With a 5-day domestic debut of $221M, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 is shattering numerous box office records including the biggest 5-day opening of all time, the biggest Thanksgiving debut and Thanksgiving weekend (3-day and 5-day), the biggest Thanksgiving day, and the biggest Black Friday ever.
The film, which reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage, opened in most markets around the world with $165M internationally, bringing its global cume to date to $386M, the second biggest global debut of 2024.
Biggest 5-day opening of all-time (surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie/$204.6M).
Biggest Thanksgiving weekend of all time by far ($221M 5-day, $135.5M 3-day, surpassing Frozen 2/$125M 5-day and $94M 3-day).
Biggest Thanksgiving debut by far (more than doubling Frozen/$94M 5-day and $67M 3-day).
Thanksgiving Day of $28M (nearly doubling Frozen 2/$15M) .
Highest ever Black Friday at the box office with $54.5M (exceeding Frozen 2/$34.2M).
Biggest Walt Disney Animation Studios debut of all time.
Disney now holds the top 7 Thanksgiving debuts of all time and 9 of the top 10.
“Moana 2 has far surpassed our high expectations this weekend and is a testament to the phenomenon that Moana has become,” said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman. “We’re fortunate to have an incredibly talented and hard-working creative team at Disney Animation who brought this new adventure to life, alongside our wonderful stars Auli’i and Dwayne and great new music. This is a moment to celebrate, and we’re thankful to all the moviegoers and fans who’ve helped make this a record-breaking debut.”
This is Disney’s third film this year to surpass $150M domestically in its opening weekend, alongside Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine ($211M) and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 ($155M), marking the three biggest openings of 2024.
Moana 2 is off to a strong start internationally as well, driven by No. 1 openings around the world.
Highest animated opening weekend of all time in France.
Second highest animated weekend of all time in Italy and Brazil.
Highest WDAS opening weekend of all time across the Latin American region and in nearly 30 individual markets worldwide, including France, Italy, Australia, Brazil and Mexico.
It is now open in all markets except Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, releasing in all three in the coming week.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers.
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
In an interview with Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, they reveal Feathers McGraw was a solution to a story problem.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl marks the return of fan favorite villain, Feathers McGraw.
In an interview with directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, they revealed that when they started working on this film, their intent was never to bring Feathers back. In fact, this is the first time they have done something like this in Wallace & Gromit history.
Vengeance Most Fowl Started Out As A Short… Without Feathers McGraw
“It structurally seemed to work much better once we freed ourselves from that and just admitted this is a one-story, three-act, 75-minute film.”
Back while they were filming Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit, they were already thinking of what would come next for this beloved duo. Nick Park says they were playing around with the idea of a half hour film, and they were kicking around the thought that Wallace was going to invent a smart gnome to help Gromit with his garden chores.
Of course, everything would inevitably go wrong. But the more they dug into this premise, the more they realized that something was missing. There needed to be a darker incentive behind the gnome. Years later, it dawned on the team. Feathers McGraw was the perfect villain to bring back.
Nick Park: We’ve been spellbound by the reaction that he’s coming back. It’s been incredible since that day, really. It was such a big lightning strike. It maybe seems obvious now that he should be in a movie again, but it’s funny how it took a while to reach that. Suddenly when he came back in, the whole thing went up a few gears and the chill factor came in when it was pitched.
Nick Park: We tried it as two short films for a while and then that wasn’t working structurally. It structurally seemed to work much better once we freed ourselves from that and just admitted this is a one-story, three-act, 75-minute film. We found a lot of freedom then, in terms of how we structure a three-act structure, story, arc sort of thing.
Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham Reveal Feathers McGraw Was Not Originally Planned To Be In Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
“It wasn’t our intention, from the beginning, to bring him back. He was a solution to a big story problem, which was an answer to prayer really.”
Feathers McGraw was kept a secret from fans around the world for quite a while, but his return was also kept a secret at Aardman Animation, for fear that it would be leaked and ruin the surprise. They were also nervous that Feathers McGraw was not liked, and that viewers would not be happy about him coming back to antagonize Wallace and Gromit.
