CATS Film Adaptation Thread- Page 33

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/30/19 at 12:04pm

Well, enjoy the film at cinemas now as Universal is pulling it from cinemas very soon. The box office figures have dropped quite noticeably so they’re writing it off as a failure. As I mentioned previously, they removed it from its For Your Consideration streaming platforms for academy voters so they will not be pushing it this awards season.

[clever2]

Posted: 12/30/19 at 5:46pm

Saw it for a third time today, so I’m all set if they pull it. They should have given Cats to Disney and Into the Woods to Universal. Maybe more people would have been happier with either movie that way. Regardless, I remain Team Cats. At this rate, the Blu-ray will be in my home by February.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/30/19 at 5:52pm

Goodbye and good riddance.

It's hard to insult the production that played at the Winter Garden for 18 years, and the original at the New London, everybody liked to make Cats into a punchline, but this movie succeeded in doing just that merely by existing.

[clever2]

Posted: 12/30/19 at 5:55pm

Whereas I find the film superior to that cold, boring, distant tourist trap that ran for 18 years at the Winter Garden Theatre.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 10:45am

clever2 said: "Saw it for a third time today, so I’m all set if they pull it. They should have given Cats to Disney and Into the Woods to Universal. Maybe more people would have been happier with either movie that way. Regardless, I remain Team Cats. At this rate, the Blu-ray will be in my home by February. "
 

I’m at the theater now for my fourth and final viewing. Can’t get this little movie out of my head. Listened to the motion picture soundtrack again yesterday at work and decided that I needed to see it one more time on the big screen before it gets pulled. Viewed some of the filmed staged CATS and pretty much hated it. I’ll have to rent that full movie prior to the tour coming to Pittsburgh in two months. Hopefully it plays better in life than what I’ve seen. It may be the first show I’ve ever walked out on.

[Gorlois]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 11:02am

It is wild to me that two of the most earnest supporters of this movie in this thread do not like the original stage production of Cats. That’s not meant to be snide or an insult, it’s just not what I would have expected!

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 1:30pm

Gorlois said: "It is wild to me that two of the most earnest supporters of this movie in this thread do not like the original stage production of Cats. That’s not meant to be snide or an insult, it’s just not what I would have expected!"

 

I won’t know that for sure until I’ve seen it in person, with my own eyes, live in front of me. Like I said, the filmed clips of the show look horrible. Maybe that’ll change when I actually experience it. I didn’t care for Les Mis when I saw the tour at the beginning of December, but the clips I’ve seen of the 2012 movie lead me to believe I’d enjoy it much more than the stage production. It’s probably why, in the past, I have stayed away from the movie version of the shows I’ve seen. It’s hard for me to separate them in my head once I’ve seen both with the memory of one overriding the other. 

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 2:03pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Just watched it and the balloon goes into a cloud and simply disappears. You definitely get the jist that it “crossed over.”
 

One thing I didn't notice until this last viewing was that the balloon not only simply disappears into the cloud, but as the balloon approaches, the cloud takes on the face of a cat (you can see the eyes, nose, and mouth) signifying that it is indeed about to crossed over. Then the balloon disappears into the face. It literally gave me chills when I saw it, and it was actually quite beautiful. 

Updated On: 1/1/20 at 02:03 PM

[clever2]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 2:26pm

Accepting that the film is not the show nor does it want to be nor does it try to be makes a difference (to me anyway), and you know immediately that you’re in for a new experience that is an adaptation. Not a recreation. Why would we need that? The show was filmed and it’s readily available. That this is an altogether different interpretation rather than the same ole same ole is one of the reasons why it’s so successful for me.

Some have objected that each sequence feels like they are from different movies and too many visions are at odds with each other. I didn’t feel that way at all, but isn’t the show like that? Each cat introduction jerks us from one idea to the next? Like each act in vaudeville was different, and the show is just that. A vaudeville that Grizabella stumbles into a couple times, interrupting the proceedings, eventually singing a big song that certainly is gorgeous but doesn’t really come from anywhere valid.

Once we get to “Memory” in the film, it’s more than earned because of Victoria’s ongoing efforts to understand and give affection to what is decidedly the other outsider. But Victoria is gradually accepted and supported by the Jellicles and she uses the power that gives her to bring Grizabella before the group. Victoria’s “Trees in summer” interlude is an encouragement for Grizabella to continue once Grizabella begins to give up. While that solo and then harmony is very pretty in the show, again, it doesn’t mean anything. In the film, it means everything.

I not only support the film because I adore it. I support it because, through Victoria, meaning is given to the entire piece that was never there before. That’s my point of view.

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 3:59pm

clever2 said: 
I not only support the film because I adore it. I support it because, through Victoria, meaning is given to the entire piece that was never there before. That’s my point of view."

 

I like both and feel the films script did what the sage shows dance did 

[musikman]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 4:00pm

dmwnc1959 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Just watchedit and the balloon goes into a cloud and simply disappears. You definitely get the jist that it “crossed over.”


One thing I don’t notice until this last viewing was that the balloon not only simply disappears into the cloud, but as the balloon approaches, the cloud takes on the face of a cat (you can see the eyes, nose, and mouth)signifying that it isindeed about to crossed over. Then the balloondisappears into the face. It literally gaveme chills when I saw it, and it was actually quite beautiful."

