What were the biggest hit songs of the 1970s? The decade was dominated by disco, ballads, pop classics, rock and even country/folk tunes. Tour our gallery below as we reveal the top 20 singles according to our sister Pmc company Billboard.
The decade began with an Oscar-winning song as a holdover from the 1960s, with B.J. Thomas on top with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Rupert Holmes completed the decade with the final #1 hit song, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” Some of the longest-lasting hit tunes were from Simon and Garfunkel, Three Dog Night, Roberta Flack, Rod Stewart, Bee Gees and Debby Boone.
The artists with the most #1 singles were Bee Gees (9), Elton John (6), Stevie Wonder (5), Paul McCartney and Wings (5), Eagles (5), The Jackson 5 (4), Diana Ross (4), John Denver (4), Kc and the Sunshine Band (4), Barbra Streisand (4) and Donna Summer (4).
Which of those artists were the best of the decade for weeks in the #1 position?...
The decade began with an Oscar-winning song as a holdover from the 1960s, with B.J. Thomas on top with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Rupert Holmes completed the decade with the final #1 hit song, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” Some of the longest-lasting hit tunes were from Simon and Garfunkel, Three Dog Night, Roberta Flack, Rod Stewart, Bee Gees and Debby Boone.
The artists with the most #1 singles were Bee Gees (9), Elton John (6), Stevie Wonder (5), Paul McCartney and Wings (5), Eagles (5), The Jackson 5 (4), Diana Ross (4), John Denver (4), Kc and the Sunshine Band (4), Barbra Streisand (4) and Donna Summer (4).
Which of those artists were the best of the decade for weeks in the #1 position?...
- 2/20/2023
- by Misty Holland and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Disco is alive and well, as Paramount has purchased the life rights to the family estate of The Bee Gees’ Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb, and the studio in the works on a music biopic based on the band’s career, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Paramount purchased the life rights to the Gibb estate on behalf of “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King and his Gk Films. Sister, the new company from Stacey Snider, Elisabeth Murdoch and “Chernobyl” producer Jane Featherstone, is coming aboard as either a co-producer or a co-financier the film, two other individuals of knowledge told TheWrap.
The Bee Gees formed in 1958 but shot to fame with its songs for the John Travolta film, “Saturday Night Fever,” which featured the disco anthem “Stayin’ Alive.” The band has sold 220 million records worldwide and is one of the highest-selling pop music groups of all time.
Paramount purchased the life rights to the Gibb estate on behalf of “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King and his Gk Films. Sister, the new company from Stacey Snider, Elisabeth Murdoch and “Chernobyl” producer Jane Featherstone, is coming aboard as either a co-producer or a co-financier the film, two other individuals of knowledge told TheWrap.
The Bee Gees formed in 1958 but shot to fame with its songs for the John Travolta film, “Saturday Night Fever,” which featured the disco anthem “Stayin’ Alive.” The band has sold 220 million records worldwide and is one of the highest-selling pop music groups of all time.
- 10/31/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
After 15 years away, Men Behaving Badly returns to our screens tonight (October 17) for a one-off sketch during the Stand Up To Cancer telethon on Channel 4.
During the 1990s, the sitcom became one of the most popular shows in the UK, at the height of lad culture, with Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey creating one of the best TV bromances in Gary and Tony. It also holds the distinction of airing on three different channels (ITV, BBC One and Channel 4).
To celebrate its (brief) return, here are just a small collection of the show's most hilarious moments to influence you to binge on the boxset this weekend.
1. Sailing ('Drunk', Series 4)
While Dorothy (Caroline Quentin) prepares a romantic meal for Gary, he and Tony indulge in an epic drinking session at The Crown. Before heading back absolutely sloshed, they partake in a drinking game singing Rod Stewart's 'Sailing'. This should happen every night.
During the 1990s, the sitcom became one of the most popular shows in the UK, at the height of lad culture, with Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey creating one of the best TV bromances in Gary and Tony. It also holds the distinction of airing on three different channels (ITV, BBC One and Channel 4).
To celebrate its (brief) return, here are just a small collection of the show's most hilarious moments to influence you to binge on the boxset this weekend.
1. Sailing ('Drunk', Series 4)
While Dorothy (Caroline Quentin) prepares a romantic meal for Gary, he and Tony indulge in an epic drinking session at The Crown. Before heading back absolutely sloshed, they partake in a drinking game singing Rod Stewart's 'Sailing'. This should happen every night.