Merlin Crossingham: People working on the production knew, but we tried to really keep a hat on it. We were very worried it would get out. Even the idea of making it the first thing that we announced, we were worried about. Mainly because we weren’t sure that people liked him that much, but actually we were totally wrong about that. The team behind the publicity and marketing were absolutely right. It was the right thing to announce and goodness me, people love to hate him. That’s been an amazing thing with social media, getting that feedback and that response. When the last big Wallace and Gromit productions happened, social media wasn’t a thing. So to get that feedback off the fans out there, who were engaging us, it’s just astonishing.
Nick Park: Completely, as Merlin says. Suddenly we had announced something that everyone was expecting and thinking, why the hell haven’t you done it before? How did it take you so long? People in Aardman had mentioned it from time to time, but there had never been a good reason, or a good context, or a story where it didn’t seem like needed to exploit a previous character, which we had never done before in a Wallace and Gromit film. It wasn’t our intention from the beginning to bring him back. He was a solution to a big story problem, which was an answer to prayer really. He worked wonders for the story. We weren’t planning to do a sequel. He was just the perfect solution for what we needed, and we’ve never regretted it.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl will have a limited theatrical run in December, before being released on Netflix globally (except in the UK/IE) on January 3, 2025.
Aardman’s four-time Academy Award®-winning director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Merlin Crossingham return with a brand new epic adventure, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.
In this next installment, Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified, when Wallace invents a “smart” gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master… or Wallace may never be able to invent again!
WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWLwill be released on Netflix globally (except in the UK/IE) on January 3, 2025. The film will also have a limited theatrical release in December.
Moana 2is in theaters now. Featuring the return of everyone’s favorite Disney (not) princess, this movie follows Moana on another empowering and exciting adventure on the sea.
Is There An End Credit Scene In Moana 2?
When the credits start to roll, keep your butts in your seats – because there is a mid-credit scene that you most definitely do not want to miss.
** WARNING: MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR MOANA 2 AHEAD! **
During the big third-act battle, viewers never get a close look at Nalo. He has cursed the storm that is keeping Moana from reaching Motufetu, which he sunk into the ocean, and breaking the curse, but he is not actually there. Although, we do see flashes of his face quite often.
Mantangi, who is also lovingly called the bat lady by so many who have seen the film, helps out Moana and Maui, against the wishes of her boss, Nalo. She makes a moment that if he ever figures this out she will “die by lightning.” It becomes clear that should the curse be broken, she will be set free.
In the Moana 2 mid-credit scene, Nalo has his Thanos moment and basically says “Fine. I’ll do it myself.” after hinting that he knows Mantangi has something to do with Moana and Maui being able to access the island. She says she has no idea how they did, and that she is now free from his service, but he puts lightning handcuffs on her before Tamatoa shows up.
Tamatoa, the crab voiced by Jemaine Clement who sings “Shiny” in the first Moana, says he is interested in joining forces with Nalo because Moana embarrassed him too. He then goes on to sing a little tune, which he calls “Funky Crab Legs.”
These events are clearly setting up for Moana 3, where this is sure to be an epic showdown between the God of Storms and Moana, who is now a demigod herself, given the movie’s final events.
I assume we will be learning more about Matangi, and how she came to be trapped by Nalo in a giant clam for one thousand years. Since Moana has her new crew, it is likely they will be a part of the next film as well. Personally, I cannot wait to see what powers Moana gains now that she is a demigod. I look forward to seeing her in action.
I also hope that this means Tamatoa is going to stick around, as I think he brings a lot of fun and is one of my favorite characters in the Moana franchise. Fingers crossed that Lin-Manuel Miranda is going to come back to work on the songs – or at the very least collaborate with Barlow & Bear.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers.
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
Eight long years later and Moana is finally back for more ocean commotion. Moana introduced us to the Motunui chieftain’s daughter, chosen by the Ocean to save her village and restore the goddess Te Fiti to her rightful and re-empowered state. Moana 2 builds from this legacy, sending the heroine on a journey away from her thriving village to discover a lost island and other communities.
It’s a thematic continuation that makes sense from the first, with beautiful animation, charming new characters, and some memorable songs. At the same time, the film suffers from underdeveloped character arcs, plotlines, and antagonistic forces, making for a Disney outing that’s fun in the moment but ultimately less memorable than its predecessor.
