#MovieMonday: Hairspray Live! (TV Movie 2016)

Movie Monday* is where I will share my thoughts on a movie I have seen in the past week. Please note that I am NOT a movie reviewer. I "review" a movie like I would a book. Just telling you how I feel about the movie. I hope you enjoy.

*I take NO credit for the title, as after I searched it I noticed it was already taken.

Movie: Hairspray Live!

Cert: PG

Release: 7th Dec 2016

Genre:  Musicial, Family, Comedy

Directors: Kenny Leon, Alex Rudzinski

Writers: Harvey Fierstein (teleplay by), Thomas Meehan (book) | 2 more credits »

Stars: Maddie Baillio,  Ariana Grande,  Kristin Chenoweth | See full cast & crew »

Rating: 3 out of 5

About The Movie:

Based on the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical, Hairspray LIVE! takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV program. When against all odds Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy's mother is the indomitable Edna, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white “Corny Collins Show.”

Why didn't I even know about this until someone posted on facebook after they had seen it?? I love Hairspray. I remember enjoying the original film but I remember absolutely loving the remake!!! Yeah I said I loved that version better. I have never seen the musical live so I can't really compare this to the stage show only the movie.

Hairspray is one of those really feel good musical with a really strong message. Set in 1960s Baltimore all Tracy wants to do is dance on the Corny Collins Show. But what seems like a fun thing turns into something much more important. Tracy wants to make the Corny Collins Show integrated.

As much as I have always said I love the 50s and 60s. I love the music, I love the clothes. However, it must have such a hard time to live if you weren't white. Hairspray takes this issues and turns into a hopeful musical that it's full bright characters and catchy tunes.

I think I compared it to the movie too much. Just because I loved the remake movie casting so much. However, the casting for this did a great job. This is Maddie's (Tracy) break out role and I feel she really done well. She is a very nice singing voice and really captured the essence of Tracy Turnblad. I wasn't keen on the casting of her parents though. And I'm sorry the dude playing Link? Nope. Just nope. He was no Zac Efron. I did however, really like Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle. That woman has some set of pipes on her. She is looking fantastic!!!

Now, I will admit that Ariana Grande is a little annoying. The girl has an amazing voice yet in her normal singing she just doesn't enunciate her words and just mumbles. So even though she doesn't get a lot of screen time, when she sings you can make out every word and she also has an important role with it comes to get co star Seaweed.

I did notice a big different between the live show and the remake and it involved little Inez, Seaweeds sister. Now I don't know if the stage show is different to movie version so I am not sure if this live show is following the proper storyline or if the remake movie did. But all I will say is I much prefer how the movie ended to this one. 

Overall, Hairspray Live is an enjoy watch. Although I wasn't a fan of the cutting to the host and showing the "parties" from different places. I know it was to give the casting a breather and time to change and get ready for different scene but I just felt it ruined the flow and it's why I am not the biggest fan of these live musicals on TV. However, if you already know and love the show/movies then you will be singing and dancing along with it like I was!!! 

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#MovieNews: Beauty and The Beast (2017)

Movie: Beauty and the Beast (Live Action Remake)

Cert: PG

Release: 17th March 2017

Genre: Family, Romance, Musical

Directors:  Bill Condon

Writers:  Evan Spiliotopoulos (screenplay), Stephen Chbosky (screenplay) | 2 more credits »

Stars: Dan Stevens , Emma Watson, Luke Evans | See full cast & crew »

About The Movie:

Belle is a girl who is dissatisfied with life in a small provincial French town, constantly trying to fend off the misplaced "affections" of conceited Gaston. The Beast is a prince who was placed under a spell because he could not love. A wrong turn taken by Maurice, Belle's father, causes the two to meet. (IMDb 1991 Edition)

For while all we had was the image of Belle reaching for the rose. So when they finally released move images online I was overjoyed. I am so excited for this to come alive on screen. Beauty and the Beast is one of THE best disney movies ever made.

I know everyone has already seen them but still couldn't resist. I am so looking forward to this and Emma Watson is just perfect for the role. I also have a big soft spot for Dan Stevens, going back to his Downton Abby days. (Oh Matthew. Trying to not cry, ignore the feels and breathe) He is going to rock as The Beast/Prince Adam.  

And Luke Evans as Gaston? Bloody perfect!! He actually looks like the cartoon Gaston. 

While Beauty and The Beast isn't my ultimate favourite disney movie (That's Peter Pan) it is in the top 5!! I think that may have a lot to do with library though lol. I have read a lot of mix reviews on Belle's dress already. I don't care if it's gold or yellow. I love it no matter. It's stunning and I want one!!

I am loving the disney remakes just now. And I am excited by this so much. It’s making me wonder what other movies they will turn into live action.

