FERGIE RETURNS AS HOST OF LOS ANGELES PARTY SEGMENTS DURING “DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2011″

Natastha Bedingfield, Jason Derulo, Drake, Far East Movement, Jennifer Hudson, La Roux, Avril Lavigne, Mike Posner, Ne-Yo, Willow Smith and Train Confirmed to Perform During the 39th Annual Broadcast on December 31

For the 39th consecutive year, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2011″ will lead America into the New Year. Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest will host the special with recently announced Times Square Correspondent Jenny McCarthy. The show will begin at 10:00 p.m., ET on Friday, December 31 on the ABC Television Network. Singer/songwriter Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas returns to host the Los Angeles-based party portions of the specials. The Los Angeles lineup includes performances by Jennifer Hudson, Willow Smith, Ne-Yo, Avril Lavigne, Drake, Jason Derulo, La Roux, Mike Posner, Natasha Bedingfield, Far East Movement and Train.

The bi-coastal celebration will include three and one-half hours of special performances and reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe, as well as the American tradition of Dick Clark counting down to midnight from Times Square in New York City.

The festivities will kick off with “Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2011″ from 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET, featuring the only live performances from New York’s Times Square, as well as multiple performances from the Los Angeles celebration.

During “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2011, Part 1″ (11:30 p.m. – 1:08 a.m., ET), in addition to reporting on the final minutes of 2010 and the traditional Times Square countdown to midnight, the show will feature music performances from both Los Angeles and Times Square in New York.

Wrapping the night’s activities will be “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2011, Part 2″ (1:08-2:11 a.m., ET), when musical acts will continue the party into the early hours of the New Year with additional performances from Los Angeles.

The specials are presentations of dick clark productions, inc., with Dick Clark, Ryan Seacrest and Orly Adelson serving as executive producers. Larry Klein produces. Klein stated, “Fergie is back to host a terrific lineup of performances in Los Angeles that celebrate the most outstanding songs of the year.” Adelson added, “Fergie returns for her fifth year as the host of the west coast party. She has truly become a part of the New Year’s tradition.”

ABOUT FERGIE
Six-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum superstar Fergie, who joined The Black Eyed Peas in 2002, released her solo debut, The Dutchess, in 2006. She began her career at an early age, first as the voice for the cartoon series “Charlie Brown” as both Sally and Lucy, later as a cast member of “Kids Incorporated” during her teen years, followed by singing in the all-female pop trio Wild Orchid. Fergie also had a starring role in the 2009 feature film, “NINE,” and featured roles in “Madagascar 2,”

“Poseidon” and “Grind House.” She is a global ambassador for the Avon Foundation for Women. The Black Eyes Peas, who will perform during “The Bridgestone Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show,” recently released their sixth album, entitled The Beginning, the follow-up to the group’s blockbuster CD The E.N.D. Released in June 2009, The E.N.D. has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide, while spending 52 weeks on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It is also the first album in two decades by a duo or group to yield five Top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, including the No. 1 hits “Boom Boom Pow,” “I Gotta Feeling” (which is the best-selling digital song in SoundScan history) and “Imma Be,” as well as the Top 10′s “Meet Me Halfway” and “Rock That Body.” Fergie’s solo debut, The Dutchess, which spent an astounding 94 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart, sold over 6 million copies worldwide and achieved triple-platinum status in the United States.

ABOUT NATASHA BEDINGFIELD
Natasha Bedingfield’s first album, 2004′s Unwritten, debuted at No. 1 on the UK album chart and sold over two million copies worldwide. The album’s title track became the most played track at U.S. pop radio in 2006, and recently received a BMI Award for 3 million plays. It was also the first No. 1 pop single by a British female solo artist in the U.S. in almost 20 years and garnered Bedingfield her first Grammy nomination for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.” On her latest album, Strip Me, Bedingfield hopes to take things to the next level. Strip Me is the follow-up to 2008′s Pocketful of Sunshine, a megahit in the U.S. selling over three million singles of the title track and featuring four No. 1 dance singles.