Moana 2 continues the story of Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho), once again seeking to save her people. This time the threat isn’t an agricultural problem, but the interruption of a ceremony by the intrusion of lightning and visions of her ancestors. She’s sent on a journey to find a mythical lost island in order to unify other peoples in adjacent lands, long separated by the human-hating god Nalo, who has cursed said central island.
She reunites with the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and a crew of islanders, including innovative shipbuilder Loto (Rose Matafeo), grumpy gardener Kele (David Fane), and Moni (Hualālai Chung), an uncomfortably big fan of Maui and Moana. She has to brave the seas and Nalo’s obstacles to find her destiny as a Wayfinder and reconnect the peoples of the various lands.
Originally slated for a Disney+ premiere before being retooled for the big screen, Moana 2 looks gorgeous in a theatrical setting. Supernatural effects and larger-than-live threats (like a clam the size of an island) are beautifully designed, and quite a few musical numbers capture the energy of the original.
Moana’s new compatriots are charming additions, with Rose Matafeo’s Loto bringing a wonderfully frantic energy that contrasts well against David Fane’s testy elder. Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda shines as Moana’s little sis Simea, and Simea and Moana have a wonderful chemistry together that comes through the animation.
The narrative isn’t that different from the former, as both are animated by Moana’s reasons to travel beyond island shores and toward the horizon. The sequel’s narrative, however, is often a little too convenient for its own good. Moana’s visions send her toward an island to find the linkage uniting the region’s separated peoples, except the vision’s warnings and instructions are remarkably vague.
Travel the seas and unite the people for… reasons. Doom will come if you don’t, because reasons! We can infer that Nalo’s dangerous opposition, but it’s insufficiently developed why, so audiences have to guess. Moana’s path conveniently allies her with the Kakamora, who conveniently sent her on a quest uniting her with Maui, where she conveniently meets the powerful Matangi (well played by Awhimai Fraser), all links in a chain that flows too easily. In the first, the Ocean had agency and directed moments of convenience like these; here it’s primarily luck and circumstance.
The new characters are smart additions, although generally under-explored with underdeveloped arcs (to the extent that arcs exist at all). Simea’s adorable but outside the main narrative. Loto’s engaging but underdeveloped as a character. Matangi is a fascinating addition with a thinly implied backstory, but she doesn’t fit well into this story.
Finally, Nalo is probably a dangerous threat, one who wants humanity separated and disempowerd because something something power, something hatred… we don’t spend nearly enough time with Nalo for the angry deity to make sense (and it’s kind of odd that they receive no help from Te Fiti in this struggle, to any degree, at all). In the finale, Moana and crew mainly interact with the god’s effects rather than the deity himself, which in the moment feels like a let down as Disney keeps the antagonist in reserve for a possible sequel of some kind.
The songs themselves are a mixed bag. “We’re Back” is a cute introduction to reintroduce us to the village, while “Beyond” is a lovely vocal showcase for Auli’i Cravalho. “Get Lost” is well sung by Moana newcomer Awhimai Fraser, and the animation surrounding it is engaging, but it’s not necessarily one you’ll leave humming to yourself, while “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” reveals Dwayne Johnson’s vocal limitations. The Disney archive is full of tracks that fuel life-long memories; there aren’t many such tracks to be found, here.
Altogether, Moana 2 is an entertaining and gorgeously animated experience, but one that clearly needed a little further development from its Disney+ roots to come anywhere near its excellent predecessor. Greater development of supporting characters, stronger internal logic, and an inciting incident that feels more necessary and motivated would deepen the story and its weight.
Most curiously is the choice to build up an antagonist that’s entirely left in reserve, depriving the sequel of the gravitas and high-stakes spectacle of many of Disney’s best efforts. It’s fun and vibrant, but one can’t escape the feeling that a number of excellent ideas hit the cutting room floor to fuel a third entry, not because it’s best for this story.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers.
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
Netflix’s That Christmas is the perfect movie to help you get into the holiday mood. It features important themes like community, family, & friendship.
That Christmas is a beautifully animated film that is the perfect start to the holiday season. It delivers messages of love and acceptance, family and friendship, and the true meaning of Christmas. When a blizzard forces a seaside community to come together in unexpected ways over the holidays, there are many lessons to be learned for viewers of all ages.
