West Side Story (1961)

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West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/2/20 at 7:10pm

"West Side Story" has been consistently shown on television in just the past year alone. HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and Starz have all took turns showing it and TCM shows it about every other month it seems - - - Netflix recently added it and just yesterday Hulu added it to it's July line up so these 2 services are now streaming it simultaneously.

Has this ever happened before, where both Netflix and Hulu are streaming the same movie at the same time?

Mind you, this isn't a complaint I was just curious.

I guess the upcoming Spielberg remake has sparked a renewed interest in the original.

Updated On: 7/2/20 at 07:10 PM

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/2/20 at 7:52pm

It's maintained a strong popularity throughout the years, and of course the release of the new version ups the interest. There may be a fear it will lose its revenue-generating ability after the remake comes out , so there's a scramble to make money off it through as many venues as possible (though I'd prefer if they finally remastered the Overture section on the Blu Ray and tried to squeeze out pennies by releasing yet another edition--I'd shell out.)

But I am not at all sure the remake will replace the original in anyone's hearts. "We have more than one real Latino this time!" just isn't going to be enough of a selling point, even in these intensely P.C. times. And without Robbins supervising the choreography, and with Spielberg having essentially no experience with musicals, there's no guarantee this movie will have an impact similar to the original. (Robert Wise had no prior experience with musicals, either, but he was a real chameleon as a director: there wasn't a genre he didn't make a hit movie in, apart from straight-up comedy or romance. Horror, sci-fi, noir, drama, social message, musicals, he seemed to switch genres effortlessly. Spielberg mostly makes movies where CGI things go boom.)

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/2/20 at 8:12pm

Has this ever happened before, where both Netflix and Hulu are streaming the same movie at the same time?

Yes, I have noticed many movies and shows that are both on Netflix and Hulu. West Side Story has been all over and everywhere, I think it's definitely because of the new movie coming in December.

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/3/20 at 12:42am

Spielberg mostly makes movies where CGIthings go boom.)"

Guessing you missed Color Purple, Bridge of Spies, Schindler’s List, Catch Me If You Can, Saving Private Ryan, The Post, Lincoln, War Horse, Munich, Amistad, Empire of the Sun, etc. He too is quite the chameleon. And he’s injected musical/dance scenes into many of his films.

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/3/20 at 4:27am

jpbran said: "Spielberg mostly makes movies where CGIthings go boom.)"

Guessing you missed Color Purple, Bridge of Spies, Schindler’s List, Catch Me If You Can, Saving Private Ryan, The Post, Lincoln, War Horse, Munich, Amistad, Empire of the Sun, etc. He too isquite the chameleon. And he’s injected musical/dancescenes into many of his films."

So he does things that go boom and historical dramas. Still not much of a chameleon, and apart from the terrible musical sequence in The Color Purple, the only musical/dance scene I can think of is the opening to Temple of Doom (which was fun).

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/3/20 at 8:08pm

For what it's worth, man, some people really did like Shug Avery's song in the club and "God Is Trying to Tell You Something." Just sayin'.

Formerly gvendo2005
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joined: 5/1/05

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West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/3/20 at 9:16pm

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "For what it's worth, man, some people really did like Shug Avery's song in the club and "God Is Trying to Tell You Something." Just sayin'."

Yes, like half the black community. I actually just watched that "terrible music sequence" yesterday on You Tube.

Having a movie day. Am about to watch "West Side Story" on Netflix. I have only seen it once.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/3/20 at 10:58pm

Yes, Virginia. Steven Spielberg directed this:

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/4/20 at 9:35am

My gut feeling is that the Spielberg/Kushner (Tony, not Jared) version is going to be great, and I am as big a Robbins purist as they come.

Updated On: 7/4/20 at 09:35 AM

#10

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/4/20 at 9:53am

PalJoey said: "My gut feeling is that the Spielberg/Kushner (Tony, not Jared) version is going to be great, and I am as big a Robbins purist as they come."

That you are...

#11

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/4/20 at 10:05am

If Spielberg circa like, 1980 was making this, I’d believe it could be terrific, but the majority of his films of the past two decades have been so passionless. Unless it’s a really firm and exciting re-envisioning, akin to the most recent revival, I can’t imagine it’ll feel like much more than a re-run. I just don’t think Spielberg cares.

#12

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/4/20 at 11:25am

The 1961 movie is great except that Richard Beymer is a huge misfire as Tony. He and Natalie Wood had anti-chemistry.

#13

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/4/20 at 3:42pm

I don’t mind Richard Beymer in it. I don’t think he’s anything incredible, but he does it well enough. Although it’s worth noting, Beymer has said that he wishes he brought more grit to the role, rather than just playing him as a nice guy.
He and Natalie Wood both act the parts out nicely, but Tony and Maria aren’t really these amazing fleshed out characters, and the main attraction when it comes to these roles is their beautiful music. Given Beymer and Wood’s voices weren’t used for the signing, that takes away a lot from their performances.

#14

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/4/20 at 4:25pm

^^Nails it.

#15

West Side Story (1961)

Posted: 7/4/20 at 4:28pm

uncageg said: "g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "For what it's worth, man, some people really did like Shug Avery's song in the club and "God Is Trying to Tell You Something." Just sayin'."

Yes, like half the black community."

Show me some stats on that percentage. Not that popularity makes a work any good (didn't Cats demonstrate this?). It's an appallingly bad sequence.

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