PRODUCERS MOVIE

[colbol2005]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 7:05pm

Just back from a preview, and thought I'd write my thoughts. First of all, in it's defence the sound system was not great, so that affects things, but how I wish they had not used Susan Stroman to direct. I love you Stro, but you aint no film director. She didn't know where to put the camera, or direct her actors for the different medium. Its slavishly close to the stage production, to the point of laziness. If it aint broke, why fix it you may shout. BUT THIS IS NOT THE STAGE, IT IS A FILM, it has to take all the elements that work on stage and re-interpit it for the new medium.This is what CHICAGO did well.
What works as a joke on stage, or a number, can't just be plonked on film unaltered, as if filmed from the best seat in the house. It saps all the life out of it.

When I read that Stro loved the old MGM movies, I though I could see what she wanted to do, and was excited. But she is just not experienced enough as a director of film to see this through. Those MGM movies may be "old", but they still understand implicitly how the movie medium works. Its not about CGI, its about using a camera.

Its not an awful movie because the material and performers are great, but it could have been so much better. Getting late and not making sense, but I think most people will see what I mean. Got to grudgingly admit to being disappointed.

The one thing I would say is that if I had never seen the stage show, then I would not have been thinking how little thought had gone into the transfer, and may have not found all the above quite so jarring. Maybe. The audience seemed to quite enjoy it. Its not the classic(if re-made classic) it should have been though.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 7:27pm

$ 12.50 a pop to see it @ the Ziegfeld. They promise to reduce the price after the first week. Yeah right & who cares. Pretty soon you will need to take out a loan to see a movie - sporting events & shows already being there

Movie prices are getting obscene so I will wait for cable for many movies

Updated On: 12/13/05 at 07:27 PM

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 7:40pm

Around where i live movie tickets are 10.25, still too damn high.