Beyonce is premiering her latest documentary, “Life Is But A Dream” tonight on HBO and many Stans and King Bey-haters alike are going to be tuned in for an in-depth look at the hottest chick in the game, just living her life. Jet-setting, extreme closeups and a glimpse of Blue Ivy are expected and #TeamBeautiful is hoping to learn something new about the megastar. And we know you are too, but according to the reviews, it doesn’t seem likely.
Must Read: The ‘Awww’ Heard ‘Round The World: Beyonce Finally Reveals Blue Ivy
A few lucky folks have gotten the chance to view it early at Beyonce’s premiere in NYC and they have some very colorful words for Beyonce’s depiction of her life. Check out the best of the worst reviews of “Life Is But A Dream”:
Beyoncé’s Real Life Is a Self-Centered Nightmare
“Life Is but a Dream is supposed to be the official version of Beyoncé’s behind-the-scenes life, as she see it. And it is. Except for all the talk about the importance of family, we ultimately discover that Beyoncé is deeply self-centered…As much as we actually do want Beyoncé to like us—she is the closest thing we have to royalty over here, and her talent and beauty is remarkable—nobody is really sure Beyoncé wants to like us in return. We’re the people who don’t understand what it’s really like for her, she tells us. And after this big “revealing” documentary, we still don’t know what her real life is really like. Even though she swears she’s just like everyone else, it doesn’t seem like it. Maybe we’ll get more in the Oprah interview that also airs on Saturday night. But probably not. Beyoncé herself—not just Beyoncé’s dream life—prohibits us from feeling bad for her.” -The Atlantic Wire
“For those who can’t imagine growing tired of Beyonce Knowles’ flawless face (or the rest of her), try going 90 wearisome minutes with “Life Is But a Dream,” a vanity project that puts tolerance for showbiz self-obsession to the test. Candid video, rehearsals, recording sessions, concert footage, and an extended minimal-makeup interview are cobbled together into this not-quite documentary, in which the singer grapples with success, and even shares her baby’s Ultrasound. “I always battle with how much do I reveal about myself,” she muses. Except for the most adoring fans, clearly a whole lot less than this.” -Variety
Why Can’t Beyonce Have It All?
“Life Is But a Dream is many things, including too long… Here, after all, is a criticism one hears of Beyoncé qua pop star: that she is “flawless” in an empty, dutiful way. That beneath the warrior-queen performances and public togetherness, there lies a robot. Or, if not a robot, then something like the kid who’s been so pressured and trained to master a skill that he lacks any kind of feeling beyond his perfect technique—a well-schooled, imposing blank.” –Vulture
Beyonce: Life Is But a Dream: TV Review
“Oh, Bey. Just to be sure everyone does obey and stick to the 100 percent sanctioned version, the subject puts herself in charge in Beyonce: Life Is But a Dream. Executive produced and co-directed by Beyonce Knowles, who also provides its sole perspective, this is less a documentary portrait than a micromanaged video diary exploring the R&B superstar’s relationship with her laptop. The HBO film will be candy to her fan base; just don’t expect startling insights into the woman behind the talent…There’s a lot of pseudo-inspirational stuff, some standard speechifying about female empowerment and thoughts on the stress of success, punctuated by occasional speculation on “God’s plan.” But the documentary walks a muddy path between self-mystification and self-adulation without actually saying much. And her music becomes almost an afterthought.” -Hollywood Reporter
Another Cog in the Machinery of Divahood
“‘Beyoncé: Life Is but a Dream’ is as contrived as ‘Madonna: Truth or Dare,’ but probably for good reason it is neither daring nor entirely truthful. It’s an infomercial, not just about Beyoncé’s talent onstage but her authenticity behind the scenes. She is a people-pleasing diva and she wants to keep it that way. This documentary doesn’t really convey what life as a celebrity is like, but it does say a lot about how this celebrity would like to be seen…There are no witnesses testifying on Beyoncé‘s behalf — she is almost the only person in the film who speaks more than a few words — nor is there any obvious reason someone as popular, recognized and financially rewarded as Beyoncé would feel misunderstood, yet the intent is clear.This superstar has summoned all her formidable strength, charm and self-discipline to prove that she is, beneath it all, a fragile artist buffeted by the winds of fate and hyperfame.” -NY Times
Beyoncé Reveals All — Or Nothing?
“Mostly, there’s no sweat. We hear about her angst, and then we see the finished product. There are a couple scenes of her in a recording studio — she sounds amazing. There are some on stage performances — she’s awesome. How many hours went into nailing those songs and learning those routines? How many bad takes and flubbed moves? Unlike her humanizing confessions about her marriage or her miscarriage, which “Life Is But a Dream” also contains, these imperfect and out of control moments might undermine the myth of the impeccable Beyoncé, unparalleled performer, and so she skips over them. They might have been too revealing.” -Salon
Hmm, interesting. Are you still going to watch “Life Is But A Dream” tonight? Live Tweet with us @HelloBeautiful!
Follow HelloBeautiful On Twitter!
More On Beyonce:
Beyonce On Jay-Z: ‘I Would Not Be The Woman I Am If I Did Not Go Home To That Man’
Beyonce Opens Up About Childbirth And Dumping Her Father As A Manager In Vogue
Check Out This Gallery Of Beyonce’s “Life Is But A Dream” Premiere!
