Chris Columbus strikes again (the director, not the explorer)

[mijan]

Okay, the man directed the first two Potter films, and while they weren't bad, they weren't spectacular.  Seriously, if the Harry Potter books hadn't had an enormous following, the movie would have been "okay", but they were surely a much-watered-down version of the books.  But I don't really care that much, because for silly squeeing, the movies are good, and when I want canon, I've got the books.

However... I didn't know that Chris Columbus was also directing "Rent".  I don't usually pay attention to that stuff.  I almost went to watch the movie today, but I didn't have anyone to go with, so I figured on waiting for my sister to come home for the holiday weekend, and I'd watch it with her, my mom, and whatever friends I can convince to come.  (None of them are into musicals.)  My sister had planned on watching it this afternoon, and I just got the feedback. 

Now, I haven't seen the movie yet. This is just what my sister said, and it's got me a bit worried about the movie. Remember that she's seen the play on Broadway twice, and I've seen it from the front row.  We both *know* how the play is supposed to be.  She said the acting in the movie was more for stage... and the directing SUCKED.  Of COURSE I'll still go see it, but my sister's opinions on stuff like this are usually pretty adept.  I WILL reserve judgement until I've seen it myself, but my sister and I are similarly picky, I'm pretty sure that I'll have a very similar opinion to hers. *cries* I hope it's good. PLEASE let it be good! *pouts*

Well Chris, if my sister is right, you've done it again.  Taken a spectacular concept from another source, and made a pitiful shadow of the original with your mediocre-at-best directing.  From now on, stick to smaller projects - preferably things that don't have obsessive fan followings who know the originals better than you do.

~P

Comments

[hoshiforever.livejournal.com]

I adored the movie. There are things that are cut that I wish they didn't but I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I've never cried for so many consequtive minutes in a movie before. I thought some of the acting was werid at points, but it was better than the majority of the crap you see in today's media.

In my opinion most of the werid stuff was writing, not directing.

Go see it. Go in not expecting it to be the musical, b/c it isn't, it's the movie.

[vicki-c.livejournal.com]

Oh no, don't say that! I saw the play for the first time last week on Broadway and fell in love with it! Obviously I know the film won't be the same but I had hoped it wouldn't be too drastically different.

I also fell in love with Colin Hanlon, who was playing Mark at the time. *sighs*

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Aaah, I just saw the play last month, and I ADORE it... I'm just worried that that movie won't do the play justice.

I got to hang out with "Benny" after the play. He actually recognized me from the audience, which stunned me, so he took my face in his hands and said with a big smile, "How could I forget such a cute face?"

And because I suck at actor names, I'll have to dig up my playbill before I can tell you who was playing whom when I saw it.

[vicki-c.livejournal.com]

Oh that's so cool! Colin Hanlon and another guy from the play (I can't remember his name) sat opposite us on the subway home but I was too shy to say anything - I just felt like such a dork!

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Aww, you should have said something! Theatre people aren't like movie stars... they're far more "real" and down to earth because only theatre people really know who they are... not every idiot on the streets, so they don't get mobbed. But that's really cool that you saw them!

[jamesofur.livejournal.com]

yea you can tell because movie stars would never ride the subway home :) deffinitly should have said something thats awsome !

[vicki-c.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wish I had said something. I just didn't know what to say! We wanted to go back the next night. If I was still in New York I probably would go again! It'd be worth the jet lag I suffered...

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm heading down there at the start of next week. *grins* Gonna try to see Avenue Q.

[vicki-c.livejournal.com]

That looks quite good. We went to the TKTS booth and they didn't have any for Avenue Q. You'll have to tell me what it's like.

By the way, you have an incredible amount of friends on here! I'm jealous. (And nosey)

[mijan.livejournal.com]

LOL... I don't know why. I don't say many interesting things on LJ... they all come here from my fic, I think. But everyone is more than welcomed! :)

[vicki-c.livejournal.com]

Ooh I will have to friend you then :) Although my LJ isn't all that exciting!

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, mine isn't very exciting either. I just occasionally post porn or speak my mind, that's all. :D

[http://users.livejournal.com/__babbes__/]

You MUST sing along the song "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" it's my fav!

[mijan.livejournal.com]

I already know all the words... although I think my favourite is "The Internet is for Porn!"

[http://users.livejournal.com/__babbes__/]

lol, that's a good one too!

[imperial-dragon.livejournal.com]

ahaha! or you could just sing ALL of the songs

[http://users.livejournal.com/__babbes__/]

...or you could do that...lol

[mijan.livejournal.com]

That would work, seeing as I know almost all the lyrics! *grins*

[goodtimenation.livejournal.com]

I've seen the stage production 11 times, and mostly from either front or second row. Personally, I absolutely LOVED the movie. No.. it's not the stage show brought to film, but I'm absolutely content with how it did turn out. But everyone's got their own opinions on it, so..

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, I haven't actually seen it *yet*. This is just my sister's feedback, and she's usallly pretty perceptive. I'll give a more apt review when I've seen it. My sister just called though, and I was so disppointed by her review that I had to vent.