Santa might be in this movie, but he doesn’t take front and center, which is one of my favorite things about it. Sometimes the best Christmas movies are the ones without him front and center. Brian Cox, who voices Jolly Old Saint Nick acts as the narrator, explaining why this specific Christmas is a special one.
That Christmas Offers Many Different Perspectives From The Community
Throughout the course of the story, we meet several different characters, each of which has their own story to tell, and each of which is easy to relate to in different ways. There are a lot of important messages weaved throughout That Christmas, from not judging someone when you have no idea what they are going through to the importance of family. It’s funny, sweet, and completely and utterly charming.
What I love most about this film is how the community comes together when they need to. Without spoilers, there is a major event towards the end that requires all hands on deck. It is an intense few scenes, but ones that are sure to show viewers why friends and family are so important.
The end of the year is meant for joy and loving one another. Not that the rest of the year isn’t, but let’s be honest, the holidays tend to bring people together. That is what I love so much about That Christmas. While certain people are separated at times, overall this is a movie about people coming together. Which is something we need more than anything in this country – in this world – right now.
Richard Curtis Once Again Proves Himself
Richard Curtis has proven many times over that he is a great writer. He knows how to put different elements together to make something special. That is exactly what we get with That Christmas. If his name sounds familiar, but you cannot place it, he is the writer of Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Yesterday. He knows how to evoke certain emotions from his audience, and he once again does that with this Netflix holiday movie.
If you are looking for a film that is going to tug at your heartstrings while simultaneously making you laugh out loud, this one is for you.
That Christmas starts streaming on Netflix on December 4, just in time to celebrate the holidays.
About That Christmas
Based on the charming trilogy of children’s books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday), That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!
This heartwarming comedy from Locksmith Animation marks Curtis’ first foray into animation, serving as the film’s writer and executive producer, and also the feature directorial debut of renowned animation veteran Simon Otto (Love, Death & Robots, How to Train Your Dragon films).
Nicole P. Hearon (Moana, Frozen) and Adam Tandy (The Thick of It, Detectorists) are producers.
Spellbound is one of those movies that will be a favorite for children and a gut-punch (in a good way) for parents. The music is fun, catchy, and memorable. The animation is beautiful and mesmerizing. The story is extremely heartwarming and is sure to resonate with parents all over the world.
Unfortunately, the theme of not fully understanding the effect that your actions and words have on your children is universal. Sometimes we push our children to the side when we do not mean to.
When Princess Ellian’s parents are turned into monsters by a mysterious dark force, she must race against the clock to return them to humans before time runs out and they are lost forever. This sends her on an epic journey through the lands, helped out by the Oracles, who are one of the best parts of the movie. They are a blast, which is not a shock once you discover they are voiced by the hilarious Nathan Lane and Titus Burgess.
Rachel Zegler voices Ellian so it should come as no surprise that her songs are beautifully sung. Any time that Zegler sings, I am a happy viewer. She is an absolute talent. She is not the only one who sings, however. John Lithgow, Nathan Lane, and Tituss Burgess also have quite a few musical performances in Spellbound. All of the songs are enjoyable, and most of them are sure to immediately get stuck in your head.
The score is composed by Alan Menken, who also co-wrote the songs, which shows you exactly why the music in Spellbound is so good. Menken is a living legend.
One of my issues with this movie is, well, not really an issue. I truly wish we had more of the Oracles. They brighten every scene they are in and deliver most of the laugh-out-loud moments. They are so much fun and I am so glad that they are a part of this movie. I would watch a spinoff movie, or series, with them in a heartbeat (take notes Netflix).
In all seriousness though, there are a few moments in Spellbound where the time drags. It clocks in at one hour and forty-nine minutes and could have been a clean ninety. I know that is not much of a difference, but there is one part in particular – when Ellian and her parents are traveling through a log – that could have been cut down.
Overall though, Spellbound is a magical, musical journey that is sure to resonate with a lot of families. The cast is wonderful, the jokes land and the music is beautiful. There is a lot to love about this one.
Arriving just in time so families can watch it over the holidays, Spellbound is available to stream on Netflix now.
