did anyone, save for Jim and conor, even enjoy watching the original? Admittedly, the whole musical genre isn't exactly a favorite with guys, but even within that genre, what musicals were cheesier than Westside Story? Gangs prancing around to show tunes? Is it really that shocking that this movie is tanking?
Dude, just stop. West Side Story is an American treasure.
What the hell is the point of this post?
There are better Romeo & Juliet knock-offs. The spectacle of prancing gangbangers is simultaneously hilarious and, as the kids like to say, "cringeworthy." The film feels like a bunch of young Hollywood actors dancing around a Burbank set, not a bunch of punks on the West Side of Mahattan. As with most musicals, the lyrics are literal, cheesy, and weak. There's a sample below. I'll grant you "America," which is a perfectly good song. The acting did not age well. It must be said: Natalie Wood was a weak actress. Pretty, but weak. Watch her in Rebel Without a Cause, too. It's almost painful to watch her try and hold the screen with James Dean and Sal Mineo. She just wasn't that good. Rita Moreno has always been great, though. But to top it off, the movie is freakin' two and a half hours long. Answer honestly: could you sit through it now without taking a break, falling asleep, or losing yourself in your phone? Truthfully.
On a sidenote, George Chakiris is genuinely freaky. According to Wikipedia, he is 87, and this is what plastic surgeries have him looking like as he nears his tenth decade alive.
When you're a Jet,
You're a Jet all the way
From your first cigarette
To your last dyin' day.
When you're a Jet,
If the spit hits the fan,
You got brothers around,
You're a family man.
You're never alone,
You're never disconnected.
You're home with your own—
When company's expected,
You're well protected!
Then you are set
With a capital J,
Which you'll never forget
Till they cart you away.
When you're a Jet,
You stay
A Jet!
Here's another:
MARIA
Only you, you're the only thing I'll see, forever.
In my eyes, in my words and in everything I do,
Nothing else but you,
Ever!
TONY
And there's nothing for me but Maria,
Every sight that I see is Maria.
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with. There have been other times when he's jumped in loaded for bear and it's seemed over-the-top, given the subject matter. I'll make a note of steering clear of critiques of cheesy musicals in the future.
You were just collateral damage. Sorry about that. But I do like the original West Side Story. I also loved Jesus Christ Superstar, fwiw. Oh, and Yentl. I really thought Yentl was outstanding. I'm serious. I'm still pissed that Babs didn't so much as sniff an Oscar for Yentl.
Keep in mind that the Broadway show was introduced around 1957 -- which was "real time" to the storyline and events on the streets.
One of the greatest productions of all time.
Spielberg did it right. Highly recommend to all.
“ Released in 1961, the soundtrack spent 54 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's album charts, giving it the longest run at No.”
There is a link to the report but it is not behind a pay wall and some of us have gotten used to clicking on links that are unavailable because they are behind a pay wall. So, I decided not to provide a link such that everyone can do their own independent research if they are interested in the matter..
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the rubes who don't care about what that rag has to say
I have always preferred a less crowded theatre. So, all good.
Link: https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/weekend-box-office-results-west-side-story-wins-particularly-disappointing-weekend/
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Also had better music. Had none of the cheesiness of Westside Story and actually holds up well.
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There really isn’t a comparison other than they were movies, topical for their time, and became well watched films.
West Side Story is an iconic American Musical based upon the play Romeo and Juliet winning Best Picture and nearly a dozen more Oscars. It was a true mega hit of its time.
You confuse your false machismo with lack of sensibilities, disdain for culture, and deficiencies of good judgment.
Do better!
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Seriously, I will give it a try.
Link: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blackboard_jungle
I took you for a film nut. Have you watched films made prior to 1960?
77% might be correct on the MAS scale. Keep in mind that the vast majority of the movies that you and Rex Reed recommend here wouldn't break 50% on the MASmeter.
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Also saw Leslie Odom Jr. in concert. Outstanding show. He was Burr in Hamilton. Westside story is a classic. Doubt the movie will be as good.
"De gustibus non est disputandum"...to each their own...btw, did you see and enjoy "Oklahoma"?...or are the arts not your cup of tea?
I’ve seen a gazillion over the past 60 years (all the way back to Richard Burton in Camelot in the 60s) and treasure all of. the memories. I never felt my masculinity threatened, but then I love a great ballet as well.
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Life did not seem to emulate from the big screen to the streets.
occasional brief fist fight...nonetheless, the city life, apartments and such, rings a bell with me. Also, "West Side Story" broke some ground on the concept of "Diversity" and the need to come together...still a work in progress.
conversation among some but it was called integration and tolerance back then. It was before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by seven years and the word diversity had a different definition. I still think that a better word, term or phrase might have been adopted. Perhaps, inclusion.
NOUN
a diversity of abstract design styles’
SYNONYMS
variety, miscellany, assortment, mixture, mix, melange, range, array, medley, multiplicity
variation, variance, diverseness, diversification, variegation, heterogeneity, difference, unlikeness, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, distinctiveness, contrast
ANTONYMS
uniformity
then ;-)...btw, I like your term, "Inclusion" better.