This live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s sidekick; Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, the wardrobe; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.
This is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. It is directed by Bill Condon from a screenplay based on the 1991 animated film. Composer Alan Menken is providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs (written by Menken and Howard Ashman), as well as several new songs (written by Menken and Tim Rice.)
Cast Interviews
Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad and Bill Condon talk about this new take on an old classic tale.
Saturday Night Live Sketch
Beauty (cast member Kristen Wiig) and the Beast (guest host Gerard Butler) realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is from the SNL episode that aired October 17, 2009.
We became acquainted with a community of strangers – it was not like a work experience, it was a life experience, a thing that affects you very deeply. We became a part of that Arkansas community settling down in new homes there. It was a terrific experience, right from the beginning, the people we met, the insights we got, the privilege we had of being inside a society that otherwise we would never have touched. -Andy Griffith
Larry Rhodes (Andy Griffith, in his 1st movie role- VERY far from Sheriff Andy and Matlock) is in a small-town Arkansas jail when the niece of a radio station owner, Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal- always great in every role), interviews him and has him sing an impromptu song for a weekly radio program. She even names him “Lonesome, ” much to his surprise and amusement.
You put your whole self into that laugh, don’t you? -Marcia asks
Marcia, I put my whole self into everything I do. -Lonesome replies
Lonesome quickly proves to be quite popular with his homespun humor/song lyrics. He soon has a radio show of his own (in Memphis). An opportunistic/ambitious office worker, Joey DePalma (Anthony Franciosa) lands Lonesome a contract for a TV show (in NYC) thanks to support of Vitajex, a new dietary supplement.
A Face in the Crowd (1957) Directed by Elia Kazan Shown from left: Patricia Neal, Andy Griffith
I was totally taken by surprise by this edgy, brilliant movie. I was also mesmerized by the beautiful and fabulous Patricia Neal. …she just smoked in this movie. -IMDB comment
They love his voice, they love his guitar, they love his ideas… they should know some of his ideas. -Marcia says re: Lonesome
Lonesome becomes SO popular that he gets his own television show. He brings his “Girl Friday” Marcia w/ him to NYC. Their working relationship gets complicated, BUT you need to watch it to find out how!
A FACE IN THE CROWD, Andy Griffith, 1957
The portion of the film where [Lonesome] “reinvented” the marketing message of the pill was like a precursor of current Viagra commercials, particularly the blonde in bed talking about how the pill helped her “boyfriend.” -IMDB comment
Didn’t you know? All mild men are vicious. They hate themselves for being mild, and they hate the windy extroverts whose violence seems to have a strange attraction for nice girls. You should know better.-Mel comments re: men like him
Mel Miller (Walter Matthau) is one of the writers who works on this show; he develops feelings for Marcia. In no time, Lonesome attracts the attention of a retired general, who introduces him to an aspiring politician.
I’m not just an entertainer. I’m an influence, a wielder of opinion, a force… a force! -Lonesome exclaims re: his power over the masses
A comparison to the fictional Lonesome and the too real Donald Trump can’t be avoided. Art imitating life or is it life imitating art?-IMDB comment
Did you know Marlon Brando (a frequent collaborator of director Elia Kazan) was considered for the lead role? One of the hosts at TCM pointed this out after the film ended; it was shown in early October. Brando refused, probably b/c he knew that would’ve been woeful miscasting!
On Twitter, a viewer noted that the dinner scene in Lonesome’s spacious penthouse was styled like the one in Citizen Kane. Director Spike Lee noted that A Face in the Crowd film was a BIG inspiration for his film, Bamboozled.
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad; Malcolm in the Middle) TOTALLY transformed himself into LBJ- vocally and physically! It was also a treat to see Melissa Leo (who plays Lady Bird) after a LONG time; I’ve been a fan of hers since her days on Homicide: Life on the Street. I saw the play (Arena stage production) about 2 mos. ago; the film is V true to that, though there are changes made (as you can do more w/ cinema). Anthony Mackie (who has NOT aged by much) has a meaty role as MLK, Jr. Wingnuts (fans of The West Wing) will be happy to see Bradley Whitford (who portrays liberal Democratic senator- Hubert Humphrey).
The Man Who Knew Infinity (now in select theaters)
I went to go to a free screening about 3 wks ago; I had no expectations. Well, I really liked it- and NOT just b/c of Jeremy Irons, the music, or cinematography! Toby Jones (who often plays baddies) is just SO sweet/delightful as G. H. Hardy’s (Irons’) BFF/fellow mathematician. Jeremy Northam has a side role as charming philospher Bertrand Russell; it was a nice surprise to me. This is in the time just before WWI- that conflict also affects the lives of the Oxford community.
British-Indian actor, Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionnaire; The Newsroom), does a FINE job as S. Ramanujan, a devout Brahmin Hindu math whiz who went from Southern India to Oxford U. at the age of 26. Patel, who is still in his 20s, has a penchant for wide-eyed/innocent/eager characters; it works well here. Ramanujan left behind his strong-willed widowed mother and lovely new wife, Janaki (Indian-American actress Devika Bhise). It’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen a modern/Western young woman portray a traditional/demure Indian housewife in SUCH a convincing manner!
