After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To Survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s...
“Wicked” has been a beloved stage production. Wicked has been a beloved stage production. Now you can see the story on the big screen in theaters with the whole family during the holiday season. Visionary director Jon M. Chu, who brought us “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights” inspires audiences with a truly magical retelling of the emotional Broadway hit.
For those who don’t know the story, it’s about Elphaba, a young woman who’s misunderstood because of her green skin, and Glinda, a popular girl she meets at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. The two don’t get along at first, Glinda is completely unaware of how self-absorbed and offensive she is and Elphaba doesn’t make much of an effort with her. But when they are forced to room together, the two eventually get to know each other in a way that no one else has. They form a beautiful friendship that moviegoers can’t help but fall in love with. However, that friendship is challenged when they have what they hoped would be a dream meeting with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The film is a vibrant reimagining of the classic Wizard of Oz movie and spotlights the untold origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and her once dear friend, Glinda the Good Witch. And in a lot of ways, I enjoy this story more. It raises the questions – are people born evil? Are those who claim to be heroes truly good? But more importantly, it sends a powerful message about not judging people for the way look, but for who they are on the inside. Thankfully, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s chemistry leaps off the screen. And if you have seen them during this press tour, it’s clear they have built a genuine friendship of their own. The two pour their hearts into unforgettable, award worthy performances. Especially, a hilarious and scene stealing Ariana Grande.
Though some have complained about the film’s nearly three-hour runtime, it allows for effective character development while impressively moving quickly and surprisingly leaves you wanting more. Thankfully, this is only the first part for the bold adaptation and fans can look forward to part 2 next year. In the meantime, this is the holiday film you want to see in theaters as you will be swept away by the dazzling visuals and moving musical numbers that undeniably defy gravity. “Wicked” is a breathtaking spectacle everyone can enjoy.
After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To Survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose. This week I review the new family-friendly, animated feature based on Peter Brown’s beloved, #1 New York Times bestseller, “The Wild Robot”.
Watch the video below to hear all my thoughts on the film.
“The Wild Robot” is currently playing in theaters.
A Real Pain follows opposite cousins David and Benji who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. But their adventure takes a turn when tensions between the two resurface. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival with high praise as it dives into the two character’s emotions and backstory.
Jessie Eisenberg plays the high strung, anxious family man, David and Emmy winner, Kieran Culkin plays the charming, carefree, erratic Benji, who will say whatever is on his mind even if it is inappropriate. These characters grew up like brothers, but eventually life drove them apart, affecting one of them more painfully than the other. Culkin and Eisenberg are the perfect “odd” couple that you would think are related in real life. This is due to Eisenberg’s deeply personal screenplay.
Though the two are on a journey to see the home their grandmother grew up in, along the way they take an impactful tour with a group of strangers to explore their Jewish roots, igniting a roller coaster of emotions as they visit stunning landscapes of their ancestor’s and the Holocaust camps near their grandmother’s old town. And surprisingly, this is the first time a narrative feature has been allowed to shoot on location at an actual concentration camp, making those scenes even more touching and powerful. But what’s going to move audiences are the performances. Eisenberg doesn’t veer from the type of characters we are used to seeing him play, but he is at his best in a role that feels his most authentic. While Culkin leaves you in tears from his heartfelt portrayal of Benji’s constant high and lows throughout the film as he grieves his grandma and deals with his own internal struggles.
The pain both characters are going through impressively speaks louder from their actions and sometimes silence, more so than any words they express to each other. A Real Pain is a sincere and thought-provoking, emotional journey that is elevated by the film’s beautiful and unforgettable performances. It’s a rare gem that will stay with you all year.
Mother’s have a tendency to want to care for everyone and handle everything. Making it hard for them to find any time for themselves. In the new comedy, “I’ll Be Right There”, Edie Falco stars as a mom who is constantly giving rides and all of herself to the loved ones in her life.
The film begins with Wanda (Falco) at the doctor’s office consoling her mom, Grace (Jeannie Berlin), who is convinced she has lung cancer. She then has to drive her pregnant daughter, Sarah (Kayli Carter) to the doctor’s office to check on the baby. After that she has to meet her son, Mark (Charlie Tahan) for his therapy appointment, where he shows clear signs of resentment towards his mother. You see, in addition to Wanda continuously trying her best to there for everyone, they don’t appear to be appreciative of her efforts. And Wanda’s ex-husband, Henry (Bradley Whitford) is no help because he’s too busy with his new wife and kids that he can’t seem to support either.
