Berry
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Post by Berry on Aug 8, 2008 18:10:20 GMT -5
From EW PopWatch Blog:Best and worst acting in a music video (by an artist) We love a video that tells a good story, but do we always love it when the artist acts in it? E! Online recently wondered whether Carrie Underwood's performance as the war widow in her video "Just a Dream" (watch it here) actually distracts from the moving song. I say yes. Slezak says he likes it when singers at least try to act in their videos, and normally, I'd agree. But when you're going for this much emotion, you need to deliver (like LeAnn Rimes did in "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way" — you forget it's her). In short, there's a reason Juliette Lewis is playing crazy in "Come to My Window" and not Melissa Etheridge. From Blender Blog:Carrie Underwood Jerks Tears Carrie Underwood "Just a Dream" Director: Roman White So how long until Carrie Underwood makes the Hollywood jump? Her new video for the harrowing "Just a Dream" leads us to believe the move isn't that far away. Along with a couple brief dialog scenes, the country beauty is forced to live her lyrics about a young wife devastated by her soldier husband's wartime death. "Baby, why'd you leave me, why'd you have to go?/ I was counting on forever, now I'll never know," she belts. Thankfully, her performance adds to the song's weepiness — the tears are believable once her white dress turns black thanks to the wonders of CGI. While this is hardly the most sophisticated elegy, it's powerful in a Lifetime sorta way. Underwood is sometimes criticized for her beauty queen heartlessness but it's hard not to feel for her here. Reese Witherspoon, watch out.
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tsharky
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Post by tsharky on Aug 8, 2008 18:55:20 GMT -5
10. My only critique-- was that I wanted there to be a gun fired by the military to salute him, as is done at every military funeral. They got the folded up flag right though- but I think if they had shown the shots being fired, that image would have made this great video-- transcend to a career defining video. Overall--- I think it is the best video to date by Carrie. Is it technically perfect? No- but it is perfect to me, and to most people who watched it that didn't get caught up in little perceived flaws. If you just sit back, and enjoy the dream like melancholy and pain of the video, you will love it. i agree with your critique for the most part, except for this. i am pleased to see no gun firing during the military. as i mentioned earlier, i am very pleased to see them make the video more about a widow's grief so anyone who has lost a loved one unexpectedly can relate to it more. if i am not wrong, you probably decided in your mind that you wanted to see such a scene in the video before seeing it... i just can't see how following the lyric and making it more related to the military can make the video career-defining... in my opinion, those are really few and far between and i wasnt expecting that for this video. if everyone who critiques carrie's videos this closely critiques every other video out there as closely, they'll find every video falls short. i've watched the video a couple more times since the first evening it was released. someone pointed this scene out to me, and i have to admit my favorite part now is how the guy said at the end that he's got everything planned out perfectly, and she asks "promise?"... dang i love the look in her eyes when she asked that, those eyes can act... leaves me thinking how on earth can any guy not fulfill his promise to her... and the video leaves the scene... love it! very good point. The song is meant to be about a widow's grief, essentially, not a War. So it was appropriate to downplay that I guess. I am glad they did it retro though- as they avoided getting "dixiechick'ed" that way by avoiding the Iraq war altogether. lol I do love that scene when carrie asks him to "promise" her that they will have their happy ending- and he is silent. He can' t promise that- and that is sort of foreboding, really. I liked that he didn't give her the cliche reply. It was better that way. lol
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samvzla
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Post by samvzla on Aug 8, 2008 20:44:54 GMT -5
From EW PopWatch Blog:Best and worst acting in a music video (by an artist) We love a video that tells a good story, but do we always love it when the artist acts in it? E! Online recently wondered whether Carrie Underwood's performance as the war widow in her video "Just a Dream" (watch it here) actually distracts from the moving song. I say yes. Slezak says he likes it when singers at least try to act in their videos, and normally, I'd agree. But when you're going for this much emotion, you need to deliver (like LeAnn Rimes did in "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way" — you forget it's her). In short, there's a reason Juliette Lewis is playing crazy in "Come to My Window" and not Melissa Etheridge. Mmm, I watch that LeAnn video and I'm sorry but she delivers because she not doing that much, just laying there on her bed, floor, bath or smashing pillows....The crying scenes werent that great. And I dont know but most of the videos distract a little from the song, especially if there acting in the middle, like JAD or Wake me up when September Ends (In this one I dont think you can focus that much on the song, there the acting scenes are pretty long) EW isnt a Carrie fan right?
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tsharky
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Post by tsharky on Aug 8, 2008 22:02:03 GMT -5
^ EW traditionally isn't that nice to carrie- though they have come around lately. They gave Carnival Ride a nice review, and also liked all of her Grammy performances, etc.