While several critics have already discussed this aspect of Spellbound, and even though it is now streaming on Netflix, I do not want to talk about this reveal without giving it a spoiler label. Personally, I think the movie impacted me more because I did not know this aspect of the movie.
At the very end of Spellbound, it is revealed that Princess Ellian’s parents get a divorce. She has two homes. Her parents successfully co-parent, which is extremely important. Not many family movies touch on this, and I find it to be a very important topic of conversation because so many children experience this.
As a child of divorce myself, this really hit home for me. I was much happier after my parents separated because they were clearly not happy together. I love how Spellbound puts a positive light on divorce because it is something that can be really scary for kids and it is helpful for them to know that things can actually be better for it in the end, even though it might be difficult at the time.
About Spellbound
Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters.
Directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek), featuring songs by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast), lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled), and starring Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), this is a dream come true for anyone longing to enter a magical new animated world.
Even ahead of Gladiator II’s release, Gladiator III is all but confirmed, as Paul Mescal reveals Ridley Scott is already writing the script.
Gladiator II comes to theaters on November 22, but star Paul Mescal and Director Sir Ridley Scott are already looking ahead to Gladiator III. Both of them feel that this movie is coming, and both of them reference The Godfather Part Two as the potential inspiration and path that it will explore.
Ridley Scott Says It Would Be “Insane” Not To Consider Gladiator III
Will there be a Gladiator III?
Sir Ridley Scott: It also becomes financial. You’d be insane not to consider the third version. This film was planned to leave it wide open to a sequel with the lines of, “Well, Father, what should I do?” ‘Cause he doesn’t really want the job.
It’s a bit like going in on The Godfather, Al Pacino not wanting the role that he has to concede to. So, in a funny kind of way, I kind of stole that a little bit off The Godfather. Thank you, Francis.
And Paul Mescal would be down for that as well.
Paul Mescal Claims Ridley Scott Is Already Writing Gladiator III Script
Ridley Scott said Gladiator III is in the works. Where would you like to see things go for your character, Lucius?
Paul Mescal: Where do I want to go? I think Ridley’s made a point of like, I don’t know necessarily if you can go back to the arena as we know it. The last time I spoke to him, he said he had nine pages. Yesterday, he said he had 14. So I think he’s moving in a direction that I’m excited with.
I haven’t spoken to him about what that looks like, but I would be excited for it to go into a more political sphere in the world of Michael Corleone in The Godfather II. Something like somebody stepping into something that they don’t necessarily feel like it belongs to them.
Because I think when you see Lucius at the end of the first film, he’s looking for guidance. As much as he’s a reluctant leader throughout the film, I think that’s even an overstatement, I think he has no desire to lead until the point that it’s thrust upon him. I think that you could draw parallels of that with something like The Godfather Part Two.
About Gladiator II: Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Wicked is a perfect combination of the book and the musical to create something special. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are enchanting together.
L to R: Ariana Grande is Glinda and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
It should come as no surprise that Wicked is easily one of the best films of the year. Not only is this movie absolutely gorgeous, it has two leads that ooze chemistry together – and a supporting cast that is the icing on the cake.
Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) are completely enchanting together. Of course, they both have incredible singing voices and deliver performances that will give everyone watching chills (and yes, sometimes even bring you to tears). But it is so much more than that.
L to R: Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
The relationship between these two characters is what makes Wicked what it is. It is integral to the story, and if their friendship is not believable, the messaging falls flat. Erivo and Grande capture the same essence that Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth did, bringing these beloved characters to life once again.
Neither pair is better than the other, they are, all four, untouchable.
Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
The Book Is A Lot Darker Than The Musical… The Film Combines Them
If I am being perfectly honest, I went into Wicked cautiously optimistic. I love the book series, but because of that, I have some issues with the musical. The first book, which the stage play is based on, is dark and political. And it does not have a happy ending. The musical removed a lot of that in the adaptation.
L to R: Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
Now, I understand that certain things need to be adjusted due to timing constraints, but the ending did not need to be changed. Since the film is only part one of the story, I do not know which ending Part Two is going to choose to bring to the screen (although I have a sinking feeling they will go with the happier version). That said, so far, I am very pleased with the combination of the two source materials that Jon M. Chu has come up with.
