movie madness
busy week movie-wise, saw 2 good ones!
-Dreamgirls (starring Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy)
"Loosley" based on the rags-to-riches story of Diana Ross and 'the Supremes', Dreamgirls is one movie extravaganza not to be missed! beautiful costumes, powerful songs, incredible choreography - this musical has it all.
Jennifer Hudson is the star of this film! she was amazing as Effie White, the lead singer of the group who gets replaced by Deena Jones (Beyonce) because her vocals are too strong for the pop scene and her figure not svelte enough. Not only did she act really well but she brought down the house with her singing! Beyonce was good as the demure, shy Deena who gets pushed into the limelight by the groups manipulative manager Curtis Taylor Jr, played to perfection by Jamie Foxx. Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover and Anika Noni Rose give strong performances in their supporting roles.
Spoken dialouge is scarce in the movie, conversations and emotions are conveyed through song very effectively. It would have been easy to insert the musical numbers simply as the concert performances or as an aside to the story but unlike in recent musicals like Chicago and Phantom of the Opera the songs actually carry the movie forward in this case.
My favourite numbers were "Steppin' to the Bad Side" and "Patience". The disco version of "One Night Only" was cool and catchy and the resemblence between Beyonce and Diana Ross in that sequence was just uncanny! the big hair, the eye makeup, the clothes! Apparently Miss Ross was not too happy when she originally heard that the movie was being made but she has no reason to complain - it actually potrays her in much better light than what they say happened in real life!
If you love musicals or big productions or good music or movies that make one happy or all of the above go see the film! its beautifully shot and wonderfully acted with songs you won't be able to get out of your head!
-Pursuit of Happyness (starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith)
Once again Will Smith proves that he is not just one of many music artists testing the waters in the acting business these days. With his latest role as Chris Gardner in the inspirational "Pursuit of Happyness" Smith continues to confirm his status as a legitimate Hollywood actor. And if that wasn't enough, real life son Jaden Smith (who plays his offspring in the movie) proves with his performance that the acting gene runs in the family.
Based on a true life story, the movie follows the struggles of a father trying to keep his family from falling apart and doing his best to provide a better future for his son. Gardner is a smart guy, he is good at math and has great people skills but a bad business venture leaves him and his wife (who soon leaves him) struggling to make ends meet. After a chance encounter with a stockbroker Gardner applies for a job at one of the leading investment firms in the country only to discover that the job in fact is an unpaid internship and there is no guarantee of getting a permanent position at the end of its term. Determined to make the most of the opportunity, he juggles life as a single parent and stressed out intern while moving from shelter to shelter in an effort to have a roof over his and his sons head at night.
There were times when i felt like the movie dragged a bit but it always somehow managed to reel me back in. The relationship and interaction between father and son was very engaging and at the end of it all, it was 2 hours well spent. Its worth a watch, especially if you are in the mood for something that will pull at your heartstrings and will leave you feeling good about things at the end of the day.
anyone else seen these yet? thoughts and ramblings always welcome :)
a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!
-Dreamgirls (starring Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy)
"Loosley" based on the rags-to-riches story of Diana Ross and 'the Supremes', Dreamgirls is one movie extravaganza not to be missed! beautiful costumes, powerful songs, incredible choreography - this musical has it all.
Jennifer Hudson is the star of this film! she was amazing as Effie White, the lead singer of the group who gets replaced by Deena Jones (Beyonce) because her vocals are too strong for the pop scene and her figure not svelte enough. Not only did she act really well but she brought down the house with her singing! Beyonce was good as the demure, shy Deena who gets pushed into the limelight by the groups manipulative manager Curtis Taylor Jr, played to perfection by Jamie Foxx. Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover and Anika Noni Rose give strong performances in their supporting roles.
Spoken dialouge is scarce in the movie, conversations and emotions are conveyed through song very effectively. It would have been easy to insert the musical numbers simply as the concert performances or as an aside to the story but unlike in recent musicals like Chicago and Phantom of the Opera the songs actually carry the movie forward in this case.
My favourite numbers were "Steppin' to the Bad Side" and "Patience". The disco version of "One Night Only" was cool and catchy and the resemblence between Beyonce and Diana Ross in that sequence was just uncanny! the big hair, the eye makeup, the clothes! Apparently Miss Ross was not too happy when she originally heard that the movie was being made but she has no reason to complain - it actually potrays her in much better light than what they say happened in real life!
If you love musicals or big productions or good music or movies that make one happy or all of the above go see the film! its beautifully shot and wonderfully acted with songs you won't be able to get out of your head!
-Pursuit of Happyness (starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith)
Once again Will Smith proves that he is not just one of many music artists testing the waters in the acting business these days. With his latest role as Chris Gardner in the inspirational "Pursuit of Happyness" Smith continues to confirm his status as a legitimate Hollywood actor. And if that wasn't enough, real life son Jaden Smith (who plays his offspring in the movie) proves with his performance that the acting gene runs in the family.
Based on a true life story, the movie follows the struggles of a father trying to keep his family from falling apart and doing his best to provide a better future for his son. Gardner is a smart guy, he is good at math and has great people skills but a bad business venture leaves him and his wife (who soon leaves him) struggling to make ends meet. After a chance encounter with a stockbroker Gardner applies for a job at one of the leading investment firms in the country only to discover that the job in fact is an unpaid internship and there is no guarantee of getting a permanent position at the end of its term. Determined to make the most of the opportunity, he juggles life as a single parent and stressed out intern while moving from shelter to shelter in an effort to have a roof over his and his sons head at night.
There were times when i felt like the movie dragged a bit but it always somehow managed to reel me back in. The relationship and interaction between father and son was very engaging and at the end of it all, it was 2 hours well spent. Its worth a watch, especially if you are in the mood for something that will pull at your heartstrings and will leave you feeling good about things at the end of the day.
anyone else seen these yet? thoughts and ramblings always welcome :)
a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!