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Sunday, Nov 8, 2009
BUENA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL, a '50s flick that starred Sophia Loren as the mom with three dads.
Perhaps the time has come to discuss Stephanie's place and role as a movie reviewer. I think her reviews are dark, negative, and dismal, but they are interesting and thoughtful. I do wonder why she choses to review material she doesn't seem to take joy from, but she has the good graces to not be boring about it. I love movies, often even bad ones, but can also see how reviewers, having had to see the latest Adam Sandler destruction followed by the Mike Meyers ego-fest might become jaded and saddened by movies. So many aren't just bad, but mean, nasty, corporate, and offense. Certainly *Mamma Mia* could well be seen in this exploitist light, another faux joy rip off. I had a pleasant time at the theater this morning, more remembering the times the songs brought back for me and for the extremely cute boys that littered the background (how I would have loved the job of casting extras for this movie!), but I also thought the cast seemed to be having a very good time and that carried me along happily. This movie won't make the AFI top anything list, but neither will ABBA, either. It was, however, a nice break in a very bleak summer (here in Sacramento the day often looks like Armageddon, with the smoke and heat). Stephanie's job isn't to like or promote movie's, but give us the springboard to discuss them, give shape and meat for discussion. She does that. I disagree with her frequently (and am likely to about Batman, haven't seen it yet), but at least she isn't vapid and boring, as most movies are today. We can disagree with her, but I think the calls to have her stop reviewing are uncalled for. I certainly wouldn't rely upon her for your sole source for movie reviews, but I would suggest that for any critic. The critics should provide deeper insights into the movie and the more view points the better for that, particularly contrary ones.
Zacharek nails it again!
The picture that runs with this story makes Meryl Streep look like Boy George.
The Meryl Streep character appears to be at least inspired by, if not actually based on, Bebe Buell. She had more-or-less simultaneous affairs with Steve Tyler and Todd Rundgren during the 1970s; when little Liv arrived she decided to nominate Todd as the dad, even though years later it turned out that Steve was the real baby's-daddy.
Apparently the script writers decided to conflate this true story with the novels "Lace" and "Lace II." (Remember the memorable lines from those classics: "Which one of you (censored) is my real (mother, father)?")
And yes, my gf's and I plan to see it.
Which Stephanie obviously didn't see. However, when I was dragged by a friend to see the musical (ABBA never moved me musically), I actually liked the storyline, despite its implausability.
It IS a musical and a comedy, and I have yet to see a musical comedy that is truly realistic.
In short, all the complaints she has made about the movie apply also to the stage version, so what's the point?
Don't take this movie seriously.
I saw it, I had a cheesy grin on my face for most of it and cried a couple of tears during "The Winner Takes It All".
That's a successful movie.
I loved it, I cried, I was dancing in my seat and yes there's a sound problem--so what? I'm going to see it again and buy the DVD.
Shades of "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." One very short shot of MS facing away looks amazingly like Terrence Stamp. And of course, who can make a movie any more without some gay reference?
From this review, the movie sounds a lot like the musical. A bit forced, a little stiff, a little too much fun. It works live, or at least it was cute enough and drenched with enough ABBA music to work, but it seems not to have translated well into film. I wish I could say I was surprised. It's a pity Streep had to do this to herself. Oh well!
people are complaining about "Mama Mia!" being too much of a stretch, but not raising an eyebrow over a grown man in a bat suit??!
he is real batman is real
If this sounds like a stupid movie to you, don't go see it!
I barely knew who ABBA was when a friend of mine got into the chorus on Broadway (he's still in it!). I went to see it with my kids and two of my sisters, who both hate musicals. Was it silly and fluffy? Of course it was, and we all had a great time.
I would not be surprised if everything SZ says is true....so what!
I'll still see it and most likely enjoy it.
LIGHTEN UP!
I mean it's a movie based on a musical composed entirely of ABBA
songs.
What did you expect,light opera?
I saw the movie today and it was:
a. campy
b. funny
c. full of overwrought performances and passable singing
(see campy)
d. lighthearted.
I predict it will be a big hit like the play and especially beloved by older women (and their daughters) and,of course,gay men(a necessary component for any cult classic) and anybody who
feels like not taking things so deadly serious for the length
of a movie.
Jeez. Isn't the price of gas and bread serious enough?
I would definitely see it again (which I hardly ever do with movies) and I've seen some pretty good movies this summer (The Visitor,Up the Hguang (SP?) River and Encounters at the End of the World were all very good...but sobering to say the least).
So, all you Dancing Queens and go see it and have a good time!
I've always wondered about the "career" we call the Critic. It's basically either nasty comments for the sake of showing their expertise? Or is it just one person's opinion. Usually I'll see a movie if someone with similar taste liked it, or if the trailer and cast looks good, along with the story.
Obviously Stephanie doesn't seem to like the movie, but the play and movie have their fans and they have many of them. So it's like all art which is subjective.
I do think critics seem to think anything but foreign films need to be ripped to wreads, and that they are somehow so above us all in their taste in little known or watched foreign films, subtitles add extra points to show how brilliant they are.
I'll make up my own mind as usual as to what I want to watch, but thanks for your one opinion.
Much of the initial coverage about Fort Hood turned out to be wrong. Is there anything wrong with that?
The accountability imposed by another country for the CIA's kidnapping and torture reveals much about our own.
Fox News' morning show plays to type, talking about whether Muslims in the Army should face "special debriefings"
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Once seen as a lunatic fringe, reactionary anti-women groups are courting respectability
Salon headlines in your mailbox
