There is still room in Hollywood for a big love story.
Gina Prince-Blythewood proved it to me with “Beyond the Lights.” I have to admit I was a little gunshy after taking in my first Nicholas Sparks movie ever a while back with “The Best of Me,” but I chose this first-run drama and music over the slapstick sequel of the Farrelly Brothers DADT for this week’s Syracuse New Times Film Blog review. That one I shall catch on HBO or another way.
You can read my review of “Beyond the Lights” at the attractive Syracuse New Times site by clicking the link below.
http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/beyond-the-lights/
So what did Prince-Blythewood’s work do for me on the chilly Saturday afternoon in Syracuse? Why, it restored my faith in Hollywood love stories, that’s all.
She gave it all it needed. A deep plot rooted in stereotypes of romance, modern tracks, an old hit at the center, familiar faces and great young stars. One, of which, I think may be a big star to behold. Yes, I think Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who played singer Noni, is rather something. She’s got looks and personality and that inner something. Yay.
Nate Parker played off her like a charm, too. He’s a cool customer. This performance should allow his phone to ring with offers, too.
Danny Glover? Thank you for his comfortable presence. Minnie Driver? Her part was quite annoying, and she was perfect in it.
But the give and take, yes and no, will they or won’t they, save her or leave her, well, that all was there in abundance. A love story that didn’t make me flinch or giggle or guffaw. Whaddya know.
Hollywood love stories, take them or leave them, and why? What are your favorite love movies, and why? Who would you call a next-big-star young actress and actor, and why?
Ah, I want to see this film! My husband meanwhile is waxing lyrical about elves, dragons and Hobbits. Sigh…
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Well, you must find a way to eventually do both, Kate. 🙂
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I haven’t heard of this one at all. If it weren’t for your reviews, I’d never know when to go to the movies. 🙂
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I get around the theaters, Rachel. 🙂 This is a good story.
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Are you one of those people that goes on Hulu just to look at the movie previews?
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No, Rachel, I see enough trailers on my once a week trip to the theater.
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LOL!
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Generally not a fan of cheese ball romances, whatever form they may take. I don’t get to watch many movies these days. I don’t like to watch movies alone. My husband has the attention span of a hamster (when it comes to movies), although he reads academic history books like they are pop thrillers. This means I almost only watch movies with my BFF when I see her, which is hardly ever. Those movies are almost always cheese ball romances; this is truly a tragedy.
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This one is not cheese ball, Wormy. It’s really good. I don’t do cheese ball either. 🙂 I also don’t do academic history books as if they were pop thrillers. Who am I kidding. Academic history books were never my strong point no matter. Pop thrillers, OK. In any case, try to get your BFF to go see this one with you. It’s got a point.
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Oh, that’s my plan!
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It’s nice to know there are still good movies out there.
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And new people who are worthy of roles with good messages for young folks too. Thanks for dropping in with the comment, sconnelly88. I’m glad to see you here.
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From your description, Mark, “Beyond the Lights,” does sound like a good movie to catch. I’m not sure if Dave is up for a chick flick but he is a good sport.
Some that were mentioned before, I also love. Plus, “Sleepless in Seattle,” and, forgive me, “Lady and the Tramp.” 😉
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Tell Dave that I endorse this as not a chick flick. Not that there’s anything wrong with a chick flick. But this one is a drama for all. Good call on ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ and animation old-school with ‘Lady and the Tramp.’ Nice pick, Judy.
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I love a good romance. And great comedy. More than any other kind of movie. So I may add this to the list! 🙂
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Good music in it, too. And a star is born, I think, Colleen. 🙂
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I look forward to seeing the star shine. 🙂
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I may have to say, “Ditto” to the ones that Beth mentioned, but I had a longer list on my post awhile back of tear jerkers, love stories and romances. I will see this since you recommended it, while it sounds unusual and different from the regular love stories. Good ideas everywhere around here! Smiles!
