Sing, Don't Act! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MonarC · 11-11-2008, 02:53 PM

Sing, Don't Act!

Most people never really find their God-given talent. They think maybe they were born to paint, but they're not very good with a brush. Or they wonder if they'd excel at ballet, but they're 5-foot-11 and can't touch their toes.

Others are lucky enough to find their niche. They hone their craft — singing, let's say — and they're so good they become stars. They make records. People pay big bucks to see them. Then their egos kick in and they think, "Hey, if I'm this good at singing, I bet I'm a great actor." But for every Cher there are 20 Jessica Simpsons. So to those people we say: sing, don't act.

#10. Dolly Parton in NINE TO FIVE (1980)

We actually love to watch Dolly act. Nine To Five was just the springboard to The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Rhinestone, and Steel Magnolias — the crème de la crème of '80s schlock. But we'd rather hear Dolly sing than watch her in a movie, especially if all she's going to do is make appearances in Hannah Montana vehicles as Aunt Dolly Stewart.

#9. Roger Daltrey in TOMMY (1975)

It's hard for us to be objective and separate the music that is the heart and soul of this film from anything else about it. Daltrey really did pull off the faraway stare of a deaf, dumb, and blind kid. AND he sure played a mean pinball. But the reality is that if an actor sings through an entire movie, it's hard to classify the performance as pure acting. And honestly, none of the other roles he's played in the 33 years since have made us take notice.

#8. David Bowie in THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1976)

Bowie always looks good on film, so we always get excited when we hear he's doing something new. Then we see the flicks and realize that while the Thin White Duke might have excellent taste in clothes, music, and women, he doesn't necessarily pick the best material when it comes to the silver screen. And for an actor, the role is half the battle.

#7. Eminem in 8 MILE (2002)

Apparently, we aren't the only ones who thought Eminem should have stopped acting after 8 Mile. He must have thought so too. Aside from an episode of Crank Yankers (remember that nasty puppet show?) and a voiceover in the 50 Cent video game Bulletproof, he seemed to have retired from film. But now there are reports that he'll be returning in a big-screen adaptation of Have Gun — Will Travel. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

#6. Sting in QUADROPHENIA (1979)

Sting, out of the gate, was amazing in Quadrophenia. But he never recaptured that magic. When did it really start to spiral? 1984, when he starred in the big-screen version of Dune. We think we left our patience for him in that 137-minute desert of a snoozer, because his movies and music have bored us ever since.

#5. Mick Jagger in PERFORMANCE (1970)

We LOVE Mick in this movie. He's so — what’s the word we're looking for — Mick Jagger. Did he have a script? Did he know he was in a movie? He was the perfect Mick. The only time he played a better Mick was in the unfortunately short-lived The Knights Of Prosperity. But we don't think either case is technically acting.

#4. Whitney Houston in THE BODYGUARD (1992)

We blame half of this on Kevin Costner. We LOVED Whitney's performance alongside her ex-husband in the shameful and short-lived reality show Being Bobby Brown. But sometimes people are better at playing out their real-life drama than doing it in character.

#3. Mariah Carey in GLITTER (2001)

What can be said about Mariah in Glitter that hasn't been said so many times before? We're glad she's back to being famous for singing, her weight, and her love life.

#2. Jessica Simpson in THE DUKES OF HAZZARD (2005)
This movie (along with Employee Of The Month) proves that Jessica wasn’t just acting the dumb blonde during the buffalo-wing debacle of '05. The wing bit was way too convincing.

#1. Vanilla Ice in COOL AS ICE (1991)

Vanilla Ice isn't a great rapper, and he's not really that good a dancer. And based on his violent MTV-set-destroying temper, we'd venture to say he might not be the greatest guy. But he's better at ALL of those things than he is at acting.

YahooNews
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There are a lot more singer who could be added to that group. I disagree with this list. I think Dolly Parton is a great actress. Eminem, Whitney & Mariah are not that bad either. I can understand the whole "Glitter" thing but MC has a few new projects coming out that are getting good reviews.

MusicJunkie · 11-11-2008, 04:59 PM

I don't get bashing Bowie or Dolly in those movies because it led to bad movies in the future. For crying out loud, even Bette Midler, Cher and Barbra Streisand all have films on their resume that they can't be too proud about (Jinxed? Drowning Mona? Isn't She Great? Scenes From A Mall? hell... I'm still on Bette right there)

But Mariah was horrible in Glitter. Just like Madonna (I think she was left off because she's a given in this catagory), she shouldn't be given a script in front of a camera unless it's a music video.

