OUR Hamilton Reviews

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 7:16am

Pretty shocked I'm starting this thread. (Unless I missed one.)

I've watched Act 1 and, so far, and I think it's pretty glorious. Editing is really well done, good amount of medium and close ups without ever forgetting we often want to see the whole stage.

I think sound editing is really well done, using the audience reaction for laughs and applause and not overblown fandom.

A few moments have taken my breath away -not with surprises, but to see more of the emotion than from the average seat. (Or at least MY seats.)

But GROFF. That poor man is never going to live down his close ups.

On to Act II!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 9:08am

I cried early on, unexpectedly, too. I think it might have to do with the gift so many have been given.

It was made with so much love and care.


(Sorry for my uncharacteristic sappiness.)

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 9:21am

I am about halfway through Act 1, and all I can say is WOW. The filming and editing are breathtaking and stunning. It is like sitting in the center of the fifth row in the orchestra and the front row of the mezzanine at the same time. I have missed live theatre so much these past few months. Seeing such a high profile show as Hamilton captured in a way like this definitely has me a little emotional, and, of course, grateful beyond words.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 11:13am

Mark my words: This will be getting awards. It beautifully captured a groundbreaking phenomenon. Another feather in Lin Manuel Miranda's cap. #BoriquaPride 

[trentsketch]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 11:17am

I think this is the most cinematic stage recording since Spike Lee hopped in and filmed Passing Strange on Broadway. It's glorious. They captured the reality of the lighting design (which is the biggest struggle of filming theatre--cameras don't play well with many styles of theatrical lights) and the energy of the show. It's clearly a stage production, but it feels alive. 

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 11:33am

Saving this one to watch with my family for the 4th of July tomorrow.

Just a heads up, this is currently Oscar eligible. Unless the Oscars make a special ruling rendering this ineligible, I think this could be a Best Picture contender. We could see some of the performances recognized as well.

[BLs68]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 12:08pm

Very much looking forward to watching this later today!!

Hamilton was the one show I wanted to see this year. Was supposed to go in April and September, but had the opportunity to go in early February. Had I known, I would have seen it in February. Planning for Hamilton to be the first show I see when everything opens up next year.

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 12:13pm

What a beautiful recording of one of the greatest pieces of theatre I've ever had the fortune to see. Generations to come will be able to watch this and say "I get it." I truly have no complaints--the sound mixing is fantastic, the angles chosen and the editing both give you a sense of the full picture and zoom in on intimate moments. It respects the fact that it's a stage show while navigating the language of film remarkably well. All of the actors are truly fantastic, and performances that didn't previously pop out at me seem newly alive (was Anthony Ramos always this great?). And Lin really brings it in his performance--I always thought of him as a charismatic performer who wrote to his strengths and avoided his weaknesses, but this recording really proves his talent as an actor. The same moments that made me cry in the theatre made me cry at home. I normally multitask while watching TV at home, I usually have my phone in my hand, checking emails or playing a game, but this was just utterly arresting--all distractions were tuned out for two and a half hours. 

The only thing that saddens me is that this did make me miss being in the theatre even more. It's nice to hear applause and laughter recorded, but it just gave a taste of the joy of experiencing something like this with an audience. 

But I'm also thinking of the many, many people who have wanted to see Hamilton for years but have been unable to either because of their geography or their finances, and I'm so glad that they will be spending this weekend watching Hamilton for the first time.

It was well worth the four-year wait for this recording's release.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 1:38pm

Georgeanddot2 said: "Saving this one to watch with my family for the 4th of July tomorrow.

Just a heads up, this is currently Oscar eligible. Unless the Oscars make a special ruling rendering this ineligible, I think this could be a Best Picture contender. We could see some of the performances recognized as well."

It may technically still be eligible right now, but I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it ends up that way. Otherwise every single Met production shown in cinemas over the past 10 years would have been eligible. 

And even if it does end up eligible by some miracle, I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it would get nominated. Oscar voters are already completely rebelling against streaming services, so something on a streaming service that isn't even a film in the traditional sense? No way.

I could, however, see the Academy giving Lin an honorary Oscar or something along those lines.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 1:47pm

I’m literally 10 minutes in and I needed to take a minute.

I don’t know if it’s the current state of the world, stress of the pandemic, utter optimism of Hamilton as a young person, or that others as others have said, this truly is a massive gift we’ve been and we’re lucky to get now instead of 1 year or 5 years or 10 years for now, but this made me shed a few tears during the opening number.

It made me feel lucky to be alive instead distressed for a short moment in time.

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 1:53pm

Broadway61004 said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "Saving this one to watch with my family for the 4th of July tomorrow.

Just a heads up, this is currently Oscar eligible. Unless the Oscars make a special ruling rendering this ineligible, I think this could be a Best Picture contender. We could see some of the performances recognized as well."

It may technically still be eligible right now, but I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it ends up that way. Otherwise every single Met production shown in cinemas over the past 10 years would have been eligible.

