Take a stroll through La La Land with these two making-of featurettes

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

In two weeks most audiences will finally get to see the movie critics have been raving about for what seems like an eternity—LA LA LAND. Alright maybe it’s only been a few months, but critics have been gushing over this film since it debuted at the Venice Film Festival (read Chris Bumbray’s glowing review from TIFF here!), praising everything from the music to the performances all the way to the sensations of reliving old-school Hollywood filmmaking. But now you can feel at least somewhat in the loop with two featurettes released by Lionsgate that delve into the making of this romantic musical hit. It all almost makes you wanna dance in the street, that is until you remember normal people don’t do that and you’ll be shunned forever. *Sigh*

This first video delves into the cast of characters which features J.K. Simmons, John Legend and Rosemarie DeWitt, reminding us all this isn’t just the Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling show. We also get a look at the making of the film and its huge dance sequences, Ryan Gosling’s real-life piano playing, and some sweet Jedi action. I lied about one of those. Watch to find out which!

The second video explores the film’s key ingredient—the music. Director Damien Chazelle and composer Justin Hurwitz brought a rage and goal-driven passion to the music in WHIPLASH, but here any passion is fueled by pure love and soul. We’re taken behind-the-scenes as the big-band orchestra records the score. Meanwhile I'll just sit here and play my recorder…

Though there will be some stiff competition from the likes of movies like MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, SILENCE and MOONLIGHT, I think LA LA LAND will be a force to be reckoned with at the 2017 Oscars, much like THE ARTIST was at the 2012 awards. It sure is one of my films to check-off next month, and it comes out the same day as a STAR WARS movie! What a magical world we live in!

LA LA LAND goes wide December 16.