LA LA LAND | REVIEW & GIVEAWAY
Winner winner chicken dinner. With big thanks to the wonderful folks at Entertainment One we have got 5x copies of LA LA LAND to giveaway on Blu Ray. I bloody loved this movie, if you forgot it’s the wonderful musical starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling that won best picture at this year’s Oscars and then didn’t haha. For the giveaway I have reposted my original review. To win – read my review then you will find out how to win – simple. LA LA LAND is out now on DVD, Blu Ray and all digital formats. This one’s a keeper. Good luck……JK.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM DECEMBER 2016
Pre Christmas everything but the movie industry, and people’s credit cards, is wound right down. The busiest part of the year is about to kick off with the biggest money makers of the year about to release. Not only that but it is getting very close to Oscar time and the Oscar season of movies is now in full swing. LA LA LAND is a magical (non-animation) musical, something not seen for quite a while in cinemas, and it is going to race hard for an Oscar or more. For me it will come down to two leading ladies, Natalie Portman for JACKIE (review coming) and my goddess, Emma Stone, for this piece of amazing cinema. LA LA LAND is releasing on Boxing Day in Australia from the awesome peeps at Entertainment One. It runs for 128mins and is rate M. Get into it!
BY JASON KING:
LA LA LAND SYNOPSIS
On the surface LA LA LAND is a simple plot. Girl meets boy, girl hates boy, they keep running into each other, they fall in love and music plays, queue credits. But just under the simple plot is a beautiful much deeper story. A story that is written as if it is a jazz song. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is old-school jazz obsessed to the point of manic. Mia (Emma Stone) is a young girl from the burbs trying to become a serious actor in Hollywood, going to casting after casting and getting slammed and tired of rejection. She is a Hollywood romantic and loves everything about it, working on a movie studio as a barista and longing to be one of the famous actors she sees regularly coming in for coffee.
Sebastian describes jazz to Mia on one of their early dates, trying to get her to like the music genre. He explains everything going on on-stage and that people are all working in unison for the song, playing the melody, but also breaking out from the melody and doing their own wondrous thing, crazy and vibrant but in the end working together. That description of jazz to Mia is the heart and soul of the movie and the two characters discussing it. Like blues, jazz is also about heart and pain and is played not from the mind but the soul, and that, again, is the two lead characters.
THAT CHEMISTRY:
LA LA LAND is classified as an art-house movie, basically one of the largest art-house movies to ever open in the US. It is going crazy over there at the moment. While the script and direction is marvellous, the cinematography and choreography splendid, this movie is hugely successful because of two elements, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Their chemistry is next level and will make you laugh, cry, snicker, and weep. Both Gosling and Stone are fantastic as individuals but together these guys are unstoppable, they are as good as Bogart and Bergman, Han and Leia, DiCaprio and Winslet. They just sizzle with limited acting, they just have to look at each other and you want them to be a real life couple. I long to be their wedding ring bearer :).
They can actually dance well and sing superb. You will notice that every photo in this review is just them together, that’s because nothing else matters, it is only them for me.
THE MUSICAL ELEMENT:
Making a musical in Hollywood these days is hit and miss, most studios avoid them. Back in the 20s through to the 60s they were abundant with about thirty or so each year. In the last ten or so years we are lucky to get five a year and this includes telemovies. They are happy and melodic and capture a magic that has nearly disappeared from Hollywood movies.
LA LA LAND mostly captures this magic but some of the earlier singing was too soft to be fully appreciated. There was no belting tunes, no singer who just hit those musical moments that make you go “holy shit yes yes yes.” For most of the movie Emma Stone sung too soft, I love her whispy scratchy tones but she sung in that more whisper key and never smashed it out of the park. That is until her moment, her last song, a song that had me openly weeping in the cinema and showed a vocal range I never knew she had. Was this because before this moment Mia was still trying to be a successful actor, did she just not hold the confidence to be who we knew she could be? Once she had that confidence it was like HOLY F**K!
