Death at a Funeral by Mikey

Those of you who know me well will understand why I was hesitant in seeing this film down here. Firstly, because I usually don't go to the flicks by myself and secondly, because I am not a huge fan of pommy humour........

Having said that, let me say that I did find this rousing British farce was filled with many antic moments and huge embarrassments. In fact, I believe that I laughed out loud (must to the discern of the pompous Canbareians around me) on more than 2 occassions.

I found the flick was fast, furious and at times a riotously funny british farce in the tradition of Monty Python (not that I am a big fan of this either) and Peter Sellers.







Death at a Funeral has its flaws, but I am willing to forgive the flaws when a movie makes me laugh as much as this one.

I give this

Post Movie Roll Call

Hairspray by . r o s s .

What an awesome movie, and what a great night. I love musicals, and my DVD collection basically only has this genre.

I have seen Chicago hundereds of times. And this movie follows in the footsteps of this awesome movie, which was also produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

The original Hairspray move was created by John Waters (who has a great cameo as a flasher in the opening song "Good Morning Baltimore"), Ricky Lake playing Tracy Turnblad (who also has a cameo in this version as a talent agent), and her mother was played by Divine (ten days after the premiere, Divine died in his sleep). I was worried that John Travolta would not be able to fill Divine's massive heels, but he sure did a great job.

Nikki Blonsky, who unsuccessfully tried so hard to get the part of Tracy Turnblad in the Broadway version was discovered working for an ice cream shop in New York where the staff are renowned for singing for their tips. Nikki did a fantastic job of playing the pleasantly plump Tracy, and her voice is heavenly.

I have been like totally such a major fan of Queen Latifa since Chicago when she played Mamma, and her role playing Motormouth Maybelle was awesome, man that girl can sing, she is Big Blonde and Beautiful.

The heartthrobs Zac Effron and James Marsden were great. Especially Marsdens killer smiles, and Effron's amazing eyes (were those contacts he as wearing?). I could swear he was winking at me. The Corny Collins Show is based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show, which was canceled because the producers wouldn't integrate black and white dancers.

Allison Janney was my favourite character, she was always my favourite in The West Wing, and is perfect for this over the top, camp role. Michelle Pfeiffer was great plating the über bitch too. My least favourite character was Christopher Walken, his interpretation of his character was so similar to the role he played in Catch Me if You Can.

The costuming and sets were all over completely the top, along with the hair.... just the way I like it.

This gets a toe-tapping 10/10 from me.

hairspray review

Well as musicals go this one left me a little dazed, travolta played an execllent role but his singing voice has bio degraded since his last effort in this particular frontier grease, the eye candy was delectable ie young Zac yum yum and some of the humour was particulary funny in all it's politicly incorrect glory, phiffer played the stereo typical bitch and seems to be type cast into this role for all etenity but when markus made the appropiate cat call it semed to make her more barable, my favourite part of the movie wasn't even in the movie but when young Zac did his versoin of blue steel and every gay boy in the cinema all made the aHHH noise very funny, least favourite part was the political agenda for black rights altough a serious issue it had no bussiness being in a comidic take on highschool dramma of the early 60's all in all though it get a 6 out of 10 cause i couldn't stop laughing at the gaggle of school girls sitting next to me who's laughter was extreamly amusing opps thats was markus, ross and obe lol

Hairspray By Mud Guts

James - My Fav Actor for this One - Can't wait for the DVD to come out, really enjoyed the movie - I'm sure everyone in the cinema could hear me laugh!!! - 2 Fav Parts of the Movie R - When Michelle P enters the Shop. I'm sure if you were sitting in the cinema with me u would know why.... - 2ndly - When She is caught on Candid Camera...

Hairspray 18/09/07

There were a number of things about this movie that appealed to me.

Firstly, I love musical theatre (having sung and acted on stage in NQ many, many times while growing up) and this movie is based on a stage show (which I would now love to see. Anyone else wanna go to see it on Broadway this weekend with me?).

Secondly, as a larger guy who has, at times, shyed away from doing things because of my size (which, hard to believe used, to be a lot bigger) and been ridiculed by people because of it, the original mindset of Tracy's mother in not wanting to go outside and her desire to protect her daughter from people who would put her down because of her looks, hit a chord with me.

Then there's the "leftie" social activist in me which hopes for a totally integrated community and equality for minorities. So the attempt to integrate the Negro Day into the regular Corny Collins show also added to me enjoyment of the film.

I would have to agree with my fellow TAT bloggers in praising this film. Excellent music, excellent storyline, excellent acting. It is hard to fault it, really. The performances by Travolta, Walken and Latifa (particularly ... what a voice!) were standouts. I thought Blonski shone in her introductory role as Tracy Turnblad and yes, I think it it widely agreed that Efron is very handsome and a great singer and actor.

As Daniel will testify, I went into the cinema in the pretty bad mood but walked out laughing and joking after watching a movie that made my laugh (and even cry) and got my toes tapping and my hands clapping.

Five stars! I'll not only go and see this again, but I'll probably buy it on DVD and download the soundtrack on to my Ipod.

Hairspray

Based on the John Waters film (which are normally strange at the best of times) this musical had me tapping in my seat. Most enjoyable movie I have seen in a long time, if references to the original themes but what has been left out is the subtle plays on gay nature , more then made up by singing. This movie is SO good its not getting a score.