Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 16, 2012 13:40:29 GMT -5
Inside the Emotional Screening of Whitney Houston's Final Film, Sparkle
It would be an understatement to say Whitney Houston was there in spirit for the NYC screening of her last film, Sparkle, Tuesday night.
One audience member described the "very powerful" energy in the room as Houston's fans and costars reflected on the Grammy winner's legacy.
"Jordin Sparks . . . cried heavily during a scene where Whitney was yelling at her character," the witness tells Us Weekly. "She was consoled by those around her, including Russell Simmons." Sparks, who stars as Sparkle in the film alongside Houston, wasn't the only celebrity guest touched by the intense experience of seeing the late vocalist on screen. (Houston died tragically in February at the age of 48 after drowning in her hotel bathtub.)
Both Gabourey Sidibe and Adrienne Bailon wiped away tears as the closing credits rolled, the witness says. (Sparkle tells the story of a 1960s girl group, inspired by The Supremes, who take Motown by storm; Whitney Houston plays Jordin Sparks' mother.)
On their way into the screening, the "I Will Always Love You" singer's costars, Omari Hardwick and Tika Sumpter, opened up to Us about working with the beloved songstress.
"The first day of shooting we were at a blues spot and she was grilling me a little, and giving me some great advice," Hardwick shared. "[She was] trying to push me to the next level [and] she was also just such a funny girl."
Houston's incredible sense of humor is what will always stick with Sumpter, too.
"There's a scene where we're all at the dinner table and it was tense, but there were so many funny jokes in the scene and we were all cracking up, especially Whitney," the Princess and the Frog star revealed. "She really loved to laugh a lot . . . that scene in particular was hard to get through because we were laughing so hard. She was the funniest person on stage. I'll always remember her smile."
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 16, 2012 17:36:45 GMT -5
Showbiz411: Whitney Houston Book, TV Special Planned for Christmas08/15/12 11:43pm Roger Friedman Exclusive: it’s all coming soon, and details are still sketchy. But I’m told that Whitney Houston will be getting big tributes this Christmas from the publishing world and on TV. In books, expect a big coffee table photo book of all tbe best pictures in the world of Houston from Atria/Simon & Schuster. I’m told that Whitney’s aide de camp for almost 25 years, the lovely and smart Lynn Volkmann, was asked to edit the pictures for the estate. With Lynn, we can expect something classy and appropriate. Also in the works right now: a CBS TV special about Whitney. Still being planned, but I’m told it’s Whitney in her own words, with great videos, and plenty of unseen stuff. CBS is working with Arista Records, and the special should air in early December. Expect some kind of gift CD to go along with hit for the holidays, too. And, no there will be no embarrassing moments in the TV show, just the great material Whitney left behind. That’s as it should be. On another Houston matter: I’m told by those who’ve been there recently that Whitney’s grave looks terrible, and is exposed and not very private. It’s hard for me to believe that the Houstons have not interred Whitney in a safe place, a guarded mausoleum, or something that befits her stature and is guarded. If I’m getting reports like from total strangers, then you know something has to be done.
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KMJ1
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Post by KMJ1 on Aug 16, 2012 22:22:03 GMT -5
So far on Rotton Tom. its barely getting a fresh review. Around 63% not bad bot great. A little more than half seem to give it a positive review. Virtually all the the positive reviews are for everybody in the cast- Whitney included (but not Jordin Sparks) lol. They say she's fine..but def. not the breakthrough/ wannabe academy award Jennifer Hudson role she was blatantly seeking here.
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The Northern Star⭐
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Post by The Northern Star⭐ on Aug 17, 2012 10:32:09 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing Sparkle although I'll probably be crying. Been looking everywhere for the audio version of "Didn't We Almost Have It All" from Saratoga Springs, NY aka the live performance version, I had it before but lost it on my old laptop/mp3 player. I really need that on iPod.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 17, 2012 11:14:51 GMT -5
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So Pure
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Post by So Pure on Aug 17, 2012 11:36:11 GMT -5
Ray-J doesnt!
Bobbi Kristina looks stunning!
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 17, 2012 11:42:47 GMT -5
Ray J has aged.
Cissy and Krissi :( love them.
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bat1990
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Post by bat1990 on Aug 17, 2012 14:09:10 GMT -5
Bobbi K looks so much more like Whitney when you can't see the gap in her teeth.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 17, 2012 14:57:18 GMT -5
Nervous and excited to see the movie tonight. I hope you all go out and support Whitney's last project this weekend!
