[July 18, 2008] It's me. Freshly returned from the Mamma Mia NYC premiere and the midnight showing of the film in Philadelphia. Only one word can describe both experiences…incredible.
First let me get this out of the way up front about the film: Yes, Pierce is gorgeous, sexy, and sings oh so slightly off-key, but to me that's what makes him so darned great in this movie. Let me also say this right away: It's true that for the last three years or more I've been lamenting the fear I'd never, ever again see PB with long hair. Well I want you to know I was very wrong in the most unexpected of ways.
More about that later. Let me also venture to say that with all those sexy, bared-chested guys hopping around the movie screen, Thank GAWD PB didn't follow the trend and wax!! And thank you, Meryl, for ripping off his shirt!!! But I digress. Back to the premiere.
I got there early, ready to shoot and took my place with the press corps. Here's the scoop from the heart of the premie:
Again PB was gorgeous. So was KSS. She really looked great. Reflecting on previous, unflattering photos of her, I really believe, poor thing, it must be that she just doesn't photograph well because she really looked stunning. In fact, every time I've seen her in person she’s been dead-on gorgeous. She looks perfectly, normally fit and healthy (yes, take that to mean not overweight). She wore a short, but tasteful black dress and a huge smile. Okay, enough about Keely…
PB was gracious as ever. He didn't seem sunburned and wasn't pale. He just looked great. He went over to greet his fans before walking the red -- sorry, blue carpet. He must be over his cold because he just seemed to be happy and to be having a great time.
PB was escorted down the carpet by a pretty blonde who I took to be the Universal publicist. She was thorough and efficient. Enough about her, too.
FLASHBACK: I remember when PB arrived at the GE premiere (omigod was that 13 years ago????). KSS popped out of the limo first. She did it again, only it was a Beamer this time. I don't think I'll ever figure out how and when photographers took the promotional photos of them standing in front of their 'environmentally friendly' car that's now all over the wires. It must have been quick because they were out of the car and over to the crowd in just about the time it took me to focus the camera. Then Pierce slowly made his way down the press corps line.
Colin Firth came next. There was a strong showing of CF fans there because they literally screamed for him to come for autographs. Of course there were screams for PB too. I just found the CF gals way too annoying…
Meryl was last. Actually, Amanda Seyfield may have been last because I didn't see her at all (or I should say recognize her because I know she was there). I really should back track here because before Pierce, Colin and everyone listed above i saw Benny from ABBA, Dominic whatever-his-name-is, (the groom), and Catherine Baranski. I didn't see Rita Wilson or Tom Hanks.
In the camera range of the broadcast reporters along the carpet, there was a slew of shirtless, hunky guys in swim trunks positioned around as "scenery." Music was playing in the background (honestly, after hearing it play over and over again for three hours I was sick of it, but I scarcely noticed it after the crowd heated up). The Mamma Mia! Movie card and a MM title card adorned the walkway.
I guess that's enough about the premie.
The movie is wonderful. Sadly, I think today's reviewers, having grown up with splashy special effects and dramatic, scintillating movie gore-fests, just don’t seem to know a good, clean film when they see one. In their minds, a film can't be good unless its dripping blood or oozing explosions. How sad.
For the record. I am not an ABBA fan. The only song I recognized in the entire film was "Dancing Queen," of course, and Waterloo -- which technically wasn’t even in the movie, unless you count the closing credits. Forget everything you read about boring cinematography and lackluster script. Everything about this movie is fantastic. It will keep you laughing, singing and even dancing in your seats.
My fav scene: Has to be Meryl singing "Winner takes it all" to PB before the wedding. He just looked so forlorn, so desperate and so darned handsome. She belted out that song like there was no tomorrow.
We've seen the SOS clip over and over and again and his singing here doesn’t start any better than the clip that's making the rounds. He really nailed the final song, though. I recognized his voice in the clip that Colin sang too, although he wasn't on camera for much of it (and I think the critics that have been so hard on hi s voice haven't really been listening too closely). Nobody ever claimed Pierce was in competition to sing like Pavorati.
PB was so very perfect for this part. To me, his slightly off-key singing is what makes his character seem so much more humanly sincere and appealing. It really was very sweet and sexy, in my book (and yes, I like Fozzie Bear too, as one reviewer describes his singing voice).
My second fav scene is the entire Dancing Queen sequence. I wanted to get out of my chair, kick off my shoes and form a dance line around the theater. Yes, I’m a dancer at heart, it’s true.
