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Latifah's hair, star of the "Hairspray" premiereOn Monday, various luminaries attended the premiere of Hairspray in L.A., including the always brilliant Queen Latifah. Latifah plays Motormouth Maybelle, and she was still wearing her character's dazzling blonde hair at the premiere:
Holy platinum pate! And holy, uh, other stuff. Here are some more photos of the Queen at the premiere:
I can hear the bells, my Queen! Coincidentally, last night I finally saw Hairspray on Broadway, with Darlene Love in the Motormouth Maybelle role. She was fantastic, but I was distracted because I couldn't figure out where I know her from. I think maybe I saw her on The Rosie O'Donnell Show in 1998. (Ah, that was a happier time, before Rosie started drawing horns on former friends.)
I'm sure Latifah will be great in the film — can't wait to hear her sing "I Know Where I've Been." But I'm already cringing about John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, because I doubt he can do that kind of camp. (And because he's been saying there's nothing gay in the movie. Durrrr.) Here's hoping I'm wrong.
And here's hoping the new film keeps the same sweet-yet-twisted air of the stage show. Yes, I know it's not nearly as twisted as the original Waters film, but I love the idea of teen throngs squealing as a chunky girl sings a morning greeting to rats, flashers and bums in Baltimore. Hairspray hits theaters July 20. It also stars Nikki Blonsky, Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken, Brittany Snow, Allison Janney and Michelle Pfeiffer. Here's the trailer again in case you haven't seen it: Submitted by on July 11, 2007 - 2:34pm. |
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Didn't I read somewhere that
Didn't I read somewhere that Latifah refused to talk to the Advocate about the film?
The thought of watching John Travolta in this role sickens me, so I think I'll stick with the 1988 version.
yes
yes latifah AND travolta refused to be interviewed by the advocate. who do they think will buy tickets to this movie?? national enquirer readers? come on
but then I was stumped as to why in the same edition of the advocate they had travolta and latifah on their cover??? they didn't give an interview people, they don't deserve an advocate cover......
Travolta's right, of course.
Darlene Love
I really like Darlene Love...the first place I remember seeing her was as Danny Glover's wife in the Lethal Weapon movies. She also comes on Letterman every year right before Christmas to sing "Christmas [Baby Please Come Home]", which I love to catch. Here's a link to the one back in 1995, when she looked rather different than she does now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbzhrjz_gVc
Hopefully that link will work!
holy, uh, other
holy, uh, other stuff
Boobies. I believe the term is "boobies." :)
And I can't believe Waters actually approved this travol, uh, travesty. I get the distinct feeling Barbarino's gonna kill this movie, and not in a good way. I'm with Molly Bolt -- time to go rent the original.
Big, Blonde, and Beautiful
Queen Latifah is perfectly cast. And Allison Janney, Christopher Walken, and Michelle Pfeiffer are perfectly cast. And the rest of the casting seems pretty great, too. Except for one. And I will not dignify the casting by acknowledging him by name.
So, I'm still going to see it on opening night and I'm clinging to the hope that while he-who-must-not-be-named may ruin the character, he will not kill the movie. I was in the right place at the right time and got a comp to the first saturday night of Broadway previews in 2002--and was blown away by everyone. I saw it years later with a weak Edna (Bruce Villanch, who made it too drag-queeny and added too much shtick) and it didn't ruin the show. Ergo, I'm putting my faith in the strength of the material and the overall cast.
I've seen a bunch of clips
I've seen a bunch of clips from the movie. I have to say that even though I don't like Travolta in the role, he doesn't ruin the whole thing. And Nicki Blonskly is so adorable that I'll she makes him bearable. Mostly.
Darlene's a Goddess
it's incredible, especially travolta!
i saw it last night, and i actually thought travolta was the best thing in the (incredible) cast! he doesn't play it campy or drag-queeny at all-- he's like this impossibly sweet insecure housewife. he was born to play a woman, IMHO.
That's interesting
I've always thought the role needed to be played a little, but not too, campy. Essentially, I've seen it as a drag queen playing a woman (as opposed to a man playing a drag queen or a man playing a woman...if these distinctions make any sense.) I think it's a hard role because it's such a delicate balance.
I suppose I'll do my best to keep an open mind next friday. I'm glad to hear an initial rave review, regardless.
Queen Latifah.
is awesome, but it takes some getting use to seeing her as a blonde -- esp. platinum! ::adjusting my sunglasses::
Any movie that includes Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer and Christopher Walken is more then worth the ticket price.
I almost didn't realize that was John Travolta in the dark, plaid dress. I am speechless!
I'm also looking forward to watching Amanda Bynes again. I recently caught her in "She's the Man". A cute, fun comedy, nothing that stands out except for Amanda herself, who is a natural comedian.
john waters
man I love john waters. he's appearing at the Edinburgh Film Festival this year (august 16th). His movie "John Waters: The Filthy World" is showing, he's attending the screening and will give a 40 minute interview on stage after - am sooooooooooooooooooo excited!!
I snagged two tickets the minute the booking line opened this morning. yeah!