Gosling is just charming with his singing, I now realise why so many people just swoon over him. That little dimple lip curl smirk and his natural acting chops is all we need. He is just bloody gifted.
The jazz in LA LA LAND is sublime and the one melodic heartbeat song of the movie is something I have kept humming since seeing the movie, I will buy this soundtrack.
IN CONCLUSION:
LA LA LAND needs to be seen for Stone and Gosling. The Oscar race is between the very serious but marvellous Portman in JACKIE and this shining light marvel from Stone. While this lulled in the middle, and I was starting to worry, the last 30mins is one of the most beautiful happy sad 30mins of cinema this year and it brings this movie back to the where it belongs, in my Top Films of 2016. From WHIPLASH to LA LA LAND Damien Chazelle is a new generation Hollywood director who will own La La Land very soon. Marvellous.
HOW TO WIN A BLU RAY OF LA LA LAND:
With special thanks to Entertainment One to win one of the five Blu Rays of LA LA LAND you need to either like and share/ retweet this post on Facebook/Twitter/ Google+/ Pinterest/ LinkedIn/ Flipboard or Instagram (all the links to follow us are on the top right of homepage). Further to this you then need to leave a comment below stating the answer/s to the following question/s:
What is your favourite musical movie and why?
I MUST STRESS ORIGINALITY WILL WIN THE PRIZES – YOU NEED TO STAND OUT – IMPRESS THE JUDGE.
If you do not have social media then you can still enter, leave your entry below in the comments and then email me at jking@saltypopcorn.com.au telling me you don’t have social media (you still need to enter on the website).
This is a game of skill and selected purely on the thoughts of the judges.
The prizes will be drawn on or after 23rd May so enter this one quick. Good luck! Oh, and minor housekeeping – huge apologies for overseas readers, this competition is only available to Australian residents.
YOUR REVIEWER:
Jason King owns, writes and edits Salty Popcorn and Spooning Australia. He is a movie, food, restaurant, wine, chocolate, bacon, burger and brussels sprouts addict. He is a member of the Australian Film Critics Association and has been in the Australian movieindustry for 26yrs. Furthermore he loves watching people trip over and is Leonardo DiCaprio’s biggest fan.
** Images used are courtesy of various sources on Google or direct from the distributor or publisher Credit has been given to photographers where known – images will be removed on request.
It is said that there are two types of people, haters of musicals and everyone else. I was the former, grizzled, cynical, of the opinion that the intervention of dance and musical numbers nullifies the drama and human emotion so prescient to the conceit of film, instead trivialising reality and making something fundamentally inert. That is until La La Land came along. Maybe because they are quite forgiving with musical numbers (there are only 8) and maybe because it’s not even really a musical, but I was utterly enraptured by the film’s visuals, by the sweeping romance and its shattering emotional complexity. The true genius of the film is an acknowledgement of the trappings of its own genre, particularly in the transcendentally beautiful finale. It is simultaneously a love letter to past musicals, and a deconstruction/reimagining of tired musical tropes. The result? A piece of cinema with joyous brio, intelligence and timeless appeal.
Take a flesh eating plant, add an amazing array of songs, mix in a tragic doomed love story and you have one the greatest musicals ever – Little Shop Of Horrors. Its crazy, its wacky, its hilarious! As much as I love the Rick Moranis version (we need more of him these days… where has he gone?) I’d love to see a remake of this classic and add more gore!
