The first test screening of Across The Universe happened last night at The Grove in Los Angeles. Ever since the trailer was released (If you haven’t seen it, check it out here), I’ve been very anxious to see the full movie. The first test screening review has hit the web and it’s over the top positive.
Let’s take a look:
“From blue screens to puppets, this film is an absolute trip. To sum it up, it�s a Beatles musical dissecting different sects of people in the 60�s. As far as musicals go, it�s similar to Pink Floyd�s THE WALL, in that it�s a series of songs directly translated to screen with broad stroke of surrealist eye-candy through- out.”
The reviewer says the film includes over 25 Beatles songs leaving “little room left for dialogue.”
“From the opening shot of ATU, you can feel how much Taymor wants to make this film…and it make right.”
“The film has absolute cult potential, if not for the built-in Beatles fan-base but for the charming product that will send chills to anyone willing to be sucked into this colorful adventure.”
Read the full review over at AICN. Sounds like everything I’ve been expecting, and then some.
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I just saw the trailer and the movie seems to be a nauseating mixture of 1979’s “Hair”, and Stigwood’s “Sgt. Pepper”. Jim Sturgess (Jude) plays an obvious McCartney like character. Joe Anderson (Max) appears to be a character drawn from Lennon and William Treat’s character from “Hair” George Berger. My impression of the trailer is that someone currently owning the Beatle’s music catalog (Sony/Michael Jackson?) was in need of a little extra cash; hence this cinematic tripe/rip-off. The Beatle’s music on the other hand stands on its own, and at the very best this film may produce a decent soundtrack.
May 6th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
I think it is quite possible that I am going to go insane if I do not find out who sings the song “hey jude” in the movie “across the universe” is anyone knows, please please please let me know, I have been like obsessed with finding who it is since I saw the trailer, This movie looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 8th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
uhhhm isnt it by the beatles
May 9th, 2007 at 12:39 am
I think Jasmine was asking who the singer was for the soundtrack, not the original performers/writers of the song.
If anyone finds out anything about the soundtrack, don’t be afraid to contact xdewiex@hotmail.com on MSN.
I’d love to know more about the soundtrack involved, as soon as possible.
May 9th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I’d love to know who sings that version of Hey Jude as well — it’s absolutely killing me and I’ve been searching for a while.
If anyone happens to know who sings it, please also contact me at starszexplode@aol.com as well :]
May 9th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Hey to be a follower but I ALSO am looking for that song “Hey Jude” I cannot figure out who does the cover of that song please e-mail me also at impetis623@yahoo.com thanks alot.
May 10th, 2007 at 7:04 am
The song is sung by Gary Glitter, a British glam rock star of the 1970’s.
May 21st, 2007 at 8:44 am
This movie looks phenom! All about the wonderful 60’s and the soundtrack will be amazing!
May 21st, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Im 11 years old and this will be the best movie everrrrrr
May 21st, 2007 at 5:17 pm
This movie will make history for centuries and be a beatles trademark im 11 and i loveeeeeeeeeee the beatles ( classic rock )
May 21st, 2007 at 5:23 pm
my best friend Izzy and me LOVE the beatles
May 21st, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Hi My friend is Bob matress.
May 21st, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Mr. Kaufman, do you have any idea where I can go to hear this song, I cant find it on limewire and I have been searchin everywhere to hear it! thanx!
May 21st, 2007 at 5:40 pm
I like pie and the beatles
May 21st, 2007 at 5:42 pm
hello q
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:30 am
to answer the people who wanted to know who sings hey jude in the trailor, i’m pretty sure it’s michael buble. at least thats what i heard and i know that he covered the song so its a pretty good guess.
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:55 pm
you all are wrong…
the Hey Jude version is sung by Jim Sturgess …the guy that plays Jude in the movie.
The producers say so.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:33 am
The producers are lying, it’s sung by Michael Fish and I can prove it…
May 24th, 2007 at 11:26 am
The cover of Hey Jude in Across The Universe is without a doubt sung by Joe Anderson.
All of the covers are sung by cast members.
I’ve seen the movie…it’s Joe Anderson…and it is one of the best numbers in the movie.
The film is a masterpiece.
May 26th, 2007 at 2:17 am
Why can i not this song by ANY of the artists mentioned?
i would love to download it, but cant find it
May 26th, 2007 at 7:33 am
very nice !!!
May 26th, 2007 at 7:34 am
im heading back to the reef nigel
May 26th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Soooo…. does anyone actually know who does the cover for “Hey Jude” on the
soundtrack? The info has got to be out there somewhere… no one seems to have it right yet. Guess I’ll just have to wait for the credits to roll when
I eventually see the movie. Or I can wait for the soundtrack to come out. Man. I really want that song right now though… I’m going on this
road trip in like a week and it would be great to listen to it over and over and over
and over again. Also, my boyfriend will be with me and I wanted to make him
a mix tape with that song on it.
