Rent

[felicitylen]

I saw Rent this past weekend and loved it! If you've seen this movie, what were your thoughts? Was it better then the musical play or was the play better then the movie?

http://entimg.msn.com/i/gal/Rent/AdamPascal_Devan_5598323_410.jpg

[Gizmo1]

I just saw it myself this past weekend. I dont know if it is better than the play because I have not seen the play. I wasnt expecting to be blown away, but this movie was very good. I enjoyed it. If you want to see it, I would recommend doing so, it wont be a waste of money.

[Cactus Jack]

I THOUGHT IT WAS FREAKIN AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

[vashti1999]

I need to go see this movie. I'm so used to waiting for the dvds.

[MissZero]

to sum it up in one word...amazing

[James"Thunder"Early]

I'm not usually into musicals and stuff, but this looks interesting so I want to see it

[Karen*]

I'm seeing it on Wednesday, can't wait! I've been looking forward to watching this movie for a very long time! :D

[felicitylen]

I felt it was worth the money. It was a really good movie.

[Ewan's My Man]

I've seen this movie twice already, I really liked it.

I've never seen the stage version, but I really got into this show this summer when my Idina Menzel-craze started...so I've become MORE than acquainted with the Original Broadway Cast recording (as in I listen to it all the freaking time :p) and from the soundtrack I've gotten a pretty good idea of the plot, and I think the movie captured all of that, for me at least. I really loved it, I'd be interested to see the comments of someone who has seen the stage version...Karly? Haha.

But, yea, I really loved it, omg, Angel and Collins..."I'll Cover You" *just cries and cries* that is the CUTEST couple of ALL time. That's my favorite song/scene in the entire movie. Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Jesse L. Martin did just the most MAGNIFICENT job. I mean, the entire cast did, but I loved those two so much. Does anyone know what Wilson's like in real life? I couldn't get over how feminine and just sweet he was...I mean...his body movements and everything...soooooooooo feminine. I loved him, and Collins, omg, so adorable.

[LucyCompanyPhan]

Ok, so here comes my big negative comment against everyone who loved it.

The movie is too long. There are at least 3 places they could have ended it before it actually did end. I couldn't find myself able to relate to the content. It wasn't that I didn't like the content, but I don't understand why a bunch of people who refuse to get jobs, get really angry because they have to pay the rent after a year? The character development wasn't very good.Too maybe characters with problems that weren't developed emotionally enough. Alot of the music sounded exactly the same to me, and for a movie about 2 hours and 15 minutes, the same story could have been cut down to a mere hour and a half. Some moments were cringe worthy for me. Such as Mimi dying and then popping back up immediately. Another scene was when Roger leaves for Arizona and he is just randomly singing on a mountain. I also thought the direction was very unfocused and choppy. Overall, I like musicals but this one just didn't work for me. I have never seen Rent the show and I know I won't after this movie. I realize I'm the minority here but my opinion is my opinion. I'm actually surprised how many people like this movie. I had a discussion with my friends and I'm the minority there too.

[Ewan's My Man]

Ok, so here comes my big negative comment against everyone who loved it.

The movie is too long. There are at least 3 places they could have ended it before it actually did end. I couldn't find myself able to relate to the content. It wasn't that I didn't like the content, but I don't understand why a bunch of people who refuse to get jobs, get really angry because they have to pay the rent after a year? The character development wasn't very good.Too maybe characters with problems that weren't developed emotionally enough. Alot of the music sounded exactly the same to me, and for a movie about 2 hours and 15 minutes, the same story could have been cut down to a mere hour and a half. Some moments were cringe worthy for me. Such as Mimi dying and then popping back up immediately. Another scene was when Roger leaves for Arizona and he is just randomly singing on a mountain. I also thought the direction was very unfocused and choppy. Overall, I like musicals but this one just didn't work for me. I have never seen Rent the show and I know I won't after this movie. I realize I'm the minority here but my opinion is my opinion. I'm actually surprised how many people like this movie. I had a discussion with my friends and I'm the minority there too.


No, I loved the movie, but I know WHAT your saying. There were moments that I was like...this is choppy and "What You Own" (the Arizona scene) was one of them. And when Mimi came "back to life" was HORRIBLE. I love that she does, but it was a little to..."waking up from a nap" for me. HOWEVER, I've listened to the soundtrack for months, and I fell in love with the characters, and the story, the "no day but today" "forget regret" part of it, and that's what came through with this movie for me. There were moments when I didn't like the DIRECTION, but I thought Chris Columbus didn't do half bad, and the overall message came through for me. And, yea, even IF the movie completely SUCKED (which it didn't, in my opinion), "I'll Cover You" would have completely saved it, because that was just the most romantic thing...ever. And I loved "Take Me or Leave Me", and "Tango: Maureen" and "La Vie Boheme" OMG I LOVED THEM ALL!!!

http://i.imdb.com/mptv1.gif

[-*Forever*-]

Seriously? One of the greatest movies ever. SERIOUSLY.

