Beyonce Knowles Movie:

		List Price: $29.99		Label: DreamWorks Salesrank: 7210 Released: June 3, 2008
		Our Price: $10.94
		Used Price: $9.97
		MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: Blu-ray

Editorial Review:
Director Bill Condon brings Tom Eyen's Tony award-winning Broadway musical to the big screen in a tale of dreams, stardom, and the high cost of success in the cutthroat recording industry. The time is the 1960s, and singers Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are about to find out just what it's like to have their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), the trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Subsequently molded into an unstoppable hit machine by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls quickly find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship as Taylor edges out the ultra-talented Effie so that the more beautiful Deena can become the face of the group. Now, as the crossover act continues to dominate the airwaves, the small-town girls with big-city dreams slowly begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated.

Description of Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray]:
The spirit of Motown runs through the long-awaited film adaption of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, which centers around a young female singing trio who burst upon the music scene in the '60s, complete with bouffant hairdos, glitzy gowns, and a soul sound new to the white-bread American music charts. Sound familiar? You aren't the first one to draw comparisons to the meteoric rise of the Supremes, and despite any protests to the contrary, this is most definitely a thinly veiled reinterpretation of that success story. The Dreamettes--statuesque Deena (Beyonce Knowles), daffy Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) and brassy Effie (Jennifer Hudson)--are a girl group making the talent-show rounds when they're discovered by car salesman and aspiring music manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx). Sensing greatness (as well as a new marketing opportunity) Curtis signs the Dreamettes as backup singers for R&B star James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). But when Early's mercurial ways and singing style don't mesh with primarily white audiences, Curtis moves the newly-renamed Dreams to center stage--with Deena as lead singer in place of Effie. And that's not the only arena in which Effie is replaced, as Curtis abandons their love affair for a relationship with star-in-the-making Deena.

Besides the Supremes comparison, one can't talk about Dreamgirls now without revisiting its notorious Oscar snub; though it received eight nominations, the most for any film from 2006, it was shut out of the Best Picture and Director races entirely. Was the oversight justified? While Dreamgirls is certainly a handsomely mounted, lovingly executed and often vibrant film adaptation, it inspires more respect than passion, only getting under your skin during the musical numbers, which become more sporadic as the film goes on. Writer-director Bill Condon is definitely focused on recreating the Motown milieu (down to uncanny photographs of Knowles in full Diana Ross mode), he often forgets to flesh out his characters, who even on the Broadway stage were underwritten and relied on powerhouse performances to sell them to audiences. (Stage fans will also note that numerous songs are either truncated or dropped entirely from the film.) Condon has assembled a game cast, as Knowles does a canny riff on the essence of Diana Ross' glamour (as opposed to an all-out impersonation) and Rose makes a peripheral character surprisingly vibrant; only Foxx, who never gets to pour on the charisma, is miscast. Still, there are two things even the most cranky viewers will warm to in Dreamgirls: the performances of veteran Eddie Murphy and newcomer Jennifer Hudson. Murphy is all sly charm and dazzling energy as the devilish Early, who's part James Brown, part Little Richard, and all showman. And Hudson, an American Idol contestant who didn't even make the top three, makes an impressive debut as the larger-than-life Effie, whose voice matches her passions and stubbornness. Though she sometimes may seem too young for the role, Hudson nails the movie's signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," with a breathtaking power that must be seen and heard to believe. And for those five minutes, if not more, you will be in Dreamgirls' thrall. --Mark Englehart

On the DVD
The two-disc edition of Dreamgirls includes videos, documentaries and other behind-the-scenes features. Diehard fans will love the almost two-hour "Building the Dream" documentary, which goes into loving detail about how the film got to be made. But it's the shorter segments that really capture the viewer's attention. The two auditions included in the set are a contrast in style. Pop singer Beyonce Knowles sells herself in full hair, makeup and costume; that she is a tad pitchy at times is almost beside the point. Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose's audition is a tour de force; singing strong and with conviction and passion, Rose is fully in character regardless of the fact that she isn't dressed for the role. Oddly enough, the audition tape of Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for her breakthrough role as Effie, is nowhere to be seen. Sure, we all know what a powerhouse she is today. But it would've been nice to see what the filmmakers saw in her back then, when her competition included her American Idol castmate (and that season's winner) Fantasia Barrino. Hudson's performance of "Effie, Sing My Song"--which was not seen in the theatrical release--is included in this set, as are 12 extended musical numbers. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a dance rehearsal choreographed by Fatima Robinson (who has worked with the Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, and Michael Jackson). Watching the rudimentary piece (with stand-ins subbing for the stars) come together gives the viewer appreciation for the intricate work that goes into each 3-minute musical number in the 130-minute film. Also included are a sequence of enhanced storyboards, a look at how the film's editor went about editing the picture, and a look at how the costumes played a part in the film. --Jae-Ha Kim