May 26th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
hello nigel is bob matress , and ita also q
May 27th, 2007 at 2:08 am
It’s sung by two people I believe: Michael Portillo and Fred Dineage. A most emotional duet (classic rock)
May 27th, 2007 at 2:11 am
No, it wasn’t Portillo but it was dineage
May 27th, 2007 at 2:13 am
Erm, I thought it was indeed Michael Portillo singing on the track - It appears on his album, ‘Eating cardboard’ on the Widdecombe label
May 27th, 2007 at 2:14 am
It definitely wasn’t me. I’d know if it was!
May 27th, 2007 at 2:16 am
I’m seven years old and I think this movie will redefine cinema.
May 27th, 2007 at 2:18 am
I’m four and I love the Beatles more than you… Walrus, Raspberry Fields, And I love you, Honky Bonk Woman… All classics
May 27th, 2007 at 2:19 am
It was me. End of discussion.
May 27th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Liar. It was McCartney himself. He fed the original master tapes into a computer which shreeded the vocal into parts both young and old. Then a PCR with the brainwave programming of George Martin added the musical masterstrokes and bass notes of the youthful voive of the ‘Macca’. That done, they mixed it and there we have it. A pile.
May 27th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
You’re all insane. And jealous that a girl doesn’t like you enough to
make you a mix tape. bwahaha.
May 28th, 2007 at 3:27 am
Yes, I admit it. I’m jealous. Make me a mixtape
May 28th, 2007 at 3:28 am
I’d like two mixtapes. And a pony
May 28th, 2007 at 7:20 am
I have to like you before I can make you a mix tape and neither
of you have made an impression on me. If anything, this
jealous/demanding behavior is working against you.
I like compliments. Just tell me I’m beautiful and I will do anything.
I think it’s michael buble. It sure sounds like him. After being directed
to several thousand hideous myspace pages I certainly hope it is.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:24 pm
by the way, where is it possible to download hey jude?
June 3rd, 2007 at 6:35 pm
whats the song in the begining of the trailer…i LOVE it and cant get his voice out of my head help!!!
June 4th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Okay… after one character is hauled off for his “date with uncle sam”
the trailer jumps to a club scene, where some long-haired robert plant look-alike is singing INCREDIBLY. i’m sorry if this sounds stupid, but WHAT is the song that he’s singing? it sounds like a led zeppelin song, but that doesn’t really make sense, all things considered.
June 6th, 2007 at 11:30 am
you all are retards
read the god damn
thread
before you post something
this movie looks AMAZING
end of story
hey jude is amazing too
and i dont care who sings it
ill find it out LATER WHEN THE SOUNDTRACK COMES OUT
MUAHAUAHAUHAUAHUAHUHU HA
June 6th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
is the moving coming out just on next september?
June 7th, 2007 at 6:54 am
Download the full track here…
http://www.thecircusspace.co.uk/pages/introtocircusskills.htm
Thanks
June 9th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
That link is for circus classes. Do you have the correct one?
June 12th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Jaime the name of the song was “Helter Skelter”
does anyone know what the name of the song was right after the intro…
the song when he says “as a stranger to our shores the least i can do is
offer…”
June 12th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
on second thought it might just be the new version of
“With a little help from my friends” that they used an acoustic for in the movie
does this movie remind anyone of “Moulin Rouge” ???
June 12th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Oh and Joe phoenix…
your a dick
June 13th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
The song in the beginning is a song called Girl.
It’s beautiful. I think you should go download it now :]
June 13th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
wow, im just a fellow seacher for the hey jude,….after reading this i
couldnt be more confused…thanks
June 13th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
hey! I’m also dying to find out who sings the cover for “Hey Jude”, it’s absolutely amazing. if anyone knows can you pleeease email me as well? s3xyslim07@hotmail.com
Anyhow, thanks :)
June 15th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
There are approximately five billion songs called “Girl”.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Ya there are a lot of songs called “Girl” but I realy want the one they show at the begining of the movie trailer and I know theres the origonal version but i want the one from the tailer or is that not even out yet lol? and whats the name of the song at the end of the tailer?thankx a bunch
June 17th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
the songs have not yet been released…we will have to wait for the soundtrack
all the songs in this trailer were sung better as covers except “Hey Jude”
i could never hear anyone else perform “Hey Jude” besides the beatles
June 18th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Hallooo everyone… Man, a half an hour of googling and this site was my best bet!?! LOL Most of the songs are covered Beatle songs. If you look up the movie title in Wikipedia this is what it says:
“Because the movie is inspired by the Beatles and their works, easily recognizable references are laced throughout the story. The following information is recognizable or inferred in the trailer….In the trailer, the songs used (in order of appearance) are “Girl”, “With a Little Help from My Friends”, “All You Need is Love”, “Helter Skelter”, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, “Hey Jude”, and “Across the Universe”.”
So far, I’ve found that you can download the originals by the Beatles, but still no luck on who the artist(s) is on the movie sountrack :(
June 18th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
hey if anyone is looking for the song “hey jude” I found a version on Limewire that sounds pretty close to the one in the movie… If anyone wants it, e-mail me and i’ll send it to you through msn. ;) Lori_sk@hotmail.com
June 21st, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Erm, so i guess no one has figured it out yet, well i know this dosent help much
but while i was trying to find the cover i found a really good instrumental version
by Maynard Fergsuon… I dunno thought id say something other than “where is
the song” or “it was barney” lol
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:23 am
this is either going to be a horrible flop OR THE MOST AMAZING MOVIE EVER MADE!!!! I really wish it was september! It is going to be an interesting film anyway you look at it
June 24th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Does anyone know what lady sings the song “All you need is Love” on the trailer of the movie? im dying to know and i cant find it anywhere!