Ariana Grande is Glinda in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
Everything About This Movie Is Perfect
This might sound unbelievable, but there is nothing bad to say about Wicked. There is nothing even mediocre about this movie. It is easily one of the best films of the year, if not the best film of the year. Even for those who are not musical fans, I cannot fathom someone not enjoying themselves watching it.
Ethan Slater is Boq and Marissa Bode is Nessarose in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
Wicked is big, bold, and expressive. The leads are phenomenal, as I already discussed, but the supporting cast is nothing short of exceptional as well. The musical numbers are going to leave viewers with their jaws on the floor.
From the dancers who are front and center, to the ones that are difficult to spot in the back – everyone, and I mean everyone, has brought their A-game.
L to R: Marissa Bode is Nessarose and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
The story itself is captivating. As mentioned earlier, the length of this movie allows the political aspects to expand and add more meaning and impact to the story seen in the stage play. Things get dark.
This is a heavy subject matter that includes the rights of a ceratin demographic being ripped away. It is a hard watch. Especially right now. But it is also beautiful and exciting at times.
L to R: Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
Overall Thoughts On Wicked
Wicked might be a perfect movie, but it is hard to judge it knowing that it is only half the story. Could it all fall apart in the end? Sure. But I would be completely shocked if that is the outcome. It is clear that everyone who had a hand in this film gave it their all – and then some.
Even though it clocks in at nearly three hours, it never slows down or drags. There is not one moment where viewers will be checking their watches wondering when it is going to wrap up, or how much time is left.
Wicked is something truly special. From the hair and makeup, to the costumes and set design, to the performances and epic musical numbers. It has to potential to take home multiple awards this season, and, to be honest, I will be shocked if it doesn’t.
Jonathan Bailey is Prince Fiyero in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are charming and enchanting. Both prove that they are powerhouse singers and fantastic actors. Jonathan Bailey could have chemistry with an inanimate object. That man absolutely shines in the role of Fiyero.
L to R: Jeff Goldblum is The Wizard of Oz and Michelle Yeoh is Madam Morrible in WICKED, directed by Jon M. Chu
Marissa Bode is the perfect Nessarose, and is easy to fall in love with from the moment we first see her. Ethan Slater is adorable as Boq, Jeff Goldblum is the perfect Wizard of Oz, and Michelle Yeoh? Of course she is incredible as Madame Morrible.
Even though I do not expect it to happen – my fingers are crossed for the book ending versus the musical ending. The bar is set very high for Wicked Part Two, but I cannot imagine it losing any of the magic that this one delivers.
See Wicked on the biggest screen possible, you will not regret it.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths.
Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Writer Richard Curtis reveals inspiration behind Netflix’s That Christmas, his new animated holiday film, in this interview.
That Christmasfollows a series of stories about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake. Taking place in a seaside town during a holiday blizzard, the community comes together to learn the true meaning of Christmas.
We spoke with writer Richard Curtis – who has also penned Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, & Love Actually – about his new animated film. He reveals the personal inspirations behind it, as well as what makes this movie stand out amongst other holiday films.
Richard Curtis Reveals That Christmas Inspiration & More
Tessa Smith: I really related to the sisters who are very different from each other. I’d like to know where that idea came from.
Richard Curtis: Well, it comes from it comes from two generations. I had two sisters who were older than me very different only a year apart. so it’s them. And then my brother has twin daughters, very different, only a second apart. So there’s a bit of lived experience in there.
Tessa Smith: What about this movie would you say makes it stand out amongst other Christmas and holiday films?
Richard Curtis: I think that one of the joys is making an animated movie with all the joy, beauty, glory, and color, but is about quite intimate things. I think I’m quite pleased to have made an animated film that’s about family stuff that you would recognize, and about kids that feel like the kids you either have or the child that you were. I love the fact that we’ve made a movie that feels, to me, a little bit like my favorite animated film, which was the Charlie Brown Christmas special. I used to watch when I was a kid so I hope that people will get all the sort of big thrills of the beauty of an animated film with quite a personal little story.
Be sure to watch our full interview with Richard Curtis to learn more about the making of That Christmas, as well as his favorite holiday traditions.
About That Christmas
Based on the charming trilogy of children’s books by beloved multi award-winning writer/director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday), That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about family and friends, love and loneliness, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys!