Okay, I know PB isn't featured prominently in either one of those scenes. So…
My fav PB scene. I really love part where he finally confronts Donna about their relationship. Why, oh why do we so often let ourselves get in the way of true love??? (okay, personal editorial comment, but oh so very true for me at least).
A couple of closing thoughts: Why does he seem so nervous? My only thought about this role other than he was great, obviously game and gorgeous in it is that to me he also seemed a tad apprehensive as he moves through it. Okay, I understand him being worried about his singing. After all the press, sorry, I mean the MALE press of late have been pretty harsh on him about a lot of things. Given that it's easy to understand why he would be a little nervous. But Pierce such a versatile actor that he should just let it roll and forget their envious nonsense. I guess you could say that if men are getting jealous over the way women respond to his performances, he’s been successful in his role as sexy male lead.
Honestly. And men say women can be catty. Hah! I've seen more cattiness demonstrated by male reporters in response to Pierce's adeptness at exuding both virility and masculinity in two sentences flat, to know jealously is alive and well and living amid both genders, thank you. I think we need more female film reviewers. Where the heck are they????
I also think he really needs to surround himself with people he can trust. I'm sure he gets that type of genuine support from his family. But outside of the folks at IDT, I sometimes wonder if he always gets it from those big studio Hollywood types out there. Okay maybe I'm biased and a little cynical because I think EON treated him grossly unfair. But Universal obviously pulled out all the stops to effectively counter the unjustly negative singing publicity so maybe I'm wrong about that too.
Anyway, my pix aren't that great. I'm not vicious papparrazi and without a microphone backing me up I'm out of my element. And truth be told, as always PB never takes a bad shot, unless I happen to be holding the camera. Oh, well. Such is life.
One final word. DO, DO DO go see the movie. See it this weekend. We must push up the box office and meet the challenge against the Dark Knight. All the guys will want to see Batman and take their dates with them. Maybe girl power will be a formidable force and I'm hoping the MM numbers will be through the roof…
Watch PB on Regis on opening day, then go out get your movie tix ;-). Oh, I almost forgot. About that hair. Nah, you'll just have to see the film to understand ;-)
And oh, before I forget -- here's the truly final word: Thank goodness for blue spandex, ooh baby, baby...
First let me get this out of the way up front about the film: Yes, Pierce is gorgeous, sexy, and sings oh so slightly off-key, but to me that's what makes him so darned great in this movie. Let me also say this right away: It's true that for the last three years or more I've been lamenting the fear I'd never, ever again see PB with long hair. Well I want you to know I was very wrong in the most unexpected of ways.
More about that later. Let me also venture to say that with all those sexy, bared-chested guys hopping around the movie screen, Thank GAWD PB didn't follow the trend and wax!! And thank you, Meryl, for ripping off his shirt!!! But I digress. Back to the premiere.
I got there early, ready to shoot and took my place with the press corps. Here's the scoop from the heart of the premie:
Again PB was gorgeous. So was KSS. She really looked great. Reflecting on previous, unflattering photos of her, I really believe, poor thing, it must be that she just doesn't photograph well because she really looked stunning. In fact, every time I've seen her in person she’s been dead-on gorgeous. She looks perfectly, normally fit and healthy (yes, take that to mean not overweight). She wore a short, but tasteful black dress and a huge smile. Okay, enough about Keely…
PB was gracious as ever. He didn't seem sunburned and wasn't pale. He just looked great. He went over to greet his fans before walking the red -- sorry, blue carpet. He must be over his cold because he just seemed to be happy and to be having a great time.
PB was escorted down the carpet by a pretty blonde who I took to be the Universal publicist. She was thorough and efficient. Enough about her, too.
FLASHBACK: I remember when PB arrived at the GE premiere (omigod was that 13 years ago????). KSS popped out of the limo first. She did it again, only it was a Beamer this time. I don't think I'll ever figure out how and when photographers took the promotional photos of them standing in front of their 'environmentally friendly' car that's now all over the wires. It must have been quick because they were out of the car and over to the crowd in just about the time it took me to focus the camera. Then Pierce slowly made his way down the press corps line.