- 10/17/2014
- Digital Spy
The Luminites topped the public vote in Thursday's (30.05.13) 'Britain's Got Talent' semi-final. The London four-piece - comprised of Jj, Steph, R-tizt and Corey - received a standing ovation from the four judges, Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, after they performed a cover of Bee Gees 'To Love Somebody'. Along with impressing the judges and the public, they also won praise from pop star Demi Lovato, who performed on the results show. She enthused: ''The Luminites were my favourite. I'm backing them to go all the way.'' After the result was announced, they said: ''It hasn't sunk in. We just...
- 5/29/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Ben Affleck's family hated his beard. The 40-year-old actor - who has children Violet, six, Seraphina, three, and seven-month-old Samuel with wife Jennifer Garner - sported facial hair for his role as CIA specialist Tony Mendez in 'Argo' and he admits his new look didn't go down well at home. He said: 'My family unanimously hated the look.There was a united front and my littlest daughter said, 'Can't you shave your prickles. ' I said, 'I have to wear this for work.' 'My daughter said, 'What kind of work would want you to look like this?'' Ben admitted he had mixed feelings about his beard, finding it 'cool' some days but worrying he looked like Bee Gees star Barry Gibb...
- 10/8/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Two major things stuck out after seeing Ben Affleck's “Argo” at this year's Toronto Film Festival: The first was how tense it was, an impressive feat considering it's based on a true story (one that I already knew the ending to thanks to this Wired article, which served as the original source material for the film). The second was Affleck himself and how far he's come since starring in two critically lambasted movies (“Gigli” and “Daredevil”) that threatened to sink his entire career. What's the greatest trick Ben Affleck ever pulled off? Making moviegoers almost forget that he was ever associated with those two monstrosities to begin with. After 2003, Affleck laid low for a few years, eventually garnering praise for two successful stints behind the camera, in 2005's “Gone Baby Gone” and 2010's “The Town.” After all the bad reviews and tabloid schlock (that is, when he was still...
- 9/7/2012
- by Alex Suskind
- Moviefone
London — Crowds are lining the streets of a southern English town as a horse-drawn carriage pulls the coffin of Bee Gees star Robin Gibb to his funeral.
Gibb, one of three brothers who comprised the singing trio known for its soaring harmonies, died May 20 at the age of 62 after a long battle with cancer.
A lone bagpiper led the procession through the streets of Thame (Tame), where Gibb lived. Four black horses followed, drawing a glass-sided white carriage covered in red roses that bore the singer's coffin.
A service is due to take place at St Mary's Church, close to the property where Gibb lived for many years.
Of four brothers, only fellow Bee Gees member Barry Gibb survives.
Gibb, one of three brothers who comprised the singing trio known for its soaring harmonies, died May 20 at the age of 62 after a long battle with cancer.
A lone bagpiper led the procession through the streets of Thame (Tame), where Gibb lived. Four black horses followed, drawing a glass-sided white carriage covered in red roses that bore the singer's coffin.
A service is due to take place at St Mary's Church, close to the property where Gibb lived for many years.
Of four brothers, only fellow Bee Gees member Barry Gibb survives.
- 6/8/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Robin Gibb of the iconic group the Bee Gees is in grave condition. "Sadly the reports are true that Robin has contracted pneumonia and is in a coma," reads a statement on his website. "We are all hoping and praying that he will pull through." The singer's son Robin-John, told the Daily Mail, "My dad has had a hard recovery from cancer. When you get rid of the cancer a lot of periphery problems can occur. This is so sad." In October 2011, the singer, who is 62, fell ill with intestinal problems. He was later diagnosed with liver and colon cancer,...
- 4/15/2012
- PEOPLE.com
Ben Affleck ran errands in La yesterday with his oldest child, Violet Affleck. They took care of business while Jennifer Garner was off with the youngest Garner-Afflecks, Seraphina and Samuel. Baby Samuel arrived in the world two weeks ago. The proud parents confirmed his arrival with a post on Ben's new Facebook wall. The post read, "We are happy to announce on February 27, Jennifer gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Samuel Garner Affleck." Ben's also using Facebook to talk about his projects. In a recent video discussing the DVD release of The Town, Ben joked about his '70s-era haircut. He said the look is very "Barry Gibb in the Bee Gees," but the longer 'do is really to get into character for his next directorial project, Argo. View Slideshow ›...
