Post by tamaradixon on Sept 17, 2007 12:13:05 GMT -4
I feel like the movie musical geek around these parts, because now I'm touting "Across the Universe".
Unlike my other summer fav, its not the bouncy feel good musical that "Hairspray" is. Its more serious in tone and subject matter, generally the story of America in the 60's as seen by a young Englishman in the country illegally. The young man in question is Jim Sturgess and not only does he look a bit like a young Paul McCartney, he can sing too. He's totally charming in the role and I think if he weren't in it, I doubt I'd be so taken with the film.
The director, Julie Taymor, loads the film with surprise cameos (I won't spoil it), but they don't detract from the story as some cameos can. They make you go 'look who it is!', but then get right back into it.
They used 33 songs from the Beatles with all new arrangements. For the most part they worked, I wasn't taken with "I wanna hold Your Hand" as a ballad though. Also, the director says that a lot of the singing was done live on set. They did have the tracks, but didn't use them in some cases. I was shocked by that, because everyone sounds great.
Taymor screened the film for Olivia Harrison, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and received their blessing as well.
I'm from the generation where "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was a minor hit (I have the soundtrack in my album collection) and I hate to say it, but its similar in many ways...but don't let that put you off. Really. Its all that, but much better and not a Bee Gee in sight.
the cast on Oprah
Unlike my other summer fav, its not the bouncy feel good musical that "Hairspray" is. Its more serious in tone and subject matter, generally the story of America in the 60's as seen by a young Englishman in the country illegally. The young man in question is Jim Sturgess and not only does he look a bit like a young Paul McCartney, he can sing too. He's totally charming in the role and I think if he weren't in it, I doubt I'd be so taken with the film.
The director, Julie Taymor, loads the film with surprise cameos (I won't spoil it), but they don't detract from the story as some cameos can. They make you go 'look who it is!', but then get right back into it.
They used 33 songs from the Beatles with all new arrangements. For the most part they worked, I wasn't taken with "I wanna hold Your Hand" as a ballad though. Also, the director says that a lot of the singing was done live on set. They did have the tracks, but didn't use them in some cases. I was shocked by that, because everyone sounds great.
Taymor screened the film for Olivia Harrison, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and received their blessing as well.
I'm from the generation where "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was a minor hit (I have the soundtrack in my album collection) and I hate to say it, but its similar in many ways...but don't let that put you off. Really. Its all that, but much better and not a Bee Gee in sight.
the cast on Oprah