ABOUT JASON DERULO
Derulo has been going full steam since the beginning of 2010. In late January, he wrapped up a six-week stint on the road with Lady Gaga on her red-hot, sold-out Monster Ball tour of North America, which included four shows at New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall. In February he made his feature film debut in MTV Films’ “Turn the Beat Around.” On March 2 he released Jason Derulo, which debuted at No. 4 on the Digital Albums chart and No. 11 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. Since then, he has performed on “American Idol,” “The View,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Lopez Tonight” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Collectively, his videos have racked up more than 175 million views on YouTube, making Derulo the channel’s 20th most viewed musician of all time. In June he was nominated for three 2010 Teen Choice Awards in the music category, including the highly coveted “Choice Music: Breakout Artist – Male.” “In My Head” has been nominated for “Choice Music: R&B Track,” while the album has been nominated for “Choice Music: Album – R&B.”

ABOUT DRAKE
Already a two-time Grammy nominee, Drake’s debut album, Thank Me Later, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, with a powerful opening sales week of 446,680. With guest appearances from Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Young Jeezy and mentor Lil Wayne, among others, Thank Me Later was the most anticipated and buzzed about debut release this year. It marks one of the top five biggest sales weeks of the year, coming in third behind country act Lady Antebellum’s Need You Now, with 481,000 copies and Sade’s Soldier of Love, with 502,000 copies.

ABOUT FAR EAST MOVEMENT
Far East Movement (also known as FM) has bridged the gap between underground party records and mainstream hip-hop and pop. They blend elements of hip-hop, electro and dance to create an original sound and lifestyle they dub ‘Free Wired.’ Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif and DJ Virman have taken the current Los Angeles club scene global, having to their credit numerous world tours, multiple song placements on television and film, plus a No. 1 hit on Los Angeles radio before they dropped their debut album, Free Wired, October 12th on Cherrytree/Interscope Records. The album’s first single, “Like A G6,” is a platinum-plus selling single that exploded on radio and sales charts, hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Digital Song charts, as well as multiple appearances at the No. 1 spot on iTunes top songs.

ABOUT JENNIFER HUDSON
An Academy Award-winning actress and a Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. In 2007 she won an Academy Award for her role as “Effie” in the smash hit “Dreamgirls,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical. Hudson is making the same kind of impact in the world of music that she has made in film with the successful release of her Arista Records debut album in 2008. The self-titled album won a Grammy Award for “Best R & B Album,” which was presented by one of Hudson’s idols, Whitney Houston. She also received three additional nominations, including “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance,” “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals” and “Best R&B Song.” The album also won three awards at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards, including “Best Album.” The RIAA Gold Certified album entered Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2 and marked the biggest first week sales for an R&B female entry since 2004. In early 2009, Hudson performed the national anthem to spectacular response at the Super Bowl. She began her debut national tour in March 2009 to sell-out crowds in every city.

ABOUT LA ROUX
Synth-pop sensation La Roux have made an incredible stir stateside with their glittering self titled debut. Twenty-two-year-old Elly Jackson and co-producer, co-songwriter and cohort Ben Langmaid — who are La Roux — have made an extraordinary impact on the music scene since joining forces two years ago. What began in London’s burgeoning underground warehouse scene has since landed the pair nominations for the highly coveted Mercury Prize, an MTV Europe Award, an MTVu Woodie and numerous Dance Music Awards. La Roux has caught the attention of all the right ears with recent appearances on “Ellen,” “Good Morning America” and “The View.” Sizzling first single “Bulletproof” became an instant summer hit, climbing the Top 40 charts and making itself at home in the Top 10. Second single “In for the Kill” will head to radio in the coming weeks and features a remix with Kanye West.

