#1
Posted: 2/10/06 at 4:58pm
Let me begin by first saying that I've been a fan of RENT since '96. I've loved it always. It was one of the first musicals I was introduced to and will always hold a special place in my heart. With the film being released I was very excited from the beginning. With pictures being posted here from the shooting of the film, to the blog @ the Sony website, an early release of "Seasons of Love" on iTunes, the various film trailers, the minute previews of the songs on the Sony website and finally to the album's release I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT!!! The music sounded great, so much louder and stronger than before. Of course, I was disappointed with some of the cuts (Christmas Bells, Contact, etc.) but I understood that some changes would be made. Then the movie:
I saw it on opening day... and was very disappointed. In my head I had expected so much more, and was very let down. It seemed slow and didn't seem to pick-up until about "I'll Cover You." And that's all I'll say. I could go on with the nit-picking but that been bludgeoned to death here at BWW. To the DVD:
Watching the movie again I enjoy it slightly more than what I did before. It helps not to have such a high expectation going into it. The commentary on Disc One with Chris Columbus, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal is just what you would expect from any commentary. It offers some insight into the making of the film, particular choices for the film that were made and how they were made, song cuts and some discussion of a double faced review made by Roger Ebert. Some good stuff here, worth a listening or two.
Disc Two provides us with some previews for other films, two PSA's, a six minute one for the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation and a minute long one for the National Marfan Foundation featuring Anthony Rapp. Disc Two also includes five deleted scenes: "My Cat Fell," "Halloween," "Goodbye Love," "She Still Loves You," and an "Alternate Ending." "Halloween" is enjoyable but doesn't include anything special. However, "Goodbye Love" is great and in my opinion should have remained in the film. And though the "Alternate Ending" probably wouldn't have worked in the film and would have caused even more whining from the critics, it still sent chills down my spine being a fan of the show.
Finally, Disc Two includes a feature-length (One hour and fifty-two minute) documentary entitled "No Day but Today." A fantastic documentary about the creation of RENT but more so an even better documentary of its creator Jonathan Larson. It includes interviews with Larson's family, his closest friends, the show's producers and cast members of the film and stage productions including Daphne Rubin-Vega and Fredi Walker-Browne. I was very moved by the discussions here and even though not much of it was new to me, I still found it very interesting. Something that all RENT fans must watch and hopefully anyone who happens to buy or rent the film will give a watch as well.
All in all the DVD is good. I would have liked to have seen more special features. I don't think I could ever have enough RENT. Here's to a special 10th anniversary concert edition DVD of RENT!
I saw it on opening day... and was very disappointed. In my head I had expected so much more, and was very let down. It seemed slow and didn't seem to pick-up until about "I'll Cover You." And that's all I'll say. I could go on with the nit-picking but that been bludgeoned to death here at BWW. To the DVD:
Watching the movie again I enjoy it slightly more than what I did before. It helps not to have such a high expectation going into it. The commentary on Disc One with Chris Columbus, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal is just what you would expect from any commentary. It offers some insight into the making of the film, particular choices for the film that were made and how they were made, song cuts and some discussion of a double faced review made by Roger Ebert. Some good stuff here, worth a listening or two.
Disc Two provides us with some previews for other films, two PSA's, a six minute one for the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation and a minute long one for the National Marfan Foundation featuring Anthony Rapp. Disc Two also includes five deleted scenes: "My Cat Fell," "Halloween," "Goodbye Love," "She Still Loves You," and an "Alternate Ending." "Halloween" is enjoyable but doesn't include anything special. However, "Goodbye Love" is great and in my opinion should have remained in the film. And though the "Alternate Ending" probably wouldn't have worked in the film and would have caused even more whining from the critics, it still sent chills down my spine being a fan of the show.
Finally, Disc Two includes a feature-length (One hour and fifty-two minute) documentary entitled "No Day but Today." A fantastic documentary about the creation of RENT but more so an even better documentary of its creator Jonathan Larson. It includes interviews with Larson's family, his closest friends, the show's producers and cast members of the film and stage productions including Daphne Rubin-Vega and Fredi Walker-Browne. I was very moved by the discussions here and even though not much of it was new to me, I still found it very interesting. Something that all RENT fans must watch and hopefully anyone who happens to buy or rent the film will give a watch as well.
All in all the DVD is good. I would have liked to have seen more special features. I don't think I could ever have enough RENT. Here's to a special 10th anniversary concert edition DVD of RENT!
Go see JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL this December 19 - 20 at The Colony Theater in Hillsboro, Ohio. For more information visit: http://www.jacobmarley.net
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What's it worth anymore?
