Monthly Archives: November 2024

‘Wicked’ (2024) Review

‘Wicked’ (2024) Review

'Wicked' (2024) Review : A True Musical of Magic The year has had plenty of reasons for people to go to the movies. Whether you were riding the sandworms on the treacherous Dunes of Arrakis, or storm chasing with Glen Powell and getting rocked by its sublime 4DX presentation, the cinema experience was rewarding. Now with the year coming to a close you may think there’s nothing left to see but boring biopics or war stories. Well wait until you hear the story about why Galinda & that Wicked Witch fell out. It’s long, but full of suspense. The musical event of the year does essentially boil down to a friendship torn asunder, but one that has epic ramifications, and define’s Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba Thropp as one of the most notorious villains in film history, The Wicked Witch of the West. The film begins with the ending of the story you’re most familiar with, returning audiences to the world of Oz.Wicked is as loving an homage to the film The Wizard of Oz, as it is a reverent adaptation of the broadway production Wicked. There are sets high and low, with real life trains from another world so tactile you could reach out and touch. The vast land of Oz is as sweeping and epic as it was when Dorothy first crash landed there, down to the most minute details. Now there’s no sense making a world if no one’s in it. To that…

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‘Red One’ (2024) Review

‘Red One’ (2024) Review

'Moana 2' (2024) Review : A Mediocre Christmas Movie At this time of year, many are likely gearing up for the familiar past time of watching Christmas movies. Red One has emerged as a contender for holiday entertainment that audiences can add to their lists before they check them twice. This time, it’s a hyper militarised operation at the north pole, led by the world’s largest elf played by Dwayne The Rock Johnson, whose only mission is to protect Santa Claus, and Santa just went missing.The movie begins with a large amount of set up. Red One introduces viewers to a north pole that’s run like a well organized army compound, and shows Santa moving at hyper speed to deliver presents all around the world. The methods may be different, but the aesthetics are largely the same. There are elves running around, the sleigh is pulled by reindeer, though Santa Claus swaps his big belly for big arms.It’s a unique take on a classic story, and its the best part of Red One. It’s when the plot kicks in that things go awry. Santa’s kidnapping kicks off an action sequence that’s conceptually sound, but looks too fake to take seriously. The visual effects are too unpolished to convey any sense of stakes, and end up being an ugly distraction.Some action scenes fare better than others. A fight against 3 snowmen on a beach is a pretty solid sequence, but it’s held back…

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‘Gladiator II’ (2024) Review

‘Gladiator II’ (2024) Review

'Gladiator II' (2024) Review : An Epic Return to Rome As Maximus Decimus Meridius fell at the end of his best picture winning journey, it seemed that curtains had closed for good on the story of Gladiator. Now, 24 years later, the story inexplicably continues. His long lost son Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, finds himself in an all too familiar predicament. Captured after the death of his wife, and forced into slavery. His only hope? Winning his freedom in the arena, and facing the ghosts of his past as he does.Let’s get something out of the way: If you’re the type to be offended by historical inaccuracy in a film, skip this sequel and cozy yourself up to a nice 18 part documentary on a streaming service of your choice. This film is for the audience member willing to seriously suspend their disbelief for a chance to witness the tenacity of the human spirit, against foes in the form of baboons with gnashing razor sharp teeth, rhinos the size of tanks, and a coliseum retrofitted to be an aquarium filled with man eating sharks.Gladiator II isn’t just a trek through the animal kingdom, though the blend of digital effects and live action stunt work creates a magnificent cinematic illusion that’s undeniably impressive. Lucius’ greater threat comes from the oppressive might of Rome, a force he can’t simply hack and slash his way through. The film is equal parts action epic and political…

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