ABOUT AVRIL LAVIGNE
Avril Lavigne will be debuting her first single, “What the Hell,” from her forthcoming fourth studio album in 2011 during the special. Lavigne has made an indelible mark on the music community, selling more than 30 million albums worldwide, earning 8 Grammy nominations and as the winner of 7 Canadian Juno Awards. She burst onto the music scene in 2002 with the critically acclaimed Let Go and featured smash singles “Sk8r Boi” and “Complicated.” Her 2004 release, Under My Skin, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, as did her third album, The Best Damn Thing, which produced the irrepressible No. 1 single, “Girlfriend,” and logged more than 130 million views on YouTube! Lavigne also wrote the song “Alice” for Tim Burton’s critically acclaimed Disney Film “Alice in Wonderland.” Outside the recording studio, she is continuously adding pieces to her lifestyle apparel brand, Abbey Dawn, has released two fragrances, Forbidden Rose and Black Star, and recently launched The Avril Lavigne Foundation to raise awareness and support children and youth who are seriously ill or have a disability.

ABOUT NE-YO
Ne-Yo is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, composer and producer who is one of music’s most talented and prolific artists. He has released three No. 1 albums, sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and collaborated with everyone from Michael Jackson to Tim McGraw. Ne-Yo’s latest critically-acclaimed CD, Libra Scale (Def Jam Recordings), just debuted in the Top 10 and features hit singles “Beautiful Monster,” “Champagne Life” and “One in a Million.”

ABOUT MIKE POSNER
In mid-May the Los Angeles Times declared, “Mike Posner is on a quest to be pop’s next best thing.” Posner’s explosive first single, “Cooler Than Me,” from his debut album 31 Minutes to Takeoff, reached the No. 3 position on the Top 40 Chart and has sold 2 million downloads, securing its position as one of the summer’s biggest hits. His second single, “Please Don’t Go,” is currently Top 10 at Top 40 radio and zooming up the charts. He recently wrapped his first headlining club tour, The Up In the Air Tour, and was nominated for the T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Awards at the American Music Awards.

ABOUT WILLOW SMITH
Before she was a pre-teen, Willow Smith had been seen on both the small and big screen opposite some of today’s most successful actors and actresses. Already a trendsetter with her unique and distinct fashion sense, she has been seen sitting front row at some of the most exclusive fashion shows. Now she is pursuing a new dream and showcasing her talent in music. Signed to JAY-Z’s Roc Nation, Willow recently released her debut hit single, “Whip My Hair,” garnering acclaim from critics and fans and millions of views for her energetic video. The chart topping song is just the beginning and only a taste of what’s to come from Willow’s 2011 album. While pursuing her creative outlets, Willow remains an active philanthropist, joining her brother Jaden for the “Keep a Child Alive” Buy Life campaign benefiting families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.

ABOUT TRAIN
Over the course of 15 years, Train has made its mark on music history with their Grammy Award-winning song “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” and chart-topping singles “Meet Virginia” and “Calling All Angels.” Since forming in San Francisco in 1994, the multi-platinum selling band has traveled a long, successful and sometimes arduous journey. Following their 2006 release, For Me, It’s You, the band took a three-year hiatus, and in that time Train has experienced an epiphany as a whole. Now, with their fifth album, Save Me San Francisco, they have channeled their early days, revisiting the roots rock sound that has made the band such a tour de force – and, in turn, the band is united stronger than ever.

Photo Gallery: Talent arriving on the red carpet for the 2010 American Music Awards

The following photos are talent arriving on the red carpet for the 2010 American Music Awards in Los Angeles November 21, 2010. Photos by REUTERS/Danny Moloshok, Jason Merritt/Getty Images for DCP.

Josh Duhamel and Fergie at the “20th Annual Women of the Year Awards” in NYC

Josh Duhamel and Fergie attend the 20th annual Women of the Year awards at Carnegie Hall on November 8, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
Content © 2010 Getty Images All rights reserved.

