Friday, February 25, 2011

Flashback Friday - Oscar Weekend - "West Side Story" Trailer

The Oscars are this Sunday. It's also the 20th anniversary of "Goodfellas" getting screwed but I will have to write about that outrage later.

"West Side Story" is the first movie I remember watching on TV. It remains one of my favorites.

The play (based on "Romeo and Juliet") was a critical and commercial success and it changed American musical theater forever.

In 1961 the film adaptation won ten Oscars, including Best Picture.

Leonard Bernstein's music is timeless and Jerome Robbins' choreography has influenced countless dancers during the last fifty years.

My favorite scene is the rooftop "America" number. I used to pretend I could dance like Rita Moreno. My parents probably thought I was nuts.

Random fact: Actress Amber Tamblyn's dad, Russ, played Riff.

We'll see who wins Best Picture on Sunday. "The King's Speech", much to the chagrin of many, is the favorite to beat "The Social Network", "True Girt" and "The Fighter". I haven't seen "The King's Speech" yet but I understand the controversy.

Have a great weekend.

8 comments:

gibber said...

I've seen every film nominated except for 127 hours (seeing that sunday afternoon). There's no controversy. The Kings Speech was AMAZING. I totally think it deserves to win. I also think the Social Network does. With the Fighter right behind them. And True Grit and Winter's Bone. It was an outstanding year for movies!

Sonia @ My Sweet Monkey said...

I haven't seen ANY of this years nominated films
.. kind hard when you have a baby that won't sit still. My hubby saw the King's Speech and loved but there's has been so much good buzz around all of the films so, we'll see.

ps... I LOVE West Side Story! One of my all time favs!!

dalia said...

I have NEVER seen this movie. Your post has reminded me to put it back on my "must see" list.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

gibber - hopefully Hollywood will greenlight more "adult movies" given how successful movies like True Grit were. But since they can't make money off any True Grit toys, I doubt it.

sonia - I can't wait to see The King's Speech. Unfortunately, the theater that shows films in original here closed, to make room for yet another Benetton. I do not want to see it dubbed.

dalia - the music and dancing are AMAZING. It's a little dated of course but a classic.

gibber said...

Speaking of dubbed...we're rewatching the girl with the dragon tatoo series, and I insisted in watching them in swedish. I can not STAND dubbed movies. Matt doesn't seem to mind them. Why is that, i wonder?

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

gibber - Interesting. Maybe he watched dubbed films/TV shows when he was living overseas as a child so he's used to it?

girasoli said...

I also remember West Side Story as of the first musicals I saw on TV. Loved watching that movie! Interesting tidbit about Riff.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

girasoli - I remember watching the Sound Of Music and The Wiz Of Oz every year as well.