Which disney movie would you love to see being remade into a live action movie?? 

All credit for images go to

Mail Online I Movie Pilot I EW

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#MovieReview: The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do The Time Warp Again (2016)

Movie: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (TV Remake)

Cert: 12A(UK)/PG-13*

Release: 20th Oct 2016

Genre:Comedy, Horror, Musical

Directors: Kenny Ortega, 

Writers:  Richard O'Brien (screenplay), Jim Sharman (original screenplay)

Stars:  Reeve Carney, Tim Curry, Laverne Cox | See full cast & crew »

My Rating: 2.5 out of 5 

*I don't know the official cert for this is. I am just going with what I feel like it should be

About The Movie

It's the weird and wonderful as newly engaged couple Brad and Janet encounter a problem when their car halts in the rain. They both look for contact, only to find themselves at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite. A place to stay is offered, but will Brad and Janet want to remain there? Especially when a large group of Transylvanians dance to the 'Time Warp', Dr. Frank-N-Furter builds his own man and a whole host of participation for the audience to enjoy. - Written by Simon (IMDb)

 

 

If you know me at all you will know that I freaking love Rocky Horror. I love the original move and I finally got to see the show live this year - if you want to see my thoughts on that check my THIS blog post. Now when I first heard they were doing TV movie remake, my first thought was "OK this might be good." Then I seen the casting and just thought "Oh dear god no" However, Friday night I finally sat down and gave this a go. And while I am still not sure the casting is right. It was watchable and I did sing along but it just doesn't have the same spark as the cult classic. 

Have you ever seen the movie or live show? If you have then you know exactly why Rocky Horror is iconic. The crazy sexy plot, the catchy tunes and the brilliant chemistry are what makes the original the epic Cult Classic it is. The remake of course has the catchy tunes and the same crazy plot but it was just lacking in chemistry. Rocky Horror is rather risque, it's meant to be sexy, thrilling and exciting. For me, the remake very PG and tame. Quoting a friend "It's Vanilla" 

 

I won't go into the plot because it's the same plot for the last 40 years and if you don't know what this is about where have you been? Go watch the original right now!!!! What I do want to talk about is the casting. I am going to get this one out the way first. Victoria Justice! Like seriously, WTF who thought she would make a good Janet? The girl can sing and she is beautiful. However, she just isn't Janet. I found her performance very boring. The same with Brad. I have no idea who he is but NO just NO!!!

Rif Raf and Magenta? OK They weren't actually too bad. I did think Rif Raf could have notched it up a little. He had the look but the acting could have been easily better. I have to admit I like Christina Milian. I thought her performance was actually spot on. And her hair? I want so much. As for the rest of the cast? Columbia, Eddie and Rocky himself? Oh dear Why? The only thing I like about Columbia was her costumes. 

 

 

And now, let me talk about Dr Frank N Furter. I love Laverne Cox, I think she a fantastic actress and yes I applaud FOX for casting someone who is Trans as a main role. HOWEVER, as much as I wanted to love her as Frank she is just didn't it for me. Yes, she is stunning and she is rocking those outfits but for me the whole appeal of Frank is that he is Man! He is man building a Man. He is a very masculine character even if he is waiting a corset and suspenders but he is still manly. Laverne is just too feminine to really pull this off. Her performance during the speaking parts is a little off. I felt like she was trying way too hard. When she was singing though? Yes that's when I love her.

 

 

There is scene at near the end where they are all singing and dancing. And I have to admit this was my favourite. You can see just how much fun the full cast was having and it's where they really all seem to come together and that one moment I felt saved it for me. Their outfits I am not sure about and Laverne seemed to be channeling Tina Turner and little of Beyonce. If you have seen it you know what I am talking about. I felt like if she was going to break out into "Proud Mary" it wouldn't have felt out the place lol. But look her in the pic below. The woman is rocking it and check those legs? Those are a set of pins to be jealous of!!!

 

 

What I did love about this remake was having Tim Curry as the criminologist. I thought that was a lovely tribute and a nice bonus for the fans for the original casting because let's face Tim Curry to many people IS Frank!!! He is perfect. To many people no one can ever compare to him because he plays that role so well. I think Laverne was trying to channel Tim but it just didn't work. 

 

If you are a fan of Rocky Horror I do suggesting watching it. Just don't expect too much from it. You will sing along whether you like the remake or not because the songs are the same and you just can't help yourself. If you haven't seen Rocky Horror before then go straight for the movie and then if you can watch the 40th Anniversary Live Show with David Bedella as Frank, he is my Frank!! 

 

 

I mean come on!! Look at him!!! He is just screams SEX!!!!!! Perfection!!!

 

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