Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread — Page 70

degrassifan said: "5. For those who followed the production of the movie closely, did you notice that some alternate scenes were shot? For instance, I remember seeing a video of Ansel singing Maria in front of a church and passed by an old married couple. Moreover, I saw a video where the beginning of America was being sung and shot on the stoop of Maria’a apartment with Ariana DeBose and the girls that play Rosalia and Lutz."

Yes I saw a photo with Tony and Maria hand in hand walking between 6 Sharks and 6 Jets(Anybodys was the 6th) down the street and we all know that wasn't in the movie.

degrassifan said: "2. Was Valentina passing as white? Was it a situation where the whites thought she was white because she married a gringo but the Puerto Ricans and some whites (like Tony) knew the truth? I mean it would make sense. I don’t see the Jets hanging out in a store owned by a Puerto Rican woman. I only picked up on this during my second viewing. I also picked up on Anita calling Valentina a traitor and I wondered why else she’d call her that if she wasn’t passing?

I don’t think she was passing. It’s just that she had married a white man so they thought of her as white. It’s similar to how white people might get so comfortable around a person of color that they might consider them “one of the good ones”. (ugh)

As far as Anita calling Valentina a traitor. To Anita in that moment, she sees a bunch of racist white boys who just tried to rape her and Valentina is harboring them plus Tony who killed the man she loved. So yeah, she sees her as a traitor.

3. Was Maria and Bernardo’s mom dead or alive? Also, did Maria and Bernardo leave their dad in Puerto Rico or is he dead too? Wasn’t sure what Maria meant by “I’ve been taking care of papi since I was 6,” or something like that.

I believe Maria says she lived with their dad for 5 or 6 years in the states before Bernardo arrived from Puerto Rico. I’m not sure where their mother is or if she is alive. Also, not sure if their father is still living or living in another part of the United States or moved back to Puerto Rico.

Rachel also mentioned that this is her first time dancing in New York City so I’m wondering if this was her first time dancing in the United States or if she and her father lived in another part of the United States before she moved to New York City. Not sure if I missed answers to this in the script.

bear88 said:
One thing I neglected to mention: The direction and cinematography are just gorgeous. The puddle, the rumble location, the physical destruction everywhere, the decision to have Chino and Tony arrive at the same time, the entire “America” sequence, the two shots of Tony and Riff locking eyes."

i too noticed the puddle Tony was standing in when he sang MARIA...the shot from over head looking down at Tony caught the lights reflecting in the puddle...like a stained glass window...shear Spielberg magic!!

Golden Globe nominations from this morning included Picture, director for Spielberg, actress for Rachel, and supporting actress for Ariana.

Trish2 said: "Golden Globe noms for Best Picture and Director (Musical or Comedy), Zegler, and DeBose.



Garfield and Ramos also in the running."

Congrats to all. Looking forward to seeing this new remake soon.

mailhandler777 said: "degrassifan said: "I loved the improvements and updates in the script. For example, I love that Anybodys and the Jet Girls help Anita during the assault scene. I HATED how Anybodys joined in on the taunting in the 1961 film. Now, we see women helping women, and I loved it! I loved all the things and nuisances they added."

Except Anybodys isn't a woman in this version. Iris played them as a trans man. There are some soundbites on YouTube of hir talking about Anybodys.

I’m talking about the character and the time period. In the other characters’ eyes, Anybodys was still a girl. I know they are a trans man.

Rachel was nominated for a Golden Globe

The Other One said: "
Rachel is wonderful, I am not disputing that. I just wouldn't equate her with Julie Andrews at this point."

The Julie Andrews comparison to me is how a newcomer is getting excellent reviews and Oscar buzz for a lead role on their first film, which happens to be a musical. Also, Julie Andrews got cast in The Americanization of Emily and The Sound of Music before Mary Poppins had come out, and Rachel Zegler got cast in Shazam 2 and Snow White (a major musical) before WSS came out. I see the parallels. Didn’t mean to imply that Zegler is the greatest thing ever. It’s just exciting to see someone have a similar film trajectory to Julie Andrews almost 60 years later.

Jordan Levinson said: "$10.5 million opening weekend at the box office - the highest grossing movie of the weekend.

Getting lots of cash before the new "Spider-Man" film releases on Friday."

It may be the highest grossing movie of the weekend, but it was also like the only major release this weekend. For Spielberg and such a well-known property, it's a crushing opening. I do believe its older-skewing audience might've stayed home due to the pandemic, there's still a lot of people afraid to venture into cinemas. But I do hope that it'll have legs, a la Greatest Showman, as the near-universal positive word of mouth spreads. And with the holidays coming up, it'll be a nice counterprogramming to Spidey and Neo that maybe the older crowds can introduce younger audiences. But I do blame the pandemic more than anything in this case.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/critics-choice-2022-film-nominations-nominees-list-1235061580/

West Side Story earned nominations in the best picture, best director, best supporting actress for both Ariana DeBose and Rita Moreno, best young actor/actress for Rachel Zegler, best acting ensemble, best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best production design, best editing and best costume design categories.

Great news about the nomination but Mike was the best Riff on the planet and deserved a nomination.

Things are different than they were in 2019. Covid spikes contributed to this mostly. People are still very scared of movie theaters. I saw this at a private screening earlier this year but when I went again yesterday there were 4 people there. Sad but unless it's something like Hairspray or Chicago, I guess nobody cares.

Sutton Ross said: "Great news about the nomination but Mike was the best Riff on the planet and deserved a nomination.

"

Saw the movie yesterday and I was like, "Where's his awards buzz?!" He was phenomenal, just mesmerizing to watch on the screen. I know he doesn't have the awards "storyline" that could get his name some traction, but it would nice to see some critics' group recognize him during awards season.