phyllida lloyd Tagged Articles at Cinematical
400 Screens, 400 Blows - Directionless Directors
Filed under: Columns », 400 Screens, 400 Blows »
400 Screens, 400 Blows is a weekly column that takes an in-depth look at the films playing below the radar, beneath the top ten, and on 400 screens or less.
Not long ago, newspapers began showing signs of trouble, which included the laying off of film critics. At around the same time, and probably not connected in any way, studios began increasingly to open movies in theaters without screening for the press, realizing that stupid Tyler Perry movies, or horror remakes, or what have you, would probably make money regardless of what the reviews said. These combined factors led to a series of editorials asking about the necessity of film critics. Thankfully, that discussion has died down, and we're still here. And I can add that I don't think The Dark Knight (375 screens) would have done such monster business without the enthusiastic approval of nearly every critic on the planet.
But what needs to be discussed now is the necessity of directors. If film criticism was viewed yesterday as a job that anyone could do (no knowledge of film or film history necessary!) then film directing today is viewed in much the same way. Take a look at the colossal mess that is Mamma Mia! (279 screens). Here's a film that cost $50 million, and it was entrusted to Phyllida Lloyd, who had no experience. From the looks of things, Lloyd probably decided that, as long as it looks like everyone is having fun, then it doesn't matter if things like tone, moods and pacing ever matches up. You can have self-conscious musical numbers one moment, then moody, emotional ones the next. You can have a knockout performance by Meryl Streep and a mixed one by Pierce Brosnan.
Colin Firth Joins 'Mamma Mia!'
Filed under: Comedy », Music & Musicals », Romance », Casting », Remakes and Sequels »
I love the music of ABBA more than any allegedly heterosexual male should. And I'm not just talking "Dancing Queen" here, I celebrate their entire catalog. I am not ashamed to tell you that I am pretty excited about the feature film adaptation of Mamma Mia!. And they're putting together an exceptional cast for this thing. We already reported that Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, and Pierce Brosnan would play the lead roles, and it was just announced that Colin Firth, the very funny Christine Baranski, and authentic Swede Stellan Skarsgard have joined the cast. You probably know Skarsgard from Good Will Hunting, you probably know Baranski from The Birdcage, and you probably know Firth from your girlfriend asking you to be more like him.I saw the show on Broadway and found it extremely dumb but a lot of fun. The story centers on a bride-to-be (Seyfreid), and her formerly slutty mom (Streep). Mom has never told the daughter who her father was, so the daughter invites three possible candidates to the wedding. Swedish-scored hijinks ensue. Firth, Skarsgard, and Brosnan will play the three potential dads, and Baranski will play "a plastic surgery-loving party girl in her 40's who is bossy and boozy." If you're looking to brush up on your ABBA before the movie hits theaters, the best place to start is with their greatest hits album, Gold -- it certainly lives up to its name. Go ahead and laugh, but if you're not drying your eyes by the final chorus of "Chiquitita," you're a stronger man than I. Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong! British theater director Phyllida Lloyd is directing Mamma Mia!, which is set for release on July 18th, 2008.
Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'
Shelf Life: Fight Club_thumbnail.jpg)
Watch: Famous 'Matrix' Scene Re-Created with LEGOs
Peter Jackson Says Spielberg's 'Tintin' is Done Filming, but...
Interracial Harmony: 'Ninja Assassin' vs. 'Blind Side'
_thumbnail.jpg)
