Bohemian Rhapsody: The Movie

My first movie review! I have never done this before and more than likely won't do this again. I am not a big movie person. Sure, I watch them. I do go on occasion go to a movie theater and once in a while watch on TV. But I am not a movie buff.

Remi Malek as Freddie Mercury

The real Freddie Mercury

 Last night (November 2, 2018), I went to see Bohemian Rhapsody, about the life of Freddie Mercury. I have been dying to see this movie from the very moment I first saw the trailer! Heck, I was at the point of camping out of the theater and becoming a tenant, that's how excited I was! Before the news of green-lighting, casting, and such, it was like 'yeah, whatever’ and had confidence that since Brian May and Roger Taylor were going to be hands-on on the project, I knew it would be in good hands. But… there is always a but… sometimes projects fail. It doesn't have to be about the casting or productive crew: it could be about chemistry with the actors who are portraying the band. Could they capture the magical bond and tightness that made Queen? Or would they be stiff, awkward, and just doing this to cash a check before moving on to the next thing? Luckily, my hesitance wasn't to be worrisome. From what I gathered on social media, especially Instagram, the actors playing the members of Queen got along and have become part of the Queen family; two of them (Rami and Joe) knew each other for over a decade after working together before. In the beginning of the film project, Sacha Baron Cohen was supposed to play Freddie, but that casting failed when Sacha, Brian and Roger couldn't see eye to eye. From my understanding, Sacha wanted to explore the dark side of Freddie while Brian and Roger wanted to be a celebration of Freddie's life. It is strange that Sacha would want to explore the dark side considering his comedic history… plus, I think Sacha is rather too old for the part (don't get me started on Kevin Spacey as Bobby Darin!). Sacha is currently 47 while Freddie lived up to 45; meanwhile Remi Malek is 37 and can easily pass playing a man in his twenties.

Now, I don't want to be a nitpicker to point out all the inaccuracies- every single biopics have them. From characters that don't exist (like Ray Foster played by Mike Myers) or mixing up dates of actual events (Freddie and John Deacon did not join Queen at the same time- more like a year apart). I do realize that with biopic movies, you can't cram everything in a two hour space “limit”... Maybe except Titanic for being 3 hours long (yet Jack and Rose were made up characters). Besides, Rolling Stone already did the majority nitpicking for me. So, here's my little list of nitpicking that wasn't covered in Rolling Stone magazine:

1. John Deacon did not sing on any of the Queen's songs, as in the movie, he sang backup on Bohemian Rhapsody (the song). John admitted he couldn't sing and Roger backed him up. John would only sing backup vocals on tour.
2. Freddie knew very well since the beginning of Queen after John joined of what he was studying in college of electrical engineering. In the film, Freddie had no clue what John's backup specialty was until the 1980s when Freddie wanted a solo career. John used to help set up equipment for their early gigs and if something went wrong, John fixed it… so, yes, Freddie knew exactly what John was learning to do as the same with Brian in astrology physics and Roger in dentistry. He even invented his own amplifier that Brian still uses to this very day.
3. Besides Mary Austin, there were three other wives: Veronica Deacon, Chrissie May, and Dominique Taylor. While they had bit parts (understandably so as the movie was about Freddie, not the band as whole), they weren't credited. Their biggest part was participating in the formation of We Will Rock You. I didn't see their names at the end credits… if there were, I was probably wiping tears from my eyes at that point. I am curious on how Brian's current wife Anita Dobson felt on the peck-kiss moment between Brian and Chrissie in the movie considering she later broke up their long marriage.

There was one glaring mistake on the film: there was no credit to John. It's been mentioned several times that the surviving Queen members were executive producers… well, Brian and Roger were credited. But not John. I get John has backed away from any Queen projects and tours other than signing his name on documents for approval since Freddie died in 1991. But that's just it: John still has 25% stake in Queen. This movie project, and all other projects, couldn't be released without his approval signature. Maybe not get the Executive Producer credit, but at most, get a Thank You credit along with Freddie's longtime assistant Peter Freestone. Joe (who plays John) did acknowledge that John sent a best of luck letter to the producer and supports it from a far-away distance.

Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Remi, and Joseph Mazzello

Now, my review: I simply loved it! It is something I will want to see over and over again, buy the soundtrack, the DVD, watch it on TV when it airs. The hair, the costumes, the set of going back to the 1970s and 1980s, all done a wonderful job! I thought Ben Hardy (Roger), Joseph Mazzello, and Gwilym Lee (Brian) did an excellent job of channeling their characters and the resemblance, especially with Joe/John and Gwilym/Brian, is staggering phenomenal to the point where I thought it was really Brian and John! Even Brian felt the same way. I also enjoyed Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, showing the complicated love story between Mary and Freddie… well, maybe not complicated… if Freddie had been straight and not gay, he would have married Mary and without a doubt would still be alive today. Mary was and still is Freddie's love of his life. He confirmed many times that Mary was important to him, she was practically in the wife status and when he died, Freddie left ¾ of his estate, including his home, to Mary. It's only complicated due to Freddie's sexuality. Remi's performance is remarkable and I will not be surprised if there's Oscars heading towards Bohemian Rhapsody. I did laugh, I did cry, I did quietly sang along (unfortunately I wasn't the only one in the movie theater or else I would be singing loudly). Plus, I did awed over the cats! I always love that Freddie was into cats and how funny that Remi is allergic (well, not funny, but ironic).

Daughter & Mother Eternal Bond

Carrie Fisher

 When news first broke that Carrie Fisher had a heart attack while on the plane and was in stable but critical condition, I prayed for her. I was hoping that she would survive- there are heart attack survivors. 2016 had been a doozy of a year, probably more celebrity deaths than usual. It was s doozy for me personally too (at this time, I am keeping that to myself. I don't want everything about me broadcast on the Internet!). Carrie still had a lot to live for. More books to be released. Another 2 Star Wars movies (one she managed to complete; the other will have to find a way to go on without Princess Leia). More acting jobs. Carrie lived through Christmas. Her last Christmas. Still in a coma. She never woke up. Spent with her brother, sisters, daughter, and mother around her bedside. She had so many people pulling for her, wanting to survive. But... a few short days later, Carrie succumbed. She joined her father, Eddie Fisher, in Heaven.

Debbie Reynolds

   About 24 hours later, news came in that her mother, Debbie Reynolds, was rushed to the hospital on a possible stroke. In the evening, her death was announced. As it turned out, Debbie's brain hemorrhage and she had no chance. Many, including me, believe she died of a broken heart. Carrie was Debbie's first born- no question that she loved her son, Todd, just the same- but there's something about firstborns that make the bond even more special. Debbie wanted more time for Carrie during those four lingering days. The next day, she told Todd that she missed Carrie and wanted to be with her. I don't think Debbie actually wanted to die- she still had her son and her granddaughter, Carrie's daughter, Billie Lourd, to be there for. She was a grieving mother- I am sure all mothers who lost a child have felt this way. Debbie was no different. She raised Carrie and Todd on her own, literally. Their father, Eddie, drifted in and out- depending who you believe of why. Not long after she said those words, Debbie went unconscious, soon died in the hospital with her son by her side. Poor Todd and Billie, they had to plan two funerals. Yet, they were comforted by the thought that Carrie and Debbie are together again. Carrie's (half) sisters, Joely and Trisha Fisher, felt that Debbie didn't have long to live after Carrie died. Debbie probably also wanted to piss off Eddie by coming too.

I was out on errands when I received a text from a friend with news of Carrie's death. I felt like I was kicked in the stomach. I wouldn't say I am a huge fan, but I like Carrie. She had a great sense of humor and a talented actress and writer. I had to take more than one moments to pull myself together to breathe while I was barely breathing. It didn't help that I also had Aunt Flo visiting me that week. It was a sad day. The next day, it was in the evening, when I again got a text from the same friend with news of Debbie's death. I didn't gasp for breath as I did with Carrie, but my heart sank. I felt so bad for Todd and Billie, Joely and Trisha.

Rest in Peace Mary Frances Reynolds & Carrie Frances Fisher

Top 10 Favorite Movies

Movies

1. Some Like It Hot

2. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

3. Help!

4. A Time to Kill

5. 200 Cigarettes

6. Mrs. Doubtfire

7. A League of Their Own

8. Moonstruck

9. Dude, Where’s My Car?

10. City by the Sea

Cartoon Movies

1. Toy Story franchise

2. South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut

3. Ice Age franchise

4. Finding Nemo

5. Cinderella

6. Mary Poppins

7. Peter Pan

8. Beavis & Butthead Do America

9. Yellow Submarine

10. The Simpsons

Respectful Co-Stars

"She was funny. She was amusing. She was genuinely funny and much brighter than most people think."

