Characters singing songs in movies - not funny
12-06-04, 04:04 PM
#1
Characters singing songs in movies - not funny
Ok, I must get this off my chest. When characters sing songs or dance in movies that aren't supposed to be musicals it is ANNOYING! One of thing that pisses me off more than anything is when a character goes into a whole musical number for comedic purposes. When characters start dancing its even worse. I cannot stand this little effort to be "cute" in films its a waste of time and gets old real quick.
12-06-04, 04:16 PM
#2
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Well, it just depends on the movie. While it truly can be awful for many films, sometimes it's fine. Shrek never bothered me, Donkey was amusing singing and stuff. Just a matter of how it's played really.
12-06-04, 05:55 PM
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I would totally consider Team America a musical, or at least a spoof of one. I agree that the dance scenes in American Wedding and Starsky and Hutch were completely out of the blue and done only for laughs, but I thought they were pretty funny. Can't help solve your problem, sorry.
12-06-04, 06:29 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by Calculon
Magnolia
12-06-04, 07:18 PM
#11
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The only scene in Team America, where a character broke out into song, was with the "I'm So Ronrey" sequence. Like South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut which was a musical; Team America uses music to it's advantage, but is not a musical in any shape, way, or form. Also, the "I'm So Ronrey" song was an important piece in the film. 
And episodes of South Park are not a movie. [It doesn't help your argument that South Park is still one of the most constantly funny shows on television.]
Now the American Wedding and Starsky and Hutch dance scenes were done simply for laughs (and the one in Starsky and Hutch blew minus Patton Oswalt as the DJ); but if it wasn't for Stiffler dancing, how would Michelle have her wedding dress? As for Ben Stiller, it shows what happens when you drink cocaine.
And episodes of South Park are not a movie.
[It doesn't help your argument that South Park is still one of the most constantly funny shows on television.]Now the American Wedding and Starsky and Hutch dance scenes were done simply for laughs (and the one in Starsky and Hutch blew minus Patton Oswalt as the DJ); but if it wasn't for Stiffler dancing, how would Michelle have her wedding dress? As for Ben Stiller, it shows what happens when you drink cocaine.
12-06-04, 08:27 PM
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Not Another Teen Movie had a really funny music and dance number. I guess for me I like to see those types of scenes because they are really lacking in most movies that come out. Back in the day, almost every other movie was a musical.
Another one that comes to mind is Everyone Says I Love You (but that might have been a musical...)
Another one that comes to mind is Everyone Says I Love You (but that might have been a musical...)
12-07-04, 03:14 AM
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I was watching "A Life Less Ordinary" recently, definitely a non-musical, but there's a fun scene in a bar where Ewan McGregor sings Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea" to Cameron Diaz and they break out in this whole fancy dream-like song and dance bit. When Cameron starts singing, however, I feel a strong urge to press mute. I thought she was a great diva bitch in the movie, but she really can't carry a tune.
12-07-04, 03:32 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by gnradd21
When Cameron starts singing, however, I feel a strong urge to press mute. I thought she was a great diva bitch in the movie, but she really can't carry a tune.
Which reminds me there's a musical number in that one besides the Cameron Diaz's karaoke scene... the entire cast breaks out with "I Say a Little Prayer" at one point.
Anyway...
*sings*
Hello, I must be going,
I cannot stay, I came to say, I must be going.
I'm glad I came, but just the same I must be going...
12-07-04, 11:24 PM
#16
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Originally Posted by Tscott
Which reminds me there's a musical number in that one besides the Cameron Diaz's karaoke scene... the entire cast breaks out with "I Say a Little Prayer" at one point.
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12-08-04, 03:38 AM
#19
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If it's just there to be "there", as a cheap laugh, it's annoying.
Sometimes, it's a fun and silly way to do a necessary scene. Such as...
Sometimes, it's a fun and silly way to do a necessary scene. Such as...
Yes! I will, go back to school,
And achieve victory!
No man will take what my father has built
Unless that man is MEEEEEEEE!
My Billy, sweet Billy boy,
I knew you would go back!
No one can stop you if you try...
... don't I have a nice rack?
12-08-04, 04:55 PM
#20
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I agree to an extent, but disagree in the examples you used. If it's funny, then go for it. I think the musical bits are used to great effect in Team America and South Park. I also think the Billy Madison bit is funny, and the Stiffler dance scene is actually part of the story, so it's not extraneous.
What I hate is when a movie or tv show throws in a musical bit that has no real humor or satirical edge, just to do it. The Drew Carey Show was the worst offender for this.
What I hate is when a movie or tv show throws in a musical bit that has no real humor or satirical edge, just to do it. The Drew Carey Show was the worst offender for this.
