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patty
woodycakes
09 August 2008 @ 08:28 pm
Mamma Mia! It's a Sassy Girl!  
For someone who didn't watch a single SUMMER movie, I'm pretty happy with the fact that I was able to watch two movies in two weeks at the cinemas. That's a feat, for me especially. The best part about it all is that I watched them for "free!" Nothing beats a good movie that you don't pay for. The thing is, after watching the movies, I wouldn't mind paying to see them again.

So I'm terrible at making movie reviews, so I'm not even going to consider this a review. Instead, it's more like delayed streaming thoughts on the movies that I was able to see these past 2 weeks.

Mamma Mia!
I'm not the biggest ABBA fan, but I do love musicals and this one was just made of fun. I loved how they really used the setting to make the movie light up even more. I thought Meryl Streep was brilliant in her role as Donna. And Amanda Seyfried has the most beautiful voice ever. This movie made me want to:

  • have three gorgeous fathers who can sing
  • live on the Greek islands
  • look fabulous in one piece bathing suits

    I didn't watch the Broadway musical, nor did I know the plot, so it was nice to watch things and not expect anything. And yes, the soundtrack is fabulous. Sure, Pierce Brosnan's voice takes a little getting used to, but it just adds to his appeal. I love the OST to bits, that I've gotten around to memorizing the songs already from constant playing.

    I wasn't the biggest fan of Dominic Cooper, but I guess his accent makes up for his face. I'm so mean. But really, this movie was too much fun that all the 'negative' aspects were totally forgotten (not that I could really think of any).

    I thought Julie Walters and Christine Baranski as Donna's friends were absolutely superb! Their group performances were always a treat to watch because they're such fabulous actresses and they totally owned the songs and scenes.

    I wish I could live on a Greek island and sing and dance to ABBA all day.

    My Sassy Girl
    I saw the Korean version and have to admit that when I first heard they were making an American version, I was all like, WTFNOWAY!!!! I was so averse to it. Really. But then I scored free premiere night tickets from Max FM so it was pretty convenient. Because I wouldn't really pay to watch the movie (which went straight to DVD in the US).

    And though the hardcore fans probably hate the movie already, I went into the premiere, with absolutely NO expectations, and came out, well, sort of a fan of it. There I said it. I really liked the movie. I really really liked it. Then again, maybe I'm really easy to please.

    First off, I tried not comparing it to the Korean version, because Tae-hyun Cha brand of charm and humor is all his own and no one can trump that. Same goes for the girl. And yet, I really thought that Elisha Cuthbert and Jesse Bradford had great chemistry! I thought they were able to pull off the adaptation without being too literal about everything.

    Then there's that killer, "destiny is the bridge you build to the one you love" shiz and by that time I was seriously about to bawl, but couldn't for fear that my contacts would fall off. I'm such a sucker for romantic movies and this was no exception.

    But really, props goes to production design. Each scene was so beautifully set. When Jordan and Charlie were dancing (this montage at night), my breath was taken away. Every scene was just soooo pretty!!! And the camera shots were amazing. They were creative with their use of the camera and it was really nice.

    Obviously, I was sold. So yes, the original was fabulous, but this on its own was great too. I know people will keep comparing and I can't blame them, but I liked this movie -- a lot.
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    loved
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    I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (Remix) - Black Kids
     
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    captain awesome: c | ms » you look so fine[info]derschatzi on August 10th, 2008 02:19 pm (UTC)
    I loved Mamma Mia!. It's definitely one of my happy movies and I wouldn't mind watching it over and over again. Amanda Seyfried is amazing, and Meryl Streep just blows me away!

    I, too, saw My Sassy Girl recently. Can't say they butchered the movie because everything else stayed pretty much the same, plot-wise. I was a bit teary-eyed when Jordan and Charlie read each other's letters, but I guess my disappointment for the movie comes from just... it not having the magic that drew viewers to the Korean version, you know? I don't think Elisha Cuthbert and Jesse Bradford pulled off their original counterparts, but for a remake the movie was ok.
    patty: [tv] CP {EC straw smile}[info]woodycakes on August 10th, 2008 03:49 pm (UTC)
    Me too!!! I wanna get it on DVD na now! so I cant relive it and rewatch it over and over and over. I want to sing!!! as good as Amanda. Love your icon. Meryl is a genius.

    Hahah, i'm so easy to please. I really liked Sassy Girl. Maybe cause I couldn't get over the fact that Jesse Bradford was very very cute. They portrayed their characters differently from the original that's why i don't want to compare, but again, it is a remake so the comparisons are inevitable :)
    Celeni // cK: my sassy girl/carded[info]celeni on August 10th, 2008 08:26 pm (UTC)
    I downloaded the Hollywood MSG, and I might say it was a bit of a let-down. My friend was right when he said that Elisha Cuthbert did not capture the charm of Jun Ji-Hyun and was really robotic, there were a lot of misinterpreted scenes (the shoe-switch was reduced to a mere "your feet are cute"; the classroom-pull-out was executed so wrong), and they missed out my fave scenes all together (clubbing in school uniforms, the mocking-of-operator-to-avoid-the-girl's-calls).

    But for some weird reason, I was tried to detach myself from the original so I was still able to appreciate it because:
    1. It was set in New York. Whee!
    2. Jesse Bradford was hot. [Another pet peeve for my friend was the shift of the loser/slacker character of the guy in the Korean version to this eye candy-business student Jesse Bradford, I pointed out that it was necessary for Hollywood to be consistent with their star system and remould characters to fit the stereotype of the respective actors. For me, it worked naman =P]

    Oh and can I just say OBB was murder. I mean, what the hell was up with the font? Mukha talaga siya made-for-TV movie.
    patty: [tv] CP {EC straw smile}[info]woodycakes on August 11th, 2008 01:57 pm (UTC)
    new York totally saved it for me! I just love the city sooooo much i can't help but like the movie.

    jesse bradford is toooooo cute!!!! i swear i found myself crushing on him so hard and i was so happy he was in every scene!!!! :)

    haha yes, the oBB was murder. grabe, my sister complained about the font. and sister ko na yun who really doesn't give a shit. so yeah that was bad.
    Barry Cyrus[info]Barry Cyrus [wordpress.com] on August 11th, 2008 04:58 am (UTC)
    elisha guthbert!

    shell always be TheGirlNextDoor to me. =)
    patty: [tv] CP {EC straw smile}[info]woodycakes on August 11th, 2008 02:00 pm (UTC)
    hahaha, that was a funny movie :)
    meantoot: hyun bin[info]meantoot on August 11th, 2008 02:30 pm (UTC)
    i heart the korean version so i am hesitant to watch this. since you said it's great, i'll give it a try. anyway, jesse bradford is <3.
    patty: [tv] CP {EC straw smile}[info]woodycakes on August 11th, 2008 02:39 pm (UTC)
    oh noes, if you're a huge fan of the original, you might not like this one.
    dont' take my word for it. remember, i'm very easy to please :) haha. beware. a lot of people were not satisfied. :D just a warning.
    Pamela[info]jamypye on August 31st, 2008 07:31 am (UTC)
    I loved 'My Sassy Girl'. Ok talaga when you have no expectations.
    patty: [tv] CP {EC straw smile}[info]woodycakes on August 31st, 2008 05:44 pm (UTC)
    Ezxactly. Zero expectations equals high results. :) loved htis movie. thanks for the libre, again :)