June 24th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Who sings helter skelter, there is a small clip of the song in the trailer
June 25th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Great now im really want that song too
looks like we’re just gonna have to wait and see
June 27th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
yeah that version of “hey jude” is by Jim Sturgess!..but i dont think it can be downloaded until the soundtrack comes outt
June 30th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
okay well first of all i want to know all of the songs that everybody knows
of so if you could just reply to me that would be great. thx. so just tell me
every song ya’ll know. thx. peace.can’t wait to see this movie.
June 30th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
oh and i would like to know the name of the song in the first part of the
clip(especially that one). thx
July 3rd, 2007 at 3:51 am
Glad to hear that everyone is so satisfied with the original.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Duster the helter skelter song is done by Dana Fuchs she also plays sexy sadie
in the movie you can watch a on stage video for helter skelter here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHLKoh1JSmw
The Dana Fuchs Band website;
http://www.danafuchs.com/
She’s really talented I think with her alone in the move its worth a watch. The movie looks to be done nicely to me it about growing up don’t need a plot to do that just live and experience so it fits.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
i just saw a different trail. at the theater, where all of them are in the bowling ally, i want to know that song he is singing. does anyone know? falling, yes i am falling………..something like that, its driving me mad
July 12th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
heather i just saw that same trailer, where everyone is dancing and their isnt even any dialog for the movie, just the whole singing and dancing scene. i have been trying to figure that out also… does anyone know that song that he sings? it has that line “falling, yes i am falling……” does anyone know?
July 13th, 2007 at 4:12 am
the song is called ive just seen a face again, its a beatles cover that jim sturgess did( most actors do start in broadway ya know) i think at least
July 13th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
This movie looks so awesome. Im not into musicals, but when i saw the trailer i was sucked in. i cannot wait until its in theaters. Ugh and im dieing to find out who sings the song “Hey Jude” in this movie. Sounds like he has a great voice! :)
July 15th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Rufus Wainwright sings “Across the Universe.”
July 15th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Ok so the trailor that they play in the movie theatre is pretty good. The song is call “Ive Just Seen a Face” by Paul Mcartney if anyone wanted to know.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
well ok so far the first song is “Girl” original by the Beatles, the cover ___ idk, the next song everyone and their brother seems to be “Hey Jude” of COURSE by the Beatles but the cover, Jim Sturgess???? can anyone confirm that one? that seems to be the guy acting Jude in the movie whether its actually his voice coming out of his damn lips is anyone’s guess?
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:11 am
If anyone finds the song BEFORE the soundtrack comes out, I would love to be e-mailed. :) thank you!!
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
well hello everyone.. i’ve never been on any of these sights.. i thought i’d join
in. i’m not going to lie i’m hear because i wanted to find that version of hey
jude. following the crowd i suppose.. i would leave my email but i highly doubt
if someone finds the song they will go through and email everyone that has
asked for it.. if so.. he/she is a gift from God.. so i’ll just mosey (sp?) along
and try to find something to fill this empty gap in my soul for that version..
maybe strawberries.. yes i like strawberries. well you all have a lovely day..
and i’m sorry for wasting your lives with this nonsense.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:37 am
The movie looks ok. But a bit sad with all the remakes nothing beats original beatles. If you really want to see amazing images put to beatles music go see Love at the mirage in Vegas Paul, Ringo and the wives of both George and John have endorsed it as well as provided all the music which is a mix of many songs which were remastered by Giles Martin- son of George Martin. You can google beatles loved cir de soliel and find it. The sondtrack is beyond anything I had heard- and I have evrything the beatles ever did.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:44 am
“Hey Jude”
Performed by Joe Anderson (cast member)
http://www.interscope.com/artist/news/default.aspx/nid/8376/aid/570
maybe this can clear some things up…
July 27th, 2007 at 12:36 am
I thought that Michael Buble’ was the artist who sang Hey Jude in the trailer??!!!
July 28th, 2007 at 1:34 am
All CAST MEMBERS SING THE SONGS!!!!!
July 30th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
if anyone finds the song “Hey Jude” in the movie Across the Universe, can you please send me that version?? Im sorry, i know a lot of ppl have asked for it, but would you please? thanks.. kikikitty129@yahoo.ca
August 1st, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Ive found a video on youtube that led me to another video on photobucket if you want to see the trailer for across the universe that was only shown in theaters and hear the song again “ive just seen a face”. anywho here is the link
http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y270/kickassdude715/?action=view¤t=f3fc667b.flv
August 1st, 2007 at 12:45 pm
BTW Hubert was right all the songs are done by the cast members of the movie. and I know, I can barely believe it myself. So we’ll just have to all wait for the movie and the soundtrack to become available. This movie needs more light then it is recieving at the moment…
August 1st, 2007 at 1:55 pm
it’s the CAST MEMBERS!
