The Pink Panther (2006) - Martin's Sellers imitation is a trial to sit through

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Co-star Steve Martin dons a classic costume as a classic character on this simple poster for Shawn Levy's The Pink Panther

An enormous diamond ring known as the Pink Panther is stolen from a soccer coach who is murdered in Paris, where the respected police chief inspector tasks his hopeless inspector Clouseau with investigating the debacle, - in order for himself to look better in comparison.

 

The Pink Panther is written by Len Blum (Feds (1988)) and co-writer/co-star Steve Martin (Baby Mama (2008)), with Michael Saltzman (The Middle (2011-13)) contributing story elements, and directed by Shawn Levy (Address Unknown (1997)). It is the 10th film in the Pink Panther franchise, which began with The Pink Panther (1963).

Even if you are game and onboard team Martin, this film comes apart. Martin plays a kind of imitation of Peter Sellers' hilarious classic turns as Clouseau throughout the film in a foolish, forgettable plot without any real highlights. Martin and Emily Mortimer (Mary Poppins Returns (2018)) seem to compete in who can look dumber in their awkward scenes, meanwhile Beyoncé (The Lion King (2019)) plays the part of a one-sided sexpot (why ever did she take on this 'role'?)

There is a bit of fun: But scenes that could be labeled 'Martin with a speech coach'; 'Martin parking his smart car into other cars' are about it, and these minor strikes of mirth drown in a veritable sea of bad jokes and bad gags, randomness that fails to make sense or be fun (such as a burning mojito cocktail) and embarrassments. Martin clearly should have invented his own Clouseau, because this imitation is a shipwreck.

 

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2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
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2006 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]

Night at the Museum (2006) - Levy and Stiller bring the family fun 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 80 mil. $

Box office: 164.1 mil. $

= Flop (returned 2.05 times its cost)

[The Pink Panther premiered 19 January (France) and runs 93 minutes. Martin was paid 3 mil. £ for his script service and 28 mil. $ in total for his work on the film. Shooting took place around May 2004 in New York, California and in the Czech Republic, including in Prague. The film opened #1 to a 20.2 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent another 2 weekends in the top 5 (#3-#3), grossing 82.2 mil. $ (50.1 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 10.5 mil. $ (6.4 %) and Spain with 8.4 mil. $ (5.1 %). Roger Ebert gave it a 1.5/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. The film made in excess of estimated 23.2 mil. $ on the North-American home video market alone. Despite the film's flop status, a 2009 sequel with Martin and co-stars returning was made to graver flop status. Levy returned with Beyoncé: A Woman Like Me (2006, music video), Pepper Dennis (2006, TV-series) and theatrically with Night at the Museum (2006). Martin returned in Baby Mama (2008). The Pink Panther is rotten at 21 % with a 4.20/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

 

What do you think of The Pink Panther?

Dreamgirls (2006) - Rousing star turns in unreal and sentimental musical

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Beyoncé Knowles looking swanky between foolish-looking Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy on the poster for Bill Condon's Dreamgirls

QUICK REVIEW:

Three female vocalists fight for a breakthrough in the 1960s and get it as backup singers for one of the decade's major singers, Jimmy 'Thunder' Early. But internal disagreements, romances and money trouble their cooperation, as they grow popular.

Dreamgirls is the screen version of the same-titled 1981 Broadway musical, adapted from Tom Eyen's same-titled book for the musical by writer-director Bill Condon (Mr. Holmes (2015)). The film is especially inspired by Detroit's Motown label and The Supremes.
The main problem of Dreamgirls is that it takes place in a version of the world which never approaches appearing real, which inhibits real investment in its characters. To clarify, this is mostly a problem because the film obviously want us to believe that it takes place in the real world of yore.
Beyoncé Knowles (Obsessed (2009)) is excellent; Oscar-nominated Eddie Murphy (Beverly Hills Cop (1984)) has a party with his role; Jamie Foxx (Ray (2004)) plays the uniformly unreasonable man that the saint-like women have to overcome. Oscar-winning, debuting Jennifer Hudson (Black Nativity (2013)) is emotional out into the hysterical, which is a realm that Dreamgirls generally inhabits.
Dreamgirls is attractive and at times swinging entertainment yet also sentimental slush.

Related post:

2006 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

Watch the trailer for the film here

Cost: 80 mil. $
Box office: 154.8 mil. $
= Big flop
[Dreamgirls premiered December 4 (Ziegfeld Theatre, NY) and runs 130 minutes. An adaptation had been in the works for decades, with talents such as Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill and Joel Schumacher involved at different points. Condon got the job due to the success of Chicago (2002), which he wrote. Hudson, who was chosen out of 783 tryouts, gained 20 pounds for her role, while Knowles lost 20 pounds for hers during production. Shooting lasted from January - April 2006 in LA, Detroit, Miami and New York. The film is the biggest budgeted film to date to star only African-American actors. Some music numbers were cut from the film after test screenings. The film opened to a standing applause in NY, and played a 10-day roadshow in NY, LA and SF, accruing 0.8 mil. $ before its wide release. This hadn't been done so since Man of La Mancha (1972). Dreamgirls opened #3 to a 14.1 mil. $ first weekend behind Night at the Museum (36.7 mil. $) and The Pursuit of Happiness (19.3 mil. $) in North America, where it grossed 103.3 mil. $ (66.7 % of the total gross). Dreamgirls became the most nominated film at the 2007 Oscars with 8 nominations, however, it also became the first film in Oscar history to receive the highest amount of nominations yet not be nominated for Best Picture or Director. Dreamgirls was nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Hudson), Supporting Actor (Murphy), Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound Mixing and three nominations for the songs Listen, Love You I Do and Patience. It won 2 statuettes, for Hudson and for its sound mixing. The film also won 3 Golden Globes (out of 5 nominations), AFI's Movie of the Year award and dozens of other awards. Due to its huge budget, the film was unsuccessful theatrically, - but it made an additional 94.9 mil. $+ on domestic DVD and Blu-ray sales, which, if added, makes it a success. Dreamgirls is certified fresh at 78 % with a 7.2 critical average on Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Dreamgirls?