033 – Rent

Once intended to be adapted for the screen by Spike Lee, the Pulitzer-winning musical Rent made its leap to the big screen in 2005 amid impossible expectations. Having helped usher in the modern era of Broadway blockbusters, this one had to live up to the dreams of its massive fanbase but also the shadow cast over all movie musicals in the short years that followed Chicago. But it ultimately satisfied few, thanks to some key mistakes, starting with the mismatched director Chris Columbus and the recasting of most of the original Broadway leads. This week, we look back at the Oscar success of the decade’s musicals, spend some time lamenting the Crash Best Picture win, and unpack all of the film’s “I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman” issues. And, oh yeah, we brace for the coming impact of Tom Hooper’s Cats. Follow Us on Twitter! @Had_Oscar_Buzz Joe: @joereid Chris: @chrisvfeil