*  *  *

"At least Mansfield tried to be a professional. She'd show up and rehearse and work and shoot it. At that, she was good. And she had some humor about her."

-Tony Randall

"Adored her. He talked about this one scene where she was in a bubble bath, and they kept putting bubbles over her to make it appropriate looking. She said -- she was crying. She said people are going to think I'm flat-chested... But he said she was great fun"

-Heather Randall (Tony's widow)

Tony and Jayne worked together twice: movie 'Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?' (1957) and TV show 'The Alfred Hitchcock Hour' episode Hangover (1962)

About Jayne From Mariska

“I think she has influenced me in more ways than I know. She was such a pioneer, she was a woman before her time, and she was doing things that nobody else was doing. Being a movie star and having five kids, and sort of living out loud and being fearless and breaking all the rules. She was somebody that beat to her own drum and was such a free spirit and I really admire that. Not to say that it was easy, but she was ambitious and wanted so much of life, and had a huge appetite for it. I think I’m like that a lot. And I think obviously she gave me the idea to be an actor which is a career that I have fallen madly in love with. She had a love for family and a love for children. She was a compassionate woman, an empathetic woman, but again somebody who did it the way she wanted to and by her own design, especially at the beginning. She was somebody who had big dreams and followed them. That’s pretty inspiring to me.”

"By the time she was 34 years old, she had five kids and a successful career. My mom never said no to life- she wanted to experience everything. When she died, she left so much behind"

“Every day I feel closer to her and like I really am her daughter because she made her dream come true, and I am living mine now. She was ahead of her time. I just can't believe this little girl from Texas had five children, dogs, a house, a career, and a husband by the time she was 34. Like, I think I do that a lot?”

“My mother was ahead of her time, a very modern woman in not so modern times. She was the original wonder woman, a role model. She had a career, she had five children. She was sexy, she was musically talented and she had an amazingly high IQ. I am in awe of her for that. She had a zest for life and lived every mintue to the fullest. She did it all.”

“My mom had five kids, worked, had a million dogs and played the violin. I look at my life now and think, I'm on a TV show, I run a foundation, I run a household, I'm a mom, I'm a wife, I'm a lot of things, I realize I'm like that because it's what I know”

“Everybody would say, ‘Oh, you’re so pretty, you look just like your mom,’ They would pinch my cheek. It’s what you do to cute children in Italy.”But it hurt! Those Italians were so strong. I felt like they were pulling my cheek off. ‘Why are they pulling my cheek, Daddy? Daddy, make them stop!’ People would flip when they found out ‘Oh, you’re Jayne Mansfield’s daughter.’ I put two and two together and figured out that she must have been someone.” 

“She’s definitely always with me. I love it when people say, ‘She had such a great laugh, and so do you.’ When I find similarities, it gives me so much peace.”

"My mother was more intelligent than people thought; She just gave the public what they wanted."

"I want to be accepted as myself, not as Jayne Mansfield's daughter."

"I was jealous of all my actress friends who were experimenting with blond hair or acting really sexy. I never felt that I had to permission to do these things, Because my Mom was blond and sexy, and I was rebelling against who she was. I couldn't express myself the way I wanted to, or I'd be compared to her, and I wanted to stand on my own."

"I feel a total kindred spirit with anyone who has lost her mother, especially at a young age. When something like that happens it leaves a hole in your heart that can never be filled. I know I'm not over it. I'll hear women talk about their mothers and how close they are and it's so painful. I had a lovely stepmother but it's not the same as having your own mom. But I do know that hole in my heart pushed me to want to become the best mother I could be. Sometimes it's what you don't have that dictates or guides your life the most."