Tango: Maureen made my life complete.

[Ewan's My Man]

Seriously? One of the greatest movies ever. SERIOUSLY.

Tango: Maureen made my life complete.

Ahh! I LOVE your avatar!

[Central Perk]

I've seen it twice already and I really enjoy it. The music is just so much better than any other musical. I really like the characters and the story. The direction was choppy at times, but overall I think Chris Columbus did a good job. I was suprised at how good Rosario's voice was. My most major complaint is the fact that Benny was portrayed like he was one of the best friends of the group in posters and in the opening number. I mean honestly he seemed like he didn't care too much about them. Maybe his character is different in the stage production, but that was the one thing that bothered me.

[-*Forever*-]

I've seen it twice already and I really enjoy it. The music is just so much better than any other musical. I really like the characters and the story. The direction was choppy at times, but overall I think Chris Columbus did a good job. I was suprised at how good Rosario's voice was. My most major complaint is the fact that Benny was portrayed like he was one of the best friends of the group in posters and in the opening number. I mean honestly he seemed like he didn't care too much about them. Maybe his character is different in the stage production, but that was the one thing that bothered me.
Yeah, it bugged me too!! Like in Goodbye Love, he's at the funeral, yet no one even likes him...

Oh, and thankies about my av! :D I love yours too!

[LucyCompanyPhan]

For musicals, I'll stick with Moulin Rouge, Chicago, Grease & the Sound of Music as my favorites. I actually really love musicals and I'm really sorry I didn't end up liking it. However, I didn't like the recent Phantom of the Opera either. I still have hope for upcoming musicals...Bring on The Producers!

[Karen*]

I LOVED this movie!! I can't even describe it...I would see it again if I could. I wanna get the soundtrack now cuz I hella loved the songs in it. :biglove:

BTW, I found out the dance teacher from my school was an extra in the movie. I didn't see her, but her name was in the credits (My friend even told me that the teacher told her she was in the movie)...She played one of the STRIPPERS!! :rofl:

[Dean Winchester]

I'm still debating if I wanna see the movie or not. It sounds like a good movie but I seriously cannot stand "Seasons Of Love", the song grates on my nerves.

[Karen*]

I'm still debating if I wanna see the movie or not. It sounds like a good movie but I seriously cannot stand "Seasons Of Love", the song grates on my nerves.
lol, just cover your ears at the beginning of the movie. :lol:

[MsOrange]

i'm interested in seeing this too... but I dunno, what exactly is it about [i know dumb question]

[Dean Winchester]

I suppose at least one good thing came out of Seasons Of Love, at least now everyone knows how many minutes go into a year. Kinda like how the movie "Se7en" came out when I was in high school and suddenly everyone could name the seven deadly sins when before that movie, nobody knew.

[Ewan's My Man]

i'm interested in seeing this too... but I dunno, what exactly is it about [i know dumb question]

Haha, no, it's all good. This is copied from imdb.com. I WOULD give my own little summary, but it would be detailed...and very very longwinded...because I love this movie.

"This film adaptation of Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in modern day East Village New York. The story centers around Mark (Anthony Rapp) and Roger (Adam Pascal), two roommates. While a former tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, AIDS, and modern day life in one truly powerful story. Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Tracie Thoms, and Taye Diggs also star."

[vashti1999]

A two-disc special edition dvd will hit stores 7 weeks from today, February 21. The film itself will be presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Extras will include an audio commentary with director Chris Columbus and selected cast members, a new feature length making-of documentary, deleted scenes and musical performances.

[Karen*]

A two-disc special edition dvd will hit stores 7 weeks from today, February 21. The film itself will be presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Extras will include an audio commentary with director Chris Columbus and selected cast members, a new feature length making-of documentary, deleted scenes and musical performances.
I am sooooooo glad you posted that Vashti! I was planning to do that, but you got to it before I did. :p

Anyway, I can't contain my excitement!! I'm preordering it ASAP. The cover art is awesome and the special features sound kick-a. Chris Columbus said "Halloween" and the second half of "Goodbye Love" are gonna be on there, so that's something to look forward to. I hope that the DVD includes the cast performances from the Today Show and Sessions @ AOL because those were amazing. I also hope that they include the trailers and the music videos for Seasons of Love and Out Tonight. OMG, can't wait till Feb. 21st!! :woohoo:

Guess you guys already know that I'm obsessed. ;)

[Dean Winchester]

I am gonna check the DVD out, I've heard nothing but good things about it.

[Karen*]

I am gonna check the DVD out, I've heard nothing but good things about it.
Yay, it's already attracting new fans! :D

[Titania]

i loved the movie!!!!!!!!!!
hardest part was not singing along in the theater... ;)

having most of the original cast back really made it special- but i thought rosario and tracie were great additions as well. i think i cried for the entire last half and loved every minute of it.
i missed a few of the musical numbers that were cut (christmas bells, contact, happy new year, and halloween!!!), but they kept the overall theme very much intact.



everyone should go see it if they havent!

