UHD Review A Few Words About While we wait for a few words about...™ West Side Story (2021) -- in 4k UHD (1 Viewer)

[roxy1927]

Your response is completely bewildering as people often call out behavior in past films today. Are you positing that they are wrong to do so? I looked up the bluray.com review of this movie and this is what was said:
'While a few elements have aged poorly (the scene with Jonathan Winters as a lustful college professor is just awful)'
Awful. A strong word to use.
To me it's a what the hell were they thinking moment.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Your response is completely bewildering as people often call out behavior in past films today. Are you positing that they are wrong to do so? I looked up the bluray.com review of this movie and this is what was said:
'While a few elements have aged poorly (the scene with Jonathan Winters as a lustful college professor is just awful)'
Awful. A strong word to use.
To me it's a what the hell were they thinking moment.

There is nothing wrong with your prior post!

 

[Robin9]

Why is it necessary to make this kind of post. The film wasn't made "today" - and shouldn't be judges as if it was.

I don't think it's unreasonable to point out that some scene or element in a movie might not play well with a modern audience with contemporary sensibilities. There's a harmless, light-hearted Esther Williams movie called On An Island With You where Peter Lawford plays a character who today would be considered a stalker and pretty alarming. I don't think anyone watching the DVD should feel guilty about noticing that.

 

[OliverK]

I don't think it's unreasonable to point out that some scene or element in a movie might not play well with a modern audience with contemporary sensibilities. There's a harmless, light-hearted Esther Williams movie called On An Island With You where Peter Lawford plays a character who today would be considered a stalker and pretty alarming. I don't think anyone watching the DVD should feel guilty about noticing that.

I think he wanted to point out that movies are products of their time and should be seen in that context.

For myself I can acknowledge that and also that people may feel a bit uneasy about seeing certain things that were considered funny or acceptable back when a movie was made, nothing wrong with that.

Personally I would not bring it up as I feel that too many movies do not hold up in various areas if we look too closely.

 

[willyTass]

If your a fan of Natalie Wood this is an excellent blu ray. Also available through Paramount Japan, although it’s the same transfer as the Kino

 

[roxy1927]

I fully understand that there are situations and attitudes that would not be acceptable today and I have no problem with them in context. As an old movie buff you go along with it and are not going to get your nose out of joint like people do with the finale scene of Woman of the Year and my attitude is give me a break.
But the scene in Penelope is pretty extreme even for its time. I'm a big Winters fan. Who isn't? But he isn't the least bit funny but instead manic and coarse and they could have found a less crude way to undress Wood who does look spectacular.

 

[usrunnr]

deleted

 

[DarkVader]

If your a fan of Natalie Wood this is an excellent blu ray. Also available through Paramount Japan, although it’s the same transfer as the Kino View attachment 127208

This is definitely my favorite Natalie Wood performance. She just had the whole package. She and McQueen had a chemistry that just radiated from the screen, her scenes with her family and Bosley were both comic and touching. And I have to add that Edie Adams stole all her scenes in her brief, but comedic role.

 

[usrunnr]

I love Edie Adams. I was lucky enough to see her in "Can-Can" at Melodyland Theater in Anaheim years and years ago. More recently (but still a long time ago), I met her. She was in the audience of a production of "Ilya, Darling" (musical version of "Never on Sunday") in Los Angeles. The production was atrocious and the copyright owners should have shut it down, but in the audience, Miss Adams shone. Afterwards I spoke to her about her performance in "Can-Can", during which there was an electrical short on the Matterhorn at Disneyland across the street, and all power was lost in the neighborhood. Miss Adams with a flashlight launched into her night club routine. It was something I will never forget. She laughed when I resurrected the memory.

 

[ABritch]

Only films that attract family audiences are likely to do well (enough) now in the covid and streaming theatrical landscape. WSS is perceived to be a straightforward remake of the 1961 film by an aging director and prominently featuring a star of the 1961 film. La La Land was made by a younger team and perhaps the older cohort should think about retirement.

