(Christmas Day) Dreamgirls Reviews- Page 3

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 12/25/06 at 11:17pm

"I thought the reprise of Cadillac Car was REALLY awkward."

...then that means it did it's job, because that was the entire point.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/25/06 at 11:35pm

"look at me mister, I'm a staaaaaar"

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/25/06 at 11:56pm

I saw the HISTORY BOYS movie last night and DREAMGIRLS tonight. If the Oscars, or any of the mainstream awards were based on quality, then HISTORY BOYS would sweep. DREAMGIRLS is a big flashy bucket of sequins dumped all over America with big name actors and singers. It will win a ton of Oscars. HISTORY BOYS is a smart, subtle, thoughtfully put together piece of art about real life, thinking human beings. I doubt it will get even an Oscar nomination. The DREAMGIRLS screenplay is uneven. The story is choppy and does not flow. There is no arc. The big resolution scene between Deena and Effie starts on screen at about 3/4 way through it, and it lasts another minute. So much for some sort of a pay off. But either way it wouldn't matter, as we don't get to know the characters throughout the film enough to care much about them. It's just fluff, no substance. It will be deemed the film of the century.

Congratulations, Hollywood! You've done it again!

[mateo]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:10am

What I don't understand is that Dreamworks hyped Dreamgirls to death and then only released the film in 800+ theatres nationwide. Why? They had to know it was going to be most people's # 1 choice. Wouldnt they want the numbers to have that "#1 of the weekend" slot?

Is this just a marketing/business strategy I dont understand?


(well I guess they couldnt get those numbers, since they opened on a monday)

Updated On: 12/26/06 at 12:10 AM

[soapguy17]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:14am

I agree with somethingwicked, I could almost certianly see the purposeful awkwardness in the scene. Over half the people in the theater when I saw it find it mildy amusing.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:30am

I just got back. The audience was very enthusiastic; everyone was dancing in their seats, applauding for Jennifer Hudson after "And I am telling you", giving a warm and hardy applause after the end, and a woman even said out loud "Tell it girl!". It was quite magical, I reccommend everyone rush out to see this movie.

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:45am

I never saw this show, but when I heard the film was coming out, I bought the other two albums and couldn't listen to them, they were so bad. Poor orchestrations and except for Holliday, very poor singing (especially in the concert).

Finally the film showed me that the right people could take the music and make it real. It actually sounded like pop music, as it should. The other recordings sound like watered down cocktails compared to this.

Congrats to all involved, this movie should win big awards, especially for Hudson Beyonce (who is not the world's greatest actor, but an incredibly voice, and I cant imagine the show withouth "Listen" a real turning point)

Murphy was really incredible, very cool, fun, funny and sad.

I dont know what everyone's problem with Foxx is, there's not much to work with there, and he's the bad guy, he made me hate him in the movie, so he did his job.

In it's entirety, it was wonderful

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:53am

According to Fandango:

Release Date Schedule for Dreamgirls:
NY/LA/SF - December 15, 2006
Expanded Release - December 25, 2006
Wide Release - January 19, 2007

[mateo]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:54am

19th???? hmm, well I may have to go into the city to see it then. I ain't waitin' that long.

[Peter]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 1:43am

Saw the film a second time in Mission Viejo CA at the 4 pm showing today (the first being opening night in LA). It was playing on two of the screens here, and my theater was about 80% sold. No applause after AIATY, but a good round of applause at the end, and then more applause for Jennifer in the credits.

Hudson is a natural as an actress, and her "And Im Telling you.." is just electrifying, goosebumping-inducing bliss. I found myself missing her whenever she wasn't on screen. Eddie Murphy is the other standout for me. Im not so sure it will win a Best Picture Oscar, but Hudson should make room for hers now. My overall impression upon a second viewing remained unchanged..an excellent adaptation of a fairly mediocre stage musical, but still lacking in a few respects. However, I had an overall great time and will see it again with next weekend's crowd, just to experience Hudson's transcendent performance again.
Updated On: 12/26/06 at 01:43 AM

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 1:57am

^ You should've went to the Spectrum! The crowd was very enthusiastic!

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 4:17am

I felt the movie provided some truly wonderful moments as well as some dreadful moments.
Keith Robinson was embarrassing (wasn't this supposed to be Usher?). His "Family" received unwanted laughter from the audience and I couldn't really blame them.
Jennifer Hudson was, of course, as fantastic as everyone said. But I absolutely loved Beyonce. She was stunning. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. Wonderful screen presence.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 9:49am

5 MORE HOURS! **shaking**

[beyondblessed]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:30am

My 2 cents

Let me get this out now: Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, and Jennifer Hudson!!!!!

