I love Ree-Ree, but I would have much preferred to have the soundtrack with Irene Cara and Lonette McKee on vocals...I'm sure they probably went for the big name when releasing the soundtrack, and "giving him something he can feel" is classic Aretha, but the version in the movie is better. the fact that En Vogue paid homage to this song by virtually lifting that entire scene for their video speaks volumes.

I totally agree with you.As much as I love Aretha,I think it would have been much more interesting if the released soundtrack had used the actors' vocals instead.Irene Cara and Lonette McKee are good singers,and they sound great in the film.Obviously,Aretha was brought in because she is a big name artist,but when I listen to the album,it just doesn't feel like a soundtrack,since her versions weren't used in the actual film.

DavidEye said:

"Brought in" is an interesting way of putting it. Aretha caught wind of the songs and demanded that she sing them herself. It's my fave Aretha album, but yes, I do wish a recording of the stars singing the songs had been released. One things for sure - the songs are a hell of a lot better than the film.

To this day I haven't seen that movie

I love the soundtrack alot. But there were alot of drama backstage.

She and Curtis were wilding out on each other becoz he wanted her to sing a curtain way and Aretha being Aretha wasn't having it. Like Luther, he was pressuring her with alot of TAKES whereas she's used to being a ONE-TAKE-ARTIST, seems that she can't handle perfectionists' demands.

Harlepolis said:

You're not missing much, really. It's an okay movie that's worth seeing for it's camp value. Think the worst of Dreamgirls combined with the best of Glitter and you've got Sparkle.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Well then, why the hell is eveybody making a fuss about it?

You won't believe the flack I get from not seeing the movie

Harlepolis said:

Sparkle is a pretty good movie and was essential viewing back in the late 70's and early 80's. the acting is passable (Lonette McKee, Phillip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Dorian Harewood)...like purple rain, it's the musical performances that will leave a lingering memory, especially Giving Him Something He Can Feel, Jump, and Lonette McKee singing Giving Up

A few years ago,they were planning to re-make "Sparkle",starring Aaliyah.It was being produced by Whitney Houston.

Harlepolis said:

-----
It is not has bad as Glitter. It is a pretty good film. You just have to keep in mind that it was a small budget black film.

DavidEye said:

Yep, and the role is passed on to Ashanti

Harlepolis said:

well thanx for telling me so I won't waste money on it...

it's not that hard to find on DVD (thank God you can get almost anything on DVD now)..it's definitely worth a rental if you like old school music with some heavy topics thrown in (drug addiction, female abuse)...this movie is right up there with probably Eddie and the Cruisers (I like Sparkle a little more, though), where a lot the dramatic scenes are set up by the musical scenes...think of it as "Ray", without and the great Jamie Foxx performance and the big Hollywood budget, but same good intentions.

wasn't "giving him something he can feel" on that soundtrack? If so, I"d MUCH rather hear Aretha singing it then Irene Cara... Aretha's version is sex.

SquarePeg said:

lonette mckee, who was and still is a hottie, actually sings most of the lead on this song and most of the songs in the movie...irene cara's character really doesn't hit it big towards the end, after the death of lonette's character froma drug overdose...the vocal arrangement is better in the movie, as it's sung by the three sisters

meltwithu said:

Hot hard to find on DVD? It's impossible, because it's not been released to DVD. At least, not here in the States it hasn't been. I don't know about elsewhere.

RipHer2Shreds said:

I was about to say the same thang....

funkpill said:

Anyway that first song that they sung with the 2 guys on stage wit them when they were a group was COOL

sirnozedevoidofunk said:

That song is called "Jump" and it rocks

"we're gonna keep it in the groove"

Harlepolis said:

NOOOOO!!!!! I hope they don't remake this movie. It's one of my all time favorites. And I can't find it on DVD either. First Dirty Dancing now, this.

You know what no. Let them remake it. As a matter of fact, lets just get it over with and have them remake ALL of our favorite movies. They can start with Purple Rain feauturing Usher and then UTCM starring Will Smith as Christopher Tracy and Martin Lawerence as Tricky. Man, they even remade that old 80's movie I liked called "Can't Buy Me Love" and turned it into "Love Don't Cost A Thing" oh, I KNOW Purple Rain is next.

my apologies...Sparkle is NOT officially released on DVD yet ( but it is out there like Sign O' The Times was in vhs-transferred form)..came across this nifty lil online petition to have it put on DVD




Name Comments
183 darlene you must put this movie on dvd. it is a musical classic with excellent acting and story line.
182 Courtney
181 Kelly This movie must be on dvd, it didnt get the props that it deserved
180 danielle I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS MOVIE SINCE THE RELEASE OF THE DVD PLAYER.THIS MOVIE IS AN ALL TIME CLASSIC, NOT ONLY TO BLACKS BUT TO EVERYONE!!!!
179 kevin Please put his on DVD
178 sheila walcott
177 bryant
176 KESIA CLASSIC MOVIE!
175 Deborah Davis Please Please Please put this classic romantic drama of the 70's on DVD. You'll make lots of money
174 Cheryl Paige
173 F. Collette This is a classic flick! Too not put it on DVD is an insult. This is a wonderful movie!
172 shameeka please put on dvd I have looked everywhere and I need this
171 MYA WELLS CLASSIC MOVIE WITH GREAT AFRICAM AMERICAN TALENT
170 Jay Gray Like everyone else said, put it on dvd quickly
169 Don Put it on DVD. It is a classic.
168 cream put it on dvd ASAP
167 GREGORY LUCAS IRENE CARA
166 jatia powell i would but it if was on dvd
165 Frank Edwards A part of the African American experience...this should definitely be on DVD immediately
164 Jarrod Simpson I need this.
163 Ellis Please release this movie...
162 almack Keep the CLASSIC'S roll'in.
161 Tim great movie.lonette mckee was a dime.
160 Arrah sure why not..

put it out...

its a favorite movie to alot of people
159 Tha Gemberland Outta all my movie veiwings i never came across this one.....i would like to see what it's about because VHS is so obselete now.....

meltwithu said:

Though I have lukewarm feelings on the film itself, you are right - it has a pretty big fan following. I think Warner Bros owns the distribution rights.