August 1st, 2007 at 2:04 pm
i KNOW its the cast members -.-
just kinda hoped something leaked before the movie came out? :P
August 1st, 2007 at 8:05 pm
The soundtrack for Across the Universe comes out on September 18th of this
year. I am very excited for that as well as the movie. I have yet to see it >.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:07 pm
The soundtrack for Across the Universe comes out on September
18th of this year. I am very excited for that as well as the movie.
I have yet to see it. I’m going to see it as soon as possible
though. It looks like one of the best movies of all time. I know
I won’t be dissapointed.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:17 pm
im not normally into musicals, but this might be really good ^_^
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:28 pm
the dude who plays max (?) dunno haven’t seen it yet but i swear he’s kurt cobain’s twin
August 4th, 2007 at 11:55 am
-Hey Jude- sung by Joe Anderson (cast member) who plays “Max” in the film.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
All songs in the movie (31 Beatles songs) are sung by cast members. Most of the actors aren’t huge stars because the producers tried to choose the best singers/actors.
August 15th, 2007 at 12:04 am
This is hilarious! I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one looking for the artist of Hey Jude.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
It is michael buble. If you go to a website called Project Playlist and type in michael buble hey jude in the search thingy it will come up as the first song.
Eeesh people. You can all calm down now.
August 17th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Ok guys, as much as it sucks we probably wont be able to get much of a listen to the songs until the movie hits theatres.
The only reliable information I could find about the soundtrack was here,
http://www.interscope.com/artist/releases/default.aspx/pid/326/aid/570
Apparently the soundtrack doesn’t come out until september 18th, so its unlikely that ANY of the songs will leak on the internet before then…
August 17th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Oh, and Hey Jude is deffinately sung by Joe Anderson. You can check it out at the official myspace page for the soundtrack
http://www.myspace.com/acrosstheuniversemusic
August 20th, 2007 at 2:47 am
julie taymors myspace has 3 different trailers on it, and a clip of movie
August 20th, 2007 at 10:48 am
No it’s not the cast members
August 21st, 2007 at 8:23 pm
all of you are pretty ca-razy..it is in fact the cast members..relax.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Anyone know who does the “Helter Skelter” cover? It’s killing me.
August 24th, 2007 at 7:19 am
Follow this link to the list of songs and who they are sung by.
http://www.interscope.com/artist/news/default.aspx/&aid/570/in/2
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:34 am
When I first saw the trailer, I thought it was Ewan McGregor. Have a listen again.
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:55 pm
it is sung my the cast! really!!!! go to www.acrosstheuniverse.com to learn more it is so cool! :-)
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:49 pm
I was BLOWN AWAY with the trailer to this. Yes the song seems to rock a little harder with the cast singing it. Can not wait for the soundtrack. This will be the 1st musical I have seen sense Grease. Well was not old enough to see it in 1978 but I am all set for this one. John lennon say’s it best in the song “Imagine”
PEACE!
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:31 pm
hello….. me again! i really want to see this movie so bad! thank god its coming soon! i love the Beatles!
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:34 pm
i absolutly can’t wait to see it! Plus Jude is HOT!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHHHHH!
September 10th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
The person who sings “Hey Jude” is Joe Anderson. But I can’t find out where to find it and download it. But it is absolutely Joe Anderson.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
the soudtrack comes out on sept. 14. i checked.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
the soudtrack comes out september 14. ive checked everywhere!
September 13th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
the cd comes out the 18 i’ve checked everywhere. ty very much!!
September 13th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
all songs are sung by the cast members who were portrayed singing… so the films rendition of Hey Jude was by Joe Anderson, the actor playing max.
September 14th, 2007 at 6:39 am
I just downloaded this soundtrack last night on iTunes. You get like 28 tracks, which I don’t think you get if you buy the CD from a store. Just letting everyone know.
And the soundtrack is awesome.
September 15th, 2007 at 9:50 am
i just got the soundtrack. it is completly amazing!!!
September 19th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
It Won’t Be Long………until this insipid film will fade into kitschdom like Showgirls and “Can’t stop the music” starring Bruce Jenner and the Village People. I could not endure the trailer for this film much less see the whole film. I am a die hard Beatles fan who is offended as much by this film as that tv spot commerical using a beatles song for baby diapers with “All you need is LUV’s.” How can anyone not cringe at this bloated, effete project by this Disney director who is just an excessive set designer and puppeteer? I never indulge in internet postings but this is my divine duty as a Beatles fan to stop the concerted forces of banality to trivialize, sanitize, homogenize, and ride the coat tails of the legacy of the most phenomenal pop band the world has seen.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
i was soo excited to see this movie, me and my friend are obsessed about the beatles in particular, and the psychedelic era in general! and we cant find a showing anywhere near us, it blows so bad!! so if anybody finds it illegally online, tell me, pleassseee!
September 20th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
dont worry! it opens everywhere tomarrow!!! i am so stoked!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 7:26 am
So I was going to go see this movie today, but apparently it’s not opening at my theater until the 28th? WHY!?!?!?! I’ve been waiting for this since fricking March! Does anyone know why this is?