“I used to say, ‘I wish I knew her more. I was only three.’ And a friend said, ‘All you have to do is look in the mirror.’ It sounds so weird, but there’s a truth in it. And it gave me peace and understanding that we’re half of our parents. It sort of quelled some of my angst, or unrest, or need. So much of who I am is my parents—all three of them. I am grateful for all three. My son always goes, ‘Mama has two mamas.’ He calls Ellen ‘Grandma.’ He calls Jayne ‘Mama’s mama.’ He’s so sweet. He’ll say, ‘You don’t have your mom and dad, but you have me and Daddy.’ And I say, ‘Yes, I know, that’s all I need.’ ”

The Hollywoodland Sign Girl

A very sad Hollywood story: a successful Broadway actress from New York (born in England) named Peg Entwistle who moved to California to follow her dreams. Instead she encountered failure after failure from her auditions and the one movie that Peg did manage to make, her scenes ended up on the cutting room’s floor. Depressed, Peg climbed up the H on the famous Hollywood sign (at the time it was Hollywoodland) and immediately jumped off, committing suicide. Ironically, after her death, Peg got an offer to appear as a suicidal woman in a play. Her story always fascinated me as a teenager and I always felt her story would’ve been perfect for a movie. Maybe someday…They say that Peg haunts that area with her perfume.

The Original Blonde Bombshell

Before there was Madonna
Before there was Anna Nicole Smith
Before there was Jayne Mansfield
Before there was Marilyn Monroe
There was Jean Harlow. To me, she's the original blonde. She was the first American screen actress to appear on the cover of LIFE magazine. Jean only lived for 26 years before dying of kidney failure. Jean also had quite a stage mother herself, who was overly possessive and used Jean as the breadwinner of the family. Jean (or Harlean, as that was her real name) was called The Baby and actually thought that that was her name until she went to school and learned that Harlean was her actual name! Jean's parents divorced and her mother kept Jean away from her father- who she loved and tried to reach out to him but her mother tried to keep them separately. Jean married young (at 16) to her first husband, possibly trying to escape from her overbearing mother and to gain independence but that didn't last long. I truly believe that Jean wanted to settle down to be a wife and mother but her mother and Hollywood came knocking and took her away for a ride. Plus, I've heard her first husband was quite a drinker, so that didn't help at all. From my understanding, Jean did get pregnant but was forced to have an abortion. After her divorce, Jean's career took off. Jean remarried again to Paul Bern but the marriage was short after he committed suicide. I've heard the rumors that he may have been gay, impotent, sex problems, his first marriage coming to haunt him, what have you. Paul was also old enough to be her father but I honestly don't think that was the BIG problem. His suicide was questionable and was believed that he could've been murdered but I don't think that will ever be solved. Jean was devastated by his death, hysterical enough to be sedated. Jean remarried for a third time but that marriage lasted less than a year. She then moved on to William Powell, it's been said that they were each other's love of their lives. From what I know of the couple, William was good friends with his ex-wife Carole Lombard (who I love) who was then dating/married to Clark Gable- who Jean worked with before...then again who hadn't worked with Clark Gable in those days? Or had an affair with Clark? They used to have some double dates and gatherings. Sadly, after two years together, Jean fell ill and died. She came down with uremic poisoning (resulted from the scarlet fever she had in her childhood) and kidney failure while filming a movie and died at the hospital. These were the days before dialysis and treatments, transplants. I bet if she had been alive together, Jean would've been saved and would've lived a lot longer than her 26 years. However, the poor girl seemed to have one illness after another without any lucky break that her immune system was weakened. The film (Saratoga) was not completed by the time she died so they made due with long shots of using her double and different kinds of angle shots. Her mother had William pay for everything of the funeral.

Pretending

For quite a number of years (basically since I've had the internet), I have seen many profiles- in Yahoo Groups, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, everywhere!- of celebrities. Except they are usually not celebrities, but 'regular' people pretending to be that celebrity. Even dead ones! Now some are humorous, a parody of sort- and that's okay but to actually say "yes I did that movie" is going too far. I do understand obsession, believe me I do as I do have quite a few of my own, but I also have a limit.
If you are a fan: then do a blog, a website, fan page on Facebook or Myspace or Twitter to post news, pictures, whatever you get your hands on. You can display your love for them that way while being yourself. I can live with that.
But to pretend you are Marilyn Monroe? Or Princess Diana? That's going to the extreme.
Another thing is character profiles. People who actually make twitter or facebook or myspace or whatever as a character from a TV show or movie. These people actually pretend to be that fake character. Easy does it now! It may be a little cute at first but if you keep going at it, then something may be wrong with you

It's unfortunate that celebrities do have a hard time- when they have twitter they have to be 'verified' or post a picture of themselves with their profile so that normal regular people wouldn't have to fall into that scam/trick to think that they're chatting with Jeremy Piven when they're actually not. It's sad really.