Fame 2009

I remember watching Fame when I was in primary school. The TV series that had Debbie Allen in it (one of the best choreographers for me), a certain Janet Jackson (masa tuh hado famous katanya) and Nia Peeples (who didn't make it that big but had a decent album or two).

Then backtracked and watched the movie.

Can't remember much but two very powerful songs from it - Out Here On My Own, and of course the theme song, Fame. Both done spectacularly by Miss Irene Cara who was also in the movie version - and shortly was to deliver another killer song from another soundtrack in Flashdance.. What A Feeling).

So anyways, Was Googling for some latest releases, and saw that the remake of Fame has been released here. Low-key gila. Takde publicity gituh kat sini. Hanjeng! Seb baik aku terperasan.

So ari nih, planning nak take some time out on my own (da lama tak wat nih - biasa gi movie sorang, then treat myself to buying something and a makan... almost a date without any complaints or heartache). Decided I would take in Fame.

What can I say about this version?

Well, the basic premise of the movie, outlining the Auditions, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior Years and Graduation remains the same as far as I remember.

And there's the theme song thrown in somewhere, and Out Here On My Own.

Apart from that, nothing much is the same.

Probably I'm just nostalgic for the original, but this version was presented in a stylized MTV flashy presentation, which was nice and provided some exciting scenes, but robbed Fame of the soul the original had.

The storyline was there, but underdeveloped, as were the characters.

Speaking of which, casting was horrible - with only Naturi Naughton standing out as Denise Dupree - which even that, she didn't do as good as she should have, probably due to the lame script.

Her version of Out Here On My Own on the piano like Irene Cara, was a reflection of the movie overall. Powerful, and yet soulless and lacking any real depth despite it's amazing visual presentation. More style than substance in other words.

But for those who never saw the original Fame, give it a try. Seriously... it perhaps might (and I say might knowing some people won't get it) offer you a perspective into the performing arts.

Dance, music, acting... I wish our artistes could realize that pride in their craft was important. If this was done locally, I don't know how many of our stars could have performed well enough. Maybe two or three names pop to mind, but that's it.

In other words, artis kita, ramai yang berbakat - tapi ada yang tong kosong jerk... cuba isi ngan ilmu dari feeling kuat lebih jerk. Heh... matilah.... but honestly, I wish more of our talents here realized just how much they have to equip themselves with instead of selling themselves into the slavery of commercialization with their cukup-makan abilities.

Now listening to the original soundtrack (I have the re-released version on CD) for inspiration. Nak abihkan keja sikit.

Everyday is a brand new start, and tomorrow, I have some things I have to begin. More projects need to be completed, so time for me to get my nose on the grindstone again. Been slacking off for the past couple of weeks. Time to whip my ass back into action.

PS - Loving the new cover I bought for my Blackberry.

PPS - Layan the original version and new version of Out Here On My Own and Fame.

PPPS - I loved the ending of Hold Your Dream in the new version, but the original I Sing The Body Electric (which was copied pretty much and enhanced in terms of visuals) was so much more awesome and inspiring. I think the 2009 version was made by some spectacular people - who lacked heart and soul.