Monday, September 30, 2013

Movie Monday #16: Pitch Perfect




We all delight in seeing our favorite books brought to life on the big screen.  We cringe at casting.  We scoff at release dates.  All the while, we're gearing up to see if the director's vision lives up to the world we've conceived in our own imaginations.  Sometimes it does...and sometimes it doesn't.  We could lament the movies that don't measure up, or we could return to the books for a re-read, possibly with a slightly different mind-set.  All's fair when it comes to artistic vision, right?





This week, I'm featuring the following adaptation:

Title: Pitch Perfect
Director: Jason Moore
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin
Release date: October 5, 2012
Based on: Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory by Mickey Rapkin

View on IMDb

Beca, a freshman at Barden University, is cajoled into joining The Bellas, her school's all-girls singing group. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.
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The Barden Bellas are a collegiate, all-girls a cappella singing group thriving on female pop songs and their perfect looks. After a disastrous failing at last year's finals, they are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca, an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life. But after she meets Jesse, from the rival all-male a cappella group, Beca has a new outlook and takes it upon herself to help the Bellas find their new look and sound and get back into the competition.


So, I finally watched Pitch Perfect over the weekend.  I've had it DVRd for a couple months, probably, and after Natalie's glowing review, I knew I had to see it, despite my lack of enthusiasm for the show Glee, which I assumed is what this movie would be like.  But it wasn't, at least not as far as I can tell.  Honestly, I've tried to watch Glee a few times, but I just don't get the draw.

Anyway, it wasn't until I was putting together this post that I realized this movie was actually based on a book.  One I've never heard of, but whatever.  It was actually pretty hilarious.  Campy, but hilarious.
[Their bus starts to sputter and slow]
Aubrey: What the hell?
Fat Amy: It's pretty cool, actually... I think we're just running out of gas.
Aubrey: No, that can't be! You just filled the tank!
Fat Amy: Yeah, I did! And yet, maybe I didn't, because I got hit by flying Mexican food.
[the bus sputters to a stop]
Fat Amy: And we're out.
Aubrey: A-ca-scuse me?
Fat Amy: A-ca-believe it! 
What really made this movie for me was the characters and the actors who portrayed them so raucously.  I liked the two nice kid main characters, played by Anna Kendrick and Skylar Astin.  I kind of love everything I've seen Anna Kendrick in -- even that one series.  But the most fun came when Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids) or Adam DeVine (Workaholics) had screen time.  They are over-the-top and had me laughing hysterically, which also made me glad no one was around to see the giggle-snorts.

It was also fun seeing Elizabeth Banks as one of the commentators for the competition that the a cappella groups attend, and I even believe I saw her name listed in the credits as a producer.  I adore this woman's affection for the young adult genre in general.

This movie is full of witty dialogue, girl-bonding, and a sweet romance that never felt saccharin or took center stage.  (Pun intended.)  Pitch Perfect is what Glee wishes it could be.  I'll be keeping this one on hand when I need a good laugh.






Have you read the book?  Did you even know there was a book?  What do you think about it being made into a film?  Have you seen the movie or do you have any plans to?


13 comments:

  1. Pitch Perfect is just that - perfect! I think I've watched it about five times already. I love their rendition of Titanium, too bad it's not part of their full song roster and their album :(

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  2. I've heard of the movie, but had no idea it was based on a book. Now I have it on my radar. Must watch. Maybe read, too.

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  3. Haha it's funny I love Glee and I didn't get the draw of Pitch Perfect. It was cute and I liked the music but it definitely was lacking something for me. I think part of what brought it down for me was Rebel Wilson she's like a female Kevin James which is look at me I'm fat so I must be funny. I just don't like that kind of comedy. Anyway didn't mean to rant lol.

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  4. Aca-excuse me?! There's a book about this? Ohmy. I think I'll need to add something else to my to-read list! I LOVED the movie, and Anna Kendrick was flawless. I enjoyed Skylar Astin as well because I hadn't heard him sing before. I discovered acapella thanks to Pentatonix (an all-acapella group) and that's why I love Pitch Perfect so much.

    -Marianne @ Boricuan Bookworms

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  5. So you totally said Adam Levine instead of DeVine, lol

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  6. I had no idea it was a book! I finally saw Pitch Perfect a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it as well. Even my husband was laughing! And I totally agree about Anna Kendrick, she's been great in everything. I remember watching her in Twilight and thinking she was perfect as Jessica but I guess she's just good!

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  7. Yay!! I'm so glad you liked this. It is pretty campy, but so fun. I love Elizabeth Banks, too. Her role was hilarious (and so reminiscent of Best in Show). Anna Kendrick is amazing. I love her in everything she does. I did know that this was a book and even checked it out from the library at one point, but didn't get very far. It really didn't have the humor that the movie has and wasn't what I thought it was going to be. Great review!

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  8. I love this movie! Fat Amy is the best!

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  9. I don't usually comments on these post but I say Pitch Perfect and I was all "YEAHHHHH" (fat amy voice)

    I didn't even know this was a book until the ending credits. While is horrible to admit. Also, did you know that ALL the actors went through this long and tiring process of the singing/dancing rehearsals? I really loved that. It is ALL them and no voice overs. And yes, Elizabeth Banks is hilarious.

    My whole family loves this movie. I am pretty sure we could ALL recite the entire thing. I agree, I love Anna. She is a great actress.

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  10. I didn't know there was a book, but I loved the movie!

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  11. It is both refreshingly funny and teen-panderingly cheesy. Ladies and gentlemen ... it seems we have here what all the young kids these days refer to as a 'mash-up'.

    Grace Crawford DFW Cold Laser Therapy For Knees Dr Alexandria Schnee

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  12. Pitch perfect is one of my favorite movies now. I really had a lot of fun watching it. All elements for entertainment was there. The casting, the music (I love the pitch perfect songs by the way) and all are there. Simply love it!

    ~ Cristy

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