WaterInYourBath said:

Timmy84 said:

Wait, wasn't "Lady" a hit? Diana got an Oscar nod from that lol other than that she hardly looked like Billie and the movie wasn't really a Billie biopic anyway. It was a Diana movie with Billie's actions (heroin usage, jazz music, the flower on her hair) but with Diana's voice, Diana's performance moves (the arms flailing up after she gets to the end), etc. I'm still surprised Motown got away with that when they knew full damn well that the film wasn't close to how Billie really was. It was Disney-ized as someone put it.

Per what some older people have told me in the past, almost everyone hated that Diana Ross was chosen to play Billie Holiday, similar to how folks didn't understand her being chosen for "The Wiz." I figured it was only popular with those who didn't know she was supposed to be Holiday in the film, lol.

But she really wasn't. That's why they were pissed. She wasn't even TRYING to play or BE Billie Holiday. This was Diana Ross in the film. I think the best things that came out of that was she got some worldwide recognition and Billie's music exposed to a new generation. It should be noted that one of the executives working on the film made the remark that no one KNEW what Billie really looked like.

When I first heard about Halle being considered to play Aretha, I thought she was referring to the role Halle played in Why Do Fools Fall In Love. I actually liked Halle as Zola, but I think they'll need a stronger actress to do Aretha some justice. I'm suprised no one is considering Mary J. Blige. She has a strong voice and some acting experience.

MsGlamSlam said:

When I first heard about Halle being considered to play Aretha, I thought she was referring to the role Halle played in Why Do Fools Fall In Love. I actually liked Halle as Zola, but I think they'll need a stronger actress to do Aretha some justice. I'm suprised no one is considering Mary J. Blige. She has a strong voice and some acting experience.

errant said:

Aretha ought to set her sights on Precious and then work her way down the scale if she wants this to be anything close to realistic.

Why is that just so many layers of wrong?

sosgemini said:

missfee said:

I don't think so...she's a diabetic and gaining the weight then losing it would put a strain on her health. She'd have to do a fat suit as Marrk suggested.

Wouldn't be the first time. Either Matt Damon or the guy who played John Lennon's assasin risked diabetic complications due to weight gain. And neither seemed as obsessed as Berry with proving their credibility.

I gotta give Berry credit. She is dismissed by many for her talent yet she keeps on fighting to prove her worth. Some would think that attribute resembles Aunt ReRe's fight. And if beauty's Charlize Theron, Marian Coltarte and Nicole Kidman could use make-up or a weight gain to pull off Oscar wins, well I'd like to tell all the naysayers on this forum to STFU and let the artist prove their worth for a change...

...just saying.

I agree with you about what she could possibly do with the role if given a chance, but as a borderline diabetic myself, I would not advise her (or anyone for that matter) to gain excess weight for the slight chance that she could claim a statuette? The complications are not worth the risk and not something to be tossed around lightly. If another Oscar is what she covets then I'm sure there will be other vehicles to lead her to it without jeopardizing her health.

errant said:

Aretha ought to set her sights on Precious and then work her way down the scale if she wants this to be anything close to realistic.

That Precious comment is wrong, but oh so right.

missfee said:

errant said:

Aretha ought to set her sights on Precious and then work her way down the scale if she wants this to be anything close to realistic.

&

Ree Ree should just ask her goddaughter Nippy to play her. Lord knows Nippy could do with a good movie role right now. Ok so Whitnay's voice ain't the best at the moment but she sure as hell can outsang Halle, Precious and all them heffas anyday!

This role could be Whitnay's "Lady Sings The Blues"!

[Edited 2/1/11 12:38pm]

Whitney IS the lady that sings the blues. She's through, we should let her rest in peace.

Still not feeling Halle as Mz Franklin. I get it though. Aretha wants a beautiful woman to portray her. I bet we'd never see her fat...a slender RiRi all through the movie.

Ottensen said:

errant said:

Aretha ought to set her sights on Precious and then work her way down the scale if she wants this to be anything close to realistic.