This heartwarming comedy from Locksmith Animation marks Curtis’ first foray into animation, serving as the film’s writer and executive producer, and also the feature directorial debut of renowned animation veteran Simon Otto (Love, Death & Robots, How to Train Your Dragon films).
Nicole P. Hearon (Moana, Frozen) and Adam Tandy (The Thick of It, Detectorists) are producers.
Acting legend Ernie Hudson discusses voicing Marlon in Angry Birds Mystery Island, as well as his other iconic roles, in this interview.
Angry Birds Mystery Island showcases the adventures of three hatchlings, Buddy, Mia, Rosie, and piglet Hamylton after they’re catapulted to a mysterious island. Surrounded by a vast amount of litter and threatened by strange cultures, the group must learn to work together.
We spoke with Ernie Hudson about his latest role as Maron on Angry Birds Mystery Island. He also discusses the importance of family entertainment and which of his other characters he would like to see cameo in this world.
Ernie Hudson On The Importance Of Family Entertainment
Tessa Smith: You are an acting legend. I feel like you can do anything you want. So what was it about Angry Birds that made you want to be a part of it?
Ernie Hudson: Well, to be an Angry Bird is very, very cool. I mean, aside from the title and the series, it’s just an Angry Bird, period. It just sounds like fun to me. But yeah, I’d heard of, obviously, the game, and then when I read the script of the episode that I’m doing, I love Marlon. He kind of reminded me of so many dysfunctional people that I know, and maybe even myself. I just loved it. I wanted to be a part of it. I wasn’t reluctant in any way. I just was like, yeah, sign me up. I’m here. And it was fun.
Tessa Smith: Can you talk about the importance of working on projects that the whole family can enjoy?
Ernie Hudson: That’s why I love this show. I’m just going to say what I think. It’s kind of a throwback in a lot of ways. Some of the shows that used to do that, there’s a moral compass there. There’s stories that we can discuss. I’ve been very fortunate over the years, Quantum Leap was sort of that way, trying to get some theme that we can get a different perspective on.
To me, it’s really about family. I have four sons, I have grandkids, I have great grandkids. I do find a lot of things very, very difficult to come together on and want to share. You know what I’m saying? Sit down. We’re going to watch this. Somebody told me to watch it, and then actually have a discussion afterward. So I love this show for that reason. It’s not one of those wacky things that as a parent, I’m kind of going, why am I [watching this?]
One of the things I love about this show is it’s a little bit different. And for me, it just keeps in the theme of the Ghostbusters of the universe, of stuff that bridges that generation gap. The grandparents can actually find something enjoyable about it. As well as the grandkids, and not feeling forced to have to sit through it.
Ernie Hudson Would Love To See These Characters Cameo On Angry Birds Mystery Island
Tessa Smith: Is there a character that you’ve done that you think would be fun to have cameo in the Angry Birds world?
Ernie Hudson: I’d love to see Winston slip into the angry bird world. Maybe Slimer. They’re on a little Island. It’d be great to have Slimer or the marshmallow man pop up. I remember doing Congo and I always loved that character Monroe Kelly, the safari guy. It’d be great to see him pop up someplace.
I’m always open to a new adventure for me. That’s what this is It’s what for me, Angry Birds, all this stuff is that I get a chance to have a new adventure every time I work. They’re not necessarily related. I don’t know any other profession I could have gone into that would have allowed me not just to step into it, but now I have to really take my mind and imagine if I lived in the angry birds world. And if this universe existed, how do I play? And that’s that’s what I love about it.
Be sure to watch our full interview with Ernie Hudson to hear more about his return to Ghostbusters, working in theater, and more.
About Angry Birds Mystery Island
Based on Rovio’s popular game Angry Birds, Angry Birds Mystery Island introduces three new Hatchling characters—”Mia,” “Rosie,” and “Buddy”—and a foreign-exchange piglet named “Hamylton” who are mistakenly catapulted onto an uncharted island. The ragtag bunch quickly learns that, in order to survive and make it back home, they will need to unlock the mysteries of the island together.
Angry Birds Mystery Island Part 1 & 2 is out now on Amazon Kids+ and Prime Video. Part 3 debuts December 3.
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