BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!

Subject: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 01:27 PM

"I used to have fun..."

Oh hell, didn't we JUST!! :0) So what happened? :0(

If you've not seen this film yet, then see it! You will want to dance, throw your hands in the air, smile...and feel HAPPY again!

It's based around the sensationally happy songs of ABBA. It's a total bit of nonsense, but filled with utter joy. It's a film to 'let yourself go' with...and at the end of it, everyone in Sidmouth's Radway Cinema CLAPPED!

Unheard of!! :0)

So put on your dancing shoes, your sparkles, your dungarees, head bands and get down to your local cinema, buy a bucket of popcorn, then sit back and be transported to Greece...

George...WHY did you ever LEAVE? SOOOO Beautiful!

Mamma Mia - The Trailer

Dancing Queen

And yes, Mamma Mia IS a film to gush over!! :0)

Bring back ABBA, immediately and let's 'happy' this miserable old world up again..because once upon a time, in the land of Benny & Bjorn, we used to smile...

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 01:31 PM

I'm glad you liked it. But since two of my least favorite things are ABBA;s music and Meryl Streep's acting, I think I may give it a pass.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 01:46 PM

Oh no..Meryl was FABULOUS!!   

You could see that the entire cast just had the *best* time making this film. Julie Walters rocked! They were all wonderful and happiness oozed from that screen.

Miss it at your peril, Jack.. :0)

Mind you, we did have to endure "Hey, if you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world" before it started, as we have a new projectionist in our cinema, and she's determined to convert us all to country and western music...

EEK!!

So far, we've managed to resist ONLY by reciting our three times tables backwards, just like Batman did once in his old TV show (I knew that scene would come in handy one day) but, she gave us Tammy Wynette the other day, "My D.I.V.O.R.C.E. became final today...." AAARRRRGGHHHHH!!

Had it not been that I wanted to see Wall E, I'd have left there and then (sorry Tammy, but that song..!) Wall E's great too, very clever and you end up loving that little robot as he battles hard to save the world. I won't tell you the end though. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 02:07 PM

My stepson didn't want to see it because he said it was a "chick flick." I saw it and enjoyed it, but I can't say I related to it the way my wife did. She went twice, and I'm sure she'd go a few more times. It has become a "bonding ritual" for the members of her women's circle. Our particularly joyless friend has seen the movie four times - I think it helps her believe that the joy she seeks may be possible.

I suppose it's a silly movie, and the music is silly - but heck, it's a lot of fun.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 02:27 PM

My son won't see it either, Joe..."Mum! It's a GIRL'S film! Yuk!" :0) ...but the cinema was filled with young lads, although they'd probably been dragged along by their girlfriends, but they were mostly beaming at the end of it...(And no, it wasn't because they'd all be sitting in the back row..well...) ;-)

Your wife has good taste, Joe! :0) I'm going to see it again too, as much for scenery, as for the music and happiness.

I've just found the actual clip from the movie, of Dancing Queen (melded with a couple of short clips of Abba themselves)..and it's my favourite bit, where all the women of the village throw their chores out the window and head down to the harbour, to freedom, some serious boogeying on down and 'letting go'

I need to build a pier in Sidmouth! I could get all the little Ladies in Lavender to abandon their inhibitions, throw their pearls, and caution, to the wind and leap in. :0)

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Rasener
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 03:08 PM

My daughters went to see it today (13 and 17) and they loved it.
Abba has taken over their favourite band (Queen).
When you think about it and whether you like Abba or Queen, they do encourage people to singalong, just like folk music.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 03:31 PM

It looks like a blast! Thanks, Lizzie. I love Meryl and don't mind the songs, so it will be a fun one to see. (My daughter trick-or-treated at Meryl's parents' house in CT. They were the nicest people!)

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: BK Lick
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 04:32 PM

Quite a bit of information on Wikipedia.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: fat B****rd
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 05:28 PM

Anything that makes lots of people happy (for however short a time) is fine with me. My wife loved it, but I'm avoiding it in case I start to sing along.
Mind you I consider "Knowing me, knowing you" a classic.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Skivee
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 06:28 PM

FRom my live journal:
Mamma Mia-NO SPOILERS
I finally got out to see that new Momma Mia movie. That's the "feel-good" show done with the music of that old band, INXS.
I found it to be really confusing. This may be because I arrived late.( There was an accident with the concession stand buttery flavor machine.) I took some notes about the film to keep things straight. But since I only saw the last half, I cribbed some stuff from the official movie website. I also left the theater a few more times to wipe more buttery flavor stuff off. I guess you could say that I kept slipping out of my seat.