Her performance was amazing, not just during the signature show stopping number we all love: AIATY, but just her film presence. For someone with very little acting experience she really shined in this film. And unlike Beyonce, she was not playing herself, you could tell that she did her homework for this role and the results were amazing.
Now just a brief moment back to AIATY, my jaw dropped from start to finish. Never has a film performance moved me so much. And in all honesty I had many doubts prior to seeing the film that this recorded performance would not do the song justice. But the direction along with Jennifer¡¦s personal connection created an A1 stellar sight. Jennifer did an excellent job of encapsulating her own vulnerability and living it through Effie. And to that I say kudos Jennifer, Kudos.

The film was in all honesty the first of this huge new generation wave of musicals --> film to make some sense. Don't get me wrong 'Chicago' was great, but along with 'Rent' and 'the Producers' I kept wanting to jump in the movie and say "Stop it! That's not what's supposed to happen' This was the first movie that allowed true theatergoers to relax and experience the story anew. I know that there were some elements of the Musical that were lost, but I really feel like this movie made up for it. And that's one thing that us theatergoers have to accept: This is a movie; Hollywood is a different world than Broadway. But this is among the first that I have seen were Hollywood respected Broadway and didn't just rip up a show to make money.

I also hope people now understand that this show is not about Deena. The show was a favorite of mine before all the hype and I kept trying to tell all the Beyonce fans that this movie is about Effie Melody White. 'Listen' was a nice addition for Beyonce and I really feel like it helped her find more of the meat of Deena. But there is but one Diva and that is Effie.

Also big ups to the underappreciated Anika Noni Rose, I am upset about Lorell¡¦s song being cut. I look forward to seeing more of her on the stage and in film in the future.

I was among the first to see it yesterday, and will see it again this evening.

Updated On: 12/26/06 at 10:30 AM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:59am

"-There's too much focus on Beyonce. Yes, I understand the drama with Deena and all that jazz, but it seemed as if the movie tried hard to make her earn a Best Actress nomination."

The reason they are promoting Jennifer Hudson as Supporting Actress and Beyonce as Best Actress is because there is absolutely no way either of them would ever win Best Actress, they would be facing Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep (and it looks to go to Helen Mirren). Hudson is the best shot they have at an Oscar trophy for acting, and to nominate Beyonce in the same category might take some of Hudson's votes away (though I doubt it) and allow another actress to win. I mean, it's clearly Effie's movie, no one in their right mind would think Deena i8s a lead role in this film.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 11:00am

I saw last night and loved it. We got to the theater at 6:00ish with the intention of seeing the 7:20 showing, but that, the 8:45 and the 10:30 were sold out. So we had to go see it at 11:30. The audience was really rude, as if they didn't know it was a musical, making a HUGE ruckus during the non-performance musical numbers. I understand if it's a little shocking at first, but after the second or thrid time, you'd think they'd get used to it and let it go. It's okay if you're not enjoying a movie, but to stand up and let everyone in the audience know is unaceptable.

Some thoughts: Jamie Foxx is a bad actor, plain and simple. His performance in Ray was completely overhyped and he's boring as hell here, pretty much only having one facial expression. Very pleased with Beyonce. "Listen" was spectacular. Anika Noni Rose was a scene stealer, getting a lot of laughs from the audience. Murphy was great, Glover was fine (although I thought he was hard to hear sometimes because he whispered all of his lines), and Hudson was... Hudson. I won't be able to say anything that hasn't already been said. She's wonderful. I loved the John Lithgow cameo.

What I liked a lot about the movie was I feel like they didn't focus too much on one person. I disagree with the poster who said it was all about Beyonce. Honestly, I felt like she wasn't in it that much. Deena didn't overshadow Effie, and the only reason Effie overshadowed Deena was because of the nature of the role. There was a fair balance between the two.

[GetHer]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:36pm

"Finally the film showed me that the right people could take the music and make it real. It actually sounded like pop music, as it should. The other recordings sound like watered down cocktails compared to this."

The music was supposed to reflect the sound of the 60's and 70's. Though the movie score is VERY well done, it IS missing the authenticity that the original Bway score offered with the 60's and 70's feel. Nothing was watered down. The concert is NO way to judge Dreamgirls...it was a poor representation. If you ever heard the OBC live, you'd feel the groove and the soul. To say the OBC orchestrations were poor would be crazy..seeing as much of it remains in the movie.

You have to give props to the original..the movie wouldn't be what it is without a great show to adapt. Jamie Fox and Keith's modern pop sounds are actually WRONG for Dreamgirls..however...as I said before..its enough to crossover to a group of people who may not appreciate musical theater.

