"See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen"
Three of my dearest friends and I went to dinner and a movie last night to celebrate two birthdays and decided we'd hit a movie afterwards. Because we're all big musical fanatics, we decided going to see Mama Mia! was the thing to do. Let me tell ya, I haven't laughed like that in I don't know how long.
I've never seen the stage production of Mama Mia! so I wasn't quite sure to expect, particularly since I'm not overly familiar with the musical stylings of any of the principals (with the exception of the divine Christine Baranski). You know what? I LOVED IT. Like most musicals it did require the suspension of disbelief, but was quite believable in that context. What I loved:
* Meryl Streep, although not a great singer really committed to the role (as if we should expect any less) and that made all of her performances really human and genuine and great even if they weren't technically well sung.
* Julie and Christine were insanely hilarious! In fact, all three ladies came across like the oldest and dearest of friends. Many of their scenes together felt organic rather than scripted. They were a hoot!
* Amanda Seyfried was an absolute jewel! I've always appreciated her in other roles -- the late great Lilly Kane on VM, weather-predicting ditz Karen -- but was really surprised by how good and lovely she was in this! In fact, I would argue that she was the only non-broadway/musical theater actor that actually had vocal talent. Her voice is gorgeous!
* The "Greek Chorus" -- kitchen staff, random beach goers, fish mongers, house keepers, etc. -- all popping up from out of nowhere to provide back-up and commentary on the crazy lives of Donna and Sophie
* Colin Firth, marry me now. I think what I love most about him in this (but also in a number of other films) is that he gets it -- he's in on the joke. By which I mean, he's kind of ridiculous when it comes to the singing and dancing numbers and he knows it. He embraces it. He's able to laugh at himself for being such a fop and it makes him that much more endearing.
* The scenery is DIVINE. I mean, the island looks like absolute heaven -- and the guys are GORGEOUS. This movie made me want to go live in Greece like right now. Today. Yesterday even. YUMMY.
* The music! I've always loved ABBA songs but there were a few I didn't know or had forgotten until the movie reminded me -- like "Lay All Your Love On Me" and "The Winner Takes It All". My girls and I were all singing and dancing in our seats, and we weren't alone.
What I didn't love:
* I can sum it up in two words: Pierce Brosnan. Normally, I'm a fan. The guy's dashing and handsome and charismatic and fun and just wonderful. But in this? Not so much. His acting was fine, but his songs? There are no words to describe that atrocity. First of all, he can't sing. Seriously cannot carry a tune. Add to that his completely over the top intensity when he does sing (particularly on his duet with Streep "S.O.S.") it's laughable. Like crying my eyes out, can't breathe, can't even LOOK at him, laughable. And not in a Colin Firth is an adorable dork way -- oh no. In the "he really thinks he's the shit and has absolutely no concept of how freaking ridiculous he is" kind of way. It is SO, SO, SO very bad.
In summation, it was a really fun and entertaining way to spend an evening. If you love musicals, I suggest you see it!
I am also freaking excited because my brother and I are going to Scranton, PA (home of Dunder Mifflin!!) to see the Warped Tour on Sunday! So win on many fronts -- I mean, TO inherent coolness of course, but also a zillion great bands like my boys Anberlin, The Classic Crime, Angels and Airwaves, The Academy Is..., Say Anything, Reel Big Fish, just to mention a few. It is going to be the BOMB. If I can track down any fun landmarks, I'll take photos and put em up next week. I CAN'T WAIT!!
Happy Friday Everyone!!!
I've never seen the stage production of Mama Mia! so I wasn't quite sure to expect, particularly since I'm not overly familiar with the musical stylings of any of the principals (with the exception of the divine Christine Baranski). You know what? I LOVED IT. Like most musicals it did require the suspension of disbelief, but was quite believable in that context. What I loved:
* Meryl Streep, although not a great singer really committed to the role (as if we should expect any less) and that made all of her performances really human and genuine and great even if they weren't technically well sung.
* Julie and Christine were insanely hilarious! In fact, all three ladies came across like the oldest and dearest of friends. Many of their scenes together felt organic rather than scripted. They were a hoot!
* Amanda Seyfried was an absolute jewel! I've always appreciated her in other roles -- the late great Lilly Kane on VM, weather-predicting ditz Karen -- but was really surprised by how good and lovely she was in this! In fact, I would argue that she was the only non-broadway/musical theater actor that actually had vocal talent. Her voice is gorgeous!
* The "Greek Chorus" -- kitchen staff, random beach goers, fish mongers, house keepers, etc. -- all popping up from out of nowhere to provide back-up and commentary on the crazy lives of Donna and Sophie
* Colin Firth, marry me now. I think what I love most about him in this (but also in a number of other films) is that he gets it -- he's in on the joke. By which I mean, he's kind of ridiculous when it comes to the singing and dancing numbers and he knows it. He embraces it. He's able to laugh at himself for being such a fop and it makes him that much more endearing.
* The scenery is DIVINE. I mean, the island looks like absolute heaven -- and the guys are GORGEOUS. This movie made me want to go live in Greece like right now. Today. Yesterday even. YUMMY.
* The music! I've always loved ABBA songs but there were a few I didn't know or had forgotten until the movie reminded me -- like "Lay All Your Love On Me" and "The Winner Takes It All". My girls and I were all singing and dancing in our seats, and we weren't alone.
What I didn't love:
* I can sum it up in two words: Pierce Brosnan. Normally, I'm a fan. The guy's dashing and handsome and charismatic and fun and just wonderful. But in this? Not so much. His acting was fine, but his songs? There are no words to describe that atrocity. First of all, he can't sing. Seriously cannot carry a tune. Add to that his completely over the top intensity when he does sing (particularly on his duet with Streep "S.O.S.") it's laughable. Like crying my eyes out, can't breathe, can't even LOOK at him, laughable. And not in a Colin Firth is an adorable dork way -- oh no. In the "he really thinks he's the shit and has absolutely no concept of how freaking ridiculous he is" kind of way. It is SO, SO, SO very bad.
In summation, it was a really fun and entertaining way to spend an evening. If you love musicals, I suggest you see it!
I am also freaking excited because my brother and I are going to Scranton, PA (home of Dunder Mifflin!!) to see the Warped Tour on Sunday! So win on many fronts -- I mean, TO inherent coolness of course, but also a zillion great bands like my boys Anberlin, The Classic Crime, Angels and Airwaves, The Academy Is..., Say Anything, Reel Big Fish, just to mention a few. It is going to be the BOMB. If I can track down any fun landmarks, I'll take photos and put em up next week. I CAN'T WAIT!!
Happy Friday Everyone!!!