As much as I love the film adaptions of Into The Woods, Les Miserables and Chicago, my heart will always lie with musical film that sparked a lifetime’s worth of Joy and Happiness and helped me to recognise what really matter in life. Mary Poppins was probably one of the first movies I ever owned and I would beg my parents to let me watch it literally every day between the ages of 3-6. Back then I loved the catchy nursery-rhyme-esque feel to the songs and it wasn’t until watching the film again a few years ago that I realised their deeper meaning of learning to grow up and make your own decisions in life (“Fidelity Fiduciary Bank”), learning to find kindess in everything (“Feed the Birds Tuppence a Bag”) and even learning to find the hidden joy among life’s dilemmas to help you see the bigger picture and solve the issue at hand (“A Spoonful of Sugar”). These lessons are values I’ve held throughout my life and watching the film with my family is a memory and tradition I will treasure and continue to uphold event to today! 🙂
Mightily
Intense
Synopsis
Sound
Song
Arrangements
Intending
Great
Ovations
Naturally
I never tire or this amazing production 🙂
So hard to pick a favourite as so many great one’s out there but the one on top of the list is the 2012 Les Miserables as both Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, just blew me away with their singing and acting telant. I believe they made their characters sore better then from 1998 film. A brilliant musical film!!
My prep-aged daughter couldn’t wait to be King
Hakuna Matata! And sing, sing, SING!
Her class’ school musical act: The Lion King. Audience wowed,
This mumma? Proud, proud, PROUD!
Every time we watch The Lion King we break into song,
We Can Feel the Love Tonight and have to sing along!
My first school musical I was in was ‘My fair lady’ so I have a special relationship with the musical and of course the film. A big problem with some musicals is that I really enjoy the talking or the singing but too often not both. So I just sit there hoping it will move on to the next bit I like. Thankfully My fair lady is one of those where I love both. At the moment I’m singing along to the Ascot Gavotte in my mind. Thankfully not out loud as I really can’t sing and the others around me may not appreciate it. The songs are original and all quite different from comic to romance to nonsense. The acting is sublime with wonderful performances especially from Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. I know she didn’t sing the songs, but I think Rex did; he actually sang them while the scenes were being filmed, unusual for the time.
I’ve now moved onto singing “…I’m getting married in the morning..” Now, that to me makes this a great movie as I can remember so many of the songs and can half sing along (even if I make up some of the words I can’t remember). The songs are going to be head for the rest of the day. Perhaps when they are finished I’ll move onto the script “In Hertford, Hereford, and Hampshire…”
I’m going to have say Grease. It has all the elements you need, a loose story line, leather pants, great songs and a flying car!
The Grease mega-mix was released in my early high school years and that song has stuck with me since. Grease may not be the classiest film ever made but I think about it every time I go to the drive ins and I sing along every time I hear their songs. Met a boy cute as can be!
Jersey Boys .Truly a hidden gem in every possible way. A revisiting of the “Golden Age” of music if you will. The story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.
Mamma Mia-
I been cheated by contests since you know when
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
La La at me now, will I ever learn?
I don’t know how but I suddenly need to dance
There’s a fire within my sole
Just one look and I can hear Emma sing
One more look and Ryan I forget everything
La La, here I go again
My my, how can I impress you?
La La, can it show again
My my, just how much I want to win you?
Dirty dancing. All time feel good movie with the drama and romance mixed in. Was the first movie my husband and I saw together and all our children have been brought up on it and now the grandchildren.
The Wall (Pink Floyd)…One of the more quirky and unconventional musicals . It’s a visceral and darker musical and a really powerful exploration of alienation. Music is outstanding…
Grease. Gorgeous cast, great songs, adore the costumes, love, laughter, boy meets girl heartache and romance. There is no aspect of this film that I dislike, it checks all my ‘yes’ boxes, and is honestly a movie I will never tire of watching time, and time again. Even though I own it on VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray and have a digital copy too, regardless of this, each and every time it’s on TV, yes I watch it, and smile equally as broadly in appreciation that time, as I did the previous time, and first time I saw it too. Love it, and of course the natural eye candy provided by Mr Travolta in his prime. Grease should be compulsory watching for all human beings, it’s truly that good (well at least to me).
