'm going to comment about is Rosario Dawson's Mimi. Honestly, her Mimi was one of the best I've ever seen. All of these characters can EASILY be played as frustrated, rebelious artists and what I saw specifically in Tracie and Rosario's interpretation was their childhood innocence and naivity that was slowly being taken away from them. The struggle was that more more. It may be because they were both new to the part, but that's just my opinion. A pleasant surprise was Aaron Lohr as Steve, the AIDS patients. I saw Aaron two years ago at The Public in "Radiant Baby" and he was beyond phenomenal.

Clearly, the soundtrack I've always loved. I also loved the interchange of dialogue with music versus the full rock opera. It worked. I know it got a lot of rentheads upset and if I was one I might be too. However, I enjoyed it.

"RENT" will always be timeless and I have to say I am so glad this is one piece of art that has been preserved on a DVD to remind us of the everyday human condition.