The cast and filmmakers behind Disney/Pixar’s upcoming animated feature “Turning Red” have spoken out to tout its universal coming-of-age themes after a review posted by outlet CinemaBlend on Tuesday generated online backlash. The review, written by the site’s managing director Sean O’Connell, was pulled by the outlet after press on social media took issue with the article for its perceived sexist and racist viewpoints.
The film, directed and co-written by Oscar winner Domee Shi, centers on a 13-year-old girl named Mei Lee, who is torn between family loyalty and the chaos of puberty and the growing pains of middle school. Along the way, she routinely turns into a giant red panda.
“Throughout ‘Turning Red,’ Domee Shi and her co-screenwriter Julia Cho pepper in jokes and references that will speak directly to teenage girls, be it their bonds over sappy pop songs, or their heated lust for older teen dudes,...
The film, directed and co-written by Oscar winner Domee Shi, centers on a 13-year-old girl named Mei Lee, who is torn between family loyalty and the chaos of puberty and the growing pains of middle school. Along the way, she routinely turns into a giant red panda.
“Throughout ‘Turning Red,’ Domee Shi and her co-screenwriter Julia Cho pepper in jokes and references that will speak directly to teenage girls, be it their bonds over sappy pop songs, or their heated lust for older teen dudes,...
- 3/9/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
“Turning Red” cast members spoke up in support of the new Pixar film and its universality following a controversial review for the animated movie that was published by CinemaBlend. The review was pulled offline after being called “sexist,” “racist” and more by members of the press. CinemaBlend managing director Sean O’Connell wrote the review, saying that the film’s appeal was limited because it’s set in the Asian community of Toronto.
“I recognized the humor in the film, but connected with none of it. By rooting ‘Turning Red’ very specifically in the Asian community of Toronto, the film legitimately feels like it was made for [director] Domee Shi’s friends and immediate family members,” O’Connell wrote in the since-pulled review. “Which is fine — but also, a tad limiting in its scope.”
O’Connell doubled down on his opinion of the film in a since-deleted tweet that accompanied his review.
“I recognized the humor in the film, but connected with none of it. By rooting ‘Turning Red’ very specifically in the Asian community of Toronto, the film legitimately feels like it was made for [director] Domee Shi’s friends and immediate family members,” O’Connell wrote in the since-pulled review. “Which is fine — but also, a tad limiting in its scope.”
O’Connell doubled down on his opinion of the film in a since-deleted tweet that accompanied his review.
- 3/9/2022
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
When Covid forced theaters to close last year, movie criticism rolled on as publicists cheerfully provided screener links to critics. Now, studios are returning to their pre-pandemic ways: Watch the film in a theater, or don’t see it.
Amazon offered links to Cannes musical “Annette,” but screenings for A24’s “The Green Knight” were in-person only. Disney, which offered in-person screenings and screener options since the beginning of the year, told writers this week that “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” will screen in-person only, despite plans for a virtual junket.
Before Covid, critics say, asking for a screener for a major studio release would only inspire publicist laughter. Now that theaters have reopened, it’s more of a random feeding schedule: One studio source who spoke on condition of anonymity said if a critic explained their situation, they would be accommodated with a screener.
However, critics...
Amazon offered links to Cannes musical “Annette,” but screenings for A24’s “The Green Knight” were in-person only. Disney, which offered in-person screenings and screener options since the beginning of the year, told writers this week that “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” will screen in-person only, despite plans for a virtual junket.
Before Covid, critics say, asking for a screener for a major studio release would only inspire publicist laughter. Now that theaters have reopened, it’s more of a random feeding schedule: One studio source who spoke on condition of anonymity said if a critic explained their situation, they would be accommodated with a screener.
However, critics...
- 8/10/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
The power of visual effects: CGI characters in movie trailers launched memes and drew ridicule last year in both “Cats” and “Sonic the Hedgehog.” The latter, inspired by the video game of the same name, was delayed in order to revise its title character’s design, but it finally opened on Friday, February 14. So what do critics think of the finished product?
Well, compared to “Cats” it’s a resounding success, though that doesn’t mean it’s a critics’ darling. As of this writing it has a MetaCritic score of 47 based on 35 reviews counted thus far: 13 positive, 15 somewhat mixed, and 7 outright negative. That’s not such a bad spread considering that video game movies are often considered outright failures. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, the film actually has a positive freshness rating of 65% based on 99 reviews counted, 35 of which give it a thumbs down.
SEEJim Carrey movies: 15 greatest films ranked...
