Disney Ramblings

• ** I could be wrong. I had predicted that "Camp Rock" wouldn't be a huge hit. It's already hit number one on the kid charts after the first week. And it didn't hurt that Disney advertised the snot out of it. There are "Camp Rock" t-shirts and all sorts of things - even before they knew if it would be a hit. Yes, the boys are cute but how long will kids keep buying mostly because something is over-publicized?
• ** I asked my teen angel - a 13 year old musician - for her thoughts on "Camp Rock." She said she thought it was "just O.K." and that it "didn't live up to all the hype." She hadn't previously read or heard my opinions on it but hers pretty much mirrored mine.
• ** Son (8) watched some Disney channel tonight - we haven't watched it in at least a week. After about an hour he remarked that there "sure is a lot of 'Camp Rock' stuff." I know there had already been at least 3 different music videos from the movie.
• ** I saw Vanessa Hudgen's new music video for "Sneakernight." I'm totally unimpressed. I know the girl has a good voice but I really don't like the cookie-cutter pop-rock songs they are giving her. And the Elvis sneer doesn't work for her either.
• ** I'm curious about how the new Cheetah Girls movie will explain the disappearance of Raven. I like her but I don't think she'll be seriously missed in the 4th installment. I know she's very busy and there have been rumors of discord among the girls for years. Plus, it HAS been confusing to many to see four in the movies and three on the concert tours.
  

Camp Rock - Hit Or Miss?

I just watched "Camp Rock" and, well, I'm not very impressed. First impressions:

• Prediction: It will never measure up to "High School Musical" in any way.
• Why advertise the movie as starring the Jonas Brothers when two of them were barely seen?
• Demi Lovato is great and I loved seeing the little girl from "Super Short Show" all grown up.
• The storyline was rather sluggish.
• The movie did not hold the attention of my test subject - nearly 8.

I'm already pretty leery of the Jonas Brothers' claims of wholesomeness. Sure, it sounds great but I don't really buy it.

The movie was so obviously an attempt to capitalize on the "High School Musical" crowd, and I guess there's nothing wrong with that - but I don't think it succeeded. The music was just OK, I didn't find it especially well-done or appealing. Of course, as hard as Disney has been pushing the music and the movie some kids may have already had it implanted in their brains. I guess the ratings and sales will tell the rest of the story.