The OFFICIAL Rent on DVD Thread- Page 2

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 8:32pm

Amen to orangeskittles!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 8:38pm

Kevo, why didn't you already own Center Stage?! Shame on you!

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 8:45pm

It's sinful to not own center stage.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 8:45pm

I just got done watching the "Extras" disk and Here is what I thought:

DOCUMENTARY

LOVED IT!!! When his friends starting talking about his death and they started crying, I was sobbing on my couch. I mean, wow!!! Like someone said, the documentary itself justifies the buying of the dvd..

DELETED/EXTENDED SCENES

Ok, now I am going to be blunt. When you make excuses to why you didn't include something by saying, "It just didn't work," you need to justify it. Yes, "Halloween" did not work that well, but "Goodbye Love" deserved to be left in. I was emotional watching it, and thought that it was one of the best scenes in the movie. I think if Columbus had kept that one scene in, it would have gotten a more positive reaction from critics and audience members. Also, some of the scenes with Benny needed to be kept in too, to show that Benny was not just an evil guy. He was a guy who was stuck in a situation between being loyal to his friends or being on the good side of his father-in-law. Again, some scenes did not work (the grave scene for example with Benny paying the Priest). That would have broken the pace of the movie if he kept that in. But, I still can't believe "Goodbye Love" was left out. Also, what happened to April's death scene? That was filmed, right? Why wasn't it included?


Haven't watched the movie today, yet . . . but I can't wait!!!!! **Squee**

Posted: 2/21/06 at 8:48pm

Also, what happened to April's death scene? That was filmed, right? Why wasn't it included?

Yes, it was filmed. Adam questions Columbus in the commentary as to why it wasn't left in the movie, and Columbus replies basically saying that it wouldn't fit with the music. I got the impression that Adam didn't seem to buy that explanation.

[ajayspak2]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 9:33pm

By watching the deleted scenes i think C. Columbus was smoking crack when he cut Goodbye Love, Halloween and the scene between Benny and Roger at Vazac's (sorry Life Cafe). Adam actually shows true emotion and for the first time doesn't look bored in the film. I've already reinserted these scenes into my DVD where I think they would have been. It's the only way to watch the film and it really is sad that so many people had to miss out on the WHOLE film in the theatre experience. The alternate ending sucked, very very lame. This whole bookending concept can work but honestly just doesn't do it for me in this film.

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 9:41pm

I do wholeheartedly agree with the fact that the rest of Goodbye Love, should have been left in. As I'm watching Roger just rip into Mark, it was truly emotional. The whole scene left me in such a state. It was beautiful, and Adam, and Anthony just acted the **** out of that scene.

And Brava to Rosario Dawson, who is frikkin' amazing.

[matjomae]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 9:41pm

After watching the deleted scenes, I just can't for the life of me get over the fact that Columbus cut "Goodbye Love." All the other scenes I could see the sense in cutting, and was actually glad to see "Halloween" and Benny and Roger's meeting cut; although I enjoyed them as deleted scenes, I do think they would have slowed the pacing of an already long movie.

However, "Goodbye Love" is such an intergral part of the play, and hence the movie. It explains so much and really delves into both Mark and Roger's characters. I just don't get it. Not to mention how well acted it was by both Anthony and Adam. They were both amazing.

I just don't buy Columbus' "too much emotion" reasoning. And I can't believe no one was more vocal about it to Chris about leaving it in.

[angelrock25222]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 10:08pm

I didn't have a big problem with Chris Columbus.....until I watched the deleted scenes/songs/ending and listened to the commentary where he made lame a stupid excuses for their removal; I didnt liek much else he said during the commentary either...

[Dancinqueen123]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 10:15pm

I haven't gotten my movie yet, but it should be arriving soon. The soonest I'll be able to watch it is thursday night. If not then, then saturday morning. My friend brought the DVD to our rehersal today and we watched and sang along when we weren't onstage. We had a blast!

[Kevo711]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 10:33pm

Haha skittles! I love the movie but just never got around to buying it... But I'll be watching both RENT and Center Stage on my DVD player on my ride to NYC tomorrow!!! Yay! I'm seeing the Pajama Game and Sweeney Todd!

Posted: 2/21/06 at 10:50pm

I didn't have a big problem with Chris Columbus.....until I watched the deleted scenes/songs/ending and listened to the commentary where he made lame a stupid excuses for their removal; I didnt liek much else he said during the commentary either...