September 21st, 2007 at 3:35 pm
does anyone know if the movie is coming out in Montgomery, AL. I was so stoked about it coming out this Friday, but it wasn’t showing at the Rave. I was sooooooo bummed, because the Beatles are my all time favorite band. (I get mad at people who don’t listen to the Beatles. Yeah, I’m a true Beatles fan.)
Here come old flat top!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 4:52 pm
idk if it is coming out in montgomery but what about augusta or atlanta GA?????
September 22nd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Its Joe Anderson your all bloody wrong. look on myspace.
September 22nd, 2007 at 7:20 pm
It was just two weeks ago that I tried sitting through Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band featuring the Bee Gees. It should have been an omen that there were more dark days for the Beatles’ music. Across the Universe was two long hours of poorly done Beatle covers, references to other Beatles’ songs, an attempt to remake some of the scenes from Pink Floyd’s the Wall, and basically an anti-war, anti-American love story that really went nowhere for me. I stayed through it all, but many got up and left.
Let me first try to give it a little praise. Some of the special effects were cool, and would have transferred nicely into the Beatles’ BBC television special Magical Mystery Tour if they were to make the film thirty years later.
The story was just boring. Young lives moving to the big city and becoming intertwined through the events of the sixties. Each character was named after a character in a Beatles’ song. For instance, there was Sexy Sadie (The White Album), a Janis Joplin like singer who just butchered each song she sang. The highlight of her character was a copy performance of the Beatles’ last public performance on top of the Abbey Road building, where the song Get Back was recorded. There was Prudence (Dear Prudence, the White Album), a lost soul discovering her lesbian identity. There was Jude (Hey Jude) and Lucy (in the Sky with Diamonds, Sgt. Peppers), the main characters, whose love the movie focused on. Lucy was a war protester while her brother Maxwell (Maxwell’s Silver Hammer, Abbey Road) fought in Vietnam.
The story would have been better with less focus on singing and more development of the characters. They just took it too far, from a magical bus ride that was out of the Magical Mystery Tour, to the Dr. Robert (Dr. Robert, Rubber Soul), played by U2’s Bono, whose magic concoctions made you feel fine (high). Why on earth Bono from U2 agreed to do this film is beyond me! At least he was a highlight in the film. His rendition of I Am the Walrus was fun, but not one of the better Beatle covers I have heard.
This film could have been fun, but it was just way too long while trying to include as many references to the Beatles’ music as they could. A dispute in March between Sony and the director was directly related to the length of the film, in the end the director won out and the film lost out.
As a life long Beatles fan, I think the movie insults the music and makes it cheeky. In my opinion, I doubt many new fans are going to come out of it.
September 24th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
No no no.
The song “Hey Jude” in the movie is sung by Joe Anderson.
I would know. I downloaded about 15 to 20 songs from the soundtrack yesterday.
& I absolutely am in love with all the songs!
The movie still hasen’t come out where I live though.
I can’t wait!
It comes out later this fall, I think in October.
Anymore questions about the songs in the movie just ask. =]
October 1st, 2007 at 6:50 pm
According to ‘Box Office Mojo’ the film has made $5,476,433 in domestic sales, and $55,445 in foreign. Depending on where you look on the web, it took somewhere between 45-77 million to make. It appears at least financially that ‘Universe’ is on par with another Sony (Revolution) classic, ‘Gigli’ starring Bennifer ($7,266,209).
“Somehow, ‘I told you so’ just doesn’t quite say it.” Will Smith, (I, Robot)
October 1st, 2007 at 7:56 pm
The box office reciepts are in. “Across the Universe” is a financial failure. As it should be. Thanks, John Phoenix, for notifying us. In this instance, the phrase by the great American journalist, H.L.Menchen, once uttered is FALSE. “No one ever went broke underestimating the taste and intelligence of the American people. Move over, Bee Gees, your musical movie about the Beatles will share the Celluloid waste bin with Julie Taymor’s “across the Universe”.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:21 pm
please guys….stop dissing this movie!
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Sorry Shayna. It is my divine duty to squash this karaoke travesty by Julie Taymor.. The Beatles are sacred ground to a lot of people. If you were old enough to remember the excitement when the next new Beatles album came out, YOU would understand our dismay at people trying to ride the coattails of that time with bad literal interpretations of Beatle lyrics.
October 6th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
I guess my previous comment on this forgettable movie will be the last word. Sony made this film because Michael Jackson is so much in debt that Sony got awarded the Beatles royalties that Jackson once owned. So what does Sony do? Well, We got the ownership of the sheet music. Why not paste on some visuals with those songs and call it a movie. Hence, Across the UNIVERSE!!
October 13th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Just saw the film. I lived through the Beatles revolution, the sixties and vietnam war. While The Beatles songs are “sacred ground” to me as well as some of the pior posters here, their strength lies in the fact that they hold up as songs, not just performances. “It won’t be long” forinstance is performed here in classic girl group mode. The Beatles claimed a number of girl groups as early influences, and recorded some girl group songs as well.
