joshtill-98100 Reviews

American Fiction (2023)

TIFF Peoples Choice Award Winner??

[7/10 · 18 September 2023]

So I was lucky enough to snag some TIFF peoples choice awards tickets and saw a showing of this film and... I have a lot of thoughts. It's an insanely thought provoking movie of the treatment of black stories in Hollywood and in novelizations, but it also talks about the categorization of Black People in the Caucasian perspective. I thought the actual direction and acting were very good throughout the film (not Oscar worthy but good), but i found the actual screenplay to not go as deep as it needed to, nor did it try too hard with the substance when it comes in context to the shapement of Black voices in a Caucasian-driven hollywood. It was a good movie, don't get me wrong- but the two other programs i saw at TIFF i thought were far superior.

After Ever Happy (2022)

Not As Bad As Normal

[6/10 · 15 September 2022]

My best friend and I have a yearly tradition where we see this movie at the latest showtime at our local theatre, ready for not a care in the world with the worlds most shallow plot. This one, surprisingly wasn't as bad as normal, and is my favourite of all of the after movies. The nudity is toned down a lot in this film, and it deals with actual grief and sadness to a point where i actually cared for Tessa and Hardin. So, would I recommend it? Not if you're a newbie. But if you're going down the same never-ending road as me, then you might enjoy this one, it's by far the most mature.

Spoiler Territory: I was actually quite shocked when Tessa's dad died. It was insane seeing how far the writers had attempted to go with the character, and it seemed as if his arch was just starting. To kill him off was quite sudden, and honestly, a little surprising.

To be continued...

Nomadland (2020)

Nomadland: A Simple Story

[8/10 · 11 April 2021]

Nomadland was released in 2020, and tells the story of Fern, a houseless nomad who lives in her van, to which she can travel the country and relive old memories, as well as create new ones. Going in to this movie, I was expecting yet another unoriginal slow movie about living without technology or a home; this movie really surprised me. This film really takes you on a journey, and can teach you a few lessons about prejudice and life itself.

Chloé Zhao is a master in directing, and if she does not win for cinematography and direction at the academy awards later this year, then something is definitely wrong. Her shots are so beautiful, with a unique use of wide shots and colours. Zhao also wrote the film, and while most people associate good writing with complex themes and different characters, this film is quite the opposite, it's a simple story of a fellow traveller and the people she meets along the way; and the writing is of the upmost excellence.

Frances McDormand is amazing as Fern, she really moves the story along. While this film is a little slow, the film reminds you that it is intended to be slow, because life moves at fast pace, and yet is still slow. This woman lives one day at a time and over the span of just an hour and forty five minutes, we get to see her grow as a person over the span of a year, meeting new people, and finding the morals from the past.

Overall, this movie is a great watch and I'd highly recommend, if it's your thing. If you can't appreciate small beauty and need flashy action sequences to keep you interested, then this movie isn't for you.

I'm giving Nomadland a 8.5/10.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Another Great Instalment To A Superior Franchise

[9/10 · 10 January 2021]

The Hunger Games (2012) is one of my all time favourite movies. It truly makes you feel as if you are a child, fighting for their life in the Hunger Games. So, when I heard there was a sequel, I was elated. The sequel is also amazing. Catching Fire didn't feel like the same movie as the first, nor did I feel a difference in tone or age with the characters. It just felt like a continuation. As usual, Jennifer Lawrence's performance steals the show in this franchise. However, I must applaud the newbie Jena Malone who plays Joanna in this movie, who truly captivated me with her performance.

The film finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) suffering from PTSD of the events of the 74th Hunger Games. While the rest of the world is convinced that Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss are madly in love, President Snow of Panem (Donald Sutherland) is not, and threatens to have District 12 wiped from existence if Peeta and Katniss do not persuade the public on their victory tour. Snow also begins to see an uprising among the population, and threatens to have Katniss killed. Plutarch Heavensbee (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) proposes a different kind of termination, to put Katniss and Peeta back into the games. As it is the games' 75th anniversary, a Quarter Quell is held, meaning that the surviving victors must go back into the arena to fight in the games. Along the way, Katniss befriends new contestants Finnick Odair (Sam Claffin), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Joanna Mason (Jena Malone). As they form a bond, they appear to pose a threat to the Careers, but the games are more high-tech and much more physically demanding.

Heres what I liked: I loved Katniss' arch in this story. Rather than feeling upset that she was involuntarily reaped into another games, she shows a very blank face, which would be very realistic in this case. I loved the performances of Jennifer Lawrence, Jena Malone, Josh Hutcherson, and Donald Sutherland. All of the other actors were great, but those were the four that really stuck out in this film. I also love the feel of the pacing of the film. In the first film, more tension was built up for the games, making it more enticing. In this film, rather than two acts (training and games), the film has three, making each portion shorter, which worked for this film (life, training and games).

Here's what I didn't like: The film is great, however a few things are left to be desired. Sam Claffin and Liam Hemsworth's performances were nothing short of dull. To be fair, having seen the rest of the series I know that Sam Claffin gets more into character, but the two men were essentially cast to be a pretty face for people to swoon over. The second is the scripture of this film. In some moments, the actors lines feel predictable and cheesy, which is why I didn't love Gale or Finnick. Finally, I felt not a whole lot of emotion during this movie. In the previous film, I cried profusely when Rue passed, but in this one, I felt tension and no emotion.

Overall, I'm giving Hunger Games: Catching Fire a 9/10

The Prom (2020)

The Prom: A Bowlful of Glitter With A Whole Lot Of Heart

[7/10 · 14 December 2020]

The Prom (2020) was one of my most anticipated films of 2020. As an avid broadway fan, I had heard of the smash hit musical of the same name, and listened to the soundtrack a few times. While it has never been my go-to, it always creeps up and never seems to fail at turning my frown into a smile. Just before its closure in 2019, Ryan Murphy announced that he was so moved by the project that he wanted to share it with the rest of the world, by making it a movie. I have always admired Ryan Murphys work (Glee, Hollywood, etc) so I was excited and scared to see what he would do, as this was very heavy source material.

The Prom tells the story of Emma Nolan (Jo Ellen Pellman), a lesbian high school student who just wants to take her closeted girlfriend Alyssa (Ariana Debose) to her senior prom. Sorely based on homophobia, the PTA of the school, led by Alyssa's mother (Kerry Washington) decides to cancel the event entirely. This catches the attention of four failing broadway stars, Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep), Barry Glickman (James Corden), Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman), and Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannels). Together, the four come up with the massive plan to help the girl in order gain some positive publicity, after a review called them "narcissists". As time progresses, the four retreat from their shallow thought processes and truly open up their hearts to Emma and Principal Tom Hawkins (Keegan-Michael Key) and help her find courage to speak up for herself.

The scripture is beautiful, it truly makes you feel for each and every character that you cross and teaches the valuable lessons of acceptance and empathy. Meryl Streep as Dee Dee Allen is utter perfection, she makes the role truly fun and unique, a kind of acting that we rarely get to see from her. Her vocals are great in her songs, but her performance in "It's Not About Me" is amazing and truly breathtaking. James Corden was also great in his role as Barry, and while his accent could use some work, his overall emotional vulnerability and dedication to the role really shows. His song "Barry Is Going To Prom" is really inspiring, and while maybe not sung the best, the performance really sells it.

Andrew Rannels' Trent Oliver is nothing short of hilarious, and while we are all sad that "The Acceptance Song" got shortened, he gets a big show stopping number with "Love Thy Neighbour", which is one of the best parts of the entire film. Nicole Kidman, while perfect in the role, really lacked in screen time. Her solo song "Zazz" if fun while it lasts, but is completely forgettable amongst the other songs. Keegan-Michael Key really surprised us with his singing and acting abilities in this film, same with Kerry Washington. Ariana Debose is stunning and a beautiful singer and actress. Her song "Alyssa Greene" is truly heartbreaking and really makes you feel for the character. Jo Ellen Pellman's Emma is a perfect representation of that character and both of her songs, "Just Breathe" and "Unruly Heart" are amazing and true tearjerkers.

Now, with all this good, there is a little bit of downfall. First off, the synching the actors lips to the prerecorded songs was noticeable in some songs and it took away from the spectacle. Second, the major cutting of two songs, "The Acceptance Song" and "You Happened" was noticeable and really made me mad. Lastly, the glitz and glamour of colour in each song was kind of distracting and made it feel very overdone.

Overall, The Prom is a great watch for friends and family alike. Everyone can relate to these characters and their stories. The world can learn from this movie how to be more empathetic and not live in a world based on fear. Overall, The Prom (2020) gets a 9/10.

Escape the Night (2016–2019)

SPOILER FREE: As The Seasons Progress, The Seasons Get Worse

[7/10 · 8 December 2020]

Escape The Night is a fun time, if you have the right season. At this time we only have four seasons, which may I add, are very distinct and different from one another. In this review I will go in depth into each season, in its highlights and falls.

Season One- The first season is the most dark of them all. The season follows more unknown youtubers (Shane Dawson being the most well-known) as they try to navigate a haunted house stuck in the 1920's. The cast consists of Shane Dawson, Sierra Furtado, Matt Haag, Oli White, Andreaschoice, IJustine, Glozell Green, Eva Gutowski, Joey Graceffa, Lele Pons, and Timothy Delaghetto. The deaths, while dramatized, are actually quite frightening and dark. The experience is great and you find yourself really invested in the plot, rooting and disagreeing with different characters. Overall= 9/10

Season Two- The second season is much less dark but a lot more vibrant, less focusing on the natural terror, opposed to the supernatural. This season had much bigger names (Liza Koshy being the largest). The season takes a similar approach to the first, as to being locked in a house, but now they are stuck in the Victorian Era. The cast includes Alex Wassabi, Andrea Russet, Destorm Power, Liza Koshy, Gabbie Hanna, Tyler Oakley, Tana Mongeau, LaurDIY, Jesse Wellens, and Joey Graceffa. The deaths and challenges are much less frightening, but do not underestimate it. The season was full of twists and turns and so far fetched from its predecessor. Overall= 9/10

Season Three- The third season deviates from the shows original roots. Rather than having no idea or objective, the show tells the Youtubers what is going on right from the get go. The cast is subjectively the same popularity as Season 2 (Colleen Ballinger being the largest), but it more includes beauty influencers rather than mainstream. The cast consists of Safiya Nygaard, Manny MUA, Joey Graceffa, JC Caylen, Rosanna Pansino, Guava Juice, MatPat, Nikita Dragun, Colleen Ballinger and Teala Dunn. The show tries to return to its dark roots, but the monsters are so surreal that it makes the season more/less unbearable. Overall= 5/10

Season Four- The fourth season brings back the all star challengers whos lives were lost too soon. The season has no time frame, but similar to season three, it starts with an objective, rather than a never ending cycle. The All-Stars consist of Colleen Ballinger, Alex Wassabi, IJustine, Rosanna Pansino, Gabbie Hanna, Timothy Delaghetto, Joey Graceffa, Tana Mongeau, Destorm Power, and newcomer, Bretman Rock. While the season is interesting on paper, the acting, as well as the sets and monsters leave much to be desired and it is found quite uneventful and boring. Overall= 5/10.

Escape the night has its highs and lows, but as the seasons progress it seems to lose its original dark core.

Overall= 7/10

Rock of Ages (2012)

I Wanna Rock!

[7/10 · 10 September 2020]

This film truly surprised me. Going in I heard nothing but mixed reviews, some loving the atmosphere the film brings, others berating it for being melodramatic. Rock of Ages is nothing short of a good time where you get to be reminded of some sweet tunes that you havent heard in a while. The show of Rock of Ages, going in one must understand that they are not going in to see a tear-jerking story with really powerful ballads and song selections. They are going to have a good time, while rocking out to some classic rock. This film is no different. The cast is star studded and yet no one seems to stand out. While some of the casting is questionable, that does impact that this movie is just one of those fun movies. So yes, we're all tired of the hits like Don't Stop Believing and Hit Me With Your Best Shot, but we can acknowledge that they were nothing but a good time.

