3,428 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jul 21, 2018 8:03:13 GMT
Sub-editor for the Sun would be fine, but I'd need my own lawyers to act for me (probably).
(No excuse for errant parenting; kids need good role models. These weren't it. I guess you needed to be there.)
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160 posts
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Post by stageyqueen on Jul 21, 2018 8:31:26 GMT
If children don't understand the idea of a beating vagina*, it'll wash over them and be gone entirely by the end of the film. If they do, then it's FAR too late to start worrying about their innocence. *I don't think the word needs to be censored, it's the proper name for a body part possessed by a great many people.  Oh for god sake, I can not believe people get so worked up and offended by the words "Beating Vagina" and as for offending the kids - my god, they use a darn sight wose than that these days!! Get a life and enjoy the bloody film which was simply fantastic and a great feel good movie. |
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910 posts
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Post by karloscar on Jul 21, 2018 10:57:21 GMT
Quite a few MDs would benefit from a cattle prod now and again. And it's pretty impossible to hear what other singers are doing when your own voice is playing louder than anything else in your head, so he should shut up as well and concentrate on waving his wand.
(Are there any female MDs in the Westend? Never seen one yet.)
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Post by danb on Jul 21, 2018 11:13:41 GMT
Quite a few MDs would benefit from a cattle prod now and again. And it's pretty impossible to hear what other singers are doing when your own voice is playing louder than anything else in your head, so he should shut up as well and concentrate on waving his wand. (Are there any female MDs in the Westend? Never seen one yet.) Kate Young MD’d lots of ALW plus others shows in the 90’s & noughties. |
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2,384 posts
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Post by theatreian on Jul 21, 2018 16:37:03 GMT
More info on the American box office figures for this:
Universal's star-studded sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again sang loudly at the Friday box office, grossing $14.3 million for a projected domestic bow of $39 million.
The female-fueled musical will have no trouble winning the weekend, although Sony's R-rated action pic The Equalizer 2, starring Denzel Washington, is no slouch. Equalizer 2 followed at No. 2 on Friday with $13.6 million for an estimated U.S. opening of $33 million.
Mamma Mia 2 is one of the few 2018 summer event films targeting females, who made up more than 80 percent of Friday's (July 20) audience, according to comScore. The sequel, based on the music of ABBA, is pacing 40 percent ahead of the first Mamma Mia!, which debuted to $27.7 million exactly 10 years ago.
Many of the A-list stars who appeared in the 2008 movie reprise their roles in the sequel (in some fashion, at least), including Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgard, while newcomers include Lily James and, in the biggest get, Cher, also appear.
Mamma Mia 2 nabbed an A- CinemaScore, the same grade assigned to Mamma Mia!
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Post by dontdreamit on Jul 21, 2018 16:55:45 GMT
We saw this today. Good fun, not quite as good a film as the first but a good afternoon out. I thought it dragged quite a bit in the middle of the film though. Highlight for me to my surprise was Cher- great cameo performance I thought. Young dream came with us. They usually rate things as ok, good or amazing- and they said this was amazing- that’s a much of a review as the 10 year old can manage! Although they did ask when the dvd is out so I suspect repeat viewings are in my future at some point...
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677 posts
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Post by westendcub on Jul 21, 2018 17:48:49 GMT
Wow this was really wonderful, it was camp, funny and very poignant.
Loved all the new songs along with reprises from these original and I think the two timelines interwove well and worked.
Many tears shed, started for me when the storm hit the island, so good i’m Going again tomorrow!!
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3,565 posts
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Post by showgirl on Jul 22, 2018 4:45:03 GMT
This was pleasant enough when I saw it yesterday at quite a busy screening but - and naming no names or people will berate me for personal comments - I was both shocked and distracted by how fake a couple of cast members looked. I know the two in question work in an industry where appearance (and age in particular) is critical, so no wonder they seem to have had "work done", but it was particularly noticeable when one of them was alongside Julie Walters, who looked relatively natural, wrinkles and all.