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Jay D83
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Post by Jay D83 on Aug 17, 2012 16:59:08 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing Sparkle although I'll probably be crying. Been looking everywhere for the audio version of "Didn't We Almost Have It All" from Saratoga Springs, NY aka the live performance version, I had it before but lost it on my old laptop/mp3 player. I really need that on iPod. Give me a day. I'll PM you. On another note, won't be seeing Sparkle until next week. I want to find the most emptiest showing. I need it to be only me, and Nippy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2012 17:06:32 GMT -5
Seeing this movie come out is going to make me miss Whitney all over again since you can really see that she was the star that was going to act as the "legs" of this project. No one else really has that spark to carry the film.
It makes me wonder what it would have been like if she was still with us, I could see her going into full on "I Look To You" promotion mode.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2012 18:36:05 GMT -5
Bobbi is starting to look a lot like Whitney!
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Tea-why
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Post by Tea-why on Aug 17, 2012 22:08:38 GMT -5
I'm gonna watch it on Tues! I don't have time this weekend :(
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The Northern Star⭐
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Post by The Northern Star⭐ on Aug 18, 2012 8:52:12 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing Sparkle although I'll probably be crying. Been looking everywhere for the audio version of "Didn't We Almost Have It All" from Saratoga Springs, NY aka the live performance version, I had it before but lost it on my old laptop/mp3 player. I really need that on iPod. Give me a day. I'll PM you. On another note, won't be seeing Sparkle until next week. I want to find the most emptiest showing. I need it to be only me, and Nippy. That would be awesome and yeah, I might wait for a more private showing next week.
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Kishi KCM
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Post by Kishi KCM on Aug 18, 2012 9:07:25 GMT -5
Went and saw the movie yesterday. Whitney really made the film for me...her look and dialogues were top notch!!
Jordin was decent, but seemed too rehearsed and needs time to grow as an actress. Carmen and Tika were good. All of the supporting actors did a great job. Too many memorable scenes and one-liners.
It's a cute movie, I'd give it a 7 out of 10.
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Post by areyoureadytojump on Aug 19, 2012 11:27:01 GMT -5
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KMJ1
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Post by KMJ1 on Aug 19, 2012 14:13:18 GMT -5
Went and saw the movie yesterday. Whitney really made the film for me...her look and dialogues were top notch!! Jordin was decent, but seemed too rehearsed and needs time to grow as an actress. Carmen and Tika were good. All of the supporting actors did a great job. Too many memorable scenes and one-liners. It's a cute movie, I'd give it a 7 out of 10. well Jordin may not have many more opportunities to show off them acting chops anytime soon- movie finished at #7 :-Xw/ just $12 million (lower end of the estimates)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2012 14:15:44 GMT -5
You can't really hate on how this movie does because not only did they lose one of their biggest stars months before the film was coming out but they did barely any promotion to remind people to check it out.
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AP
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Post by AP on Aug 19, 2012 15:40:14 GMT -5
It had a 14 million dollar budget & not too much promo. It received an A CinemaScore, which is really quite rare, showing that the audience loved it & word of mouth would be good. Also, it has a good "per theater" average, as it was showing in considerably less theaters than the films which outgrossed it. I haven't seen anyone labeling it a failure. Not a smash, just a success.
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KMJ1
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Post by KMJ1 on Aug 19, 2012 15:53:01 GMT -5
It had a 14 million dollar budget & not too much promo. It received an A CinemaScore, which is really quite rare, showing that the audience loved it & word of mouth would be good. Also, it has a good "per theater" average, as it was showing in considerably less theaters than the films which outgrossed it. I haven't seen anyone labeling it a failure. Not a smash, just a success. not at all close to a failure esp when you're working with a next to nothing budget that will be recouped and than some in a few weeks lol.They will end up in the green no doubt. The movie got mixed to very good reviews but very little hype/buzz. The only hype was about it being Whitneys last movie- and another actress in it (4get her name) not so much the movie itself. Just saying its beyond pretty obvious Jordin and her team were hoping for a Jennifer Hudson like end result which clearly aint happening here lol.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 20, 2012 11:07:48 GMT -5
I loved the movie! Loved Whitney as mama Emma, she was so mean, I love it! I can't wait for the gifs of her facial expressions from the movie to be all over the net in due time LOL. That dinner scene with her and the rest was epic. During the church scene there really wasn't a dry eye in the house. The theater I went to was packed for Sparkle, there was older women, younger women, couples, kids, teenagers, all there to see Whitney, it was amazing. Carmen as Sister was wonderful, I think we will be hearing more about her. Mike Epps was GREAT as Satin! Jordin was ok, I thought she would be really cheesy but she wasn't bad, you could just tell she was a new actress. I can't wait to see it again.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 20, 2012 11:18:07 GMT -5
Sparkle's box office numbers are fine to me. It wasn't geared to be a box office smash. It's an African American movie about 3 sisters who want to sing.. its budget was $14 million to make and already made $12 million back, not bad to me.
