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Cadillac Records doesn’t hit theaters until this Friday but Sony held multiple press screenings and the reviews are already coming in. Industry insiders close to the film have been hyping up Beyonce’s performance as singer Etta James for some time now. However, these were the same insiders praising her performance in Dreamgirls awhile back. And we all know J-Hud went and stole the show and left Beyonce Oscar-less.
But with the early reviews in, most critics are generally satisfied with Beyonce’s raw and emotional performance as the emotionally damaged Etta James. Could this be her long-awaited Oscar performance? Doubt it but here is what the critics have to say…
“(Beyonce) performs dynamic versions of Etta James classics and delivers the dramatic goods as the troubled and badly addicted young woman who lives the blues she sings.” - Hollywood Reporter
“The surprise is Beyonc?© Knowles, who is not the gorgeous, self-contained non-actress we‚Äôve come to know but a plush pincushion who can barely contain her resentment.” - NY Magazine
“Beyonc?© emotes and cries and seduces at all the right moments, but her character obscures what should have been the heart of the film.‚Äù” – Cinemablend
“Stealing the show, so to speak are Beyonce’s mesmerizing Etta James…” - NewsBlaze
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BOOOOO Oprah never got her Oscar!!!!!!
B sure is NOT attractive in that wig
B/c shes holding on to the only thing she has that her husband doesnt have, a movie career.
look at that ass in that pic!
I would suggest that you give the full over-view of some of those comments made by the critics you have mentioned. I have read all reviews of the movie, in particular her acting skills and the critics critics did not really comment on her acting skills, just on her soulful singing as Etta James would have done, and we all know she can sing, so no surprises there. I would have you know that the comments made by cinemabland generated a negative review on her acting skills, discrediting her as an actress who used her affiliations with sony to buy her rights to the movie as an executive producer and a cast member. Hence, why she is being marketed as the star of the movie, when in fact that is a misconception. However, i believe that was done for marketing reasons. Ironically, this has had a negative impact on the other cast members, such as Jeffrey wright, Mos def, Columbus short and Eamonn Walker. It felt their onscreen appearance was overshadowed by beyonce’s, because in the last part of the film when she appears,it then becomes, as a critic rightly said “The Beyonce show”. The other actors were interesting to watch onscreen. On the other hand, she was not believable as Etta James, she just looked like Beyonce wearing a cheap wig. Whilst watching the film, it did not feel like she connected with the audience, with her over-acting, and her accent remained the same i.e her usual texas accent. In contrast, the other main characters altered their accents to a more southern feel or an accent suited to their characters. She did not fully capture the true essence of Etta James- the raw emotive character that she was. So, please, in future don’t just cut out snippets of reviews and portray a biased rationality, allow the reader the opportunity to see the complete review of the film and then they can decide for themselves.
other reviews can be seen on the wesbsite “rotten tomatoes”.
Luvangel is on point with her comment.
One of the comments you listed cuts off the main point that reveals the statement isn’t actually a compliment on Beyonce’s performance:
“Beyonc?© emotes and cries and seduces at all the right moments, [the part missing in the above entry:]but her character obscures what should have been the heart of the film.”
Here’s the link to the Rottentomatoes reviews in so far:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cadillac_records/
They didn’t slam Beyonce, but she wasn’t receiving an outpouring of praise.
~~~Shine on~~~~
Luvangel and PurpleZoe – point well taken. I’ll admit that those quotes were sent to me in that manner and I did not take the time to research the full quotes. I’ll be sure to add that caveat in an update.
Wow Luvangel that is the longest most boring entry I have seen on a blog. You some wannabe critic or something? Who cares if the whole quote is not there. You think 90% of the quotes in movies are accurate? They cut and chop those suckers up. I don’t care about this movie so I have way less passion for it or for Beyonce.
Beyonce was OK in the movie but she doesn’t deserve an Oscar. Love me some Bey but her part wasn’t a stretch for her.
Give COLUMBUS SHORT his Best Supporting Actor Oscar right now. He is exceptional in the film.
Finally saw it.
I see why they sent trumped up the review clips to you (in hopes of generating Oscar buzz in the blogosphere I suspect).
Beyonce did alright but the one or two scenes where she really channeled Etta aren’t enough to compensate for where she faltered in the film, to earn her high accolades. Her strong scenes do linger enough to almost assist us in forgetting the halfsteps, but that won’t be good enough for an Oscar.
I gave the film a B+ overall:
It was rushed like some MTV films at times when it should have offered more depth, but I’m still glad they made it.
GuruMasterSage Jeffrey Wright killed it. The man is formidable. The film would have failed without him.
Would have liked to see more Mos Def as well. They didn’t give him enough scenes.
~~Shine on~~~~*
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