How have you been, btw?

omg ranty

[laurac0re.livejournal.com]

I've never seen Rent AT ALL (omg!) but it's mainly because I've never lived anywhere where it was playing. When I heard there was going to be a movie I thought- ok. Maybe I'll check it out and finally understand the hype BUT THEN I heard that CC was directing and I got seriously worried about whether the Rent I saw would feel the same as someone who's seen the musical Rent. It seems like so much of his directing lacks spirit which for so many of his lastest projects, is kind of the appeal.

*upon reading other comments* It's nice to see that some fans of the musical are happy with it because it gives me a little more faith that I won't be completely in the dark over the excitment though!

Re: omg ranty

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, all I can tell you from personal experience is that the play itself is fucking awesome. I'll be able to tell you more about the movie when I see it myself. But yes, it's awesome. However, just listening to the soundtrack WON'T give you an understanding of the play. It can't.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_la_pistolera/]

I haven't seen rent, but I really agree with you about what a poor director Chris Columbus is. I heard somewhere he was coming back for the 5th Harry Potter movie, and though I don't know it that's actually true it was immediately disappointing. He takes on projects that require very strong direction, and I don't think he has the creativity and vision for it...

[seitosilver.livejournal.com]

Nah, I think David Yates is directing that one.

[anyotherknight.livejournal.com]

I'm going to disagree with your sister. Rent is the most entertaining movie I've seen in the last six months. Yes, the acting is more suited to a stage - I think that's a little expected when the majority of the cast is comprised of stage actors - but it's still a fabulously entertaining movie. It's still much better on stage, but really, try to go in with an open mind. Some of the scenes couldn't have possibly worked as flawlessly on stage due to their locations, while others fail miserably.

[destinyfroste.livejournal.com]

I have never before seen the musical, HOWEVER, I know the entire score beginning to end. A few things bugged me, they talked a lot of parts that were sung on the disk, they cut a few things out and re-worked around it, but I loved it. I definatly liked this musical-made-movie MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH better than Phantom of the Opera (love that musical, HATE that movie).

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Well, that gives me *some* hope, but we'll see when I get there. My sister was most angered at the final scene, but I'll reserve final judgement until I see it myself.

Happy Thanksgiving, btw! *hugs*

[poetheather.livejournal.com]

The film is really good. It captures the feel of the show really well and is well worth seeing. It is an adaptation, as screen has different needs than stage but it is emotionally powerful and visually fitting.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know it has different needs... I'll have to see when I get there. :)

from sister

[naughtyinred.livejournal.com]

Howdy,

So, let it be said that I've been looking forward to this movie for about 6 months. I've performed many songs from Rent on stage, I have quotes from the show up in my cubicle, and I can sing the entire show verbatum. It's sad, really.

The acting: Great. Vocal Performances: Excellent... minus, well...
Rosario Dawson and Adam Pascal had the exact opposite problems. Rosario Dawson didn't have the vocal capacity to pull off the role of Mimi. I've seen 2 Mimis on B'Way and heard another in the soundtrack. RD lacks vocal character and conviction. She's a good actress and a hell of a dancer though. Adam Pascal's voice- character and conviction galore. Can't move comfortably on screen, and you can tell he doesn't act comfortably onstage.

Great to see the rest of the cast though. Anthony Rapp and Idina Menzel were spectacular, Martin and Heredia were excellent as Collins and Angel (of course), and Taye Diggs was, of course, a perfect ass hole as Benny. The new Joanne was excellent, very powerful voice and a great actress.

Before anyone tries to defend either Adam Pascal or Rosario Dawson to me, let me say this: I love Adam Pascal. Seriously adore him. I have both of his albums, and even noticed the "Mute" poster in their loft in the movie (the name of the band he was in that broke up right before he went to audition for Rent). I was outright disappointed with his acting.

Major beefs with various parts of the movie:
-Roger isn't playing the guitar during "Your Eyes," and that closeup of his face lasts FOREVER. Shitty cinematography.
-The songs You Okay Honey, We're Okay, Christmas Bells, Happy New Years A & B, all the tuneups and voicemails and Finale A are ALL taken out and/or spoken.
-The direction during 1,000 Sweet Kisses Reprise is just... boring. There were many, many ways it could have been better.
-The ending as a closeup of Angel- just wrong. Should have been of the whole group.
-Benny never comes back to the side of good at the end.
-They cut to the @#$%ing Cat Scratch club during Without You, what the hell was that about? This is the song that's supposed to make you cry, no naked ladies are necessary for this song.

Continuity errors too numerous to name. I'm going to drink more red wine and maybe I'll forget about it when I go to see the movie again. Yes, I'll see it again because maybe, just maybe, I'll have built up a tolerance to the bad direction and I'll just be able to enjoy the acting and singing this time.

[imperial-dragon.livejournal.com]

i really really hope it's good. film is the only was i can see it and i love the music so much! i can't believe it's out already over there! it doesn't get out over here to february.
i guess when i finally see it, i won't have anythign to compare it too, and i can't decide whether that's a good thing or not
hope you enjoy it when you see it!

