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Title: A Star Is Born
Director: Bradley Cooper
Writers: Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, and Will Fetters
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, and Sam Elliott
Based on the 1954 Screenplay by: Moss Hart
Based on the 1976 Screenplay by: john Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion, and Frank Pierson
Based on a story by: William Wellman and Robert Carson
SHOW RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Cinematography: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Singing: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (5)
STORYLINE:
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers-and falls in love with-struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer – until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons. Written by Warner Bros.
AWARDS:
- Winner of the 2019 Oscar for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
- Nominated in the categories of Best Achievement in Sound Mixing, Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Bradley Cooper), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Lady Gaga), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Sam Elliott), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Achievement in Cinematography.
MY 2 CENTS:
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this movie… I’m not a big fan of movies where singers, athletes, and wrestlers decided to be actors. I know, that probably sounds bad. However, in most cases it is my opinion that they should just leave the acting to the actors.
With that said, I think this movie really worked. I wasn’t expecting much of a performance from Lady Gaga, but she was really impressive. I’ve always liked her music and although I can’t sing to save my life, I can recognize that talent in others. She is such an awesome performer – bigger than life – that I just couldn’t imagine her bringing her performance down to life-size on the big screen. Then I saw A Star Is Born… Watching her act in A Star Is Born was like seeing her for the first time. She was raw, open, emotional, and beautiful. Her talent not only extends to her musical performances but she is a natural actress. I don’t say that often when it comes to musicians, but she really was a wonder in this film.
Bradley Cooper, who I’ve always enjoyed watching, gave 110% percent with this one. His performance was so real… so raw… and completely heartbreaking. I’m not going to lie, I cried. How could you not. If you didn’t cry during his last scene, then you clearly don’t have a heart.
I was surprised to find out that he not only stared in the film, he helped write the screenplay, and he directed it. BRAVO!!!
Sam Elliott played Bradley Cooper’s older brother, although I didn’t get that connection until well into the film. His performance as great. I’m a huge fan. I loved him in everything from Tombstone to The Big Lebowski, to, most recently, the TV series The Ranch.
MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
“Unless you get out there and try to do it, you’ll never know. That’s just the truth. If there’s one reason we’re supposed to be here is to say somethin’ so people wanna hear it. So you gotta grab it and you don’t apologize. You don’t worry about why they’re listenin’ or how long they’re gonna be listening for. You just tell em what you wanna say.” Jackson Maine ~ A Star is Born (2018)
“You know it’s like, I dunno you… you float out… float out at sea then one day you find a port say, “I’m gonna stay here a few days.” Few days ‘comes a few years. Then you forgot where you’re going in the first place. Then you realize you don’t really give a sh*t about where you was goin’, cause you like where you at.” Noodles ~ A Star is Born (2018)
“Music is essentially twelve notes between any octave. Twelve notes and the octave repeats. It’s the same story told over and over. All the artist can offer the world is how they see those twelve notes.” Bobby ~ A Star is Born (2018)
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You can watch the official trailer here:
See the 1976 and 2018 movie posters below:
Nina Soden 