I know what I have described is far from groundbreaking and we’ve have certainly seen versions of this story before, but that doesn’t mean “I’ll Be Right There” isn’t offering something fresh. The heart and soul of this movie is Falco, who you connect with from the start. It’s her authentic and relatable performance as a mother who’s just trying to keep it all together that makes her so easy to care for her. She naturally shines and those around her are a solid supporting cast.
“I’ll Be Right There” has a simplistic charm to its mild story. The screenplay could have used a little more meat, but writer Jim Beggarly got the point across; writing about the ups and downs of family drama and Wanda being forced to re-examine herself. And in just under an hour and half, you will feel as though that comedic, yet bittersweet journey of self-discovery flew by.
After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter accidentally opens the portal to the afterlife. I review the long-awaited sequel to one of Michael Keaton’s legendary roles, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is currently
playing in theaters.
The hit Netflix series “The Umbrella Academy” is coming to an end and I had the opportunity to chat with Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Justin H. Min, and Ritu Arya about the series, their favorite lines, and more!
“The Umbrella Academy” Season 4 streams on Netflix August 8!
In this final season the Hargreeves siblings have scattered after the climactic showdown at the Hotel Oblivion led to a complete reset of their timeline. Stripped of their powers, each is left to fend for themselves and find a new normal — with wildly varying degrees of success. Yet the trappings of their uncanny new world prove too hard to ignore for very long. Their father Reginald, alive and well, has stepped out of the shadows and into the public eye, overseeing a powerful and nefarious business empire. A mysterious association known as The Keepers holds clandestine meetings believing the reality they’re living in is a lie and a great reckoning is coming. As these strange new forces conspire around them, the Umbrella Academy must come together one last time — and risk upsetting the shaky peace they’ve all endured so much to secure — to finally set things right.
Academy Award nominee, June Squibb has been acting for 60 years and at 93 years old she’s landed her first lead role in “Thelma”. The film is about a grandmother who gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson and sets out on a mission to reclaim the money stolen from her.
I had the opportunity to speak with June and director Josh Margolin about the movie.
“Thelma” opens in theaters nationwide June 21, 2024.
“A thirty-something eternal bridesmaid goes on an empowering, and often hilarious, journey of self-discovery.” I had the opportunity to chat with Leah McKendrick, the director/writer/star of the new comedy, “Scrambled”.
This is an early favorite film, and it was such an honor to have an emotional and fun conversation with her about a film that meant so much to me. We discussed things she wanted to highlight about her personal egg freezing journey, the importance of being a supportive friend, and much more!
Be sure to watch “Scrambled” in theaters February 2, 2024.
Sometimes you can get lucky at a wedding and sometimes you can get lucky in love. For Jane (Lucy Hale) and Will (Nat Wolff), the jury is still out. The two have an immediate spark at a friend’s wedding and almost hook up in a coat closet. Instead of jumping straight to bed with each other, they decide to pump the brakes and open up about their past relationships. Recipe for disaster? Once everything is revealed, it’s certainly doesn’t come without its challenges for the potentially new couple.
“Which Brings Me to You” starts out in a cliche boy meets girl manner. And though, the film never really goes anywhere that original, Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff’s chemistry revives a tired formula.
Hale and Wolff’s onscreen presence pulls you in. It’s clear they both have something dark in their past and you’re intrigued as to why they are both still single. The two bring an authentic portrayal to their characters. Neither one is over the top unrealistic. Will is not some extra, douche bag player type, whose changing his ways for the good girl. And Jane isn’t really the “good girl”. Both are flawed in understandable ways, but they have been trying to change their ways even before they met. They are not trying to become better people for each other, they are becoming better people for themselves. This is a much-needed narrative in the romance genre.
Notice I said “romance” genre and not “romantic comedy”. That’s because this is not a comedy. It lacks humor and it’s not advertised as a comedy. But I could see how one may expect laughs given the premise and trailer clips. “Which Brings Me to You” is more of a thoughtful conversation and character study of two people who are still healing from their past scars.
The film’s biggest weak spot is failing to flesh out their protagonists and their former lovers. Certain flashbacks of their previous romances are rushed, and their exes end up feeling more like props than humans. This creates too many unanswered questions, and ultimately, that holds back the film’s full potential.
“Which Brings Me to You” won’t stand out among other romances, but it tells a sweet enough story that’s enhanced through the effortless performances by Lucy Hale and Nat Wolff.
Rating: B-
“Which Brings Me to You” opens in theaters January 19, 2024.
