This blog gives a look into the eternal sunshine of my ever roving mind.
I consider myself a social critic.
I believe in Film, Music, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Gay Rights, the Right to Choose, Human Rights and YES I still believe in Barack Obama.
I believe in most things left of center.
I don't get any organized religion.They are all a sham.
This is the gay pride flag. I am proudly gay.
These are the things this blog is about.
Love it, like it or leave it. We all have choices.
the academy voters went for 'take it all' over the terrible 'cinema italiano' from nine.
so at least we are spared from a kate hudson musical horror at the oscars.
i can only hope they get the luminous marion cotillard to sing her nominated song.
it probably will not win but just the same i'm rooting for it!
Screw the critics. I thought 'NINE' could not be made. The fact is the Broadway show was not made.
Rob Marshall used the musical as a starting point to make something more cinematic. He got it!
Truth be told Ii enjoyed it more than 'Chicago' that was poorly cast.
'NINE' has near perfect casting.
Day-Louis, Dench, Fergie,Cruz and surprisingly, for me, Nicole all shined.
The exception being Kate Hudson. What the hell was she doing in this ensemble?
The true gift was the performance of Marion Cotillard as Luisa. Needing to be sad or angry or sweet she had it all and gave it her all. She's extraordinary she is as she goes from jubilation to desperation without missing a beat. I'm falling in love with this woman...this damn good actress. It's not by accident that Marshall had Marion wear a little black dress, Audrey Hepburn style, and then basically recreated Audrey's 'Roman Holiday' screen test for Marion's character. Inspired!
I'm a 'Nine' officiando.
From the original Broadway show to the revival.
The show ALL my friends thought I would hate.
They were ALL wrong.
Yet it was a show I believed would not and could not and most importantly should not be filmed.
The big screen adaptation of 'NINE' The Musical starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench and Marion Cotillard is set to hit cinemas November 25, 2009.
My Favorite musical 'Nine' has been filmed.
I've been pretty skeptical about how it would translate to the screen. The preview, below, has made me less so. We can only hope!
But it is based on the Fellini masterpiece '8 1/2' which was originally a film. So the cinematic potential was built in. If only they had filmed it on location in Venice on The Grand Canal. So much for dreaming.
My main concern was the casting. My fears seem to be abating here a bit. With the exception of Nicole Kidman as Claudia Nardi. On stage the role was played by the erotic, exotic, sensual and beautiful Shelley Burch. Four qualities I never think of when Kidman's name is mentioned.
Marion Cotillard as Luisa seems a brilliant stroke.
Sophia Loren as Momma seemed a given.
Judi Dench as Liliane La Fleur? Hey Judi Dench in any role is a gift. She will be brilliant. I can't wait for her 'Follies Bergere'.
Penelope Cruz as Carla. Yes Yes Yes!
Stacy Ferguson, Fergie, is just someone I know nothing of. The trailer below tells me she will be remarkable as Saraghina the town prostitute.
Now about the only male role in 'Nine':
Daniel Day Lewis as Guido portraying a director, an italian, going through mid-life crisis? He is an amazing actor so maybe he can 'be italian'.
He does possess a certain needed sexuality.
I now have semi-high hopes. I really do want this to be brilliant and amazing. We'll see!!! In fact it seems to have 'Oscar' written all over it. Done correctly it could win them as the play did with the Tony Awards on Broadway. It may just mean that every supporting actress nominee next year could be from this film.
OH YES INDEED!!! Mothers, lovers, wives, frustrated producers, frustrated husband, ex-lovers and whores. A true mid-life crisis comes to a cinema near you on Nov. 25th, 2009.
