In Review: Stardust Vs. Hairspray
Both these reviews first appeared on my Movie Mania blog, which is now effectively shut down until further notice.
In Review: Stardust
(The great actor, Peter O'Toole in his brief role as the dying king, in Stardust)
~ I'm sorry. I had high hopes for this movie, but not even the chance to see Robert DeNiro in drag could save this shlock from a fate worse than death. Quite frankly, it should have been called, Bulldust.
If you've seen the film's trailer (but not yet seen the film - rejoice), you have in fact, seen the best parts of the film all rolled together in one short, neat package. Ok, it's true you don't get to see DeNiro in drag during the movie's trailer, but sitting through a couple of hours of this nonsense just to see DeNiro prancing around in a skirt is not worth your money or your time.
Yes, yes, of course there were a few laughs along the way, and yes, the CGI graphics were wonderful, blah, blah. But a few laughs and some pretty graphics do not a memorable movie make. Personally, I'd recommend you go see Hairspray instead. Even if you've already seen that film several times. It will still leave you feeling a whole lot better than Stardust ever will.
In Review: Hairspray (2007)
~ Let me say, right at the outset, that I have a real fondness for musicals of any description -- whether live on stage or via the medium of film. So I was very excited to see previews of Hairspray, the remake of the John Water's classic 1988 film of the same name, and catch glimpses of some of the song and dance numbers.
Since those previews, I've seen the film twice, and I love it. Everyone is clearly having a blast in the movie, and apart from a couple of reservations, I think everyone is perfectly cast. Actually, let me rephrase that: while everyone is perfectly cast, I still have a couple of reservations. These being the roles played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifa.
Although Michelle Pfeiffer is perfect in her role as the racist studio executive Velma Von Tussle, I would have liked to have seen her views change by the end of the film. As it is, she remains obnoxious to the end, and it is impossible to warm to her character. At least Brittany Snow, who plays Amber Von Tussle, Michelle's equally unloveable daughter, begins to see the error of her ways by movie's end, and this gives the audience a chance to forgive her earlier excesses.
Queen Latifa, in my view, overplays her role as the African American mother figure in the movie, and while her performance is good throughout -- it is not great. I would have liked her to 'lighten up' a bit more, and have more fun with her role. Those two small reservations aside, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and will definately add it to my library of must have DVDs.
John Travolta (Edna Turnblad), on the other hand is great. As is Christopher Walken (Wilbur Turnblad). What an amazing duo they make.
Their dance number together is a classic, with Walken reprising some of the dance moves we first saw in the brilliant rock video for Fatboy Slim, Weapon of Choice.
John Travolta is a revelation! I'm delighted he played his part straight down the line as a woman, and not as a man in drag. He has several opportunities to dance during the film, and when he does, it is a real hoot. Although he won't win any Oscar's for his performance, he deserves all the accolades he has received for his turn as Edna.
And then there is Nikki Blonsky, in the pivitol role of Tracy Turnblad. What an incredible dynamo she is. Nikki turned 18 during the filming of Hairspray, and from her first appearance to her last, she is clearly having a ball. It will be interesting to see how her career in movies develops.
Unfortunately, given the focus Hollywood places on modern actresses to be tall, slim, and beautiful, it is hard to see Nikki getting too many starring roles in more films.
Not that she isn't beautiful, let me hasten to add! But tall and slim, she definately isn't. And the harsh reality of the movie business demands much of its actors, both male and female, and unfortunately, Nikki doesn't fit the mold at all. I hope she is given a chance to shine in many more films, but I suspect she will be relegated to bit parts, and stage work. Not that she should be embarrassed by that either, since the vast majority of working actors have very successful careers in small roles and on stage.
But I digress...
Nikki is perfect in the role of Tracy Turnblad, with her every appearance lighting up the screen.
As for the other actors: James Marsden (Corny Collins), Zac Efron (Link Larkin), the delightful Amanda Bynes (Penny Pingleton), and Elijah Kelley (Seaweed), all are perfect in their respective roles. Indeed, by the end of the film, one gets the feeling that we have just seen some of the newest future stars of the movie industry on full show. What a great calling card these actors have now got to add to their respective CVs.
I look forward to meeting many of them again, in future movies.
Hairspray on the Internet Movie Database...
Buy the original 1988 John Water's film...
Buy the 2-Disc Special Edition of the 2007 remake...