France: David Guetta & Chris Willis ft Fergie & LMFAO – Gettin’ Over You

A music video that we definitely dig and is currently the #1 song in the UK from French House DJ David Guetta & Chris Willis feat. Ferigie & LMFAO with “Gettin’ Over You”. Just a cool collaboration and music video!!!

If you have any suggestions of music videos worth checking out in your country, let us know!

Nine (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

Sexy, glamorous and fun!  “Nine” has its share of shortcomings but when it comes to the cinematography, its style and musical performances, by the end of the film, I found the film to be quite enjoyable!

Images courtesy of © 2009 The Weinstein Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: Nine

DURATION: 118 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Anamorphic Widescreen (2:40:1), English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH

RATED: PG-13

COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Released Dated: May 4, 2010

Directed by Ron Marshall

Screenplay by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella

Based on the Broadway musical by Arthur Kopit, Maury Yeston and “Nine” Italian original by Mario Fratti

Executive Produced by Kelly Carmichael, Michael Dreyer, Gina Gardini, Ryan Kavanaugh, Arthur Kopit, Tucker Tooley, Bob Weinstein, Maury Yeston and Michael Zimmer

Produced by John DeLuca, Rob Marshall, Marc Platt, Harvey Weinstein

Production Executive: Michael Cole

Supervising Producer: Steven Squillante

Associate Producer: Michael Zimmer

Music by Andrea Guerra

Cinematography by Dion Beebe

Edited by Claire Simpson, Wyatt Smith

Casting by Kate Dowd, Francine Maisler, Razzauti Teresa

Production Design by John Myhre

Art Direction by Peter Findley, Phil Harvey, Simon Lamont

Set Decoration by Gordon Sim

Costume Design by Colleen Atwood

Starring:

Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido Contini

Marion Cotillard as Luisa Contini

Penelope Cruz as Carla

Sophia Loren as Mamma

Nicole Kidman as Claudia

Judi Dench as Lilli

Kate Hudson as Stephanie

Stacey Ferguson (Fergie) as Saraghina

Ricky Tognazzi as Dante – Producer of “Italia”

A vibrant and provocative musical filled with love, lust, passion and glamour. A world famous film director reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing numerous women in his life. With its incredible all-star cast, amazing performances and stunning visuals, this razzle-dazzle extravaganza will make you long to BE ITALIAN.

Director Rob Marshall Featurette

Behind the Look of “Nine”

Be Italian

My Husband

On Blu-ray and DVD

In 1973, “Nine” was but a dream for American composer Maury Yeston.  Before Yeston became the popular American composer and lyricist that he is right now, he was inspired by Director Frderico Fellini’s “8 1/2″, about an Italian filmmaker who had writer’s block in which the film would deal with his memories and flashbacks that were intermeshed onscreen.

After several attempts to having a book created, he joined with American playwright Arthur Kopit in 1981 as Yeston would write the music and lyrics while Kopit wrote the book and sure enough, by 1982, the Broadway play of “Nine” was born.

In a 1982 interview with Yeston in regards to how “Nine” relates to Fellini’s “8 1/2″, Yeston said, “When Fellini made 8 1/2 he already had done seven films and a documentary, so he called his next movie 8 1/2. I thought, if you add music, it’s like half a number more.”  Fortunately, with the help of Katharine Hepburn who saw the original production, Hepburn contacted Fellini and Fellini granted Yeston the rights to write a fictional musical inspired by his film.

The musical was a huge success as it won five Tony Awards, ran for 729 performances and has had several revivals but it wasn’t until 2009 when Director Rob Marshall (“Chicago”, “Memoirs of a Geisha”), screenwriters Michael Tolkin (“Changing Lanes”, “Deep Impact”, “The Player”) and Anthony Minghella (“The Talented Mr. Ripley”, “The English Patient”, “Cold Mountain”) began writing the film adaptation of the musical and also bringing in Maury Yeston to write a few songs for the film.