I don't like the Leanne Rimes video that much either- it is ok- but I think she is over-acting, personally. I think Carrie does better because she doesn't over-act.
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Post by carriefan0209 on Aug 8, 2008 23:17:22 GMT -5
I love the ending too when she goes "Promise?" Its my favorite part of the video now as well. Just when you dont think the situation could get worse, you find out how dependant Carrie was on her loved one.
Its funny how even most critics have seemed to "Ok" Carrie's acting. Personally, I think its superb, and even though some dont believe the sincerity, I think its perfect for the video. Im glad 99.9% of the fans do as well....Carrie's acting raises this video to another level IMO
Also, apparently the video was #4 yesterday on Youtube for most watched...very nice :)
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leilamaurizia
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Post by leilamaurizia on Aug 9, 2008 0:05:05 GMT -5
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Post by carriefan0209 on Aug 9, 2008 0:16:59 GMT -5
I love the last sentence. Surprised about the Just a Dream comment though
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tsharky
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Post by tsharky on Aug 9, 2008 0:33:37 GMT -5
^ yeah that was a great review= except I disagree with the JAD comments and also Paradise city. But the writer seems to like the slower, more laid back stuff like DFTRM and IKYW, so that's cool.
He did like GOOTT-- so that made me happy. :)
12,000 people-- impressive numbers!
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vinman
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Post by vinman on Aug 9, 2008 1:09:54 GMT -5
There's a great article and pics on behind the scenes of JAD on the Aug 25th issue of Country Weekly. Jennifer posted scans at the OFC.
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leilamaurizia
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Post by leilamaurizia on Aug 9, 2008 7:03:38 GMT -5
This thread is part 6 for the Carnival Ride era, on page 92, and has almost 131,000 views. That's crazy!
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TimeFlies
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Post by TimeFlies on Aug 9, 2008 7:29:23 GMT -5
This thread is part 6 for the Carnival Ride era, on page 92, and has almost 131,000 views. That's crazy! hahaha god bless the madness that is "CARRIE UNDERWOOD" on a random note...i just watched JAD on GAC on my 48" screen with surround sound, and holy crap did it beat the heck out of the video from the internet.... the song, the acting, the graphics..all came together beautifully on that larger scale and as much as I loved the vid before on the internet, i now have a completely different respect for it on a larger scale
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fischbone
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Post by fischbone on Aug 9, 2008 9:40:40 GMT -5
great review! I've said it before and I'll say it again..IKYW MUST be released as a single! 9 out of 10 reviews state it as the show stopper and I couldn't agree more. Carrie blows the roof off with it and it should be put out there for everyone to hear it's greatness!!
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Post by carriefan0209 on Aug 9, 2008 9:48:17 GMT -5
Yeah IKYW should be a single! I just hope they dont do two ballads in a row...release IKYW as the closing single...that would be amazing!
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jatale
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Post by jatale on Aug 9, 2008 10:16:04 GMT -5
This thread is part 6 for the Carnival Ride era, on page 92, and has almost 131,000 views. That's crazy! Agreed, it is crazy especially since it appears that less than 15 people are responsible for the bulk of the 131,000 posts!
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vinman
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Post by vinman on Aug 9, 2008 11:02:27 GMT -5
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Post by carriefan0209 on Aug 9, 2008 12:46:46 GMT -5
Today has been a great weekend for Carrie - the Indianapolis review, JaD will be top 15 by tomorrow, LN made top 40 on HAC, the video release/reviews, etc....
Im so happy for her :)
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neally
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Post by neally on Aug 9, 2008 14:45:31 GMT -5
This thread is part 6 for the Carnival Ride era, on page 92, and has almost 131,000 views. That's crazy! Agreed, it is crazy especially since it appears that less than 15 people are responsible for the bulk of the 131,000 posts! Are you implying that we talk too much, lol ;)
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Post by 43dudleyvillas on Aug 9, 2008 15:48:51 GMT -5
on a random note...i just watched JAD on GAC on my 48" screen with surround sound, and holy crap did it beat the heck out of the video from the internet.... the song, the acting, the graphics..all came together beautifully on that larger scale and as much as I loved the vid before on the internet, i now have a completely different respect for it on a larger scale You know, I wondered if seeing the video on TV would change my opinion of it. So your post is interesting to me. Hopefully, I'll have a chance the weigh in on that point down the road. So I'll take that Indy Star review. Karen Carpenter was the first artist to come to mind even when I heard the studio version of IKYW. The way Carrie sings IKYW now has really reinforced that artistic comparison. My parents introduced me to the Carpenters' music and she's the first voice I really recognized growing up. And that woman is one of the gold standards when it comes to interpretive singing. So for a reviewer to invoke her name when praising Carrie is pretty heady stuff (the more so because with what she does with IKYW, Carrie is increasingly worthy of that comparison). I also love that he notes Carrie's confidence as a performer and singer, and even more so that Lindquist talks of Carrie's talent as being deeper than that of a hitmaker. For me, the most interesting parts of being a Carrie fan is seeing her mine those deeper talents. DFtRM was the surprise highlight of Carrie's set when I saw her at MSG, and to this day, I feel like that single is the most genuine expression of Carrie's heart of all the singles that she has released. And it's cool seeing GOoTT singled out for praise, too.