- 3/10/2012
- by Allie Merriam
- Popsugar.com
Disco
PARIS -- With "Disco", shlock humor specialist Fabien Onteniente teams up again with stand-up comedian Franck Dubosc hoping for a repeat of their 2006 hit "Camping", which clocked up 4.5 million ticket sales. He is likely to be disappointed. The earlier film's reputation may attract moderate business at home, but even the presence of big-name stars such as Gerard Depardieu and Emmanuelle Beart fails to add luster to this pedestrian affair. Overseas prospects look dim.
When unemployed no-hoper Didier Travolta (Dubosc), or Graindorge to give him his real name, learns that his estranged English wife is refusing to send his son to visit him for the summer unless he can guarantee him a proper holiday, he sees a glimmer of hope when local club-owner Jean-Francois Jackson (Depardieu) organizes a disco contest. First prize is two plane tickets to Australia.
Didier, a former disco champion, tracks down his dance-floor teammates Walter Samuel Le Bihan), now a trade union leader, and Neuneuil (Abbes Zahmani), a salesman with an electrical goods chainstore, and persuades them to reform their trio, the Bee Kings -- the name chosen in tribute to The Bee Gees, he proudly notes. First, of course, they will need knocking back into shape, so Didier recruits a classical dance instructor, France Navarre (Beart), to put them through their routines.
Given these beginnings, an averagely talented 101 class in screenwriting could probably write the rest of the script and come up with what we see on the screen, give or take minor details. The humor is laid on with a trowel, and the implausibilities come thick and fast.
Spectators may wonder what on earth an attractive dancing instructor could possibly see in a smirking, posturing and distinctly graceless lumpen-prole whose saving virtue is his heart of gold. And the dancing, whether Dubosc's disco gyrations or Beart's supposedly classical variety, is entirely unconvincing.
In short, as a Gallic version of "The Full Monty", "Disco" does not have a lot going for it. Spectators who still thrill to the sound of Boney M, Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor will be in their element though. Veteran movie composer Michel Legrand, no less, is credited with the original score.
DISCO
LGM Cinema
Sales: StudioCanal
Credits:
Director: Fabien Onteniente
Writers: Fabien Onteniente, Philippe Guillard, Franck Dubosc, Emmanuel Booz
Director of photography: Jean-Marie Dreujou
Producers: Cyril Colbeau-Justin, Jean-Baptiste Dupont
Production designer: Jean-Marc Kerdelhue
Costume designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud
Music: Michel Legrand
Editors: Nathalie Langlade, Laurent Rouan, Sarah Ternat
Cast:
Didier: Franck Dubosc
France: Emmanuelle Beart
Jackson: Gerard Depardieu
Walter: Samuel Le Bihan
Neuneuil: Abbes Zahmani
Mme Graindorge: Annie Cordy
La Baronne: Isabelle Nanty
Guillaume: Francois-Xavier Demaison
Running time -- 103 minutes
No MPAA rating...
When unemployed no-hoper Didier Travolta (Dubosc), or Graindorge to give him his real name, learns that his estranged English wife is refusing to send his son to visit him for the summer unless he can guarantee him a proper holiday, he sees a glimmer of hope when local club-owner Jean-Francois Jackson (Depardieu) organizes a disco contest. First prize is two plane tickets to Australia.
Didier, a former disco champion, tracks down his dance-floor teammates Walter Samuel Le Bihan), now a trade union leader, and Neuneuil (Abbes Zahmani), a salesman with an electrical goods chainstore, and persuades them to reform their trio, the Bee Kings -- the name chosen in tribute to The Bee Gees, he proudly notes. First, of course, they will need knocking back into shape, so Didier recruits a classical dance instructor, France Navarre (Beart), to put them through their routines.
Given these beginnings, an averagely talented 101 class in screenwriting could probably write the rest of the script and come up with what we see on the screen, give or take minor details. The humor is laid on with a trowel, and the implausibilities come thick and fast.
Spectators may wonder what on earth an attractive dancing instructor could possibly see in a smirking, posturing and distinctly graceless lumpen-prole whose saving virtue is his heart of gold. And the dancing, whether Dubosc's disco gyrations or Beart's supposedly classical variety, is entirely unconvincing.
In short, as a Gallic version of "The Full Monty", "Disco" does not have a lot going for it. Spectators who still thrill to the sound of Boney M, Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor will be in their element though. Veteran movie composer Michel Legrand, no less, is credited with the original score.
