Greetings again from the darkness. Let’s get this out of the way upfront. My only issue with this sequel is that it exists at all. It’s pretty much the definition of a money grab. Why should a successful stage production that lasted about three hours be turned into two films totaling almost five hours? There are only two possible answers: either more story to tell (nope, not here), or more money to make (yep!). Now, I have nothing against studios cashing in on a good thing – especially these days, when tickets are difficult to sell. So, my one issue with the film, really isn’t much of an issue at all … in fact, I really enjoy the spectacular visuals and could watch Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba any time.
Jon M Chu is back in the director’s chair and the key players are back on screen. Ms. Erivo deserves recognition and awards for her remarkable turn as Elphaba, and Ariana Grande uses that stunning voice as Glinda the Good. Also returning are Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz, (Oscar winner) Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiero (and Scarecrow), Ethan Slater as Boq (and The Tin Man), and Marissa Bode as Nessarose.
Friendship and the inner-strength to do the right thing are the messages here. However, the truth is that messages are less important here than the breathtaking visuals – special effects, costumes, and gorgeous sets. The songs aren’t quite as memorable as those in the first film, yet the singing voices are still tremendous. Corruption and darker personalities are at play here, and Erivo and Grande handle the dynamic very well. The final twist is a welcome relief – especially for parents of younger kids.
As a reminder, these characters are based on the originals created by L Frank Baum, and the film is based on the musical stage play by Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) and Winnie Holzman (stage book), the latter of whom gets screenplay credit alongside Dana Fox. The source novel was written by Gregory Maguire. Certainly deserving mention are Production Designer (Oscar winner) Nathan Crowley, Set Decorator (Oscar winner) Lee Sandales, Costume Designer (Oscar winner) Paul Tazewell, and Composers John Powell and (Oscar winner) Stephen Schwartz.
Posted by David Ferguson
Greetings again from the darkness. Chinese filmmaker Bi Gan’s third feature continues his string of visually stunning films and dramatic visual effects. However, this one runs 160 minutes, and seems to be inaccessible to most moviegoers, while the film will surely mesmerize a few. Bi Gan is a cinematic artist who is at ease toying with time and our sense of normalcy.
Greetings again from the darkness. We can only assume there were conspiracy theorists during the time of cavemen since alarmists have existed at every other stage of humanity. It’s intriguing to assume there is more going on ‘behind the curtain’ than what we see with our own eyes. We feel there must be a reason those other people get rich or escape the judicial system or hold onto power … while we are stuck in the role of being just everyday folks. Filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos has a track record of unconventional projects (POOR THINGS, 2023; THE FAVOURITE, 2018; THE LOBSTER, 2015), and this time, he and screenwriter Will Tracy (THE MENU, 2022) have remade the 2013 award-winning South Korean cult film, SAVE THE GREEN PLANET!, by Jang Joon-hwan … and it’s a doozy.
Greetings again from the darkness. Raise your hand if you were once a kid. Well then, you likely had some experience with a monster under the bed or in the closet. You may have even had an imaginary friend. It no longer matters how your parents handled scary bedtime for you during childhood, but writer-director Bryan Fuller offers a fantastical tale on what could happen if you don’t believe your kids! Mr. Fuller is best known as the creator of the terrific (and dark) TV series “Hannibal”, and he once again collaborates with Mads Mikkelsen, the titular star of that show.
Greetings again from the darkness. My apologies for this review posting months after it should have. The tardiness of the post has nothing to do with the quality of the movie, which I found quite entertaining and creative. It might be best described as an innovate storytelling approach to an age-old tale … with some very cool twists and turns. Ryan Coogler previously directed BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (2022), BLACK PANTHER (2018), CREED (2015), and FRUITVALE STATION (2013); however, this is his first fully original film as writer-director, and it certainly doesn’t lack ambition.
Greetings again from the darkness. Here is my PSA (Public Service Announcement): This is not a “Football” movie. If you are expecting FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS or ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, you will be disappointed. This is a Psychological Horror film (think BLACK SWAN) featuring a couple of football players, and it’s produced by Jordan Peele, he of NOPE and GET OUT fame. Writer-director Justin Tipping (KICKS, 2016) and co-writers (co-creators of “Limetown”) Zack Aker and Skip Bronkie serve up few X’s and O’s, and plenty of commentary on fame and the quest for greatness.
Greetings again from the darkness. I’m not normally the target market for romantic philosophy-of-life movies, so it seems apropos that one I connect with is likely to be labeled maudlin or sappy by others. Being a big fan of director Kogonada’s underrated COLUMBUS (2017), I was interested to see him team up again with his AFTER YANG (2021) star Colin Farrell, in a blacklist script from writer Seth Reiss (THE MENU, 2022).
Greetings again from the darkness. Grief is one of the most powerful emotions we humans can experience. The range of effects varies from lethargy to sadness to full-on depression. We’ve all experienced that feeling of wishing for one more shared moment or the opportunity to say goodbye. Writer-director Nacho Vigalondo (TRUE CRIMES, 2007, COLOSSAL, 2008) is working with an intriguing premise and a strong cast, yet for some reason, this one doesn’t pack the punch it seems like it should.
Greetings again from the darkness. It’s been 32 years since John Hammond “spared no expense” on ice cream and Chaos Theory Doctor Malcolm pleaded that the colorful jeep “must go faster”. That 1993 film by Steven Spielberg awed us and changed the course of cinema. Now director Gareth Edwards (ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, 2016; GODZILLA, 2014) brings us the seventh film in the ‘Jurassic’ franchise. Having adapted Michael Crichton’s books for the first two in the series, renowned screenwriter David Koepp (who has also contributed to Mission: Impossible, Indiana Jones, and Spider-Man franchises, among others) returns for “Rebirth”.
Greetings again from the darkness. The first FROZEN movie was released in 2013 and the sequel, FROZEN II in 2019. FROZEN III is scheduled for release in 2027, but since the story (adapted from an original Hans Christian Anderson story) remains so popular, fans get a film version of the stage musical to tide them over … and ensure no generation (or even part of one) misses out. Brett Sullivan directs the filming of Michael Grandage’s stage presentation, and I’m still trying to figure out if young kids will embrace this version.