And even if it does end up eligible by some miracle, I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it would get nominated. Oscar voters are already completely rebelling against streaming services, so something on a streaming service that isn't even a film in the traditional sense? No way.

I could, however, see the Academy giving Lin an honorary Oscar or something along those lines."

1. In 1975, James Whitmore received a Best Actor nomination for his filmed stage performance in GIVE ‘EM HELL, HARRY, so there is precedent.

2. Due to the pandemic, streaming films will be eligible this year without a theatrical release.

3. In 2019, Roma, a Netflix film, won 3 Oscars: Best International Feature, Best Cinematography, and Best Director.

4. In previous years, only films shown in a theater for a run of seven consecutive days would be eligible, which is why none of the Metropolitan Opera performances or Fathom Events qualified. 

No miracle necessary, there’s every reason to believe Hamilton will compete at the Oscars, as well as at the Golden Globes, where I think a Best Picture Musical or Comedy win is already a good bet, even with West SideStory yet to come.

Updated On: 7/3/20 at 01:53 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 1:54pm

I don’t know if it’s the current state of the world, stress of the pandemic, utter optimism of Hamilton as a young person, or that others as others have said, this truly is a massive gift we’ve been and we’re lucky to get now instead of 1 year or 5 years or 10 years for now, but this made me shed a few tears during the opening number.

It made me feel lucky to be alive instead distressed for a short moment in time.

I think that's why they released it now, in this terrible, stressful year. A wonderful distraction. It's a very special gift, and it's beautifully shot and edited. I hope everyone loves it. 

Updated On: 7/3/20 at 01:54 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 1:56pm

Exactly what I was getting ready to say (except for #1...I didnt know that.)

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:03pm

dramamama611 said: "Exactly what I was getting ready to say (except for #1...I didnt know that.)"

In the same year, Ingmar Bergman’s The Magic Flute was nominated for Best Costume Design. That was also filmed on stage, although it was not a production with an audience. Not exactly the same, but still similar.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:12pm

CT2NYC said: "Broadway61004 said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "Saving this one to watch with my family for the 4th of July tomorrow.

Just a heads up, this is currently Oscar eligible. Unless the Oscars make a special ruling rendering this ineligible, I think this could be a Best Picture contender. We could see some of the performances recognized as well."

It may technically still be eligible right now, but I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it ends up that way. Otherwise every single Met production shown in cinemas over the past 10 years would have been eligible.

And even if it does end up eligible by some miracle, I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it would get nominated. Oscar voters are already completely rebelling against streaming services, so something on a streaming service that isn't even a film in the traditional sense? No way.

I could, however, see the Academy giving Lin an honorary Oscar or something along those lines."

1. In 1975, James Whitmore received a Best Actor nomination for his filmed stage performance in GIVE ‘EM HELL, HARRY, so there is precedent.

2. Due to the pandemic, streaming films will be eligible this year without a theatrical release.

3. In 2019, Roma, a Netflix film, won 3 Oscars: Best International Feature, Best Cinematography, and Best Director.

No miracle necessary,there’s everyreason to believeHamiltonwill compete at the Oscars, as well as at the Golden Globes, where I think a Best Picture Musical or Comedy win is already a good bet, even withWest Side Storyyet to come."

1. Yes, I never said there wasn't any precedent, but that was one award 45 years ago. To think that has any bearing on now is not accurate.

 

2. They have said that films streaming are eligible, but they have not defined what a film is. This is not a film. This is a video recording of a staged event. Do you really expect every stand-up special that premieres on Netflix is going to be eligible for Best Picture?

3. Roma is exactly what I'm referring to. One of the most acclaimed films of the year lost Best Picture to Green Book because, by several voters' own admission, they wouldn't vote for something that they felt wasn't a true film.

So no, Hamilton will not be eligible or win until they actually make a film adaptation of it down the road. 

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:18pm

Broadway61004 said: "So no, Hamilton will not be eligible or win until they actually make a film adaptation of it down the road."

OK, we’ll just have to agree to disagree, and we’ll see whose post ages better. Deal?

Here are the Academy’s rules for this year. There’s nothing in them that would render a filmed stage performance ineligible.

https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/93aa_rules.pdf

 

Updated On: 7/3/20 at 02:18 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:21pm

Has anyone realized yet that this capture could give Lin-Manuel a PEGOT? We all know of his Tony, Pulitzer Prize, and Grammy wins, and he shared an Emmy with Tom Kitt for "Bigger" (the 2013 Tonys opening number).

He has lost his only Oscar nomination so far, for the Moana standout "How Far I'll Go."

Updated On: 7/3/20 at 02:21 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:22pm

I don't know if it will actually GET nominated, but that's not the same as being ELIGIBLE for consideration.