Well, compared to “Cats” it’s a resounding success, though that doesn’t mean it’s a critics’ darling. As of this writing it has a MetaCritic score of 47 based on 35 reviews counted thus far: 13 positive, 15 somewhat mixed, and 7 outright negative. That’s not such a bad spread considering that video game movies are often considered outright failures. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, the film actually has a positive freshness rating of 65% based on 99 reviews counted, 35 of which give it a thumbs down.
SEEJim Carrey movies: 15 greatest films ranked...
- 2/14/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” made its long-awaited world premiere in Hollywood last night and critics were left both thrilled and disappointed by the much-touted final entry in the Skywalker saga. “The Rise of Skywalker” finds “The Force Awakens” helmer J.J. Abrams back in the director’s chair following Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi.” The latter film opened in 2017 to vast critical acclaim, but Johnson’s script earned a polarizing response from “Star Wars” fans for the way it upended conventions and side-stepped fan theories. It appears Abrams has course-corrected the franchise with “The Rise of Skywalker” in a way that critics are finding frustrating.
The New York Times carpetbagger Kyle Buchanan respond on Twitter to “The Rise of Skywalker” by writing, “[The film] could only have been ruder to Rian Johnson if they had motion-smoothed it.”
IGN’s deputy entertainment manager Laura Prudom added, “The emotional highs are spectacular,...
The New York Times carpetbagger Kyle Buchanan respond on Twitter to “The Rise of Skywalker” by writing, “[The film] could only have been ruder to Rian Johnson if they had motion-smoothed it.”
IGN’s deputy entertainment manager Laura Prudom added, “The emotional highs are spectacular,...
- 12/17/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
If the social media reaction coming out of the first round of screenings for “1917” is any indication, Sam Mendes has made a World War I film for the ages.
While full reviews won’t hit the internet until Monday afternoon, attendees of press screenings in Los Angeles and New York were free to post their thoughts on Universal’s upcoming epic. Featuring the cinematography of “Blade Runner 2049” Oscar winner Roger Deakins, “1917” follows two British soldiers tasked to save their fellow men from an ambush in a race against time.
Universal has heavily promoted Mendes and Deakins’ choice to film the entire movie as if it was one continuous take, similar to Alejandro Inarritu and Emmanuel Lubezki’s work on “Birdman.”
Also Read: Watch Out, Oscars - '1917' Is Here, and It's the Real Deal
“From the second ‘1917’ starts to the final frame, it’s a...
While full reviews won’t hit the internet until Monday afternoon, attendees of press screenings in Los Angeles and New York were free to post their thoughts on Universal’s upcoming epic. Featuring the cinematography of “Blade Runner 2049” Oscar winner Roger Deakins, “1917” follows two British soldiers tasked to save their fellow men from an ambush in a race against time.
Universal has heavily promoted Mendes and Deakins’ choice to film the entire movie as if it was one continuous take, similar to Alejandro Inarritu and Emmanuel Lubezki’s work on “Birdman.”
Also Read: Watch Out, Oscars - '1917' Is Here, and It's the Real Deal
“From the second ‘1917’ starts to the final frame, it’s a...
- 11/25/2019
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
“Booksmart” premiered at the SXSW Festival back in March and officially debuted in theaters on May 24, telling the story of two overachieving teenage girls who want to break out of their shells for one wild night before high school graduation. It follows in the footsteps of other recent coming-of-age comedies about young women, including “Lady Bird,” “The Edge of Seventeen” and “Eighth Grade,” and it’s as critically acclaimed as those previous films.
As of this writing the film has a MetaCritic score of 84 based on 39 reviews — 38 of them positive and only 1 somewhat mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes it has a resounding freshness rating of 99% based on 157 reviews — only 2 of those are classified as negative. It’s the feature directorial debut of Olivia Wilde, the actress known for her roles in “House,” “Tron: Legacy” and “Rush.” Will she enjoy as much success for her work as Greta Gerwig (double Oscar nominee...
As of this writing the film has a MetaCritic score of 84 based on 39 reviews — 38 of them positive and only 1 somewhat mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes it has a resounding freshness rating of 99% based on 157 reviews — only 2 of those are classified as negative. It’s the feature directorial debut of Olivia Wilde, the actress known for her roles in “House,” “Tron: Legacy” and “Rush.” Will she enjoy as much success for her work as Greta Gerwig (double Oscar nominee...
- 5/24/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Most of us have to wait until “Avengers: Endgame” hits theaters Thursday night to find out how Earth’s Mightiest Heroes bounce back from Thanos’ finger-snap in “Infinity War,” but not the lucky bastards who were invited to the Marvel film’s gala premiere Monday night in Los Angeles.
