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*Monday night EUR was among a handful of media outlets and influential persons that were invited by the DuVernay Agency to attend a special screening of selected scenes from the highly anticipated film "Dreamgirls." The event was held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
In case you hadn't heard, the movie stars Beyonce, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose. (For the story line, see the summary below.)
While we can't confirm the budget, it's obvious from the look of it that Dreamworks and Paramount spent mega millions to make the musical. It easily could have cost north of $75 million. That's unheard of for a movie with a black cast – even one this great.
All we can say is when this movie comes out make sure you purchase your tickets in advance 'cause we have a feeling that this one will pack them in at the box office and tickets might be scarce opening weekend.
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A scene from 'Dreamgirls' featuring Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce & Anika Noni Rose as the Dreamettes and Eddie Murphy as James "Thunder" Early.
If you're wondering, the singing and stage production is unbelievable and the acting is top notch. (Yep, Miss B has stepped up her game in that department, too). Several scenes blew our minds: Eddie Murphy's James Brown-like singing and performing along with his patented comedic antics. Also, Beyonce's incredible beauty is highlighted like never before in a photo shoot montage that's breathtaking. Come to think of it, every scene we saw was mind blowing. Oh yeah, it's a cinch for multiple Academy Award nominations, too. In particular, there's already Oscar buzz for Jennifer Hudson's portrayal of Effie.
Speaking of Hudson, after the screening we were directed to an outer room for refreshments and a special treat from the singer (and now actress). The now slimmer and trimmer vocalist, who came to prominence on "American Idol," treated us to three songs accompanied by a pianist. Afterwards, while meeting and greeting well wishers, Hudson reflected on her performance and told us her dream has been realized.
"I always wanted to do 'Dreamgirls' on Broadway and I wound up in the movie of 'Dreamgirls' and to sit back and watch and say I did that? I'm in a movie? It's a dream. It's nothing short of it," she told us.
Hudson also admitted that she always dreamt of doing Effie as well because she is a huge fan of Jennifer Holliday, who created the part on Broadway.
"I grew up singing 'I'm Changing' and 'I'm Telling You' just for my performance songs and now it's my music and I'm going to be singing this for the rest of my life,” Hudson said. “And ... c'mon now, Jennifer Holliday ... I think she is one of the greatest vocalists of all times. To be able to shadow her, to come behind her and do this, are you serious? I get to be the one?! I think the world of her.”
"Dreamgirls," written for the screen and directed by Bill Condon, will be released on December 22. For more visit www.dreamgirls.dreamworks.com.
Watch clips and behind-the-scenes footage of "Dreamgirls" here:
Summary/plot of "Dreamgirls" from IMDB.com:
• Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson - three friends from Chicago - are a promising singing trio called The Dreamettes. Accompanied by their songwriter C.C. White (Effie's brother), they travel to New York to compete in a talent show at the Apollo Theatre. Although the girls lose this first bid for fame, their talent attracts an ambitious manager by the name of Curtis Taylor, Jr., who uses unscrupulous tactics to move the girls from backup singers of superstar James "Thunder" Early to superstars of their own. Curtis reshapes the group to "crossover" from R & B to the lucrative pop music scene. Lead singer Effie gets replaced by the more attractive Deena and is eventually dropped from the trio. The group evolves into a more sophisticated group, The Dreams, with a lighter sound and chic look. They successfully attract a "whiter" audience and The Dreams rise to international stardom. The money, fame, and adulation, however, doesn't bring them happiness. Deena decides to leave The Dreams and pursue a film career, and when the group finally learns of Curtis' drug problems and payola schemes, they decide to let it all go. At the final appearance of The Dreams, they reunite with Effie for one final number. The score includes And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, I Am Changing, One Night Only, Fake Your Way to the Top, When I First Saw You, Dreamgirls, Steppin' to the Bad Side, and Cadillac Car.
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