The story is quite shallow but once again, the movie is not for the plot. Its a cheesy rom-com surrounded by a strong supporting cast: Russel Brand, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J Blige, and none other than Tom Cruise to play the legendary rockstar Stacee Jaxx. Each character gets their own moment to shine with a song (and maybe dance) number that may not even corellate to the plot at all (an example being an impromptu innuendo scene between Jaxx and a Reporter, where they sing "I Wanna Know What Love Is", Doing nothing to the plot but yet being so fun in the moment).

The song selection of Rock of Ages is great. As stated before, Classic Rock of the late 80's is sorely overlooked by Journey, most known for probably the biggest song ever, Don't Stop Believing. While that song is great and featured in the film, the movie doesn't shy away from reminding you of those not as big or memorable songs like We Built This City or Shadows of the Night, both great songs but overlooked by bigger names of that era. So I'd highly recommend Rock of Ages if you can handle the odd break into song and dance, and if you want a good time to rock out to some classic songs that will be stuck in your head for days after.

Rock of Ages would get higher, but its plot and acting choices hold it back, so it will finish with a 7.4.

My Sister's Keeper (2009)

Finding The Sunshine In A World Full Of Darkness

[8/10 · 23 August 2020]

My Sisters Keeper has been on my recommended list since I can remember. I had never been a fan of these hospitalization dramas, mostly because I found most of them very unrealistic. Most of the people living on this world has had to experience loss or illness of a loved one at some point in their life, I definitely have. No movie has embodied that emotion of utter sadness or despair, that is until I saw this film. This film perfectly showcases the emotions you go through during a rough time like this family is going through.

The movie has two main plots, one following the 15-year Leukaemia treatment of Kate (Sofia Vassilieva), and the second follows the medical emancipation of Kate's 11-year-old sister, Anna (Abigail Breslin). Although both plots are highly intriguing and could be their own movies, it's neat the way the two stories intertwine, given that they take place around the same time. The kids are what save this movie, mostly highlighting on Vassilieva's performance. The story is told by her perspective; the audience sees what she sees and very little of what Anna nor her mother Sara (Cameron Diaz) see in the hospital. When Sara goes to talk to the doctor in the main hallway, we hear little to nothing but muted noise, as it is Sara's story. Vassileva really saved this movie for me.

The script is written to the point where it could be any family. In this case, the Fitzgerald plays this makeshift family that could be any middle class family going through the same conditions. However, the real saviour or the film is the little moments where one finds glimmers of hope in a perspective that is not too joyful. That mostly lives in the hands of Taylor Ambrose (Thomas Dekker), Kate's love interest. Most movies alike to this always has a love interest, but this one was different. In films like The Fault In Our Stars and Five Feet Apart, writers and directors tend to glamourize young love, who are both ill. However, this movie focuses on this love for no more than a short twenty minutes or so, and that is truly the most pure and raw parts of the film. A same could be said on when Kate is just sitting in her hospital bed, alone and looking through a scrapbook to remind that she created to remember the good times and to really emphasize that she had a perfect life, even if it was so imperfect.

While the film does tug at your heartstrings and make you cry like no other, there are a few downsides to the film, the main one being casting choices. This movie really hit me because I didn't know most of the primary actors, other than Breslin, Baldwin, and Diaz. The reason this made me hurt more was because it makes one fully immerse themselves into the story, because "it could be anyone". Of the famous actors playing primary characters, the most plausible was Breslin's performance as Anna, whom was vulnerable yet nourishing to Kate's situation. Baldwin, playing Anna's lawyer, felt miscast. It just seemed he was there for his name to be featured. Diaz's performance as Sara was the true downfall of the film. It felt as if she was not committing 100% to that role and felt like playing it safe. Sara is a very complex character, as she is a helicopter parent and refuses to let her children have a say, which is why Anna turns to Baldwin to help herself be medically emancipated from helping her sister live. Diaz just felt tired and did not feel motivated to yell or jump, more like it was stage direction.

Overall, My Sisters Keeper is one of the best of the films that you can find to toggle with the touchy subject of illness in a family matter. It beautifully draws a jumbled up story, and making it whole and beautiful because life is a mess of such beautiful moments, alike to the scrapbook that Kate holds near and dear during the duration of the film. Although the film requires a few (boxes) of tissues, this film has a lot behind the scenes and really makes you reflect on ones choices and experiences, as they can learn from Kates love for the world, even if she wasn't given an average life, it was perfect.

Birds of Prey (2020)

A Crazanity Of Colour: Birds Of Prey Is Fun And Not Much Else

[7/10 · 21 August 2020]

Birds of Prey is less of an origin story for the team comprised of Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) as it is a Harley Quinn spinoff. Ewan McGregor, who plays the villain, Black Mask, seems kind of dull, but that is mostly due to a dull script. The film shines in its direction and cinematography, with bright flashy colours and badass fight scenes. All of the actors are great but of course the real star is Margot Robbie, who has perfectly embodied this character since 2016's Suicide Squad. Other than dull character depth and script, this movie is nothing short of fun. Its funny, its badass, it celebrates female empowerment, and its not too long like some superhero movies (looking at you Batman V Superman). Overall, Birds of Prey is a fun time that is forgettable.

Birds of Prey gets a 7/10

Us (II) (2019)

Us Means Nothing, Or Does It Mean Everything?

[8/10 · 13 August 2020]

I love Jordan Peele. Back in 2017, when Get Out hit theatres, I was excited to see what he would bring to the horror genre. While Get Out was more of a thriller, it still struck you and it brought you into the perspective of its main character. Us does the same thing, through the directing perspective. Its main character, Adelaide is truly mysterious and, with Lupita Nyong'o as the lead, you know its gonna be good. While its themes of duality may be a step too far and make you really confused through a massive duration of the film, it doesn't stop you from sweating buckets in fear.

The film opens in 1986 to a Hands Across America commercial, which claims that every American should join hands, linking from Sunny California to New York State. At the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, a young Adelaide walks the boardwalk for her birthday surprise with her parents. While playing a carnival game, she receives a Thriller T-Shirt. Against her parents wishes, she wonders off to the beach, but on her way back, she finds an eerie funhouse and decides to go in. In the hall of mirrors portion, she claims she touched a girl who looked scarily like her. Adelaide suffers PTSD from this moment, and she must adapt to english language again. She chooses to forget about that moment as time goes on.

In the present day, Adelaide (Lupita Nyong'o), now older, goes with her husband Gabe Wilson (Winston Duke), and kids Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and Jason (Evan Alex) to their beach house in the outskirts of Santa Cruz. Adelaide feels unsafe and uncomfortable coming back, but Gabe reassures her. Zora, the eldest, is an amazing runner, but is addicted to her phone. Jason is young and prefers to play with his toys and action figures. Noticing the kids are bored, Gabe decides to take the whole family to the boardwalk to meet their friends, the Tyler Family. At the boardwalk, Adelaide struggles to relax. Jason sees a man, in red and with bloody fingers standing in the middle of the boardwalk, like a scarecrow. After having a mild freakout, Adelaide and her family return to the house and Adelaide pleads Gabe to take them back home, to which he replies they will leave immediately. When they are about to leave in the dead of night, they see a family of four dressed in all red, covering their driveway.

Gabe goes outside to fend them off, but the group has strong agility and breaks into the house. They corner Adelaide and her family to a couch, while they stare at them from the opposite side of the coffee table. Zora realizes that they are their doppelgängers. The doppelgängers consist of Pluto, who is adjacent to Jason, Umbrae; Zora, Abraham; Gabe, and Red; Adelaide. Red has a very raspy voice and explains that they are called "The Tethered", a perfect replica of their living counterparts and they have come to untether themselves. Red then tells a story of a girl, running free, meanwhile her shadow stays in the dark.

The families then introduce themselves to their "shadow-like" counter-parts. Pluto goes with Jason into the Toy Closet, however instead of real toys, Pluto prefers to play with fire. Zora is chased down the street by Umbrae, Gabe shows Abraham his boat, and Red interrogates Adelaide. Red is distracted by Pluto's cry, which lets Adelaide break free and rescue Jason from the house. Gabe kills Abraham by putting his throat by the boats engine. Zora returns home and the Wilson Family safely evade the house by travelling across the lake to the Tyler's. Meanwhile, at the Tyler house, their doppelgängers come and murder them all, showcasing the Wilsons that the whole world is being tormented, not just them.

As the Wilsons enter the Tyler's house, they find their "Tethered" counterparts and kill each one of them. As they conspire to devise a plan to continue, they are attacked once again by a Tyler family member's double. They decide to steal the Tyler family car. Zora claims that "she has the most kills" and therefore she gets to drive, even though she does not have her learners permit. On the car ride, the Wilsons are attacked by Umbrae, but she is killed after Zora harshly presses on the brake, sending her flying into a tree. They drive to the pier, where they find Pluto waiting by the Wilson Family car, which is burning. Jason remembers from his past experience with Pluto that he mimics whatever Jason does and makes him walk backwards into the fire. However, this was part of Red's master plan as she kidnaps Jason.

Zora, Gabe and Adelaide notice a continuous line of "Tethered" people, which starts from the shore and continuously goes east. Noticing Jason is gone, Adelaide head for the funhouse, while Zora aids Gabe's wounds. Travelling far underground through the emergency exit of the funhouse, Adelaide finds a secret hallway filled with bunnies and red suits, where she also finds Red writing on a chalk board. Red explains that "The Tethered" was an abandoned science experiment created by the government generations ago. Left alone, they all went crazy until Red created a movement in order to seek revenge on humans. The two fight until Adelaide finds handcuffs and ties Red up and impales her with a rod. Adelaide finds Jason in a locker nearby and the two head back up to the surface. As Adelaide drives away for good from Santa Cruz, she reveals what really happened the night at the carnival: instead of running away, she was strangled and brought down to the Tethered world, where her double takes her clothes and sent back up, meaning that Adelaide was actually Red and Red was pretending to be Adelaide. Across the country, millions of the "Tethered" link, alike to Hands Across America.

Wow. To tell you the twist end had my jaw dropped for ten minutes is an understatement. This movie was so bold in its choices and acting abilities. Although the cast is limited, I think that adds to the story and makes you truly fear the twist of how you cant trust anyone. Although the story leaves a little to be desired, hence why it will not receive a perfect score, it is still a great time and will leave you wanting to take a shower after. No movie is like Us. Us is very original and it truly made you think about life and how you should always be cautious.

Overall, Us gets an 8.4/10

The Last Five Years (2014)

Beautiful Voices Telling A Story Of An Inevitable Relationship

[9/10 · 20 July 2020]

The Last Five Years was a movie I stumbled upon after hearing about the musical for years and years, and everyone said the same thing "The music is beautiful and the story is great but leaves to be desired" and that is exactly true. The Last Five Years is beautiful, but it feels like its missing something. I guess, it's probably the heart because one minute into the film, you are immediately told that the relationship between Cathy and Jamie did not work out. It is an all star cast with Anna Kendrick and Cathy and Jeremy Jordan as Jamie with beautiful voices but also remarkable acting abilities.

The story is told in two different directions, each character having their own songs, but in a different timeline. Cathy tells the story of the five year relationship starting at post-break up as Jamie tells it from the beginning to its end. The film opens to Cathy (Anna Kendrick), arriving home from a long day at work and finding a note and keys from Jamie, her husband. She is heartbroken, but it seems as if she was expecting it. She seems hysterical claiming that she is "covered with scars she did nothing to earn". She sits alone and cries ("Still Hurting"). The scene shifts to Jamie (Jeremy Jordan) bringing Cathy to his bed after a date. As the two undress, Jamie claims that he has been waiting for the perfect girl, since he could only date Jewish girls back in his old town. Jamie is inspired by Cathy to write a manuscript dedicated to her ("Shiksa Goddess").

