Comments on: I Hate Musicals http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2009/10/02/across-the-universe/ Film reviews and commentary tonight, before I forget tomorrow Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:14:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Daniel http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2009/10/02/across-the-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-7490 Daniel Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:11:10 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/?p=5493#comment-7490 Yes! Love your last line on this movie, which is already a bit of a cult classic and one that I fell completely in love with on second viewing. The first time through I wasn't sure what I was watching and was a little frustrated with the story. Then I realized it wasn't about the story at all. I think Taymor is a real visionary. Yes! Love your last line on this movie, which is already a bit of a cult classic and one that I fell completely in love with on second viewing. The first time through I wasn’t sure what I was watching and was a little frustrated with the story. Then I realized it wasn’t about the story at all. I think Taymor is a real visionary.

]]> By: Joe Valdez http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2009/10/02/across-the-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-7479 Joe Valdez Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:43:41 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/?p=5493#comment-7479 <strong>Kelsy</strong>: It sounds like you tolerate <em>Across the Universe</em>. I know that some people are very deeply serious about the legacy of The Fab Four, while perhaps the Lennon fans like myself appreciate the sillier and more cynical aspects of the band. I think Taymor takes the romantic, doting 13-year-old girl's perspective, but her movie is nowhere near "amusingly bad". Thanks for commenting! As always, I enjoy your culture frame of reference. Side note: I haven't seen <em>Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band</em> yet. I have seen <em>Can't Stop the Music</em> (with the Village People + Bruce Jenner!) and can't imagine the Bee Gees movie being any more heinous. <strong>Patricia</strong>: I haven't seen <em>Titus</em> yet but am definitely in Taymor's camp. I can understand someone not liking <em>Across the Universe</em> but can't understand someone not thinking this was a risk taking venture. Far from pandering to Baby Boomers, people have very fixed prejudices about both this era and this band. This movie juggles dynamite. <em>Mama Mia!</em> this is not. Thanks for commenting! <strong>Ray</strong>: I thought I would try this movie out on my girlfriend's 13-year-old. Her favorite show is MTV's <em>America's Best Dance Crew</em>, so I was curious what her reaction might be. I didn't get very far. Her response: "Is that that movie where people sing?!" So I actually think <em>Across the Universe</em> goes over the heads of the <em>American Idol</em> crowd, who don't really go to movies and who definitely did not buy tickets for this one. I will agree that it is a love it/ hate it proposition. Thanks for commenting! <strong>The Filmist</strong>: Bummer, man! I hope I didn't burn out all my film credit with you. I don't think this movie was really a "musical". Taymor described it as a "rock opera" and that might explain why the dancing felt lacking for you. What I love is how no five people appear to be talking about the same movie. I appreciate your insights and wish you had enjoyed the film. Kelsy: It sounds like you tolerate Across the Universe. I know that some people are very deeply serious about the legacy of The Fab Four, while perhaps the Lennon fans like myself appreciate the sillier and more cynical aspects of the band. I think Taymor takes the romantic, doting 13-year-old girl’s perspective, but her movie is nowhere near “amusingly bad”. Thanks for commenting! As always, I enjoy your culture frame of reference.

Side note: I haven’t seen Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band yet. I have seen Can’t Stop the Music (with the Village People + Bruce Jenner!) and can’t imagine the Bee Gees movie being any more heinous.

Patricia: I haven’t seen Titus yet but am definitely in Taymor’s camp. I can understand someone not liking Across the Universe but can’t understand someone not thinking this was a risk taking venture. Far from pandering to Baby Boomers, people have very fixed prejudices about both this era and this band. This movie juggles dynamite. Mama Mia! this is not. Thanks for commenting!

Ray: I thought I would try this movie out on my girlfriend’s 13-year-old. Her favorite show is MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, so I was curious what her reaction might be. I didn’t get very far. Her response: “Is that that movie where people sing?!” So I actually think Across the Universe goes over the heads of the American Idol crowd, who don’t really go to movies and who definitely did not buy tickets for this one. I will agree that it is a love it/ hate it proposition. Thanks for commenting!