You’re suggesting Spielberg retire?
Are you insane?

 

[Will Krupp]

I love Edie Adams. I was lucky enough to see her in "Can-Can" at Melodyland Theater in Anaheim years and years ago. More recently (but still a long time ago), I met her. She was in the audience of a production of "Ilya, Darling" (musical version of "Never on Sunday") in Los Angeles. The production was atrocious and the copyright owners should have shut it down, but in the audience, Miss Adams shone. Afterwards I spoke to her about her performance in "Can-Can", during which there was an electrical short on the Matterhorn at Disneyland across the street, and all power was lost in the neighborhood. Miss Adams with a flashlight launched into her night club routine. It was something I will never forget. She laughed when I resurrected the memory.

I realize this is completely off topic and I apologize but I have a real affinity for Edie Adams as she was born in Kingston, PA just a few blocks away from where I was. Just had to give a shout out for the home town girl!!

 

[ABritch]

Sadly the most beautiful and impactful song in WSS is "Somewhere". I was shocked that it was sung by Doc's widow ( Moreno) . It made no sense at all. Poorly sung to a photo of her deceased husband. With Moreno as an "Executive Producer on the film, she had the power do give herself the song.
At the end Maria could no longer sing "Hold my hand and I'll take you there...somehow... somewhere". Instead it was a refrain of "One Hand , one heart". No emotion from me, only anger that Kushner and Spielberg could botch the ending. Zegler can sing but doesn't even come close to Natalie Wood's powerful performance.

West Side Story (2021)

The 1961 film has been my favorite Broadway musical film adaptation for most of my life. Yes, it’s got problematic casting but we really didn’t think about Natalie Wood not being Puerto Rican when I first saw this in my teens. Over the years I’ve seen it 6-7 times, the last being a TCM big screen showing at the cinema in 2017 or 18.

60 years later Steven Spielberg has taken a risk and delivered his first musical film that in many ways surpasses the 1961 release, it’s a sweeping, fast-paced grand cinematic achievement by a master filmmaker.

Spielberg has made films in all genres, he is incredibly eclectic, he is the greatest American Director of the last 50 years. Another Best Director Oscar should go home with him on Oscar night.

You can tell this is a labor of love for all involved. All the performances are excellent but these are the ones that really drive this film:

- Ariana Debose is electrifying as Anita. She exudes such energy and commands every scene she’s in. Her singing, dancing and acting is impeccable (will win Oscar).

- Debose’s equal is the 17 year old (now 20) discovery playing Maria, Rachel Zeglar (Oscar Nom coming her way too). The camera is in love with her, as are we. With big expressive eyes and a spectacular singing voice her performance is astounding for a first film.

- Mike Feist presents a more desperate, angrier Riff than we are used to but is welcome and matches the grittier look at gang life than the 1961 film could’ve presented. (Oscar nomination to come?)

This adaptation is not a remake of the 1961 film but a closer adaptation to the 1957 stage play with some character back-story updates that enhance the piece, making it less simplistic. It also changes the store owner character of Doc into his widow Valentina providing a role written for the 90 year old Rita Moreno (the original Anita in 1961) This is not a stunt casting, Valentina’s interracial marriage is a story point that counterbalances the Tony/Maria relationship,

A couple of songs are sung by different characters and shift in sequence - giving them a new context. “Somewhere” becomes a plea for racial/class tolerance when sung by Valentina, given her characters backstory.

I was 100% emotionally invested, brought me to tears several times. Not expected when I know what’s going to happen.

Typically the film highlight is “America” (opened up to the streets of NYC here) but THE moment of the film for me was Anita and Maria’s duet “A Boy Like That/I Have a Love”. Sung live during filming it rung every bit of emotion out of me. This scene alone should win Debose and Zeglar Academy Awards.