On a pier in Ohio, Cathy and Jamie enjoy a lovely date with one another. Cathy applauds Jamie for finally making it to Ohio to see her show, but her joy is turned to anger as he explains that he has to go back to New York to go to a party with his Random House employees. Cathy yells at Jamie for not being emotionally available ("See, I'm Smiling"). 4 Years before, Jamie sits alone in a park when he gets a call from a Random House agent, who states that a world-renown author read his manuscript and enjoyed it so much that he wants it to become published. Jamie calls Cathy and states he is ready to move in with her ("Moving Too Fast"). At a Random House party, Cathy sits alone, being Jamies plus one, but he is too busy talking to other people that he entirely forgets about her. Cathy tries to find the good in the situation and states that she's a part of his success and that makes her happy ("A Part of That").

After a long day at work and failing auditions, Cathy comes home annoyed and aggravated. Jamie, sitting alone, makes up a story about a tailor named Schmuel, who worked for 41 years on a dress that he could never seem to finish, nor find a girl to wear it. The clock on the wall talks to Schmuel and states that he will get to be happy one day, as long as he finishes the dress. He finishes the dress after 41 years and the clock reverses time, and the dress is worn by his wife Odessa. The story is a metaphor for Cathy to find happiness in her unemployment ("The Schmuel Song"). A newly engaged Cathy celebrates another summer working at a regional theatre in Ohio. She is elated to finally have a purpose in life and be happy, even if Jamie cannot attend her shows ("A Summer In Ohio").

At a gazebo in Central Park, Jamie professes his love for Cathy and proposes to her. Cathy responds by saying that he cannot rely on her for little things, like being on time, and she accepts the proposal. Jamie and Cathy have never seemed happier. The two are wed just before Cathy heads off to do her seasonal theatre in Ohio ("The Next Ten Minutes"). Jamie becomes a New York Times Bestselling Author, but struggles to find other girls unattractive after now being wed to Cathy. Cathy, unaware of Jamie's weaknesses auditions for an off broadway show, and it seemingly goes really well. Outside the studio, Cathy calls Jamie, but Jamie struggles to find time and a quiet place to call Cathy ("A Miracle Would Happen/When You Come Home To Me").

Earlier, before the proposal, Cathy struggles with several auditions, stating that she cannot find her ground. In an audition, Cathy, in her mind, sings about her insecurities and starting to notice the fact that Jamie isn't finding time for her. At one of his book signings, Cathy has an epiphany, stating that she will not let her name be overlooked by Jamies success ("Climbing Uphill"). At home, some time after her summer in Ohio, Cathy yells at Jamie for always needing her to come to his Random House parties. Jamie professes his love for Cathy, but in his mind he knows he has fallen out of love with her ("If I Didn't Believe In You").

Driving towards New Jersey to meet Cathy's parents, Cathy tells Jamie the stories from her childhood, stating that her best friend was married and pregnant before high school graduation and in New York, she briefly met a guy but he left her to focus on his career. Cathy states that she loves Jamie for all that he is and she swears to him that she will never be unfaithful ("I Can Do Better Than That"). Meanwhile, years later, Jamie is unfaithful and cheats on Cathy with Elise, a woman who works at Random House with him. Jamie claims that the guilt is over and that he has to leave Cathy, stating that he does not love her anymore ("Nobody Needs To Know"). After their first date, Cathy has fallen deeply in love with Jamie and she waves goodbye to him outside of her apartment. Five years later, Jamie writes a note for Cathy explaining the reason he has to leave her and leaves his house keys with her too. The film ends with Jamie walking one way, Cathy coming from the other end, coming home to an empty house, which is where the film started ("Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You").

The Last Five Years works well on paper, but on screen it seems a little confusing. That is until the audience member can grasp the fact that there are two separate stories being told, Cathy's end to beginning, and Jamie's beginning to end. Both actors were equally fantastic and had great chemistry with one another. This movie shines in few moments, but the moment that really stuck out to me was the finale. I am a sucker for good cinematography and the way it was shot, with Cathy singing outside her house in a cheerful manor, while we pan over to Jamie writing the note in a depressing tone is just so beautiful. So, if you do not get too aggrivated by a sung-through movie with very little plot, it being more of a pitch, then I'd sincerely recommend The Last Five Years.

Overall, The Last Five Years gets a 8.8/10

Hamilton (2020)

The Rest Of The World Can Be In The Room Where It Happens

[10/10 · 16 July 2020]

Hamilton took the world by storm when it opened its doors at the Richard Rogers Theatre in 2015. It was nominated for a record breaking 16 Tony Nominations, Winning 11, making it the 2nd highest number of tony wins under The Producers. I had seen Hamilton in the theatre twice previous to watching the professional shot, and let me tell you, it is truly the next best thing. Although the energy from a live audience is missing, the actors' energy and performances are out of this world. Lin-Manuel Miranda is truly a genius in scripture and a lyrical genius, and we cannot wait to see what he'll do next.

The show opens to Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda), disembarking a ship coming from the Caribbean Islands to New York City in 1776 ("Alexander Hamilton"). Roaming the streets, Alexander introduces himself to Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom, Jr), to whom he was referred to by a faculty member of Princeton University. Burr introduces Alexander to his colleagues, Hercules Mulligan (Okieriete Onaodowan), John Laurens (Anthony Ramos), and Marquis De Lafayette (Daveed Diggs) ("Aaron Burr, Sir"). Mulligan, Laurens, and Lafayette notice that Alexander has a lot of opinions and they put him in front of several crowds ("My Shot"/"The Story of Tonight"). Meanwhile, Burr, alone, tries to flirt with Angelica Schuyler (Renee Elise Goldsberry), who is on an outing with her two younger sisters Eliza (Phillipa Soo) and Peggy (Jasmine Cephas Jones) ("The Schuyler Sisters").

In the town square, Hamilton berates Samuel Seabury, a man who is giving free readings of congress ("Farmer Refuted"). Meanwhile, in Britain, King George III (Jonathan Groff) shows his devotion to his country by building an army to fight the Americans ("You'll Be Back"). Over in Valley Forge, George Washington (Christopher Jackson) desperately begs for a second-in-command; both Burr and Hamilton apply and Hamilton receives the title ("Right Hand Man"). At a ball hosted by Phillip Schuyler, Laurens, Burr and Hamilton helplessly flirt to get a wife ("A Winters Ball"). Eliza Schuyler notices Hamilton and falls deeply in love, and the two are wed ("Helpless"). At the recession, Angelica gives her maid-of-honour speech, wishing the couple to always be satisfied with one another. What she does not say aloud is that she secretly loves Hamilton as well, but claims her sisters happiness is more important than her own ("Satisfied"). The five men go out for a drink and they tease Burr about having a secret lover, but since she is married to a British Officer, he cannot announce it ("The Story of Tonight (Reprise)"). Burr claims that Hamilton is rising too fast meanwhile Burr is more than willing to wait for his opportunity to come ("Wait For It").

On the battlefield, Hamilton waits to be promoted to leader of a command, but instead Washington promotes Charles Lee, who turns out to be a coward, and when being fired, falsely accuses Washington of poor leadership ("Stay Alive"). Laurens offers to duel Lee, to which he wins and Lee is sent to the hospital ("Ten Duel Commandments"). Washington is not too pleased and blames Hamilton for the cause of the duel and orders Hamilton to go home, and much to his surprise, he finds a pregnant Eliza ("Meet Me Inside/That Would Be Enough"). Lafayette is promoted and begs Washington to bring Hamilton back, claiming that they could win the war with him ("Guns And Ships/History Has Its Eyes On You"). At the battle of Yorktown, the Americans win the war, which King George is not too keen on ("Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)/What Comes Next"). Both Hamilton's and Burr's children are born and the two have big hopes for their children ("Dear Theodosia"). Hamilton moves back to New York with Burr and both become lawyers. Burr grows even more jealous of Hamilton's fame, as Hamilton proposes a new form of government to Washington. Eliza and Angelica beg Hamilton to take a step back, but Hamilton ceases to stop ("Non-Stop").

In 1789, Thomas Jefferson (Daveed Diggs) returns home from a trip to France, but is immediately sent to New York with James Madison (Okieriete Onaodowan) to become a member of the cabinet ("What'd I Miss?"). Hamilton, Washington, Jefferson, and Madison have a cabinet meeting and Jefferson threatens Hamilton ("Cabinet Battle #1"). Back at home, Eliza urges Hamilton to take time off work to go with her, angelica, and their son Phillip (Anthony Ramos), but Hamilton claims he is to busy to travel ("Take A Break"). Alone, Hamilton is visited by Maria Reynolds (Jasmine Cephas Jones), who seduces him. Hamilton is given the choice to either break the news to Eliza or to continue with the affair by paying her husband, to which Hamilton chooses to pay the husband ("Say No To This"). In New York, Burr grows extremely envious of Hamilton. Jefferson lets Hamilton discuss with him and Washington to decide where the state capital would be ("The Room Where It Happens").

Phillip Schuyler loses his seat in the senate and Burr takes his seat ("Schuyler Defeated"). At another cabinet meeting, Hamilton wins but Jefferson threatens Hamilton one more time, stating that he is nothing without Washington ("Cabinet Battle #2). Outside, Jefferson and Madison meet Burr who states that he has noticed that Hamilton has been sending money to an unknown entity. Jefferson realizes he has to resign in order to run for president ("Washington On Your Side"). In Washington's Office, Washington informs Hamilton of Jeffersons candidacy, and also states that he will be stepping down from his presidential title, after serving 45 years. Washington moves back to Virginia to retire and eventually die ("One Last Time"). Upon hearing the news, King George awaits to see America go into war with John Adams becoming president and Jefferson becoming Vice President ("I Know Him"/"The Adams Administration"). Hamilton is not too pleased with Adams being promoted and not himself. Jefferson, Burr, and Madison interrogate Hamilton into telling the truth about his affair with Maria Reynolds ("We Know"). Hamilton is faced with a dilemma and forces himself to write The Reynolds Pamphlet, a small essay which explains the whole affair and money issue ("Hurricane"/"The Reynolds Pamphlet"). Alone at home, Eliza decides to shut Hamilton out of her life and burns all of her letters that she had received from him ("Burn").

Now 19, Phillip Hamilton roams the streets of New York, claiming he cannot let his fathers legacy die, and chooses to duel George Eacker, a man who talked down upon Alexander Hamilton. At home, Hamilton tells Phillip to raise his gun in the air other than shoot, and if Eacker was truly a man of honour, he wouldn't shoot. On the duelling ground however, Eacker fatally shoots Phillip ("Blow Us All Away"/"Stay Alive (Reprise)"). Heartbroken, the Hamiltons move uptown and Eliza forgives Hamilton for his actions ("It's Quiet Uptown"). Back in politics, John Adams is hated amongst the population, so the election becomes a battle between Jefferson and Burr. Hamilton votes for Jefferson, stating that "Jefferson has beliefs and Burr has none". Jefferson becomes president and Burr becomes Vice President ("The Election of 1800"). Alone, Burr sends a letter to Hamilton offering to duel, to which Hamilton accepts ("Your Obedient Servant"). The morning of the duel, Hamilton lies to Eliza and states that he is going to work ("Best of Wives, Best of Women"). At the same duelling ground where Phillip was fatally shot, Hamilton follows the same motifs, and is fatally shot by Burr. Burr, finally free of Hamilton, feels guilty and goes into hiding ("The World Was Wide Enough"). Eliza devotes the rest of her life to make sure Hamilton's name is not forgotten. She builds the first private orphanage, raises funds for the Washington monument, and establishes Hamiltons legacy, before she dies at 97 and is welcomed by Hamilton into the afterlife ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story").