For many people, Rob Marshall’s success with “Chicago” was definitely going to bring people into the theaters but where “Nine” has literally struck gold is with its all-star talent.  “Nine” stars Daniel Day-Lewis (“Gangs of the New York”, “The Last of the Mohicans”, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”); Marion Cotillard (“Contagion”, “Public Enemies”, “Taxi” films); Penelope Cruz (“Broken Embraces”, “Sahara”, “Elegy”); Nicole Kidman (“Australia”, “The Others”, “Cold Mountain”); Judi Dench (“Quantum of Solace”, “Pride & Prejudice”, “007″ films); Kate Hudson (“Bride Wars”, “Raising Helen”, “Almost Famous”); the Black Eyed Peas vocalist Stacey “Fergie” Ferguson; and legendary actress Sophia Lauren (“Matrimonio All’Italiana”, “La Cicoiara”, “I Girasoli”).

Despite the film receiving mixed reviews, “Nine” would be nominated for four Academy Awards which include “Best Supporting Actress” (Penelope Cruz), “Best Art Direction” (John Myhre, Gordon Sim), “Best Costume Design” (Colleen Atwood) and “Best Original Song” (“Take It All” Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston).

“Nine” is a film that that takes place in the late ’60s and revolves around famous director named Guido Contini (played by Daniel Day-Lewis).  As production of “Italia” is about to begin, he is having a mid-life crisis in which he is having problems balancing time with his wife Luisa (played by Marion Cotillard), his mistress Carla (played by Penelope Cruz) and many women that work for him or want some of his personal time such as his muse Claudia (played by Nicole Kidman), his costume designer Lilli (played by Judi Dench), American journalist Stephanie (played by Kate Hudson) and also imaginary dreams of his youth such as the prostitute Saraghina (played by Fergie) and his communication with his dead mother (played by Sophia Lauren).

With the press and his film crew thinking that everything is ready for Guido to start filming, the truth is that he hasn’t even written one word for “Italia” at all.  Despite his writer’s block, he is also dealing with the disintegration of his marriage life, knowing that his sexual promiscuity is starting to get the best of him and affecting his personal life and this man, who everyone thinks is so much in control, is really not.  Guido is lost and needs direction.

Using Fellini’s “8 1/2″ as a source of inspiration for the film, certain aspects make it to the film as the case of fantasy and real-life are hard to distinguish in “Nine” until each layer of Guido Contini is slowly peeled away and in “Nine”, the question is asked about what kind of man are we left with?  Through the life that this famous director is living now, what would truly consume him and who or what would become his priority?

VIDEO:

“Nine” is presented in 2:40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen.   Let me first say that if you were deciding on the Blu-ray or DVD, this is one of those films that you would want to watch on Blu-ray.  Various scenes are just vibrant with color and for each musical number, there is a wonderful style to each that simply screams to be in HD.  But for the DVD, picture quality is still beautiful.

The cinematography by Dion Beebe is simply ravishing and what helps is the wonderful cuts used for the musical segments, so a big credit to editors Claire Simpson and Wyatt Smith.  It’s hard to believe that the majority of the musical numbers takes place on one adjustable set (which you will see in the special features) but how each set was created, modified and enhancing the dancers and their choreography was fantastic.  Great art direction, production design and also costume design from Colleen Atwood.

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

And when it comes to musicals, its simply about the music and the DVD is presented in English 5.1 Dolby Digital.  Again, this is a type of film that screams of HD and I recommend listening to a lossless audio track via Blu-ray but overall, the music and dialogue are clear.  Subtitles are in English and English SDH.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Nine” comes with the following special features:

