Grab a tub of popcorn and a box of
Junior Mints, because tonight, American Idol heads to the movies.
Helping shape the final seven's style this week, uber-fan and movie
legend Quentin Tarantino.
Interesting sidenote tonight. We're going to be hearing from two
judges at a time after each singer. So sadness upon sadness, we
won't be hearing Simon all night tonight. On a simiar bar, both the
bald guy and the dude with glasses will critique each singer.
Because we like to further complicate things that are already
complicated.
"In a world of motion pictures, one man defied them all... a
renegade storyteller that changed the cinema forever. He is...
Quentin Tarantino." He's got seven movies as a director, at least
one as an actor, but he has a passion for music that gives his films
their twist (he was even a guest judge during season 3). He met the
final seven at the Alfred Newman scoring stage at Fox Studios.
Starting with Allison Iraheta, who'll be singing Aerosmith's "I
Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" ("Armageddon"). She thought she was
auditioning for a movie. No, we're past that, thank God. Now that
that's out of the way...
What they say: Paula notes that Allison has the same "sauce" that
Adam has. She's very authentic, very remarkable. Simon says that
she's the girls' only hope in this competition, and that she's
getting stronger week after week. We could see her all the way to
the end.
What Chico says: Very... breathy. At least she still has that
attitude thing to fall back. And yes, it is very much authentic and
very much her. She's the strongest female we have left, and thank
God for that because she's making it interesting.
Next up, it's Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You"
("Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves") courtesy of Anoop Desai. Quentin
wants him to rough it up. He NEEDS to rough it up if he wants ANY
chance of coming back next week.
What they say: Randy originally thought that he would've been
overpowered, but it was emotive and in tune. A good job. Kara says
that he's finally found his place in the competition, and that this
was one of his best performance. He's finally connecting with the
songs.
What Chico says: I think he found his balls. Only problem is that
they're baseballs and we're going bowling. But it was connective,
and it was in tune. But is it too little, too late?
... Especially when you consider that Adam Lambert is next with
an electronic element of Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild" ("Easy
Rider")?
What they say: Paula says he dares to dance in the path of
greatness, and that fortune favors the bold. Vocally, according to
Simon, it was incredible, but the performance was like watching
Rocky Horror.
What Chico says: Once again, Adam has come to play. He's proven
himself time and time again that he's the real deal. But one can't
help but wonder if Adam's beginning to believe his own press.
Next is Matt Giraud, who is in the middle confidence-wise. This
week, he just picked a song that he loves and "should work". That
song is again from Bryan Adams, "Have You Really Loved a Woman?"
("Don Juan de Marco"). Quentin warns him not to lose the lyrics.
What they say: Randy thought that it started out cool, but the
bridge was pitchy. He can't turn a simple melody into... well, what
he turned it into. Kara says that its a struggle between Rock Matt
and Soul Matt. Today, we got Soul Matt singing a rock song, and it
had to be a masterpiece... and it wasn't.
What Chico says: the vocal's a little sharp in the bad way, but
the performance itself is sharp in a good way. But yeah, it had its
moments, but not really as consistent as past Matt Giraud piano
pieces.
Danny Gokey just bought a guitar because he was bored. He says
that he's inspired by the upcoming tour. Will we see it on the show?
No. The harp? No. "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross ("The
Same Name")? Yep. Quentin wants him to watch his hands... Danny's
hands, not Quentin's. If we watch Quentin's we're totally going to
be thrown off.
What they say: Paula wasn't sure that the key should've been
lowered, but in the end, it was unforgettable, wowing, and slaying.
Simon can't fault the way he sang the song. He's disappointed in
that we had the traditional version of the song.
What Chico says: It starts out nice and mellow, and then it goes
into its trademark crescendo, and Danny just has the power to
navigate it... and then we're back home. It's a vocal journey, and
it's why Danny is one to watch.
Side note: The song he SHOULD'VE done... "I Believe I Can Fly"
("Space Jam").
Side note #2: The song in the AI Experience commercial: "Ever
After" ("Enchanted").
Side note #3: I LOVE movie songs.
Kris Allen is next with "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard &
Marketa Irglova ("Once"). Quentin asked him if he wanted to play an
instrument with that song.
What they say: Randy says that it never quite caught on. Kara
says that it was one of his best moments.
What Chico says: It's a little here and there with the pitch, but
the tone was magical. So at best, it was mixed.
And finally in the pimp slot is someone who needs the pimp slot
badly... Lil Rounds with "The Rose" by Bette Midler from the movie
of the same name. Quentin compliments her on the switch to gospel in
the middle.
What they say: Paula calls its beautiful. Simon says that it was
too soft and too middle of the road. She's not the artist we met a
long time ago. And... cue the judge/contestant fight.
What Chico says: My initial thoughts: "She's switching to
gospel... suffice it to say, I'm scared. Also suffice it to say that
maybe I need to be scared. Maybe Lil needs to know that she can
still scare people." At least she chose the right song and she sang
it well. That can't be said for at least TWO of tonight's singers.
Purists won't be moved, but the rest of us are going to save her,
especially after last week.
And thus we end this week of confusing judging with the following
composite....
Hollywood Blockbuster: Allison, Adam, Danny
Cult Classic: Kris, Lil
"Speed Racer" Quality Bomb: Anoop, Matt
So which one of these seven movies is worthy of a sequel, and
which one is being sent to the bargain bin? That's for you to
decide.