Some of the singing was far better than I'd expected (though much worse in one case; amazingly poor in fact) and I agree that the younger and older versions of the 3 men and woman were very well-matched.
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Post by isabel on Jul 22, 2018 13:24:35 GMT
Watching the original Mamma Mia on ITV. So much better imo.
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Post by rooby on Jul 22, 2018 18:00:55 GMT
I went with my mum who was an ABBA superman back in the day. We both loved every minute. I didn’t know all the songs but it didnt matter, I loved them anyway. I had tears in my eyes for most of the film and blubbed at the end. We both loved Cher and were glad Meryl was there too. All the cast were brilliant, I love Lily James in everything she’s in and it was a perfect afternoon of escapism. 😊 came home and downloaded the soundtrack. 👍
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2,302 posts
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Post by Tibidabo on Jul 23, 2018 9:56:59 GMT
We saw this over the weekend at the Barbican which, laydeez and gentlemen, houses neither a popcorn machine nor a hot dog stall. *Pauses to wipe smug grin off face.* Unbelievably, the cinema was barely a quarter occupied. Some random thoughts - enough has been said of the plot and, to be honest, I already knew more than I would have liked. Firstly the costumes were to die for. The fabric prints used for the dresses, long palazzo pants and even an old throw on the bed on Bill's boat were absolutely gorgeous and if any oscars are given out for this film costumes should be first on the list. The first two thirds of the film are really the Lily James show and, honestly, I could have done with less of her. That said, she was well cast and did a good enough job. Even though I truly loved everyone in it, the younger version boys probably pipped the younger version girls at their roles. In retrospect this is probably because Christine and Dame Julie ARE Mamma Mia and I honestly believe that without them the whole thing wouldn't be the phenomenon it is. So, a hard act to follow for the two young actresses, though don't get me wrong, they were very good. I don't agree with the dislike of Dominic Cooper on here. He was fine. In this film, unlike the original, the ones who can't sing don't. Lily James and Amanda Seyfried do the bulk of the solo singing. Pierce Brosnan sings about 4 lines before, mercifully, Sophie takes over. Dominic Cooper is the only one who is given a whole number. In the first film the only ones who can actually sing are Christine and Amanda so he doesn't seem so bad. Well, I liked him. So there! Cher was, indeed, fantastic, though I don't agree that her cameo stole the show. That honour in my book goes to Omid Djalili, who has a Rowan Atkinson 4 Weddings vicar type of recurring role as the customs officer and is absolutely spot-on perfect. If you wait until the credits stop rolling you are in for a mini Omid treat too. I did have one problem with the whole Cher thing. Whilst everyone else sounded like they were singing into their hairbrush in the garden, when she opened her mouth it felt like we'd been transported to The Royal Albert Hall, such were the different production values. Indeed, we were discussing this during the credits at the end when, lo and behold, 'Music producer for Miss Cher' popped up. However, she was brilliant in the role and I hope she gets a new contract banning those fierce patio heaters if she comes back for number 3 in 10 years' time, when the final 20% of her is likely to be plastic....... Meryl isn't in it. 3 minutes. That's it. I have no idea why she is right in the middle of those giant posters along the entire platforms on the Underground. This wasn't quite as feel-good as the original. It felt a touch sadder and more poignant. However, it was easily as enjoyable and was well plotted. I loved the bit at the end where everyone doubled up with the younger/older version of themselves. Also, I had to stop myself clapping after a couple of the big numbers, almost forgetting I was in a cinema. However, there was applause throughout the cinema at the end. If you liked the first one I cannot see how you wouldn't like this. If you haven't seen the first one you wouldn't have a clue what's going on. Oh, and I walked past a very happy looking Hugh Dennis on the Barbican terrace. |
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Post by david on Jul 23, 2018 10:59:03 GMT
Talking about those fantastic costumes, is it me or did Christine B and Julie W’s outfits for Angel Eyes give a nice nod to the ABBA clothes worn in the 1979 Wembley stadium concert?