One thing I noticed right away is that the location wasn't right. I know that some times you can't shoot where you'd like to. It's a problem I run into all the time. According to the studio information, it was supposed to be in Spain or Italy, or some other smelly place with flies. I may be wrong, but the place looked a lot like Chicago to me; only more gothic.

The story seems to be about a woman who doesn't know which of Bruce, Harvey, or Gordon is her kid's father. The woman is played by Meryl Streep. this is one of her grittiest roles on years.
Meryl did a few tricks, including a great one involving a disappearing pencil, and told scarry stories and jokes in this clown makeup like ThatheredangedoutdoormeatsmokerDiego does. I think that the character was supposed to be PMSing because she sure acted out a lot.

Her wardrobe is also a bit jarring. I'm not sure that the green and purple works with the dirty red hair. They say that this time she sings and dances. Maybe I don't understand this new modern music. It just sounded like a lot of screaming to me. In any case, she really lost herself in this role. She looks to have gained 20 pounds and about 6 inches in height. I totally didn't recognize her at first. But, why so serious? Isn't this supposed to be a happy film? I will say that her vocal coach earned their pay cause that woman has more voices in her head than Ted Kaczynski. Happily, I didn't see much dancing.
I also liked Pierce Bronson as Harvey, even though his face got kinda burned near the end.

I never did figure out who the caped guy was with the pointy hat who kept standing on the tops of buildings and punching folks. Maybe he's a muse.
I found the ending a bit lacking. It would have been better if Meryl had chosen Bruce instead of that other one...the one that wasn't all burned. I mean, that Bruce guy really seems to be loaded.
Considering that this was supposed to be a musical I was glad to see all the explosions and bodies flying and punching. It gave the film balance.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 06:42 PM

LOL :0) (Very good!)

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Skivee
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 10:45 PM

FYI "ThatheredangedoutdoormeatsmokerDiego" is my amusing distortion of another performer's stage name. We make gratuitous slagging comments to each other on a regular basis.
I probably should have edited that out, as the remark will make no sense to anybody outside of our immediate RenFair family.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 02:27 PM

Abba, Suzi Quatro, Smokie, Mud, Gary Glitter, T.Rex, Grease, Saturday Night Fever... Ah the wonderful seventies...Terror at the Olympics, the Cambridge Rapist, the Viet Nam War, the Kmehr Rouge, Kosygin, Breznhev, General Franco, Augusto Pinichet, Markos, the three day week... Where will the nostalgia start? I am glad you all enjoyed the film. I would wish anyone an enjoyable hour or two of whatever rocks their boat. The seventies was possibly my least favourite decade though. (Speaking subjectively).

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 02:42 PM

70's - the decade that taste forgot:-) But made up for by the music! I have every intention of seeing Mamma Mia but it may have to wait until out on DVD. At least then I wouldn't be seen going to see it;-)

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 02:44 PM

The best thing about the 70s was I had all three of my kids during them! Some of the music wasn't so bad, either.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 07:26 PM

I've always rather liked Abba - but I sometimes think the songs would work better if they were in Swedish.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 12:47 AM

I have never successfully tracked it down, but I will never forget the Swedish predecessors to ABBA in the Eurovision Song Contest of 1973. Three worthy loooking chaps in white pullovers and with acoustic guitars sang a sincere love song. It contained the line, "Your breasts are like Swallows' nests."
I can see why they tried a different approach the following year...

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 03:20 AM

Thinking about Mamma Mia makes me think of Meryl Streep.

Thinking about Meryl Streep makes me think of Bridges of Madison County.

Thinking about Bridges of Madison County makes me remember the Simpsons episode where Homer is watching it and crying: "This movie sucks so much!"

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 02:19 AM

I always thought Streep looks like she always has a cold.
Great movie, that was 'suppose' to be a chick flick, women love it..but seldom 'get it', was 'The Notebook'
Great 'chick' band, outstanding vocals, 'Celtic Woman'..though I doubt Abba lovers would like them..or the 'Notebook'

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 03:33 PM

I recorded this a couple of days ago..... http://www.youtube.com/user/Georgiansilver1?feature=mhum

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 03:34 PM

Try again

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: michaelr
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 07:09 PM

One of the many reasons my wife loves me is that I'd much rather see a "chick flick" with a storyline and some emotion than a "guy flick" with car chases and explosions.

"Mamma Mia" is a fun piece of fluff. I loved it mostly for the spectacular Greek island scenery. Meryl Streep is great whatever she does; Amanda Seyfried not so much, but she is cute. And I found myself a lot more tolerant of ABBA's bubblegum music than I was when it was new.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 02:17 AM

As Michaelr says. I even own the DVD! The only musical I've ever managed to sit through.
I don't know why Jack doesn't like Meryl. She can play anyone from anywhere.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 09:45 AM

I saw this on DVD, shortly after it came out.

