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Phantom of the Opera - The movie

Posted on 12/29/2004 5:15:48 AM PST by djf

I am curious if any Freepers have seen the Phantom in movie form. For those of us who are old enough, it seems impossible that anyone could match Crawford and Brightman and the London Symphony.

Having read the play, I can only say that the opera surpasses it by far. And Webber, no matter what his politics are, is an extraordinary genius.


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: andrewlloydwebber; opera; soprano
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To: DoctorMichael

I also saw it on Broadway. It was an amazing experience. I am waiting for the movie to arrive.

Here is a link to the film's web site. It is nicely done. http://phantomthemovie.warnerbros.com/

And here is the link to the trailers.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thephantomoftheopera/trailer/


21 posted on 12/29/2004 6:20:15 AM PST by Unknown Freeper
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To: Sam's Army

Why don't they make a remake of the remake.


22 posted on 12/29/2004 6:22:39 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Pray for the millions of lives disrupted by tsunami.)
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To: pioneerstakethearrows

I love Sarah Brightman--because she's so cute and seems to like men (naturally I love women who like men); however, Sarah needs a few more practice sessions if she's going to upstage Cecilia Bartoli.


23 posted on 12/29/2004 6:28:58 AM PST by Savage Beast (This is the choice: confrontation or capitulation. Appeasement is capitulation.)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

That's actually in the works. Look for a new version of "Cape Fear" in 2008. And, with the mediocre showing of "Fat Albert" recently, look for them to get an honest-to-goodness fat guy to play the role (as opposed to someone in a
"fatsuit")and do a re-launch next Christmas (oops, I meant Holiday Season--sorry if I offended anyone, the re-education hasn't set in yet)


24 posted on 12/29/2004 6:31:30 AM PST by Sam's Army (No witty taglines currently come to mind)
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To: djf

You need to remember one thing...many "critics" hate ALW and his productions. They'd have done anything to give Phantom a bad review. I've seen it on stage three times, love the music, and always find something I missed the last time. Will catch the movie soon.


25 posted on 12/29/2004 6:35:04 AM PST by semieverything
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To: djf

Saw two stage productions and really liked the movie. My only disappointment was "Masquerade." The costumes were dull, almost all black and white and did not come remotely close to the stage production.


26 posted on 12/29/2004 6:38:45 AM PST by Toespi
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To: Sam's Army

Cape Fear is past do for it's third round as is Miracle on 34th Street.

When are they going to quit casting girly boys like Leo DeCrappio in manly roles. He should play James Dean of Rock Hudson.


27 posted on 12/29/2004 6:39:26 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Pray for the millions of lives disrupted by tsunami.)
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To: djf
I've seen the play in NY and Cincinnati and loved the music from the start. Used to have nearly the whole production memorized. Read the book and between it and the play (which follows the book fairly closly) realize just how hoibble Hollywood butchers original stories. I saw the version filmed in the 1940's with Claude Raines - they completely changed the story. the psychology of the Phantom's mentaility is changed. In the book and play he is born with the dissfigurement. In the 1940s version he get splashed with acid. The whole point of a life filled with torment is missing - horrible alteration.

The last three Christmas days my wife, son and I have seen the three installments of The Lord of the Rings, so this year we decided to see the Phantom. It was great. The music was wonderful and the extra scene at the end was good. My son and I discussed an obvious omission in the last scene but I won't mention it for fear of spoiling the experience. I think if you see it, you will catch on.
28 posted on 12/29/2004 6:46:48 AM PST by tang-soo (Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks - Read Daniel Chapter 9)
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To: Sam's Army

Are they ever going to make another Raiders of The Lost Ark?

Ford is not getting any younger and his last several movies have been terrible.


29 posted on 12/29/2004 6:49:41 AM PST by WestCoastGal ("If you can't run with the big dogs, you'd better go sit on the porch." (Daytona 53 days);-)
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To: WestCoastGal
Interestingly enough yes, there will be a re-make of the "Raiders of the Lost Ark", but only the first one. Speilberg has long thought that the portrayal of Nazi's in the first one just wasn't good enough. And, with today's political climate, this one will be set more modern day, with Neo-con's taking the role of "bad guy".

There's an open call for Karl Rove look-a-likes this coming March for auditions.

30 posted on 12/29/2004 6:55:01 AM PST by Sam's Army (No witty taglines currently come to mind)
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To: djf
Both the wife and I saw the movie on Sunday in Harrisburg, PA.
I might add that we have also seen the stage production in NYC.

My take on the movie is that the music, staging, cinematography, and Emmy Rossum’s Christine were fantastic! I was even more impressed when I found out that Ms. Rossum is only 19 years old.

However, I thought that Joel Schumacher could have done much better with the casting of both the Phantom and Raoul. I was not all that impressed with either Gerard Butler or Patrick Wilson’s performance.

Gerard Butler, in my opinion, cannot sing. In fact, I would go as far as to say that he couldn’t hold a note if it had a handle attached.

And Patrick Wilson must have taken acting lessons from Pee Wee Herman, because his portrayal of Raoul was one of the wimpiest I have ever seen. On a brighter note, at least he can sing.