JamesG · 11-11-2008, 06:19 PM

Did any of you see this Dee Snider "masterpiece"?

MickeyMac · 11-11-2008, 06:40 PM

What about Elvis Presley, he made some truly bad films

Easy Come, Easy Go anyone?

HuntingtonM15 · 11-11-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Did any of you see this Dee Snider "masterpiece"?

I thought it was decent for its genre.

catlover79 · 11-11-2008, 07:19 PM

I can't believe Peter Frampton didn't make the list. Anyone remember his role as Billy Shears in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)? His (totally) fake crying cinched it for me. That said, I did find his fight with Steven Tyler amusing.

How about Sting in 1985's The Bride??

Not good.

MusicJunkie · 11-11-2008, 07:36 PM

some other really bad "pop star" vehicles

ekkostar · 11-11-2008, 08:44 PM

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with the "Mariah is good" argument. She's a great (Well, was a great) singer, no argument, but even in Wisegirls she's rather unconvincing and still has her "Mimi Swagger" going on.

I have to agree with Madonna not being the best actress except for Dick Tracy, a movie I absolutely love.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I can't believe Peter Frampton didn't make the list. Anyone remember his role as Billy Shears in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)? His (totally) fake crying cinched it for me. That said, I did find his fight with Steven Tyler amusing.

There is only one excuse I have for watching SPLHCB and that reason is Robert Palmer's cameo in the crowd at the end.

MonarC · 11-11-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekkostar

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with the "Mariah is good" argument.

I never said "good" I said "not bad", there is a difference.

HuntingtonM15 · 11-11-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonarC

I never said "good" I said "not bad", there is a difference.

I agree. She did well with what she was given in WiseGirls.

MusicJunkie · 11-11-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

I agree. She did well with what she was given in WiseGirls.

she was decent in Wisegirls, but that performance in Glitter deserved the Razzie

88survivor · 11-12-2008, 09:34 AM

Cyndi Lauper didn't do such a bad job when she starred with Chrisopher Walken in some movie I forgotten about. But she was pretty good in that role.

MonarC · 11-12-2008, 11:25 AM

Ok we all know everyone hates "Glitter" let's please move on.

I think people will be surprised to see Mariah's new movie 'Tennessee'. I think she did a great job. Check out the trailer.

Mariah Carey TENNESSEE TRAILER New Movie 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL0P4LQV3Jk

Mariah Carey Tennessee (Right To Dream - SONG)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMjT-pXxgZI

MusicJunkie · 11-12-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonarC

Ok we all know everyone hates "Glitter" let's please move on.
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Nothing wrong with admitting your favorite singer sucks as an actress. Madonna and Prince are both jokes on the big screen and I'm the first to admit that Madonna is the kiss of death to any script she's given (there's a few exceptions, but for every A League Of Their Own or Desperately Seeking Susan, she has a dozen Swept Away's), and while Purple Rain was decent (even then, it wasn't a great script, but it was a triumph in terms of atmosphere and charisma), the movies Prince had more creative input in were unbearable ego vehicles. Prince taking total control works on album, but not on the silver screen IMO.

88survivor · 11-14-2008, 09:56 AM

Madonna was just acting as herself in Desperately Seeking Susan and A League of Their Own.