The Taming of the Shrew (STC: MAY 17-JUNE 26)
I just saw this last SAT (preview matinee) w/ a gal pal (who luckily got free tickets online)- it was FABULOUS! This production, directed by Chinese-Indonesian Brit, Ed Sylvanus Iskander, has a beautiful/intricate set and songs (by Duncan Sheik) which are performed by characters (who were NOT given monologues in Shakespeare’s original play).
Yes, ALL the actors are male, BUT diversity is built into the show! Indian- American actor Maulik Pancholy (Weeds) plays Kate, Sri Lankan-American veteran actor Bernard White (Silicon Valley) plays Baptista and Dutch/Mexican-Brit, Peter Gadiot (Tut), plays Petruchio. Chinese-American actor, Telly Leung, has the best singing voice in the cast; he recently appeared as one of the leads in Allegiance (opposite George Takei).
Long-time viewers have been commenting that his was one of the MOST put together auditions in Idol history!
Colette Lush
Tristan McIntosh
Zach Person
NOT many young ppl are into Blues music these days! Zach already a F/T musician considers his style to be a mix of “blues, rock, and alternative.”
John Wayne Schulz
One of the MAIN reasons I watch this show is the possibility of finding a good country singer. This one is a REAL cowboy (not unlike George Strait)- V cool! He grew up on his (tight-knit) family’s ranch in TX, then joined the Marines (current job: flight instructor).
John Wayne MAY look familiar to long-time Idol fans; he lost to Scotty McCreery in Season 10. Those who have seen him perform in person seem to be quite impressed by his natural abilities.
Sonika Vaid
Yeah, there are 2 desi (South Asian) gals on this season! Her voice sounds V pure (as Harry said). Rhea Raj, the other desi gal, has songs up on iTunes (ALL written by herself). Rhea also has videos posted (https://www.youtube.com/user/rhearajmusic). Like Rhea, Sonika has been singing (and playing the piano) for MANY years (https://www.youtube.com/user/SONIKAVAID101/videos).
Thank you, cable! Success of your sophisticated, smart (yet FUN), ensemble shows is making network TV better… a LOT better! Also, I have to give respect to Shonda Rimes (esp. on ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder). Yes, I still watch Scandal, but who DOESN’T love Viola Davis!? Not unlike HTGAWM, FOX’smusic-infused family drama, Empire (which several Fb gal pals were praising), has changed the face of TV.
WARNING: This review contains MILD spoilers!
WHY is this (midseason) show so ground-breaking? Empire (created by Danny Strong and produced by Brian Grazer, Lee Daniels, and Francie Calfo) focuses on a successful African-American family in NYC. (Everyone can relate to family drama, right?) They’re running a successful company (Empire Entertainment), which includes musical talent (Timbaland is the show’s music producer), tennis shoes, champagne, etc. (If you’re a fan of hip-hop, this would be the hook for you.) The business is headed by charismatic, dapper, and strong-willed patriarch, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard). He’s a man’s man who doesn’t suffer fools; he segued from being a musician to producer, then eventually… entrepreneur (EX: P. Diddy). At the start of the series, Lucious is in a relationship w/ Anika (Grace Gealey), head of Empire’s A&R division (meaning that she signs/develops new talent).
Lucious’ ex-wife, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), is claiming her own power by managing teen pop singer Tiana (Serayah) and their middle son Jamal (Jussie Smolett, younger brother of Jurnee). Hmmm… why was Cookie put in jail for so long (17 years)? Do she and Lucious still have a future together? She provides the a LOT of the humor for this show!
Lucious and Cookie have two other sons- Wharton MBA, Andre (Trai Byers), and impulsive 18 y.o. rapper, Hakeem (Bryshere Gray). Jamal (considered Cookie’s fave) and Hakeem (chosen as heir by his father) have a contentious relationship for the first half of the season, though the unconditional love between brothers is always underneath. (ALMOST everyone can relate to sibling drama, right?)
They call us Takeem. -Tiana explains to Cookie about the celeb couple nickname fans have given her and Hakeem
Tiana and rising star Hakeem seem to make a natural pair, BUT they are NOT as simple/innocent as they appear! Will these kids have a future… or only sing together?
An honorary member of the family is a man that grew up on the streets of Philly with Lucious, Vernon (Malik Yoba, best-known for New York: Undercover), a father-figure/mentor to Andre (the CFO and non-musical son). I started watching when I saw a TV promo w/ Yoba; he’s not in a LOT of scenes, since his main focus these days is on community development. Aside from the strong cast, there are MANY guest stars on Empire. (Those up on the current hip hop music scene can probably spot who these are more quickly.)
Good Enough See, it doesn’t matter what you think I’m still a man
Not only is Jamal talented (his songs are the best IMO), he’s the most kind, honest, and likeable character on the show! He comes out of the closet (to live openly as a gay man)- something that his father can’t accept. (We learn about the drastic measure Lucious took when guest-star Raven-Symone shows up.)
Keep Your Money
Can’t ask for a hand-out
It’s time to be a man now
When Lucious belittles his attempt to go his own way, Jamal refuses his cash. As the show develops, we see how Jamal is redefining masculinity within his family, by writing his songs (personal/touching)… and network TV!
Knightleyemma 