I must also point out David Alvarez as Bernardo, he’s excellent but is overshadowed by Debose in most of his scenes. The same happens with Ansel Elgort with Tony. He is wonderful but, overshadowed by Zeglar. I never knew he could sing Ike that!

A marvelous feast for the eyes with cinematography by Janusz Kaminski, a wonderful script by Tony Kushner and Spielberg’s keen eye and shot composition demand this to be seen in the cinema.

Given it was released on just 2,800 screens instead of a wider 4,500, it seems the studio wasn’t fully behind this. It has a 45 day theatrical run planned but was pushed out of the IMAX screens when Spider-man opened a week later, on Dec 17th.

The opening weekend was just $10.5 million, it’s been limping along in theatres for close to 8 weeks and has reached $62.7 million worldwide. With a $100m budget and probably another $50m in marketing the film needs at least $300m to break even.

But, this was never going to be a $300m grossing film. Musicals aren’t huge attractions anymore. The demographics of the largest audience for film is 18-29. WSS appeals to an older audience. I’m 57, my daughter 22, she was the youngest in the audience when we went. Hell even I felt young compared to everyone else!

But, whether a movie is financially successful or not is not indicative of its quality. Anyone looking for an excellent film who doesn’t go see it is missing out.

I guess people just don’t seem to go to musicals anymore - unless it’s full of well known pop songs.

It looks like there’s still a chance - If you don’t go, you are truly missing out.

 

[ABritch]

This review from the New Yorker at the link I find misses the film completely. The author is not reviewing what’s on the screen but is reviewing a film that doesn’t exist.

https://www.thecut.com/2021/12/west-side-story-is-not-for-puerto-ricans-like-me.html

I am an older white Male Canadian. I cannot relate to the experience a person of color has internally when discriminated against. But I am disabled and feel the sting of being overlooked, dismissed and stared at.

I think it feels similar.

Reading this piece one little part jumped out at me. The writer is suggesting that Rachel Zeglar, being of Columbian ethnicity, isn’t Latina enough to play Maria, that she needed to be Puerto Rican.

Isn’t that going a little to far?

Does every movie role now need to be populated by the exact correct race? Wouldn’t that mean Henry Cavill could not play an American in the future? Meryl Streep will be out of work and Penelope Cruz can’t play anyone who isn’t from Spain?

The writer goes on at length about historical figures from Puerto Rico and films not being made about them.

If these stories need to be written, filmmakers need to want to make them. Filmmakers, writers that want to do this would probably find that without access to the power brokers in the film industry that it is unlikely.

Are these stories blocked because of racism?

I would guess sometimes - yes. But, a lot of the time without a NAME attached to the project financing is impossible.

The writer lays out many of the updates Spielberg’s team did to correct the mistakes of a previous generation. Which, I think they should be applauded for, but the writer doesn’t think it’s enough.

The piece points out that the music isn’t sonically Puerto Rican. But, Spielberg can’t change the music Leonard Bernstein wrote, it wouldn’t be WSS then. I don’t understand why that should be a criticism?

The piece also complains about the Puerto Rican characters being the antagonists, “It is Bernardo who opposes Maria and Tony’s relationship and who first becomes a killer. It is Anita who lies after the Jets try to rape her, leading to Tony’s death. It is Chino who pulls the trigger and kills Tony in revenge.” But, as before, it wouldn’t be WSS if Spielberg had Riff oppose Maria and Tony’s relationship and killed Bernardo. Then, I guess they’d have to have Tony trying to help Riff out of town and have Chino kill Riff with Graziella grieving at the end.

That’s a different movie.

I am sure that there is much in the film that still bothers some of Puerto Rican descent and I’m sympathetic that Spielberg’s changes weren’t enough but, this movie wasn’t made just for a Puerto Rican audience and I do think Spielberg tried his best to be as diverse as he could.

But, as the cliche says - you can’t please everybody.

PS go see WSS, it’s fantastic.

