Fame (2009)

The word 'remake' always makes me shiver. Some remakes have been great, like Hairspray; but unfortunately the 'reinvention' of 80's flick Fame falls flat compared to the original. I watched the original about three weeks ago, and I was blown away by it. It was one 80's movie I actually liked. Sure, this version is more suited to my generation, but it doesn't mean it scores brownie points with me.
Fame is the story of several students who enroll in the prestigious New York School of Performing Arts, to follow their dream; whether it be dancing, singing, composing music or acting. It follows the happy times, the heartbreaking times, the fun times. But how far do these students go? Some may reach the stars, but some realize that the stars aren't where they're headed for.
Okay, so it was enjoyable. I've always been a fan of dance movies, and all the dance scenes in this made me smile. Lets just say, this is a 'cute' attempt at remaking a classic. I think my generation will probably like it, because it has the added 'benefit' of cell-phones and modern technology which usually means a sure-fire hit with the young ones. And it has an ultra-hip soundtrack, which always lightens the mood.
If you've seen the original, you will be immensely disappointed by this. But if you haven't, I guess you'll probably enjoy this, but after watching it I suggest you watch the original.
6/10

5th Decemeber 2009

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People (2008) has a very long title. It's one of those movies which I expected to be really big but turned out to live up to small expectations. When I saw the cast, which had Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst (where has she been lately??), Megan Fox (in a non-blockbuster role), and Jeff Bridges, I knew that I may be in for a winner. And at first, it seemed that way. But as the movie droned on, it lost the winning magic right up until it seemed non-existent. Okay, it was amusing seeing Megan Fox trying to act like Mother Teresa, because she really can't act that well. The movie is about Hollywood, or New York rather. It takes a look at the world of fame and tabloid magazines and starlets of mediocre films. We follow Brit Sidney Young (Pegg), a writer who enjoys exploiting the image of stars. He moves to New York, and starts to work for a prestigious magazine which follows the lives of stars. There he meets Alison (Dunst), who teaches him the American way of life and who is the love interest of the story. Sidney is given an interview opportunity with young starlet Sophie Maes (Fox), who he also falls in love with, but only because of her beauty. The entire plot revolves around a Brit trying to become an American, and also the weird love story between Sidney and Alison. I quite enjoyed the first half, but found myself kind of tired by the next half. All in all, you should see this if you want to know what fame is really like. But if you have no interest, save it for a rainy day.
6/10