A-Z #67: Dreamgirls

You can pick up hundreds of DVDs for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. It's never about quantity, it's about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em

#67 - Dreamgirls 

Why did I buy it?

Don't blame me - it is Sarah's. But I was interested. At the time it was the come-down for musicals - Chicago, The Singing Detective - and at the same time the music-biopic was popular - Walk The Line, Ray - so this film seemed to balance out the two. A clear parrallel between the Dreamgirls and The Supremes and the rise of Diana Ross and Motown. I like Motown and we all like Beyonce so, yeah, though I wouldn't buy it myself, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested.

Why do I still own it?

Well, its not a bad story. Nothing spectacular and nothing incredibly new, but a good story nevertheless. I think Jamie Foxx and Danny Glover are great at what they do but, in fairness, the hat is off to Jennifer Hudson. I have always believed that the likes of American Idol or Pop Idol and X-Factor here in the Uk generally ruin the potential credibility of a musician and this proves otherwise. Hudson came 7th (Fantasia Barrino - who the hell is that? The winner...) in American Idol's 3rd season before embarking on her own pop career. Starring in Dreamgirls sent her worldwide. Recently, she played Winnie Mandela in a TV-biopic of the South-African politician. Credit to Beyonce too for taking a role that, lets be honest... could've drawn comparisons with her success and departure from Destiny's Child...

A-Z #50: The Color Purple

You can pick up hundreds of DVD's for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. Its never about quantity, its about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em

#50 - The Color Purple 

Why did I buy it?

 

It seems to be a recurring theme - this was bought by Sarah. She read the book by Alice Walker and loved the book so much, she purchased the DVD. I didn't mind - it was the one Spielberg film which, at the time, I had not seen. I always remember it vividly because it was on Dawsons wall in Dawson's Creek - the 'critical' success (alongside Schindler's List) opposed to the blockbusters: Jurassic Park and E.T.

 

Why do I still own it?

 

I have only watched it once and I really did enjoy it. Interestingly, it was nominated for 11 Oscars for the year 1985. Spielberg was one of the six winners, in six decades, that won Best Motion Picture Director from the Director's Guild of America whilst not winning it for The Color Purple. Additionally, some of the cast present blistering performances - namely Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. Whatever the case, I am keen to watch again the time period depicted - the late 1800's of Southern United States. Much like the Holocaust in Schindler's List, Spielberg has a habit of choosing topics that 'must never be forgotton' and I think The Color Purple is an example of a time period whereby economic-poverty and racism collided and the perspective of Celie is a great way in to see this specific era in American History.

 

Maybe not - maybe Spielberg was a little dramatic and should I stick to the 'blockbusters'?