Or by the single disc version...
In Review: Stardust
(The great actor, Peter O'Toole in his brief role as the dying king, in Stardust)~ I'm sorry. I had high hopes for this movie, but not even the chance to see Robert DeNiro in drag could save this shlock from a fate worse than death. Quite frankly, it should have been called, Bulldust.
If you've seen the film's trailer (but not yet seen the film - rejoice), you have in fact, seen the best parts of the film all rolled together in one short, neat package. Ok, it's true you don't get to see DeNiro in drag during the movie's trailer, but sitting through a couple of hours of this nonsense just to see DeNiro prancing around in a skirt is not worth your money or your time.
Yes, yes, of course there were a few laughs along the way, and yes, the CGI graphics were wonderful, blah, blah. But a few laughs and some pretty graphics do not a memorable movie make. Personally, I'd recommend you go see Hairspray instead. Even if you've already seen that film several times. It will still leave you feeling a whole lot better than Stardust ever will.
In Review: Hairspray (2007)
~ Let me say, right at the outset, that I have a real fondness for musicals of any description -- whether live on stage or via the medium of film. So I was very excited to see previews of Hairspray, the remake of the John Water's classic 1988 film of the same name, and catch glimpses of some of the song and dance numbers.Since those previews, I've seen the film twice, and I love it. Everyone is clearly having a blast in the movie, and apart from a couple of reservations, I think everyone is perfectly cast. Actually, let me rephrase that: while everyone is perfectly cast, I still have a couple of reservations. These being the roles played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifa.
Although Michelle Pfeiffer is perfect in her role as the racist studio executive Velma Von Tussle, I would have liked to have seen her views change by the end of the film. As it is, she remains obnoxious to the end, and it is impossible to warm to her character. At least Brittany Snow, who plays Amber Von Tussle, Michelle's equally unloveable daughter, begins to see the error of her ways by movie's end, and this gives the audience a chance to forgive her earlier excesses.
Queen Latifa, in my view, overplays her role as the African American mother figure in the movie, and while her performance is good throughout -- it is not great. I would have liked her to 'lighten up' a bit more, and have more fun with her role. Those two small reservations aside, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and will definately add it to my library of must have DVDs.
John Travolta (Edna Turnblad), on the other hand is great. As is Christopher Walken (Wilbur Turnblad). What an amazing duo they make.
Their dance number together is a classic, with Walken reprising some of the dance moves we first saw in the brilliant rock video for Fatboy Slim, Weapon of Choice.
John Travolta is a revelation! I'm delighted he played his part straight down the line as a woman, and not as a man in drag. He has several opportunities to dance during the film, and when he does, it is a real hoot. Although he won't win any Oscar's for his performance, he deserves all the accolades he has received for his turn as Edna.
And then there is Nikki Blonsky, in the pivitol role of Tracy Turnblad. What an incredible dynamo she is. Nikki turned 18 during the filming of Hairspray, and from her first appearance to her last, she is clearly having a ball. It will be interesting to see how her career in movies develops.
Unfortunately, given the focus Hollywood places on modern actresses to be tall, slim, and beautiful, it is hard to see Nikki getting too many starring roles in more films.
Not that she isn't beautiful, let me hasten to add! But tall and slim, she definately isn't. And the harsh reality of the movie business demands much of its actors, both male and female, and unfortunately, Nikki doesn't fit the mold at all. I hope she is given a chance to shine in many more films, but I suspect she will be relegated to bit parts, and stage work. Not that she should be embarrassed by that either, since the vast majority of working actors have very successful careers in small roles and on stage.
But I digress...
Nikki is perfect in the role of Tracy Turnblad, with her every appearance lighting up the screen.
As for the other actors: James Marsden (Corny Collins), Zac Efron (Link Larkin), the delightful Amanda Bynes (Penny Pingleton), and Elijah Kelley (Seaweed), all are perfect in their respective roles. Indeed, by the end of the film, one gets the feeling that we have just seen some of the newest future stars of the movie industry on full show. What a great calling card these actors have now got to add to their respective CVs.
I look forward to meeting many of them again, in future movies.
Hairspray on the Internet Movie Database...
Buy the original 1988 John Water's film...
Buy the 2-Disc Special Edition of the 2007 remake...
Or by the single disc version...
posted by Jim Lesses at
10:18 PM
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