Phantom of the Opera

Postby **soul alive** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:09 pm

is anyone else excited about the upcoming Phantom of the Opera movie? it's being released in the US limited on Dec. 22, and everywhere on Jan 21. for release dates in other countries go to: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293508/releaseinfo

as far as i can tell, most of the cast is fairly unknown, except for Minnie Driver, who is playing Carlotta, i don't know any of the actors/actresses.

you can see the two trailers here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293508/trailers

personally, i can't wait for it. i absolutely love the music (and this is the movie of the musical) but have never had a chance to go see the musical live.

Postby **ShiroiHikari** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:21 pm

I saw the trailer for this and it looks absolutely beautiful! I've never seen Phantom of the Opera in any incarnation, so I'm really looking forward to it (I hope it was correct when it said Oklahoma City would be one of the limited release cities...)

Postby **Ashley** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:51 pm

Oh good, so it WILL come to the nation eventually. At first I was upset because I didn't think they'd hit Houston. I'm absolutely thrilled about this! It looks fantastic and I even have a special edition poster on it's way for it *winks at Shinja* But yeah, I'm definately pumped.

Postby **Gypsy** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:37 am

Yay! I was going to start a topic about this but I was beaten to the punch! I'm very excited about this movie. Sadly, I have to wait a month later than the rest of you to see it. (I don't want to think about what the theater majors at UM are saying about this select theater business - on second thought, they're probably taking a bus to Boston.) When I first saw a commercial for it, I think all that came out was a happy little squeak. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to the music score for this. I especially can't wait for the Masquerade number. I also find it amusing that Phantom gets tagged as a horror. I guess technically it is, but it seems too beautiful to be "horror."

Postby **agasfas** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 12:34 pm

To be honest I don't know what to really expect from this movie. I've never really been a big fan of musicals but this one looks like it may be worth the watch. Much like ShiroiHikari, I've never really read or watched anything to do w/ the Phantom of the Opera, but this title may be worth checking into. Who knows, since it's going to show here in Austin, perhaps I should check it out. I know a few friends that may want to go see it too. I hate going alone...

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<.<
>.>

Postby **Needle Noggin** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:13 pm

Why don't all of you just read the book. Movies made from books are usually:

A. Simplified for "simple" people.
B. "Americanized" as in way too much SFX and stuff.
C. Hacked into tiny peices and sewn back together upside-down,inside out, with a string made from cat guts.
D. Too much stuff is cut out. *CoughLOTRcough*
E. The ending is changed. CoughCountofMonteCristocough*
F. All of the above

Of course their are always exceptions...but they are few and far between and I for one would not want to waste my time and money with something when I know the book will be much better.

Postby **Mangafanatic** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:20 pm

Needle Noggin wrote:Why don't all of you just read the book. .

There's this little thing called "time", my friend, and right now I don't have that much of it waiting around to be used for joy reading.

Really, I do like to read books, but if I know I'll be seeing the movie soon-- I just wait. Why you ask? Because I don't want my whole cinematic experience ruined by the thought of "Well, that wasn't nearly as good as the book."

I'd rather just read it afterwards and be pleasantly surprised to see how wonderful the book was as well as the movie.

Concerning this movie, I'm really excited. I saw a trailer when I saw "Finding Neverland" over Thanksgiving weekend. It looks AWESOME!! I love it when we get a musical on the big screen. I'll just have to round of a group of friends to see it with me. (BTW, where is the list that shows the cities that are getting it for sneak previews, er, whatever.)

Postby **Needle Noggin** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:31 pm

*sigh* It is not a very long book or a book that is very hard to read.I hate to say it but it sounds like lazyness to me. I am sure you could not watch tv for a couple minute each day in order to read a relativly short book.If you do not watch tv(like me...i don't have cable) you could eat dinner faster,not sit aroud daydreaming, or read before going to bed (like me).

PS: do no think just because you are older than me you can think/say (not saying it would be worse) that I don't know the value of time,how tired you or any one else might be. I know more than you think I can assure you of that and I know excuses when I see them.

PPS: No offense in any way was ment to any of you.

Postby **Mangafanatic** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:49 pm

Needle Noggin wrote:*sigh* It is not a very long book or a book that is very hard to read.I hate to say it but it sounds like lazyness to me. I am sure you could not watch tv for a couple minute each day in order to read a relativly short book.If you do not watch tv(like me...i don't have cable) you could eat dinner faster,not sit aroud daydreaming, or read before going to bed (like me).

PS: do no think just because you are older than me you can think/say (not saying it would be worse) that I don't know the value of time,how tired you or any one else might be. I know more than you think I can assure you of that and I know excuses when I see them.