Hamilton is one of those shows that really surprises you. It could be so boring since the story is mostly political, however the tempo of the music, and the choreography really save this show. This is a flawless show, everything is so beautiful and every time you listen to the soundtrack or watch it, you learn something new within the lyrics. Although all of the actors are phenomenal, the two performances that really stand out for me are Phillipa Soo and Leslie Odom, Jr. Leslie won a tony for his portrayal of Burr and you can see why. His portrayal of Burr's descent into madness is truly beautiful and so realistic and Phillipa Soo's Eliza is so innocent and yet so strong at a time when women truly had very little power. Everything and everyone involved in this show, I applaud you because you have created a masterpiece.

Hamilton gets a 10/10

Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary (2016)

The Movie In My Mind That Should Be Much Bigger

[10/10 · 10 June 2020]

Miss Saigon was one of those Broadway Shows that everyone knows but knows nothing about. People just know its based in the war and theres a helicopter, but it is so much more than that. The story is so deep and while not too many people experience what Kim and Chris experience throughout the show, everyone can find themselves in the characters that surround this plot. Everyone's voice is amazing, the score is beautiful, the set is amazing and the only downside of the show is I am so bummed I did not get to see it when it was in New York or London. Miss Saigon is a beautiful show that everyone should see.

The show opens to Kim (Eva Noblezada), standing alone in a marketplace in Saigon, Vietnam during the Vietnam war. A man named The Engineer (Jon Jon Briones) finds Kim and takes her backstage to his strip club ("Overture/Backstage Dreamland"). Kim reveals herself as a teenage virgin and is fearful, as the other girls torment her. Meanwhile, The Engineer opens up the club to G.I's, taking the night off from war ("The Heat Is On"). Every night The Engineer holds a contest for a man to take the winning lady as Miss Saigon, and Gigi (Rachel Ann Go) is chosen to go with a man named John. The two argue and The Engineer slaps Gigi across the face. Gigi and Kim both reminice about their dream situations, to be taken to america, safely ("The Movie In My Mind"). Johns friend, Chris (Alistair Brammer) comes to the club but aims not to sleep with anyone. After seeing John so happy, Chris chooses to spend the night with Kim as he takes her virginity.

Chris wakes up and prays to G-D to set Kim free from this life ("Why God Why"). Kim wakes up and Chris gives Kim back the money, stating that he couldnt pay for someone as wonderful as she. Kim instantly has feelings for Chris and Kim asks if he could marry him, to which he accepts ("Sun and Moon"). Chris goes to the Engineer to ask for his permission, and he initially declines, but after Chris threatens his life, he accepts. The girls prepare an intimate wedding for Kim and Chris and the two are wed ("The Wedding Ceremony"). A man named Thuy walks in after the wedding and states that he is to be married to Kim and has been trying to find her for years. Kim tells him to move along, showing him how happy she is with Kim. After Thuy leaves, Chris promises Kim that he will take her back to the U.S immediately ("Last Night Of The World").

3 Years Pass and the war has ended, leaving many homeless. Thuy is promoted to head of the Vietnam army as they prepare for more battles ("The Morning Of The Dragon"). In an alleyway, we find Kim, hopeless and homeless. She longs for Chris, but what she doesnt know is Chris has returned to the states and married a woman named Ellen (Tasmin Carroll) ("I Still Believe"). The Engineer finds Kim, but he is followed by Thuy. Thuy interrogates Kim, stating that now Chris is back home that Thuy will marry Kim. Kim tells Thuy she cannot marry him, as she has had a child that is indeed Chris' named Tam. Thuy threatens to kill Tam, but in a rage of anger, Kim murders Thuy and runs off with Tam in fear ("You Will Not Touch Him/This Is The Hour"). The Engineer is finding ways to get a visa to america, and he finds Kim and says there is a boat to Bangkok which would work to both of their advantages. Before going on the boat, Kim tells Tam that he can be whatever he wants and that she would do anything to see him happy ("I'd Give My Life For You").

Since the war has ended, John has devoted his life to building a camp for orphaned vietnamese children ("Bui-Doi"). His work brings him to bangkok, where he finds out that Kim has survived the war and is living in another strip club with the engineer. He phones Chris and urges him to come to Bangkok, for he knows that Kim has a child with her. Chris tells Ellen about Kim and the two travel to Bangkok. One night after a show, John meets Kim in her dressing room. He tells her that Chris is in Bangkok but he has a wife. The Engineer comes in and states that she must hustle for him to get a visa. Alone, Kim has a nightmare, reliving what happened the night Chris left. On that night, Chris gave Kim his gun for protection and drove to the embassy. The two try effortlessly to get Kim on the helicopter, but it fails, leaving Kim in Vietnam ("Kim's Nightmare").

After her nightmare, Kim swears that Chris is her one and only true love (Sun And Moon (Reprise)"). Kim arrives at Chris' hotel, and finds Ellen. Chris and John are looking for Kim at the club at the same time. Kim finds out Chris married even though him and Kim are already married. Realizing she has no future, Kim torments Ellen by stating that she must take Tam back to America so that he can grow up to be whatever he wants, but Ellen declines and Kim leaves furious ("Maybe"). As Chris comes back to the hotel, him and Ellen state that they will live in Bangkok so that Tam could live with them and Kim at the same time. When Kim returns to the club, she tells the engineer that they are moving to america and he is elated ("The American Dream"). As they arrive at the hotel, Kim tells Tam once again that he must grow to his full potential and do whatever he wants. Once Tam is in Chris' clutches, Kim hides behind a curtain and shoots herself. She dies in Chris' arms as she announces her love for him one last time ("Little God Of My Heart").

One thing any level headed person must know before watching Miss Saigon as that the tears never stop. While there are flashy numbers like "The American Dream" and "The Heat Is On", the show at its core is very deep and dark and really makes you feel empathy. While I do agree that the deleting of Ellen's "Now That I've Seen Her" makes her character not pleasurable, this show is near perfection. I would love commemorate Eva Noblezada's performance. She did that role from 2014-2019 without hesitation. Kim is one of the most complex I have ever seen and she just mutilates into a beautiful version of Kim, calm and sophisticated, but torn and haunted on the inside.

Overall, Miss Saigon gets a 10.

Les Misérables (2012)

Les Misérables: A Beautiful Story with Few Beautiful Singers

[7/10 · 1 June 2020]

Les Misérables has always remained one of my favourite musicals of all time, and upon hearing that there was a movie adaptation of it, I was very elated. Les misérables is notoriously known for one of the hardest productions to put on in any theatres, for you need a very large and enthusiastic ensemble cast, as well as a massive set, and beautiful singers. This movie, while the best stage-to-screen version, has some roles miscast. It seems as if Tom Hooper wanted the voices from their acting chops and not from their singing. A lot of actors steal the show with their powerhouse voices, but the rest sometimes just miss the mark in this adaptation.

The film opens in 1815, inside of a french prison ("Look Down"). Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), a prisoner is called towards Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), who frees him from his 19-year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread. Valjean walks away a free man, and he stays the night at a bishop's house, where he attempts to steal a piece of silverware, but when the police find Valjean, the bishop claims it was a gift ("The Bishop"). Valjean walks away, elated of his new found freedom and trust with people to come ("Valjeans Sililoquy").

Eight years later, Valjean is a announced factory owner. Amongst his workers is a woman named Fantine (Anne Hathaway), who is tormented by her fellow workers for giving her paychecks to her childs godparents ("At The End Of The Day"). She is fired and becomes a prostitute to continue to pay for her daughters safety ("Lovely Ladies/I Dreamed A Dream"). Valjean finds Fantine, moments before succumbing to her tuberculosis, and she tells him the location of her daughter, Cosette. After her death, Javert finds Valjean and threatens his life, but accidentally announces that he is from the same finanical state of Javert ("The Confrontation"). Valjean escapes and finds Cosette sweeping at the Thenadiérs bar ("Castle On A Cloud/Master of the House"). Valjean rescues Cosette and they flee to Paris.

Nine years later, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), now grown up, goes to a courtyard to shop, where she meets Marius (Eddie Redmayne) and Eponine (Samantha Barks). Marius instantly falls in love with Cosette, which makes Eponine jealous, as Eponine has loved Marius since they were kids. Marius goes to join his friends, led by Enjorlas (Aaron Tveit), as they prepare to start the student war ("Red And Black/Stars"). Later that night, Marius stands at Cosette's gate, while Eponine grows furious with rage ("A Heart Full of Love/In My Life"). Alone, Eponine stands in an alleyway alone, heartbroken ("On My Own"). Upon learning about Marius and Cosette, Valjean states it is not safe in france anymore and attempts to move to England. Cosette writes Marius a love letter, which Eponine hides from him. The students get prepared to fight as Javert and his army get ready to fight against them ("One Day More").

The students begin to build a barricade to protect themselves ("Do You Hear The People Sing"). The start of the battle is very quiet, until someone accidentaly fires a bullet at the opposing army. Valjean, seeing it is too late to move, joins the students in their revolution. During their first battle, a guard attempts to snipe Marius. Eponine, noticing this, puts the snipers gun towards her heart, where she is shot. As the soldiers cool down for the night, Marius finds a dying Eponine. Eponine gives Marius the letter and dies in his arms, confessing his love for him ("A Little Fall of Rain"). That night, Javert disguises himself as a fellow student, but both Valjean and Gavroche (Daniel Huttlestone), the youngest member of the students, notice his face and berade him of his actions.

The next morning, the soldiers return to the barricade. Gavroche attempts to climb a blown ashpile to grab ammo, but is shot to death. Gavroche's father, finds him dead and cries, giving away the students location. The soldiers kill the rest of the students, including Enjorlas. Marius is shot, but Valjean finds him and rescues him by taking him to hide in the sewers. Monsieur Thenadier (Sacha Baron Cohen) steals their jewelry. That night, Valjean prays for Marius' full recovery ("Bring Him Home"), but Javert finds him. Valjean ignores Javert's morales, and Javert finds himself standing at the edge of a tower, realizing that the law is not always the correct way. Javert jumps off of the tower to his death ("Javert's Suicide"), as the war ends. Cosette and Marius are wed, but Valjean does not attend the wedding. They find him in a covent, minutes from death of old age and they say their goodbyes. In the afterlife, Fantine grabs Valjeans hand and takes him to the rest of the deceased souls ("Do You Hear The People Sing (Reprise)/Finale").

Les Misérables (2012) is nothing short of a masterpiece in direction. Tom Hoopers story telling, even through song which often at times does not translate well, works so organically. However, the films downfall lies in its stunt casting, and the one i am calling out Russel Crowe and Eddie Redmayne. Both do a phenomenal job with their character work, but their singing is just not there (This is very evident in Javert's "Stars" and Marius' "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables"). The movie succeeds in its smaller characters, the ones that made sure you did not forget their performance. The two that really stood out were Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Samantha Barks as Eponine. Anne Hathaway won an oscar for her potrayal of Fantine and you can see how amazing of a job she did. I had never heard of Barks before this movie and now I follow her journey, just because I know how talented she truly is.

Overall, Les Miserables gets a 8.4/10

Knives Out (2019)

A Star-Studded Murder Mystery That Does Not Disappoint

[9/10 · 24 May 2020]

I'll admit it, when I first saw the trailer for Knives Out, I was a bit sceptical. I did not know what to think. Growing up I used to love Agatha Christie murder mystery novels, but after 2017's star-studded Murder on the Orient Express turned out to be just mediochre, I was not as excited for this film as I should've been. Knives Out has something for everyone in the family, a huge ensemble cast, a riveting storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and beautiful direction. As a long-lasting star wars fan, I was left disappointed after Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi, but boy did his direction abilities ever shine in this movie. Every actor, every scene shines in its own way and you follow the clues to solving the murder of Harlan Thrombey.