That premiere ended at 10 p.m. Pt, and so did the social media embargo, so you know what that means: Twitter is now flooded with reactions.
So what did they think? Are people who saw it happy and satisfied with what appears to be the conclusion of the original Avengers’ story? Do they hate it? Don’t worry everyone, if the word out of the premiere is anything to go on, you’re going to love “Avengers: Endgame.” (Whew!)
Also Read: 'Avengers: Endgame' After Dark: Some Theaters Will Run Round-the-Clock Screenings
For the most part, reactions are ecstatic. Peter Sciretta...
That premiere ended at 10 p.m. Pt, and so did the social media embargo, so you know what that means: Twitter is now flooded with reactions.
So what did they think? Are people who saw it happy and satisfied with what appears to be the conclusion of the original Avengers’ story? Do they hate it? Don’t worry everyone, if the word out of the premiere is anything to go on, you’re going to love “Avengers: Endgame.” (Whew!)
Also Read: 'Avengers: Endgame' After Dark: Some Theaters Will Run Round-the-Clock Screenings
For the most part, reactions are ecstatic. Peter Sciretta...
- 4/23/2019
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
“No one is ever really gone.”
With those final words from Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher‘s General Leia Organa is seen hugging Daisy Ridley‘s Rey in the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, three years after Fisher’s death.
The scene tugged at heartstrings as the unseen footage was shown at the Star Wars Celebration in Chicago on Friday.
While Fisher died on Dec. 27, 2016, she has remained a commanding presence in the Star Wars universe, with J.J. Abrams revealing that her character was alive in Episode IX.
“As I’ve said, we couldn’t,” Abrams said...
With those final words from Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher‘s General Leia Organa is seen hugging Daisy Ridley‘s Rey in the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, three years after Fisher’s death.
The scene tugged at heartstrings as the unseen footage was shown at the Star Wars Celebration in Chicago on Friday.
While Fisher died on Dec. 27, 2016, she has remained a commanding presence in the Star Wars universe, with J.J. Abrams revealing that her character was alive in Episode IX.
“As I’ve said, we couldn’t,” Abrams said...
- 4/13/2019
- by Alexia Fernandez
- PEOPLE.com
Two weeks before “Us” hits theaters, Jordan Peele’s follow-up to “Get Out” screened for the first time Friday night at SXSW in Austin, Texas. And judging by the early reactions from critics, it appears Peele isn’t suffering from any sophomore slump.
In her review for TheWrap, Yolanda Machado praised the performances of Lupita Nyong’o and Shahadi Wright Joseph, saying each brought something completely different to their dual roles the mother Adelaide Wilson and her daughter Zora, and then as their creepy doppelgänger personas. Machado also said that Peele — who wrote, directed and produced the film — cemented himself as the best horror filmmaker in the business.
“Nyong’o gives a master class in acting in dual roles and is almost unrecognizable as her doppelgänger persona. (Which is as much plot as will be revealed here.) Not only does she take on an entirely different voice, but her posture,...
In her review for TheWrap, Yolanda Machado praised the performances of Lupita Nyong’o and Shahadi Wright Joseph, saying each brought something completely different to their dual roles the mother Adelaide Wilson and her daughter Zora, and then as their creepy doppelgänger personas. Machado also said that Peele — who wrote, directed and produced the film — cemented himself as the best horror filmmaker in the business.
“Nyong’o gives a master class in acting in dual roles and is almost unrecognizable as her doppelgänger persona. (Which is as much plot as will be revealed here.) Not only does she take on an entirely different voice, but her posture,...
- 3/9/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
“Captain Marvel” is soaring following advanced press screenings on Tuesday.
Reactions from early showings have hit Twitter, and audiences are keen on Marvel’s first female-led standalone movie.
Critics are praising Brie Larson’s performance as Carol Danvers, the nostalgic ’90s setting, and the cosmic sci-fi elements. Goose, Danvers’ cat, is also getting a lot of attention from audiences. According to Kayti Burt from Den of Geek, “Cat people will love this movie.” Burt added that “the McU feels more complete now.”
Read some of the first reactions below:
Some initial #CaptainMarvel reactions:
1. Cat people will love this movie.
2. Several truly magnificent music moments for this 90s kid.
3. Carol's hero moment was very cathartic/true to the female experience, imho.
4. The McU feels more complete now that Carol is in it.
— Kayti Burt (@kaytiburt) February 20, 2019
#captainmarvel had space battles, car chases, an amazing 90s soundtrack and an Adorable ! A surprisingly fun script,...