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It is on the streets of LA with modern day pressures, but the old principles applying, Robin. Good one to see with your daughter. 🙂
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Mark, I’m afraid my choices will make you guffaw: Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, Hope Floats, Bridges of Maddison County, Away from Her…should I go on? 😀
Diana xo
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Dirty Dancing! Saved by the Borscht Belt choice, Diana. I’m a Catskills guy. And I’ve written a post to prove it, about the Polish Valley View house my father brought us to for a family week.
You can always go on at my house, Diana, you know that. 🙂
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😀 !
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“Hollywood love stories, take them or leave them.” Leave them. I’m always up for a good drama, a good suspense thriller, a good comedy, or a provocative tale about societal issues. But a sappy love story? Nope, not for me. I don’t even mind if a subplot in a movie of different genre has a love story aspect to it. But a movie that is solely a love story. Nah. I feel the same way about movies whose sole intention is to make the audience cry. I don’t like manipulative tear-jerkers. What can I say? I guess I’m not the warm-fuzzy type.
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That’s what I liked about this one, Doobster. It wasn’t like the ones I didn’t like for the reasons you outlined so well. This had edges of reality and message. I’ll stop trying to manipulate you now. …
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I will probably think of others after I comment but one of my faves is ” Out of Africa” with Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. Based on the true story of Isak Dinesen, the Danish baroness, who had a farm in Africa and falls in love with a game hunter. God that woman had guts fighting the elements and traveling around Africa on horseback. In the movie she is married to someone else. But it was a marriage of convenience. She then has her big love with the game hunter. I liked Chocolat with Johnny Depp as well.
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Redford and Streep were good together, I agree, Deborah. Great call on that one. 🙂
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I’m always up for a Hollywood love story. I say why not! 🙂
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Yes, Aud. Thinking of my own question, I would answer Streisand and Kristofferson in “A Star is Born.” How’s that for a why not for love? ❤
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I should have answered…for me, strangely enough, as they didn’t end up together….Adam Sandler and Paz Vega in Spanglish.
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Me being pro Adam and Drew, I will give 7/8 a vote to Adam and Paz in ‘Spanglish.’ I agree. The chemistry was there. 🙂 I like off-the-trail picks like that, Aud.
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Glad you found a love story you loved 🙂 Blanking on favorite love story movies, but there’s always Princess Bride!
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Princess Bride, the go-to movie. 😉 Thanks, my friend. Hope you had a great weekend.
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You already know what I’m thinking as regards to Gugu Mbatha-Raw. I saw Ellen on Friday telling Minnie that she was really good at playing awful, and it seems you agree.
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I know what you’re thinking. My turn a week from tomorrow.
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oh, so good to hear. i haven’t seen a good hollywood love story in ages. my favs – love story, dr. zhivago, the english patient, and romeo and juliet. quite a mix –
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Spanning the decades of love and romance on the silver screen, my friend Beth. 🙂
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I’m a fan of Sparks’ books but not the movies. The books allow you to see the motivations and personalities of the characters whereas the movies don’t. Books have many more tools to describe character development than movies do. Action stories are better on film – character in books. In my estimation. Movies where the characters just declare their undying love for each other bore me. In real life, it is so much more complex and played out against a backdrop of other fatcors. So, i do enjoy certain love sories – others not. I can’t say that i am enamoured of the genre, just the writer’s work.
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You have good reasons for both, Paul. I usually like the book more no matter the genre. 🙂
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I dislike Nicholas Sparks’ based movies. Most love stories, actually, and that was even when I was actually in love. I can believe that there are galaxies far, far away and other such things, but suspension of disbelief is something I can’t apply to this genre. 🙂
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This movie did not make me suspend any sort of belief. Believe it or not, Jeanette. 🙂
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Nicholas Sparks work is fabulous. With him be a man writing about the love the way he does helps us to get engrossed with his characters. He shows a gentler side of men with out making them soft and sappy.
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I can’t connect to Nicholas Sparks’ movies, Kim. I haven’t read any of his books. Not my genre. I’ll accept your judgment.
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