the leading man is my tpye

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

After I saw twice the live version of this outstanding Rodgers and Hammerstein musical classic, based on the true story of the Von Trapp family of Austria about 1938, which became a singing family, I felt impelled to order the DVD of it, and did. Carrie Underwood, who has always screamed out singing "Are you ready for some football?!" was as adorable as adorable can be as Maria. Carrie Underwood in this showed that she is a versatile actress. Audra McDonald, who has always been so sweet in any production in which she has acted, was so excellent as the Reverend Mother, so very caring; and it goes without saying that she has a strong, beautiful, singing voice. Steve Moyer, as Captain Gaylord Von Trapp, did so well in virtually two roles, that of a firm, staunch retired widowed navy captain and then someone who, thanks to Maria, became a bit mellowed and loving. The children were adorable as well. The artificial snow-capped mountains in the background were very beautiful and picturesque. Again, Carrie Underwood was wonderful as the lady who was a source of comfort and strength to the proud Austrian Von Trapp, which he needed during the time of the late 1930's when Hitler was coming to power and Austria was threatened by the Gestapo. It has all the basic elements I want in a drama-beautiful color, excellent acting, and a warm story. This musical is tops.

I am so tired of all the negativity on social media. I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinion but I thought the whole production was terrific and considering it was live with all that could have happened--amazing to me. Carrie Underwood blew me away with her performance of a more innocent Maria than perhaps some of her predecessors. I thought the entire cast including Stephen Moyer were excellent. Carrie had a lot of courage to do this role. Unfortunately we treat movies, theatrical events as sporting events with clear winners and losers. It is indeed possible to like the movie and to like this Broadway production. As Audra McDonald said, no one person owns a role and as she also said on twitter, Carrie Underwood will knock your socks off as their are no socks left on the set. Laura Benanti, Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald and Christian Borle all spoke highly about Carrie. They all could have underplayed their support but their support was resounding. Please search the internet for Seth Rudetsky talks to Laura Benanti and hear for yourself what Laura says Carrie's performance.

Carrie Underwood does a very credible job as Maria, and the kids are all pretty good. Stephen Moyer is also pretty good as the captain.Keeping in mind this was a live production and will be released on DVD/Bluray, I think all the cast members are to be commended. All in all, this version is well worth your time (and money, if you buy a disk.)The story was true to the movie, and the sets were very nicely built and displayed. This was quite a production- hard to believe the studio would take a risk like this, but it really paid off. We will have a Bluray as soon as they are available.The only down side to the TSOM 2013 is the complete lack of class shown by some of the 1965 version cast members. Their tweets and comments about Underwood after the live telecast were out of line and unnecessary, and demonstrated a marked lack of class. That is surprising coming from people of their age, and for me, they taint my happy memories of each. As a result, I will archive the 1965 version and watch Carrie Underwood instead- TSOM 2013 will be the version seen by my children. It is a worthy successor.

As a child, I was treated to my mother's record of the 1965 Sound of Music and spent a few family movie nights watching a VHS copy. Since I was not alive to see the original run of Sound of Music on Broadway, this 1965 record is the original version of the music and characters to me. Julie Andrews' enjoyable portrayal of Maria, Christopher Plummer as the respectable Captain Von Trapp, and the fun loving cast of children and Uncle Max is unmatched. Classic songs that I once broke into as a child, hiking up the foothills of North Carolina, have been destroyed in this "attempt." As darling and talented as Ms. Underwood is, her voice sounds very throaty and unpleasant in this rendition. Similarly, the entertaining and endearing group of nuns in the original turn into an ear piercing gang of screamers. After their first few songs, I had to mute them or prepare to start bleeding from the ears.All in all, this 2013 attempt is very disappointing. The magic of the original was not even remotely recaptured. Like the flu, you cannot wait for it to be over. Avoid.