The point is, this is a nice love story, a bit of painful history of our country (about the last time anyone really gave a damn about anything other than making money) all strung together with some new, largely interesting renditions of some of the greatest songs ever written and some great special effects…good LSD trips were pretty much like shown here BTW. The movie really shows the songs for what they are, great songs which hold up to different interpretations.
Citizen Kane it ain’t, but I subbed for a friend of my 15 year old musician son and saw it last night (he loved it) and saw it again with my wife and two other couples. There were at least four rounds of applause at the end of the film from an audience made up of adults, kids, parents with their kids, grandparents with their kids. BTW I am an attorney/professional musician and thought it was a great movie and great soundtrack.
October 14th, 2007 at 7:40 am
THANK YOU Richard!!!
October 14th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
ive seen this movie twice and its AMAZING. i love it.
October 15th, 2007 at 5:53 am
Well Shayna- I guess you have your legions of middle aged devotees praising this film. John Phoeniz and I are in the minority.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
By the way Shayna- Are you related to Julie Taymor by any chance or hired as a publicity agent for Sony? You seem to be the guardian against any adverse opinion of Across the Universe. You want to see a good fiilm. watch Michael Clayton. It will give you an anedote from your favorite sentimental contrived drek of that movie you are so protective of. . Let’s have an exchange.
October 15th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I loved Across the Universe. I thought it was a beautiful film and I loved all the music, even though I’m usually the type of person who only likes the original version of songs. Anyway, I absolutely loved it and now it is my new favorite movie. I would reccomend it to anyone and everyone who hasn’t seen it yet.
October 16th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
no im not…. its ok if its not your type of movie… but i see it as an “offering” to the gods of the beatles. (in an dramatic sence)
October 18th, 2007 at 8:47 am
John Phoenix summation above that the film is a failure based on initial box-office numbers is uninformed and misleading as is comparing it to Gigli. Across the Universe was a limited release. Gigli, was a major release and was showing EVERYWHERE upon its release. I ‘ve seen the film and was nothing short of blown away. If you didn’t like it, you probably didn’t get it.
October 18th, 2007 at 11:21 am
i agree with rob!
October 18th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
it is Joe Anderson that sings the song Hey Jude
I have seen the movie 8 times I would know
October 18th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I feel in love with this movie. Although a little corney sometimes, it still captured my heart. It also kindof reminded me of Rent. I need to find professional reviews of it… any suggestions?
October 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
was the sadie refered to janis joplin n jo-jo to jimi hendrix ??
October 21st, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Im lookin for the gutiar tabs for the song “ive just seen a face” the way they played it in the movie not how the beatles played it;;
ive searched it up all over the net but they only have the tabs for the beatles. if anyone has any info where i could get the tabs or even buy the music scores from the movie let me kno. thx in advance
contact me via jumpy_maneater@hotmail.com
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
So i basically LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie. A great eye opener of how life was in the late 60s with the protests and draft and OMG i just fell in love with this movie and i really can not stop thinking about how great it was!!
October 26th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
You are all pretty much insane.
Dont see this movie.
Its a twisted scene about drugs and sex in the 60’s
No meaning at all.
Jake Silverberg, dont see this movie.
If you did, your probably scarred for life.
October 28th, 2007 at 10:12 am
I really want to see this movie..i’ve seen the treailer and can’t wait to see the movie itself.But the question is, will it be released here in Dubai?
October 29th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
I thought this movie was just darling. The Beatles made their terrificly enormous stamp on the universe, whats so wrong about reminding future generations of their glory through a bittersweet love interest in the middle of one of the most widely known conflicts of the last century? These defining moments in our history are slipping descreetly from our history books, this is a last grasp to reveal the curtain Lennon so dearly wanted us to see beyond.
Just an opinion of course.
October 29th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
I’ll bet that last comment doesn’t make me so grammatically inclined.
October 29th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
“John Phoenix summation above that the film is a failure based on initial box-office numbers is uninformed and misleading as is comparing it to Gigli. Across the Universe was a limited release. Gigli, was a major release and was showing EVERYWHERE upon its release” Earth to Rob, come in Rob. You’ll have to excuse me for actually quoting a source, instead of misguided passion. When I quoted ‘Box Office Mojo’ Universe was in ‘limited release’, however the numbers were correct. Universe went ‘wide” October 12, 2007, 6 days before your post. Funny You didn’t mention THAT. My point is Bobby, when you argue wide versus limited it’s splitting hair. The truth is in wide and limited release, in 45 days or 6.4 weeks, Universe has made a Worldwide total (still with me, Bob?) of $19,418,687 *Box Office Mojo. Just for fun I’ll make another misleading comparison based in fact.1978, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, another underrated cinematic gasbag, also had nothing to do with The Beatle’s (beyond using their music), grossed $20,378,470*Box Office Mojo. Co-incidence based in fact, or (Put your funky spin here)? “If you didn’t like it, you probably didn’t get it.” What’s ‘to get’ here, Bob? That you’re just an outspoken 6th grader, or that you’re determined to place the new Transformers movie right up there with Citizen Kane?
