Miscellaneous Movie Musings

[Gemini Cricket]

Betty ~ Ew. Ew! and EW!!

[flippyshark]

I just got through watching the newly released RENT, as filmed on Broadway during its closing performance (or rather, last few performances, really.) If you are a fan of the show and thought the Chris Columbus movie was a soggy and leaden lump, you're likely to appreciate this chance to see the show on its original stage, with its original staging, and an energetic and attractive young cast.

RENT is an acquired taste for most people I know, and many never acquire it. I have to space out my viewings/listenings fairly far apart, as the show contains some vicious ear worms. (Even now, I'm going to have to live with "Seasons of Love" for a few miserable days.) But, it's worth it for the show's many glorious emotional highlights and moments of powerful pop triumph. This new DVD is the ideal way to enjoy it. I'll be revisiting it again in about five years.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by flippyshark

I just got through watching the newly released RENT, as filmed on Broadway...

I bought it today as well.
I haven't had a chance to watch it yet. Maybe tomorrow.
As a die-hard Renthead, I can't wait to see it.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by flippyshark

I just got through watching the newly released RENT, as filmed on Broadway during its closing performance (or rather, last few performances, really.) If you are a fan of the show and thought the Chris Columbus movie was a soggy and leaden lump, you're likely to appreciate this chance to see the show on its original stage, with its original staging, and an energetic and attractive young cast.

I watched it Thursday night and enjoyed it a great deal. Did I like watching 'Rent'? Uh, does a Christian dig Jesus?

I loved that the musical was shot in full. Nothing was cut from it. The deletion of "Christmas Bells" from the movie version was a travesty. I still have a special place in my heart for the film because of the number of original cast members in it. Adam Pascal will always always be Roger. Always.

With that being said, the Broadway cast featured on the DVD was great. Here are their grades:
Mark: A-
Roger: A
Mimi: B
Collins: B
Angel: B+
Joanne: A
Maureen: B
Benny: B+
The supporting players: A
My biggest gripe with the cast was that Mimi was lacking. The character of Mimi is an out of control, attention grabbing fireball. The Mimi that on the DVD was subdued in her song "Out Tonight". This song is a show stopper and a chance for an actress to go all out. This actress seemed worried that her outrageousness wouldn't transfer well to film. She should have gave it her all.
The Roger was a yum yum factory. Gorgeous. Yeah, he has no lips but hey he's hot. He nailed his songs and was right on the money.
The Mark was decent. But he's no Anthony Rapp. But this actor did just fine.
The Collins was lacking to me, too. He wasn't as strong as I'd like.

I thought the play's translation to film was amazing. I thought I'd get bored with the camera, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Another small gripe I had with this version was with "La Vie Boheme". It seemed to be on Valium. The song's tempo is a bit faster than what was shown. I don't know, it could be me, I guess.

Watching the original cast sing with the last Broadway cast was touching. The original cast absentees included: Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs and Adam Pascal. Would have liked to see them there, but their absence was understandable.

I'll be watching this one over and over again. No matter what, this musical will always be special to me.

No day but today, b!tches! 'Rent' rules!

[innerSpaceman]

Hehehe, I'm going to rent it.



(Hated the movie, but .... in light of G.C.'s constant love for the piece, I'd love to see a representation of the actual show.)

[flippyshark]

I'd say your grades are very much on the money. I wasn't watching very critically, though. I was too busy sniffling and bawling for a lot of it. (There are moments in the score that ALWAYS get me.)

Y'know, I found La Vie Boheme sluggish in both this DVD and in the movie. I've seen four live casts, and they generally pulled it off, though I think it comes off most energetically on the cast album. Maybe I'm mentally putting together a much more kinetic picture of how that song should be staged.

Yes, Christmas Bells was an unforgivable omission from the movie. AND so was "Goodbye Love." What the fvck was Chris Columbus thinking!? (It did show up as a deleted scene in the extras, and it had been effectively performed and shot, and it had NO BUSINESS being cut.) This song is both a very direct shout out to the source opera, La Boheme, and in itself, an emotional moment that should never, ever ever ever ever be cut.

I said in my last post that I would wait a while before watching this again, but guess what - I've already rewatched it.

[cirquelover]

The boys had Netflixed Forbidden Kingdom last night, it wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not a big Jackie Chan fan but I think I liked him as a drunk for some reason, go figure!

[Gemini Cricket]

Saw Slumdog Millionaire tonight. Loved it!
Really enjoyed the shenanigans during the credits.

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Saw Slumdog Millionaire tonight. Loved it!
Really enjoyed the shenanigans during the credits.

Waitaminute.

I've been thinking about this movie and I think I have a couple of problems with it.

Spoiler:

The moral of the movie: life is better if you have money? Unless I'm missing something. Yes he guessed at the last question implying he didn't care about the money, but he did in fact win the money. If he had donated the money to, oh I don't know, homeless children in Mumbai, wouldn't that have been a better message? AND did she only stay with him because of his notoriety and money? Not only that, but the lead actor pretty much had one expression on his face throughout the entire film. A sort of duh expression. I mean, yeah, he's adorable but there could have been more to him... Don't get me wrong, the film was shot beautifully on a meager budget and I'm addicted to the soundtrack I purchased on iTunes (I loves MIA) but I'm feeling that there's much ado about nothing with this film. I mean, Latika went from one rich guy to another essentially. AND with that kind of dough, isn't it possible that he'll just end up being the next gangster godfather? And I don't get the money in the tub scene. Why did he do that? And now that Jamal has the dough, aren't the surviving gangsters (both the godfather's cronies and the orphanage guys) going to be after him? Hmmm. Me likes the film still, I guess. But I don't know if it's Best Pic worthy despite cleaning up at the BAFTAs.

[€uroMeinke]

Finally saw Vicky Cristina Barcelona last night and loved it - okay, I could have done without the voice over, but I still think nobody captures the complexity of love and desire like Woody Allen does. Loved Penelope Cruz in this.