I'm sure I'm probably bordering on rehashing this to death considering the various places this has been discussed on this board, but I just don't understand how he can make comments such as "there wasn't enough Taye in this movie" (or something to that extent) and expect it to go over everyone's heads. He, the director, truly should not complain about the screen time of an individual in his own film.

I agree that the "too emotional" reasoning he gave is very shaky at best, but again, both sides of this issue have been presented too many times on this board to count.

One final nitpick: I would have loved to have heard more from Anthony and Adam in the commentary as well. I'll admit that I generally prefer actors' anecdotes to technical commentary, but I don't know how many times he patted himself and his crew on the back for the film's cinematography and lighting. Granted, perhaps it was the actors' own fault they weren't quite as vocal as Chris... or maybe many people would rather hear the director speak more.

I still stand by the statement that despite its flaws, I still like the movie, but I do have to admit that I like less and less of Chris the more I hear from him.

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 11:01pm

Ha, I got Rent with Center Stage too. My dad was so freaked out that he bought the wrong movie, but he couldn't pass up two DVDs for 18.97.

[DancNdaMoonlite]

Posted: 2/21/06 at 11:52pm

I think that if Halloween had been left in, the whole pace of the movie would've gotten messed up. But I definitely think that Goodbye Love (not including the scene with the priest before) shouldve been kept in. It was sooooo important for the plot and all of the characters, especially Mark.

I liked the alternate ending, but I like the one that the used more. I think that they couldve maybe ended it the way they did(in the loft), and have Angel come join them, but it worked so well the way they did it because they ended by showing a beautiful clip if Angel from Mark's film.

**Ahhh Rent dvd commercial just came on tv (the one with La Vie Boheme)**

"I've already reinserted these scenes into my DVD where I think they would have been."
How did you do this???

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:01am

Just finished watching the extras - except for the doc.(it's too late right now). Here's my two cents:

First, I didn't buy anything CC says during the deleated scenes.

Halloween: Not sure why this was deleted really, it's a short number and fits in nicely. But the film worked without it.

Goodbye Love: This should have stayed, overal a great scene. Maybe because of time, they wanted to cut it down. We'll never know. However, Most of my non-musical theatre friends said the movie was good, but too long.

Alternate ending: I agreed that this ending was not the one. Most people would have been confused and thought Angel didn't die and that nothing really happened.

Christmas Bells: And am I the only one who thinks Christmas Bells should have been in the film in some form.

Can't wait to watch the documentary!!!

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:04am

"Halloween" was deleted because Mark says "Christmas Eve" last year. And virtually nothing happened on Christmas Eve, except Collins got beat. It was a massive continuity flaw that was actually caught.

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:08am

It was a massive continuity flaw that was actually caught.

I think you're giving Columbus & Co. too much credit. I've only heard what is essentially the "too emotional" reason from Columbus with regards to both the Halloween and Goodbye Love cuts.

That said, I completely agree with your point -- but I doubt it was Columbus's reason for cutting it.

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:13am

Oh, I know I'm giving them too much credit. I was just trying to be nice.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:37am

I don't understand why the deleted all of Benny's redeeming moments. Well, it is what it is. Chris Columbus is very proud of himself. sheesh

[MissMonika]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 12:54am

I love the commentary, especially when Adam and Anthony are talking about their hair. Hehehe.

While I love "Halloween," I agree with some people that the film worked without it. It wasn't really a vital piece. But I really wished the rest of "Goodbye Love" was left in. I feel like the film really needed it since it showed more dynamics to Roger/Mark's friendship.

I like the alternate ending, but am happy that the other ending is in the movie. It felt like them being on stage just dragged on forever. But I did like how Angel came out and joined them.

Posted: 2/22/06 at 3:18am

It was fate I tell you... I got the last copy at the store I went to. LOL! But totally worth it! OMG I cried so hard watching the movie again and especially during the documentary when friends and family talked about Jonathan's death. I'm glad I watched in the comfort of my own home because I'm such not a pretty crier...

~Rosalynn

[Katt]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 3:48am

Chris seemed so suprised to hear anything negative towards his actions regarding the cuts. And he overanalyzed everything to the point where I really just wanted him to shut up. He even said that he didn't want his sons to know that Adam wasn't really looking in Rosario's eyes during Your Eyes, because it could ruin the moment. He obviously gave that too much thought.