31 posted on 12/29/2004 6:58:25 AM PST by cuz_it_aint_their_money (Now that I've made it onto Taglinus FreeRepublicus, guess I've got to come up with a new tagline!)
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To: djf
Having performed in "Phantom" in Europe, I won't waste my money. Although given a 13 month contract by the producers, I exercised my option to leave after 4 months as I had grown to hate performing in this grotesque and cynically contrived piece.

Lloyd Webber was rightfully sued by the Giacomo Puccini estate for plagiarizing Puccini's "La fanciulla del West" for the theme of "All I Ask Of You". He settled out of court. Although I was not privy to the details of the settlement, scuttlebutt among long-time cast members was that the Puccini Estate receives a small percentage of the profits of "Phantom" worldwide. As Billy Crystal opines in the movie "Forget Paris", the big song in "Phantom" (i.e.,The Music Of The Night) is "School Days" ("School Days, School Days; Dear, old Golden Rule days...).

Personally, I am convinced that the success of "Phantom" has more to do with a lot of smoke on stage, candles coming out of the stage floor and the robotic boat in which the Phantom plies the supposed underground lake, than with the music, most of which is poorly written from a technical standpoint, and almost all derivative from Lloyd Webber's betters. Certainly, Handel and Bach lifted bits of melody from other composers, but they then turned those themes into glorious masterpieces. Conversely, Lloyd Webber appropriates glorious themes from other composers and turns them into pop mush.

There is no way that Joel Schumacher can take a poor work like "Phantom" and make it into something worth seeing and hearing.

Modern musicals are produced by such sickening no-talents that Lloyd Webber can seem like Richard Rodgers in comparison. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

32 posted on 12/29/2004 7:31:39 AM PST by Dr. Thorne
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To: djf; ride the whirlwind

Hey, ride..thanks for ping.. Movie lover & addict that I am, must put in my 4 or 5 cents.

I saw stage plays 4 times. twice in Toronto & twice in Cleveland. They were remarkable & I enjoyed them.

I thought the movie was excellent and I agree with someone's comments on going to a theater that has the top quality sound.

our theater was packed with people of all ages It was a Cinemark with the largest seating venue & had DLP & digital sound that was awesome. The whole audience broke out into applause at the end.

There is a magic and charm in live theater.. there is another magic & charm in movies.

There is an artistic enlargement in the movie & I think it was great. Things can be done in movies that you cannot do in theater.

To always compare something to something else & not let it just be what it is as entertainment , can really rob one of much that any movie (or play or concert) has to offer.

Somehow Minnie Driver having someone else's voice rubbed me the wrong way.. not sure why she had the role (which she acted well.) It is just that there are so many super talented actresses WHO CAN SING also. just thought it strage. (is she sleeping with one of the producers?)


33 posted on 12/29/2004 3:59:42 PM PST by DollyCali (ChristMAS - there is really "MAS" in Christ.)
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To: Dr. Thorne
You know dr t, everyone's perspective is different. You are obviously a professional with much more discernment. (I am saying this in a respectful and understanding way) most of us are "end users" with varying levels of tolerance for what is presented.

for you it would be a waste of money... for me it was delightful. Neither of us is wrong. We are just different. Lots of people loved the movie.. lots will dislike it.

I try to find the silver linings in the movie selections I chose. I do go to a lot of movies..

I was years ago a professional dancer & so I am a bit like you when it comes to ballet & dance presentations in general.

But, ah with movies.. they permit me to run away from the mundane of life, the problems of life & the anxiety and for awhile go to lands of make believe.

I appreciate your comments, although they are surely much different than mine

34 posted on 12/29/2004 4:07:57 PM PST by DollyCali (ChristMAS - there is really "MAS" in Christ.)
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To: BernardSumner

Heh. New Order fan?


35 posted on 12/29/2004 4:23:49 PM PST by segis
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Comment #36 Removed by Moderator

To: didi

I'm a big fan of the stage production and found the movie to be slightly disappointing. I enjoyed a majority of it... the cinematography was great, there were some added scenes that explained more of the story, etc, but the voice of the phantom was the biggest problem. The phantom was suppose to be Christine's TEACHER! You'd think they'd get an actor who could sing, for crying out loud! On a scale of 1 to 10 it was a 5 for me.


37 posted on 12/31/2004 8:55:33 AM PST by Softballmom
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To: Sam's Army
... look for them to get an honest-to-goodness fat guy to play the role (as opposed to someone in a "fatsuit")

Don't you *hate* that? To me, it's just a modern version of "blackface" - you know, we want to see a black character, but "those people" shouldn't be allowed on stage, so we dress white actors up as black people instead. It's *grossly* insulting. Just get a fat actor or actress, for crying out loud.

38 posted on 01/01/2005 12:32:36 PM PST by valkyrieanne (card-carrying South Park Republican)
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To: djf

The only thing the film has going for it IMO is Minnie Driver. I am in love with that woman. However, my ardor is not strong enough to sit through a musical that I HATED when I saw it on Broadway.


39 posted on 01/01/2005 12:34:02 PM PST by Clemenza (President: Liger Breeders of the Pacific Northwest)
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To: valkyrieanne

Wow. Hadn't quite thought of it that way, but you are spot-on.


40 posted on 01/01/2005 1:59:33 PM PST by Sam's Army (No witty taglines currently come to mind)
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