... I guess I thought "Fame" was going to be a slightly more well-rounded (ie embracing arts OTHER than dance) version of one of those.
Boy, was I wrong.
I can't remember the original "Fame" all that well from my childhood, althought I do know I was a big fan of it at the time. And perhaps ... Read review
This early effort by director Alan Parker is lively but jagged as it follows four students ... more
through their years in the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Rather predictably, the kids fall into four clearly defined stereotypes: brazen, ga...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
This early effort by director Alan Parker is lively but jagged as it follows four students ... more
through their years in the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Rather predictably, the kids fall into four clearly defined stereotypes: brazen, ga...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
If they really got what it takes it's going to take everything they got. Seven classes a ... more
day and a hot lunch. That's what New York City High School for the Performing Arts guarantees. Stardom? That's something the school's teenage musicians actors ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Seven classes a day and a hot lunch. That's what New York City's High School for the ... more
Performing Arts guarantees. Stardom? That's something the school's teenage musicians, actors, dancers and dreamers strive for. Fame sings the body electric, celebratin...
Production Year: 1999 - Music / Performing Arts - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Donny Osmond, Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough
Advantages: i liked the original, the trailer makes it look good Disadvantages: trailers always do...
Now, I have always been a sucker for the whole dance movie genre. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", the "Step Up" movies, "Save the Last Dance" . . . loved them all. I guess I thought "Fame" was going to be a slightly more well-rounded (ie embracing arts OTHER than dance) version of one of those.
Boy, was I wrong.
I can't remember the original "Fame" all that well from my childhood, ... ...it at the time. And perhaps WERE I a tween again, I may have felt similarly. But I just couldn't. Perhaps I am just getting too old to appreciate it, but I came out of the cinema at the end of it feeling a distinct sense of "Was that it???"
But I don't like to give an opinion and not justify it, so where's what I found wrong with it...
First of all, there didn't really seem to be a POINT to the whole film. Which ... more
Now, I have always been a sucker for the whole dance movie genre. "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", the "Step Up" movies, "Save the Last Dance" . . . loved them all. I guess I thought "Fame" was going to be a slightly more well-rounded (ie embracing arts OTHER than dance) version of one of those.
Boy, was I wrong.
I can't remember the original "Fame" all that well from my childhood, althought I do know I was a big fan of it at the time. And perhaps WERE I a tween again, I may have felt similarly. But I just couldn't. Perhaps I am just getting too old to appreciate it, but I came out of the cinema at the end of it feeling a distinct sense of "Was that it???"
But I don't like to give an opinion and not justify it, so where's what I found wrong with it...
First of all, there didn't really seem to be a POINT to the whole film. Which is I guess was my fundamental problem with it. It basically followed a group of youngsters from the audition stage of the process through each year of life at the school until they reached graduation. There didn't really seem to be much actually HAPPENING during each year, the scenes seemed rather abrupt and were rapidly switching from one character to the other, and the character progression itself seemed fairly limited, with the exception of a few.
It also appeared to me that a lot of the "actors" involved weren't all that talented - at least not in terms of actual acting. For example, the main dancer in it - a VERY good dancer, it had to be said - had a very limited speaking role despite featuring a lot in the film. And when she actually had to ACT, it became patently obvious why her role was so limited. She was clearly therefore only there for her dancing talent.
Then there was the inevitable "couple" of the film - I mean, come on , there always HAS to be a romantic storyline, right? Sweet though they seemed, I just didn't particularly believe their romance, OR sense that much chemistry between them. I could think I was just being a cynic here but hey, I LIKE the romantic angle in movies normally. But it HAS to be believable . . . and this just WASN'T. I didn't actually care whether they stayed together or not.
Another point against it - remember "Baywatch" and the way they would pad out half an hour of fluffy dialogue with tons of montages of people running along the beach etc? I have a point here, honest. Basically, there were so many random acting skits/songs and dance routines interspersed with the limp scenes in between that it did feel like they were struggling to make it an actual feature length film. That was slightly infuriating as well.
