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Post by geode on Mar 8, 2017 1:11:26 GMT
I was with the majority that didn't think all that highly about Xanadu when it was released in 1980, but apparently it gained a cult following over the years that even led to a stage version being produced decades later. Parts of it were not bad, such as seeing Gene Kelly in a musical for one last time. Some songs weren't bad, but Michael Beck seemed a total miscast who couldn't sing or dance, or even skate very well.
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Xanadu
Mar 8, 2017 5:03:32 GMT
Post by mszanadu on Mar 8, 2017 5:03:32 GMT
I was with the majority that didn't think all that highly about Xanadu when it was released in 1980, but apparently it gained a cult following over the years that even led to a stage version being produced decades later. Parts of it were not bad, such as seeing Gene Kelly in a musical for one last time. Some songs weren't bad, but Michael Beck seemed a total miscast who couldn't sing or dance, or even skate very well. All IMPO here of course - Just another reason of many - why it's my #1. favorite musical of all time . Watching Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John dance together was definitely a rare treat for me ( and this being Gene Kelly's last musical film as well ) . Also most of the music was sung by the band ELO ( Electric Light Orchestra ) another favorite of mine too . Of course there were a few exceptions of Olivia Newton-John and a couple of different musical artists which were really good also . This was one fine memory film that I grew up with and still held onto it has an innocent and clever quality that I adore . As for Michael Beck's character - I don't think he was really meant to be a singer or dancer in this film in the first place . The true character of Sonny was a painter with a vision to make a dream come true if he could he was a different kind of artist - so to speak . So I believe it really didn't seem necessary for him to dance or sing in this film especially when he was merely observing all that was around him for his dream ideas . Thanks so much geode for your subject post .
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Post by itsmagic on Mar 8, 2017 5:57:57 GMT
i love electric light orchestra. thank you
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Post by itsmagic on Mar 8, 2017 5:58:36 GMT
and i love xanadu too i can overlook things for a good storyline. imaginative
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Xanadu
Mar 8, 2017 12:41:23 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2017 12:41:23 GMT
I liked it enough but the storyline is what kinda bothered me and why the Sonny character didn't really add up. Had they stayed with the actual Greek mythology this was supposed to be based on and made her (Kira) this muse that inspired someone through songs and images without all the corniness and so forth this would have been an instant cult classic. When I first saw the promotional trailer for it back in 1980 I had all these ideas and thoughts of what it would be and was so excited since I'm a fan of Olivia Newton-John but when I saw it, I felt disappointed. Loved the music though. The story was flat and didn't use any of the raw material it could have used regarding the Nine Muses. They just used their appearance more or less and didn't work much of that at all. Instead they opted for a puppy love sort of thing.
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Xanadu
Mar 8, 2017 17:32:01 GMT
Post by mszanadu on Mar 8, 2017 17:32:01 GMT
Watched it a couple months ago. I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. The acting is really, really bad. And not bad in a good way. It's true not all movies are suited to everyone - that's cool with me . Thanks onethreetwo for your reply .
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Xanadu
Mar 8, 2017 17:45:44 GMT
Post by mszanadu on Mar 8, 2017 17:45:44 GMT
I liked it enough but the storyline is what kinda bothered me and why the Sonny character didn't really add up. Had they stayed with the actual Greek mythology this was supposed to be based on and made her (Kira) this muse that inspired someone through songs and images without all the corniness and so forth this would have been an instant cult classic. When I first saw the promotional trailer for it back in 1980 I had all these ideas and thoughts of what it would be and was so excited since I'm a fan of Olivia Newton-John but when I saw it, I felt disappointed. Loved the music though. The story was flat and didn't use any of the raw material it could have used regarding the Nine Muses. They just used their appearance more or less and didn't work much of that at all. Instead they opted for a puppy love sort of thing. Have you seen the original movie this one was based on ? Down to Earth 1947You might like this version a bit better perhaps . It sometimes happens this way some people are not fond of alternate versions or possible remake films either . Thanks so much sleepinsleepyhollow for your input on this movie and your reply . PS - I do like that version of the " Sleepy Hollow " 1999 movie with actress Christina Ricci - I really like your screen name and Avatar too .