Excerpt from Washington Post:
"Sparkle,” which marked Houston’s final onscreen performance, earned a respectable $12 million, recouping nearly all of its $14 million budget. The audience for the film, as Box Office Mojo notes, skewed heavily female and over the age of 35, which suggests Houston’s core fans may have been the primary demographic.
Plus, Sparkle was in a little over 2,000 theaters, whereas all the other movies were in well over 3,000 theaters
1. The Expendables 2 LGF $28,750,000 - 3,316
2. The Bourne Legacy Uni. $17,020,000 -55.4% 3,753
3. ParaNorman Focus $14,008,000 - 3,429
4. The Campaign WB $13,385,000 -49.7% 3,255
5. Sparkle (2012) TriS $12,000,000 - 2,244
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Post by areyoureadytojump on Aug 20, 2012 14:57:43 GMT -5
Official weekend numbers for Sparkle:
Aug 17, 2012 - $4,521,165 Aug 18, 2012 - $4,302,044 Aug 19, 2012 - $2,820,133
Weekend Total - $11,662,463
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 21, 2012 11:18:19 GMT -5
"Sparkle" had the second highest per screen average the weekend of its release.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 21, 2012 17:45:15 GMT -5
Whitney Houston 'loved her gays'
The song “Celebrate” with Whitney Houston could work as a gay anthem. What do you think about that? Whitney and I didn’t get to do it in the studio together because our schedules didn’t allow it, but when I recorded my part, I heard her as I was recording and she sounded so happy. Whitney loved her gays. She absolutely loved them. For me, being one of the last songs she did — a song just about loving each other and celebrating each other and it just being so encouraging and uplifting — I think it’s one of the best gifts she could’ve left. I feel like that song is one of the best gifts she could’ve left for the younger generations who are going to discover her music and discover her — and also for the people who still love her.
Did Whitney talk about her gay fans on set? No, but her family would tell us. They’d be like, “She loves her gays, honey,” and there have been a few other reporters who have interviewed her before and she absolutely represented. Hello! How can you not? I will say, I have Googled “drag queens singing Jordin Sparks.” I just love it so much. I think it’s the best thing ever. I love watching them sing and sometimes I’m like, “They look better than I do! What is going on here?”
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2012 17:46:45 GMT -5
Whitney Houston 'loved her gays'The song “Celebrate” with Whitney Houston could work as a gay anthem. What do you think about that? Whitney and I didn’t get to do it in the studio together because our schedules didn’t allow it, but when I recorded my part, I heard her as I was recording and she sounded so happy. Whitney loved her gays. She absolutely loved them. For me, being one of the last songs she did — a song just about loving each other and celebrating each other and it just being so encouraging and uplifting — I think it’s one of the best gifts she could’ve left. I feel like that song is one of the best gifts she could’ve left for the younger generations who are going to discover her music and discover her — and also for the people who still love her. Did Whitney talk about her gay fans on set? No, but her family would tell us. They’d be like, “She loves her gays, honey,” and there have been a few other reporters who have interviewed her before and she absolutely represented. Hello! How can you not? I will say, I have Googled “drag queens singing Jordin Sparks.” I just love it so much. I think it’s the best thing ever. I love watching them sing and sometimes I’m like, “They look better than I do! What is going on here?” What is this from, and who is being interviewed?
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 21, 2012 17:51:10 GMT -5
Sorry, Jordin Sparks was being interviewed.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 21, 2012 17:54:50 GMT -5
The movie bumped the soundtrack all the way up into the top 20
8/21 HITS Final chart:
NOW IN: FINAL
(50) 20 SPARKLE RCA 16,101 +149% SOUNDTRACK
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Aug 22, 2012 10:59:50 GMT -5
Looks like Bobbi Kristina got another tattoo for Whitney, this time a music note as a symbol to her. Hope she doesn't go overboard with the tats, I know people turn to them during a time of grief when they lose a loved one but I know Whitney wouldn't want her daughter to cover her body with tattoos.
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Jay D83
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Post by Jay D83 on Aug 22, 2012 13:47:46 GMT -5
Looks like Bobbi Kristina got another tattoo for Whitney, this time a music note as a symbol to her. Hope she doesn't go overboard with the tats, I know people turn to them during a time of grief when they lose a loved one but I know Whitney wouldn't want her daughter to cover her body with tattoos. My 1,000th post! I had to come in here and share it with THE diva! Anyway, yeah I hope she doesn't go overboard with the tatoos either. I don't think they look 'classy' on a lady.
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