Agreed that Family is a VERY akward moment..there should have been some singing before hand in a dialogue setting.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:39pm

Gether- does your SN have anything to do with Alec Mapa?

[Mischief]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 12:59pm

I saw it last month at a press screening and again Xmas day.

I enjoyed it even more the second time. No, it's not a perfect film, but a totaly entertaining one. Biggest flaw for me is still the ending.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 1:11pm

I won't bother to review a film you all know everything about, but I'll give a peek into how it played in suburban Utah.

At the 1:25 show there were about 35 people there in a theatre that accomodates about 200, so a very small crowd. Everyone seemed to love it, though. Hudson's performance was met with applause, which in such a small group is especially telling.

I found the ending a little unfulfilling. I would have liked to end with the image of Effie and her daughter in my mind, not questions about Curtis as a father.

Most of the crowd stayed through the credits, actually applauding when Hudson's little montage came around. I personally applauded with Fisher and Eisenhower's lighting design was credited...

[WickedRentEder]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 1:30pm

I went to the 2:30 show in NY (30 mins from NYC) and it was a packed house!!! People of all ages, races, etc. I bought my tix around noon & came back early enough (30 mins prior) and got an OK seat towards the back.

I'm hoping I can go watch this movie again!!! I'm telling everyone I know to go see it! It's an amazing piece of film and I'll certainly be on my DVD collection when it comes out.

J-Hud stole the show and she'll steal a few awards come Golden Globe & potentially Oscar time. One of the critics said that when Effie wasn't in the movie, it seemed to lag and I agree with that statement...I though Beyonce was GREAT! I'm not a Beyonce fan at all, but for a non-actress she pulled the part and her rendition of "Listen" was oh so powerful! Anika was excellent as usual...

My only 'pet peeve' about the film is that 360 shot that went on for a bit too long. To the point where you'll need a dramamine if you have motion sickness. I get the effect but it went on 5-10 secs too long!

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 1:50pm

Opening the movie in limited release was a smart decision, as it was for the Borat movie as well. When there is demand for a movie, and people can't see it, they HAVE to see it the next weekend. The stupid decision here was to wait until Jan. 19th to put the film in WIDE release. They probably should have done it on like Jan 5th.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 3:42pm

Not to disparage anyone's customs or anything, but can someone tell me why audiences cheer at movies? I mean, you're sitting in front of a screen. It... can't hear you.

I think part of it is the communal experience, sharing with the audience your pleasure at what you've just seen. And I think part of it is just sort of a herd mentality. As I've said before on here, AIATYING has sort of becoming a Pavlovian Bell for people. No matter who sings the song, people are conditioned to hoot and holler for it.

I saw it again for the second time last night (I saw a press screening in November). I liked it even better the second time since this time I went in knowing exactly what was changed. I understand the criticisms of the material, some of the performances or even how the story is just too pat, but as a whole, I still simply loved it.

I'm visiting my family in St Louis, so I saw it here last night. We saw it at this theatre in the suburbs, because they have the biggest screen in St Louis. It was really exciting to see it on such a huge screen, but it was kind of odd because there weren't a lot of people there, even allowing that it was ten after ten on Christmas night. As we went in to the theater itself there was a security guard making sure we had actual tickets for the movie. We couldn't figure out what that was about.

The theater was fairly empty save for my friends, another small group of people and group of about twenty or so people who all seemed to be together. I started to think that maybe the movie wasn't going to have the widespread appeal I thought it would.

When the movie was over one of my friends rang smack into Nelly as he was coming out of the restroom. As it turned out, Nelly (who is from St Louis) had bought up the entire theater that afternoon for his group of people. If we hadn't gotten our tickets in advance we wouldn't have gotten to see this showing. I got mine way early in the week, but all my friends waited till the last minute and got theirs that morning. If they had waited any longer I would have been seeing the movie alone with Nelly's posse.

Jennifer Hudson in the audience the first time I saw it, and Nelly the second. I wonder what celebrity will be there when I head back for the third time.

Keith Robinson was embarrassing (wasn't this supposed to be Usher?). His "Family" received unwanted laughter from the audience and I couldn't really blame them.

I didn't find him embarrassing at all, just underused. There was no laughed with "Family" either time I saw it, but I've heard that happening at other showings. I didn't think it had anything to do with his performance, I thought it was because people found it jarring that suddenly 30 minutes into the film there was a book song, when there really hadn't been one up to that point.

I apologize for the length of this diatribe.

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 3:48pm

CONGRATS DREAMGIRLS ON AN $8.7 MILLION OPENING DAY!!!

That's a more than $10,000 per theater average

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 3:53pm

that's awesome news! that's about double than what was originally predicted for it to make on christmas day.