PPS: No offense in any way was ment to any of you.

Ooooooookay. I was 14 once. I know there are a great many pulls on one's time. I would never dare to assume that you are not using your time very wisely.

But right now there are days when I spend 8 hours studying. Meaning-- finish school, have a little recoup time, study. It's just not working for me right now. I read over the summer, but there are alot of books. It may not be big, but it's still just not fittin' with my schedule right now.

Thank you for the reccomendation, though.

Postby **Ashley** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:57 pm

Hey easy guys, let's try not to tear into each other here.

Personally I very much disliked the book, and I've much preferred the musicals/movie renditions to the book. Same with the count of monte cristo and the three musketeers/man in the iron mask. I forced myself to read through all of them and yes, sometimes things are changed but it's not always for the worse. I think with the amount of money it looks like was poured into PotO, it looks like it shall be a very good movie. Besides, movies very often make me want to go and read the book.

Postby **soul alive** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:23 pm

i've also read the book, quite a while ago in middle school, when i was in a horror novel stage, found it an okay read until the mirror room section, where it just lost me ^^. but that's just me.

i haven't seen the musical, and really don't have any clue as to how faithful it is to the book, but the movie is taken directly from the musical. and it looks like it should be pretty darn enjoyable. i have to restrain myself not to squeal in excited glee every time i watch the trailer, lol. ^^ and i'm quite bummed that i live nowhere near any of the limited release cities :sniffle:

the costumes, make-up, and sets all look beautifully done. and supposedly, it took around four years to make the prosthetics for 'Phantom's' face. Andrew Lloyd Weber wrote a whole new song just for the movie, which Carlotta's sings.

Mangafanatic - the limited release cities can be found at the official website under 'select cities': http://phantomthemovie.warnerbros.com/#

actually, the site has a lot of neat info on the making of the movie, under 'notes.' i attached some of the pics from the site :
1 - a huge opera scene
2 - Christine and Raoul
3 - Christine and 'Phantom' and the organ
4 - Carlotta

Postby **Gypsy** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:16 pm

That first shot makes me so happy. "Paper faces on parade ..." I've been haunting the official site as well ... come to think of it, I shouldn't torture myself since I have to wait over a month for it to come out.

When I took voice lessons, "Think of Me" was one of my favorite pieces to learn. Singing famous songs from musicals was actually what drove me to check out titles like West Side Story, Into the Woods, and Phantom. And now I have to go listen to the soundtrack for the fifth time today.

Postby **soul alive** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:34 pm

i know how you feel about torturing yourself - when i am home for break, my home town is pretty darn small (3000 some odd people) and the theater is rather shoddy... and gets movies in quite late... we got Star Wars II about three months after it was released... so i will have to wait even longer, til i am back at college, and if i have the money, or more importantly - time - to go see it.

i used to play simplified piano versions of the songs, and still have the book in fact, when i was in grade school and early middle school. i would love to find advanced piano music. *sighs* now if only i could sing... hehe. i have to restrain myself, and not listen to the CDs i have, it just gets me too excited about the movie coming out.

and on the movie, i'm also looking forward to the way they are going to show more backstory on the characters, like how 'Phantom' was abandoned as a child and part of a freak show, and so on.

Postby **Ashley** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:27 pm

i'm also looking forward to the way they are going to show more backstory on the characters, like how 'Phantom' was abandoned as a child and part of a freak show, and so on.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. There was a so-called "sequel" to phantom of the opera I read several years ago--the "phantom of manhatten" that I detested horrifically. I would rather see the musical and the musical's story alone, rather get into backstory that may or may not have been what Gaston Leveraux (sp?) originally penned.

Postby **The Doctor** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:08 pm

Ashley

You may not need to worry too much about the movie's quality since Andrew Lloyd Webber is the Executive Producer of this movie (and if my sister is correct, redid the musical scores himself), so depending on how much real control and influence he has on the making of it, which I suspect may be substantial, the movie may turn out ok. However, what has me worried is the guy directing it. Joel Schumacher (National Treasure). He'd probably be one of the last men I'd expect to direct this movie. I hope his talents are up to it.

I say expect for them to go into the backstory of the Phantom. Hollywood can have a knack for explaining why people do things.

Personally, I'd prefer for Phantom to be done anime style rather than live action. The music would fit so well with the animation.

Postby **agasfas** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:54 am

Forgive me Ashley (or any other Mod) ahead of time. I dont' mean to start conflict but I just have to make a few points clear.

Needle Noggin wrote:Why don't all of you just read the book. Movies made from books are usually:
A. Simplified for "simple" people.

