For example, Jamie Foxx became Ray Charles in "Ray". You believed that the person on screen was really Ray Charles.
Beyonce just looked like Beyonce acting like Etta James. The cursing did not become her. I like her well enough, but I did not like her in this role.
2*CUTE*4*U
I actually thought she was pretty good, which surprised me -- I'm not by nature a Beyonce fan. But I will easily concede that her voice sounds nothing like Etta James's -- it's pretty in its thin, feathery way but nowhere near as powerful or brassy as Etta's.
shareof course you're not. in spite of her hype-machine she is not a good actor.
"WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW, huh?! WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW!"
I love Beyoncé and I think she's a great actress. I don't think I've ever heard Etta sing or even seen her, so I didn't have a problem with Beyoncé singing. Someone above said that Beyoncé don' have a powerfull voice. I couldn't disagree more. Now, maybe not as powerfull as Etta, but she sure got a powerful voice
sharedo yourself a favor & listen to etta, then you will understand.
etta's voice was rich with emotion. her songs literally gave people chills. her version of "At Last" is an official classic. beyonce's pretty but shallow pop star voice cannot compare. power doesn't mean loud. power is about emotion.
"WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW, huh?! WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW!"
Even if I haven't heard Etta, I would never say or even think that Beyoncé's voice is just a shallow pop star. I think you should listen more to more of her calm songs.
I have no doubt that Etta's got an amazing voice. And I have no doubt that she sings her songs better than Beyoncé. That wasn't what I was saying. I just said that Beyoncé has a powerful voice too. Just my opinion.
i guess we just disagree. i think i've heard all of beyonce's songs over the years and i have never been moved. i know she gives her all, but i honestly never saw her do anything that made me see her as more than a pretty pop star that's slightly overexposed. maybe it's an age thing. maybe it just different strokes for different folks.
still, try to listen to some etta. "at last" is a must!
"WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW, huh?! WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW!"
I know people will scream at me now, but I've just heard Etta's "All I could do was cry" and I must say that I prefer Beyoncé's version better. Don't hit me! *Ducks*
LOL
Etta's got enough emotion in her voice, but I actually prefer Beyoncé. I guess I'm just not that into that kind of old blues
i think i've heard all of beyonce's songs over the years and i have never been moved
I have heard listen. I hated it! lol. It did not feel genuine to me at all. I also felt it was very anticlimactic since hudson just had two showstoppers in the movie. Hudson is a good example of a young singer who took a well known classic and made it her own. i just don't see any depth or genuine emotion when beyoncé sings. I'd rather her just call out to all the single ladies.
So yes, I wasn't moved one bit by listen. Maybe I squirmed a little.
Different strokes...
"WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW, huh?! WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW!"
then you can listen to a Beyoncé song ;-) Have you heard Listen??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmGpwl0wtAg'
Personally, this song did nothing for me. Actually, to date, the song I like from her the most is 'Me, Myself, and I'. She has some R&B going on there. She's lost it. She needs to get back to her roots. Her voice always sounds less nasal when she gets back to her roots. Most of her songs are to 'pop'-py for me.
Listen is a decent song, but I guess the reason it did nothing for me was it had to do with 'Dreamgirls' and EVERYONE in that movie did a better job singing. Jennifer Hudson, alone, blew her out of the water. Maybe if the song would have come out as not being associated with the movie... maybe.
Well, the way Etta sings is her own way of showing emotion..
&& Beyonce is Beyonce..
When I first Trust in me on youtube I got the chills..
maybe you didn't because u prefer classical sound... but just like you felt Etta..
I && any others felt Beyonce...
Didn't you just say in your above post that you DIDN'T think that Beyoncé was like Beyoncé in the movie??
Confused
Well, when I said she cant be exactly Etta
I meant dont be sooo hard on her..
because I think she played a character outside of her character very well
&& she is Beyonce not Etta && she did the best that she can do..
she always gives her all..dont cha think?!
If that's the best she can do, then she shouldn't be acting. Acting is about embodying the character you are playing, being someone else. Nothing less. She bought her way into the part by producing. If she really wanted to pay homage, as she has been claimed to have stated, to Etta James, she would have produced it and allowed a true actress take that role.
Her 'acting' comes across forced. She says the lines, she doesn't emote the feelings behind them. Anyone can quote the lines in a script, only a true actor/actress can act them.
You guys are all *beep* up. Beyonce did a great job. I'm glad she sang the songs herself because any jack*** can lip sync. And for those of you who can't stand hearing Beyonce swear, what' up with that? Has she spoiled your imagine of Beyonce the pure virgin angel? Now you can't dream about her at night? Grow up.
shareTHANK YOU FOR THIS POST!!! Beyonce did an awesome job and it's been her best acting since she's started..and I have always hated her acting..thought she did ok in Dreamgirls..but she really did very good in this movie. I was proud of her
shareBeyonce did Etta proud. Beyonce sounded great.
sharefinally someone who agrees with me! It also bothered me that they didn't use Etta Jame's voice like in the movie Selena
share[deleted]
beyonce actually surprised the hel outta me with this one. i think she stinks as an actress as a whole, but this role was her best. beyonce as raw and desperate was interesting to see. her cussin sure got better since her awful attempt at the pool scene in Dreamgirls. lol. but the living room floor scene was beautifully done.
thing is, i agree with another poster on here, that maybe it would have been a better choice to go with an unknown on this one, and have a wonderful new actress that looks like etta lip-sync and play the part to perfection.
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"the whole world's on fire, isn't it?"
B did a great job, regardless if she became Etta or not.
When You Know Better, You'll Do Better.
Beyonce did a good job. True, she didn't embody Etta James. Beyonce is not actress material. She's getting better, to be fair. She may end up being a half way decent actress yet if she works with the best acting coaches which she can easily afford. I would have chosen someone else to play the part but she did ok. She didn't ruin the movie for me and that's what's important. My only gripe with her was that her singing was a little over the top in a way Ms. James' or any singer at that time would have been. But she sang a knockout version of "I'd Rather Be Blind", over-the-top or not.
shareAs an actress its annoying for people to say "she's getting better", a mainstream film is not a training center. You're supposed to be on top of your game! Save that *beep* for student films. That role could've made another womens career.
A plague on all your houses!!!!
I totally agree with elledarko. While I am not an actress, it has always bothered me when people say "she's getting better". If a new actress was cast in that movie and or in any role Beyonce has played and acted as badly as she did, it wouldve been career suicide. You don't get to be "just ok" as an actress because you're Beyonce. And no she doesnt deserve any critical acclaim for being "good.... for a singer".
Well I guess I have to take that back. Her star power definitely boosts attention towards the film. And while I agree with most that she wasn't "as terrible" as she usually is, her screen acting skills are just poor...not even mediocre.
Stage presence, however, is fabulous. The girl can put on a show. Wish she would just stick to that and perfect her actual craft and stop trying to infiltrate every media outlet out there.
Sorry about all the "" LOL
"Beyonce just looked like Beyonce acting like Etta James."
I would have phrased it as 'Beyonce just looked like Beyonce TRYING to act like Etta James.' I don't think she could act her 'way out of a paper bag.' I don't think she stands out in any of her films. Even in her videos, if she isn't by herself, she gets lost in the mix. I think she needs to get less talented dancers in her videos, so she can stand out more. Plus, her video with Michael Ealy, she totally gets ignored by me. Love him.
This movie would have been almost great had she not been in it.
I think she's overrated
To be the man you'lll have to beat the man