I have the soundtrack too which gets a good blasting, in between regular viewings 🙂
Put on some rollerskates
Find some magic
Dazzle with magical music and romance
And you have Xanadu
Sound of Music this is a classic musical still enjoyed today everyone knows the songs and sing along at the cinema,s when its on
Wicked. After living in the UK for a year, we were ready to fly back to Melbourne when our flight was cancelled at the last minute. We put all our suitcaseses into the coat room in London, and saw Wicked. At intermission my wife and I looked at each amazed at what we had just seen. We looked at the program to realise the amazing green talent we were seeing was Idina Menzel.
My favourite musical movie is La La Land.
Great entertainers.
Miss Saigon was my fave,
Of love and tragedy when times where grave,
Greatest contemporary musical of all time,
Definitively a fave of mine!
Rocky Horror Picture Show, seen itt on stage and movie so many times, the best musical ever ever made
The Sound of Music…twas an annual event;
Glued to the box, we’d first see Maria’s convent.
Mum would sing loudly every single song;
We’d try our best, but get the words wrong!
After the third hour, we’d start falling asleep
Just as well, the plot then got scary and deep!
But Mum would be there til all the credits ran
Dad and kids snoring…but we’re all great fans!!!
Beach Blanket Bingo! The songs were super catchy. I just loved the fashion and courtship rituals of the day.
I loved High School Musical. So much fun watching it as a family
Blues Brothers… ’cause it’s the freaking Blues Brothers – enough said!
I agree with you on absolutely every point, Gosling and Stone can really dance and sing will and I reckon the reason this film was such a success is without a doubt the point you make – the chemistry between them. It’s fantastic and utterly believable, I’m not sure that without that chemistry this movie would have worked. I’m shocked to read though that it was considered an arthouse release, I would consider it pretty mainstream. Gosh, musicals used to be the bread and butter of Hollywood once upon a time not a niche release.
It takes a rare musical to get my attention, La La Land definitely did it and the other recent one I love perhaps somewhat controversially is – Sweeney Todd, it’s a bloody wonder, Tim Burton’s melancholy meets Stephen Sondheim’s musicality to make a masterpiece even better than the duck pie I had for lunch !
Although an unlikely choice of mine, Emma and Ryan made “La La Land” shine, the music and script were truly sublime, my favourite movie musical of all time.
My favourite musical is Beauty and the Beast. I always get so much nostalgia from my childhood when I watch it or even hear one of the songs. It gives me a sense of comfort & happiness.
p.s huge apologies for anyone in my household when I first got this because I had it playing all day everyday for two weeks straight.
I watched Zanudu. I was in a kids club in Bali at the time and thought this was so great. Still memorable for me.
Apart from La La Land, the Sound of Music makes me want to Climb Every Mountain. It is one of My Favourite Things.
I’m a true romantic at heart and love My Fair Lady. The storyline and music are wonderful, it has me laughing and crying a the same time.
La La Land is a film that only gets better every time I watch it. A timeless story about dreams, fate, hope, love, perseverance and sacrifice. Mia and Sebastian are charming and relatable characters and their journey captivates what is a universal experience for us all, the bittersweet reality of life and all its ups and downs. The wonderful backdrop of Los Angeles; a city full of success and broken hearts coupled with magical dance sequences and beautiful yet melancholic songs elevates the film to become a shining star.
Oliver is my favourite musical. I love the songs, group dancing, the wonderful stage sets and the feel good feeling it gives me.
Grease or Annie.. Depending on my mood…But no remakes..
‘Can’t Stop the Music’ is my favourite because – it’s all just so wrong!
Once – it’s such an understated, tender movie told through music that will touch & melt even the bitterest heart! In all honesty how many times does a movie do this to you? if you are lucky, Once!
I gotta stick with the oldschool,
when the summer days
were drifting away
and their smiles are not the first heartbroken.
Because, Salty Popcorn,
you better shape up,
cause I need a man
that can keep me satisfied.
You guessed it, why it’s Grease Lightning!
