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Sparkle | 
 enlarge | Director: Sam O'steen
Actors: Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette Mckee, Dwan Smith, Mary Alice
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $6.79
You Save: $8.19 (55%)
New (36) Used (18) from $6.54
Avg. Customer Rating:  120 reviews
Sales Rank: 5524
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 98
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: WARD31974D
UPC: 085393197421
EAN: 0085393197421
ASIN: B000JLTRH2
Theatrical Release Date: 1976
Release Date: January 2, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 01/02/2007 Run time: 98 minutes Rating: Pg
Amazon.com
Before Dreamgirls hit cineplexes in 2006, there was Sparkle. Released in 1976, the low-budget movie (which is also loosely based on the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes) achieved somewhat of a cult following among fans that enjoy a good cry along with their kitsch. Sparkle tells the rags-to-riches (and rags again, for some of the characters) tale of three sisters with gorgeous voices. There's Sister (Lonette McKee), Sparkle (Irene Cara, Fame), and Delores (Dwan Smith), who team up with a couple of players (including a very young Philip Michael Thomas, pre-Miami Vice) to form a singing group. Because the men add little oomph to the outfit, the quintet becomes an all-girl trio and is renamed the redundant (and hysterical) Sister and the Sisters. But because this movie is called Sparkle and not Sister, we know that Irene Cara's character is the one to watch. Cara is a joy to listen to when she unleashes her powerful pipes. And as the much put-upon Sister, McKee is convincing and earns the viewer's sympathy. Set in the 1950's, the movie tackles racism, sexism, jealousy, and both chemical and physical abuse. While it is overly dramatic and liberally serves up sloppy doses of soap opera cliches, the film also is highly watchable because of its over-the-top campiness. --Jae-Ha Kim
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| Customer Reviews: Read 115 more reviews...
 Sister and the Sisters **SPARKLE** and the movie Shines! January 6, 2009
I love the movie SPARKLE and I'm so glad I finally bought the DVD.
Named as the precursor and inspiration to the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (and eventually movie Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition)), the film is about a group of friends--three of them sisters--and the different paths their lives take as they deal with life in the Harlem ghetto in the late 50s and 60s.
Don't let the cutesy title fool you; SPARKLE is a dark drama about pain and joy, and the nearly impossible task of trying to lift one's life out of poverty. There are some fantastic musical numbers and the dresses are fab, but this is far from the glamorous "Dreamgirls."
Fantastic songs and score by Curtis Mayfield punctuate the drama on screen and the dark lighting creates a stifling atmosphere that puts the viewer smack dab in the middle of poverty...where the only light shines is on the performer up on the stage.
The transfer to DVD is gorgeous! It's about time this cult favorite was released on DVD.
It also includes the trailer narrated by Casey Kasem and includes a separate CD from the Aretha Franklin album Sparkle: Music From The Warner Bros. Motion Picture..
The bonus CD contains 5 out of the 8 songs that were on the album/CD. Songs not on the bonus are:
JUMP
I GET HIGH
ROCK WITH ME
One note about the soundtrack: I really wish they would add the original vocals from the movie (done by Irene Cara, Lonette Mckee and Dawn Smith) to the soundtrack. Don't get me wrong, I love Aretha but the arrangements are so different on some songs that I don't like it.
And beside, Cara and Mckee sound wonderful, particularly Cara's solo on "Precious Lord Take My Hand." Oh well, I guess we can't have it all!
 Nothing To Sing Home About December 16, 2008
Let's keep it real here: "Sparkle" became more boring after Sister died. Sister (Lonette McKee) was the most beautiful and exciting sister. Too bad her life was cut short- rather quickly. If the movie was focused solely on her and contained a better script, I'm sure the movie would've been more interesting and profound. I found Sparkle (Irene Cara) to be as bland as stale wheat bread. I can't believe someone as boring as her ended up being the star of the movie. I just got tired of the goody-two shoes personality. Even hooking up with Stix (Phillip Michael Thomas) didn't add any spice to her. I also didn't understand why the middle sister Doleres (Dwan Smith) was the homeliest of the bunch. Irene Cara is a good singer, but she's not much of a soul singer. Lonette McKee wasn't much of a singer in those days, although I really liked her version of "Giving Up." Over all, the movie was alright, it just wasn't that great. Since Hollywood likes do remakes of movies that came out eons ago, a really great idea would be to re-write the entire script to Sparkle and change some things around.
SUCH A GREAT MOVIE!!! October 20, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I thought this was going to be one of those boring movies where the characters would break out in a song for no reason at all, but this was beyond perfect. If you haven't seen it, you're seriously missing out on one of the greatest movies done.
Excellent B movie! August 30, 2008
Aspirations of success can either break you down or make you believer. This movie still holds true 30+ years later.
All powerful & artistic thespians who played there part accordingly. Regardless of race,nationality, age & gender, this is a must see flick.
Yes, I strongly recommend!
 WORST MOVIE STICK WITH DREAMGIRLS!!!! August 4, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I just bought this movie and was excited to see it, and by the time it ended (which was very abruptly) I was mad and highly dissapointed. I couldn't believe how God-awful this movie was. I'm thinking that it's about "Sister" who is the lead singer and it's not, I found out that "Sparkle" isn't the group's name, but it's one of the singer's name, not only that but they hardly showed the character "Sparkle" until after her sister died, and after that you get maybe 30 minutes of her before the movie ends. It's terrible. They only showed some of her fame which was maybe 10-15 minutes long. If you LOVE high energy classy, sassy, sex appeal, glitz and glam of show business stick with Dreamgirls, if you love drama and backstabbing manager of show business stick with Dreamgirls, if you love beautiful voices, stick with Dreamgirls, if you want to waste time and think you have it bad, watch "Sparkle."
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