Movie Reviews: "Sparkle" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 08-17-2012, 06:17 PM

Movie Reviews: Sparkle

Several critics wonder in their reviews why they even bothered remaking the 1976 original version of Sparkle.

Wesley Morris in the Boston Globe comments:

“The ’70s original was a dark, confusing mess, but the remake lacks the little soul it had.”

Likewise Peter Travers remarks in Rolling Stone:

“Whitney Houston deserved better than to go out onscreen with this botch job remake of a 1976 soap opera that never deserved another thought.”

Writes Linda Barnard in the Toronto Star:

“Houston’s acceptable performance …is overshadowed by the ill health and raspy voice that shows in some scenes. … Every scene Houston is in comes with the added distraction of her death, especially when she whispers to Sparkle that she’ll sit in a back row of the theater when she sings ‘so I don’t upstage you.’”

Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times refers to another “chilling line” in which Houston’s character says to one of her daughters, “Was my life not enough of a cautionary tale for you?”

Ebert definitely cuts Houston some slack, writing that “if her voice doesn’t match her glory days, her presence certainly does.”

As for Jordan Sparks, most critics agree that her performance is adequate enough.

Stephen Holden in the New York Times comments that she’s “not much of an actress.”

However, he adds, she “has a wonderful voice. And in Sparkle’s big final number at a preposterous solo concert debut with a full gospel choir, to a packed house after minimal preparation, she delivers.”

- IMDB News

catlover79 · 08-17-2012, 08:40 PM

The 1976 original was no great shakes, either. The only memorable part was the Curtis Mayfield-penned score.

isiahthomas · 08-18-2012, 02:26 PM

I saw the original and i liked it. I didn't know Philip Michael Thomas of Miami Vice tv show did some acting before Miami Vice when i saw him in Sparkle. I also saw him in one of the Roots movies. I'm gonna take my mom to see this next weekend because she loves Whitney Houston. I'm a fan of actors Derek Luke, Omari Hardwick, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo. Carmen is hot. I've liked her for awhile. I first saw her in Metro movie as Eddie Murphy's woman. I've seen her in a few other movies like What's The Worst That Could Happen with Martin Lawrence and Danny Devito, The Brave One with Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard(she was Terrence's ex-wife in this and i wish she would've had a bigger part), Pride and Glory with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell.

08-17-2012, 06:17 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,175	Movie Reviews: "Sparkle" Movie Reviews: Sparkle Several critics wonder in their reviews why they even bothered remaking the 1976 original version of Sparkle. Wesley Morris in the Boston Globe comments: “The ’70s original was a dark, confusing mess, but the remake lacks the little soul it had.” Likewise Peter Travers remarks in Rolling Stone: “Whitney Houston deserved better than to go out onscreen with this botch job remake of a 1976 soap opera that never deserved another thought.” Writes Linda Barnard in the Toronto Star: “Houston’s acceptable performance …is overshadowed by the ill health and raspy voice that shows in some scenes. … Every scene Houston is in comes with the added distraction of her death, especially when she whispers to Sparkle that she’ll sit in a back row of the theater when she sings ‘so I don’t upstage you.’” Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times refers to another “chilling line” in which Houston’s character says to one of her daughters, “Was my life not enough of a cautionary tale for you?” Ebert definitely cuts Houston some slack, writing that “if her voice doesn’t match her glory days, her presence certainly does.” As for Jordan Sparks, most critics agree that her performance is adequate enough. Stephen Holden in the New York Times comments that she’s “not much of an actress.” However, he adds, she “has a wonderful voice. And in Sparkle’s big final number at a preposterous solo concert debut with a full gospel choir, to a packed house after minimal preparation, she delivers.” - IMDB News

08-17-2012, 08:40 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	The 1976 original was no great shakes, either. The only memorable part was the Curtis Mayfield-penned score.
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08-18-2012, 02:26 PM	#3
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	I saw the original and i liked it. I didn't know Philip Michael Thomas of Miami Vice tv show did some acting before Miami Vice when i saw him in Sparkle. I also saw him in one of the Roots movies. I'm gonna take my mom to see this next weekend because she loves Whitney Houston. I'm a fan of actors Derek Luke, Omari Hardwick, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo. Carmen is hot. I've liked her for awhile. I first saw her in Metro movie as Eddie Murphy's woman. I've seen her in a few other movies like What's The Worst That Could Happen with Martin Lawrence and Danny Devito, The Brave One with Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard(she was Terrence's ex-wife in this and i wish she would've had a bigger part), Pride and Glory with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell.