Film Fluff

Sometimes cotton candy can be good for you too. It may not have the nutrients you need, but that satisfying feeling of contentment can't be beat.

I usually like my films, plays and other forms of entertainment with a bit of substance or at least something analyze. However there comes along a bit of fluff, which, when done well, can be ever so consuming.

Enter Hairspray.

I first heard of the movie a long time ago, which is only right since it's an old movie. It starred trash talk show dive Ricki Lake as a (as many people like to quote) "pleasantly plump" teenager in early 60's Baltimore.

I ignored the musical version which came out on Broadway a few years back, brushing it off as bubblegum Broadway. When they annoucned a movie version of the musical that was based on a movie, I became curious enough to buy the soundtrack of the Broadway version.

It's bubblegum all right, but oh what fine chewy, pliable, delicious bubble it is.

It has rubbed away all the pretense from me and has taken over my iPod (don't worry it's tempered by another oft played musical, the indie musical about a divorce The Last Five Years).

And so I present to you the racially integrated finale of Hairspray as seen on the Today Show.

"You Can't Stop the Beat"

Those people are dynamite! I can only hope that the younger cast of the film can catch up, but with a stellar cast which includes Allison Janney, James Marsden, Michelle Pieffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifa and John Travolta (as a rotund mother no less!), I can't help but get a little bit giddy with Hairspray anticipation.

Preview of the film musical Hairspray on TRL

Oh yeah, it also features that amazingly not-so-annoying-anymore actress, Amanda Bynes and the "it" boy of 2006, Zac Effron.

I never really like the jock look of Zac Effron in "High School Musical" (now THAT is pure fluff) and he sort of annoyed me then (though I have to admit his shirtless scene in the locker room was easy on the eyes). Now, I just think he's the "bee's knees" or whatever they'd say back then. His hair looks good. Then again, I might just be a sucker for guys with black hair.

A pseudo teaser trailer can be seen here.