A week after Harlan Thrombey's (Christopher Plummer) sudden demise, Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), his nurse, is called back to the Thrombey residence by Harlan's immediate family for some questioning from the police. The police question every single one of Harlan's relatives: his daughter Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis), her son Walt (Michael Shannon), his daughter-in-law Joni (Toni Collette), Linda's Husband Richard (Don Johnson), Joni's Daughter Meg (Katherine Langford), and Walt's son Jacob (Jaeden Martell). Ransom (Chris Evans), Linda and Richard's son, couldn't make it to questioning nor the funeral. Sitting in the back corner of the interviewing room is Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), and he soon realizes that through their interviews, each one of them has lied only once.

Blanc interrogates Richard, for some people claimed he had heard him yelling at Harlan at his birthday party the night before he died. Richard then states that Harlan was harrasing him as he had found a picture of Richard cheating on Linda. Harlan writes a letter to Linda and claims he will give it to her the next day. While interviewing Joni, Blanc realizes that Joni had been stealing money from Harlan, which he meant for Meg's school tuition. While interviewing Marta, he finds out that Marta has a reguritative reaction to whenever she lies. Blanc analyzes the thrombey's night and what could have possibly led to Harlan's demise: Ransom and Meg left the party early, and Linda hears someone coming down the stairs 3 seperate times: the first was Joni, who was checking on Marta and Harlan after she heard a loud thud, the second was Marta, leaving for the night to go home, and the third was Harlan coming down for a midnight snack. Meg comes home later that night and attempts to fall asleep, but is awoken by Harlan's dogs barking.

That night, at Harlan's memorial, Marta talks to Fran, Harlan's maid, and calms her nerves by smoking with Fran and Meg. Outside, Blanc finds Marta and asks her to be his second in command, which she accepts. Marta then recalls the real story of what had happened that night: she and Harlan headed upstairs to go to bed, but Harlan insists they play games in the attic. In the attic, they play games, where Harlan knocks over the board, which he tells Joni what the loud thud was. Marta then proceeds to give Harlan his daily medicines, but realizes she gave the wrong doses to him. After she couldn't find the antidote, Harlan states that she must leave and come back an hour later, using the side ladder to head back upstairs, put on Harlan's clothes, and disguise herself as Harlan getting a midnight snack. Harlan lies down on his loveseat and slits his throat with a knife. All goes to plan except for when Marta comes back downstairs, where Harlans mother mistakes Marta for Ransom.

The day after the memorial, Blanc and Marta examine the security footage to see if anyone came in that night. With slight of hand, Marta switches the tapes and hides the real one in a plastic fridge magnet. As they approach the side gate to the house, Marta sees her footprints and walks over them to hide the fact that it was her. As the family prepares for the will reading, Ransom arrives in an oddly happy mood. He then pinpoints Jacob for being very quiet during this investigation, to which Jacob responds stating that he heard Harlan fighting with Ransom at his birthday party, and blantly hearing something about the will. At the will reading, it is announced that Harlan left all his assets to Marta and left nothing to his family. Marta is bombarded by the Thrombeys before escaping with Ransom.

At a restaurant, Marta tells Ransom the full story of what happened that night. Meg calls Marta and asks for part of the inheritance, to which Marta accepts. The next morning, Marta is awoken by her family who say that lawyers and paparazzi have been at their door all day. Marta attempts to sneak out of the back, but encounters Walt, who threatens to deport Marta's family for her mother is an illegal immigrant. Marta escapes and finds a semi-scanned toxology report of Harlan with the words "I know what you did" handwritten on it. Marta and Ransom head to the police station to get the full Toxology report, but upon arriving, find the building up in flames. After Blanc notices Marta and Ransom together, he chases them into town, where the cops take Ransom hostage, while Blanc stays with Marta. Marta checks her email and finds an address and a time stamp. She heads to the address, which is a closed laundromat, and finds Fran's nearly-deceased body. Frans final words to marta are "you did this", but Marta calls 911 and attempts to save Fran's life.

Upon arriving back at the thrombey residence, Marta tells Blanc the full story, but he responds saying "Ransom already told the police". Marta finds the toxology report, hidden in Fran's secret stash drawer and lets Blanc read it while she attempts to tell the thrombey's about her actions. Before she can, Blanc summonds Ransom and Marta to the den. Blanc solves the puzzle: Ransom was aggrivated when Harlan told him that every asset of his would go to Marta and he storms out. He then turns around, climbs up the side ladder and switches Harlan's medication and steals the antidote. Ransom attempts to go back to the house in the middle of the night, but the dogs bark and he runs away. Marta, being a good nurse, realizes the slight change in viscosity of the two drugs and gives him the correct dosage, ruling Harlan's death a suicide. During Harlan's funeral, Ransom comes back to the house to steal Marta's bag, but runs into Fran on his way out. Fran threatens to out Ransom, but he finds a way to gas her and lock her in the laundromat. He then proceeds to burn all evidence that Marta is innocent by burning the police station. However, much to his surprise, Fran had 2 copies of the toxology report: one hidden at the residence and one in her purse. As Ransom attempts to kill Marta, he unawarely uses a stage knife and is arrested on the spot. Later, as Ransom is driven away, Marta stands on Harlan's balcony, looking over the Thrombeys who are all distraught from the truth of Harlan's death.

Knives Out is riveting at its core. One thing that is so cool about this movie is that it straight up tells you what happened merely halfway through its runtime. The second half is the chaos that ensues after, from Ransom burning the evidence to the Thrombey's attempting to blackmail marta, to a whole different death. The problem with Knives Out is that its tone sometimes finds itself to be a bit repetitive after the big reveal. Each star shines in their own way in this film, but the shinning star in this movie is Ana De Armas as Marta. She played her so realistically since you could potentially make that character really hateable. In the end, Knives Out is a film that I could watch several times and noticed different clues or foreshadowing every single time now that I know the killer's true identity.

Overall, Knives Out gets a 8/10.

The Golden Compass (2007)

The Golden Compass points in the right direction, but takes a while to get there

[7/10 · 4 March 2020]

This movie had come up in my netflix recomendations and I blantly remember hearing about it a decade ago, when it came out in theatres, but I had heard nothing of it, nor anything bad about it. I now understand why. This movie feels like it was translated from a european script, and though it is interesting, it fails to make you care for any of the characters, even with a child in the main point of view. With a starstudded cast, you'd think this movie would do well, but every actor just doesnt mix with one and other and the users cannot comprehend it.

The film starts off, explainig that in our dimension, peoples souls live inside of their bodies, but in their world, their souls are placed in a daemon, a animal that never leaves your side. The film then begins with Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards), an 11 year old girl being chased with her friend Roger, by the other kids, led by a boy named Billy Costa. Lyra refuses to follow social norms and insists on being a tomboy, instead of being lady like. Lyra makes a deal with billy, stating that he will bring him a professors robe from the institute she attends if she stops chasing her and Roger. Roger pulls Lyra aside and explains his fear for there is an institution called Gobblers, who have been kidnapping kids and never returing them, but Lyra calms Roger down, stating that if he were ever taken by the gobblers, she would rescue him.

That night, Lyra attends a dinner party with her uncle, Lord Azreal (Daniel Craig). Azrael is an explorer, but refuses to take Lyra to the northern parts of europe. Meanwhile, Lyra is introduced to Ms. Coulter (Nicole Kidman), a very wealthy woman who offers to take Lyra up north. Lyra agrees to live with her. Outside of the college, Roger and Billy are kidnapped by gobblers. Lyra waits for Roger and Billy, but they do not show up, and she gets aboard Coulter's jet. Before Lyra leaves, the leader of her college gives her an Alethiometer, a golden compass, and states that it can answer any question. Lyra lives in luxury with Ms. Coulter, until she notices that she is abusing her and not letting her go up north.

One night, Lyra sneaks into Ms. Coulters office, which is restricted to Lyra. She finds papers in her desk with Roger and Billy's names and notices at the top right hand corner, the words spell out G. O. B, meaning that Coulter is the leader of the gobblers. Lyra escapes the house and is chased into an alley by gobblers, but is saved by Ma Costa, Billy's mom. In the meantime, Coulter sends tribal soldiers to kidnap Azreal, and sends spy flies to keep watch on Lyra. Lyra notices the flies and diverts one and traps the other in a sealed can. Lyra goes aboard a ship, which is headed to Svalbard, which is where they believe the children are being held hostage.

One night, aboard the ship, Lyra attempts to read the compass and does so successfully, realizing that she holds the power to answer any question possible. The next night, she is visited by Serafina Pekkala (Eva Green), a witch who explains that the children are on Bolvangar and are being cut from their daemon, doing a electric surgery called intercision. At the port of svalbard, Lyra befriends a western aeronaut named Mr. Scoresby (Sam Elliot). He tells her that there is a wounded bear who used to be the bear king of svalbard. Lyra asks the compass what happened, and it explains that the king was taken over by a usurper, and stripped of his armour. Lyra finds the armour and gives it back to the bear, who makes a contract with her. That now that he has regained his sanity, he will forever be in debt to Lyra. One night, Lyra follows the compass, which leads her to an abandoned house. Inside she finds Billy Costa, close to death due to hypothermia and without a daemon. Lyra returns Billy to his mom, but is kidnapped by the same warriors who kidnapped Azrael. Scoresby and the bear, Iorek, follow her, only to find them putting her inside the bear kings cavern. Iorek fights the bear and kills it, making him back in his throne as bear king. Lyra and the others continue on their journey without Iorek.

Lyra decides to enter Bolvangar alone, and goes by the alias Lizzie Brooks, to ensure she will not be taken by Coulter again. Lyra sees Roger and tells him to ensure the kids get their warm clothes on. Lyra hides isnde an office, where Coulter is meeting with the other gobblers. After coulter leaves, Lyra is found and taken to the intercision room, where she is to be seperated from her daemon. Before the surgery is complete, Coulter notices it is indeed Lyra inside the machine and stops the proceedure. Lyra wakes up inside of Coulters bedroom and questions what gobblers actually do. Coulter explains that their government, the magesterium, wants the next generation of the work force to have their souls inside of them and therefore, cutting their daemons away. She also reveals that she is Lyras mother and that azrael is her father. Coulter asks for the compass, to which Lyra gives her the spy fly, putting coulter into a deep sleep. Lyra pulls the alarm, sets fire to bolvangar, and lets all the kids go free, but soldiers with wolves threaten to attack the children. A massive brawl begins, the children are joined by the witches, Iorek and his bears, as well as Ma Costa and Scoresby. The children win the war and they are all free to return home. Lyra, Roger, Scoresby, Iorek and Serafinah fly to find Lord Azrael, who has been missing in action.

The Golden Compass (2007) seems very interesting, but the plot seems to be all over the place. It never seems it wants to go with one story and then it brings in more under-used starpower and it tries to make the users understand how they are connected into the storyline. To be honest, I found Dakota Blue Richards quite dull in her role and I thought the best character in the film was Ms. Coulter, played by Nicole Kidman. I found her very authentic and doing some of the best acting I've seen from her. One thing I have noticed with films in the last decade, is that the film relies of VFX and not story, which is why Golden Compass falls flat.

Overall, I'd give The Golden Compass a 6.8/10

Parasite (2019)

Parasite: A Connection That Leeches On To Perhaps The Audience

[10/10 · 5 February 2020]

Parasite was one of the contenders for Best Picture that I was intrigued by. I had only heard good things going in, but nothing of the actual plot points. I came out of this film needing to sit down and process the events that just occurred. Nothing had prepared me for what I just endured. Parasite is truly a different film, with semi-realistic events. Think of it as the very absentminded Ibsen for film. Every plot point in this film seems to bounce off the following event very organically and oddly very calm. Although it gets gruesome towards the finish line, Parasite is a tale of manipulation as well as a lesson in class.