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Beyonce is premiering her latest documentary, “Life Is But A Dream” tonight on HBO and many Stans and King Bey-haters alike are going to be tuned in for an in-depth look at the hottest chick in the game, just living her life. Jet-setting, extreme closeups and a glimpse of Blue Ivy are expected and #TeamBeautiful is hoping to learn something new about the megastar. And we know you are too, but according to the reviews, it doesn’t seem likely.
Must Read: The ‘Awww’ Heard ‘Round The World: Beyonce Finally Reveals Blue Ivy
A few lucky folks have gotten the chance to view it early at Beyonce’s premiere in NYC and they have some very colorful words for Beyonce’s depiction of her life. Check out the best of the worst reviews of “Life Is But A Dream”:
Beyoncé’s Real Life Is a Self-Centered Nightmare
“Life Is but a Dream is supposed to be the official version of Beyoncé’s behind-the-scenes life, as she see it. And it is. Except for all the talk about the importance of family, we ultimately discover that Beyoncé is deeply self-centered…As much as we actually do want Beyoncé to like us—she is the closest thing we have to royalty over here, and her talent and beauty is remarkable—nobody is really sure Beyoncé wants to like us in return. We’re the people who don’t understand what it’s really like for her, she tells us. And after this big “revealing” documentary, we still don’t know what her real life is really like. Even though she swears she’s just like everyone else, it doesn’t seem like it. Maybe we’ll get more in the Oprah interview that also airs on Saturday night. But probably not. Beyoncé herself—not just Beyoncé’s dream life—prohibits us from feeling bad for her.” -The Atlantic Wire
“For those who can’t imagine growing tired of Beyonce Knowles’ flawless face (or the rest of her), try going 90 wearisome minutes with “Life Is But a Dream,” a vanity project that puts tolerance for showbiz self-obsession to the test. Candid video, rehearsals, recording sessions, concert footage, and an extended minimal-makeup interview are cobbled together into this not-quite documentary, in which the singer grapples with success, and even shares her baby’s Ultrasound. “I always battle with how much do I reveal about myself,” she muses. Except for the most adoring fans, clearly a whole lot less than this.” -Variety
Why Can’t Beyonce Have It All?
“Life Is But a Dream is many things, including too long… Here, after all, is a criticism one hears of Beyoncé qua pop star: that she is “flawless” in an empty, dutiful way. That beneath the warrior-queen performances and public togetherness, there lies a robot. Or, if not a robot, then something like the kid who’s been so pressured and trained to master a skill that he lacks any kind of feeling beyond his perfect technique—a well-schooled, imposing blank.” –Vulture
Beyonce: Life Is But a Dream: TV Review
“Oh, Bey. Just to be sure everyone does obey and stick to the 100 percent sanctioned version, the subject puts herself in charge in Beyonce: Life Is But a Dream. Executive produced and co-directed by Beyonce Knowles, who also provides its sole perspective, this is less a documentary portrait than a micromanaged video diary exploring the R&B superstar’s relationship with her laptop. The HBO film will be candy to her fan base; just don’t expect startling insights into the woman behind the talent…There’s a lot of pseudo-inspirational stuff, some standard speechifying about female empowerment and thoughts on the stress of success, punctuated by occasional speculation on “God’s plan.” But the documentary walks a muddy path between self-mystification and self-adulation without actually saying much. And her music becomes almost an afterthought.” -Hollywood Reporter
Another Cog in the Machinery of Divahood
“‘Beyoncé: Life Is but a Dream’ is as contrived as ‘Madonna: Truth or Dare,’ but probably for good reason it is neither daring nor entirely truthful. It’s an infomercial, not just about Beyoncé’s talent onstage but her authenticity behind the scenes. She is a people-pleasing diva and she wants to keep it that way. This documentary doesn’t really convey what life as a celebrity is like, but it does say a lot about how this celebrity would like to be seen…There are no witnesses testifying on Beyoncé‘s behalf — she is almost the only person in the film who speaks more than a few words — nor is there any obvious reason someone as popular, recognized and financially rewarded as Beyoncé would feel misunderstood, yet the intent is clear.This superstar has summoned all her formidable strength, charm and self-discipline to prove that she is, beneath it all, a fragile artist buffeted by the winds of fate and hyperfame.” -NY Times
Beyoncé Reveals All — Or Nothing?
“Mostly, there’s no sweat. We hear about her angst, and then we see the finished product. There are a couple scenes of her in a recording studio — she sounds amazing. There are some on stage performances — she’s awesome. How many hours went into nailing those songs and learning those routines? How many bad takes and flubbed moves? Unlike her humanizing confessions about her marriage or her miscarriage, which “Life Is But a Dream” also contains, these imperfect and out of control moments might undermine the myth of the impeccable Beyoncé, unparalleled performer, and so she skips over them. They might have been too revealing.” -Salon
Hmm, interesting. Are you still going to watch “Life Is But A Dream” tonight? Live Tweet with us @HelloBeautiful!
Follow HelloBeautiful On Twitter!
More On Beyonce:
Beyonce On Jay-Z: ‘I Would Not Be The Woman I Am If I Did Not Go Home To That Man’
Beyonce Opens Up About Childbirth And Dumping Her Father As A Manager In Vogue
Check Out This Gallery Of Beyonce’s “Life Is But A Dream” Premiere!