DISCO
LGM Cinema
Sales: StudioCanal
Credits:
Director: Fabien Onteniente
Writers: Fabien Onteniente, Philippe Guillard, Franck Dubosc, Emmanuel Booz
Director of photography: Jean-Marie Dreujou
Producers: Cyril Colbeau-Justin, Jean-Baptiste Dupont
Production designer: Jean-Marc Kerdelhue
Costume designer: Pierre-Yves Gayraud
Music: Michel Legrand
Editors: Nathalie Langlade, Laurent Rouan, Sarah Ternat
Cast:
Didier: Franck Dubosc
France: Emmanuelle Beart
Jackson: Gerard Depardieu
Walter: Samuel Le Bihan
Neuneuil: Abbes Zahmani
Mme Graindorge: Annie Cordy
La Baronne: Isabelle Nanty
Guillaume: Francois-Xavier Demaison
Running time -- 103 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 4/4/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Shand leads Eagle Rock buyout
CANNES -- Independent music programming and documentary producer and distributor Eagle Rock Group Ltd. announced Tuesday that CEO Terry Shand has led a management buyout of the company from HgCapital. Financial details were not released.
Chief operating officer Geoff Kempin and finance director Simon Hosken also were part of the buyout team, which was backed by Hamburg-based music production and distribution company Edel music AG and Beringea, a mid-market private equity fund manager.
Coutts provided bank financing and LongAcre Partners acted as financial advisor to the management team.
Eagle Rock has a library of live concert performances from artists including The Bee Gees, Janet Jackson, the Who and Eric Clapton; programs such as the "Classic Album" series, which includes releases from Pink Floyd, Nirvana and Queen; and footage from the Montreux Music Festival.
"We have a fantastic business. It's great to have Edel back as partners and we welcome Beringea," Shand said. "Together we look forward to developing the business to its full potential."
Added Michael Haentjes, founder and CEO of Edel music AG: "We believe in Eagle Rock as an outstanding producer of audiovisual content and a great partner.
Chief operating officer Geoff Kempin and finance director Simon Hosken also were part of the buyout team, which was backed by Hamburg-based music production and distribution company Edel music AG and Beringea, a mid-market private equity fund manager.
Coutts provided bank financing and LongAcre Partners acted as financial advisor to the management team.
Eagle Rock has a library of live concert performances from artists including The Bee Gees, Janet Jackson, the Who and Eric Clapton; programs such as the "Classic Album" series, which includes releases from Pink Floyd, Nirvana and Queen; and footage from the Montreux Music Festival.
"We have a fantastic business. It's great to have Edel back as partners and we welcome Beringea," Shand said. "Together we look forward to developing the business to its full potential."
Added Michael Haentjes, founder and CEO of Edel music AG: "We believe in Eagle Rock as an outstanding producer of audiovisual content and a great partner.
- 5/16/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
'American Idol' Charity Drive Brings America to Tears
Tears of joy and sadness flowed in the US last night as American Idol highlighted the plight of poverty-stricken kids in Africa and America. The TV talent contest became a charity drive for two hours when pop, rock and movie stars filmed special messages, videos and performed live in a bid to highlight charity organization One: The Campaign To Make Poverty History. Among the highlights was a moving rendition of West Side Story love theme Somewhere from opera quartet Il Divo, who performed as images of children blowing out candles were beamed onto a huge screen behind them. Former Idol winner Carrie Underwood also helped hammer home the emotion of child poverty when she shot a video of herself performing The Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You" to a group of African schoolchildren. The video, filmed especially for the show, also featured the singer visiting an African graveyard with a young local. Another Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson, performed gospel standard "Up To The Mountain" with British guitar great Jeff Beck. But the night's musical highlight came as opera star Josh Groban performed "You Lift Me Up" with the African Children's Choir. The charity special also had a host of comedy moments - Jack Black performed Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" and was critiqued by the British singer himself, while funnyman Ben Stiller had viewers covering their ears as he attempted to raise charity cash by crooning the Little River Band's "Reminiscing" on the TV special. In a taped video message, the funnyman insisted he wouldn't stop singing until viewers of the show raised $2 billion for anti-poverty charities. And stars like Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Teri Hatcher, Gwyneth Paltrow and Oscar winner Helen Mirren lip-synced a hilarious video version of The Bee Gees' "Staying Alive."...
