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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsSEE THIS MOVIE: "In the Heights"!!!
I cannot tell you how remarkable this film is. See for yourself. You can get this film streaming (how I saw it).
This isn't "West Side Story" despite its ethnic resemblance (Dominican not Puerto Rican). A lengthy, beautiful dance sequence is bit of a resemblance to those of us who recall how West Side Story astonished us with its cultural and esthetic themes. I think it is far more serious and more eloquent than what was attempted in WSS.
I very much appreciated the montage sequence featuring the abuela and her revered status in her community. Her montage sequence is perfect. Nothing more is said. You have to see it and feel it.
I am going to avoid going into the controversy into the values of ethnicity. I am not qualified to hold a judgment one way or another, altho I do appreciate the complexities of the arguments and how they surround this film. My family and I were outsiders. Later we watched the filmed stage version of "Hamilton" to see more of Miranda's fine artistry.
If you saw this film, please comment.
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,130 posts)I saw at a theater a couple of weeks ago
FM123
(10,053 posts)We saw the touring Broadway show a few years ago (not exactly the same as film version) but we loved the movie JUST as much. As big fans of Hamilton, we loved the little nods to it like when Mr. Rosario was put on hold the song playing on the muzak was King George's "You'll Be Back".
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)And speaking of delicious - I loved seeing the piragua vendor and the Mr. Softee ice cream man together again in the Heights movie! I will not be a spoiler, so that is all I'm going to say....
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)And I can attest that that is a genuine Mr. Softee truck. That brought back many fond memories. Mr. Softee had the best ice cream, according to my 6-year-old palate even better when it would stop in front of my house!
jimfields33
(15,769 posts)Im on the side of the neighborhood that the movie portrays. They were not happy with the movie. I have to go with the marginalized instead of rich Hollywood. Not sure why liberals would support this.
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)But if you feel any support is flawed, I will respect that. I simply am just too uninformed of the underlying issues to go any further than describing the film's effect on me. I am still trying to correct my racial ethnic flaws. I realize the cultural hegemony at work here and that I don't really know what I think I know. I am somewhat speechless...
jimfields33
(15,769 posts)Have a great day!!!!
NoRethugFriends
(2,305 posts)CTyankee
(63,903 posts)NoRethugFriends
(2,305 posts)I copied what is below. What it does not say is how it intertwined the history of the era, highlighted the marginalization of black people then (and this continues of course now), talks about how this event was ignored, showed great music, and highlighted in depth the activism of some of the performers, especially Nina Simone.
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Summer Of Soul (...Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is a feature documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African American music and culture, and promoted Black pride and unity.
SUMMER OF SOUL is part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten-until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more.
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)NoRethugFriends
(2,305 posts)And I am certainly old enough to have remembered.
LonePirate
(13,417 posts)I enjoyed the early numbers at the salon and the pool; but soon after the movie fell apart for me. There was a good dance number near the end on a building but I was already divested by then.
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)It captured that film's treatment of life as it is lived by people in a culture I do not know.
NoRethugFriends
(2,305 posts)mnhtnbb
(31,382 posts)Fabulous. Love, love, loved the hair salon scene, the Busby Berkeley water number, and the reminiscent Fred Astaire anti-gravity dancing on the side of a building scene.
Such dance talent!
Surprise ending.
Its use of homage, especially in the anti-gravity sequence, is just delightful.
AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)Corgigal
(9,291 posts)Just a light summer movie. The love story part, was sweet.
elleng
(130,865 posts)and my brother recently trekked 60 miles to Iowa City to see it; haven't heard his review yet.
CTyankee
(63,903 posts)their identity that I didn't know at all.
AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)Oh my God, it is the best movie Ive seen in a long time. The choreography was stunning, the songs affecting, and acting excellent, Anthony Ramos in particular. It definitely hit me in the feels, especially Abuela Claudia.
Lin Manuel-Miranda is this generations Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and any other musical theater genius you can name. I would love to see this on stage.
from me.
(By the way, if you get a chance to see Hamilton live, do so. Well worth the price of a ticket. I think touring resumes in most cities in 2022, if youre not within proximity to NYC.)