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Post by geode on Mar 8, 2017 19:56:13 GMT
In the "making of" documentary on my blu-ray it was stated a couple of times by the director Robert Greenwald that the screenplay needed fixing, but it never happened. It was also said that essentially the film had wrapped when it became apparent that there was a a major hole in the film, a number with Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Kelly didn't wish to return to do a scene, but agreed if only he, Olivia, the director of photography, Kenny Ortega (doing choreography) and the camera operator were present. Apparently Kelly designed the dance steps. When he first signed on he said he would not dance, I am glad he relented.
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Xanadu
Mar 9, 2017 0:30:37 GMT
Post by mszanadu on Mar 9, 2017 0:30:37 GMT
In the "making of" documentary on my blu-ray it was stated a couple of times by the director Robert Greenwald that the screenplay needed fixing, but it never happened. It was also said that essentially the film had wrapped when it became apparent that there was a a major hole in the film, a number with Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Kelly didn't wish to return to do a scene, but agreed if only he, Olivia, the director of photography, Kenny Ortega (doing choreography) and the camera operator were present. Apparently Kelly designed the dance steps. When he first signed on he said he would not dance, I am glad he relented. Thanks so much geode for sharing this most interesting trivia from on your Blu-ray Collection here too . I'm so glad Gene Kelly changed his mind on that decision as well . There definitely would have been someone special missing from this film - IMPO .
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2017 2:19:26 GMT
I'll have to check that out. I had heard about Down To Earth before. And thanks for linking to the Wikipedia page instead of the imdb page. It's much easier for me to avoid imdb for what they've done.
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Post by itsmagic on Mar 9, 2017 2:24:51 GMT
couldnt take my eyes away from it. fun. imaginative
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Post by mszanadu on Mar 9, 2017 2:33:07 GMT
I'll have to check that out. I had heard about Down To Earth before. And thanks for linking to the Wikipedia page instead of the imdb page. It's much easier for me to avoid imdb for what they've done. You're most welcome sleepinsleepyhollow . Also even before this new board I usually looked to Wikipedia for way more information . The Old IMDB Board never seemed to have enough info that was needed to get our proper answers as is . Thanks again sleepinsleepyhollow for your reply .
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Xanadu
Mar 9, 2017 17:57:29 GMT
Post by mszanadu on Mar 9, 2017 17:57:29 GMT
I was with the majority that didn't think all that highly about Xanadu when it was released in 1980, but apparently it gained a cult following over the years that even led to a stage version being produced decades later. Parts of it were not bad, such as seeing Gene Kelly in a musical for one last time. Some songs weren't bad, but Michael Beck seemed a total miscast who couldn't sing or dance, or even skate very well.Why the heck they went with Michael Beck is beyond me. They wanted to sell the picture on Olivia's name as a female lead and it failed. Apparently, John Travolta was alleged to have been reteaming with her for this film and didn't want to do it. Beck had no charisma, no spunk, was average looking and was bland as. ONJ needed a good looking, strong, charismatic male lead to balance out her own soft femininity and have someone to draw her out. As talented as she was as a musical performer, she wasn't that much of an actress. The film has an excellent soundtrack and some fun amusing moments for a musical, but unfortunately, it just wasn't greater than the sum of it's parts. I believe the character Sonny was suppose to be an " ordinary guy " except for the one extraordinary talent he did have which was his art . This was most likely why he was given a muse in the first place . I guess any actor could have played Sonny ( and not sure about this - just a wild guess here ) . Perhaps Michael Beck's look and mannerism was what this production was aiming towards at that time - a bit shy and not extremely outgoing as the character appeared to be ? Interesting didn't know that John Travolta was a possible for this role ( however JT AND ON-J did play in another movie together called - Two of a Kind 1983 sadly that one didn't do so well either ) . Thanks Toasted Cheese for your interesting input on this film .
