Dreamgirls

When I arrived home for the break, my mom (who rarely gets excited about movies) immediately sat me down and had me watch what is now one of her favorite movies: Dreamgirls. Bill Condon directed this 2006 musical about some 60s singers. Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Beyonce gave great performances not only on camera but in the recording studio, as did newcomer Jennifer Hudson (American Idol). I listened to the soundtrack on the way back after the break. I liked I liked the random appearance of Jaleel White (Urkel) at the beginning. The plot was emotional; the music fantastic.

The costumes and casting were good, though it was weird seeing Beyonce go from plain to flashy and back again. I liked that she wasn't the lead role, but still did an amazing job. My mom complained that maybe Hudson's voice was a little harsh when she really belted things out, but I thought it was appropriate for what she was singing. Overall, I thought the movie was entertaining and empowering, with great music and good acting, though I have no idea why my mom got so obsessed.