The Filmist: Bummer, man! I hope I didn’t burn out all my film credit with you. I don’t think this movie was really a “musical”. Taymor described it as a “rock opera” and that might explain why the dancing felt lacking for you. What I love is how no five people appear to be talking about the same movie. I appreciate your insights and wish you had enjoyed the film.

]]> By: TheFilmist http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2009/10/02/across-the-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-7478 TheFilmist Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:20:46 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/?p=5493#comment-7478 On your recommendation, I watched this. Occasionally interesting musical sequences, but too often the film lapses into just plain blandness. The characters all kind of blend together, and lack any real sort of definition beyond "art student," "art student's girlfriend," "beatnik/future war veteran," and so on. And, even the musical sequences, while creative, lacked the kinetic movement and rhythm that defines a good number. Characters standing stock still, singing, is nice for a music video, but it doesn't work on film unless you do -- something with it. The "I Am The Walrus" cover was great, though. On your recommendation, I watched this. Occasionally interesting musical sequences, but too often the film lapses into just plain blandness. The characters all kind of blend together, and lack any real sort of definition beyond “art student,” “art student’s girlfriend,” “beatnik/future war veteran,” and so on. And, even the musical sequences, while creative, lacked the kinetic movement and rhythm that defines a good number. Characters standing stock still, singing, is nice for a music video, but it doesn’t work on film unless you do — something with it.

The “I Am The Walrus” cover was great, though.

]]> By: Flickhead http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2009/10/02/across-the-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-7476 Flickhead Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:02:48 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/?p=5493#comment-7476 The nicest thing I can say about <I>Across the Universe</i> is it's excruciating. It's The Beatles for the <I>American Idol</i> generation. And "I am the Walrus" doesn't "suck," Kelsy; it's one of the finest songs written in the last fifty years. <I>Goo goo ga joob.</i> The nicest thing I can say about Across the Universe is it’s excruciating. It’s The Beatles for the American Idol generation.

And “I am the Walrus” doesn’t “suck,” Kelsy; it’s one of the finest songs written in the last fifty years.

Goo goo ga joob.

]]> By: Pat Evans http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2009/10/02/across-the-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-7471 Pat Evans Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:08:15 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/?p=5493#comment-7471 You nearly got me with your 'I Hate Musicals' header. I came to this one with no fixed prejudices and was frankly charmed by it. Mind you Taymor -- for all her occasional excesses -- is a genuine talent. I've never seen the stage version of 'The Lion King', but I think 'Titus' is an amazing creation. You nearly got me with your ‘I Hate Musicals’ header. I came to this one with no fixed prejudices and was frankly charmed by it. Mind you Taymor — for all her occasional excesses — is a genuine talent. I’ve never seen the stage version of ‘The Lion King’, but I think ‘Titus’ is an amazing creation.

]]> By: kelsy http://thisdistractedglobe.com/2009/10/02/across-the-universe/comment-page-1/#comment-7469 kelsy Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:04:13 +0000 http://thisdistractedglobe.com/?p=5493#comment-7469 I've seen this movie a few times, mostly because of some friends who love love it. I've discovered that it's a movie that's best enjoyed with a remote so you can skip the songs that suck (mostly "I Am the Walrus,” “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite” and maybe "Because") and enjoy the rest. My only complaint, besides the out of place acid trip foray, is with the autotune on Wood and Carpio's voices. I'm not really for fake sounding vocals. Side note: Have you seen Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band? That's the way to do a Beatles musical (by which I mean amusingly bad). I’ve seen this movie a few times, mostly because of some friends who love love it. I’ve discovered that it’s a movie that’s best enjoyed with a remote so you can skip the songs that suck (mostly “I Am the Walrus,” “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite” and maybe “Because”) and enjoy the rest.

My only complaint, besides the out of place acid trip foray, is with the autotune on Wood and Carpio’s voices. I’m not really for fake sounding vocals.

Side note: Have you seen Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band? That’s the way to do a Beatles musical (by which I mean amusingly bad).

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