The film opens to the Kim family, a very low-class family living in a semi-basement in South Korea. The family consists of Ki-Taek, the father, Chung-Sook, the mother, Ki-Woo, the son, and Ki-jeong, the daughter. They all have low paying jobs as they struggle to maintain a middle-class lifestyle. The house struggles with animal infestation, as Ki-Taek insists that the windows stay open to ensure that the dust from automobiles would get into their house, acting as a bug disenfectant. Min-hyk, Ki-Woo's friend, offers the family a relic from his grandfathers house, a stone, which symbolizes ensures future success and wealth to the family that shelters it.

On his final night in town before studying abroad, Min-hyk offers Ki-Woo his job as an English Tutor for the wealthy Park family. Ki-Woo declines due to his lack of degrees, but Min-hyk insists that he create a fake resume with help from Ki-jeong, who excels with her photoshop. Ki-Woo enters the Park's house where the interview is to be held. Yeon-gyo, The mother of the Park Family, trusts him fully as he becomes an English Tutor for Da-hye, the eldest child. On his way out, he notices a painting by the youngest child, Da-song. Ki-Woo, under the alias "Kevin" from Mrs. Park, refers his cousin from Illinois named Jessica, who is actually Ki-jeong. Ki-Jeong and Mrs. Park discuss Da-song's artwork and she questions if he had a traumatic experience when the child was younger. Mrs. Park accepts Ki-jeong as Da-song's art therapist.

Understanding that they could all infiltrate the Park Family, Ki-Taek comes up with a plan. One night, while exiting the house, the Park's Driver insists on taking Ki-jeong home. She leaves a piece of her clothing in the backseat of the car, in order to get him fired for sexual matter while in his workspace. The driver is soon replaced by Ki-Taek. The maid, Moon-gwang, who lived in the house many years before the Parks, has a severe allergic reaction to peaches that were planted by the Kim family. The Kim's present the evidence as Tuberculosis, ensuring the maid gets fired and replaced by Chung-Sook. The whole family, now working in the house, experience an upper-class living style. The Park Family goes away for a camping trip, leaving the whole house to Chung-Sook, who secretly invites the whole family to live there as well.

That night, a heavy downpour begins across town. As the Kim's settle in to the Park House, drinking and eating, Moon-Gwang arrives at the door and pleads to Chung-Sook to let her inside, for she claims to have forgotten an item in the basement. The remaining Kims hide while Chung-Sook goes with Moon-Gwang and helps her move a cupboard, which reveals a secret door. Moon-Gwang opens the door to reveal her husband, Geun-sae, who had been living there for four years, hiding from Loan Sharks. Moon-Gwang pleads Chung-Sook to take care of him, but she declines. The remaining Kim's fall down the stairs and accidentally break the secret that they're all family to Moon-Gwang. She threatens to tell Mr and Mrs. Park, as Chung-Sook gets a phone call from Mrs. Park, who states the family is coming home due to the rain. Ki-Taek swiftly ties Moon-Gwang and Geun-Sae up in the basement and locks them downstairs. The Kim family clean up their mess and hide as the Parks re-enter unaware of the chaos that just ensued.

As Chung-Sook cleans up from the dinner prepared for the Parks, Ki-Taek, Ki-Woo, and Ki-Jeong all hide under the living room table. Da-Song, saddened by the fact that his birthday camping trip was ruined, insists on sleeping outside in his tent, in the midst of the storm. Mr. and Mrs. Park watch from the couch before they both fall asleep. Ki-Taek, Ki-Woo, and Ki-Jeong successfully sneak out of the house and find their old home flooded shoulder-high. The three gather their belongings as Ki-Woo grabs the stone given to the family for good luck. The three sleep in a gym alongside their previous neighbours.

The next morning, Mrs. Park insists on repaying the debt on making Da-Song's birthday fun by creating a last-minute garden party for him. She invites Ki-Jeong, while Da-hye requests Ki-Woo to attend, for they have secretly been in love. Mrs. Park accepts and invites Ki-Taek and Chung-Sook to attend as well. As the party is about to begin, Ki-Woo opens the door to the basement, ready to kill Moon-Gwang and Geun-sae. Geun-Sae gets free and mourns Moon-Gwang who succumbed to her injuries from the fight. Geun-Sae bashes Ki-Woo in the head with the stone and runs to the party, holding a steak knife. He then stabs Ki-Jeong, as Da-Song faints, revealing that Geun-Sae was the ghost that he saw, which created his childhood trauma. As Mr. Park insists that Ki-Taek drive them to the hospital, Ki-Taek murders Mr. Park for not understanding the importance of class. Ki-Taek flees the scene, Ki-Jeong dies from her injuries, Ki-Woo wakes up from a coma a couple of weeks later, alongside Chung-Sook. A few months later, Ki-Woo is walking on a hill by the Park's residence where he sees a message using Morse Code. Ki-Woo decodes it, to reveal that Ki-Taek has trapped himself in the secret basement, going full circle from where the film began.

Parasite is a film that has no end. It is a reflection on something that could potentially happen. Bong-Joon-Ho is a revolutionary director and this could be his best film yet. Although the premise may seem a tad dull and anti-climactic (ie. the first half of the film just being about infiltration), the film never loses your interest. A great example is during the films first climactic moment, when the Park's call. The audience is sweating as you watch the father, fighting to ensure that the Parks don't find out about the truth, the children sweeping through broken glass bottles, and the mother who makes dinner. Nothing too much happening and yet, you are so intrigued. I recommend Parasite be seen by everyone.

Overall, Parasite gets a 10.

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

A Masterpiece of a Mixed Genre; Jojo Rabbit cannot be missed

[9/10 · 2 February 2020]

Thus begins the catching up on the Oscar bait films. I attended a Saturday night screening of Jojo Rabbit and I left having just gone through an emotional roller coaster that was not intended. From previous reviews, this movie just appeared to be a satire comedy, poking fun at the events of the second world war. However, I tell you, this movie is so much more than that. Sure the film ensures a few laughs and giggles, but this film really has heart and that's why I believe critics panned this movie, because the film does not know what genre or age group it is focused at.

The film opens to Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), a German boy obsessed with Nazi Germany, pep-talking himself in the mirror of his bedroom as he prepares to be sent off to Hitler Youth Training Camp. He encounters Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi), showcased as Jojo's imaginary friend and mentor. At the camp, Jojo is introduced to Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell) and Fräulein Rahm (Rebel Wilson), as they teach him and his male peers to do simple tasks, such as murder and false propaganda of anti-semitism. Jojo is penalized for being frightened to murder a little bunny and runs off into the woods. He has a pep-talk with hitler and runs back, interrupting Klenzendorf's grenade launching class. Jojo accidentally throws a grenade at a tree, which bounces right back to his side. Jojo suffers major injuries including a large scar down his face and a limp. Klenzendorf sends Jojo home to be under house arrest for a few months.

After making a bit of recovery, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson), Jojo's mother, drops Jojo off at Klenzendorf's office, who has been demoted to office camp because of Jojo's accident. Rahm orders Jojo to do rather simple tasks such as hang up nazi propaganda across the town. As Rosie takes him home, they notice a public hanging in the town square. The next day, home alone, Jojo hears creaks in his house, which he narrows down to his elder sisters bedroom. He discovers that his mother had been hiding a young jewish girl named Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie). Jojo threatens to call the gestapo, but Elsa reassures him, stating that if he were to note the authorities, then he and his mother would suffer for hiding her.

That night, Jojo looks in disgust at his mother, acknowledging the fact that she has put the whole family in grave danger by having a jew in the house. Rosie notices this and offends Jojo, using ashes from the fireplace to create a makeshift beard, poking fun at Jojo's sexist father and states that she is in charge. Later, Rosie brings her dinner plate to Elsa, unaware that her and Jojo have already met. Daily, Jojo interrogates Elsa while Rosie is at work. Elsa gives Jojo false information about jews appearances and history. She claims she is engaged to a boy named Nathan. Jojo creates a makeshift letter in order to assure that she is frightful of him. After realizing what he has done, Jojo creates another letter, stating that everything in the first letter was false. One day, while doing work for Rahm, Jojo encounters his old mate Yorkie, whom is now a Nazi soldier. He bluntly tells Yorkie that he is hiding a jew, but Yorkie is too busy to focus. Jojo also encounters his mother leaving a "free Germany" slip of paper in town.

A few days later, Jojo notices that Elsa is quite dirty and offers her his house's amenities, such as a bath and his mothers robe. The joy for Elsa is short-lived as the gestapo arrives at Jojo's door to investigate his house. Elsa runs upstairs but cannot find a way to re-enter the hiding place unheard by the gestapo. As they investigate, Klenzendorf arrives too. As the leading Gestapo officer (Stephen Merchant) notices that Jojo's safety pocketknife is missing from his uniform, Elsa appears holding the knife. Elsa tells the gestapo that he is Jojo's older sister Inge. Klenzendorf interrogates Elsa and sets her free. Once the policemen and Klenzendorf leave, Elsa breaks down, noticing that she gave the wrong birth date, but Klenzendorf let her go. As he is picking up scrap pieces of metal in the town square, Jojo sees Rosie's dead body having been hanged for her crimes.

Jojo arrives back home, devastated and attempts to murder Elsa, but cannot find the strength to do it due to his affection for her. Elsa showcases mutual affection and comforts him, showing him the glimmer of hope she still has that the war will soon be over. A few days later, Jojo is wandering about town where he encounters Yorkie once more, who states that Hitler has committed suicide due to the allies closing in on Germany. Jojo refused to acknowledge this fact, until he sees explosions coming from fighter jets. The two boys run to hide, where they run in to Rahm, falsely promoting the little boy soldiers and tells them to shoot anyone that doesn't look German. She puts a makeshift coat on Jojo, and enters the battlefield with a bazooka, before she and the rest of the soldiers, minus Yorkie, perish from an explosion.

The soviets find Jojo and pin him up against a wall, where he re-encounters Klenzendorf. Klenzendorf tells Jojo that his mother was good-hearted and he wanted to return the favour by saving Elsa. Klenzendorf does one final good deed and throws Jojo's coat off and calls him a jew. Jojo is put back onto the street as Klenzendorf is shot several times for his anti-Semitic behaviour. Jojo cannot seem to find the courage to tell Elsa that war is over, so she tells her that Germany won. Acknowledging her saddened outcome, Jojo recites another fake letter written from him in the perspective of Nathan. Elsa reveals that Nathan died a year prior from tuberculosis. Jojo finally confesses his love for Elsa, but Elsa states she only sees him as a younger brother. Hitler arrives one more time to confront Jojo, but Jojo throws him out of a window. Jojo tells Elsa the truth about the war outcome as the two head outside, as they dance together.

Jojo Rabbit is a very sweet movie at its core. The only thing keeping this movie from a perfect score is the beginning chunk of the film. It feels quite elongated and unneeded as well as I believe there could have been more character development with Klenzendorf and Rahm, for I was basically calling them Sam Rockwell and Rebel Wilson during the films duration. I do think that Roman Griffin Davis has a bright career ahead, but the one who truly stood out to me in this film was Thomasin McKenzie. Although she is supposed to play a scared Jewish girl hiding in a German household, McKenzie showcases this strength and other side to this character that was quite cool.

Overall, Jojo Rabbit gets a 9/10.

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Opera Ghost: A beautiful descent into madness or a mad descent into romance?

[8/10 · 14 January 2020]

Phantom Of The Opera is one of my all time favourite stage musicals of all time, so upon learning that a movie version existed starring the incomparable Gerard Butler, I was immediately intrigued. The end product is nothing short of Phantom magic, but it is missing what the stage play has, room for the imagination. Gerard's choices of the phantom could literally be put up against Hugh Jackman's Jean Valjean in 2012's Les Miserables. The story, the everything is magnificent. This phantom just feels like its missing something that is in its mere clutches.