- 4/26/2007
- WENN
Oteniente, Dubosc team for 'Disco'
PARIS -- French helmer Fabien Onteniente and Gallic actor Franck Dubosc are joining forces again for "Disco", following up on the massive success of their last collaborative effort, "Camping", which sold 5.4 million tickets in France.
Produced by Onteniente's production company, Joinville Prods., along with StudioCanal, TF1 and LGM Prods. and distributed by StudioCanal, "Disco" will take its €10 million ($12.9 million) budget to France's Havre region for a 10-week shoot starting in March, LGM's Jean-Baptiste Dupont said Monday.
The all-star cast includes Emmanuelle Beart and Gerard Depardieu, who will reunite on the big screen for the first time since Claude Berri's "Manon of the Spring" 21 years ago.
"Disco" follows a group of nostalgic fortysomethings who decide to open a disco nightclub. Songs from The Bee Gees and Donna Summer will top off the film's soundtrack, the filmmakers said.
Produced by Onteniente's production company, Joinville Prods., along with StudioCanal, TF1 and LGM Prods. and distributed by StudioCanal, "Disco" will take its €10 million ($12.9 million) budget to France's Havre region for a 10-week shoot starting in March, LGM's Jean-Baptiste Dupont said Monday.
The all-star cast includes Emmanuelle Beart and Gerard Depardieu, who will reunite on the big screen for the first time since Claude Berri's "Manon of the Spring" 21 years ago.
"Disco" follows a group of nostalgic fortysomethings who decide to open a disco nightclub. Songs from The Bee Gees and Donna Summer will top off the film's soundtrack, the filmmakers said.
- 1/15/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gibb argues for current royalty system
BRUSSELS -- Robin Gibb of pop group The Bee Gees on Thursday appealed to European regulators not to break up the network of collecting societies that gather royalties for recording artists. Gibb was speaking at a three-day hearing in Brussels looking into whether or not collecting societies breach European Union antitrust rules. Gibb told the meeting that performers and composers depended on collecting societies to organize the complex royalty process that involves licensing to broadcasters, filmmakers, bars, discos and other users.
- 6/15/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BMG launches division for film, TV music
LONDON -- BMG Music Publishing has launched a dedicated pan-European consultancy service for companies that use music in films and television programming. The new division -- called Synctank -- will offer a comprehensive music-sourcing service that includes a free online "search and listen" facility at www.bmgmusicsearch.com, tailor-made CD samplers, full-project management support and fast-track licensing. Music users will have direct access to BMG's catalog of nearly 1 million songs, including tracks from Robbie Williams, Puccini, The Bee Gees, Nelly, Edith Piaf, Ravel and Coldplay, BMG said.
- 2/13/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film review: 'Ready to Rumble'
Almost surrealistically rated PG-13 by the MPAA -- for its "language, crude humor, sexual content, brief nudity and wrestling violence," but nothing about excessive yelling -- Warner Bros.' wide release "Ready to Rumble" might just as well have a government stamp that reads: "This movie can potentially cause Brain Damage in people who have brains."
But complaining about the bloody, cartoons-come-to-life carnage and aggressive approach to nearly all aspects of human interaction that characterizes pro wrestling merely puts one in the majority. Aimed at the legions of fans who have repopularized the televised combat between muscled characters created by athlete-performers, boxoffice underdog "Ready to Rumble" defies all rules of polite society, down to the foul-mouthed granny-fan dressed in S&M wear, on its way to giving the young and hopefully restrained audience what it wants.
Based on World Championship Wrestling characters -- and starring quite a few, including Bill Goldberg, Diamond Dallas Page, Steve "Sting" Borden -- the screenplay is credited to Steven Brill and feels like "Mighty Ducks 4", with "bitch-slapping" replacing slap shots. Director Brian Robbins ("Varsity Blues", "Good Burger") knows a thing or two about going over the top to get a laugh, but he stands back here and lets the boisterous cast do most of the work.
Gordie Boggs (David Arquette) and Sean Dawkins (Scott Caan) live in Wyoming and work for the sanitation department, emptying outhouses and whatnot. They live and breathe WCW wrestling, particularly TNT's "Monday Nitro Live!" Rivaling the dumbest of the dumb, Gordie and Sean have little problems of self-esteem and motivation, but nothing else matters when their idol Jimmy King (Oliver Platt) bellows "I will crown you!" and another challenger is defeated.