Beyond Dreamgirls

Other Musicals on DVD

More Motown on DVD

The Soundtrack

Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray] Reviews:
Good Movie And Music
2009-11-11 - this is a very good musical drama. this movie is awesome. I Recommend it for everyone

great movie
2009-11-04 - I love this movie, I could watch it all day long. The blueray picture is awesome, makes you feel like you are there with them in the movie.

"An Entertaining Musical"
2009-07-22 - Movie musicals gained new notoriety with the release of "Chicago" a few years back, so it was only natural that a studio was going to finally release the film version of "Dreamgirls". I say finally because ever since "Dreamgirls" debut on Broadway in 1981, starring Jennifer Holiday, there has been talk that this fine show would make it to the big screen. In 2006 "Dreamgirls" premiered at the boxoffice to audience and critical acclaim.
I first saw most of the cast of "Dreamgirls" when they promoted the film on "Oprah" and I knew it was going to be a huge hit. Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx star in this film based on the lives of 1960's girl group The Supremes. However, it is Jennifer Hudson's searing performance of Ellfie that steals the film with Oprah telling her that watching Hudson's performance is like "a religious experience". She plays the role based on the life of Florence ballard, the Supreme who became an alcoholic and died broke. Beyonce is also great in the Diana Ross role. Everything from the beautiful music to the costumes is excellent, and you do not have to be a fan of Broadway musicals to enjoy this film. "Dreamgirls" is an entertaining movie for everyone who has ever had a dream of making it big in show business. Jennifer Hudson would reach superstardom by winning that years Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in the film.
This 2 disc set comes with a slew of bonuses, the best being a two hour documentary on how "Dreamgirls" was developed from Broadway to film.
"Dreamgirls" has so far made over 154 million dollars worldwide.

What is this?!?!?!? This broadway show/movie is not what you think it is. Damn you Mary Wilson!
2009-06-03 - This movie is absolutely sickening, and I could not even stomach it. Also, the comparisons of this movie, and the broadway show it is based on to the rise, and fall of the Supremes are utterly laughable.

First of all, "Dreamgirls" is not based on the rise and fall of the Supremes. It is about the MTV girl group known as Bee-Yawn-Cee and Desintary's Child, with Bee-Yawn-Cee playing herself, Jennifer Simpleton playing Michelle Williams, and Anika Nomi Rose playing Kelly Roland.

Second, to say that Diana Ross slept with Berry Gordy to get to where she is today is an outright lie. The fact is that history proved Berry Gordy correct in making Diana Ross the lead singer of the Supremes.

Third, the time, and location of which this movie is based in are just wrong. Flat wrong. The time period in the show, and in this movie is the late 1990's, and early 2000's, and the setting is not Detroit. The setting is Chicago.

When I watched this movie, I had to wonder what planet I was on. Anything that has American Idol is what I try to avoid. The acting is soulless, the singing is absolutely rubbish, and there is no good story. I suspect that this Broadway show and movie was made by some payed Supremes hack who has been under the manipulative lies of that scum traitor known as Mary Wilson. Florence Ballard had a hand in her own downfall, and for good reason. I don't need this movie to tell me the story of the Supremes. I would read any book by Diana Ross, or Thomas Adrahtas. Why? It's because those books set the records straight when it comes to the Supremes. This movie is not recommended. Avoid or risk contempt!

Blu Ray is the way to go (you are missing out)
2009-05-14 - I am going to make this short as possible. This is one of my favorte movies. I seen this in the movie theatre, on the regular DVD so many scenes have been cut out.Blu ray special feature you get every scene, but you would need a USB flash memory card to really enjoy the whole movie. This movie is a must have on blu ray for the true music lover.