Anyone who's been here before may notice that I've changed my layout a bit. I'd been meaning to change some things around and I finally got around to it. Hope it makes things more convenient for you, the reader.
As for my Top Ten of 2006 List goes, I've pretty much created a list already. However, I want to give all films a chance, so I will not make my list until I've seen The Queen, at the very least. If I can fit in Flags of Our Fathers and Notes on a Scandal I will, but I have a feeling they wouldn't make my list. I'll see them for nomination purposes before I make my Oscar predictions. But my Top 10 list should be ready with in the next week or so. Patience.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Dreamgirls
Although taking a little time away from Los Angeles, I can never take time away from the movies. I finally caught Dreamgirls after a month of staying away because of the constant sold out theaters. I certainly did not get a sold out crowd; I went on a Monday night in New Orleans. There were 4 people in the theater.
As for the film, I enjoyed it. Not one of the best musicals I've seen, but it was definitely a fun film. The talent is tremendous. I can't even go 3 sentences without mentioning how wonderful Jennifer Hudson is. At the start I was hesitant. I thought, "could someone who has never acted before really win an Oscar? I mean, she's just singing." But her performance is amazing. "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is the highlight of the film and one of the greatest moments of cinema from the past year. That song/scene alone will win her the Oscar or my name isn't Jon. And believe me, it certainly is.
The rest of the movie isn't bad. It's not one of those things where just a few aspects of it are good. There are loads of good performances. I was particularly impressed by Jamie Foxx, a man who I've been quite unimpressed with in the past. I thought he did a better job in this film than he did in the Oscar-winning performance of Ray. Ah well. Not that I want him to win. I think Eddie Murphy did a very good job as the James Brown-like Jimmy Early. And the songs are good, too. It's just fun to hear the different songs and go through the times with the music.
One thing I thought was going to be true about the movie was that it was going to feel a little odd being on the big screen since a lot of musicals don't translate well. However, this did just fine. The way they incorporated the music into montages and background worked perfectly in cinema. This is obviously something that wouldn't have happened on the stage, so the movie wasn't just a replica of the stage version, either. It's nice to see adaptations take some freedom with things.
As for what isn't hot about the film, there are problems with length (as there usually are in musicals), some performances that were less than extraordinary, and some dissatisfaction with the wrap up of the plot. But hey, who really cares?
But I'm not surprised about it not getting the Oscar nomination. I liked the film a lot, but I don't think it's one of the 10 best films of the year. It's not really better than the films nominated for best picture. But it's still an enjoyable movie. One of the most fun films of the year. It just wouldn't be right to go down in history as the "best film of 2006" when it's really just good entertainment with a few amazing performances. It's fine. Let it destroy the competition in every category it's nominated in. Forget the loss for best picture. It'll live on.
B+
IMDB information on DREAMGIRLS
As for the film, I enjoyed it. Not one of the best musicals I've seen, but it was definitely a fun film. The talent is tremendous. I can't even go 3 sentences without mentioning how wonderful Jennifer Hudson is. At the start I was hesitant. I thought, "could someone who has never acted before really win an Oscar? I mean, she's just singing." But her performance is amazing. "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is the highlight of the film and one of the greatest moments of cinema from the past year. That song/scene alone will win her the Oscar or my name isn't Jon. And believe me, it certainly is.
The rest of the movie isn't bad. It's not one of those things where just a few aspects of it are good. There are loads of good performances. I was particularly impressed by Jamie Foxx, a man who I've been quite unimpressed with in the past. I thought he did a better job in this film than he did in the Oscar-winning performance of Ray. Ah well. Not that I want him to win. I think Eddie Murphy did a very good job as the James Brown-like Jimmy Early. And the songs are good, too. It's just fun to hear the different songs and go through the times with the music.
One thing I thought was going to be true about the movie was that it was going to feel a little odd being on the big screen since a lot of musicals don't translate well. However, this did just fine. The way they incorporated the music into montages and background worked perfectly in cinema. This is obviously something that wouldn't have happened on the stage, so the movie wasn't just a replica of the stage version, either. It's nice to see adaptations take some freedom with things.
As for what isn't hot about the film, there are problems with length (as there usually are in musicals), some performances that were less than extraordinary, and some dissatisfaction with the wrap up of the plot. But hey, who really cares?
But I'm not surprised about it not getting the Oscar nomination. I liked the film a lot, but I don't think it's one of the 10 best films of the year. It's not really better than the films nominated for best picture. But it's still an enjoyable movie. One of the most fun films of the year. It just wouldn't be right to go down in history as the "best film of 2006" when it's really just good entertainment with a few amazing performances. It's fine. Let it destroy the competition in every category it's nominated in. Forget the loss for best picture. It'll live on.
B+
IMDB information on DREAMGIRLS
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