What Movies Have You Seen Lately?

Quote: Wizard

To come full circle, what is the musical talent of Bradley Cooper, who played the male lead in A Star is Born? .

This is the 4th remake, and the first
3 were very very good. They were
all hits that made a lot of money.
I've seen them more than once.
The best one is 1954, with James
Mason and Judy Garland. Why?
Because Judy put everything she
had into it, and she had talent
coming out her pores.

They're all good, though, as I imagine
the new one is. They're signs
of the times they were made in.

This is an excellent breakdown of
the 4, watch it, you'll see.

Quote: Wizard

To come full circle, what is the musical talent of Bradley Cooper, who played the male lead in A Star is Born? He is seen playing the guitar and piano in the movie. However, it could have been faked. I don't think you ever saw a direct shot of him touching the piano keys.

Bradley Cooper took vocal lessons and performed all of his music live in front of real audiences. Gaga would not sign on to the film without Cooper’s promise that all of the music would be filmed live.


But even if it is filmed live you still have different camera shots and close ups. I am sure there were re-shoots as well.

Quote: Mosca

You said, “Jamie Foxx is arguably the most musically talented celebrity that became famous as an actor, and you never see him touring the big stages. He did make four successful albums after his breakout performance in Ray.”
All I’m doing is arguing. D’Angelo was a singer, but she became famous as an actress.

You are correct. I guess I should modify my statement to say that if your first professional success is standing on a stage you are used to that freewheeling atmosphere where people get drunk and are shouting and you try and create an emotional progression.

If your initial success is in acting where you have scripts and re-shoots and close-ups, and large numbers of shots then it is extremely difficult to appear on a big stage. There are many actors that play music in club settings. Woody Allen's Average Shot Length in his movies is 17.5 seconds, which is almost three times as long as Steven Spielberg.

While musicals have a smaller number of shots than most genres, it is still hundreds of shots in the course of a few hours.


But it is almost expected for a singing star who plays the big stages to have some kind of movie or television career.

Quote: Pacomartin

But it is almost expected for a singing star who plays the big stages to have some kind of movie or television career.

It's telling that the last 3 versions of ASIB
all used women who were already huge
singing stars in real life. Garland, Streisand,
and Gaga were all at the height of their
careers when cast in these films. It's like
the producers know they are 10 steps
ahead of the game selling the audience
on the story if they use an already
established star.

Just saw La La Land again, god I love that
movie. It's a modern day classic, it's
flawless in the story it tells. The ending
is spectacular genius. If it doesn't get
you where you live, you aren't being
honest with yourself. Emma Stone is
so good in this, her acting is so over
the top, it floors me every time I see it.

Quote: Evenbob

Just saw La La Land again, god I love that
movie. It's a modern day classic,.

I need to see it again, but I do believe this movie will have staying power over the years in the classic sense. we'll see.

Quote: rxwine

I need to see it again, but I do believe this movie will have staying power over the years in the classic sense. we'll see.

It's an uplifting story about youth and
sticking with your dream. The romance
is just a vehicle for that theme, it doesn't
matter that they split apart in the end.
They used each other at a crucial time
in their lives to keep them attuned to
what they really wanted. The story is
timeless and done in such a unique
way. Hard to believe it was written and
directed by the same guy.

Quote: Evenbob

Garland, Streisand,and Gaga were all at the height of their careers when cast in these films.

Garland Streisan and Gaga were all between ages 32-34 when they ade the film, but look at Garland's resume

The Big Revue 1929 Herself, with the Gumm Sisters
A Holiday in Storyland 1930 Herself, with the Gumm Sisters Lost; Includes Garland's first solo number, "Blue Butterfly"
Bubbles 1930 Herself, with the Gumm Sisters
The Wedding of Jack and Jill 1930 Herself, with the Gumm Sisters Lost
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara 1935 Herself, with the Gumm Sisters
Every Sunday 1936 Judy Short film, first role at MGM
Pigskin Parade 1936 Sairy Dodd
Broadway Melody of 1938 1937 Betty Clayton
Thoroughbreds Don't Cry 1937 Cricket West
Everybody Sing 1938 Judy Bellaire
Love Finds Andy Hardy 1938 Betsy Booth
Listen, Darling 1938 "Pinkie" Wingate
The Wizard of Oz 1939 Dorothy Gale
Babes in Arms 1939 Patsy Barton Garland was honored with an Academy Juvenile Award
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante 1940 Betsy Booth
Strike Up the Band 1940 Mary Holden
Little Nellie Kelly 1940 Nellie Noonan Kelly, Little Nellie Kelly
Ziegfeld Girl 1941 Susan Gallagher
Life Begins for Andy Hardy 1941 Miss Betsy Booth
Babes on Broadway 1941 Penny Morris
We Must Have Music 1942 Herself Short film
For Me and My Gal 1942 Jo Hayden
Thousands Cheer 1943 Herself
Presenting Lily Mars 1943 Lily Mars
Girl Crazy 1943 Ginger Gray
Meet Me in St. Louis 1944 Esther Smith
The Clock 1945 Alice Mayberry
Ziegfeld Follies 1945 The Star Featured in The Great Lady Has An Interview segment
The Harvey Girls 1946 Susan Bradley
Till the Clouds Roll By 1946 Marilyn Miller
The Pirate 1948 Manuela Ava
Easter Parade 1948 Hannah Brown
Words and Music 1948 Herself
In the Good Old Summertime 1949 Veronica Fisher
Summer Stock 1950 Jane Falbury
A Star Is Born 1954 Vicki Lester (Esther Blodgett)

Quote: Pacomartin

Garland Streisan and Gaga were all between ages 32-34 when they ade the film, but look at Garland's resume)

That's because in those days, 99% of
movies were shot on sets, not locations.
They could crank out a movie in 2 weeks,
instead of 4 months. They were like stage
plays, tons of dialog and very little action.
What's the stat, 90% of Americans saw
a movie once a week before 1950. After
that it dropped to what, 50%? The studios
had to crank them out on an assembly
line basis.

Quote: Pacomartin

What I said is that Jamie Foxx is arguably the most musically talented celebrity that became famous as an actor. Elvis Will Smith and Barbara Streisand became famous as singers and then went into acting,.

Hmm, I would put Clint Eastwood, Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin’s names in that hat for consideration.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Hmm, I would put Clint Eastwood, Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin’s names in that hat for consideration.

Steve Martin is a really talented banjo player
He also writes really good bluegrass tunes
I have many live recordings of Steve Martin playing with the Steep Canyon Rangers bluegrass band
What a show he puts on.
Top notch bluegrass tunes with jokes in between