sosgemini said:

Valid statement indeed.

RipHer2Shreds said:

i found Sideways and Losts In Translation to be dull because those films don't speak to my personal background...cha know what i mean? i guess sometimes we are predisposed to enjoy or not enjoy certain films...and some films are so awesomely entertaining you don't have to have any connection walking in to enjoy them.

sosgemini said:

I know thank you

RipHer2Shreds said:

For many of us there's probably a big nostalgia factor that plays into this as well. I've been loving it since I was a kid, so my sisters & I love it to death. & because we adore it, my neices & nephews love it. My mom could probably take it or leave it but I know she appreciates it on some level by taking us to see it in the first place

CalhounSq said:

I get that, and it makes sense to me.

I just don't think it's fair - at least in my case (I cannot speak on somebody else's behalf) - to say that I don't like it for cultural reasons. In spite of the fact that the music's good, I just don't find it to be a great film. But, like you said, there are movies that are bad that I like for nostalgic reasons.

RipHer2Shreds said:

how many times have you heard someone say they hate merchant/ivory films because they are boring? its not a negative...its just some folks don't dig those types of films...

i don't consider the wiz boring at all...i love the performances, the character development, the choreography, the cinematography and the costumes...it speaks to me were as a film like Lost In Translation (which is heralded by indie hipsters) is just a bore to me. its slow...i didn't care about all what was happening to those folks...and why? cause i couldn't relate to them.

You don't get it because you're white.

Cinnie said:

i am totally not saying that...you goose!!

sosgemini said:

hey i like the movie because of MICHAEL

sosgemini said:

Ok, I've been reading a lot of blogs on "The Wiz" outside of the ORG and may I please make a statement w/o sounding as though I'm prejudice or negative or whatever. It obviously seemed apparent by other blogs I've read, that most comments were focused on why did they need to make a black version of the Wiz or comments about Diana being too old for the role, or why was it done in the ghetto, etc.

Basically I think the opinion of this film differs among racial and cultural lines. However, some African Americans don't like this film either, but a very small percentage, if any Caucasians like this film. Do u guys agree with my statement?

Ok, well, here is my opinion - the movie, at the time it came out (1978) was actually pretty good to an eight year old kid who grew up in Brooklyn and was like, "mom, The Wizard of Oz lives in the World Trade Center" LOL.

Now lets fast forward to 2007 - the movie looks like it cost maybe 10 thousand dollars to make, LOL...and a lot of stuff doesn't make any sense like why would the wicked witch have sprinklers installed if she knew that it would kill her? Obviously Quincy just focused on the musical aspect of the film, which is still very enjoyable to this day. The movie is very cheap and poorly done, but I love it becasue it's part of my experience as an African American - and it was the first film I recall that featured my fav female artist at the time - Diana Ross. My final word is I think "the Wiz" is a cult classic film for most African Americans including myself.

HAHAHA this movie is terrible!

I'll buy it, and stick it next to "super mario bros - the movie"

sosgemini said:

Yeah Sideways wont be one of those films shown at a Black Barbeque, LOL, but I more of an open mind when it comes to movies, and I don't think about race too much; I personally thought the movie was slow, but I enjoyed
Paul Giamatti's performance and it exposed me the wine known as "Merlo," which I tried after I saw that movie...

sosgemini said:[quote]

RipHer2Shreds said:

I totally agree with you! The Wiz is such a nice little classic that puts a smile on your face. I'm a Nanny and the children I care for LOVE this movie. It's the music, the color that makes it so fun. Especially the music it's so fun to dance to.
[b][Edited 12/9/07 18:50pm]

I disagree. For its time and available special effects, I think it looks damn good. The makeup was fantastic. Take a look at Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow. Then check out the dance routine at the factory and how great that choreography looked. The entrance scene of Oz was brilliantly choreographed as well. Check out the Flying Monkeys and their garb and make-up. Nothing looked cheap at all, especially the musical numbers.

MuthaFunka said:

True.

MuthaFunka said:

Agreed. The screen version was just as entertaining as the Broadway version. Plot was brought to life brillantly with the use of scences, props, costumes, and lighting.

sosgemini said:

That's fine. I'm not debating your reasons for liking it. I'm simply telling you that my reasons for not liking it had nothing to do with an inability to relate to any of the characters, storyline, etc. I thought the movie was slow. You didn't. Nothing more than that.

MuthaFunka said:

who knew it received four oscar nominations? obviously the academy didnt feel it was cheap in 78...it nominated it's sets, costumes and cinematography.

sosgemini said:

sosgemini said:

Bingo!

MsLegs said:

those graphics looked very expensive for its time.. .actually the whole movie looked very costly.... and even graphics today never look as realistic as some of the graphics during the 70's and 80's.... I hate when they use computer animation for EVERYTHING like the new movie Alvan and the chipmunks.. and Scooby Doo...

TotalAlisa said:

Well yeah, at the time, the movie was amazing to me, I'm talking about when u watch it now it looks like a low budget flick, but like I said, it's still a cult classic to me, I thought Ted Ross (the mean ol lion) almost stole the movie away from Diana... ironically, the movie was just Cinemax a few days ago and I couldn't stop watching it becasue it brings back childhood memories...

goat2004 said:

you're old
[Edited 12/9/07 19:44pm]

TotalAlisa said:

that was a low blow. tee heeeee ta-heeeee ta heeeee....




Anyway the movie isa great one. And yeah me 2 it brings childhood memories. I forgot all about the Wizard when I saw this one. And I do agree with the fact that alot of African American movies (like this one) are looked over.

I loved it as a child. I was 6 years old back then, and remember being scared at certain parts. It aired either last year or the year before, but I could only sit through the first 30-45 minutes and the last 10 minutes. Personally I don't think it was all that great, but it was enjoyable as a child, and it brought back fond memories. I liked Nipsy Russell as the tin man. The soundtrack is funky good.

CalhounSq said:

I lOVE this movie too....Quincy Jones and the Choreographers are the REAL...stars..

paisleypark4 said:

it was a joke.... that man is definitly not old until he reaches my mom's age...

sorry mister

well he likes it!

Damn I was good! And I worked hard on it! I even had to braid my hair to put that wig on, yall!

bboy87 said:

michael with braids would be sooooo cute