Reactions from early showings have hit Twitter, and audiences are keen on Marvel’s first female-led standalone movie.
Critics are praising Brie Larson’s performance as Carol Danvers, the nostalgic ’90s setting, and the cosmic sci-fi elements. Goose, Danvers’ cat, is also getting a lot of attention from audiences. According to Kayti Burt from Den of Geek, “Cat people will love this movie.” Burt added that “the McU feels more complete now.”
Read some of the first reactions below:
Some initial #CaptainMarvel reactions:
1. Cat people will love this movie.
2. Several truly magnificent music moments for this 90s kid.
3. Carol's hero moment was very cathartic/true to the female experience, imho.
4. The McU feels more complete now that Carol is in it.
— Kayti Burt (@kaytiburt) February 20, 2019
#captainmarvel had space battles, car chases, an amazing 90s soundtrack and an Adorable ! A surprisingly fun script,...
- 2/20/2019
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
The first “Lego Movie” was a surprise critical darling when it was released in 2014. What seemed like it would merely be a tie-in product for kids’ toys turned out to be uniquely creative, clever, and even moving. So how does the sequel follow up that surprise now that we’re all more familiar with the Lego-Verse?
“The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” opened on February 8, and it has also won the approval of most critics. It has a solid MetaCritic score of 65 based on 41 reviews as of this writing, of which 30 are positive, 9 are mixed and only 2 are negative. Meanwhile, the pass-fail Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating is currently at 84% based on 144 reviews: 121 classified as positive, 23 as negative.
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The disparity between the two scores suggests that the sequel is admired by the vast majority of critics, but not with quite...
“The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” opened on February 8, and it has also won the approval of most critics. It has a solid MetaCritic score of 65 based on 41 reviews as of this writing, of which 30 are positive, 9 are mixed and only 2 are negative. Meanwhile, the pass-fail Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating is currently at 84% based on 144 reviews: 121 classified as positive, 23 as negative.
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
The disparity between the two scores suggests that the sequel is admired by the vast majority of critics, but not with quite...
- 2/8/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
In November at our inaugural Power Women Summit, TheWrap committed to bringing gender balance to our team of film critics.
At the time, I said that we wanted to make sure we walked the walk and set an example by our own actions. We all know that having different a diverse set of views among writers creates a smarter, richer context for the discussion around our popular culture. (More info on that event here.)
For that reason I’m pleased to announce that we have achieved that commitment, and that TheWrap now has an equal number of women as men critics.
Also Read: TheWrap Wins Best Entertainment Website and More First-Place Wins at National Entertainment Journalism Awards 2018
Sharon Waxman committing to gender equity at the Power Women Summit 2018 / Photo by Randy Shropshire
We have added to our esteemed group of writers Yolanda Machado, Candice Frederick and Monica Castillo, who join...
At the time, I said that we wanted to make sure we walked the walk and set an example by our own actions. We all know that having different a diverse set of views among writers creates a smarter, richer context for the discussion around our popular culture. (More info on that event here.)
For that reason I’m pleased to announce that we have achieved that commitment, and that TheWrap now has an equal number of women as men critics.
Also Read: TheWrap Wins Best Entertainment Website and More First-Place Wins at National Entertainment Journalism Awards 2018
Sharon Waxman committing to gender equity at the Power Women Summit 2018 / Photo by Randy Shropshire
We have added to our esteemed group of writers Yolanda Machado, Candice Frederick and Monica Castillo, who join...
- 1/3/2019
- by Sharon Waxman
- The Wrap
Ever since the feature’s first dazzling footage made its way online, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has felt like a project with real potential, and with the first reactions to the Sony animation emerging on social media, there’s reason to think that Miles Morales’ big screen debut might even live up to the hype.
Though early reactions aren’t always the most reliable gauge for how a film will fare with audiences and critics, these tweets certainly bode well for next month’s release, with some fans going as far as to call it one of the best comic book movies ever made.
I can finally talk about this: #SpiderVerse is hands down the best Spider-Man movie ever made, and it’s one of the best comic-book films, live action or animated, of all time. pic.twitter.com/hzO0ZCdagk
— homophonic (@Mikey_Talks) November 20, 2018
Oh so we're all ignoring #IntoTheSpiderVerse embargo now?...
Though early reactions aren’t always the most reliable gauge for how a film will fare with audiences and critics, these tweets certainly bode well for next month’s release, with some fans going as far as to call it one of the best comic book movies ever made.