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers – I love how they made a ‘Song and Dance’ out of each number – a fun skirt twirling hoot if you ignore the blatant machismo and housewife ideas of the time – it reminds me of my husbands family (he’s got 5 brothers – constantly wonder if I chose the right one 😉
Moulin Rouge is my favourite, a feast of music and colour, a tragic tale of love and some spectacular musical numbers, Kylie Minogue as the Green Fairy, musicals just don’t get much better!
The woman wrapped her legs around the man,
“Ready for the thrust”; emotions in demand “DEMAND”!
“Dirty Dancing” welcomed our marriage delight!
ALL senses were set alight!
Pole dancing anyone? Admit it, who doesnt love ‘Singing In The Rain’. It’s impossible to see a lamp post without grabbing and swinging with your arms out wide.
I know I’m jumping on THE BAND WAGON, but ANNIE said that ANYTHING GOES in CABARET. THE PRODUCERS did well casting Liza Minnelli…MAMA MIA!
Always going to be The Sound Of Music for me because I can remember all the words and have watched the show at least 4 times a year for the last 50 years! Not bad going! I also had a thing for Christopher Plummer, would dearly have loved to be Maria!
(G)rease always makes me gleam
(R)izzo Frenchy, Sandy and Danny on my Screen
(E)lectric GREASE LIGHTENING dances get me moving
(A)lways get me in the mood for some grooving
(S)weet is the tale of love at first sight
(E)specially the thought of long SUMMER NIGHTS
Blues Brothers… with wall to wall hits and big brassy sound it always gets my toes tapping, fingers snapping and body movin’ and a groovin’
Mamma Mia with ABBA songs,
You simply can’t go wrong.
So catchy and upbeat,
A cinematic treat.
Les Miserables : I will often sing “Look Down” in my head at work when I’m walking towards someone going the opposite direction down the hallway until they are an appropriate distance to acknowledge them for casual greeting 🙂
The Rocky Horror Picture Show because I love that Dr Frank N Furter shows no shame, he is proud to be a transvestite and he looks great. This musical is catchy and everyone dresses up beautifully.
The Nightmare Before Christmas.
If a skeleton king and a zombie ragdoll can fall in love because they’re “Simply meant to be” it shows there is hope for all of us!
I loved the movie Lion as it was based on a true story and was so very touching. A movie I will remember for a long time. So sad but he never gave up.
I must have seen The Sound Of Music over twenty times and I love it just as much as the first time. I know and sing every song and luckily I’m the only one in the house that likes it. Suits me perfectly as everyone makes a quick exit!
Xanadu is one of my favourites. The Gene Kelly duet was wonderful and ELO’s music just gave the movie such a fantastical atmosphere. The fashion, great on screen but not for the streets!
I can’t thank you all enough for your entries – some had me laughing out loud and some of them brought back my own memories. I wish I could give you all a prize but alas there can only be 5. Rest assured there are more comps coming and again I can’t thank you all enough for the effort put in to win these prizes.
Our winners are:
Brendon D’Souza
Judith Maunders
Ashely Beech – pissed myself at your shameless ego rubbing to win hahaha – love it
Jessica Maloney – the only person to answer my own favourite musical 🙂
Tracey Taylor
Well done and big gratz – will email you for your postal address.
Congratulations lucky winners!
[…] While #LALALAND lulled in the middle, and I was starting to worry, the last 30mins is one of the most beautiful happy sad 30mins of cinema this year and it brings this movie back to the where it belongs, in my Top Films of 2016. It is the cinematic representation of a jazz song. Something LA LA LAND and WHIPLASH director Damien Chazelle thrives at. Marvellous on every level. Out Boxing Day in Australia from eOne Films. saltypopcorn.com…. […]
[…] While #LALALAND lulled in the middle, and I was starting to worry, the last 30mins is one of the most beautiful happy sad 30mins of cinema this year and it brings this movie back to the where it belongs, in my Top Films of 2016. It is the cinematic representation of a jazz song. Something LA LA LAND and WHIPLASH director Damien Chazelle thrives at. Marvellous on every level. Out Boxing Day in Australia from eOne Films. saltypopcorn.com…. […]