The 2-disc DREAMGIRLS DVD — Page 2

Hm...that does sound worth it.

---

snuck

---

I hate the cardboard. Its so awkward and clunky and unnecessary. But I'll probably get the Target one too haha.

---

The information given about the Broadway production on the documentary was rather pathetic. Feelings about the way he treated people aside, Michael Bennett deserved a lot more screentime in that documentary. I thought the Chicago documentary on its respective special edition DVD was much more thorough and in depth. Other than that, buy the 2 disc set. It's a good buy. There's lots of bonuses and good ones at that. Anika Noni Rose's "Ain't No Party" screen test was fantastic!

I agree with you, jv92. I was hoping for so much more about the Broadway show, and then the journey to making of the movie. The Broadway show seemed to only get mentioned, and not even in-depth. Kind of like a footnote. I don't think that the segment was even 10 minutes long.
Anyway... I got mine from Target this morning, and 3 discs for $22.99 is a steal. It's also the best deal, in my opinion, over what every other store is offering. Anika's performance alone was worth it.
Did anyone else think it was kind of funny that Beyonce had to come completely made-up as Deena to get into the role? I was expecting a dress or something, but not the whole nine yards!

Chicago containted clips from the television commerical from 1975 and I believe the prominent bootleg of Gwen and Chita doing Loopin' The Loop in Philly, but there were a good 20 minutes devoted to the original show augmented by spetacular photos, most of which I've never seen.

Just finished watching the cut and extended scenes. Loved "Steppin' to the Bad Side"! Can't wait for Condon's director's cut of the film.

This is one freaktastik movie that is a must have for us musical lovers. They did a really good job with this one!

---

No footage of the original Broadway production was shown -- just a few photos that we've all seen before. It was a quick coverage mention which deserved more focus, but this documentary was about the movie, so that's that on that. Watching the clips of all of Beyonce's screen-tests was sensational. Same for those of Jennifer Hudson. No audio is provided, but the short clips are worth their weight.

Watching the extended musical performances was thrilling -- especially seeing the entire "I'm Looking for Something" without any cut-aways. Seeing the ending of "Steppnin' to the Bad Side" build and build and build was electrifying! Can't figure out why that ending was shortened for the theatrical version of the film. Loved seeing the long-version of "Fake Your Way to the Top" with the added Dreamettes sections. Also, we FINALLY get to see Effie's full "One Night Only" (with the "...in the morning this feeling will be gone" bridge). Wow! Just watch this entire section with the PLAY ALL selection. It feels like one long concert. Again...WOW!

And Eric...that 2-disc CHICAGO didn't show any footage of the original Broadway production as none exist. Bob Fosse was well-known for not preserving on film any of his stage productions. He believed the magic was seeing it 'live', not on tape. All the footage that survives of the original Broadway production are those performances on TV shows (like Chita and Gwen's appearance on that Howard Cossell Show), Jerry Orbach's performance of "All I Care About" on the Tony Awards, and those home movies of the out-of-town tryouts shot by Kander & Ebb. While other shows on Broadway were being taped for the Lincoln Center Archives, Bob Fosse refused to do this for any of his shows.

For what it's worth -- I wasn't impressed at all with Anika's "Ain't No Party". After all this waiting to see it, it just felt forced and affected. Even the way she walked away after she finished it was soooo damn affected. I actually cringed. Ugh. It was just too controlled and obvious of an interpretation. Beyonce's "Dreamgirls" was quite impressive in all it's rawness. That took balls to get done-up in that home-made Deena Jones get-up, sing without any audio protection and to a solo piano accompanist. After hearing her recordings for years, for the first time I finally saw for myself that she does have a legitimate singing voice. I salute you, Miss Knowles.

I *know* there are tons of problems with rights--but surely the Michael Bennett foundation (or whoever owns the rights to his legacy) would allow Geffen and all to include the clip on the special DVD.

Why?

---

After hearing her recordings for years, for the first time I finally saw for myself that she does have a legitimate singing voice. I salute you, Miss Knowles.

Were we listening to the same thing?!

I personally can't believe she would allow that to make it onto the DVD. She sounded atrocious.

---

...because it's part of dreamgirls' legacy.

it may have been a clearance issue why the tony performance or for that matter any obc clips were not included on the dvd.

but it's clear that everyone involved acknowledges the importance of the original broadway production, the performers, et al.

most go out of their way to state that they wanted the film to preserve the legacy of the stage show because it was legendary.

and theactr97J i disagree. beyonce sounded just fine in her audition. she sounded better in that one screen test clip than a whole helluva lot of "deenas" i've seen on stage.

on the other hand anika did not impress me with her rendition of "ain't no party"....