October 30th, 2007 at 6:55 am
JOHN PHOENIX. God love you. You and I are in the minority about “across the universe” Julie taymor is sitting on the shoulders of giants hoping to capture the afterglow of the magic the Beatles produced. She did not succeed. Movies today are so overpraised by paid lackeys. New generations have been deprived or just plead ignorance of the rich history that has preceded them in music and cinema. These are the same people that actually think Adam Sandler is funny and Justin Timberlake is the Otis Redding of his time. “Across the universe” is comparable to people praising the song that Michael Bolton remade, “When a man loves a woman” that was originally done by Percy SLedge. How can anyone like Bolton’s version.Or compaing Bruce Springstein the Rick Sprinfield. JOHN PHOENIX probably is the only one that nows what I am referring to. I’m sorry SHAYNA, I guess it’s time to drop another Prozac.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:29 am
Please pardon my previous commentary. . There are losts of misspellings. I just woke up and my fervor exceeded my sentence construction. Corrections as follows in CAPS: Or COMPARING Bruce Springstein TO Rick SPRINGFIELD. thank you.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Hi John, I’m back…Perhaps I was wrong about the numbers so I will give you that. The box office numbers are far from earth shattering. So what? Are you truly that shallow that you base your opinion about a film on the money it makes? According to YOUR source, Box Office Mojo, The Dukes of Hazzard grossed $80,270,227. Does that make it a great film? The Transformers grossed $317,584,000. I don’t understand, John. You mock Across the Universe because it didn’t do well at the box office and you mock The Transformers and it did exceedingly well. Where’s the logic there? So I guess it’s just your opinion? That’s fine. I guess your opinion reigns supreme. Oh, here are some other people, aside from me, who saw the film and actually liked it: Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono. Recognize the names? Somehow, I think I would take their word over yours. I realize you are far from the only one who is criticizing the film. It doesn’t matter. I believe the film will gain ground over time. Many wonderful films/concepts have been ridiculed at first. George Lucas was thrown out of many studios who believed Star Wars was ridiculous. John, I am not “an outspoken 6th grader” as you say, but your repeated mockery of my name, “Bobby”, “Bob”, and other insults certainly makes YOU sound like one. If you cannot “get” the symbolism in the film, and grasp the parallels Julie Taymor has drawn between the 60’s and our current day crises, perhaps you should see the film again or read a history book or newspaper. Peace.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Boy!! I LOVE verbal brawls. Especially what is going on between bobby and John. Since John is outnumbered by the fawning masses on this blog who cherish this film with tears in their eyes, I will watch John’s back. Yes Rob, I agree that just because a film is successful at the box office, doesn’t mean it is a critical success.(see Adam sandler). Also see H.L Mechen who once uttered,”Nobody went broke underestimating the taste and intelligence of the American people. But ROB, I digress. Paul , Ringo and the widows benefit from this film’s success. I know Michael Jackson owns the Beatle lyrics and the SONY franchise but this film MAKES PEOPLE BUY MORE BEATLE RECORDS. Duh!!!! This goes in Paul’s pocket. So don’t use the Beatle endorsement. It’s lame. And your other erroneous take that this film has SYMBOLISM is absurd. there is no SYMBOLISM. IT”S LITERAL. It has a 6th GRADE historical textbook overview about the 60’s.. As capsulized by these words. Unrest, rebellion, hippies, free love and cardboard characters representing Hendrix and joplin. C’mon BOBBY, this is SUBTLE???????????? Hey John, give me a high five. Elvis has left the building. thank you.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:33 am
peter, please note that the instructions above in the comment now box say “if you must argue, please debate INTELLIGENTLY.” Last time I checked, those with intelligence don’t debate by name calling and mockery. Any valid points you may make are hidden and you end up looking foolish which I assume you are not. As for the money going into Paul’s pocket, do you really think he needs it that desperately? As far as I know, neither he or Ringo went on a public ad campaign to promote the movie. Who says symbolism has to be subtle? One example is perfect. The soldiers carrying the Statue of Liberty through a field in what we assume is Vietnam obviously represents the US effort to bring democracy to a country that wasn’t fully in support of our efforts. An exact parallel to our current situation in Iraq. Oh, and by the way? It’s Bruce SPRINGSTEEN. It really tells me a lot that you can spell Rick Sprinfield right but can’t spell Bruce Springsteen’s name correctly.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Rob. Would you please get the spelling right. IT’s Rick SPRINGFIELD!!!!!! Not sprinfield. I addressed the mis-spelling on the blog. READ carefully ROB!! Bruce changed his name to Springteen because his real name sounded too Jewish. Springsteen sounded more marquee friendly. Read the UNAUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY ROB! Such as what Bernie Schwartz did when he changed it to Tony Curtis. It’s hopeless to debate someone that uses Vietnam and the statue of Liberty as metaphors for a lame karaoke movie pandering to the teenage demographic. Why don’t you get back to excoriating John Phoenix (cool, intelligent guy) in your obsessive desire to defend this prolonged MTV video. I need a more challenging adversarial pen pal.