Colin Firth came next. There was a strong showing of CF fans there because they literally screamed for him to come for autographs. Of course there were screams for PB too. I just found the CF gals way too annoying…
Meryl was last. Actually, Amanda Seyfield may have been last because I didn't see her at all (or I should say recognize her because I know she was there). I really should back track here because before Pierce, Colin and everyone listed above i saw Benny from ABBA, Dominic whatever-his-name-is, (the groom), and Catherine Baranski. I didn't see Rita Wilson or Tom Hanks.
In the camera range of the broadcast reporters along the carpet, there was a slew of shirtless, hunky guys in swim trunks positioned around as "scenery." Music was playing in the background (honestly, after hearing it play over and over again for three hours I was sick of it, but I scarcely noticed it after the crowd heated up). The Mamma Mia! Movie card and a MM title card adorned the walkway.
I guess that's enough about the premie.
The movie is wonderful. Sadly, I think today's reviewers, having grown up with splashy special effects and dramatic, scintillating movie gore-fests, just don’t seem to know a good, clean film when they see one. In their minds, a film can't be good unless its dripping blood or oozing explosions. How sad.
For the record. I am not an ABBA fan. The only song I recognized in the entire film was "Dancing Queen," of course, and Waterloo -- which technically wasn’t even in the movie, unless you count the closing credits. Forget everything you read about boring cinematography and lackluster script. Everything about this movie is fantastic. It will keep you laughing, singing and even dancing in your seats.
My fav scene: Has to be Meryl singing "Winner takes it all" to PB before the wedding. He just looked so forlorn, so desperate and so darned handsome. She belted out that song like there was no tomorrow.
We've seen the SOS clip over and over and again and his singing here doesn’t start any better than the clip that's making the rounds. He really nailed the final song, though. I recognized his voice in the clip that Colin sang too, although he wasn't on camera for much of it (and I think the critics that have been so hard on hi s voice haven't really been listening too closely). Nobody ever claimed Pierce was in competition to sing like Pavorati.
PB was so very perfect for this part. To me, his slightly off-key singing is what makes his character seem so much more humanly sincere and appealing. It really was very sweet and sexy, in my book (and yes, I like Fozzie Bear too, as one reviewer describes his singing voice).
My second fav scene is the entire Dancing Queen sequence. I wanted to get out of my chair, kick off my shoes and form a dance line around the theater. Yes, I’m a dancer at heart, it’s true.
Okay, I know PB isn't featured prominently in either one of those scenes. So…
My fav PB scene. I really love part where he finally confronts Donna about their relationship. Why, oh why do we so often let ourselves get in the way of true love??? (okay, personal editorial comment, but oh so very true for me at least).
A couple of closing thoughts: Why does he seem so nervous? My only thought about this role other than he was great, obviously game and gorgeous in it is that to me he also seemed a tad apprehensive as he moves through it. Okay, I understand him being worried about his singing. After all the press, sorry, I mean the MALE press of late have been pretty harsh on him about a lot of things. Given that it's easy to understand why he would be a little nervous. But Pierce such a versatile actor that he should just let it roll and forget their envious nonsense. I guess you could say that if men are getting jealous over the way women respond to his performances, he’s been successful in his role as sexy male lead.
Honestly. And men say women can be catty. Hah! I've seen more cattiness demonstrated by male reporters in response to Pierce's adeptness at exuding both virility and masculinity in two sentences flat, to know jealously is alive and well and living amid both genders, thank you. I think we need more female film reviewers. Where the heck are they????
I also think he really needs to surround himself with people he can trust. I'm sure he gets that type of genuine support from his family. But outside of the folks at IDT, I sometimes wonder if he always gets it from those big studio Hollywood types out there. Okay maybe I'm biased and a little cynical because I think EON treated him grossly unfair. But Universal obviously pulled out all the stops to effectively counter the unjustly negative singing publicity so maybe I'm wrong about that too.
Anyway, my pix aren't that great. I'm not vicious papparrazi and without a microphone backing me up I'm out of my element. And truth be told, as always PB never takes a bad shot, unless I happen to be holding the camera. Oh, well. Such is life.
One final word. DO, DO DO go see the movie. See it this weekend. We must push up the box office and meet the challenge against the Dark Knight. All the guys will want to see Batman and take their dates with them. Maybe girl power will be a formidable force and I'm hoping the MM numbers will be through the roof…
Watch PB on Regis on opening day, then go out get your movie tix ;-). Oh, I almost forgot. About that hair. Nah, you'll just have to see the film to understand ;-)
And oh, before I forget -- here's the truly final word: Thank goodness for blue spandex, ooh baby, baby...