The film opens to an elderly man, whom we later meet as Raoul Vicomte de Changy, attending an auction at the ruins of the Opera Populaire in France. He bids and wins a music box with a toy monkey on top. Next to be bid off, a chandelier. The chandelier is lifted and the film shifts to many years prior, setting up the setting for the upcoming story ("Overture"). In the midst of a production rehearsal, a set piece falls on the opera's prima donna, Carlotta (Minnie Driver). She reconvenes of her past injuries and storms out. Madame Giry, the concierge, welcomes the new owners to the opera house and puts forward Christine Daáe (Emmy Rossum) to sing in that evenings performance. Raoul, Christines childhood playmate attends the show and recognizes her ("Think Of Me").

Meg Giry, Madame Giry's daughter and Christines best friend, finds her alone in the basement chapel and fears Christine, for Christine states that a "mysterious angel of music" has taught her to sing ("Angel Of Music"). Raoul offers Christine dinner, but before she can leave, the angel (Gerard Butler) appears in her mirror ("Little Lotte/The Mirror"). The angel grabs Christine by the hand and takes her down to his underground lair ("The Phantom of The Opera"). There, the angel, now known as the phantom, showcases Christine his creations, and she faints of being startled ("The Music Of The Night"). She wakes up and attempts to take off his mask, and he bashes her for her actions and takes her back upstairs ("I Remember/Stranger Than You Dreamt It").

That night, the opera is set to put on Il Muto with Carlotta as the lead. In the night, Phantom has sent notes to the owners, Raoul and Carlotta ("Notes"). The owners decide to go against phantoms requests and continue to cast Carlotta as the lead and Christine as a silent role ("Prima Donna"). Before the show, another concierge named Joseph Buquet warns the girls of the opera ghost and his magical lasso ("Magical Lasso"). The performance goes well until Carlotta loses her voice due to Phantom switching her elixir to perfume. They bring forward the ballet from act 2, but the audience and castmates are scarred, seeing Buquet's corpse hanging from a noose above ("Poor Fool He Makes Me Laugh"). Christine and Raoul sprint to the rooftop as Christine explains her fear of the phantom to Raoul ("Why Have You Brought Me Here/Raoul, I've Been There"). Raoul swears devotion to Christine as they share their first kiss ("All I Ask Of You"). Secretly, the phantom has listened from behind a statue and Phantom declares war on Raoul ("All I Ask Of You Reprise").

Six months later, the owners hold a massive masquerade ball at the opera populaire, while Raoul and Christine celebrate their secret engagement ("Masquerade"). The phantom appears, dressed in all red and brings a script of an Opera he has written named Don Juan Triumphant, and demands it is the next production performed with Christine as the main character. ("Why So Silent") Upon learning of the engagement, the Phantom storms off, chased by Raoul. The phantom attempts to kill Raoul, but he is saved by Madame Giry. Raoul asks of his past and Madame Giry explains that he is a demented "circus freak" who one day had the courage to murder his captor and run off with Giry, who was attending the circus that evening. She placed him in the sewers of the opera house, but she realizes that his obsession has gone too far.

Christine, seeking answers and closure, visits her father's grave. She longs for answers and feels in desperate need of guidance ("Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"). Looking defeated, an ominous light comes from the mausoleum with Phantom posing once again as the angel of music. Before Christine falls for Phantoms trap once again, Raoul appears on his steed and has a sword duel with the Phantom. Raoul and Christine run off together and phantom declares war on them both. At that nights performance of Don Juan Triumphant, Phantom secretly murders the lead, Ubaldo Piangi and sings with Christine. Christine, noticing the voice, unmasks the phantom, revealing his deformed face to the audience ("The Point Of No Return"). Phantom drags Christine back down to the lair, while he forces the grand chandelier to crash, setting the opera house ablaze. Giry leads Raoul to the 2nd entrance to the phantom's lair. A mob forms in order to hunt phantom down.

Phantom has Christine dress in a wedding dress as he proposes to her. She informs him that she isn't frightened of his appearance, but his yearning for violence. Raoul appears and the phantom traps him, utilizing Buquet's lasso and attaching him to a portcullis. Phantom makes Christine choose: either she chose phantom and Raoul lives, or choose Raoul and watch Raoul die. Christine berates Phantom for his actions, but notices that he has not ever experienced kindness. She kisses the phantom. Having realized what he has done, Phantom frees Raoul and sends him and Christine away to live a happy life together. Phantom plays with his music box, before hearing the mob rush down the stairs. The phantom goes into hiding, as the mob, led by Meg appears. Meg holds the mask up as the time jumps back to after the auction. An elder Raoul visits Christines grave, before realizing that the phantoms iconic red flower is there too. ("Down Once More/Track Down This Murder/The Final Lair").

2004's Phantom of the Opera is truly missing the heart. It views the phantom as a villain, other than an antagonist as written. Although you are not supposed to be rooting for the phantom, due to his crimes and what not, in the stage musical you find yourself very upset when he smashes the mirrors and go into hiding. In the film, its kind of just something that happens. Now Gerard Butler did extraordinary things with the scripture given, Emmy Rossum the same. The side characters of phantom are what truly make the show, and the same can be said about Minnie Driver's Carlotta. She is hilarious in so many ways and when Piangi dies, and you see her cry, you honestly feel a bit of empathy. I do wish also that some of the songs were synced up to the actors lip syncing, but you forgive that in the first minute.

Overall, The Phantom of the Opera gets an 8 solid.

Cats (1998 Video)

Cats. Now and Forever or Then and Forever?

[7/10 · 2 January 2020]

I've been embracing my musical theatre voyage through films and to be honest, I had completely forgot about this 1998 version of Cats since word came out of the upcoming supposed nightmare that is the 2019 version. I have never seen the stage musical and probably nor will I ever. Cats is truly a tale like no other. I knew very few songs going into this film; the ever iconic "Memory" as well as parts of "Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats", "Mr Mistoffelees", and "Macavity: The Mystery Cat". Cats is a very odd musical, but it is nothing short of fun.

The film opens to a junkyard set, which is not changed throughout the entire show. Some cats crawl around the stage to their little nooks and crannies. The cats, led by a black and white cat, named Munkustrap, explain the attributes that correspond with being part of the Jellicle Family ("Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats"). As the cats tone down, a cat named Skimbleshanks notices a man inquiring on what a Jellicle Cat is and how their names come to be. The cats describe how the naming of cats works ("The Naming Of Cats").

The cats head home as the only cat with a proper English name, Victoria the white cat, showcases her unique ballet abilities as well as her extreme flexibility ("Victoria the White Cat"). Munkustrap invites all of the cats to come out of hiding and attend the Jellicle Ball that following evening, which is where their leader would choose one of them to be reborn into a new jellicle life. This event only occurs once a year ("The Invitation To The Jellicle Ball"). The cats discuss who the nominations should be and Munkustrap puts forward Jennyanydots, a tabby cat who worries too much about the other animals that roam around the junkyard ("The Old Gumbie Cat").

They are rudely interrupted by another cat, named the Rum Tum Tugger, who explains that he is indecisive and has too big of an ego for the junkyard that they live in ("The Rum Tum Tugger"). An elderly cat walks in, as the rest of the population exiles her. Bombalurina and Demeter, the two leading female cats, explain how she is Grizabella, a cat who lived life to the fullest and flirted with all of the male cats ("Grizabella: The Glamour Cat"). Bombalurina then puts forward Bustopher Jones, a cat who is rather large and the mayor of the town they live in. ("Bustopher Jones").

The cats leave to get ready for the Jellicle Ball in the upcoming evening. Two twin cats named Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer stay onstage, explaining that they are the tricksters of the town and tend to steal items from other cats ("Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer"). A loud crash is heard as the Jellicle reconvene, noticing that Bustopher and Jennyanydots have gone missing. However, in that moment, the cats' leader, Old Deuteronomy steps in and commences the Jellicle Ball ("Old Deuteronomy/The Jellicle Ball"). On the outskirts of the premises, Grizabella attempts to repeat the dance moves from previous balls, but fails due to her failing bones. She sits outside and attempts to remember the good times when she was welcomed by the other cats ("Grizabella The Glamour Cat Reprise/Memory 1").

Old Deuteronomy watches Grizabella from afar and notices that all of the cats are living well, and that she truly deserves a second chance ("The Moments of Happiness"). In the meantime, Jellyrolum, another cat, puts forward Gus to be reborn. Gus is a elder cat who lived outside the stage doors of theatres and went onstage for some performances ("Gus: The Theatre Cat"). Skimbleshanks puts his name forward so he can be reunited with the train station ("Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat"). In this moment, a third crash is heard as Old Deuteronomy is mysteriously kidnapped.

The cats go in a panic as the two leading female felines explain the situation. They explain that the gang is slowly being kidnapped by Macavity, a mystery cat. His crimes and plans are unknown and he is quite seducive ("Macavity: The Mystery Cat"). The Rum Tum Tugger puts forward Mr Mistofelees, the magical cat, who successfully brings Old Deuteronomy back to the junkyard ("Mr Mistofelees"). As Old Deuteronomy is about to make his decision, Grizabella walks in and sings, once again, of being outed and not accepted by her breed, and longs for a better life ("Memory"). The cats finally accept Grizabella as Old Deuteronomy chooses Grizabella to be the cat that could be sent to the Heaviside Layer ("Journey To The Heaviside Layer"). The night ends with Mr Mistofelees explaining to the world to accept one and other and perfectly explains the definition for serendipity ("The Addressing Of The Cats").

Now, I know what you are thinking: "Cats is supposed to have little to no plot, why is this review so elongated." To me, cats has no plot, but is a metaphor for the different stages of life one goes through as well as the people you meet. You start out as a child, alike to Victoria, the youngest cat and the dreams and aspirations that children want, meanwhile rejecting the elders. Next the cats meet young adulthood, with Bustopher and the twin cats, where you can mess around. The ball is a metaphor for the worklife and Grizabella showcases her fear of going inside. Next, we enter the workforce with Skimbleshanks and Gus, while we finally grow old and reconvene of the wonderful life we lived with Memory. Cats is whatever you want it to be, a blank plot with so much symbolism to fill.

Cats gets a 7.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Come and Visit Your Good Friend Sweeney

[8/10 · 30 December 2019]

Now, don't get me wrong. I love musicals. However Sondheim has never been one of my favourite composers. I find his scores rather depressing and more focused on storytelling much to Webber's dismay, where he does the songs in order to focus on the present. This was very much present in 2014's Into The Woods. This and Into The Woods have a very similar score. Nevertheless, Sweeney Todd is a hidden masterpiece that is truly one of the most horrifying stories about vengeance ever told, perfectly through Tim Burton's gruesome direction.

The film opens to a river of blood, flowing through machinery until finally arriving a river ("Opening Scene"). On a boat, almost docking at London bay, we meet two strangers, Mr. Anthony Hope and Mr. Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) as the two talk about their plans of what they'll do when they finally dock ("No Place Like London"). Todd reminisces of the last time he was in London: Fifteen years prior, where he was falsely convicted by Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman), who longed for his wife. Todd arrives at a meat pie shop run by Ms. Nellie Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) ("The Worst Pies In London").

Mrs. Lovett brings Todd upstairs to where her former neighbour Benjamin Barker had his barber shop. Todd reveals himself as Benjamin Barker and asks about what happened to his wife Lucy and daughter Johanna. Lovett responds by stating that Lucy was sexually assaulted by Turpin and poisoned herself, and Johanna now lives in Turpin's ward ("Poor Thing"). Lovett then presents Todd with his old razors, where he swears to seek revenge on Turpin ("My Friends"). Elsewhere, Anthony encounters a pretty girl who sings by her window ("Green Finch and Linnet Bird"). Anthony asks a beggar woman, and she responds Johanna ("Johanna").