They just happen to have tickets the night King is gang-pummeled and dethroned in a scary "fixed" match --actually a more spontaneous and dangerous "real" fight -- with Diamond Dallas Page and his posse. Page is egged on to glory by snarling heavy Titus Sinclair (Joe Pantoliano), the dictatorial head of the WCW out to prove who is boss. While Gordie gets a close look at sexy "Nitro" dancer Sasha Rose McGowan), the guys' hero is beaten and humiliated, and they're crushed.
On the way home they crash their truck for a crap-spilling entr'acte that leads to an epiphanic decision to help King win his crown back and get revenge on Sinclair. Their quest turns up a drunken, fatalistic King who needs to be whipped into shape fast. They all go to the city and seek out coach extraordinaire Sal Bandini (Martin Landau) for a round of "who wants to be an old dickens flipping he-men on their backs?"
The film succeeds with jabs at Middle American sleaze and trashy everyhicks, employing colorfully crude language and slang. In general, restraint and subtlety are nowhere to be found, particularly with the frequent kicking of crotches. (Those who stick around for the end credits get to see replays for one last chuckle.) Meanwhile, the "triple cage" finale involves a Vegas rematch between King and Page in another setup by Sinclair to kill the former.
Caan ("Boiler Room") and Arquette (the "Scream" trilogy) are agreeably brainless and as impervious to pokes and smacks as their cultural forebears Moe, Larry and Curly. Platt, Pantoliano and McGowan are likewise disciplined enough to keep one watching, but the spit-and-spotlights blazonry of the finale is rendered with a comic bludgeon. The overloading of the senses unfortunately includes the soundtrack, with several uses of Aaron Copland's soaring "Fanfare for the Common Man" to go along with hits by Wagner, Van Halen, Kool and the Gang, The Bee Gees, Motley Crue and many others.
READY TO RUMBLE
Warner Bros.
In association with Bel-Air Entertainment
An Outlaw production in
association with Tollin/Robbins Prods.
Director: Brian Robbins
Screenwriter: Steven Brill
Producers: Bobby Newmyer, Jeffrey Silver
Executive producers: Steven Reuther,
Mike Tollin
Director of photography: Clark Mathis
Production designer: Jaymes Hinkle
Editor: Ned Bastille
Costume designer: Carol Ramsey
Music: George S. Clinton
Casting: Marci Liroff
Color/stereo
Cast:
Gordie Boggs: :David Arquette
Sean Dawkins: Scott Caan
Jimmy King: Oliver Platt
Bill Goldberg: Himself
Sasha: Rose McGowan
Diamond Dallas Page: Himself
Titus Sinclair: Joe Pantoliano
Sal Bandini: Martin Landau
Running time -- 107 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13...
But complaining about the bloody, cartoons-come-to-life carnage and aggressive approach to nearly all aspects of human interaction that characterizes pro wrestling merely puts one in the majority. Aimed at the legions of fans who have repopularized the televised combat between muscled characters created by athlete-performers, boxoffice underdog "Ready to Rumble" defies all rules of polite society, down to the foul-mouthed granny-fan dressed in S&M wear, on its way to giving the young and hopefully restrained audience what it wants.
Based on World Championship Wrestling characters -- and starring quite a few, including Bill Goldberg, Diamond Dallas Page, Steve "Sting" Borden -- the screenplay is credited to Steven Brill and feels like "Mighty Ducks 4", with "bitch-slapping" replacing slap shots. Director Brian Robbins ("Varsity Blues", "Good Burger") knows a thing or two about going over the top to get a laugh, but he stands back here and lets the boisterous cast do most of the work.
Gordie Boggs (David Arquette) and Sean Dawkins (Scott Caan) live in Wyoming and work for the sanitation department, emptying outhouses and whatnot. They live and breathe WCW wrestling, particularly TNT's "Monday Nitro Live!" Rivaling the dumbest of the dumb, Gordie and Sean have little problems of self-esteem and motivation, but nothing else matters when their idol Jimmy King (Oliver Platt) bellows "I will crown you!" and another challenger is defeated.
They just happen to have tickets the night King is gang-pummeled and dethroned in a scary "fixed" match --actually a more spontaneous and dangerous "real" fight -- with Diamond Dallas Page and his posse. Page is egged on to glory by snarling heavy Titus Sinclair (Joe Pantoliano), the dictatorial head of the WCW out to prove who is boss. While Gordie gets a close look at sexy "Nitro" dancer Sasha Rose McGowan), the guys' hero is beaten and humiliated, and they're crushed.