Don't get me wrong though, there WERE good points. I like Naturi Naughton's turn as the moddy-coddled classical pianist who turned out to be an amazing singer - she was actually GOOD ( as so she probably should be given she was once part of R & B girl group 3LW.) As were the teachers, who probably provided the main "star power" of the film since the younger actors were completely unknown to me. Kelsey Grammer AND Bebe Neuwirth from "Frasier" took a turn here, as did the rather awesome Megan Mullally, otherwise known as KAREN from "Will & Grace" (Woohoo!!!!) Plus we have essentially the only nod to the original, Debbie Allen who starred in it back then as Lydia, as the principal of the school. Their combined talent actually puts the youngsters' limited acting ability to shame.
The odd dance routine or performance was impressive - the random dance routine to Sam Sparro's "Black and Gold" for example (although there didn't seem to be much point to it!), or the aforementioned Naturi when she teamed u with co-star Collins Pennie for "Get On The Floor", a song so catchy that I couldn't resist downloading it onto my Walkman shortly after watching. And while it wasn't like the time me and my friend went to see "Eight Legged Freaks" and I spent the whole film with my eyes closed praying for it to be over, it certainly isn't a film I would sit down and watch again. Voluntarily.
Put simply, I feel that, like in so many other cases, a remake has just been created for the sake of it. And, from the looks of it, rushed out in a hurry, without thinking too much about the point of it. It's in no way a homage to the original, revered classic film or tv show - instead it's a heavily milked cash cow using "Fame" as a brand name to get bums on seats and the cinema - but it in no way lives up to its promise.
Take the kids along - they'll probably love it. But when even I, a chick-lit, chick-flick, pink-loving, girlie girl , am skeptical about this film, does that not tell you something???
Advantages: erm.......... good songs Disadvantages: Weak plot and script, wooden acting
...any of them get the fame they so desperately want?
Well the plot may sound a little basic but this is really all there is to the film. I did find there was a little about the student outside of school but it was mainly centred around the School and their school work. For me I was expecting a lot but was sadly disappointed. I know the film was made back in 1980 but for me it just looked very cheap and as if they had no interest in making a good script ... ...and Maureen Teefy
Making of Fame Featurettes
Fame Field Trip visit’s the school that inspired the movie
Trailer
I have watched any of these so I am not able to make comment on the, The running time of the film is 128 minutes and I personally found this was very long and at times I was very bored. The certificate is a 15 and I do agree with this as there is a lot of strong language and moderate nudity. I paid just £3 for this DVD over 2 years ...
sewbizzie 06.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Fame (DVD)
Advantages: Alan Parker's commentary Disadvantages: Some superfluous songs used as a device to showcase the wannabes among the cast.
...who remembers the tv series Fame and fell in love with Leroy (Gene Anthony Ray) for refusing to wear tights to ballet class will revel in the much darker, more realistic side of teenage angst in this the movie that inspired it.
It opens at the audition sessions at the New york City High School for the Performing Arts 46th St. Here we meet the main characters and proceed to follow them through their academic and, domiantly, their personal journeys ... ...time there are show stopping tunes like Hot lunch Jam and the award winning title song Fame to lighten the mood.
This film is a must for any failed drama students in their early thirties looking for a trip down memory lane....erm that will be me then!
Enjoy. ...
lenska 22.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Fame (DVD)
Advantages: singing and dancing Disadvantages: none
...never seen the series of fame but my mum says that the movie is just the same comical but yet touching. Some of the actors in the movie are different then the actors in the series but they play them just as well.
In conclusion i think this movie is one of the movies that made the 80's. ...
brodiegirl 14.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Fame (DVD)
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Reviews which might be of interest for "Fame (DVD)"
Advantages: Talented dancers/singers, An enjoyable film overall Disadvantages: Actors can dance/sing but can't act. Story goes too fast, and wasn't as gd as it should have been
I have always had a special spot for FAME in my life, I don?t remember seeing the original film, I assume I have, and I probably watched the television show as well when I was younger, but I really don?t remember. The one thing I do remember is watching the wonderful musical theatre performance of FAME back when I was I assume around 9 years old.