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Post by geode on Mar 9, 2017 20:47:34 GMT
Why the heck they went with Michael Beck is beyond me. They wanted to sell the picture on Olivia's name as a female lead and it failed. Apparently, John Travolta was alleged to have been reteaming with her for this film and didn't want to do it. Beck had no charisma, no spunk, was average looking and was bland as. ONJ needed a good looking, strong, charismatic male lead to balance out her own soft femininity and have someone to draw her out. As talented as she was as a musical performer, she wasn't that much of an actress. The film has an excellent soundtrack and some fun amusing moments for a musical, but unfortunately, it just wasn't greater than the sum of it's parts. I believe the character Sonny was suppose to be an " ordinary guy " except for the one extraordinary talent he did have which was his art . This was most likely why he was given a muse in the first place . I guess any actor could have played Sonny ( and not sure about this - just a wild guess here ) . Perhaps Michael Beck's look and mannerism was what this production was aiming towards at that time - a bit shy and not extremely outgoing as the character appeared to be ? Interesting didn't know that John Travolta was a possible for this role ( however JT AND ON-J did play in another movie together called - Two of a Kind 1983 sadly that one didn't do so well either ) . Thanks Toasted Cheese for your interesting input on this film . The director claimed that the film started out as a small budget, small picture to capitalize on the roller disco fad at the time, and there were two competing films. I would guess that Michael Beck might have come cheap, but had a bit of name recognition after "The Warriors" and they thought this might help carry the film. When ONJ showed interest the budget and scope sort of exploded, but I would guess that the script was not modified enough to handle this. The fact that there is a major duet in the film and Cliff Richard was brought in with ONJ when it would have naturally been Beck's number shows the inadequacy he faced. I am not sure that he was even the target of the muse. I think her father claims something about "one dream, one muse" and since the dream was Danny's she has come back as his muse again 35 years later. Sonny is just a means to help Danny accomplish his dream. Sonny was an artist, to accomplish his dream would have involved art.
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Xanadu
Mar 9, 2017 21:09:53 GMT
Post by mszanadu on Mar 9, 2017 21:09:53 GMT
I believe the character Sonny was suppose to be an " ordinary guy " except for the one extraordinary talent he did have which was his art . This was most likely why he was given a muse in the first place . I guess any actor could have played Sonny ( and not sure about this - just a wild guess here ) . Perhaps Michael Beck's look and mannerism was what this production was aiming towards at that time - a bit shy and not extremely outgoing as the character appeared to be ? Interesting didn't know that John Travolta was a possible for this role ( however JT AND ON-J did play in another movie together called - Two of a Kind 1983 sadly that one didn't do so well either ) . Thanks Toasted Cheese for your interesting input on this film . The director claimed that the film started out as a small budget, small picture to capitalize on the roller disco fad at the time, and there were two competing films. I would guess that Michael Beck might have come cheap, but had a bit of name recognition after "The Warriors" and they thought this might help carry the film. When ONJ showed interest the budget and scope sort of exploded, but I would guess that the script was not modified enough to handle this. The fact that there is a major duet in the film and Cliff Richard was brought in with ONJ when it would have naturally been Beck's number shows the inadequacy he faced. I am not sure that he was even the target of the muse. I think her father claims something about "one dream, one muse" and since the dream was Danny's she has come back as his muse again 35 years later. Sonny is just a means to help Danny accomplish his dream. Sonny was an artist, to accomplish his dream would have involved art. Thanks so much geode for this reminder it does make a whole lot of sense to me here again now . This all makes me want to watch both back to back again The Warriors 1979 and Xanadu 1980 . Good memories good times !
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Post by pippinmaniac on Mar 10, 2017 1:56:13 GMT
My husband loves the soundtrack to Xanadu.
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Post by artcurus on Mar 10, 2017 2:00:23 GMT
Oh man. Talk about a flashback.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2017 8:41:12 GMT
Yes that is correct. Danny wanted to open a club. Sonny was the artist that would design the place. So this dream took 35 years to accomplish. The gods do seem to have a lot of time to build...
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Post by geode on Mar 10, 2017 17:34:54 GMT
I was with the majority that didn't think all that highly about Xanadu when it was released in 1980, but apparently it gained a cult following over the years that even led to a stage version being produced decades later. Parts of it were not bad, such as seeing Gene Kelly in a musical for one last time. Some songs weren't bad, but Michael Beck seemed a total miscast who couldn't sing or dance, or even skate very well. I knew an animator who worked on the following sequence: Animated SequenceApparently there was at least one "in joke" in the Don Bluth team that made this.
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Xanadu
Mar 10, 2017 17:40:08 GMT
Post by mszanadu on Mar 10, 2017 17:40:08 GMT
Yes that is correct. Danny wanted to open a club. Sonny was the artist that would design the place. So this dream took 35 years to accomplish. The gods do seem to have a lot of time to build... Better " beyond fashionably late " than never - I guess sleepinsleepyhollow .
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