 

the entire movie theatre started guffawing when the cat appeared in the clouds. It wasn’t the only moment either where they happened.  It’s fascinating how people can view that moment so differently.  U
 

I’ll admit I’m not a fan of the stage version (it has a few merits), but this is simply the most mind-bogglingly inept, ridiculous, overwrought, campy, dreadful, and ridiculous movie I’ve seen in years. Good riddance.   

 

[clever2]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 4:06pm

I sat with three audiences in three different cities. They all responded positively. Not just during the film but I could hear their conversations when it ended and the lights came on. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and some were surprised how much. It’s all very interesting to me.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 4:29pm

Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, 

 

Everyone really enjoyed in the last showing I saw but it was with a lot of laughter and outright  moaning and OMG's and one loud OYvay! We knew what we were  getting into and had OUR version of a good time. It was a valid and authentic experience for us . I believe this will have a 2nd life as a "so bad it's good" like Showgirls.

[clever2]

Posted: 1/1/20 at 4:36pm

It remains interesting because in three cities, they laughed when it was funny and they sniffled and cried when it got emotional. There were no “so bad it’s good” reactions. And by my third viewing, I was afraid I must have surely found my way into one of those ridiculing audiences by then. Nope. I’m glad I didn’t have to experience that.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 10:18am

I have no idea how anyone could have seen a showing without mocking laughter. I went yesterday and the audience was roaring with laughter the entire time. From the second the cat appeared in the clouds at the beginning, until the end when Judi turned her body multiple times to directly face the camera to tell us again cats are not dogs, it was almost nonstop. 

Interestingly enough, I went to the AMC in Lincoln Center and they were still showing the original version - human hands and all.

[clever2]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 10:23am

It seems there are other people who genuinely enjoy it. Like me and some other people represented in this thread. As well as the three audiences I saw it with, as I said. Loving or liking it isn’t some ethereal concept but something palpable. I’ve already pre-ordered the Blu-ray.

[clever2]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 11:43am

Oh yes. I’d also like to point out one little thing. They have human hands....in the show.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 11:48am

The audience I saw it with in NYC was also snickering at it as well. The shot of McKellen lapping milk got huge laughs, as did Judy Dench sticking her leg into the air.

[joevitus]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 11:49am

clever2 said: "It remains interesting because in three cities, they laughed when it was funny and they sniffled and cried when it got emotional. There were no “so bad it’s good” reactions. And by my third viewing, I was afraid I must have surely found my way into one of those ridiculing audiences by then. Nope. I’m glad I didn’t have to experience that."

If you've seen it in three cities and are ordering it on Blu Ray, my guess is you work for the production company.

[clever2]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 11:50am

joevitus said: "clever2 said: "It remains interesting because in three cities, they laughed when it was funny and they sniffled and cried when it got emotional. There were no “so bad it’s good” reactions. And by my third viewing, I was afraid I must have surely found my way into one of those ridiculing audiences by then. Nope. I’m glad I didn’t have to experience that."

If you've seen it in three cities and are ordering it on Blu Ray, my guess is you work for the production company."

Nope. Traveling for the holidays. 

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 12:06pm

DRSisLove said: "I have no idea how anyone could have seen a showing without mocking laughter."

I’ve seen it four times over the period of this past holiday season and never ONCE did I hear this. So, yes, it’s possible. 


clever2 said: "Oh yes. I’d also like to point out one little thing. They have human hands....in the show. "

And leg warmers. Don’t forget the furry, knee-high leg warmers. And shoes, thigh high-boots, arm-length furry sleeves that go up mid-bicep. Got the feeling I’m going to hate this show. Which is a shame. I’ll have to purge my thoughts before going in and give it a fair shot. And not giggle and mock it out loud. That would be disrespectful.

 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 1:02pm

They have human hands....in the show.

Yes because the show is live people NOT Computer Generated Imagery people.  I mean ,they CGI'd bare feet when a dancer is obviously en pointe which means ballet pointe shoes!

Potato /Grapes

[clever2]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 1:05pm

sabrelady said: "They have human hands....in the show.

Yes because the show is live people NOT Computer Generated Imagery people. I mean ,they CGI'd bare feet when a dancer is obviously en pointe which means ballet pointe shoes!

Potato /Grapes"

They also show pointe shoes and sneakers in the film. 

[musikman]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 2:58pm

DRSisLove said: "I have no idea how anyone could have seen a showing without mocking laughter. I went yesterday and the audience was roaring with laughter the entire time. From the second the cat appeared in the clouds at the beginning, until the end when Judi turned her body multiple times to directly face the camera to tell us again cats are not dogs, it was almost nonstop.

Interestingly enough, I went to the AMC in Lincoln Center and they were still showing the original version - human hands and all."

 

I saw it down at the AMC Village 7 near union square and had the exact same experience.   At this point I think the majority of people are going to see it ironically just because of all the crazy reviews, which could also account for much of the overt laughter in unintentional places.  Unfortunately, for the film, these unintentional laughs are completely earned 

 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/2/20 at 3:14pm

joevitus said: "clever2 said: "It remains interesting because in three cities, they laughed when it was funny and they sniffled and cried when it got emotional. There were no “so bad it’s good” reactions. And by my third viewing, I was afraid I must have surely found my way into one of those ridiculing audiences by then. Nope. I’m glad I didn’t have to experience that."

If you've seen it in three cities and are ordering it on Blu Ray, my guess is you work for the production company."

If he worked for the production company, why would he have to order (and pay for) the Blu-ray?