I should really say here, that when I was around 9 years old, I had a lot of, problems, in my family at that time, and for some reason I have no real memory of that time at all, however I remember going to the theatre, I remember pretty much everything about that night, I have a feeling it might have been the night to light the flame under me to tell me that I was meant to do something within the media. To be able to create something like what I was watching on stage seemed amazing ...
DixieChick10 22.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional Review of Fame (DVD)
Advantages: It looks glossy and the Carnevil grasps the joy of performance. Disadvantages: It's got no heart or soul.
At New York?s prestigious High School of the Performing Arts, students from across the country and from every walk of life hone their talents with the hopes of becoming the next big thing. But in order to stand out from the crowd the young hopefuls have to overcome their personal challenges, whether it be nerves, self-doubt, competition or heartbreak and still keep up with the rigours of a high school education. With the guidance of their teachers they approach every obstacle with determination that may give them a shot at the big time.
When Alan Parker?s ?Fame? was released, it was applauded for its gritty depiction of the lives of the pupils at New York?s High School of the Performing Arts. It dealt with topics such as illiteracy, coming to terms with one?s sexuality, alcohol and drug abuse and teenage pregnancy and abortion ...
afy9mab 06.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Fame (DVD)
Advantages: Funny throughout, with no lame or boring jokes and will leave you begging for more Disadvantages: A little bit on the short side only being 70 mins long
Before watching Fame i really liked Ricky Gervais, however this is the type of DVD that has the ability to change that likeableness into a lot more. I loved this DVD from beginning to end and its the type of thing you just don't want to end. His jokes are original and he keeps you laughing and wanting more throughout.
In the DVD he discusses what it is to be famous and other peoples reactions to famous people. Some of his jokes are in some places offensive to say the least, but thats just one of the things that make him so good at what he does. He can, without a second thought, offend the majority of the audience before him and still have them loving him and begging for more.
His crude jokes are probably the most memorable from this standup, some being enough to turn your stomach. His mocking comments on the bible are simple ...
Musicals & Music Films - Musicals & Other Music Films
Classification
Parental Guidance
Production Year
1980
Running Time
2 hours 8 minutes
Video Category
Feature Film
Country Of Origin
United States of America
Plot
A combination of drama and pathos - an explosion of pulsating music and spectacular dancing gives us one of the most highly acclaimed movie-musicals of our time.
Remake Of
Fame ( 2009 United States of America ), Fame ( 2009 United States of America ), Fame ( 2009 United States of America ), Fame ( 2009 United States of America )
Commentary - 1. Alan Parker - Director, Featurette - 1. Vintage Featurette, Fame Field Trip, Class Reunion Interview Gallery: Director & Stars
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review
"...A jubilant, hugely entertaining movie....The cast is full of glowing newcomers, the score is emphatically upbeat..." (New York Times, p.C14, 16/05/1980)
"...It's a rousing, lively production, bursting out of the screen with talent and exuberance..." (Variety, 30/04/1980)
DVD Description
In Alan Parker's FAME, teenagers selected for New York City's High School for the Performing Arts push their talents to the limit to make it big in show business. This episodic tale follows savvy Coco (Irene Cara), timid Doris (Maureen Teefy), gay Montgomery (Paul McCrane), macho Raul (Barry Miller), soulful Bruno (Lee Curreri), and others as they struggle to achieve their dreams of stardom while coping with the universal teenage problems of loneliness, insecurity, and embattled, mercurial identity. Cara, electric as the budding songstress Coco, shines brightest in the infectiously exuberant young cast. The film, which won Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, overflows at each corner of its loosely unfolding narrative with inspired music and dance numbers that seem to burst forth spontaneously out of sheer irrepressible emotion. With FAME (later developed into a hit television series), Parker finds a happy medium between the wildly diverging tones of his previous two features, the goofy kids-as-gangsters musical BUGSY MALONE and the harrowing prison thriller MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, and in doing so creates an enjoyable, glittering portrait of guileless teenage ambition.
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