Why is that just so many layers of wrong?

But it's stone cold truth.

missfee said:

MsGlamSlam said:

When I first heard about Halle being considered to play Aretha, I thought she was referring to the role Halle played in Why Do Fools Fall In Love. I actually liked Halle as Zola, but I think they'll need a stronger actress to do Aretha some justice. I'm suprised no one is considering Mary J. Blige. She has a strong voice and some acting experience.

Mary J.Blige as Aretha? It's not a terrible idea I'll have to think about that one.

Marrk said:

Goin on about it whilst living strikes of a vanity project. As does badgering Halle.

I sort of agree but I never felt traces of vanity projects in "What's Love Got To Do With It" for example.

This movie will be lame even if it does get greenlit. Aretha don't want them skeletons to come out the closet, she wants her fantasy life to be portrayed on the silver screen where she looks like Halle Berry and fucks Denzel Washington.

Sidebar: anybody know a good book that documents all the crazy shit that happened in Aretha's life and addresses all the crazy ass rumors about her husband, father and sons and all the shit she kept hidden?

Sandino said:

This movie will be lame even if it does get greenlit. Aretha don't want them skeletons to come out the closet, she wants her fantasy life to be portrayed on the silver screen where she looks like Halle Berry and fucks Denzel Washington.

Sidebar: anybody know a good book that documents all the crazy shit that happened in Aretha's life and addresses all the crazy ass rumors about her husband, father and sons and all the shit she kept hidden?

In other words, it won't get made at all.

Timmy84 said:

Sandino said:

This movie will be lame even if it does get greenlit. Aretha don't want them skeletons to come out the closet, she wants her fantasy life to be portrayed on the silver screen where she looks like Halle Berry and fucks Denzel Washington.

Sidebar: anybody know a good book that documents all the crazy shit that happened in Aretha's life and addresses all the crazy ass rumors about her husband, father and sons and all the shit she kept hidden?

In other words, it won't get made at all.

Timmy I know you got the juice on all the scandalous shit aretha locked in her closet al these years, holla at ya boy pm me anything you know..it's a boring snow day where I am and I got nothin to do

[Edited 2/2/11 10:23am]

Militant said:

Marrk said:

Goin on about it whilst living strikes of a vanity project. As does badgering Halle.

I sort of agree but I never felt traces of vanity projects in "What's Love Got To Do With It" for example.

I don't remember Tina trying to write, produce, cast, direct, and edit that film so publicly.

errant said:

Militant said:

I sort of agree but I never felt traces of vanity projects in "What's Love Got To Do With It" for example.

I don't remember Tina trying to write, produce, cast, direct, and edit that film so publicly.

Yeah that's true. You never know what goes on behind the scenes though. Aretha ain't exactly known for being subtle. She doesn't give a fuck, she knows what she wants.

SoulAlive said:

missfee said:

Mary J.Blige as Aretha? It's not a terrible idea I'll have to think about that one.

I can't see Mary J. doing that role. Not at all.

missreelthang said:

Ree Ree should just ask her goddaughter Nippy to play her. Lord knows Nippy could do with a good movie role right now. Ok so Whitnay's voice ain't the best at the moment but she sure as hell can outsang Halle, Precious and all them heffas anyday!

This role could be Whitnay's "Lady Sings The Blues"!

[Edited 2/1/11 12:38pm]

Whitney wouldn't do it. Even if Aretha died, I doubt anyone will pick her.

Halle needs to flip that script and beg Ms. Aretha to play her for a few days. Like them days where she fights for custody of her child from that smokin' hot tool who fathered her child. Shoot, he wouldn't even show up if he knew what was good for him, and Halle would have all of that business settled and could go on and make a movie about Aretha8-) Franklin.

Timmy84 said:

WaterInYourBath said:

Per what some older people have told me in the past, almost everyone hated that Diana Ross was chosen to play Billie Holiday, similar to how folks didn't understand her being chosen for "The Wiz." I figured it was only popular with those who didn't know she was supposed to be Holiday in the film, lol.