On the way home they crash their truck for a crap-spilling entr'acte that leads to an epiphanic decision to help King win his crown back and get revenge on Sinclair. Their quest turns up a drunken, fatalistic King who needs to be whipped into shape fast. They all go to the city and seek out coach extraordinaire Sal Bandini (Martin Landau) for a round of "who wants to be an old dickens flipping he-men on their backs?"
The film succeeds with jabs at Middle American sleaze and trashy everyhicks, employing colorfully crude language and slang. In general, restraint and subtlety are nowhere to be found, particularly with the frequent kicking of crotches. (Those who stick around for the end credits get to see replays for one last chuckle.) Meanwhile, the "triple cage" finale involves a Vegas rematch between King and Page in another setup by Sinclair to kill the former.
Caan ("Boiler Room") and Arquette (the "Scream" trilogy) are agreeably brainless and as impervious to pokes and smacks as their cultural forebears Moe, Larry and Curly. Platt, Pantoliano and McGowan are likewise disciplined enough to keep one watching, but the spit-and-spotlights blazonry of the finale is rendered with a comic bludgeon. The overloading of the senses unfortunately includes the soundtrack, with several uses of Aaron Copland's soaring "Fanfare for the Common Man" to go along with hits by Wagner, Van Halen, Kool and the Gang, The Bee Gees, Motley Crue and many others.
READY TO RUMBLE
Warner Bros.
In association with Bel-Air Entertainment
An Outlaw production in
association with Tollin/Robbins Prods.
Director: Brian Robbins
Screenwriter: Steven Brill
Producers: Bobby Newmyer, Jeffrey Silver
Executive producers: Steven Reuther,
Mike Tollin
Director of photography: Clark Mathis
Production designer: Jaymes Hinkle
Editor: Ned Bastille
Costume designer: Carol Ramsey
Music: George S. Clinton
Casting: Marci Liroff
Color/stereo
Cast:
Gordie Boggs: :David Arquette
Sean Dawkins: Scott Caan
Jimmy King: Oliver Platt
Bill Goldberg: Himself
Sasha: Rose McGowan
Diamond Dallas Page: Himself
Titus Sinclair: Joe Pantoliano
Sal Bandini: Martin Landau
Running time -- 107 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13...
- 4/7/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Film review: 'That's the Way I Like It'
Watching Glen Goei's "That's The Way I Like It" is like buying one of those discount Top 40 compilation CDs and discovering that the cuts aren't recordings by the original artists, but you decide to keep it anyway because you enjoy hearing the songs.
In other words, while the semi-autobiographical comedy set in disco-era Singapore may borrow liberally from the plots of "Saturday Night Fever", "Strictly Ballroom", "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Play It Again, Sam", you're still taken with the filmmaker's considerable moxie. It may be a knockoff, but it's a charming knockoff.
Shot in English, the Miramax release could earn a little following with its generous servings of East-meets-West kitsch, not to mention all those booty-shaking cover tunes.
Singapore-raised Goei provides an interesting historical context for his debut directorial effort by setting it in his hometown during the years following its independence from Great Britain. Described as a melting pot where people held a cup of Earl Grey tea in one hand and a pair of chopsticks in the other, Singapore's search for its identity is echoed by that of the film's characters.
For Hock (Adrian Pang), a twentysomething underachiever who works as a grocery clerk and lives at home with his critical parents, salvation comes in the form of the local movie theater, where his beloved kung fu movies have been replaced by something called "Forever Fever".
It is here where an enterprising Goei, obviously unable to secure rights to "Saturday Night Fever", has simply created his own version, complete with a vague Travolta look-alike who for some reason plays Tony Manero with a Southern drawl.
Tony talks to Hock, literally, stepping out of the screen and serving as his mentor. Soon Hock finds himself swapping Bruce Lee for The Bee Gees (or, at least, sound-alikes), taking dance lessons with his childhood friend Mei (Medaline Tan) and entering a disco contest with a cash prize big enough to buy his dream bike.
Meanwhile, back at home, Hock's seemingly perfect, fine-featured brother Leslie (Caleb Goh) returns from med school with a revelation that doesn't exactly sit well with Dad (Lim Kay Siu): He's going to have a sex-change operation as soon as he can come up with the money.
With his family in turmoil, Hock, now wearing pants so impossibly tight that one fears for the well-being of future generations, determinedly presses onward with a little encouragement from his supportive younger sister, Mui (Pamela Oei).
