Star Is Born, A (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray)

Theater review. Possible spoilers. I remember when I first learned that this movie was going to be remade, I asked myself why. The story had been made into film 3 previous times and that doesn’t include the 1932’s “What Price Hollywood” which is essentially the same plot. Or numerous other films that “borrow” the essential theme. Anyone remember 2011’s Oscar winning “The Artist?” I thought maybe the lead characters would be switched. That might be interesting. Nope. Another surprise is that this would be Bradley Cooper’s first directing assignment. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Eli Roth and Will Fetters. And he is also a producer and lead actor.Cooper plays Jackson Maine, an alcoholic rocker who is revered by music lovers everywhere. But he’s starting to slip as the booze and drugs begin to take their toll. I sat up in my chair quickly when the Dolby Atmos equipped theater began with Maine’s first song called “Black Eyes.” For the record, I’m not sure Cooper can actually play guitar, but he can sing and is quite good at it. His backup band is Lukas Nelson (Willie’s son) and “Promise of the Real.” Nelson co-wrote most of the original songs in the film.After the concert, Maine decides to stop for yet another drink and lands in a drag bar in a seedy part of town. There he meets cute with a waitress who has a part-time gig singing at the club. Ally (Lady Gaga) used to work there and the owner allows her to sing. She sings a sensational version of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose.” Even drunk, Maine recognizes talent…and can’t take his eyes off her. He picks her up and they get to know each other as he nurses her fist after she cold-cocks a patron who is bothering Maine at another bar. Ally is a bit shy, convinced her nose is too big and not confident about her own songwriting.I’m a sucker for films that take the time to show how songs are created. And Cooper takes the time. He also allows for full songs to be sung in the film. And what great songs there are. At Oscar time, I could come up with a full slate coming from this film alone. The standout is “Shallow” which I guarantee will win.Early on as Maine performs at a large concert, he coaxes a reluctant Ally standing in the wings to come out and perform a duet. Her face brightens as it all works and she soaks in the applause and admiration from the large audience. Note: The big crowd scenes were shot during a Willie Nelson concert at Coachella and Glastonbury. As time passes, Jack (her nickname for him) and Ally become a couple, eventually marrying. It is clear that the chemistry between Cooper and Gaga is real which makes the romance ever more convincing.As Jack’s drinking and drugs continue, he is a strong promoter of his wife’s. She gets a top record producer, Rez Gavron (Rafi Gavron), to manage her career. He wants her to become a pop star, ala Brittany or Katy, with synchronized dancers and lots of dazzling production. Even as Jack falters, he encourages Ally to be who she is, not what someone else thinks she should be. In perhaps Cooper’s best performance, he manages to make Maine’s character sympathetic, even likeable even as he goes deeper into the bottle and says hurtful things to Ally. She recognizes he has a disease.This is mostly missing from the early versions of the story, except for Frederick March in the 1937 version.Cooper and Gaga will certainly gain attention at Oscar time but I would also recognize Sam Elliott as Jack’s older brother, Bobby. He mostly raised Jack when their dad died. If you are wondering why Jack’s voice sounds so much like Bobby, well he stole it. It is actually a plot point. Other smaller but notable performances come from Dave Chappelle as “Noodles” Stone, a good friend of Jackson’s and Andrew Dice Clay as Ally’s father, Lorenzo. Also Anthony Ramos as Ally’s gay best friend Ramon.There is so much going for this big film that surprised me. The acting, the cinematography (Matthew Libatique), the sound, the editing and the other technical aspects are top notch. And don’t forget the music. All original with contributions from Mark Ronson and Jason Isbell in addition to Cooper, Gaga and Nelson. This is the best movie I’ve seen this year. Highly recommended.

Going to keep this short.This movie is fantastic. This movie is way better then what the trailer can ever provide you.If you have followed Lady Gaga’s story from the beginning, this movie will touch you.If you don’t like seeing the journey of a relationship, if you don’t appreciate an artist playing an actor who can sing, if you you are not moved by love, you will not like this movie.Cinematography is so engaging. You never feel like you’re in the crowd. Lady Gaga is so lovable. Bradley grabbed that roll by the horns and killed it.

"A Star Is Born" (2018 release; 135 min.) brings the story of Jackson "Jack" Maine and Ally. As the movie opens, Jack is hitting the stage at a massive outdoor show. After the show, he boozes up in the getaway SUV, and orders his driver to stop at a nearby bar. It happens to be the place where Ally, after her daytime kitchen job, performs regularly. That evening, she brings "La Vie En Rose", stunning Jack with her singing. He meets Ally after the show, and they hit it off... At this point we're 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Couple of comments: this is the 4th incarnation of "A Star Is Born". The previous version starring Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand, from 1976, is the version I grew up with. While that movie's flaws were obvious, I nevertheless quite liked it. Now 42 years later comes this up-to-date remake. This marks the directing debut of actor Bradley Cooper, and what a debut it turns out to be! Cooper also co-produced, co-stars and co-wrote the script. Cooper's challenges were formidable: would he be a credible "rock star"? More importantly, would he be a credible singer? Answer to both of those questions is a resounding YES. Even more surprising is Lady Gaga as Ally. Who knew she'd be able to give such a nuanced acting performance (obviously we already knew that she has the singing talent). The on-screen chemistry between these two leads is palpable, making the movie such much more believable. But wait! there is more! For me arguable the movie's best performance comes from Sam Elliot, as Jack's road manager (and elder brother). What a stage presence! The musical performances are generally speaking outstanding. Cooper's backup band features Lucas Nelson (son of Willie), who co-wrote most of the songs, and the Promise of the Real. It's fun recognizing some of the venues and festivals where the concert footage was filmed (I spotted both Coachella and Glastonbury, among others). The only criticism I have is that the movie, which is pretty much flawless in the first hour, is a bit overly long, in particular towards the end. But all in all, kudos to Cooper for taking on what could've been a disaster, but instead ends up being a remake of a timeless classic that is just right for this day and age."A Star Is Born" premiered at the Venice film festival in late August, to immediate and universal acclaim. The movie opened wide this past weekend. The Monday early evening screening where I saw this at here in Cincinnati was PACKED. Yes, on a Monday! I am going on record already that "A Star Is Born" not only will get multiple Oscar nominations early next year, it will in fact win the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress, among others. I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it in the theater, on Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Me resistía a ver esta película en cine porque cuando se trata de una nueva versión de una historia que ya se conoce siempre existen los peros. Sin embargo, Cooper y Gaga me sorprendieron con sus interpretaciones; quizá eso fue lo que me orilló a tener esta historia en mi colección. Y que decir de la música, simplemente genial.

Muy buena película que a pesar de ser una readaptación, logra tener esencia propia gracias a las interpretaciones de Bradley Cooper y Lady Gaga; la música también está súper padre y hace aún mejor la película.La película incluye tanto doblaje al español como subtítulos en español y el slipcover es muy bonito también con el acabado brillante y las letras brillantes.La entrega fue antes de la fecha estimada y eso por supuesto que se agradece.

Una película muy buena con una química excelente entre los actores, la imagen y el audio es genial en cuanto al envío todo muy bien

No soy mucho de comprar películas en físico (más en digital) pero esta película es tan BUENA que vale la pena comprarla en todos los formatos 😍

Excelente película tanto para amantes del cine como amantes de la música