luckily Ewan and Emma we've heard sing. Ewan was terrific in Moulin Rouge so i have high expectations for this (though i felt the same way re: Nicole Kidman and was disappointed with her performance in Nine). Emma was... pretty good as Mrs. Lovett.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
Is there anyone who believes one word Emma Watson sings? After listening to those clips several times i managed to hear a human in there somewhere, but the intonation, pronunciation and placement of the syllables was so incredibly lame and lifeless that I don't believe any word of it.
Isn't this all about life and emotion and thoughts being sung?
I am really serious and curious. Is there anyone who does believe it? If so, can you name a line, a part or a note? Because I just keep on looking.
Céline Dion on Twitter: "I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be performing a new song,"How Does A Moment Last Forever" for Disney's Beauty and the Beast. - Céline"
Additionally, Chrissy Teigen posted on Twitter a couple of days ago that she listened to John's and Ariana's cover of "Beauty and the Beast". Thus, their version of the song is most likely finished.
jonahke said: "Céline Dion on Twitter: "I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be performing a new song,"How Does A Moment Last Forever" for Disney's Beauty and the Beast. - Céline""
I'm glad she's getting involved with Beauty And The Beast again.
Isn't this all about life and emotion and thoughts being sung?
"
No, it's not. It's about getting families in seats and selling toys to little girls. A vast majority of audiences are very excited for this. This movie is not being made for you, which is fine, since you have clearly already decided it sucks.
Theatre people are not the target audience here. In Disney's mind, this is not a big screen version of a Broadway musical. It is a live action version of a successful animated film, which will interest kids and it has enough big names and pretty visuals to interest their parents.
There is no need to pretend that this is something it is not. It is not trying to be a classic musical to impress Dave19, or whatever name you are currently going by. There is nothing wrong with what it is either. Disney knows how to make an entertaining blockbuster, and this is just that. If you do decide to watch this, go in to it with those expectations, and those expectations alone. You might just have a good time.
I may be the only Disney fan who really doesn't care for the Dion/Bryson end-credit version of the title song. (Lansbury all the way.) I even prefer Demi Lovato's "Let It Go" to their "Beauty and the Beast." Blasphemy, I realize.
Cinderella was successful without a big name playing the title role. Same with The Jungle Book. The film's title should be enough to make people want to watch. I guess Disney just really wanted Emma in something of theirs because she turned down Cinderella (which I'm glad she did. Lily James was amazing!).
Isn't this all about life and emotion and thoughts being sung?
"
No, it's not. It's about getting families in seats and selling toys to little girls.
Theatre people are not the target audience here.
There is no need to pretend that this is something it is not. "
Well, I think families and little girls have thoughts and emotions too. You don't have to be on this board to understand something about that. Why would they believe a word she sings when it's done badly?
I am not looking at all for Broadway singing. I am looking for something truthful. La la land is a good example of that.
"There is no need to pretend that this is something it is not."
Then why are they doing just that? Sing thruthfully or don't sing. But not this.
degrassifan said: "Cinderella was successful without a big name playing the title role. Same with The Jungle Book. The film's title should be enough to make people want to watch. I guess Disney just really wanted Emma in something of theirs because she turned down Cinderella (which I'm glad she did. Lily James was amazing!).
"
While this is correct, they still marketed it (sort of) around the Downton/GoT fandom. Basically that movie was filled with those peeps, plus Cate and Helena. Then get the little girls in with Frozen Fever (which is STILL the dumbest thing) and there you go. I do agree though, overall Cinderella was fine without the global blockbusting A listers, so I just don't understand why the need for them with this. Cinderella while a loved Disney property for sure, B and the B is much more beloved these days for many reason, some explainable, some not. This one would still have gotten more audiences and therefore more money would have been made regardless of who was cast because it's f-in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. The only real risk Cinderella had was merely being Cinderella and being the millionth version of it in a world that is oversaturated with who knows how many incarnations of the worlds most well known fairytale.
I would say B and the B was risky but for different reasons. It would have made money either way, but it was the artistic risk of Disney redoing what is arguable considered their most loved movie because it's just that good. We all know is pretty damn perfect. It's one of those things that can either go really well or fail miserably, theres almost no in between.
degrassifan said: "Cinderella was successful without a big name playing the title role. Same with The Jungle Book. The film's title should be enough to make people want to watch. I guess Disney just really wanted Emma in something of theirs because she turned down Cinderella (which I'm glad she did. Lily James was amazing!).
"
Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter have six Oscar nods between them and are both memorable names and faces from hugely successful films. I would call them both big name actresses. Most everyone seems to know who they are, and I doubt there are many who would find them unrecognizable. That isn't to say that the title could not have sold itself, but the names help bring in those who may see a preview and assume it is just a silly kiddy show.
jimmycurry01 said: "degrassifan said: "Cinderella was successful without a big name playing the title role. Same with The Jungle Book. The film's title should be enough to make people want to watch. I guess Disney just really wanted Emma in something of theirs because she turned down Cinderella (which I'm glad she did. Lily James was amazing!).
"
Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter have six Oscar nods between them and are both memorable names and faces from hugely successful films. I would call them both big name actresses. Most everyone seems to know who they are, and I doubt there are many who would find them unrecognizable. That isn't to say that the title could not have sold itself, but the names help bring in those who may see a preview and assume it is just a silly kiddy show.
"
Plus the two leads were from two of the biggest tv shows in the world at the time. The Jungle Book had names in practically every role possible
The Cinderella and Jungle Book arguments really don't hold up.
The argument was about the leads in each film. Beauty and the Beast like those two has the supporting cast chock full of big name talent, so the above poster is asking why they felt the need for a "big" (really I'd say she's a medium sized star) name in Emma Watson for Belle.
Can't discount the fact that Watson has 23.6 MILLION followers on Twitter. That's a pretty huge reach/influence. I'd say a fairly big "star" (in today's sense of the word.)
I didn't see this in the thread yet but here is Menken singing "How Does a Moment Last Forever ." The lyrics are little schmaltzy but a CLASSIC Menken sound. Rice is definitely channeling Howard Ashman with this one, reminds me We'll Have Tomorrow from Little Shop. Not sure if it was intentional or not but this song is almost pastiche.
Interesting to compare it to "So Close" where Menken/Schwartz were trying to do a contemporary take on this sort of thing.