Phantom of the Opera the movie

[strandinthewind]

I saw it today. If you like Webber, which I know not all do :laugh: - you will LOVE the movie. Here is the website http://phantomthemovie.warnerbros.com/

I LOVE this soundtrack. I know it is melodramatic. But, I still love it.

Emmy Rossum, who plays Christine Daae - has a STUNNING voice and is just BEAUTIFUL to behold.

Patrick Wilson, who plays Viscount Raoul de Chagny (the love interest of Christine) does not have a per se bad voice - in fact, he does well with what he has. But, like Rossum, he is qually as beautiful to behold - AND the two of them together is eye candy and IMO great.

Sadly, Gerard Butler, who plays the Phantom, though nice looking, cannot sing IMO. Maybe others will like his voice though - the only good thing is he has power in it.

BUT - the scene stealer is Minne Driver as "Carlotta: the overwrought, overdone, tempestous, and transparent DIVA is without exception.

All in all a B to B+ in my book.

So, a must see for Phantom fans :cool:

[GypsySorcerer]

I saw it today. If you like Webber, which I know not all do :laugh: - you will LOVE the movie. Here is the website http://phantomthemovie.warnerbros.com/

I LOVE this soundtrack. I know it is melodramatic. But, I still love it.

Emmy Rossum, who plays Christine Daae - has a STUNNING voice and is just BEAUTIFUL to behold.

Patrick Wilson, who plays Viscount Raoul de Chagny (the love interest of Christine) does not have a per se bad voice - in fact, he does well with what he has. But, like Rossum, he is qually as beautiful to behold - AND the two of them together is eye candy and IMO great.

Sadly, Gerard Butler, who plays the Phantom, though nice looking, cannot sing IMO. Maybe others will like his voice though - the only good thing is he has power in it.

BUT - the scene stealer is Minne Driver as "Carlotta: the overwrought, overdone, tempestous, and transparent DIVA is without exception.

All in all a B to B+ in my book.

So, a must see for Phantom fans :cool:

I will probably see it. I think the Phantom is just a tad overrated, but I love the music. :nod:

[strandinthewind]

I will probably see it. I think the Phantom is just a tad overrated, but I love the music. :nod:

I do as well, at least the libretto is. BUT - that music gets to me everytime :nod: I had a snobby little friend lecture me on how Webber is for the masses, blah blah blah - well, he may be, but I think his music is BEAUTIFUL :cool:

[Johnny Stew]

Haven't seen the film yet, of course, but I have the soundtrack and I love it.

I've known every note of the original London cast recording for about 15-16 years now, so I was a little wary during my first listen of the film soundtrack. It's REALLY hard to not want to compare Rossum/Butler/Wilson to Brightman/Crawford/Burton, but it's an unfair comparison nonetheless.

All in involved... and I do believe they succeeded... wanted to retain the melodrama and grandeur of the broadway version, while making the vocal performances more nuanced and intimate for film.

In my opinion, Gerard Butler's singing has been unfairly criticized, considering that Webber and Schumacher purposely wanted someone with a raw, "rock & roll" kind of edge to their voice.
They wanted the animalistic passion and obsession of the Phantom to contrast with the sophistication self-possession of Raoul, in an even more acute way than came across in the stage productions.

So while his voice doesn't match the technical level of Rossum and Wilson's, it wasn't meant to. They wanted it to have "grit" and imperfections. :)

Carlotta is a great, over-the-top character... I bet every lady who's had the opportunity to portray her, has had a blast doing so.

I can't wait to see the film!!! :D :D :D

[Johnny Stew]

I do as well, at least the libretto is. BUT - that music gets to me everytime :nod: I had a snobby little friend lecture me on how Webber is for the masses, blah blah blah - well, he may be, but I think his music is BEAUTIFUL :cool:

His music can be enjoyed by the masses... that's certainly evident. Though I've never understood why that's considered a bad thing.
Pandering is never good, of course, but I don't feel his compositions are mere toss-offs.

Plus, he usually works with brilliant lyricists... most notably, for me, Tim Rice and Jim Steinman... and, being that I'm a lyrics-man, I'm always satisfied.

[GateandGarden]

In my opinion, Gerard Butler's singing has been unfairly criticized, considering that Webber and Schumacher purposely wanted someone with a raw, "rock & roll" kind of edge to their voice.
They wanted the animalistic passion and obsession of the Phantom to contrast with the sophistication self-possession of Raoul, in an even more acute way than came across in the stage productions.
I can see where they were coming from with that, but I suppose I'm such a traditionalist that I want someone who's more like Michael Crawford. (I haven't seen it yet; I'm just assuming that the guy doesn't sound like Michael Crawford). It's not that I'm a huge Michael Crawford fan--I just really love the way he did those songs.

