Taylor Swift's All Red

Taylor Swift lets her costumes (10 changes) and emotions fly, calls Houston a magical place

“Hello Houston, Texas . . . I’m Taylor.”

A wide-eyed Taylor Swift played to a sold-out Toyota Center Thursday night on the 17th stop of her worldwide “Red Tour.” The show came complete with 10 costume changes, fireworks, confetti and elaborate moving sets. By the end of the night Swift truly had the whole crowd “feelin’ 22.” To me Swift has always been about the lyrics and songwriting, but she proved that she has the vocals to back it up, belting out an 18-song set to thousands of screaming girls, and the occasional miserable dad.

If it weren’t for the hoards of girls in cowboy boots filling the stands no one would have known Swift began as a country star. Her new Red album is the most rock/pop of any of her albums, with several songs involving techno and dubstep beats.

Swift shared that she “writes lots of songs about her feelings.” Spoiler alert, she has lots of feelings.

Swift erupted onto the stage with “State of Grace,” the first track on her new album. I was extremely impressed with the strength of her vocals this night. I've heard Swift sing live in the past and on TV and she rarely sounds like she does on the radio. Next up was “Holy Ground” a fast paced single complete with a flying marching band.

The third song of the night was the title track "Red" — and Red truly was the theme of the show. From Swift's wardrobe choices and bedazzled electric guitar to her signature red lipstick, you couldn’t escape the color. She explained that she always likes to assign colors to her different emotions and lately the craziness in her life has been a “blinding red.” That craziness surely includes Swift's many tumultuous relationships (and breakups) that are often sensationalized in the tabloids.

In one of her many (read: too many) audience heart to hearts, Swift shared that she “writes lots of songs about her feelings.” Spoiler alert, she has lots of feelings.

The lyrics to Swift's songs tell stories about her romances and she doesn’t try to hide who they are about. From Jake Gyllenhaal to the teenage Kennedy to her most recent break up with One Direction’s Harry Styles, she certainly has a lot of material to work with.

Swift's Texas Mom

Swift also chatted with the crowd about her love for the Lone Star State. It so happens that her mother, who was comically paraded through the crowd at the beginning of the show, was actually raised here in Houston, attending both Memorial High School and the University of Houston. Swift said she always wondered what this “magical place called Houston, Texas is like, and it turns out [it’s] awesome.” I tend to agree.

It almost makes you feel uncomfortable that she is sharing so much with you.

While all the fireworks and acrobats were exciting to look at, Taylor really shined in her intimate acoustic performances. She worked her way through the crowd to a remote stage on the opposite side of the stadium to perform fan favorites “Fearless” and “Begin Again." Without all the bells and whistles, Swift was really able to connect with the audience with just a stool and her guitar.

My favorite part of the night was when she brought out her opening act Ed Sheeran to perform their duet “Everything Has Changed.” Sheeran did an amazing job of warming up with crowd with a short set that was completely solo and acoustic but still engaging and energized.

Dramatics

While performing “Sparks Fly," Swift flew over the audience on a sparkling platform back to the main stage for her final set of songs. The most emotional performance of the night was undoubtedly her rendition of “All Too Well” where she showcased her impressive piano skills. Swift was so engrossed in the tragic love song about another failed romance (rumored to be about Gyllenhaal) that she looked like she was going to burst into tears at any moment.

There is no denying that listening to Taylor Swift's lyrics is like tearing out a page from her diary, and it almost makes you feel uncomfortable that she is sharing so much with you.

While there were many instances when I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her rambling monologues about overcoming bullies and following your dreams, Swift genuinely does seem to be completely humbled by her success and is adamant about being a good role model to her fans. Overall the concert was extremely entertaining and by the end even the miserable-looking dads couldn’t help but tap their feet to the painfully catchy “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together. “

Set List:

State of Grace
Holy Ground
Red
You Belong with Me
Lucky One
Mean
Stay Stay Stay
Ho Hey (Lumineers cover)
22
Fearless
Everything Has Changed
Begin Again
Sparks Fly
I Knew You Were Trouble
All Too Well
Love Story
Treacherous
We are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Taylor Swift rocked a red guitar.

Photo by © Chinh Phan Fotowerk Group

Taylor Swift rocked a red guitar.

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Movie Review

Twin sisters set out for revenge in Tarantino-esque film 'Is God Is'

Photo by Patti Perret

Kara Young and Mallori Johnson in Is God Is.

The revenge story is one of the most enduring in all of cinema as it can be adapted to multiple different genres. It most naturally fits in the action/thriller genre, but comedies, dramas, Westerns, and more have made good use of characters seeking revenge. The new film Is God Is demonstrates that malleability by detailing an intensely personal story that turns into something bigger.

Twins Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson) have lived a difficult life, going in and out of foster care and forced to endure stares and taunts because each bears burn scars from a childhood attack. Racine, whose scars are “only” on her left arm, has developed into the protector of Anaia, who suffered burns over much of her face.

An unexpected call from their mother, Ruby (Vivica A. Fox), who was burned almost beyond recognition in the attack, gives them a purpose: Seeking revenge on the man who ruined their lives. Setting out in a barely working car and with only a small amount of direction, the sisters attempt to fulfill the mission without losing their souls.

Written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Aleasha Harris, the film may remind some viewers of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, and not just because Fox has small roles in both films. Harris has a knack for dialogue, especially between the twins, that ably gets across the story exposition and entertains at the same time. There are many instances where she has the sisters hold silent conversations told on screen via subtitles to convey twin-speak, a method that deepens their connection and draws the viewer in.

Harris also has her characters engage in the type of shocking violence that Tarantino has used to great effect. The difference here, though, is that even though the story is heightened to a certain degree, the egregious nature of the crime perpetrated upon the girls and their mother makes the whole thing feel bracingly real. This revenge plot is not meant to merely entertain; it’s designed to put the audience in Racine and Anaia’s shoes and fully embrace the call for justice.

There are a few times when the lack of experience by Harris shows up, especially in the climactic sequence where the stunt work could have used some more precision. But overall, it’s a self-assured filmmaking debut for the playwright-turned-director, who’s adapted her own play with a richness and depth that is not often found from someone stepping behind the camera for the first time.

Young and Johnson don’t especially look alike, but they embody the essence of twin sisters, and it’s their chemistry together that makes the story as impactful as it is. They’re joined by other strong female performances by Fox, Erika Alexander, and Janelle Monáe, each of whom brings a different vibe. And anyone who loves This is Us or Paradise should prepare themselves for a completely different kind of role for Sterling K. Brown.

Is God Is uses a variety of inspirations for its storytelling, but in the end it becomes its own thing. The filmmaking world can always stand to have another strong Black voice, and Harris has made an auspicious debut, one that should have cinephiles wondering what she’ll do next.

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Is God Is opens in theaters on May 15.

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