 

[usrunnr]

I think that review is from "New York Magazine" not "The New Yorker".
In any case the author is extremely angry, but I'm not sure his points can all be taken seriously.
It's an American Broadway musical based on "Romeo and Juliet". Which is full of racism. Or maybe
it's familialism.

Perhaps someone could switch things around --- Make the Jets the killers. It would certainly be
more apropos to today.

 

[Will Krupp]

This review from the New Yorker at the link I find misses the film completely. The author is not reviewing what’s on the screen but is reviewing a film that doesn’t exist.

https://www.thecut.com/2021/12/west-side-story-is-not-for-puerto-ricans-like-me.html

I HATE to get into aguements that pitch the current generation against previous generations BUT (and face it, you KNEW there was a "but" coming) this is everything that's wrong with modern day reviewers raised in a era where their personal opinion about, lterally, everything was given undue weight.

It follows the modern trend of not reviewing what's in front of them but lugging their particular baggage into the fray and comparing what they see to the imaginary movie in their head that they WOULD have made had it been up to them. They often don't seem to realize that they haven't actually MADE a movie themselves so there's aboslutely no point in comparing and little point (in my opinion) of giving it any credence.

These types of reviews are easy to spot and are ones I always avoid whenever possible.

 

[Dick]

I haven't seen it in a very long time but how does that attempted molestation played for laughs come across today?

I don't know...the movie is largely forgotten or, at best, not taken seriously.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

I HATE to get into aguements that pitch the current generation against previous generations BUT (and face it, you KNEW there was a "but" coming) this is everything that's wrong with modern day reviewers raised in a era where their personal opinion about, lterally, everything was given undue weight.

It follows the modern trend of not reviewing what's in front of them but lugging their particular baggage into the fray and comparing what they see to the imaginary movie in their head that they WOULD have made had it been up to them. They often don't seem to realize that they haven't actually MADE a movie themselves so there's aboslutely no point in comparing and little point (in my opinion) of giving it any credence.

These types of reviews are easy to spot and are ones I always avoid whenever possible.

There’s something else I’ve noticed with more modern criticism and analysis - and boy is this making me feel prematurely like an old fogey, but going to film school meant studying nearly a century of reviewing styles and analysis so I feel reasonably qualified to make the observation - but nowawdays, it seems that a certain percentage of an audience and critics take films/shows/art as being fully in favor of what it portrays. If a character says or does something racist/sexist/otherwise inappropriate or distasteful, there is a certain segment that will jump to say the creators are endorsing that behavior when more often than not that is obviously not the intention. Instead of seeing those elements as unfair obstacles that the protagonist must overcome, those elements are instead used as evidence that the storytellers themselves are advocating for distasteful behavior.

I think that has to, at least in part, be connected to what you’re saying about personal opinion. Those types of critics and audience members can only view things through the lens of their own opinion and experience and therefore make the mistake that everything happening onscreen represents the personal opinion of how the filmmakers believe the world should be.

 

[DarkVader]

DVD FYC screeners are now being hawked on ebay.

 

[Tino]

Nominated for 7 Oscars including Best Director Steven Spielberg and Best Picture.

Let the whining and bitching commence.

 

[roxy1927]

Well I'm happy because this gives it more time in theaters where it must be seen. Of course most people will now see it on screeners which I regret. They'll be only getting a small part of its impact. And as much as I like Moreno in the film I wish she hadn't been nominated(are there more nominees now? I don't keep up with these things.) I would like to see DeBose have a better chance. Really loved her in it. Tough to choose between Faist and Alvarez. Well at least they all get to have fun at the ceremony. Shouldn't there be nominations for things like musical scoring and conducting or do they not have these anymore?

And when does the original get a 4K? This is getting ridiculous that neither this nor the impossibly successful Sound of Music both filmed in 70MM have no release date when Oliver!, The Great Escape, and Navarone(all wonderful films but not nearly as successful) have it.