"Simple people?" WHo are you to be calling people simple?
Some definitions of simple are:
1. "fool]Of course their are always exceptions...but they are few and far between and I for one would not want to waste my time and money with something when I know the book will be much better.[/quote]
Plus, I've read a few books in the past that the movie was just better. There are those "exceptions."

do no think just because you are older than me you can think/say (not saying it would be worse) that I don't know the value of time,how tired you or any one else might be. I know more than you think I can assure you of that and I know excuses when I see them.

Excuses, first off being a college student who has to pay his own way through college I don't always want to waste my free time reading. Waste? Well, yes. There is more to life than reading books or watching TV. Don't get me wrong, reading is great and all, but I like to be outdoors and remain active. I read enough as it is for my classes everyday, I don't need to add more books to it. And no, that isn't an excuse. I just don't believe one has to keep his nose in the books to be smart. There is more to life than books. I'm not saying reading is bad, because it's not. But I know far too many people who read for hours and hours a day. That's all they do. They never go outside or lift one finger to do any physical activity or recreation such as walking, sports or whatever. Also, I could read all of those books but I choose not to. Is it because I'm lazy? No, I just want to do other things in life besides read. Tell me in a few years from now the same story of excuses when you get a job and have to pay for your own schooling. Summary: books are good but I need to have a life too. Personal opinion.

Your'll still young were and have plenty of free time, well for me I like to cherish the free time I get, not waste it reading. Again, no I'm not saying reading is a waste, I just think there are more things to do then read.
Wait until you get into the "real" world, were you need to cherish all the free time you get.

Ashley wrote:movies very often make me want to go and read the book

And perhaps like Ashley suggested, if I like the movie enough I may go read the book. I have in the past.
And again, please forgive me Ash, I don't mean to start a conflict, but I don't think it's was Needle Noggin place to state that people (such as me) who watch the movies instead of reading the book are simple. To generalize people (me included) as "simple," that just isn't right.

No, I'm not trying to start a heated debate but you need to take mind to what you say. Your comments, to me, came out immature and based on ignorance--lack of knowledge about "simple" people. You may want to re-word your statements next time. Just some advice.

(sorry again: I just didn't see it as right for her to be calling me or anyone else for that matter "simple.")

Postby **Ashley** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:54 am

You know, it's really not a good idea to try to address a conflict after a mod/admin has already tried to cool it down. All that does is get both sides even more riled up. I know you weren't trying to start a fight, Agasfas, but that's what it would have come down to. Yes, Needlenoggin said some hurtful things, but those were addressed, so I want this issue dropped now. I really, really don't want to close this thread, but I will if I have to. Now enough, either get back on topic or take it to PMs.

Postby **agasfas** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:24 pm

Sorry, my apologies. It wasn't the smartest thing to do and I'll admit that. I wasn't trying to start a fight or anything, but I was just saying how his statements could offend a lot of people. Sorry *dips head in an ashamed manner*

ANyways, back on the topic at hand:
What I find interesting is that on the main site, it says the movie has been nominated for three golden globes:
1)best original song
2)best actress
3)best picture

Question: What the heck is a golden globe, is it like an Oscar? Or is is a another type of movie awards? What's the difference?

I'm not sure if the movie company is trying to build the hype up, but regardless it looks quite interesting. I guess everyone has mentioned that it's being released in select cities Dec 22, and released nation wide Jan 21. So for those who live in a small town were it wont be released on Dec 22, it's okay becaue a month later it'll go to more theatres.

Postby **Shinja** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:13 pm

now thats the phantom

Postby **plutogrl03** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:36 pm

I'll probably check out the movie just to indulge in the spectacle of it all. I find that nowadays I am more interested in seeing how things are done to produce a movie than actually seeing the movie. Compared to most people I haven't seen many movies or theatrical performances anyway (This from someone who's plans on being a theatre/film major. How pathetic am I? :sweat:

)

Postby **soul alive** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 7:39 pm

to answer your question about the golden globes, agasfas, since i wasn't sure either, i googled them, and this is what one site had to say, if this helps:

