Sim Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 It’s pitiful. Poor Francesca. It should be such a happy time for her, and she has to deal with all this idiocy. I hope she can ignore it and just enjoy her days in the sun. I thought Jennifer Hudson sounded dreadful. It’s a very difficult song to pull off, requiring an amazing vocal range that she doesn’t seem to have. I guess there’s time between now and December to record it again. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopelessMummy Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 Any views? Francesca Hayward is in it. Social media has gone mad criticising it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 @HopelessMummy I have merged your new thread into this existing one. ☺️ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyTurk Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 (edited) I must be in the minority that actually loved Jennifer Hudson's take on it. What I find quite off-putting about the CGI is how un-uniform the face looks in relation to the rest of the body. Not appealing whatsoever even for Francesca. Looks like they didn't have the budget for great graphic artists. But perhaps its unfinished -- although based on the recent ineffectual efforts to create promising CGI by even a massive company like Disney in their live-action remakes, I shouldn't expect much. Sidenote: I wonder if the film's high-profile means Francesca might seek a new path in the arts and her personal career (in terms of not just focusing on ballet)? She did mention in an interview that she doesn't want to be bogged down by just performing at the Royal Ballet like some of her peers have done. I think Nunez is a good example of this given the traditional, "cookie-cutter" path she took and her utmost "allegiance" to the company throughout her entire career (not that not being restricted to the Royal Ballet means otherwise! Certainly not for me!). Perhaps we'll see more of Francesca in future films? She might be a promising actress for the cinema. Edited July 19, 2019 by HappyTurk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 Frankie goes to Hollywood - sorry I couldn't resist! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 9 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said: Frankie goes to Hollywood - sorry I couldn't resist! Well, on Instagram, she is frankiegoestohayward 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 Ahh - I don't do instagram. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopelessMummy Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 12 hours ago, Anna C said: @HopelessMummy I have merged your new thread into this existing one. ☺️ Thanks. Was obviously late to the party. What insightful comments on this thread! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Shortcake Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 I had to stop watching after about twenty seconds because the CGI human/cat effects made my skin crawl. Evidently some people are more sensitive to this sort of thing than others, but to me it's high octane nightmare fuel! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 I have looked at the article in the paper edition of The Daily Telegraph and it doesn't appear to have been 'spun' like the online piece was yesterday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizbie1 Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 1 hour ago, Alice Shortcake said: I had to stop watching after about twenty seconds because the CGI human/cat effects made my skin crawl. Evidently some people are more sensitive to this sort of thing than others, but to me it's high octane nightmare fuel! The film was never likely to appeal to me for various reasons and I find CGI unappealing in general - even what everyone assures me is very good CGI - but I think some of the adverse reaction to this trailer is because the format doesn’t allow enough time to adjust to the very specific look. I found it difficult to watch the first time around but it was a lot less uncomfortable by the second time. (The best comparison I can think of is those opera singers whose voices you don’t like at first but which by the end of Act I you are fully reconciled to, once your ear has got used to them.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beryl H Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 Like all trailers it was too hectic to get a proper feel of the film, but I thought Francesca Hayward looked really sweet, I only saw the original musical once and it wasn't my favourite, but will probably go just for the dancers. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 21 hours ago, bridiem said: It makes me so angry. She's playing a white cat, for God's sake! Is it a problem if a white performer is playing a brown or black cat?? Bizarrely ridiculous. Akin to the various critical comments about Scarlett Johansson in a trans role. It’s acting, for heaven’s sake’ 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fromthebalcony Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 18 hours ago, Scheherezade said: Akin to the various critical comments about Scarlett Johansson in a trans role. It’s acting, for heaven’s sake’ It’s very sad. When you google Francesca’s name, that’s the first thing that comes up. Misty Copeland has a huge Instagram post congratulating her. However, I am confused. I did not read this whole thread. Originally, the choreographer was to be McGregor as referenced in her post. But I see Blankenbuehler is listed. I wonder why the change. Sorry if I missed that portion of the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onemouseplace Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 I thought Jennifer Hudson sounded awful as well - her voice is just all wrong for a musical role, especially for a song like Memory. Interesting as she also came to prominence on a tv talent show, but I saw Alexandra Burke in Chess recently and she stuck out like a sore thumb as by far the weakest link in an otherwise great show. I thought Francesca Hayward looked lovely and I am really looking forward to the film (Cats was the first West End show I ever saw when I was 9 and I was obsessed by it and I've just introduced my daughter to the soundtrack (also now aged 9) and she loves it as well). 