Movie Mondays - Coming Soon

Last week I talked about Baz Luhrmann's upcoming film, the Great Gatsby. Well, for the rest of the week it seemed like more and more upcoming movies kept dropping out of the sky so I decided to do another article on upcoming features.

First of all, this year is the 60th anniversary of "Singin' in the Rain", and in honor of the event, a new digital transfer will be released in theaters for one night only! The film will also feature a behind-the-scenes documentary and interview with star Debbie Reynolds. I've already bought my tickets and I can't wait! In addition to the limited theatre release, a limited edition Blu Ray box set is already available for pre-order, including all kinds of special features, nifty extras, and an actual umbrella! Book your tickets to the premiere at Fathom Events, and click the image below to purchase the BluRay/DVD box set.

Second, a project a long time in the making. Many of you have probably heard of "A Star is Born", but whether it was the original version from 1937 starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, or the 1954 version starring Judy Garland and James Mason, or the 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson will depend on who is reading this article.

What you might not know is that Clint Eastwood's latest project is a reboot of "Star" featuring Beyoncé Knowles. Similar to the struggle Luhrmann went through in casting "Gatsby", Knowles has been attached to the project for quite some time, but the question of the leading man has been quite an ordeal. Early potentials have included Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, and Leonardo DiCaprio, but the project seems to have landed finally on the shoulders of Tom Cruise. I know. I squirmed, too. Apparently this role would be a reiteration of sorts of Cruise's role in "Rock of Ages"... Because that movie did so well in the box office, right?

"I'll make millions, you say? It can't fail, you say? I'll do it!"

What were you thinking, Catherine Zeta-Jones? Anyway, allegedly the project was delayed by Knowles' pregnancy and may be going into production soon. Here's hoping that the project is delayed long enough for the male lead to change hands at least once more.

Third, a project that only exists in theory so far, and will hopefully never come to fruition. Brace yourselves. No, really. Sit down. Recently, in an interview, Justin Bieber expressed his desire to play Danny Zuko in a remake of "Grease". 

Because, apparently, "Grease 2" wasn't bad enough...

Apparently it's been talked about for quite some time. So much so that he's already got his Sandy all picked out. Wait for it - Miley Cyrus. Can you imagine a more inappropriate casting for "Grease"? I can't. Let's hope that like many a potential Grease remake before it, this one will fade into obscurity. If anything they should switch the roles. Even that would be a step up.

Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus in Grease... I can see it now!

Food For Thought - Beyoncé's "Countdown"

It seems that Mrs. Beyoncé Knowles-Z has decided that her entire career is going to be dedicated to providing fodder for my blog posts. I don't have a problem with that, I'm just sayin'... This time it's her new video for Countdown:

For me, the most obvious inspiration is right here:

Yes, everyone remembers that famous Gap commercial that features Audrey Hepburn dancing (but not wearing Gap clothing). Fewer people remember where that footage of Ms. Hepburn came from:

That dance comes from Funny Face, one of my all-time favorite movies, and clearly also one of Beyonce's, as she's drawn inspiration from it before. The outfits of the musicians match those of Hepburn's backup dancers, and even the layout of the bandstand shots mimics that of the nightclub set from the movie. The dancing, however, doesn't match. It clearly took me too long to write this article because just in the week or so since I began researching this article, there has been an explosion of press regarding similarities between "Countdown" and the choreography of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. To see a side-by-side comparison of De Keersmaeker and the music video, click here.

"Achterland", left, "Countdown", right.

Left and right, Beyoncé is being accused of stealing the choreography from De Keersmaeker. So much so that Knowles decided to release an alternate version of the video that excluded all of the controversial footage. Even De Keersmaeker herself had some things to say  about the music video, though she seems kinder than most. This is similar to the criticism rained down on Lady Gaga every time she does anything that even remotely resembles anything Madonna has done. Because Madonna has never, ever imitated anyone herself, right?

Right?

If you're like me, you were incessantly lectured about plagiarism in school (if you're really like me, you worries about being accused of plagiarizing even after taking every precaution to avoid it). What were the things we were told to do to ensure we weren't plagiarizing someone else's work?

• Re-write the information in your own words.
• Use multiple sources.
• Credit the author(s) of the work.

Knowles has done all but one of those things- she took the parts of the dances she liked and changed the context; she set it to different music and put different bits of the choreography together. De Keersmaeker has pointed out that even though they are performing the same dance, what Knowles and her dancers are doing is distinct from the films they mimic because of their context:

"In the 1980s, this was seen as a statement of girl power, based on assuming a feminine stance on sexual expression. I was often asked then if it was feminist. Now that I see Beyoncé dancing it, I find it pleasant but I don’t see any edge to it. It’s seductive in an entertaining consumerist way."

"Countdown", left. "Rosas danst Rosas", right.

Knowles also took inspiration from all kinds of other sources: Op art, Pop art, Mary Quant, Whtiney Houston... even Gap commercials! All of these things together created a unique work that is separate from all of its inspirations yet tied to them at the same time.

Now, I do believe Knowles and her team should have credited De Keersmaeker since they did borrow so heavily (and directly) from her, especially since they credited Boyz II Men after sampling from their song "Uhh, Ahh". However, according to a GQ interview with the video's director, Andria Petty, it was the team's intention to credit her but they overlooked this due to the tight deadline.