[Janice]

I hated it. I got through an hour and 15 minutes, and I had to shut it off. Stupid storyline....GET JOBS PEOPLE. For every good song, there were three snoozers.

[Brian Damage]

I hated it. I got through an hour and 15 minutes, and I had to shut it off. Stupid storyline....GET JOBS PEOPLE. For every good song, there were three snoozers.

I agree, I didn't see the movie, but I saw the musical on Broadway. I hated it. I felt like I needed to shower in battery acid to get the filth off of me.

[Brad Russ]

I just bought Rent yesterday!!! I love the movie. I agree that some of the people in the film probably should have just gotten jobs, (two of them did eventually I believe), but you have to remember, half of them were either drug addicts, or dying of Aids, so it would be pretty hard for them to work, considering they were in such critical condition. Anyway, awesome movie!!! One of the best Iv'e seen!!!

I think this is one of the few times you and I disagree on a movie Janice. :eek: I think that along with the Wizard of Oz, it was the best musical Iv'e ever seen!! My mom said it was one of the best movies she's seen period. I'll have to buy her the DVD as well.

One thing I didn't get though, is why did it come with two discs?? There were only a couple special feautures, so I saw no need for them to add an extra disk just for a couple hours of special features. Weird!! :confused:

[Karen*]

One thing I didn't get though, is why did it come with two discs?? There were only a couple special feautures, so I saw no need for them to add an extra disk just for a couple hours of special features. Weird!! :confused:

They should've had more. :grr: Live performances, trailers, and music videos especially would've been nice. Hopefully, they'll eventually release a deluxe version of the DVD, like they did with Chicago. That'd be awesome!!! :D

[Karen*]

Stupid storyline....GET JOBS PEOPLE.

That's what a lot of people said. :lol:

But I thought it was good the way it is...In the real world, there are people who don't have jobs, people who live with disease, people who have drug problems, people who don't fit into society. Rent is about struggles in life and I think the film did a good job in showing that.

[Brad Russ]

That's what a lot of people said. :lol:

But I thought it was good the way it is...In the real world, there are people who don't have jobs, people who live with disease, people who have drug problems, people who don't fit into society. Rent is about struggles in life and I think the film did a good job in showing that.

Wasn't the musical of Rent based on a true story?? My friend told me that a bunch of people with Aids got kicked out of there apartment sometime in the 80's, for not being able to pay their rent, and that's how they came up with the broadway show. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but it's what Iv'e heard.

Anyway, in the movie, it looked like the ones who were healthy, did have, or eventually got jobs. I know that the guy with the camera, got a job working for some tabloid tv company, and one of the women was his agent. With the exception of the white girl, (I forget her name), I believe the rest of the characters had Aids, so I think that can explain the no job thing.

[Karen*]

Wasn't the musical of Rent based on a true story?? My friend told me that a bunch of people with Aids got kicked out of there apartment sometime in the 80's, for not being able to pay their rent, and that's how they came up with the broadway show. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but it's what Iv'e heard.

Anyway, in the movie, it looked like the ones who were healthy, did have, or eventually got jobs. I know that the guy with the camera, got a job working for some tabloid tv company, and one of the women was his agent. With the exception of the white girl, (I forget her name), I believe the rest of the characters had Aids, so I think that can explain the no job thing.

I don't think so...Jonathan Larson, the writer of the musical, based his work on Puccini's opera "La Boheme." The storyline of that work was basically about a bunch of artists living in 18th or 19th century Europe, and they all suffered from tuberculosis. Larson updated that to make it more modern, setting Rent in New York's East Village and making AIDS the main plague, as it was in the real world.

I never heard anything about such an incident. Maybe I can look it up? Because all I know is that Rent was mostly based on an opera.

As for the breakdown of the characters...I'm making a list especially for you Brad (And anyone else who's curious) if it will help you to understand things more. :) But...I might be wrong (Although the info is best to my knowledge), so people, please feel free to correct.

MARK (Anthony Rapp) - Filmmaker, gets a job at Buzzline, straight, no HIV

ROGER (Adam Pascal) - Struggling musician, straight, HIV-positive from sharing drugs with his ex-girlfriend

MIMI (Rosario Dawson) - S&M dancer at the Cat Scratch Club (paid), straight, HIV-positive

COLLINS (Jesse L. Martin) - Teacher at NYU, previously worked at MIT, gay, HIV-positive

ANGEL (Wilson Jermaine Heredia) - Street drummer (receives tips from passerbyers), transvestite, HIV-positive

MAUREEN (Idina Menzel) - Performance artist, bisexual, HIV-negative (Although she was positive in the earliest version of the show)

JOANNE (Tracie Thoms) - Lawyer, lesbian, HIV-negative

BENNY (Taye Diggs) - Landlord of the East Village lofts, straight, HIV-negative

So basically...everyone in the show is HIV-positive except for that Tango: Maureen love triangle of Maureen, Mark, and Joanne, and Benny.