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4,155 posts
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Post by kathryn on Jul 23, 2018 11:03:14 GMT
I don't agree with the dislike of Dominic Cooper on here. He was fine. In this film, unlike the original, the ones who can't sing don't. Lily James and Amanda Seyfried do the bulk of the solo singing. Pierce Brosnan sings about 4 lines before, mercifully, Sophie takes over. Dominic Cooper is the only one who is given a whole number. In the first film the only ones who can actually sing are Christine and Amanda so he doesn't seem so bad. Well, I liked him. So there! I have a theory about the singing. On the whole the women sound fabulous and it's the blokes who struggle to carry the tunes. I reckon you could convincingly argue that it's because the film is told from the women's point of view, with the men fitting into the women's narrative and having to follow - awkwardly - their form of storytelling. In both MM and MMHWGA it is the female perspective that is centralized, and the men end up going along with exactly what the women want. I'm sure someone out there could work this up into a full-on thesis, analysing the Mamma Mia! films from a feminist perspective. But I can't be arsed, so I'll leave it at that. Best line in the film: 'It's called karma and it's pronounced: Ha!' |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2018 11:22:16 GMT
I just think that it's because the original songs were written (on the whole) for two women (and OH what voices). The songs can sound fine when sung by other women, they invariably don't work when sung by men.
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4,155 posts
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Post by kathryn on Jul 23, 2018 12:14:00 GMT
I just think that it's because the original songs were written (on the whole) for two women (and OH what voices). The songs can sound fine when sung by other women, they invariably don't work when sung by men. Well, yes, but where's the fun in that? |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2018 12:53:18 GMT
I just think that it's because the original songs were written (on the whole) for two women (and OH what voices). The songs can sound fine when sung by other women, they invariably don't work when sung by men. Or even more so because they cast men who just can't really sing? If you don't have any natural vocal ability then no amount of autotuning will really help. That said, Brosnan generally isn't half as bad in this because he only has to sing two lines at a time! Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Lily James are naturally decent singers, Julie Walters knows she can't really sing so plays the comedy role and Cher's vocal pedigree speaks for itself. It's a matter of casting more than anything else, but because the female roles are the ones which are the focus and therefore require more singing, it works overall. |
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Post by Tibidabo on Jul 23, 2018 13:02:40 GMT
I remember an interview with Dominic Cooper back when Mamma Mia came out. He said that when he met Amanda Seyfried they both did the "No, I really cannot sing!" thing, as had many of the cast. He felt a little relieved as he knew he'd be duetting with her. He then went on to say that the moment she opened her mouth and this beautiful sound came out he knew he was done for.
Honestly, the singing in the first film was awful - I remember driving home with the friend I'd seen it with, who insisted on playing the soundtrack she'd already purchased in the car and wondering why on earth anyone would listen to it and not the original versions. It's funny when you're looking at them camping it up, but not when you can't see it.