While it's possible to play connect the dots with all the pilfered plotting, writer-director Goei nevertheless manages to infuse "That's the Way I Like It" with an infectious amiability. Even his uneven cast, all speaking the local dialect known as Singlish, make up in personality what they might lack in experience.
Technical contributions add a bit of polish to the cultural color courtesy of cinematographer Brian Breheny ("The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"), editor Jane Moran ("Strictly Ballroom") and production designer Laurence Eastwood ("Phar Lap"), while costume designer Ashley Aeria has a disco ball dusting off all that vintage polyester.
THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT
Miramax
A Tiger Tiger Films presentation
in association with Chinarunn Pictures
Director-screenwriter: Glen Goei
Producers: Glen Goei, Jeffrey Chiang, Tan Chih Chong
Director of photography: Brian Breheny
Production designer: Laurence Eastwood
Editor: Jane Moran
Costume designer: Ashley Aeria
Choreographer: Zaki Ahmad
Music: Guy Gross
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hock: Adrian Pang
Mei: Medaline Tan
Julie: Anna Belle Francis
Richard: Pierre Png
Boon: Steven Lim
Mui: Pamela Oei
Leslie: Caleb Goh
Father: Lim Kay Siu
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
In other words, while the semi-autobiographical comedy set in disco-era Singapore may borrow liberally from the plots of "Saturday Night Fever", "Strictly Ballroom", "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Play It Again, Sam", you're still taken with the filmmaker's considerable moxie. It may be a knockoff, but it's a charming knockoff.
Shot in English, the Miramax release could earn a little following with its generous servings of East-meets-West kitsch, not to mention all those booty-shaking cover tunes.
Singapore-raised Goei provides an interesting historical context for his debut directorial effort by setting it in his hometown during the years following its independence from Great Britain. Described as a melting pot where people held a cup of Earl Grey tea in one hand and a pair of chopsticks in the other, Singapore's search for its identity is echoed by that of the film's characters.
For Hock (Adrian Pang), a twentysomething underachiever who works as a grocery clerk and lives at home with his critical parents, salvation comes in the form of the local movie theater, where his beloved kung fu movies have been replaced by something called "Forever Fever".
It is here where an enterprising Goei, obviously unable to secure rights to "Saturday Night Fever", has simply created his own version, complete with a vague Travolta look-alike who for some reason plays Tony Manero with a Southern drawl.
Tony talks to Hock, literally, stepping out of the screen and serving as his mentor. Soon Hock finds himself swapping Bruce Lee for The Bee Gees (or, at least, sound-alikes), taking dance lessons with his childhood friend Mei (Medaline Tan) and entering a disco contest with a cash prize big enough to buy his dream bike.
Meanwhile, back at home, Hock's seemingly perfect, fine-featured brother Leslie (Caleb Goh) returns from med school with a revelation that doesn't exactly sit well with Dad (Lim Kay Siu): He's going to have a sex-change operation as soon as he can come up with the money.
With his family in turmoil, Hock, now wearing pants so impossibly tight that one fears for the well-being of future generations, determinedly presses onward with a little encouragement from his supportive younger sister, Mui (Pamela Oei).
While it's possible to play connect the dots with all the pilfered plotting, writer-director Goei nevertheless manages to infuse "That's the Way I Like It" with an infectious amiability. Even his uneven cast, all speaking the local dialect known as Singlish, make up in personality what they might lack in experience.
Technical contributions add a bit of polish to the cultural color courtesy of cinematographer Brian Breheny ("The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert"), editor Jane Moran ("Strictly Ballroom") and production designer Laurence Eastwood ("Phar Lap"), while costume designer Ashley Aeria has a disco ball dusting off all that vintage polyester.
THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT
Miramax
A Tiger Tiger Films presentation
in association with Chinarunn Pictures
Director-screenwriter: Glen Goei
Producers: Glen Goei, Jeffrey Chiang, Tan Chih Chong
Director of photography: Brian Breheny
Production designer: Laurence Eastwood
Editor: Jane Moran
Costume designer: Ashley Aeria
Choreographer: Zaki Ahmad
Music: Guy Gross
Color/stereo
Cast:
Hock: Adrian Pang
Mei: Medaline Tan
Julie: Anna Belle Francis
Richard: Pierre Png
Boon: Steven Lim
Mui: Pamela Oei
Leslie: Caleb Goh
Father: Lim Kay Siu
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 10/15/1999
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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