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 I adored Cats, and I must have seen the stage show about 6 times over the years with various casts. However, I don't think I will enjoy seeing it as a film. I really like a good musical, but as far as I am concerned, in order for it to work on screen there has to be a certain amount of dialogue. Lloyd Webber's creations are a sort of pop opera ( for want of a better description.), and I think that kind of medium is best left to the stage. I don't think the fact that Hayward is playing the white cat is sufficient to lure me to the cinema. And I agree about Jennifer Hudson. Memories is actually a poignant song, with just one moment where the singer gives it all she's got in a sort of howl of anguish. It brought tears to the eyes on stage. This seems to have been given the usual X factor power ballad treatment, where the singer lets rip at every possible opportunity. Not only that, but she sounds off key to me. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm365 Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 Sorry - at the risk of sounding like that judge years ago who asked 'Who are the Beatles?', why should I know about Jennifer Hudson? Is she a well-known pop star or something? I never saw the stage show of Cats and the trailer doesn't really make me want to see the film version. I do like some of the songs though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onemouseplace Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 2 hours ago, Fonty said: And I agree about Jennifer Hudson. Memories is actually a poignant song, with just one moment where the singer gives it all she's got in a sort of howl of anguish. It brought tears to the eyes on stage. This seems to have been given the usual X factor power ballad treatment, where the singer lets rip at every possible opportunity. Yes, that's exactly it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted July 22, 2019 Author Share Posted July 22, 2019 3 hours ago, jm365 said: Sorry - at the risk of sounding like that judge years ago who asked 'Who are the Beatles?', why should I know about Jennifer Hudson? Is she a well-known pop star or something? Glad it's not just me... (I am resigned to the fact that I have never heard of a lot of people who are apparently superstars. Or if I have heard of them, I don't know who they are.) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 I think that Jennifer Hudson appeared on a talent show in the US and succeeded in forging a singing career although she didn't win - that very fact serving to make her even more famous. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 Hasn't she already got a background in films, or am I thinking of someone else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riva Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 I think Jennifer Hudson is possibly best known cinematically for Dreamgirls, for which she received an Oscar for best performance by an actress in a supporting role. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 I came across the following comment on Facebook yesterday. “Who is the girl who plays the little white cat?”. Swallowing my indignation I said she was Francesca Haywood, a principal at the Royal Ballet. Resounding silence in reply! 🙁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 Thanks, Riva, I thought she'd won something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 22, 2019 Share Posted July 22, 2019 https://www.pressreader.com/uk/evening-standard-west-end-final-extra/20190722/281492162908273 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lina Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 (edited) I liked the trailer and Francesca’s dancing was beautiful Edited July 24, 2019 by Lina 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 First post Lina? Welcome to the Forum! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lina Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Richard LH said: First post Lina? Welcome to the Forum! Thank you Richard! I am relatively new to watching ballet. I’m really a fan of Francesca Hayward. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone move so gracefully but so naturally at the same time. She’s marvellous! Edited July 24, 2019 by Lina 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard LH Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 1 hour ago, Lina said: Thank you Richard! I am relatively new to watching ballet. I’m really a fan of Francesca Hayward. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone move so gracefully but so naturally at the same time. She’s marvellous! I totally agree Lina. Her 2016 BBC Nutcracker documentary lit the touchpaper for me and opened up a whole new passion for ballet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 A short "behind the scenes" film: 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clara_f Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Jan McNulty said: A short "behind the scenes" film: That clip has really made me want to watch the film Jan! All the dancers are such talents in their own styles, goosebumps watching it! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toria Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 New feature on Frankie Hayward's song, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Taylor Swift. You briefly hear Frankie sing about halfway through the video 😃 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 Sounds good! Is it fair that she can sing too???! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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