Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread- Page 17

[Musical Master]

Posted: 4/27/21 at 6:24pm

Probably some of the other Sharks. Other than Chino who has a character and personality, the other members of the Sharks don't have as much to do as some of the Jets. I think having them being equal to the other side members of the Jets would be a neat expansion; when it comes to dialogue and personalities.

But I'm not Tony Kushner so what do I know? 

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/27/21 at 9:37pm

It wouldn't hurt to give Maria at least a couple additional invented scenes. Her role is way too small in the original film. It felt like she disappeared for good stretches of time. They don't need to stick exactly to her role in the original. They can give her some additional scenes and balance it out. 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 4/27/21 at 10:22pm

One thing I can say is I did not expect Anita to disappear after her taunted scene with the Jets

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/27/21 at 10:35pm

I think Ariana said in one interview that Anita's role is beefed up too 

[BwayLB]

Posted: 4/27/21 at 11:40pm

^ If you say is true, I say Ariana has got a sure fire Oscar nomination next year.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 6:38am

What a ridiculous statement to make - sight unseen. It's not supposed to be about the role as written, but about the performance.

(That being said, I'm sure the Oscars are the reason for the delay of a full year...for more Oscar consideration. )

[sng]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 6:52am

I hope Rita Moreno gets nominated and wins again so she can make history as the first person ever to win the Oscar for the same movie but in different roles.

[A Director]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 6:53am

dramamama611 said: "What a ridiculous statement to make - sight unseen. It's not supposed to be about the role as written, but about the performance.

There is nothing ridiculous about it. What's wrong with a little harmless speculation or wish.

(That being said, I'm sure the Oscars are the reason for the delay of a full year...for more Oscar consideration. )"

The reason for the delay is to make sure theatres are open. Also, perhaps they don't want to compete with or be compared to ITH.

 

[singer234]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 7:30am

I keep forgetting Maddie Ziegler plays Velma. Not surprising then if they beefed the role up a little bit, but she is a fantastic dancer so it will be exciting to watch.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 7:40am

BwayLB said: "^ If you say is true, I say Ariana has got a sure fire Oscar nomination next year."

I still have my doubts about the new West Side Story being much of a major awards contender. Despite a couple of recent retellings like A Star is Born and Little Women receiving Best Picture nominations, they were still punished a bit by the industry because they were stories people have seen on film countless times before. With West Side Story in particular, the 1961 version not only swept the Oscars, but it’s still considered an all time classic to this day. You also have a number of people questioning whether or not a reboot even feels necessary. Plus, if Emily Blunt couldn’t get nominated for taking on a character that previously won Julie Andrews an Oscar, I doubt Ariana DeBose is going to do so following in the footsteps of Rita Moreno no matter how good she’ll end up being.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 9:30am

Good point ^

[NameGreg]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 9:35am

I mean the reaction to the new Mary Poppins was pretty muted if I remember correctly. Also, Blunt was playing a far more iconic character with a far more iconic performance as her predecessor. That’s a steeper mountain to climb. Also the Oscars have a weird thing where they just never recognize her even when she’s excellent.

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 10:19am

NameGreg said: "I mean the reaction to the new Mary Poppins was pretty muted if I remember correctly. Also, Blunt was playing a far more iconic character with a far more iconic performance as her predecessor. That’s a steeper mountain to climb. Also the Oscars have a weird thing where they just never recognize her even when she’s excellent."

West Side Story will make more fireworks that Mary Poppins Returns did 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 10:26am

^What makes you so sure? The point I was trying to make is that Academy members can be SNOBS when it comes to remaking/rebooting/continuing properties that already did so well at the Oscars before.

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 10:53am

I'm so excited for the America scene! 

[NameGreg]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 11:19am

I agree with Globefan, I think this movie will definitely be better received than Poppins Returns, and I’m so stoked for America. I think DeBose and Alvarez are gonna kill that.

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 11:26am

Poppins Returns also came in somewhat under the radar from what I recall 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 11:39am

Although like West Side Story, the first trailer for Mary Poppins Returns debuted during commercials for the 2017 Oscars. The latter movie was Disney's biggest release during the 2018 holiday season. Commercially, it ended up making more money in its second weekend like The Greatest Showman the year before. Mary Poppins Returns was even recognized by the AFI, Critics' Choice, Golden Globes, and National Board of Review as one of the best films of that year. I even remember hearing how through the roof the first reactions to that film were when it started screening. Yet, as more people started to see it, the overall consensus ended up being "Good, but not great". So when it came to the industry awards, Mary Poppins Returns pretty much lost momentum by that point.

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 11:54am

I think the fact that this is Steven Spielberg directing will lend it considerably more buzz than Mary Poppins Returns. Also the fact that there will still be fewer films coming out in 2021 compared to non-pandemic years. It's impossible to tell whether it will win nominations or awards at this point. The teaser trailer is very good, but the film might still have issues like the  new script, pacing, tonal shifts between the gritty/violent scenes and the song and dance scenes, inconsistent acting/singing, etc. I doubt Spielberg would put out a mediocre product, especially a product he cares deeply about, but it remains to be seen how audiences and critics will regard it.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 11:58am

Well I guess we'll wait and see, but I'm hoping for the best case scenario. Where this movie is actually an amazing musical film that Spielberg's passion and love is obvious from the first frame to the last. Critical raves and awards love would be a wonderful bonus of course. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 11:58am

Still, the 1961 version is widely regarded as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. So going into this version, expectations are high and comparisons are going to be inevitable.

[Globefan]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 12:03pm

Musical Master said: "Well I guess we'll wait and see, but I'm hoping for the best case scenario. Where this movie is actually an amazing musical film that Spielberg's passion and love is obvious from the first frame to the last. Critical raves and awards love would be a wonderful bonus of course."

And also that without Spielberg, this film wouldn't have even been made. This is his baby 100% 

[NameGreg]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 12:20pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Still, the 1961 version is widely regarded as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. So going into this version, expectations are high and comparisons are going to be inevitable."

True, but it’s also agreed to be quite dated in many ways, and this one looks to be doing something new, so I personally think it’ll be fine in that regard.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 12:29pm

But don't you think that if the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, that the movie itself should be left alone warts and all?

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 12:33pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "...warts and all?"

I love the film. Love it. But they brown-faced actors to try to look like us.