I also went with my wife to the musical when it came to the Millenium Centre in Cardiff.

And then "dot dot dot!"

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 11:30 AM

Jack doesn't like Meryl. She can play anyone from anywhere.


I actually liked her as Julia child, But years ago when she was the hot actress, I got burnt out on seeing her in every big roll. I feel the same way about Pacino, Hoffman and DiNero.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 04:41 PM

I like Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, all of them in fact, but Mamma Mia had the STUPIDIST, weakest plot that has been made into a movie in years. (Unless you've seen the even stupider tripe Deja Vu by the non-actress and idiot writer Victoria Foyt, but I digress. . . )

One tends to suspend belief for movies and make a lot of allowances for romantic comedies, farces, etc. But this one just pushed too many "No Way!" buttons. The only song that I liked and that could have simply been a short on its own was Dancing Queen. The low point? Well, that wedding at the end was pretty silly, but I'd have to say the worst was Meryl Streep in overalls rolling around on the roof.

Moonglow was here with me watching it, and we made audible groans in unison every time Pierce Brosnan opened his mouth. Hard to believe they put him in a musical.

Pardon my bluntness.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Becca72
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 10:35 AM

I absolutely hated this movie. I used to think Pierce Brosnan was dead sexy - until he opened his mouth to sing!

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: paula t
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 02:12 PM

I remember being taken completely unawares by one of the songs , which I'd never even heard before.Even after seeing the movie about 6 times now I still cry every time I hear "Slipping through my fingers."
Meryl Streep sings it with so much emotion. Having two teenage daughters,who are rapidly growing up,the lyrics break my heart.Have a read and see what you think:

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile.
I watch her go with a surge of that well known sadness and and I have to sit down for a while.
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
and without really entering her world.
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter,
that funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time,
I try to capture every minute,
the feeling in it,
Slipping through my fingers all the time.
Do I really see what's in her mind?
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
she keeps on growing,
slipping through my fingers all the time

Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table,
barely awake I let precious time go by.
Then when she's gone, there's that odd melancholic feeling
and a sense of guilt I can't deny.
what happened to the wonderful adventures
the places I had planned for us to go?
Well, some of that we did, but most we didn't
and why, I just don't know.

Slipping through my fingers all the time.
I try to capture every minute,
the feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time.
Do I really see what's in her mind?
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
she keeps on growing ,slipping through my fingers all the time.
Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
and save it from the funny tricks of time(slipping through my fingers)

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning,
waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile.


I defy anyone with daughters not to be a little moved by some of those words, even though they are a bit corny!

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: michaelr
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 03:25 PM

Is that an ABBA song?

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: paula t
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 03:40 PM

I don't know, but it was on the film. As I say, I was completely taken aback. It just wasn't what I expected. It was sung with such emotion too. If you haven't seen the film, it is featured when the mother is getting her daughter ready for her wedding.

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Nov 11 - 05:37 PM

The whole film was ABBA songs. One strike against it right there.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: keberoxu
Date: 27 Aug 21 - 12:35 PM

Now of course there is a second grandmamma mia or something film,
and it pairs Cher with Meryl Streep again,
years after the "Silkwood" film.

And Cher has followed through from this project
by recording -- I haven't heard this thing --
an entire album of ABBA covers.

Which I think is a nice full-circle career trick for Cher.
I am old enough to remember the
Sonny and Cher variety show on television,
when Cher sang absolutely everything,
including "More Than You'll Ever Know" by Billy Rose
who was married, if I recall right, to Fanny Brice
(before my time, thank you!).

So Cher has been covering pop music of one ilk or other
since long before she left Sonny and had her own recording career.

The thing is, those ABBA pieces are works of genuine craft,
whether or not they are to your taste.
Does anybody write songs that way now?

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: keberoxu
Date: 30 Aug 21 - 10:16 PM

Have you noticed that when you use the search filter,
beloved of Joe Offer,
to look for a Mudcat thread with ABBA in the title,
you end up with
a heck of a lot of search results
of threads
with the word cabbage in the title?

Subject: RE: BS: Mamma Mia! What a film!
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Sep 21 - 08:40 PM

At risk of thread drift, it’s not the first show or film to have evolved around the most popular songs of a band. There was the stage show of “We Will Rock You” based on the songs of Queen; hammered by the critics at first in London, but has run for years and toured the world.
Then there is “Sunshine on Leith” which started as a Dundee Rep Theatre musical featuring the songs of Scottish band, “The Proclaimers”: as with “Mamma Mia” a great storyline was woven into it, and it went on to become a fabulous film.