I just returned from seeing the road show presentation of'Dreamgirls" at the Arclight in Los Angeles. I haven't been to a road show presentation since "Man of La Mancha" decades ago, which I think was the last time this was done.

As is the Arclight's custom, an attendant made a little speech before the movie and announced to the audience that the film was a 2K digital presentation. This was greeted with applause. Interesting - I would have applauded if it was announced as a 4k presentation. (Greater applause came when cell phone owners were instructed to turn off their phones. I suppose the majority of the audience didn't know what 2K means.)

In spite of this, this was the best digital presentation I have seen. Completely film-like on the huge screen of the former Cinerama Dome. If I had not been told, I would never have known this was not film. (Except for the lack of blemishes and scratches.) As it should be for this film, the sound was incredible.

And "Dreamgirls" was a better than I had hoped. Because of the hype, I had expected to be disappointed. No way, it was better than even the rave reiews suggested. The most entertaining movie I have seen in years. And Jennifer Hudson is indeed worth the price of admission - and more. If you live in L.A., New York or San Francisco, see this now. It's worth the $25 they are charging. Opens everywhere Christmas Day at normal prices.

Can a movie theater with digital projectors repeat sections of the film, like a DVD player can? The audience would have gone crazy for a repeat of "And I am Telling You".

Thanks for sharing this, Norde. I watched some great movies in the old Cinerama Dome, c. ~ 1990. For example, "Ben Hur" and "Fantasia." The audience applauded after each segment of the latter; it was like a concert.

Did Eddie do a good job singing? When I heard he was going to be in this, all I could think about was "Party All the Time".

Eddie's performance in this movie will make you forget about "Party All The Time"......
and "Pluto Nash" and "The Haunted Mansion" and "Daddy Day Care" and "I Spy". Well perhaps not, but he is perfect in "Dreamgirls" and his singing is spot on for the character.

I just this movie again in San Francisco. The Metreon's presentation on film didn't hold a candle to the digital presentation at the Arclight's Dome. The sound was not as good and the picture was less clear and somewhat out of focus. For $25.00 they should have done better.

Caught a sneek of this a week ago... GREAT!

Agree with OP, most entertaining film I've seen in years.

really? I thought that this movie would drag.. but maybe i'll go see it after all!

Saw this last night and enjoyed it very much. Everything from the set design to costumes to acting is top notch. Hopefully this gets a proper HD release this spring because it should look and sound amazing.

Just rented this a few day ago. What a piece of crap. All the songs were completely forgetable. Nothing more than three marginally talented women trying to out scream each other. They demonstrated no vocal or dynamic range My wife and daughter were equally dissappointed. While the I'm not a fan of Beyonce, she is capable of much better than this. Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Rent make this movie a complete waste of digital space.

Jon

Just rented this a few day ago. What a piece of crap. All the songs were completely forgetable. Nothing more than three marginally talented women trying to out scream each other. They demonstrated no vocal or dynamic range My wife and daughter were equally dissappointed. While the I'm not a fan of Beyonce, she is capable of much better than this. Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Rent make this movie a complete waste of digital space.

Jon

This movie is way better than all those 3 movies you mentioned. I saw them all & can tell you that not one comes even close to Dream Girls in terms of audience response. When Jennifer Hudson sang "And I am Telling you" at lease 90% of the audience applauded. If Jennifer Hudson does not demonstrate "vocal or dynamic range " the I dont know who does. After the movie ended there was another round of applause. I never saw any of this with the other three movies nor do I care to see any of them again.

And what makes you think Beyonce is capable of better than this?. She has never done anything better than this and propably never will. To each his own I guess. Maybe you will have better luck with the new Hairspray movie. :)

Just rented this a few day ago. What a piece of crap. All the songs were completely forgetable. Nothing more than three marginally talented women trying to out scream each other. They demonstrated no vocal or dynamic range My wife and daughter were equally dissappointed. While the I'm not a fan of Beyonce, she is capable of much better than this. Moulin Rouge, Chicago and Rent make this movie a complete waste of digital space.

Jon
I completely disagree. I think Jennifer Hudson (non-winner from American Idol) has an outstanding voice. I had no idea who she was and did some searching (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1617685/bio) after watching it on HD-DVD.

She copped the National Board of Review (for "Breakthrough Performance"), New York Film Critics Award, Phoenix Film Critic's Society Award, Golden Satellite Award, Golden Globe Award, the British Film Award and, finally, the coveted Oscar itself to complete the fairy tale ending. The Oscar was for Supporting Actress. I also thought the soundtrack was very good. I liked the background music more than the vocals, but there were many I really liked. Beyonce’s acting left something to be desired at times, but she sure kept my eyes occupied. :D Definitely not the best musical you will ever see, however, I did give it four stars on Netflix.

DG was good, but I also preferred Rent, Chicago and Moulin Rouge more (in that order). Musically, it was excellent, just didn't think the adaptation took enough chances with the characters or their directed performances. There could have been alot more meat on that bone.

DG was good, but I also preferred Rent, Chicago and Moulin Rouge more (in that order). Musically, it was excellent, just didn't think the adaptation took enough chances with the characters or their directed performances. There could have been alot more meat on that bone.
You just made me want to see "Rent" !! Is it on DVD and available?

You just made me want to see "Rent" !! Is it on DVD and available?Sure...it's available for "Rent".

Ron,

My list was in no particular order. But to clarify, Rent was my favorite also. Maybe because it was just so different.

Yardy,
I stand by my opinion. Vocal range is measured as the difference between the lowest note and the highest note, on the scale, that a vocalist can sing. And dynamic range is a vocalist ability to sing from quiet to loud. Both were underwhelming in this performance. Along with the songs being forgetable. BTW, all Jennifer Hudson did was sing loud. I think she was trying to be a combination of Thelma Huston and Aretha Franklin on steriods.

jon