Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray]
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer HudsonDirector: Bill Condon
Studio: DreamWorks
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Running Time: 130 minutes
DVD Release: May 1st 2007
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DVD Review
Director Bill Condon brings Tom Eyen's Tony award-winning Broadway musical to the big screen in a tale of dreams, stardom, and the high cost of success in the cutthroat recording industry. The time is the 1960s, and singers Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are about to find out just what it's like to have their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), the trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Subsequently molded into an unstoppable hit machine by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls quickly find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship as Taylor edges out the ultra-talented Effie so that the more beautiful Deena can become the face of the group. Now, as the crossover act continues to dominate the airwaves, the small-town girls with big-city dreams slowly begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated.
User Reviews
Eh...it was ok... - Rating: 3/5
I was rather disappointed upon watching this movie.
I merely gave it 3 stars for the singing, which was wonderful! Beyonce and Jennifer were spectacular. However, I don't think that the movie lived up to all of the hype that was made over it. Through the movie I tried to get into it, but I just never could... the movie just seemed to be very boring.
Ouch - Rating: 2/5
So I decided since eveything was in such a hype of dreamgirls I would watch it.
Bad idea. Has anyone ever seen movies like Cabaret or hell even Sound of Music?
That is how you do a musical, not some horrible cheesefest of actors. I don't know about anyone else, but I am really tired of Jamie Foxx and his horrible attitude towards almost anything. By the time this movie started to get an interesting plot it was almost over, and the music wasn't even that catchy at all.
It was annoying after awhile, actually. I enjoyed this movie when they weren't singing, but it was just painful when they were.
Also it was extremely perdictable. I knew what was going to happen before it did, which makes it boring to watch.
The only reason it is getting any stars at all is because of Eddie Murphy and when they weren't singing.
A Great Performance By The Cast In A Realistic Musical Drama, 28 Sep 2007 - Rating: 4/5
Plot:
In '60s Detroit, entrepreneur Curtis Taylor Jr. (Foxx) moulds teen girl group The Dreamettes (Knowles, Hudson, Anika Noni Rose) into superstars of his recording empire. Nevertheless, their dreams come at high personal cost, and creative compromise has tragic consequences.
My Review:
Another Beyonce' movie? Is what you may be hearing as the last film she stared in was The Fighting Temptations; which lacked in-depth emotional drama but exceptional musical satire and good selection of choice from the lyricists.
Lust, exploitation, passion, betrayal, money, excess and great tunes, these are some of the things that really to accentuate and highlight this '60s set period musical drama. With a multitude of similarities of The Supremes are coincidental, in this the long-awaited screen adaptation of Michael Bennett's groundbreaking '80s Broadway phenomenon is brought to life. Maybe seeming like another singer-career driven performer trying to find her ability in the acting business; may seem mundane, however, this does really standout.
This is not just a dazzling black musical; it's the 'Chicago' of the African American montages that have shaped the music industry. Not the classic rags-to-riches showbiz fairy tale. It is a more sophisticated order, more of a morality play in which the characters sell their souls for success.
The original Dreamettes -- are known as Beyoncé Knowles the pretty and acquiescent Deena; Anika Noni Rose the sugary, easily led Lorrell; and Jennifer Hudson as Effie, the big, gospel-belting lead singer -- and Effie's talented song writing brother C. C. (Keith Robinson) are headways to his talent. Hudson, who happens to be a one-time American Idol contestant whose angered expulsion sparked controversy from outraged fans, is having the saccharine soaked revenge with a sensational performance in the role of a lifetime. A long and hard applaud for Eddie Murphy should be given, re-invigorating his career with a sweltering exhibition of his un-shown talents. As the man on the slide, strident, raunchy Jimmy "Thunder" Early.
Knowles is given the main focus as well as the other leading cast; she is gorgeous but overshadowed by Hudson, which is what this piece is trying to demonstrate. Her Deena is groomed for stardom precisely because her voice is unfettering but not unique. It is her feminine charisma and the ability to be what others want her to be, hence the archetypal dream-girl being the true meaning to be on the stage. In due course, she belatedly takes a good look at herself, wonders whom she really is. It is from then, her pursuit of self-discovery comes into growth. Viva la diva! Indeed. With an embodiment of the raw animal magnetism and frustration of the great R&B singers who would try and pass as polished, of every artist who can't be anything original but themselves.
With a series of clever montages are achieved with candour us effect, good example being the stunning cutting between Effie's rich, earthy comeback attempt, One Night Only, to its purposely cruel capture by Deena, the competitions' manifestation of who is really jealous. Who can cut it in this business? Who will be crushed?
Verdict:
Very much a timeless, tunefully brilliant fable of glory, voracity, heartbreak and occasionally, the triumph of success & survival. A musical as good as Chicago, with a more cultural side and the similar comparisons of passion and betrayal, all evident in the business' then and now. 8/10
a SHOWSTOPPING SCANDAL! - Rating: 4/5
really loved the music story good too. the HD transfer 3 out of 5.
the extras really good too.
Dream Girls in HD - Rating: 5/5
I saw the movie in the theatre, but the HD DVD was astounding, especially with surround sound. If you can't get enough singing and dancing in a movie, this one is for you! The background information with the package makes it a great value.