11-11-2008, 02:53 PM	#1
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Sing, Don't Act! Sing, Don't Act! Most people never really find their God-given talent. They think maybe they were born to paint, but they're not very good with a brush. Or they wonder if they'd excel at ballet, but they're 5-foot-11 and can't touch their toes. Others are lucky enough to find their niche. They hone their craft — singing, let's say — and they're so good they become stars. They make records. People pay big bucks to see them. Then their egos kick in and they think, "Hey, if I'm this good at singing, I bet I'm a great actor." But for every Cher there are 20 Jessica Simpsons. So to those people we say: sing, don't act. #10. Dolly Parton in NINE TO FIVE (1980) We actually love to watch Dolly act. Nine To Five was just the springboard to The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Rhinestone, and Steel Magnolias — the crème de la crème of '80s schlock. But we'd rather hear Dolly sing than watch her in a movie, especially if all she's going to do is make appearances in Hannah Montana vehicles as Aunt Dolly Stewart. #9. Roger Daltrey in TOMMY (1975) It's hard for us to be objective and separate the music that is the heart and soul of this film from anything else about it. Daltrey really did pull off the faraway stare of a deaf, dumb, and blind kid. AND he sure played a mean pinball. But the reality is that if an actor sings through an entire movie, it's hard to classify the performance as pure acting. And honestly, none of the other roles he's played in the 33 years since have made us take notice. #8. David Bowie in THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1976) Bowie always looks good on film, so we always get excited when we hear he's doing something new. Then we see the flicks and realize that while the Thin White Duke might have excellent taste in clothes, music, and women, he doesn't necessarily pick the best material when it comes to the silver screen. And for an actor, the role is half the battle. #7. Eminem in 8 MILE (2002) Apparently, we aren't the only ones who thought Eminem should have stopped acting after 8 Mile. He must have thought so too. Aside from an episode of Crank Yankers (remember that nasty puppet show?) and a voiceover in the 50 Cent video game Bulletproof, he seemed to have retired from film. But now there are reports that he'll be returning in a big-screen adaptation of Have Gun — Will Travel. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. #6. Sting in QUADROPHENIA (1979) Sting, out of the gate, was amazing in Quadrophenia. But he never recaptured that magic. When did it really start to spiral? 1984, when he starred in the big-screen version of Dune. We think we left our patience for him in that 137-minute desert of a snoozer, because his movies and music have bored us ever since. #5. Mick Jagger in PERFORMANCE (1970) We LOVE Mick in this movie. He's so — what’s the word we're looking for — Mick Jagger. Did he have a script? Did he know he was in a movie? He was the perfect Mick. The only time he played a better Mick was in the unfortunately short-lived The Knights Of Prosperity. But we don't think either case is technically acting. #4. Whitney Houston in THE BODYGUARD (1992) We blame half of this on Kevin Costner. We LOVED Whitney's performance alongside her ex-husband in the shameful and short-lived reality show Being Bobby Brown. But sometimes people are better at playing out their real-life drama than doing it in character. #3. Mariah Carey in GLITTER (2001) What can be said about Mariah in Glitter that hasn't been said so many times before? We're glad she's back to being famous for singing, her weight, and her love life. #2. Jessica Simpson in THE DUKES OF HAZZARD (2005) This movie (along with Employee Of The Month) proves that Jessica wasn’t just acting the dumb blonde during the buffalo-wing debacle of '05. The wing bit was way too convincing. #1. Vanilla Ice in COOL AS ICE (1991) Vanilla Ice isn't a great rapper, and he's not really that good a dancer. And based on his violent MTV-set-destroying temper, we'd venture to say he might not be the greatest guy. But he's better at ALL of those things than he is at acting. YahooNews --------------------------------------------------- There are a lot more singer who could be added to that group. I disagree with this list. I think Dolly Parton is a great actress. Eminem, Whitney & Mariah are not that bad either. I can understand the whole "Glitter" thing but MC has a few new projects coming out that are getting good reviews.

11-11-2008, 04:59 PM	#2
MusicJunkie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2008 Location: where I live Posts: 791	I don't get bashing Bowie or Dolly in those movies because it led to bad movies in the future. For crying out loud, even Bette Midler, Cher and Barbra Streisand all have films on their resume that they can't be too proud about (Jinxed? Drowning Mona? Isn't She Great? Scenes From A Mall? hell... I'm still on Bette right there) But Mariah was horrible in Glitter. Just like Madonna (I think she was left off because she's a given in this catagory), she shouldn't be given a script in front of a camera unless it's a music video.

11-11-2008, 06:19 PM	#3
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,161	I'm Surprised This Didn't Make The List... Did any of you see this Dee Snider "masterpiece"?

11-11-2008, 06:40 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	What about Elvis Presley, he made some truly bad films Easy Come, Easy Go anyone?

11-11-2008, 07:19 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I can't believe Peter Frampton didn't make the list. Anyone remember his role as Billy Shears in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)? His (totally) fake crying cinched it for me. That said, I did find his fight with Steven Tyler amusing. How about Sting in 1985's The Bride?? Not good.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

11-11-2008, 07:36 PM	#7
MusicJunkie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 23, 2008 Location: where I live Posts: 791	some other really bad "pop star" vehicles

11-12-2008, 09:34 AM	#12
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	Cyndi Lauper didn't do such a bad job when she starred with Chrisopher Walken in some movie I forgotten about. But she was pretty good in that role.

11-12-2008, 11:25 AM	#13
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Ok we all know everyone hates "Glitter" let's please move on. I think people will be surprised to see Mariah's new movie 'Tennessee'. I think she did a great job. Check out the trailer. Mariah Carey TENNESSEE TRAILER New Movie 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL0P4LQV3Jk Mariah Carey Tennessee (Right To Dream - SONG) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMjT-pXxgZI

11-14-2008, 09:56 AM	#15
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	Madonna was just acting as herself in Desperately Seeking Susan and A League of Their Own.