Dreamgirls screening in San Diego

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 7:14pm

Was anyone on these boards fortunate enough to get to go to the Dreamgirls screening tonight? Any comments, reviews?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 7:21pm

Please tell me someone saw it..:)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 7:31pm

what time tonight? I haven't heard anything about this...

[otis33]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 7:42pm

It hasn't happened yet. I'm on my way out the door to go. CAN'T wait!

I was actually in line for the Wicked lotto, didn't win, but got a pass the Dreamgirls instead. I think I'm more excited about the movie than I would have been about seeing the show.

[TT]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 8:01pm

You must e-mail a message about how it went...I am really curious about the film version...and totally exited for you!!!!! You lucked out!!!! Write back ASAP!!!!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 10:55pm

What a choice "Wicked" or "Dreamgirls" i know which one i would chose..Hello Dreamgirls, nothing like seeing a real show..

[QMAN03]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:57am

WOh Woh Woh. Are you kidding me?!?!?! I'm in NY right now but I live in SD. God Dangit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[otis33]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 2:23am

The first half of the movie is pretty flawless. The second half slows down a bit, but I still loved it. Actually, I kind of flipped for the movie. Jennifer Hudson is AMAZING! AMAZING! The new songs are good. I miss some of the original songs. They are pretty darn faithful to the original story - which I was pleased to see. Did I mention that Jennifer Hudson was AMAZING!?!

[tophertilson]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 5:10am

Otis ------ MORE, MORE, MORE!!!! Spoil us rotten, please! I am SO excited!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 9:50am

As I've never attended a screening before, are they able to, or do they usually go back and re-edit the finished product to take care of any problems (i.e., pacing, storyline, etc.)?

[QMAN03]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 10:19am

Here's a link to another person who saw the screening:

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=24147

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 10:26am

Yes, they do go back and edit a bit and fine tune, on occasion.

It doesn't happen as often as it used to (because it's VERY expensive to go to film multiple times from the editorial). Not like the old MGM days when (as their slogan used to be among the ranks) they "didn't MAKE movies, they REMADE them." Referring to the fact that after test screenings, they would always go back and make major alterations to the film, based on feedback cards. Rewriting endings completely, throwing out whole scenes, re-shooting new ones, and even replacing actors (on a few occasions).

I have been to several advance screenings over the years (as much as six months before the release date), and not once was the final film any different than what I saw (with the exception of adding in a main title sequence, credit roll, final score, VFX and SFX mixing, and color correction).

Dottie---as far as the "second half" losing steam a bit as otis33 mentioned, this has ALWAYS been the problem with Dreamgirls, even when I saw the OBC. That's its one major flaw, IMO, and ultimately the reason it didn't win Best Musical. It's in the writing and the basic story itself. It just fizzles a bit (by comparison to the explosive first half). I know Bill Condon has worked to change that in the film, by altering some plot points. Maybe he didn't go far enough with the Act II tweaking. Or maybe, even with a little "steam lost," the movie has been deemed good enough to go already.

Updated On: 8/11/06 at 10:26 AM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 10:36am

Thanks, Best12, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. And, very well written, if I do say so myself!!

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 10:53am

Thanks, Dottie! I must say that after sneaking a peek at several of these advance on-line reviews, I'm VERY excited about the future of this film.

It seems destined to make a BIG splash during the holidays and during award season in the spring.

I'm particularly happy that people who know the show, and also people who have never heard of it at all, are praising it equally. That's the sign that it's working. It shouldn't matter in the least if the audience knows or likes Broadway going into the movie theatre. It needs to succeed on its own terms.

From nearly all accounts so far, this movie has "cross-over" appeal (to steal a bit of Deena's thunder). Yay!

[catstagestud]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:12am

So stoked! I need this film to be released immediately! I may end up seeing it multiple times the day it comes out just to get my J-Hud fix. :-P

Cheers,

Christopher

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:26am

OH MY FREAKIN' GOD, I need to see this movie right now before I go insane.

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 11:49am

Has anyone commented on Jennifer's AIATYING?

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:02pm

Most comments I've read on the song say that it was the highlight of the movie. It was wonderful yet heartbreaking. The argument right before the song is still sung as well.

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:05pm

Great! I'd love to hear Jennfier's rendition of the song! I can't wait!

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:05pm

So 'It's all over' hasn't been cut?

I was really worried it would be turned into dialogue. No I am Uber Excited.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:17pm

Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, and some other girl.

Go Anika!

"...and the rest!
Are here on Gilligan's Island"

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:21pm

Anika and Sharon Leal are SO "and the rest" here, aren't they?

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:23pm

Just read another review that Michelle's role was bigger than in the play. So while this is the story of Deena and Effie's struggle, the other Dreams are not forgotten.

[Tag]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:28pm

I didn't know Loretta Devine has a cameo.
And Jaleel White is in it! aka. Steve Urkel

[catstagestud]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:30pm

Jaleel White?! That's awesome! I didn't see that when I looked on IMDB...must not have been looking closely.

Cheers,

Christopher