Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Nine Is Nowhere Near a 10

But if you like the style and the stars, then just eat the ice cream

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 25, 2009 2:13 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – Critics agree: Nine is no 8½. Some enjoy a star-studded song-and-dance, but most don't like the song part, and they find the stars misused at best. Some opinions:

  • "Step right up, pay $10, and you can see eight superstars, six of whom have won Oscars, singing songs in sparkly costumes." If that sounds good, cautions Dana Stevens of Slate, know that "the songs range from mediocre to actively unlistenable and that few of these actors know how to put over a song."

  • Don't take it so seriously, Peter Howell writes in the Toronto Star. It's a "fractured film about creative and coital conundrums that is best sampled like an array of Italian gelatos. In other words, don't complain about how it all works, just enjoy the yummy bits."
  • For Roger Ebert, "Nine is just plain adrift in its own lack of necessity." Sure, it's "filled wall to wall with stars," he writes for the Chicago Sun-Times, " but that's what they are—stars, because the movie doesn't make them characters."
  • Director Rob Marshall "hits more than he misses," writes Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. But at least he's consistent: "Those who hated his music-video editing in Chicago will hate it here."

Day-Lewis in a scene from Nine.
Day-Lewis in a scene from "Nine."   (AP Photo)
In this film publicity image released by The Weinstein Company, Penelope Cruz is shown in a scene from Nine. The film was nominated Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 for a Golden Globe award for best motion picture comedy or musical. The awards will be held on Jan. 17, in Beverly Hills,...
In this film publicity image released by The Weinstein Company, Penelope Cruz is shown in a scene from "Nine." The film was nominated Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009 for a Golden Globe award for best motion picture...   (AP Photo/The Weinstein Company, David James)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
A number from "Nine."   (Wall Street Journal)

View larger videos >>
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
42%
5%
11%
5%
16%
21%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
RufusT.Firefly
Dec 26, 2009 6:10 AM CST
Not regional at all. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N...) Saw the show live a few years ago. Unfortunately, as happens all too often, the director of theatre company placed himself in the leading role. Everything except him was great. I've rarely seen a stage production translated well to screen in the past 20 years. Case in point: Sweeney Todd. Musicals are almost always better live.
riffran
Dec 25, 2009 8:53 AM CST
septenary!
Netstorm2k10
Dec 24, 2009 11:30 AM CST
Never even heard of the first, and I'm no shut in. Must be regional.

 
entertainment • Nicole Kidman • film • movie review • Kate Hudson • Fergie • Marion Cotillard • Daniel Day-Lewis • Nine • Penelope Cruz • Rob Marshall • Federico Fellini • Nine review

More Newser Stories

No Gold in Pirates 4

9 Notable Oscar Snubs
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne