Silly Love Songs

By AARON MESH

Now that we live in the era of the karaoke musical—epitomized by Mamma Mia! and Glee, song-and-dance shows where we know all the lyrics before sitting down—it's time to revisit Across the Universe, Julie Taymor's tribute to the Beatles. It's still compellingly bad. There's thrill in Taymor's choreographing of football practices and bowling as joyful dance. Best not to reflect on the insipid politics (Vietnam is napalmed by giant strawberries) and synthetic overdubbed vocals that make John Lennon sound like Paul Anka. At least at the Bagdad screening you'll be encouraged to sing over the soundtrack. Bagdad Theater. 8 pm Thursday, April 15.

  1. Best paired with: McMenamins Ruby.
  2. Also showing this week: The Long Riders and The White Ribbon (Laurelhurst).

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