It was created/edited to be a theatrical release. The only reason it wasnt released is Covid. VERY few stand ups are edited to be anything but a tv/cable/streaming release - thereby ELIGILBLE for Emmy awards.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:26pm

CT2NYC said: "Broadway61004 said: "So no, Hamilton will not be eligible or win until they actually make a film adaptation of it down the road."

OK, we’ll just have to agree to disagree, and we’ll see whose post ages better. Deal?"

Fair enough. Yes, we shall see.

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:26pm

CT2NYC said: "Broadway61004 said: "So no, Hamilton will not be eligible or win until they actually make a film adaptation of it down the road."

OK, we’ll just have to agree to disagree, and we’ll see whose post ages better. Deal?"

Fair enough. Yes, we shall see.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:30pm

dramamama611 said: "I don't know if it will actually GET nominated, but that's not the same as being ELIGIBLE for consideration.

It was created/edited to be a theatrical release. The only reason it wasnt released is Covid. VERY few stand ups are edited to be anything but a tv/cable/streaming release - thereby ELIGILBLE for Emmy awards.
"

For next year's Oscars, streaming films could skip/postpone their theatrical releases and still be eligible due to the circumstances. Given its universal praise, I can't see how Hamilton does not get nominated in some form.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:34pm

Broadway61004 said: "Oscar voters are already completely rebelling against streaming services, so something on a streaming service that isn't even a film in the traditional sense? No way."

You are confounding two things here, and the first of them is so wrong that it drains your second point of its vitality. Streaming is supporting the industry; not that many Oscar voters are going to bite the hand that feeds them. Personally I think it will be nominated  (and that it is indeed a film) but I do not think it has a chance of winning for the same reason that very few documentaries have a chance of winning. FWIW I also do not think that it will be nominated in categories for which it could have been (and was) nominated for Tonys, but certainly the directing of the film, the cinematography, the editing, etc, could get noms. We shall see in due course.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:38pm

Saw this twice on tour. Have been listening to the OBCR now for a couple of years. Knew ahead of time pretty much everything that was going to happen.

Just finished watching this on Disney+...blackened out all of my living room windows to make the experience more ‘theater-like’. Lights off...clicked Play...show started, and I...

Smiled. Clapped. Laughed. Cried. 

Absolutely LOVED IT. 

Updated On: 7/3/20 at 02:38 PM

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:46pm

CT2NYC said: "Broadway61004 said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "Saving this one to watch with my family for the 4th of July tomorrow.

Just a heads up, this is currently Oscar eligible. Unless the Oscars make a special ruling rendering this ineligible, I think this could be a Best Picture contender. We could see some of the performances recognized as well."

It may technically still be eligible right now, but I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it ends up that way. Otherwise every single Met production shown in cinemas over the past 10 years would have been eligible.

And even if it does end up eligible by some miracle, I'd say there's less than a 1% chance it would get nominated. Oscar voters are already completely rebelling against streaming services, so something on a streaming service that isn't even a film in the traditional sense? No way.

I could, however, see the Academy giving Lin an honorary Oscar or something along those lines."

1. In 1975, James Whitmore received a Best Actor nomination for his filmed stage performance in GIVE ‘EM HELL, HARRY, so there is precedent.

2. Due to the pandemic, streaming films will be eligible this year without a theatrical release.

3. In 2019, Roma, a Netflix film, won 3 Oscars: Best International Feature, Best Cinematography, and Best Director.

4. In previous years, only films shown in a theaterfor a run of seven consecutive days would be eligible, which is why none of the Metropolitan Opera performances or Fathom Events qualified.

No miracle necessary,there’s everyreason to believeHamiltonwill compete at the Oscars, as well as at the Golden Globes, where I think a Best Picture Musical or Comedy win is already a good bet, even withWest SideStoryyet to come."

Followup to your Point #4, in my lifetime opera has always had a niche audience who adores opera.  They are in the drastic minority.  It is inconceivable to me that operas would receive any nominations, even if eligible, unless it was a really bad year for some categories.  Hamilton clearly does not have a niche audience; if anything, it has gotten people who never attend the theatre to express interest and actually attend when they can get tickets and afford those tickets.  Whether Hamilton is eligible or not, I do believe that there are categories for which it should not be eligible, e.g., sets and costumes, music, song, because they were exactly the same as in the show.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/3/20 at 2:50pm

Broadway61004 said: "CT2NYC said: 

So no, Hamilton will not be eligible or win until they actually make a film adaptation of it down the road."

So if it isn't eligible to be considered because you say it isn't a film then why was it submitted to the Motion Picture Association of America for a rating? 

It is a filmed recording of the original broadway stage production done so with the intent of releasing it to motion picture theaters. And that is why it was submitted to the Motion Picture Association of America for a rating. 

So while it may not be a filmed adaption of the source material it remains a filmed recording of the stage production intended for theatrical release which in essence makes it - wait for it....a FILM. 

A film I might add that is indeed eligible for consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

See how that works?

:: DROPS MIC::