It does look really bad. But, I'm kind of intrigued based on that.
"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005
"You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy.
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I have to admit, each preview looks worse to me. It'll be worth checking out on DVD for the eye candy and, I assume, some laugh factor, but... I guess, originally I was under the assumption that it was going to fall into Soderbergh's "gritty movie" spectrum, which, as awful as some misfires like Bubble have been, I infinitely prefer to his "glitzy Hollywood" spectrum of movies which do nothing for me. But it really does look like a cheesy, poorly written, rom-com just with a lot more male flesh. Not that I really could imagien enjoying a depressing, gritty "the truths of male strippers" movie, but...
In several interviews now, with Tatum and Soderbergh, I've been amused that each time Soderbergh stresses that he thinks the movie will be a big hit with straight guys (!) because they all want to subcribe to the fantasy of being a stripper for women, to which Tatum just laughs and has basically said he only sees women and gay guys going to it, at least in the theatre. I think Soderbergh is fooling himself if he really thinks that, especially given the marketing.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
It actually received much better than expected (at least by me) reviews. Entertainment Weekly gave it an A-, 4 out of 4 stars from the NY Post, 4 out of 5 stars from the NY Daily News, and even the NY Times' review was very positive.
"The hip-pumping studs who work at the Xquisite dance club know a thing or two about making the ladies scream in delight. But nobody works the crowd like Magic Mike (a terrific Channing Tatum), the gyrating main attraction in Steven Soderberghs funny, enjoyable romp about male strippers and the American dream. Then again, few directors can sell the goods whether its Che in Cuba or Mike in a thong as shrewdly as Mr. Soderbergh. A restive talent who toggles between big-studio and low-budget work, he has a genius for wrapping tricky ideas, like capitalism and its discontents, into commercial packages. Never before has he put them into cheek-baring chaps." NY Times - MAGIC MIKE
I saw it this morning and thought it was ok. The best thing about it, by far, is Channing. He really turned in a likable, believable and charismatic performance. Unfortunately he had to play off the incredibly annoying and unlikable Cody Horn.
I also didn't care for Alex Pettyfer's character, especially in the second half of the film.
Soderbergh took it all fairly seriously. It's far from the campfest of Showgirls; lots of "artsy" camera angles and weird colorwashes. It was like Traffic: Stripper edition. Only during the strip scenes does this turn into the fun summer flick it should have been.
Oh and poor Matt Bomer has all of three lines of dialogue.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Most of the critics are probably straight women who want something to look at as well as a plot out of a Lifetime film. MM will prob make money for 2-3 weeks and then bump and grind away for Spiderman and other blockbusters.
Do you know what happens when you let Veal Prince Orloff sit in an oven too long?
And thanks, Whizzer. At first, I thought it was the print that my local theater had gotten a hold of, but I guess it was Soderbergh's choice of color palette and lighting that made the whole movie look like it was filmed through a dirty jockstrap.
Just not much fun. I mean really... who needs a semi-serious, semi-realistic movie about male strippers?
Anybody who (unfortunately) saw The Girlfriend Experience knows Soderbergh can go the serious route no matter how taboo the profession.
If Cody Horn (her dad Alan is a major alumnus from my school and I believe he is heading to Disney from WB) is as annoying and bland as Sasha Grey's boyfriend in TGE, that may cause me to skip it.
Just saw this. Thought it was awful. No idea where the good reviews or the buzz came from. Bad acting. Bad story. Limited stripping.
It was like a low rent Boogie Nights.
How the hell this would work on Bway is beyond me.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
I think if they went for a splashy and fun comedy (like the previews made the movie look like) it could work as a musical. I still liked the movie. A little strange, but still good.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Didn't they say for Broadway they would largely drop the story and provie a "fun romp" for ladies' nights out? So essentially it sounds like Chippendales in a Broadway theatre at Broadway prices.
Well, they'd have to trash the movie's storyline , because frankly it sucked. I can see them turning out some Mamma Mia type hit parade with a runway for the strippers to dance on. Strippers could fly over the audience, ala "Stripperman: Turn On The Hot"
I could see them having a live band ala Dirty Dancing and men stripping with some cheesy storyline.
I dont think the show would have a long shelf life though. This would fall into the same category as Priscilla to me and that never really caught on.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello