The movie could easily be called Dreamgirl, and that girl would be Jennifer Hudson.
Bitch got two ovations during the movie. She made me cry a few times, not so much because of the emotional depth of her character or story, but because of the sheer power of her voice and performance. Simply amazing. I really hope you can see this movie.
I loved Dreamgirls. Loved it. It took me a while to get into it though; the first few scenes with Eddie Murphy bothered me, they were a little over the top, but aside from that, I think the acting was solid and everybody was great, including Murphy, after I got used to him.
As you should know by now, Dreamgirls is the much awaited adaptation from the musical of same name. In the movie, we see three sisters trying to make it in the music industry. The three sisters are played by Anika Noni Rose, who plays the weakest link; Beyoncé Knowles, who plays the beauty with a good voice; and Jennifer Hudson, the jumbo-sized train-wreck with a truly unique talent. Jamie Foxx is excellent as a tough and evil manager who favors Beyoncé. He is all business. Jamie also manages Eddie Murphy a singer and womanizer who gives the girls their first break.
Dreamgirls is not the best musical out there, I much preferred Chicago and Moulin Rouge to speak of two recent examples, but I still thought it was outstanding; it didn't even bother me so much to have the characters break into song while arguing, something that would usually make me leave the theater pronto, cursing.
I must say I went into the movie wanting to hate Jennifer's performance. I wanted to hate it because of her homophobic stance towards her audience. She basically said we are sinners and later issued a statement saying she doesn't judge. Get it? We are sinners indeed, she didn't deny that, but we can still be friends with her and give her our money...I believe she is about tolerance, not acceptance. Not nice.
Anyway, I have to give it up for her performance, the acclaim for which seems to be unanimous. The movie, however, got pretty mixed reviews. If you want to read the views of someone who did not like the movie you should read Rich's review (it has major spoilers, be warned).
The soundtrack was pretty good. You may consider getting "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "I Am Changing," both performed by Jennifer -- those were the two songs that got Jennifer applause from my theater.
Oh, I forgot!
And Moulin Rouge is the best musical from the last 100 years
:-P
Posted by: marcus | Jan 11, 2007 at 01:33 AM
Is this one the best movie of the year that u said?
It sounds only OK for me.. I don't know... Let's see
hugs
Posted by: marcus | Jan 11, 2007 at 01:32 AM
Hey Stella! I love your name! and thanx for your comments.
I do not think that Jennifer Hudson was talking about everybody being a sinner,she was talking about the gays. In her apology she said she loved her gay friends and her lesbian sister; but loving, as important as it is, is one thing, acceptance another. When I came out to my parents, my parents continued to love me, but they did not accept me.
In any event, you have a good point with the "everybody is a sinner", and moving on was the reason why I went to see Dreamgirls in the first place.
I just think we cannot move on too often, and too easily...
Posted by: Queer Beacon | Jan 10, 2007 at 05:41 PM
btw...I'm a sinner too. That's what they teach us in church that 'All' have sinned but *THE ONE*.
Is she homophobic against her own lesbian sister too? Just wondering...
Posted by: Stella | Jan 10, 2007 at 05:31 PM
I though 'Dreamgirls' was pretty good. Although I only went to see Jennifer, because I'm not into musicals. I'm very glad to see that you enjoyed Jennifer too.
But to be honest...didn't Jennifer say that she too is a sinner? Yes she did. Do we blame her for the way she was raised? Do we blame anyone for the way they were born? We are who are...let's move on and protect and love one another.
Stella
Posted by: Stella | Jan 10, 2007 at 05:20 PM