• Audio Commentary – Featuring audio commentary by Director Rob Marshall and Producer John DeLuca.  Rob Marshall talks about the scenes, bringing the musical onscreen and also discussing the misunderstanding by people who thought they were remaking Fellini’s “8 1/2″.  Also, discussing the performances of the talent.
• The Incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis – (5:13) The casting of Daniel Day-Lewis as Guido and the cast talks about how he is an amazing actor and once he gets on the set, he is not Daniel Day-Lewis, he is the character.
• The Women of Nine – (10:48) Casting the women of Nine.  Each of the main female cast talk about being hired for their role and being in a musical.  The women talk about being among a major cast of women and striking friendships with each other.  Director Rob Marshall talks about why he hired each actress.
• Director Rob Marshall – (6:28) The cast talk about working with Rob Marshall and how as a performer/dancer, he is perfect as director for a musical such as “Nine”.
• Behind the Look of Nine – (8:23) Director Rob Marshall talks about working with a great team for “Nine” and working with the team he worked with in “Chicago” and the importance of having people with experience in creating the look of “Nine”.  Also, information on the impressive and adjustable stage and working with production and costume design.
• The Dancers of Nine – (4:41) Featuring the casting process of the dancers for “Nine” and how many of the dancers dream of being in a film, let alone being in a film directed by Rob Marshall.
• The Choreography of “Be Italian” – (4:17) The making of “Be Italian” and bringing in 14 tons of sand to make the soundstage seem like a real World War I beach.  Fergie talks about the choreography and how she enjoyed rehearsing the song for two months.
• The Making of “Cinema Italiano” – (2:54) Kate Hudson talks about her song “Cinema Italiano” and the challenges of singing the song.  Also, showing the musical side of Kate Hudson and the support she received from Fergie.
• The Choreography of “Cinema Italiano” – (8:39) Director Rob Marshall and Producer John DeLuca talk about the Kate Hudson’s character and wanting to bring the ’60s and emphasize it for “Cinema Italiano”.
• Music Videos - Featuring the music videos for “Cinema Italiano” feat. Kate Hudson, “Take It All” feat. Marion Cotillard and “Unusual Way” feat. Griffith Frank.
• Previews – Sony Pictures Home Entertainment music videos

When there was word that director Rob Marshall would be working on his next musical, needless to say, people were excited to see if Marshall can recreate the magic that he brought onscreen with “Chicago”.  So, when the word came out that he was bringing “Nine”, the popular musical onscreen, many wondered if he could pull it off.  Meanwhile, new cinema fans were worried (and many who misunderstood) that Federico Fellini’s “8 1/2″ would receive a remake.

It’s important to let viewers know that the musical was inspired by “8 1/2″ which Fellini gave Maury Yeston approval for the musical version, while for the film adaptation, Maury gave Rob Marshall free reign to do what he can and what he wanted for the film.

What director Rob Marshall was able to create was a glamorous and strikingly beautiful film that showcases the talent of Daniel Day-Lewis who was fantastic!  Although playing an Italian director, Day-Lewis looks strikingly similar to French director Jean-Luc Godard but more amazing is that his performance is as remarkable as he has done in his previous films with the exception that in “Nine”, the thespian shows off his vocals.  Who would of thought that Daniel Day-Lewis can sing?  Needless to say, he did a remarkable job.

But equally remarkable was Penelope Cruz.  Her musical performance was not just sexy but again, shows off her amazing talent as an actress.   And almost similar to her last films “Los abrazos rotos” (Broken Embraces) and “Elegy”, she’s able to make the character of a woman scorned, come alive.  It’s one thing to portray her character of Carla with depth, but to transform to this sexual vamp during her musical segment and even titillate the horny Guido in their scene was enjoyable.

“Nine” definitely features an all-star cast with Marion Cotillard, like Penelope Cruz, brings the emotional and musical aspect to full force onscreen where Penelope’s Carla is the mistress, Cotillard’s Luisa is the lonely wife and her transformation onscreen during her musical performance is also fantastic.  Other memorable moments include Stacy Ferguson (Black Eyed Peas vocalist ala Fergie) as the buxom beauty/prostitute Saraghina in one of the most memorable musical performances of the film singing “Be Italian”.

