Back in the 90s, I saw on VHS a production of the Broadway show, so I’m familiar with it. I always thought it was peculiar. This, though, is on another level. The trailer didn’t freak me out as much as it did some people—I stayed up half the night watching “reaction” videos on YouTube—but yeah, turning the cast into CGI human-cat hybrids may not have been the wisest decision. (On the other hand, we now know a Thundercats movie is possible!) It’s doubtful the fans of the show would have accepted an animated version, though, so this is what we’re left with, not that anybody was clamoring for a Cats movie in 2019 to begin with. Plus, while I can hardly object to Jenny Hudson’s rendition of “Memory”—easily the best thing about that trailer—from the looks of her, I couldn’t help thinking she’s just reprising her role from Dreamgirls.
Still, it is Cats, and because it’s Cats, people will turn out for it, especially at Christmas. It’s one of those things where if you love it, you adore it wholeheartedly. I know; I was the same way with Rent, but that didn’t have CGI human-cat hybrids. So I guess between this and the Lion King remake, this will be remembered as (with apologies to Al Stewart) the year of the cat.
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Don’t have too much else to say at the moment, so let’s jump straight to the links:
Why does Paddy love westerns?
Who was “the Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood”? Ruth has the answer.
Ivan discusses a film written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett that has become quite relevant in 2019.
Hugh Jackman in concert is quite spectacular, as Hamlette will attest.
Jacqueline looks at which movies were playing the weekend of the moon landing.
Fritzie shows off shampoo ads with silent film actresses.
Judy Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft reflects on her mother’s legacy as a gay icon, fifty years after her death.
Also, a crowdfunding campaign is under way to restore Judy’s birthplace.
What would TS Eliot have made of the Cats movie?
That casting a black girl as the Little Mermaid is still a matter of controversy in 2019 is frankly, embarrassing. But there’s historical evidence that suggests such a thing isn’t that unusual.
The long-term implications of the virtual technology of The Lion King 2019.
Paul McCartney will write the music for a stage musical version of It’s a Wonderful Life.
84-year-old Sophia Loren is working on a new movie directed by her son.
These pics from the demolished site of the former Sunshine Cinema will depress you.
Long before he joined the cast of In Living Color, Jim Carrey appeared in this Playboy Channel movie. (NSFW)
Celebrity memorabilia and the people who buy it.
Thanks for the inclusion, and thanks for giving me lots to read on my "day off."
ReplyDeleteI object to CGI for many reasons, but for Cats I am angry for the make-up artists. The transformation of actors to characters on stage was one of the draws of the show. This feels like "cheating." I know it is its own art, but still ... that's it.
PS: Back in my younger years when I trod the boards of community theatre I would use Gershwin and Berlin as audition pieces. One accompanist thanked me remarking "You don't know how long the day gets when you've got dozens of 16-year-olds in pink tights singing Memory!"
That’s a good point. If nothing else, CATS is a triumph of makeup and wardrobe techniques, which look pretty amazing on a stage. I can understand filmmakers wanting to do something bigger for the screen—just not this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for including me in the roster, Rich. And I loved Paddy's remark about community theatre and auditions of "Memory."
ReplyDeleteRemind me one day to share the story of the time I worked the video store on some holiday (Xmas Eve? Maybe) and wound up singing “Memory” with my manager Bill. Don’t remember all the details now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out, Rich. You reference the most interesting articles, e.g. who knew Sophia Loren was working on a new film?
ReplyDeleteSometimes I’ll find links like these by total chance, while surfing for totally unrelated stuff. That was one.
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