Can you say Andy Warhol?

This isn't the first time Knowles has borrowed heavily from others, nor will it be the last. This is also not the first time this sort of happened in the music video industry, nor in the music industry at large. Paula Abdul's "Rush Rush" is basically "Rebel Without a Cause", and Madonna's "Express Yourself" is basically "Metropolis". Music sampling has existed for decades. "Ice Ice Baby" sampled from "Under Pressure", "Rapper's Delight" sampled from "Good Times", "U Can't Touch This" sampled from "Super Freak"... The list goes on and on... If artists can't borrow from each other or imitate or build upon the work of others, then art cannot advance.

Knowles in Thierry Mugler

In addition, Beyoncé used the choreography to a different end than De Keersmaeker. The original footage was a work of choreography. It was a dance film. Knowles was presenting a video for her song. She was not presenting a dance, she was presenting a music video.

Finally, I think this whole climate of ideas as property contributes to rise of dangerous legislation such as CISPA. If we continue to consider artistic ideas as property in every context then we will be left with major corporations holding a monopoly on creativity because they're the only ones with the money to consistently defend "their" properties. We need to chill out about these kinds of things and start worrying about bigger problems.

Hope I haven't completely chewed off your ears!

Music Mondays - Beyoncé and Bettie Page

Some of you may remember my previous article on Beyoncé's "Why Don't You Love Me?". Well, further discoveries have warranted a revisit to this mid-century wonderland.

Just to refresh your memory:








On another of my many YouTube train-of-thought binges, I stumbled onto footage from a 1950 Burlesque film called "Teaserama":








Now doesn't that seem oddly familiar? How about this?








Turns out Beyoncé was heavily inspired by Bettie Page and the Pin-up Girl in this video - not just in her dances but also in her clothes.

 

 

The maid costume may also have been partially inspired by this outfit:







But mostly that last one is just fun, isn't it?


Short but sweet.

 

Music Mondays - Beyoncé "Why Don't You Love Me?"

As I try my hardest to get into the groove of writing this blog while juggling a steady stream of work and social activities, I'm trying to find ways to post less while not detracting from your reader experience. One of the ways I'm going to do this is through "Music Mondays". Occasionally I'll feature music videos I think have a certain nostalgic flair and talk a little bit about the artist.

This week I feature Beyoncé's "Why Don't You Love Me?"



I like Beyoncé a lot. As I talk about in my Beyoncé and Fosse post (which, for the purposes of this new post, I've refurbished with in-text videos!), she borrows a lot from the past. This video is a kick-ass blend of 50s, 60s, and 70s retro glam! Was anyone else seriously coveting her hair in the bedroom sequence?

No? Just me? Okay, moving on.

None of the clothing in this video is vintage - in fact many of the garments and accessories look very modern - yet it all has a distinct retro feel. This really shows the power of styling to steer the mood of an outfit and really create a look. It's a good example of how all of you out there can incorporate a retro flair into your everyday outfits.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Nostalgically Yours

Beyoncé and Fosse

What do and international R&B superstar and the deceased Broadway Director/Choreographer have in common? Quite a lot, actually. Aside from the fact that they are both often referred to using one name, Beyoncé has been inspired more than once by the work of this iconic Broadway master.

Just another reason why the past is always relevant - it's an unparalleled source of inspiration!






If you haven't seen the video to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies", I've included it above (where were you in 2008, exactly?). Anyway, here is the video of the Bob Fosse dance that inspired the choreography for the "Single Ladies" video. You can watch it with or without the sound; it isn't the original soundtrack.
Update, MAY 2012: This is the original soundtrack but has humorous subtitles added:

Unfortunately, the video with the original audio does not exist on Youtube - if you appreciate good music, for the love of all that is good and holy DON'T CLICK ON ANYTHING WITH "Walk it out" IN THE TITLE. It's some fool parody of the video that has taken off enough to have a group of three women actually remake the "Walk it Out" version of the dance. If you have any self-respect you won't waste your time by giving them any more views. Update MAY 2012: The original soundtrack exists, but only in the subtitled version.

Anyway, Beyoncé has admitted to using this Fosse choreography in her "Single Ladies" video, and has exalted Fosse for the genius that he was. However, I, being the insufferable theater/film/Broadway nerd that I am, spotted some moves in "There's Gotta be Something Better Than This" from "Sweet Charity" that are clearly used in "Single Ladies":

Take that as your Lagniappe courtesy of Nostalgically Yours!

Here is Beyoncé's lesser-known "Get me Bodied": Anyone who's seen "Sweet Charity" recently will probably notice the similarities to the "Rich Man's Frug" sequence and to "Think Pink", the opening number of the classic film "Funny Face". Both are featured below:

(This version of the number doesn't include the "Who is it" sequence referenced in "Get Me Bodied". You'll have to rent the movie to see that, but it's worth it!)





I'm (pardon the expression) tickled pink that Beyoncé is doing this! She and artists like her are making the past relevant again, even if teenager don't fully appreciate that it's happening.


You'll definitely be hearing more about this!

Nostalgically Yours

For more on Beyoncé, see this post.