I'm a huge fan of this musical, but I am much more of a Sondheim fan than a Webber fan. Sondheim's lyrics are far more clever and unique, IMO.

[dissention]

I was reading an article in Variety the other day that talked about how this movie will go down as one of the biggest flops. Webber put a lot of his own money into it and he'll never see any of it back unless it does phenomenal overseas, which I doubt will happen.

And I? Love Emmy Rossum. She's a star.

[Johnny Stew]

I can see where they were coming from with that, but I suppose I'm such a traditionalist that I want someone who's more like Michael Crawford. (I haven't seen it yet; I'm just assuming that the guy doesn't sound like Michael Crawford). It's not that I'm a huge Michael Crawford fan--I just really love the way he did those songs.

I'm a huge fan of this musical, but I am much more of a Sondheim fan than a Webber fan. Sondheim's lyrics are far more clever and unique, IMO.

Make me choose, and I'd pick Sondheim... but ALW writes beautiful melodies, and surrounds himself with great lyricists too... so I'm quite fond of him as well.

You know, I'm not a Michael Crawford fan, per se, but I've enjoyed a lot of his work. At other times I've thought someone else could have sung the song or played the part better.

Interestingly enough, many of the subsequent stage Phantoms were closer to Butler in their vocals, but Crawford's the one everyone remembers of course. :)

[Johnny Stew]

I was reading an article in Variety the other day that talked about how this movie will go down as one of the biggest flops. Webber put a lot of his own money into it and he'll never see any of it back unless it does phenomenal overseas, which I doubt will happen.

It's only been showing in 622 theatres since Christmas weekend, and it's already grossed over 16 million. It doesn't open nationwide until January 21st.
I think it's doing respectably for limited showings... but it was an extremely expensive movie to make (I heard around 80-90 million dollars), so I imagine it will take YEARS before it shows a profit.
Most likely through DVD and overseas sales.

Also, I believe 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Chicago' and 'Evita' all made under 30 million during their theatrical runs, so it seems 'PotO' is doing decent numbers, all things considered.

The stage show has grossed 3.2 BILLION dollars though, so I don't think ALW will be hurting much either way! :laugh:

[strandinthewind]

It's only been showing in 622 theatres since Christmas weekend, and it's already grossed over 16 million. It doesn't open nationwide until January 21st.
I think it's doing respectably for limited showings... but it was an extremely expensive movie to make (I heard around 80-90 million dollars), so I imagine it will take YEARS before it shows a profit.
Most likely through DVD and overseas sales.

Also, I believe 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Chicago' and 'Evita' all made under 30 million during their theatrical runs, so it seems 'PotO' is doing decent numbers, all things considered.

The stage show has grossed 3.2 BILLION dollars though, so I don't think ALW will be hurting much either way! :laugh:

YEs - poor Andrew :laugh: :rolleyes: Patti "Coulda, Should, Woulda" ( :laugh: ) gotten more!!!!!!!!

ALSO - the staging and the cinematography are Academy Award worthy - think Moulin Rouge only perhaps more a little less fantasy - though that elemant certainly if there. They were VERY true to the stage production in this regard.

I just loved it.

Also, yes, Gerard Butler's singing was not that great. It reminded me os Sebastian Bach as Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar (the touring one a few years ago) - only not NEARLY as bad as that.

But, he sufficed I guess - and he positively GLOWED sex in the Don Juan scene - my friend was fanning herself :laugh:

[Johnny Stew]

It reminded me os Sebastian Bach as Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar (the touring one a few years ago) - only not NEARLY as bad as that.

Eek! I never heard Sebastian in 'JCS'... scary thought.

They should have just had him play Judas though... they never seem to find a Judas whose voice appeals to me. The lines are supposed to be sung in a highly-charged and anguished way, but the various Judases usually just end up sounding like someone ripped off their testicles (sorry diss and Ryan!!!) and pushed them out on stage.

[strandinthewind]

Eek! I never heard Sebastian in 'JCS'... scary thought.

They should have just had him play Judas though... they never seem to find a Judas whose voice appeals to me. The lines are supposed to be sung in a highly-charged and anguished way, but the various Judases usually just end up sounding like someone ripped off their testicles (sorry diss and Ryan!!!) and pushed them out on stage.

he hauled out essentially in a diaper for the crucifixtion scene as well :eek:

JUST NOT PRETTY IN THE SLIGHTEST AND IN ALL WAYS :laugh:

[dissention]

It's only been showing in 622 theatres since Christmas weekend, and it's already grossed over 16 million. It doesn't open nationwide until January 21st.

