Jersey Boys movie looking at a weak 12 million opening - Page 4

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/14 at 6:50pm

"I've never seen the show on Broadway or anywhere. Overall though I actually enjoyed it and it was nice to see this adaptation without paying for the actual live show (Jersey Boys has never been one of my favorites). "

How do you know it's not one of your favorites if you've never seen it. If you have seen the film, it doesn't come close to representing the musical. I did not want to see Jersey Boys live and I did. I loved it-it was electric.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/22/14 at 7:26pm

it was nice to see this adaptation without paying for the actual live show

I don't know, promisespromises2, from what everyone has said, watching the stage show sounds like a much better (and almost the opposite) experience than watching the film.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 6/22/14 at 7:35pm

I'm just basing it off the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the music, that's all. I mean, if someone bought me a ticket and asked me to go, then I would. I know it doesn't come close to representing the musical (like I said my mom saw it and explained it to me). I'm not dissing the actual show. I'm just saying that I'm not really interested in seeing it (and that was before I saw the movie). I even have the cast recording and have tried to get into it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 6:47am

"I'm just basing it off the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the music, that's all."

But the singing in the movie was "by far [your] favorite"?

[tazber]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 7:48am

Several box office prognosticators predict that this will have legs and end up doing decently.

It's not going to be a smash, but it should end up in the black.

As has been mentioned boomers don't rush out to see movies opening weekend, and the cinema score (the aggregate grade from moviegoers) is a solid A-.

So we shall see......

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 11:38am

John Lloyd Young isn't meant to be a huge star. After his Tony, it seemed as thought he was poised for greatness and it never panned out. This movie does him no favors-he is not a film actor. He appears rather flat throughout. He should keep his attention to stage work.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 4:50pm

I'm just basing it off the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the music, that's all

I know what you mean. I'm not a fan of the music either or the plot, but from some very reliable users on here, the show's strengths lie in its dynamic staging and vibrant energy--all qualities that seem to be missing from Eastwood's film (and qualities I think he's simply incapable of providing).
The final numbers for the film are in and it made $13.3 mil. We'll see if it has legs.
John Lloyd Young recently was signed by Gersh...they're probably regretting that decision right about now. I think he's one of those people who's never gonna happen, especially given all the rumors about his diva behavior.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 5:04pm

$13.5M opening weekend isn't bad for a movie musical in which the biggest (only?) star, Academy Award winner Walken, is in a supporting role. Of course they couldn't recreate the visceral energy and immediacy of the stage production but nor could they find a way to replace that. Having to wait so long for the first muscial moment did not get things off to a roaring start. The unfortunate hair and makeup for the Hall of Fame induction was...well, unfortunate. It had some nice moments and although not one for the ages, I didn't feel it was a train wreck.

[SnoopyQc]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 7:36pm

@bwayto

More funny, in Quebec, the movie is rated G, with a warning for offensive language.

Updated On: 6/23/14 at 07:36 PM

[BWNUT]

Posted: 6/23/14 at 8:20pm

like I said, eastwood's movies have become like him: slow and dull

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 11:31am

I haven't bought the soundtrack, but listened to some clips on iTunes. A lot of the songs sound exactly the same as the cast recording. Maybe my ears are being tricked because John Lloyd Young is on both recordings?

Usually I can tell the difference between the soundtrack and the cast recording. Did they just use some songs from the cast recording instead of recording with different vocals and an orchestra? Some of the songs are different (My Boyfriend's Back, Cry For Me, Can't Take My Eyes Off You), but others sound like carbon copies. For example: Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man and the Stay/Let's Hang On medley all sound like they were used from the cast recording.

I'm disappointed. I like the music and was looking forward to the soundtrack. I didn't expect anything drastically different, but felt like it could have at least had a fresh recording (if they did in fact reuse some of the Broadway recordings).

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 11:34am

The soundtrack is on its way to me and I haven't listened to the cast recording in years, but a friend pointed out that when seeing the film, "My Eyes Adored You" sounded exactly like the OBC, so you may be on to something.

Interesting that "Stay" is on the soundtrack. It's only heard on the jukebox in the movie.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 12:19pm

millie_dillmount
"I'm just basing it off the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the music, that's all."

But the singing in the movie was "by far [your] favorite"?


I'm not allowed to say that the singing bits of THE MOVIE were my favorite because I'm not a fan of the music? I liked the energy during the singing.
Updated On: 6/24/14 at 12:19 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 2:13pm

"I'm not allowed to say that the singing bits of THE MOVIE were my favorite because I'm not a fan of the music? I liked the energy during the singing."

No, no one said you weren't allowed to, just looking for clarification.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 2:19pm

"The soundtrack is on its way to me and I haven't listened to the cast recording in years, but a friend pointed out that when seeing the film, "My Eyes Adored You" sounded exactly like the OBC, so you may be on to something."

That's odd, because didn't they add extra verses for the movie? I may be mixing this up with another song. That's why I think some of the songs were pulled from the cast recording and others were redone.

"Interesting that "Stay" is on the soundtrack. It's only heard on the jukebox in the movie."