I can finally talk about this: #SpiderVerse is hands down the best Spider-Man movie ever made, and it’s one of the best comic-book films, live action or animated, of all time. pic.twitter.com/hzO0ZCdagk
— homophonic (@Mikey_Talks) November 20, 2018
Oh so we're all ignoring #IntoTheSpiderVerse embargo now?...
- 11/20/2018
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
“Forget history,” so says the new reboot of “Robin Hood” in the film’s opening narration. Although the critics reviewing “Robin Hood” weren’t so quick to forget previous installments of the legend, many hope to quickly erase this one.
The early reviews of “Robin Hood,” starring Taron Egerton (“Kingsman”) and Jamie Foxx in the action-adventure film opening Wednesday, have pegged Otto Bathurst’s (“Peaky Blinders”) film as a lazy retread of “Batman Begins” that borrows the worst traits from Guy Ritchie’s “King Arthur” flop and the over-stylized action sequences of “300.”
“Rife with stereotypes, a terrible script, and odd ‘300’-esque cinematography that just doesn’t fit, this is not only a film nobody asked for, but also one that nobody should be forced to endure,” TheWrap’s Yolanda Machado says in her review.
Also Read: Thanksgiving Box Office Preview: 'Wreck-It Ralph,' 'Creed' Sequels Expected to Top...
The early reviews of “Robin Hood,” starring Taron Egerton (“Kingsman”) and Jamie Foxx in the action-adventure film opening Wednesday, have pegged Otto Bathurst’s (“Peaky Blinders”) film as a lazy retread of “Batman Begins” that borrows the worst traits from Guy Ritchie’s “King Arthur” flop and the over-stylized action sequences of “300.”
“Rife with stereotypes, a terrible script, and odd ‘300’-esque cinematography that just doesn’t fit, this is not only a film nobody asked for, but also one that nobody should be forced to endure,” TheWrap’s Yolanda Machado says in her review.
Also Read: Thanksgiving Box Office Preview: 'Wreck-It Ralph,' 'Creed' Sequels Expected to Top...
- 11/20/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Almost everyone agrees that “A Star Is Born” is an effective directorial debut for Bradley Cooper and a powerhouse showcase for the actor and co-star Lady Gaga, but people are less in unison when it comes to deciphering where exactly the characters played by Gaga and Andrew Dice Clay live.
Clay plays Gaga’s father in the film, and the two characters live together in an undisclosed suburb. Buzzfeed critic and culture writer Alison Willmore asked her Twitter followers to name the place the characters live and to cite evidence, which launched a hilarious viral debate among film critics.
The general consensus among critics is that Gaga’s aspiring musician Ally lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles with her father, but a lot of people admitted that while watching the movie they thought the two were living outside New York City in either New York state or New Jersey.
Clay plays Gaga’s father in the film, and the two characters live together in an undisclosed suburb. Buzzfeed critic and culture writer Alison Willmore asked her Twitter followers to name the place the characters live and to cite evidence, which launched a hilarious viral debate among film critics.
The general consensus among critics is that Gaga’s aspiring musician Ally lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles with her father, but a lot of people admitted that while watching the movie they thought the two were living outside New York City in either New York state or New Jersey.
- 10/9/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The network television climate of 2018 is marked by a couple of key trends: An often-too-incremental but real movement, pushed along by voices in the media and among fans, towards greater inclusivity onscreen, and a flood of reboots and revivals from the semi-recent past.
But those two trends tend to run in direct opposition to one another, as recent panels at the TCAs proved. Two shows returning to CBS this fall, “Murphy Brown” and “Magnum P.I.,” as well as a reboot of “Charmed” on the CW, promise, with varying degrees of credibility, to address the times in which we live, a promise also made by last season’s revivals of “Will & Grace” and “Roseanne.” Both of those sitcoms fell short, ultimately, and judging by the panel for “Magnum,” which bobbled the question of inclusivity in the writers’ room, hope is not high for the new crop. These shows may have some new faces,...
But those two trends tend to run in direct opposition to one another, as recent panels at the TCAs proved. Two shows returning to CBS this fall, “Murphy Brown” and “Magnum P.I.,” as well as a reboot of “Charmed” on the CW, promise, with varying degrees of credibility, to address the times in which we live, a promise also made by last season’s revivals of “Will & Grace” and “Roseanne.” Both of those sitcoms fell short, ultimately, and judging by the panel for “Magnum,” which bobbled the question of inclusivity in the writers’ room, hope is not high for the new crop. These shows may have some new faces,...
- 8/6/2018
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
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