October 30th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
right on Rob. i think that it is low for someone to stoop to name calling to win a debate…. oh im sorry … hi peter! :-)
October 30th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Hi Shayna- Now you know I don’t just pick on you. I respect the fact that you are moved by the film. You don’t need to explain why. We bring our own life experiences to books and movies. No matter how trite or inane those movies and books may be. ROB has a bit too much preening, self-regard about his movie criticism as if he is working for the Times or is a NYU professor.. If you are out their ROB, The answer to your question “if Paul really needs the money for this film to succeed. YES, Paul has a vested interest in this film SINCE he needs the money to pay for his COSTLY DIVORCE! I bet ROB is looking up on Wilkopedia the falsehood I wrote about Springsteen was originally spelled Springstein due to sounding too Jewish. I love playing with ROB’s head. He takes thing a bit too seriously.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Hello again Peter. No, I didn’t need to research Wikipedia. I was born and raised in Jersey and saw Springsteen perform many, many times as a young kid before anyone even knew who he was. I know more about Bruce Springsteen from experience than you ever will from reading a book. Actually, I don’t take things very seriously. In fact, here is something I found rather humorous. “I NEVER INDULGE IN INTERNET POSTINGS but this is my divine duty as a Beatles fan to stop the concerted forces of banality to trivialize, sanitize, homogenize, and ride the coat tails of the legacy of the most phenomenal pop band the world has seen.” Sound familiar? It should. It’s from your review found above, and on Williamette Week.com and on Ottawa XPRess and on The Kentcucky Kernel and so on… Boy, for someone who NEVER INDULGES IN INTERNET POSTINGS, you sure do get around. If you are going to post on different sites, at least be a little less lazy and unoriginal about it. I can’t believe you actually wrote your review and cut and paste it into other pages. Oh, and “DIVINE DUTY”??? Are you for real? Who made you God? You, sir, are a joke. If you give your opinion, it is divine. If another gives theirs, they are expressing “a bit too much preening, self regard…” And your reply to Shayna was nauseatingly condescending. You say “Hi Shayna- Now you know I don’t just pick on you. I respect the fact that you are moved by the film. You don’t need to explain why” You pick her apart and tell her “I’m sorry SHAYNA, I guess it’s time to drop another Prozac.” and now tell her you respect her opinion and she doesn’t need to explain???? Make up your mind. You, sir, are a hypocrite.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
ditto
October 30th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Rob, Or should I say Sherlock, So that’s what you have been doing during the delay in responding to my last posting. .You have found me out. Oh, the shame. You have been doing some web searching on me. Yes, this is my real name. Why don’t you check my website out as well since you have the time to investigate me. You might be impressed when you find out what I do for a living. I’m flattered you have been following my past postings on this site. You must be mildly entertained. My God, some of the postings on this site are mind numbing like “will this movie play in Dubai? Yes, I did cut and paste that first posting to every site I could find. And Honest to God, It was my first internet posting. even if it is a multiple posting. Don’t you think it was quite an auspicious first time? You even get my quotes right. Shayna and I have this affectionate, winking (tongue and cheek) exchange going on. It is gallant of you to be protective of her from this hypocritical and divine zealot. I changed my mind about you not being a challenging adversarial pen pal. You amuse me. I really got a kick that you actually googled my name to find my other postings. Again, check out my website. Your resourceful enough to find it. I’d love to hear your take on my illustrations as well as my hypocritical and condescending ways. Rob, You just don’t get irony or ME, do you? I’m rattling the cages of complacency, bad art, smugness, overpraise for Mediocre movies, preening self-regard and finally, debasing the Beatles music and message for profit!!!! I bid all you fellow “Across the Universe” bloggers a farewell. ESPECIALLY YOU SHAYNA!! And let me know if it will be playing in Dubai.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
goodbye peter. i will miss the now gone days waiting for your responces in my mailbox. i bid you farewell….
October 30th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Peter, actually, I find your artwork to be very impressive. You are quite talented. I most certainly get irony. For example, I find it very ironic that someone could create such beautiful drawings and at the same time be personally repugnant. Perhaps that’s a bit harsh. It does seem to be ironic that someone who thinks so highly of themself would condemn others for smugness and preening self-regard. In short, just because you’re an artist, it doesn’t make your opinion more important. Thanks for the entertaining exhange.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
While romping through the lovely essay noted above, i noticed mention of Citizen Kane’s success. Let’s not forget ladies, that Citizen Kane’s original outlook was torn a new one by the person it was mocking. It took almost ten years for anyone to even egknowledge Owrell’s genius. Give it time ladies, give it time.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
And yet again, excuse the lack of correct grammar.
*Acknowledge.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Nice Spin Bobby, well played. I’ll have to give you that. The point though I was making which seems oddly ignored given your finely honed debatical skillery (*tip o’the hat to Jack) is this. If you decide to confuse this recycled cinematic crapola (*think Stigwoods Sgt. Pepper combined with a dash of the musical ‘Hair’) and I say this with the highest respect due to it, with something that might be construed as truly original celluloid art, don’t act surprised when a few of the lemmings refuse to jump off that cliff with you. Ah yes, I can hear the rebuttal now. But your lordship Johnny P, who is to say ‘paint by numbers’ can’t be compared to a Monet? And you’d be right, and God knows the ‘paint by numbers’ crowd will love you for it. (yo, shout out to my peep Pete! lol ; )