As mentioned, the film does feature an all-star cast, and there is no doubt that Sophia Lauren’s appearance brings style and a homage to the ’60s for this film.  Judi Dench’s Lilli brings the professionalism that compliments Day-Lewis’s Guido and yes, Dench can sing as well!  Nicole Kidman’s Claudia brings more of the sexual, classy Veronica Lake like character but unfortunately is lost among the more sexually charged performances of the film and Kate Hudson’s Stephanie brings the American sexiness to the film but somehow, felt a bit out of place in terms of the context of the other performances in the film.

With some of the musical segments definitely standing out from the film, I give credit to the dancers and the set and costume designer for making these characters come alive, especially in choreography.  Amazing!  And most of all, credit to the cinematographer Dion Beebe (and the editors Claire Simpson and Wyatt Smith) for the beautiful cinematography and making sure each sequence was dazzling, simmering and delightful onscreen.

If there is one thing about “Nine”, because of the multiple characters, the meshing of the flashbacks, Guido’s dreamstate and reality, “Nine” does have a commonality with Fellini’s “8 1/2″.  Some may find the banality within the concept but the characters and their musical performance is what emerges out of the banal setting and brings some fervor towards the actual screenplay.

But a problem that Rob Marshall has probably found is the film’s comparison to “Chicago”.  The music of “Chicago” was literally songs that came from the soul of the character and works with the movie.  While “Nine”, you find yourself not zeroing in on the lyrics but simply watching the sexiness on screen as Penelope Cruz and Fergie’s characters demonstrating naughtiness.

There is no impact emotionally but more sexually.  If there was a character in which the music helps you feel the emotion and soul from the lyrics is through Luisa Contini’s “Take It All” as a woman who has had enough as her soul has been sapped by Guido.  She is the only character who sings about how she is feeling while the others sing about how Guido is feeling.  And it’s those stinging words that resonate in Guido’s head.

So, I felt the musical numbers, while they look great on film, were quite uneven.  I may not be the musical erudite but I would imagine that the film is quite different from the actual musical and those who are familiar with the musical may share its disappointment of the film.

But there is something about “Nine” that attracts you to the film despite its shortcomings.  May it be the cinematography, the ’60s glitz, the sexual innuendo or just seeing some of the talents on film giving a wonderful performance.   Needless to say, that by the end of the film, I was not disappointed at all by “Nine” and can easily say that I had fun watching this film.

Fergie, the music artist and part owner Miami Dolphins at the Steelers vs. Dolphins game

Rock star and part owner of the Miami Dolphins Fergie’ hangs out on the field before the Dolphins game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Land Shark Stadium in Miami, Florida, Sunday, January 3, 2010. The Steelers defeated the Dolphins, 30-24. (C.M. Guerrero/El Nuevo Herald/MCT) Photo via Newscom. Content © 2010 Newscom All rights reserved.

Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas performing at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas

Singer Stacy ‘Fergie’ Ferguson of the Black Eyed Peas performs at the Mandalay Bay Events Center December 29, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The group is touring in support of the album, ‘The E.N.D.’ (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images). Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved.

Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Fergie at the screening of “NINE” in Westwood

Actors Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Stacy ‘Fergie’ Ferguson arrive at a special screening of the Weinstein Companies ‘NINE’ At the Mann Village Theater on December 9, 2009 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images). Content © 2009 Getty Images All rights reserved.

Fergie and Kanye West at the Black Eyed Peas album release party at Target in New York City

Singer Fergie and musician Kanye West attend the official Black Eyed Peas album release party hosted by Target at The Griffin on June 10, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Bragman Nyman Cafarelli). Content © 2009 Getty Images . All rights reserved.

Fergie in Los Angeles, the day before her big wedding

picapp: The day before her wedding to Josh Duhamel, Fergie was spotted going into a Medical building in Los Angeles. Pictured: Fergie Picture by: Clint Brewer / Splash News. Content © 2009 Splash News . All rights reserved.

Next Page »