Exactly - the sequence that I listened to in the 90 second soundtrack snippet on iTunes was exactly the same as the cast recording. I was confused as to why they included "Stay," when in the movie we only heard it on the jukebox.

Updated On: 6/24/14 at 02:19 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 2:43pm

"I was confused as to why they included "Stay," when in the movie we only heard it on the jukebox."

That is pretty standard, to include songs heard in the background, on the soundtrack. I know Grease includes all the songs on the radio and not just the songs sung by the cast.

And the Jersey Boys soundtrack is subtitled "Music From The Motion Picture And Broadway Musical," btw.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 3:16pm

"That is pretty standard, to include songs heard in the background, on the soundtrack. I know Grease includes all the songs on the radio and not just the songs sung by the cast."

True, and I understand soundtracks will include songs heard in the background. But if I remember the version in the movie is the Frankie Valli version. They included other Frankie Valli songs.

And the Jersey Boys soundtrack is subtitled "Music From The Motion Picture And Broadway Musical," btw."

Totally missed that (the title was cut off on my iPhone). Even so, still disappointing to have the mix. Like I said, wish they could've done a fresh new recording of the music.

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 8:53pm

Is the movie rated R because of the offensive language or is there anything else that would make it inappropriate for me to bring my 11 and 12 year old niece and nephew?

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/24/14 at 10:53pm

filmratings.org just says "Rated R for language throughout."

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/25/14 at 12:46am

The IMDB parents guide is usually very helpful for the exact content of any given movie. Beware of spoilers though:



Jersey Boys Parents' Guide

Updated On: 6/25/14 at 12:46 AM

[broadwayfreak2]

Posted: 6/25/14 at 3:38am

Saw the movie last night. Like some of you, there were a few things I would've liked to have been different.

I found the use of the Broadway cast album version of My Eyes Adored You lazy on the film makers part. I would've liked fresh recordings of all the songs. I was also hoping to see a fresh Bye Bye Baby be performed as it is one of my favorites in the show, but was disappointed to hear the Frankie Valli version in the background. I also don't remember seeing or hearing C'mon Marianne or Fallen Angel or Beggin'.

Could the movie have been more flashy and slick? Yes. Was it draggy? Some parts, yes. Like everything before Sherry and some in between.

Overall, for the film that I saw, I didn't think the film was bad. Like Sondheim has released a "stamp of approval" statement for the Into the Woods movie, I'm sure the real Frankie and Bob approve this film and are proud of it as well since they're behind it.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/25/14 at 8:16am

I saw it last night too and thought it was all over the place. The only truly wonderful sequence was the end credits, and that was in such stark contrast to what came before it that I couldn't help but laugh throughout.

As for the rest of the film: It was both long and boring, while often being ridiculous and campy. John Lloyd Young was very bland on screen, and all three of the other guys had more interesting personas and stories to tell.

The talking to the camera device was hilarious! Especially when the character was in the middle of driving (with others in the backseat) or performing on the Ed Sullivan Show. My friend and I laughed every single damn time.

Renee Marino was so over the top as Frankie's wife that I kind of loved her. She thought she was auditioning for a Valley of the Dolls remake with all the booze, smokes and yelling.

The movie barely feels like a musical. I think there was far more music in stuff like Walk the Line and Ray. It wasn't that the songs were downgraded to background music, but that there were really long stretches of no music at all.

There was no vibrancy, no high energy and very little momentum to the plot. In fairness, I don't think that's the movie Clint set out to make.

If I was watching it alone I would have wanted to walk out. It definitely helped to have a friend to laugh at with.

[EMeraldNYC2]

Posted: 6/25/14 at 9:37am

I don't think the film was nearly as terrible as many are saying. It can't judged solely based on its comparison to the stage show. The live show is indeed miles better and I found myself comparing the two, but I don't judge the movie based on that. As with all stage-to-screen adaptations, I don't think it was expected to be as good as it is on stage. But for what it's worth, I think the cast did a good job and it was well-produced.

I didn't mind the dance sequence at the end. It is based on Broadway, after all.
One of my few complaints is that they should have made a bigger deal out of "Sherry". It explodes on stage as possibly the biggest moment in the show, but in the movie it seemed like it was barely acknowledged as the smash hit it was. That was the only thing I was picky about. :)

It's not a movie to drop everything and call my friends to rave about, but I think it serves its purpose and I enjoyed my evening.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:22pm

As someone indifferent to the music of the Four Seasons the movie Jersey Boys was Dreamgirls without the fun. Frankie Valli is pampered star Deena. Tommy DeVito is bitter cast-off Effie. Nick Massi is goofy, oblivious Lorell. And Bob Gaudio is Michelle, the fourth Dreamgirl who showed up and did her d**n job.

http://threepanelmusicals.blogspot.com/2014/06/jersey-boys-movie.html

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/30/14 at 8:11pm

According to Box Office mojo: Meanwhile Jersey Boys fell 42 percent to $7.7 million. The Clint Eastwood-directed musical has now grossed $27.4 million. It fell from the Top 5.

Looks like momentum isn't gaining. Sad this film s@#t the bed. It had a lot of potential.