But she really wasn't. That's why they were pissed. She wasn't even TRYING to play or BE Billie Holiday. This was Diana Ross in the film. I think the best things that came out of that was she got some worldwide recognition and Billie's music exposed to a new generation. It should be noted that one of the executives working on the film made the remark that no one KNEW what Billie really looked like.

But Lady Sings the Blues was still awesome, in my little opinion. Looking back it seems like they really followed a formula similar to The Rose, where the character of the film was based on a historical figure, but were ill advised and called the movie a biography. Diana and Bette were each so fuckin' awesome in those movies when you were able to seperate their characters from the accuracy of the historic elements. They could have made a great buddy movie with those two characters. "Roadtrip, girl?"

.

allsmutaside said:

Timmy84 said:

But she really wasn't. That's why they were pissed. She wasn't even TRYING to play or BE Billie Holiday. This was Diana Ross in the film. I think the best things that came out of that was she got some worldwide recognition and Billie's music exposed to a new generation. It should be noted that one of the executives working on the film made the remark that no one KNEW what Billie really looked like.

But Lady Sings the Blues was still awesome, in my little opinion. Looking back it seems like they really followed a formula similar to The Rose, where the character of the film was based on a historical figure, but were ill advised and called the movie a biography. Diana and Bette were each so fuckin' awesome in those movies when you were able to seperate their characters from the accuracy of the historic elements. They could have made a great buddy movie with those two characters. "Roadtrip, girl?"

.

"The Rose" for one didn't hide the fact that they were making a movie based on a legend.

The problem with "Lady Sings the Blues" was they try to make it seem like they were really discussing Billie Holiday.

Timmy84 said:

Whitney wouldn't do it. Even if Aretha died, I doubt anyone will pick her.

Well that's because no one ain't got no damn sense in Hollywood! If I wanted to make a film about the Queen of Soul and the Queen of Pop/Soul happened to be an actress I sure as hell wouldn't look no further. Whitney is one of the greatest singers evah and she's a very underrated actress too. This could be her Oscar winning role if those goddamn haters would give her a chance!

missreelthang said:

Timmy84 said:

Whitney wouldn't do it. Even if Aretha died, I doubt anyone will pick her.

Well that's because no one ain't got no damn sense in Hollywood! If I wanted to make a film about the Queen of Soul and the Queen of Pop/Soul happened to be an actress I sure as hell wouldn't look no further. Whitney is one of the greatest singers evah and she's a very underrated actress too. This could be her Oscar winning role if those goddamn haters would give her a chance!

Aretha won't allow it.

I can't see Whitney playing Aretha.But I think that maybe,just maybe,Mary J.Blige could pull it off

SoulAlive said:

I can't see Whitney playing Aretha.But I think that maybe,just maybe,Mary J.Blige could pull it off

If Mary can't play (or won't be able to play) Nina Simone, what makes anyone think she can get on Aretha's good graces? Remember she basically caterwauled "Natural Woman" in FRONT of Aretha! Look at her reaction to her after she hit that cat note. Aretha was like Watch her expression if you don't know what I mean.

Timmy84 said:

allsmutaside said:

But Lady Sings the Blues was still awesome, in my little opinion. Looking back it seems like they really followed a formula similar to The Rose, where the character of the film was based on a historical figure, but were ill advised and called the movie a biography. Diana and Bette were each so fuckin' awesome in those movies when you were able to seperate their characters from the accuracy of the historic elements. They could have made a great buddy movie with those two characters. "Roadtrip, girl?"

.

"The Rose" for one didn't hide the fact that they were making a movie based on a legend.

The problem with "Lady Sings the Blues" was they try to make it seem like they were really discussing Billie Holiday.

Can you see the biomythography film they could make? "Dude, Where's My Connection?" [OK I'm shit at that game. But somebody here has the perfect treatment for a Janis and Billie getting into some trouble movie.]

^ I can't see it to be honest with you lol

and this is worth 4 pages because...?