I'm Not About to "Get Happy"

...And I don't think Judy would, either.

I feel it's high time I make a response to yesterday's "exciting news." Basically, what the HELL, Hollywood? The recent glut of biopics seems to be just a grab for decent box office and instant Oscar love, and this project is no exception. I admit that I have a ridiculous soft spot for Judy Garland, particularly her work with Vincente Minnelli, and that this love affair plays a large part in my disapproval for this project and its casting.


For starters, everyone with the slightest working knowledge of classic Hollywood knows that Judy's is a tragic story. This film is unlikely to say anything we don't know, particularly with Liza Minnelli still alive and kicking. Sure, young kids don't know anything about Garland, but then again, will they be in the seats for this film? I highly doubt it. It just isn't a film that needs to be made.

As to casting...whatever. No one's going to emulate that woman. Take just one film of hers, Meet Me in St. Louis, and tell me that someone else can bring the same joy, fire, or sweetness to a project. And this is a movie in which she did not want to star. Just look at her coo "Over the Bannister" or belt "The Trolley Song." Or tell John Truett about his mighty strong grip...for a boy. I won't even bring up The Wizard of Oz, A Star is Born, Easter Parade, or Judgment at Nuremberg, because I just don't have all day to hammer the point home.

Now, don't misunderstand. I don't have a problem with Anne Hathaway. I think she's a talented, charming gal, and I agree with Lauren on her Oscar bit with Hugh Jackman. It was cute. HOWEVER, two minutes singing with Hugh Jackman proves exactly NOTHING. Especially that you are competent to play one of the finest performers the Hollywood system has ever churned out. Can anyone honestly think that Hathaway can compare? If so, then the state of cinema is more dire than I ever would have supposed.

And if anyone DARES allow Hathaway to sing for Garland...well, there are no words for the disgust.

The thing is that this will probably be a pretty decent albeit super typical biopic. No surprises. No innovation. Just the facts, ma'am. But it's just not necessary.



And on an unrelated note, people, lay off Zac Efron. That's right. I'm going to bat for the face of High School Musical, and I don't feel the slightest bit of guilt about it. Is High School Musical awful? Of course. Is it Zac Efron's fault? Well, no. He's a pretty talented kid, and, as I'm sure you can tell, I'm pretty hard on the modern musical. Completely innocuous and devoid of ego, this kid is most certainly not the problem with the Footloose remake. The problem with the Footloose remake is that it's...Footloose. Which is just crap, anyway. The last very good movie musical was 1987's Little Shop of Horrors, and the last great one...well, it's been just too long.


This is the kind of "musical news" that calls for curling up on the couch and watching The Pirate, praying that God will answer my prayers of bringing back the old-fashioned MGM musical.

Seriously.

-Katie