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tsharky
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Post by tsharky on Aug 9, 2008 19:04:47 GMT -5
^ My elder sisters were big Karen Carpenter fans-- so I am familiar with some of her songs- and I agree that she had a very clear, unique voice that was soothing, kind of. I love that he compared Carrie to her-- very high compliment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dLB6Cgn-1MHere is IKYW from last night! :) enjoy! there is even lightening and thunder in the beginning=== very cool. lol www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Cc8GWp6OQFlat on the floor- indiana state fair what is she wearing though? Is it a mini skirt with tights, or a skirt over blackc jeans? I can't tell. lol
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leilamaurizia
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Post by leilamaurizia on Aug 9, 2008 22:04:36 GMT -5
Any updates from the Opry? What did Carrie sing?
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fischbone
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Post by fischbone on Aug 9, 2008 22:08:46 GMT -5
She sang JAD,Wasted and AAG and of course she sounded GREAT!!
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Stephen
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Post by Stephen on Aug 9, 2008 22:14:53 GMT -5
IKYW was amazing. If Team Carrie doesn't release the song...they are failures. EPIC FAILURES.
It's so good.
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leilamaurizia
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Post by leilamaurizia on Aug 9, 2008 22:16:37 GMT -5
Thanks, fisch!
And after tonight, she's off the fans' radar until September 16th. What will she be doing? Ta-da-dah!
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tsharky
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Post by tsharky on Aug 9, 2008 22:23:32 GMT -5
^ desi I have no idea what she will be doing for 6 weeks and my curiosity is getting the better of me. lol She is probably going to travel or vacation I assume-- since if she was doing something big, like going to the UK or Australia to promote her album with talk shows, etc-- I think we would have heard something by now.
I suppose she might be working on that hypothetical Christmas album too-- since we know there is no children's choir in the elvis song. Billboard confirmed that the orignal back up singers from when Elvis originally recorded the song, will be recording it again with Carrie, to keep it authentic and old-fashioned, etc.
So there is no way that a children's choir will be singing with carrie, Elvis, AND the original back up singers. That would be overkill. It must mean there is at least one more Christmas single-== and hopefully more.
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vinman
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Post by vinman on Aug 9, 2008 22:38:30 GMT -5
The Opry XM audio caps are now available from my site under AUDIO, GRAND OLD OPRY. The first set is up and the second will be available after it airs.
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lyrichord
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Post by lyrichord on Aug 9, 2008 23:18:40 GMT -5
The Opry XM audio caps are now available from my site under AUDIO, GRAND OLD OPRY. The first set is up and the second will be available after it airs. Thanks vinman, I missed the first show and I can't wait to hear it. JAD, Wasted, and AAG are my favorite Carrie singles. Second set starting now! She's doing JAD differently now than before, more "into" it. LN second. A few vocal changeups. I like it. That's all for tonight, it sounds like.
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jeff
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Post by jeff on Aug 9, 2008 23:35:52 GMT -5
^ My elder sisters were big Karen Carpenter fans-- so I am familiar with some of her songs- and I agree that she had a very clear, unique voice that was soothing, kind of. I love that he compared Carrie to her-- very high compliment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dLB6Cgn-1MHere is IKYW from last night! :) enjoy! there is even lightening and thunder in the beginning=== very cool. lol just reaffirms my belief that this is the best damned song live ever, with or without the ballgown...
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fischbone
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Post by fischbone on Aug 10, 2008 0:58:50 GMT -5
Ok great performance...but What is she wearing? LOL why wear a skirt and leggings? LMAO!
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vinman
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Post by vinman on Aug 10, 2008 1:07:12 GMT -5
The second Opry set is also now available from my site.Saw this pre DFTRM Indiana State Fair chatter vid posted on YT as well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6cbyiQVbDoLooks like that kid SAM won a medal at the special olympics and gave it to Carrie.
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Eloqueen™
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Post by Eloqueen™ on Aug 10, 2008 2:23:01 GMT -5
I have to say that I am extremely impressed by this performance. Chilling, I can't stop watching it. I knew she had a huge voice but I didn't know it was THAT big. This one has a huge set of pipes.
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