[nyx-of-darkness.livejournal.com]

well i hope you have fun. andi hope it is good because two of my friends are planning on making me see it with them. *prays it is good*

[cool-tre-cool.livejournal.com]

That's why I don't like to see movies of books. They're making 'Eragon' into a movie, which is going to suck because I love that book, and they'll just 'Harry Potter' it up. Oh well. Nothing gold will last.

[jamesofur.livejournal.com]

Yes but Eragon is a new actor who is very very hot :)Chris Egan for Roran is cute to for that matter Angela (joss stone) is a cutie to so hey at least its eye candy and I always have to remember, the movies are different then the books they shouldnt be compared.... ... /me goes off to repeat that to himself

[cool-tre-cool.livejournal.com]

Doesn't stop us from doing it though. You have to admit... they always look better (or uglier or more whatever) in you imagination. Take Aragorn in LotR --totaly NOT hot, no matter what anyone says, but not the tall dark and handsome I was expecting. But hey, Viggo did a damn fine job of acting the part. It all depends really on how you view the person doing the acting. I respect Dan for his... "acting skills"... but he is SO not Harry.

[jamesofur.livejournal.com]

true true, but ok I SOOO don't respect dan for his acting skills.... well ok he cried well at the end of GoF but other then that

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Dan has never been "Harry" to me, except maybe at the very end of GoF. And by then, he looked more like Frodo. He just doesn't look like Harry to start it all off, and he's never quite nailed the character. *sigh* You'd think that for one of the biggest movies today, they'd be able to find a better-suited person for the role.

[cool-tre-cool.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he did look kinda like Frodo. Who, by the way, made me laugh more than impressed me. Elijah Wood was not the best person for that role... Okay, and his "acting skills" comment was trying to find a good point in Dan being Harry.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

*snickers* *laughs* *chokes*
*grins*

[jamesofur.livejournal.com]

hehe I don't tray anymore :(

[jamesofur.livejournal.com]

try try anymore thats what i meant *blush* *sigh*

On a different note

[sept19.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to let you know (belatedly ask your permission??) that I linked your fic, "Eclipse," on my LJ page as one of my faves! (not that, very obviously, you need the publicity, but it's just nice to recognize talent, you know?) It really is so good...

Also, I am new to the whole deal of LJ and journalling and all that jazz, but I have been a self-proclaimed lurker on your LJ for quite some time now. Did you ever find housing for your new job in Boston??

Re: On a different note

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Yes, I finally found the perfect place to live near Boston. I'll put up a post about it soon, I promise. :)

And of course you can link to my fic! It's a huge compliment! And it's not like I'm the most famous H/D writer out there by any means... there are the really well known ones like Cassie Claire, Aja, Maya, and Azhure. (Actually, Azhure is sitting right next to me right now, and I'm teasing her, but I've been a die-hard fan of her fic for ages, so nyeah!)

*huggles* And thanks for de-lurking! I'm really a pretty friendly person... I like people to talk to me!

???

[terresta.livejournal.com]

Ok, you have me worried now. A good friend saw it and was disappointed - she and I are both Rent-aholics and Harry Potter fanatics, so we have similar opinions often. I'm such a sap - I teared up the first time I saw the trailer, I was sooooo excited, particularly that they (appeared to) keep Seasons of Love as it was in the play. First time I saw the show I was in the front row sitting right in front of Roger. Ahhhh, the memories.

p.s. C'est ta cousine - je n'utlise pas mon nom dans ma blog... is blog masculine or feminine? I have no idea! Anyway, "hi" from another lurker.

Re: ???

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Actually, I finally got to see the movie myself, and it was really good overall. There were a couple of really stupid things, but I'd say between 90% and 95% of it was very good. Definitely worth seeing, but it's not quite as good as I'd hoped. Chris Columbus needs a new career, methinks, before he ruins any more movies.

Re: ???

[terresta.livejournal.com]

Lol, yeah I'd have to agree. The first HP was ok... I'm not a big fan of the second. It's just a rehash of scenes from the book. I' wasn't a huge fan of Bicentennial man or the Home Alone movies either. Although, I must give the man credit for Mrs. Doubfire - that was a great movie. Other than that, he's rather a wash.

[andy-star.livejournal.com]

Hi! Miss Saigon (http://www.fanfiction.net/~misssaigon) here, the one who's been drinking in your fanfic over the last couple of days. (Thanks awfully for that, by the way ;D) I like you already, what with you liking Biology, Harry Potter, RENT and Star Wars :D

I'm really scared about the RENT movie. It doesn't come out in Australia until 2nd March. The 3rd Harry Potter movie very nearly made me throw up, and I basically have this fear (http://www.livejournal.com/users/annundelothiel/137819.html?thread=1760091#t1760091) of movies based on other mediums. But I have the soundtrack and the music isn't too bad, except that they cut Christmas Bells.

Friending you! Hope you don't mind. :D