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1,970 posts
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Post by sf on Jul 23, 2018 14:30:47 GMT
Honestly, the singing in the first film was awful - I remember driving home with the friend I'd seen it with, who insisted on playing the soundtrack she'd already purchased in the car and wondering why on earth anyone would listen to it and not the original versions. It's funny when you're looking at them camping it up, but not when you can't see it. To be fair, that's usually been an issue with the stage show as well, although the singing in the stage show tends to be (a lot) better than the singing in the first film. ABBA were fronted by two of the greatest pop voices of the last fifty years - and it's not just that they were naturally gifted, they were (are) technically flawless singers too, and the production surrounding them on those original recordings was carefully designed to make the vocals sound as good as possible. Next to that, inevitably, few people cast in the leads in the show are going to compare favourably to the originals. Siobhan McCarthy on the London cast album certainly doesn't, although she's a better singer than anyone in the first film apart from possibly Christine Baranski. Louise Pitre managed it in Toronto and on Broadway - it helps that she has a rather more distinctive voice than a lot of the actors who have played/recorded the role - but there's no Toronto or Broadway cast album (she recorded a couple of songs from the show on a solo album, though - 'The Winner Takes It All' in French as well as English). I like the stage show, although it's a while since I've seen it, but I don't ever feel any need to listen to the London cast album. I only own a copy because a well-meaning relative bought it me for Christmas. I do listen to a couple of the foreign-language cast albums, but that's mostly because I enjoy hearing those songs in different languages, and because some of the foreign-language albums do a (much) better job than the London recording of communicating how much fun the show can be in the theatre (that's not a high bar, the London cast album is boring as hell) - but the same thing applies: the voices invariably aren't as spectacular as the ones on the original ABBA recordings. |
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Post by karloscar on Jul 23, 2018 15:04:21 GMT
Siobhan McCarthy is an example of a voice that sounds great live, but somehow loses character in the studio. The show would never have run if she had not delivered those huge songs in the theatre every night, and she was central to its initial success. (But nobody can compete with the original voices as has often been pointed out.)
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1,970 posts
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Post by sf on Jul 23, 2018 16:08:24 GMT
Siobhan McCarthy is an example of a voice that sounds great live, but somehow loses character in the studio. I've heard her live, albeit not in Mamma Mia. She is a very good singer. She is nowhere near the same league as Faltskog or Lyngstad, or even Louise Pitre. |
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Post by vabbian on Jul 23, 2018 17:06:47 GMT
OH MY G O D
THAT CHRISTENING SCENE
I have never done such an ugly disgusting cry in the cinema before
I can never return to odeon Haymarket for the rest of my life
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2018 18:27:15 GMT
The Soundtrack is now #1 in the UK Midweek Albums Chart, followed by The Greatest Showman Soundtrack. The Soundtrack for the first film is also at #5; a higher peak than it reached in 2008 when first released, when it only got to #13.
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214 posts
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Post by Rozzi Rainbow on Jul 23, 2018 19:21:23 GMT
I went to our cinema's first showing on Friday evening, having booked a good few weeks ago. (MM1 was the first film they showed when the cinema first opened, so it was nice to reminisce.) Overall I enjoyed it, and would see it again if I had a spare afternoon, but wouldn't rush to go again, unlike the first film which I must have seen five or six times at the cinema.
This felt very cheesy, and the songs seemed to be shoehorned in - especially the first flashback scene and When I Kissed the Teacher. As someone has already said, there didn't feel as though much went on, especially in the present day scenes, and the flashback scenes were based on a story we already knew. I also didn't get the point of Donna not really being in it, did Meryl Streep not really want to be in the film? I don't think it really added to the story her not being there.
I loved how the two story lines interlaced, and the young cast having the same mannerisms as their older counterparts. It was also great to hear the new songs, although there were too many songs reused from the first film for my liking. I don't see how this would work on stage, to me it wouldn't be different enough from the original.
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Post by justfran on Jul 23, 2018 20:39:38 GMT
Saw this today and really enjoyed it (great audience too, nice and quiet all the way through!). Ok, the plot doesn’t always make sense with what was said in the first film but it doesn’t matter as it was such a feel-good cheese fest. I’m probably in the minority but I didn’t miss Meryl not being in it much. I enjoyed the younger and older selves interacting at the end. Lily James was just fabulous and stole the film. My favourite of the younger guys was definitely Bill, he had a certain twinkle in his eye. I do like Dominic Cooper but think he sang better in the first film. Would definitely go see it again and hope cinema keeps rolling on with more successful musicals after this and Greatest Showman.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2018 1:48:11 GMT
I also didn't get the point of Donna not really being in it, did Meryl Streep not really want to be in the film? I don't think it really added to the story her not being there. As I said at the beginning of this thread when this sequel was first announced, Meryl was filming Spielberg's The Post at the same time as this was being made, which ended up getting her another Oscar nomination, so probably the correct decision. |
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