His reasoning for the cuts did not make sense. April's suicide? "Too many flashbacks, it didn't fit well and it didn't really matter anyway." Halloween? "It interrupted the pacing," His reasoning on Goodbye Love: "We were emotionally shut down. Oh, and we CANNOT have Roger and Mark sing to each other!"

There was no reason for the cutting of all the integral moments to Benny's character. Instead, he just complained about there not being enough of Taye. Oh, and then he insulted Taye's acting. That was real nice of him.

The reasoning for Roger not playing a guitar was that "The moment was too Elvis."

And he seemed so focused on the fact that the movie got a PG-13 rating. He was so proud of himself that it was made PG-13. It should have been rated R instead of changing to fit in with the MPAA guidelines.
Updated On: 2/22/06 at 03:48 AM

[Craig]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 8:09am

My short and quick opinion:

Documentary is one of the best on any DVD I own.

I can see why Halloween was cut and don't take too much issue with it.

Agree with the people here (and don't agree with Columbus) that Goodbye Love had to go. It was the emotional heart and soul of the entire film. To say that the pacing suffered when it was still in says more about the rest of the film than that scene. And to use the reasoning that there was just too much emotion going on that by the end when Mimi dies people were numb - I just think that's not giving your audience enough credit. There are several movies that are heartwrenching through and through and people don't become numb. The decision to cut this scene was one of the only times I thought that Columbus completely disregarded Jonathan's vision and certainly didn't "honor" his memory.

[kyguy78]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 10:06am

Like everyone else, I think the reasoning behind the cuts is why a lot of people are having a problem with Columbus. The more my wife and I listened to him on the commentary for the movie and the deleted scenes, my wife just turned to me at one point and said, "Obviously this just misses the point." Maybe it's the age, maybe it's the fact he wasn't terribly familiar with the Broadway show, but it was obvious in all the commentaries that Columbus just didn't feel the passion for it that the actors did.

Also, I liked the alternate ending as well, but I think it would've been more effective if they would've faded out and then faded back in to the actors on stage not standing in a row, but in their positions from the end of the movie. Columbus said he wanted to remove it from the stage show, but if that's the case, why did he start the movie with "Seasons of Love" on a bare stage? Didn't most of the people who saw the movie see the stage version as well? I thought it would have been a poetic way to tie the stage and movie versions together.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/22/06 at 10:41am

I think if Columbus had kept that one scene in, it would have gotten a more positive reaction from critics and audience members. Also, some of the scenes with Benny needed to be kept in too, to show that Benny was not just an evil guy. He was a guy who was stuck in a situation between being loyal to his friends or being on the good side of his father-in-law.

I've been wrestling with this because I don't know if it's me being overly idealistic (or, I suppose at this point, pessimistic), but I also really think that the movie would've recieved a better critical response (and thus perhaps better box office figures) if "Goodbye Love" had been left in. I know that it seems like a small thing to make that much of a difference in how the movie was reviewed, but that scene is the emotional core of the show and the movie falls flat without it. Pacing-wise, the funeral straight into a rushed "What You Own" was nearly cringe-worthy for me... it just felt so out of nowhere, and "Goodbye Love" into "What You Own" seems like it would be a more natural transition. Not to mention that it was a beautifully filmed and acted scene and integral to character development. Everything about that cut just makes me sad.

Some of the Benny scenes would've avoided critical complaints about clarity in the movie, which seemed to be a common comment in the reviews that I read. That was a point where the movie had the chance to elaborate on something that isn't as fleshed out in the stage musical, and instead they went the opposite direction and explained the situation even less.

I enjoyed the commentary and I liked that it was clear when Anthony and Adam had differing opinions about the cuts and other decisions. Anthony was clearly not thrilled about losing "Goodbye Love" and he sounded displeased about the "Halloween" decision, though he acknowledged that it was up to the director. Adam clearly wasn't buying Chris's "I couldn't fit it and it doesn't matter that much" response about not including April's suicide.

I preferred the chosen ending to the alternate one, which takes you out of the movie because the actors aren't even the characters in the Seasons of Love setup. Having Wilson come out and join the lineup was nice in a way, but remembering Angel was a more emotional way to end the film.
Updated On: 2/22/06 at 10:41 AM