I think it's doing respectably for limited showings... but it was an extremely expensive movie to make (I heard around 80-90 million dollars), so I imagine it will take YEARS before it shows a profit.
Most likely through DVD and overseas sales.

Surely you won't argue with Variety, Le Stew. ;) :laugh:

Making less than $5 million last weekend in almost 650 theaters is horrid, especially for such a highly promoted film that's only been in release for a couple of weeks. As a general rule, films that are in limited release do remarkably well, usually when it comes to per-theater tallies. So, high per-screen/theater tallies mean zip. And the audience just isn't there for it to do well overseas, they aren't even really putting any money into promoting it around the world. I'm sure DVD sales will be fine, though.

Also, I believe 'Moulin Rouge,' 'Chicago' and 'Evita' all made under 30 million during their theatrical runs, so it seems 'PotO' is doing decent numbers, all things considered.

Moulin Rouge made $60 in the US and was a bigger hit abroad, grossing almost $150 million.
Chicago made almost $200 million in the US, but they had a phenomenal promotion campaign.
Evita made around $50 million in the US and, like Mel Gibson's Ransom, Disney claims not to have made a profit off of it. :rolleyes:

I know, I'm anal. :laugh:

[DeadliestPoison]

Ugh. My sister went and saw this a bit after Christmas? Yeah, she's obsessed with it now. She went out and bought the soundtrack, she plays it in her car, it's all she talked about for a good 3 days. :rolleyes:

She's always all, "Omigod it was sooo good I wanna see it again do you wanna go with me?!?!?!?1!?!/1?!" And I'm just like "-_-. Go away, Sara."

My sister annoys me. The end.

[strandinthewind]

Ugh. My sister went and saw this a bit after Christmas? Yeah, she's obsessed with it now. She went out and bought the soundtrack, she plays it in her car, it's all she talked about for a good 3 days. :rolleyes:

well, have a sing a long :laugh: :laugh:

[ryan8472]

I so want to see this movie. Sounds like a goodie :nod: :woohoo:

[DeadliestPoison]

I so want to see this movie. Sounds like a goodie :nod: :woohoo:
See, I did, too? It all looked shiiiny and pretty and everything?

And then my sister became obsessed. And that killed everything. :laugh:

[ryan8472]

See, I did, too? It all looked shiiiny and pretty and everything?

And then my sister became obsessed. And that killed everything. :laugh:
That usually will. Anything my sister likes, I am obligated to dislike. But my sister is 13 and likes Linkin Park, so I can hate it anyways.

[DeadliestPoison]

That usually will. Anything my sister likes, I am obligated to dislike. But my sister is 13 and likes Linkin Park, so I can hate it anyways.
Hee. Well, my sister's 18 and a crazy lesbian. :laugh: With a dyspeptic attitude to match. Ask Riss or Merf. They know. They? Know. :wavey: She's a scrappy little thing. :rolleyes:

[Johnny Stew]

Moulin Rouge made $60 in the US and was a bigger hit abroad, grossing almost $150 million.
Chicago made almost $200 million in the US, but they had a phenomenal promotion campaign.
Evita made around $50 million in the US and, like Mel Gibson's Ransom, Disney claims not to have made a profit off of it. :rolleyes:

I know, I'm anal. :laugh:

*hehehe* It's cool though.
I wonder where the figures I saw came from. They were supposedly a week-by-week tally of what each of those pictures took in during their theatrical runs. At the ends of their theatrical runs, none of them had made more than $28 million in the theatres, according to what I was looking at.
VERY big discrepancy!

I guess 'Phantom's' numbers are pretty bad then. Bummer. :distress:
Ah well... it's not like it'll ruin the chances for a sequel or something! :laugh: And as long as I can have that puppy in my greedy little hands to watch whenever I want, I'll be a happy camper.

Ok, after that nasty coughing jag (my chest HURTS like crazy now :mad: ), I better hightail it offline, take some Nyquil (the monkey on my back ;) ), and slip into bed.

Night all! :wavey:

[ontheEdgeof17]

It looks like a good date movie.....Now, if I could find a date....

[strandinthewind]

It looks like a good date movie.....Now, if I could find a date....

Look directly aboive your post :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[ontheEdgeof17]

Look directly aboive your post :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:


I don't wanna catch what he's got.... :distress:


Sorry Stew. You gotta sit this one out.

[strandinthewind]

I don't wanna catch what he's got.... :distress:


Sorry Stew. You gotta sit this one out.

Well, Stew would have to have a private box and the only one vacant is Box 5 :cool: :cool: :wavey: