Hairspray

[Strangler Lewis]

I hate to sound like a critic, or at least a happy one, but this was "the most fun I've had at a movie in years." "A feel good movie from start to finish." Etc.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Yeah, I thought it was a complete delight! I smiled for what felt like hours afterward.

[Gemini Cricket]

I have to see this one.
I haven't yet.
The fact that it's playing at the Cineramadone in Hollywood is very, very tempting...
:)

[Alex]

I enjoyed it quite a bit with one major caveat.

I never really bought Nikki Blonsky as a noteworthy dancer. So kind of like an old film where they are obviously shooting day for night where I have to force myself to just ignore the long shadows I just had to say "ok, in the universe of this movie that is good dancing."

Once I got in the groove with that (and the audience stopped laughing at the mere appearance of Travolta) I had a good time. And the young, naive, schoolgirl look doesn't generally do anything for me but somehow Amanda Bynes produced quite the hormonal response from me with all the cliches that generally turn me off.

[innerSpaceman]

Oooh, lemme know if you're going to see it at the Dome, GC. I'm fence-sitting about this one, but a chance to have a night out with you would put me over the edge.











Not that edge.





I am very very fond of the original John Waters movie, and I'm fond of the Broadway show. I'd like to see this, but I'm getting whiplash from the trend of movie-to-show-to-movie.

It's gonna end up in my Netflix queue unless someone who appreciates musicals wants to go see it with me.

[Babette]

I am very very fond of the original John Waters movie, and I'm fond of the Broadway show. I'd like to see this, but I'm getting whiplash from the trend of movie-to-show-to-movie.

It's gonna end up in my Netflix queue unless someone who appreciates musicals wants to go see it with me.I felt like it has been done twice already, why do they need to do it again so soon? But I guess the original movie was almost 20 years ago. I remember it so vividly that it doesn't seem that long ago.

As much as I love Hairspray 1988 and the musical, this new version didn't appeal to me because of Travolta. I am afraid I will just roll my eyes and groan whenever he is on the screen and be distracted from the film (as I did whenever Eddie Murphy was on-screen in Dreamgirls). But I am hearing so many great things about it, that I think I need to see it.

Once I got in the groove with that (and the audience stopped laughing at the mere appearance of Travolta) I had a good time. And the young, naive, schoolgirl look doesn't generally do anything for me but somehow Amanda Bynes produced quite the hormonal response from me with all the cliches that generally turn me off. I so have a girl-crush on her!

[€uroMeinke]

Hmm - Maybe I'll have to watch another John Water's Classic tonight - Desperate Living and think how that might be reimagined as a musical.

[flippyshark]

OMG, a Desperate Living musical! "I'm A Man, Muffy" would undoubtedly be one of the musical highlights.

[wendybeth]

We just returned from seeing the movie, and we all loved it. My daughter and nephew, both 12, both seemed to really enjoy themselves- it doesn't hurt that some of the main characters are played by actors from their world. I thought JT was great, but I really missed Divine- he owned the character! We're going to watch the original tomorrow.


Oh, and I loved John Water's cameo!

[Strangler Lewis]

OMG, a Desperate Living musical! "I'm A Man, Muffy" would undoubtedly be one of the musical highlights.

Building to the dark and brooding "To Hell With Science!"

[blueerica]

Strangely, Hairspray played on ABC Family tonight, and I watched it. Reminded me of how much I love the original. I think I'll be trying to catch it this weekend...

[NickO'Time]

My wife and I watched this Sunday afternoon. The theater had no seats at all. Packed! FUN and laughter from start to finish. Travolta was a little weird. I was glad to see Ricki Lake made an appearance.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Seeing Travolta in the commercials was enough to keep me away. He looked freaky in a way that I knew would distract me from the film. I'm kinda annoyed that he took the role away from anyone who might actually be a large person. Putting up someone as the new Divine would have been cool.

Glad to hear everyone enjoyed though :)

[CoasterMatt]

In other fun John Watersness - Polyester is gonna be on HD Movies at 9:15 Saturday night, with an intro bit by Peaches Christ, including an interview with John Waters.

[libraryvixen]

B and I loved the movie. I had a smile from ear to ear and B continues to sing "Good Morning Baltimore". Nothing finer than hearing her sing about the flasher next door. ;)

[Prudence]

Lovedlovedlovedlovedlovedloved it. Must obtain soundtrack immediately.

[Gemini Cricket]

I really, really enjoyed this one.


And, believe it or not, I loved John Travolta as Edna. He played it well. He (or the director) decided to play the part as if he was a woman. He didn't go for some sort of over the top swish, he played it realistically.

The cast all in all was great. Nikki Blonsky was terrific. She totally sold me on her character from the very beginning. Walken, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer were all great. And Zac Efron and Elijah Kelly are adorable.

With that being said, ultimately I prefer the stage version to the movie. But the movie totally rocked. There were just some adjustments made to the film that I didn't agree with. The songs "Big Doll House" and "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now" were cut, the latter was sung during the credits by Blonski, Ricki Lake and Marissa Jaret Winokur which was a nice touch. However, cutting the prison scene stole a wonderful moment where Link rescues Tracy from prison. Not only that, but "Without Love" (one of my all-time favorite Broadway tunes ever) was hacked up in the process. Instead of it being a moment where Link and Seaweed resuce their maidens, it turned into a scene where Seaweed and Penny rescue Tracy from Penny's mom's house and Link is forced to sing to a picture of Tracy instead. Bleh! The fact that the picture sang back saved the moment from being really dull, but I still wanted to see my favorite moment from the stage version captured precisely on film. Oh well.
Another scene had Tracy making a stand at a protest and then ended up with her running away leaving everyone else to be jailed. That was a wtf moment.
John Water's and Ricki Lake's cameos were nice.

I'm going to see it again.
:)

[innerSpaceman]

I'm going to see it again.
:)
Let me know if you want company. I really want to see this, but am afraid it will be relegated to Netflix if I don't get my own busy schedule under my own thumb.

[cirquelover]

GC- this is the second time he's made this request, take ISM to the movies for criminey sakes!

[Gemini Cricket]

GC- this is the second time he's made this request, take ISM to the movies for criminey sakes!
You're right. I should let him off the hook and just tell him I'm busy.

Wait... this isn't a PM!





:D



I'm joking.

ism :iSm: , I want to see it again. It's loads of fun. I'll PM you.
:)

[Alex]

If you're in the mood for a musical and are playing somewhere you can get at it, go see Once instead before the opportunity is lost. You'll be able to see Hairspray for a few weeks yet.

[libraryvixen]

I really, really enjoyed this one.
I'm going to see it again.
:)

There's a Hairspray Sing-A-Long Version (http://www.hairspraymovie.com/blog/?p=318) going around to many theatres. I'm gonna take B and we're gonna sing our hearts out!

[AllyOops!]

I'm excited! My girlfriend Leigh & I are going to go see Hairspray tonight.

It's dinner & a movie night! My boyfriend will be relieved I'm not dragging him to a musical, although he was actually down to see this one. Sorta. :)