[INDENT]The Hollywood Foreign Press Association awards the Golden Globes to honor achievements in film and television during the calendar year. For motion pictures, the HFPA currently presents awards in the following categories: Picture (Drama and Musical Or Comedy), Actor (Drama and Musical Or Comedy), Actress (Drama and Musical Or Comedy), Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Director, Screenplay, Original Score, Original Song, Foreign Film and the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
Other awards for achievements not in motion pictures include: Television Series (Drama and Musical Or Comedy), Mini-Series Or Television Movie, Actor (Drama Series, Musical Or Comedy Series and Mini-Series Or Television Movie), Actress (Drama Series, Musical Or Comedy Series and Mini-Series Or Television Movie), Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress[/INDENT]

to get back on topic... the official site said something about how they were expounding on the stage version musical: for example, the musical has a little bit of the backstory of 'Phantom,' but the movie, since it can, will go further into it. the movie also involves bareback horse riding, and turns Raoul into more of a dashing, sword-fighting romantic hero than he was in the stage version. and 'Phantom' is more of a character to be related to than to be repulsed by or feared, like i remember him being portrayed in the book.

i guess i shall rephrase myself, and say that more than looking forward to the backstory, i am interested in seeing how it is handled. if it will actually be important to the movie, or if it is just going to be there because 'they can do it' or some other excuse like that. but that's just me.

Postby **agasfas** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:04 pm

WOw, thank you for you anwswering my question Soul Alive. I knew what the Oscars were, so I figured it was another Movie Award presentation such as billboard music awards are for musical artists.
Kind of like:
Oscar is to Golden Globes as the Grammy awards is to the Billboard awards. Wait, the SAT's are over Dan.....

Anyways, thanks again for the reply. I'm quite curious to see how all this plays out; the movie I mean. I just don't know what to expect...

Postby **crossalchemist** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 12:59 pm

I have seen the musical but never read the book. I understand from others that the musical is the best rendition of the story. Course I like musicals anyway (Andrew Llyod Weber is an amazing song writer) so I'm partial to the musical anyway.

Postby **Maledicte** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 8:39 am

But Michael Crawford's not in it! WAAAAAAAH!

Postby **Sharon Rose** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 3:06 pm

Oh my gosh! I loved it. It was fantastic.

Has anyone seen the actual Phantom of the Opera play? If you haven't, whenever the play is playing near you...go see it. It's totally worth it. It's excellent.

Postby **ShiroiHikari** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 8:20 am

nyaaaaa, I wanna go see it now! maybe next week. ._. but anyway, at Barnes and Noble they have this "Pocket Literature" series: pocket-sized editions of classics like Dracula, Emma, Jane Eyre, etc. for 5 bucks a piece. my B&N had Phantom of the Opera in this pocket edition! so any of you interested in the book should go scope out your B&N and see if they have it :3

btw, I haven't read it yet. I think I'll wait til after I see the movie.

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Mon Dec 27, 2004 4:39 pm

I just saw the movie yesterday. I was especially impressed with the set design, but the music was also excellent. I saw the play recently, and, although I still prefer the musical, I loved the movie.

It was worth watching, but I feel that the role of the Phantom could have been stronger in the movie. Instead of being the powerful force behind each and every scene, the Phantom is reduced to a mysterious force that is never fully explored. Now, I'm not a complete Broadway purist... I watched the movie with an open mind. In the end, I'd give it ***1/2 stars out of ****. A great adaption of the musical with less of a focus on the fascinating Phantom.

Postby **Mangafanatic** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 5:14 pm

Oh-- I saw it today and I really enjoyed it. Visually, it was stunning, and the story was very engrossing. My only problem with the movie was:

[spoiler]The first interchange between the Phantom and Christine. when they're in the chamber, just felt far too drawn out. We barely knew the characters, but, instead of use that time to develop them, we instead get a lengthy song. We didn't really learn anything but that fact that the Phantom desires to draw Christine into his dark world that we know is "full of lies". It just felt like would go on forever. . . [/spoiler]

What did everyone else think?

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 9:26 pm

Mangafanatic wrote:Oh-- I saw it today and I really enjoyed it. Visually, it was stunning, and the story was very engrossing. My only problem with the movie was:

[spoiler]The first interchange between the Phantom and Christine. when they're in the chamber, just felt far too drawn out. We barely knew the characters, but, instead of use that time to develop them, we instead get a lengthy song. We didn't really learn anything but that fact that the Phantom desires to draw Christine into his dark world that we know is "full of lies". It just felt like would go on forever. . . [/spoiler]

What did everyone else think?

I thought that the movie in general didn't develop the characters well enough. Yes, the music and plot made up for the sudden introduction of the characters, but we never truly get a deeper look at the Phantom. In the play, there was a bit more development for the Phantom himself. Now, I won't blame Gerard Butler... I was just used to the OST.

Postby **EvilSporkofDoom** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:23 pm

I just saw it today with TwilightKiss and we both loved it (I haven't even seen the play; I've been wanting to for years, though). The visuals and sets were very aesthetically pleasing, the music was beautiful, and the cinematography was done very well, too. I'd definitely recommend it.

Phantom of the Opera

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