Todd and Lovett arrive at a marketplace to encounter the city's best barber Pirelli. Pirelli's young assistant, Toby, sings of Pirelli's elixir, promising that hair will grow in less than a week. Todd fights back, causing Adolfo Pirelli (Sacha to take matters into his own hands ("Pirelli's Miracle Elixir"). The two have a shaving contest, judged by Turpin's henchman, Beadle Bamford (Timothy Spall). Todd wins ("The Contest"). The following afternoon, Pirelli shows up to Todd's shop, revealing himself to be Davy Collins, Todd's former henchman. Collins threatens Todd that he will take 50% of the profits Todd makes. Todd brutally murders him, leaving Toby in Lovett's clutches. Lovett attempts to calm Todd down ("Wait").

Johanna, having noticed Anthony, throws him down a key to her room. Turpin visits Todd that same day, where he announces that he will marry Johanna to Todd. Todd mildly threatens to kill Turpin, but is interrupted by Anthony, revealing his plans to elope with Johanna ("Pretty Women"). Turpin storms out, angered. Anthony, having ruined Todds plan, forces him out. Lovett returns to Todd, where he states that "We all deserve to die", finally losing his marbles ("Epiphany"). Lovett condemns his plan by building a chair that leads Todd's victims into Lovett's bakehouse, where she will cook them into meat pie ("A Little Priest"). Anthony heads to Johanna's, but notices that she has been taken away to Fogg's Asylum by Turpin.

A few days later, Mrs. Lovett and Toby celebrate the re-opening of her pie shop, now with "better tasting" ingredients ("God That's Good"). Todd continuously murders his victims, almost for fun. On a day off, Lovett tells Todd of her plans to marry him and move to a city by the sea, but Todd does not listen ("By The Sea"). Anthony tells Todd of Johanna's current state. Todd tells him to disguise himself as a wig maker, where then he can get into the asylum. The plan goes off without a hitch. Toby feels something is off with Todd and swears Mrs. Lovett his life if Todd were ever to harm her. After noticing that Lovett has Pirelli's wallet, Toby threatens to call Turpin in, but Lovett distracts him by showing Toby the bakehouse. After showing him how to work the machinery, Lovett locks Toby in ("Not While I'm Around").

Beadle arrives at Lovett's shop, after getting too many complaints of the stench erupting from the chimneys. Todd offers to groom Beadle before the inspection, which he accepts. Todd then kills him and sends him down to the bakehouse, where Toby gets startled. Lovett and Todd go searching for Toby, but assumes that he fled in the sewers. Meanwhile, Anthony demands Johanna hide in Todd's shop while he finds them a coach. There, the beggar woman rushes in, but is swiftly killed by Todd after hearing Turpin's voice. Todd finally murders Turpin and threatens to kill Johanna before hearing Lovett scream from the bakehouse. Downstairs, Lovett attempts to get the beggar woman in the oven before Todd can notice that it is indeed his former wife, Lucy, who poisoned herself but lived and went crazy. Lovett reveals her love for Todd, but Todd feels cheated and throws her into the oven. Todd drops his razor and holds Lucy in his hands, when he is finally killed by Toby ("Final Scene").

Now, Sweeney Todd is not for the faint of heart. Ironically, the plot is very heavy, but the film is very slow-paced, especially In its first act. All of the actors do phenomenal jobs with what they are given, but the two that really stand out are Johnny Depp and Ed Sanders (Toby). Although Bonham Carter's performance is good and critically praised, she holds nothing to the broadway people who have played Lovett. Sanders is creepily unsettling throughout the film and Depp goes full madness and ironically, he does not feel like the villain of the film. The villain is the mind.

Overall Score: Sweeney Todd gets a 7.8 which rounds up to an 8

The Greatest Showman (2017)

Heartwarming, Perfect Showcase Of What A Musical Movie Should Be

[10/10 · 22 December 2019]

The Greatest Showman really surprised movie. Back in 2017, I was quite pumped for I was one of the minimal people who actually knew about this movie before its release. After its mixed reviews, alike to this years Cats, I decided not to see it until a matinee in January. Over time, this film has become one of my favourite films of all time. Although it is filled with historical inaccuracies, it really creates a out of this world experience where you feel overcommed with joy on a pretty sad topic.

The film opens to a mysterious Circusman doing an introduction to his circus (we know its hugh jackman, we just do not know his character name yet) (The Greatest Show). The film then flashbacks to several years prior, where a boy works with his father inside of a rich family's home. The young boy falls in love with a girl named Charity, however she is being sent to Boarding School elsewhere. The two write letters to each other over the years. The boy's father dies as he is left in poverty. Now older, the boy, named PT Barnum (Hugh Jackman) asks the girls fathers hand in marriage before he elopes with his new wife, Charity (Michelle Williams) (A Million Dreams).

PT works for a shipping facility, which goes bankrupt. That night, PT returns home to Charity and his daughters: Caroline and Helen. As it is Caroline's birthday, PT creates a makeshift toy viewed as a wishing machine. The two children wish and dream vividly using their imaginations (A Million Dreams (Reprise)). PT sees a vision through the shadows of the machine and takes out a loan to create Barnum's American Museum: A wax museum for the unbelievable. Sales are minimal. PT realizes that he needs something alive to perform. He meets various figures including Lettie Lutz, The Bearded Lady (Keala Settle) (Come Alive).

The show is a massive hit. Due to a word used in a rather pessimistic review, Barnum changes it to be called Barnum's Circus. Searching for further financial success, Barnum asks Phillip Carlye (Zac Efron), a theatre producer, to join his team in exchange for ten percent of the company (The Other Side). Immediately, Carlyle is taken in a trance by Anne Wheeler's (Zendaya) beauty and talent. On a trip to England, Carlyle arranges for Barnum and the troupe to meet Queen Victoria. Victoria laughs maniachly at one of the jokes made by one of the circus freaks, Tiny Tom. Barnum then meets Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson), where he invites her to perform back in manhattan under his name. She accepts (Never Enough).

At the afterparty, Barnum bickers with Charity's parents, much to Charity's dismay. Barnum is praised for his works with Jenny, and forces his troupe performers into segregation from the other party guests. The troupe, led by Lettie, shows no mercy to social barriers (This Is Me). Carlyle attempts to go on a date with Anne, but is berated for his actions by his parents. Carlyle chases Anne back to the circus, where they announce their love for each other (Rewrite The Stars). Barnum decides to go on tour with Jenny, leaving Carlyle in charge of the circus. At the same time, Charity feels isolated and forgotten by Barnum (Tightrope).

On her tour, Jenny feels a rising sexual tension between her and Barnum. He informs her that he could never love her. There, Jenny cancells the rest of her tour and kisses Barnum in front of the press (Never Enough (Reprise)). Barnum returns home to Manhattan only to find the circus in flames after protestors set it aflame after that nights performance. Carlyle runs into the circus, thinking Anne is still trapped inside, but is saved by Barnum. The next morning, the press release the picture of Jenny and Barnum kissing and Charity leaves Barnum alone. At a bar, Barnum talks to Tiny Tom as the troupe enter the bar and celebrate the fun they had (From Now On). Barnum realizes he must rekindle his relationships and apologizes to Charity, which she accepts. Carlyle concieves the idea of putting the circus inside a tent, for the world to see. Barnum leaves the circus to Carlyle, while he enjoys life at home with Charity and his daughters (The Greatest Show (Reprise)).

The Greatest Showman is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is intriguing and will leave you going through all of the motions. Now saying you wont leave the film singing "This Is Me" or "Rewrite The Stars" at the top of your lungs is a stretch, but there is no dud in the soundtrack composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Although Barnum was not a good man in anyway, we see an optimistic side of him in this film. Every performance is well acted and the voices are superb. It is nothing short of a musical masterpiece. It is unfortunate it will probably never transfer to broadway, for there is already a PT Barnum musical named Barnum.

The Greatest Showman gets a 10.

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

The End Is Here- Not What We Expected, But Its What We Needed

[8/10 · 21 December 2019]

I am a fairly new Star Wars lover. I was first introduced to the galaxy far far away in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which continues to be my favourite Star Wars film. Next, 2017's The Last Jedi came out and to be honest, I was thoroughly dissapointed with the end result. Now we have the final episode of the Skwalker saga: The Rise of Skywalker. Let me just say, it is a lot. A lot of it is ironically JJ Abrams trying to fix what Ryan Johnson did with Last Jedi. This is the ending that was concieved, but I dont think its the full thing that was concieved by JJ.

The film opens to Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) trying to follow a call coming from a forbidden planet. There he finds the revived Emperor Palpatine, who explains that Snoak was a minion to interfere with Ren and Rey's paths. Elsewhere, Finn (John Boyega) and Po (Oscar Isaac) escape from First Order soldiers by Lightspeed jumping. They recieve news that there is a rebel spy amongst the first order. Back at the Resistance Camp, Rey (Daisy Ridley) trains to be the final Jedi, since she knows Leia's (Carrie Fisher) days are numbered. Amongst learning of the emperors resurection, Rey, Finn, BB-8, C3PO, Po, and Chewbacca head to a planet called Pasaanna to seek one of Luke Skywalker's allies.

On pasaana, the troupe runs into Lando (Billy Dee Williams), but they are not safe for long as Kylo Ren and the first order arrive at Pasaana in order to kill Rey as orders from Palpatine. Rey finds a dagger engraved with sith language, and C3PO translates it but is forbidden to say it aloud. The Milennium Falcon as well as Chewbacca are taken by the first order, while Rey deals with Kylo Ren. Rey attempts to save Chewbacca with the force, but some power bursts out of her and the ship crashes, ensuing in Chewbacca's death. Po demands that they go to Kijimi to have the sith language translated and the group accepts.

At Kijimi, Po runs into an old friend named Zorii Bliss (Keri Russel) and she lets them translate the language with help from her inventor friend. In order to get the translation, C3PO's memory must be wiped, but Po demands the answer. The dagger reveals the directions to a Wavefinder, which will help them find the planet Exegol, where Palpatine is hiding. Ren reveals to Rey through the force that she is Palpatine's granddaughter and that he attempted to have her killed. As the group are captured by the first order and taken aboard their ship, they find a hostage very much alive Chewbacca as well as General Hux, who reveals himself to be the Resistence Spy. The group escapes on the Falcon, meanwhile Hux is killed for his treason.

On a planet named Endor, the group meets Jannah (Naomi Ackee) who leads them to the remains of the second death star, where Rey finds the wavefinder to Exegol. Kylo Ren has tracked Rey to the death star, as Leia senses unevenness of the Jedi. Leia, through the force, calls out to Kylo Ren. Rey stabs Ren as Leia takes her final breath. Rey runs off to Ach-too, where she encounters the force ghost of Luke (Mark Hamill), who warns her not to do the same mistakes as he did. Similarly, a shaken Kylo Ren encounters a memory of his father Han Solo (Harrison Ford), who encourages him to throw his lightsaber into the water and become Ben Solo once again. Rey heads to Exegol alone, while Finn, Po, BB-8, C3PO and Chewy follow.

Before heading to Exegol, Po and Finn head to camp, where they learn of Leia's death. Po confronts the reistance and encourages them to fight with him. R2-D2 restores C3PO's memory as they follow Rey to Exegol. Rey finds Palpatine, who reveals that if she were to kill him, his soul would be permanently implanted into her body. Suddenly, Ben rushes in to save Rey, but both are extracted of their powers by Palpatine as he grows stronger. With his new power, Palpatine enforces a war between the Resistence and his fleet, who are much larger and stronger. Rey hears voices of force ghosts and aid her by giving her both hers and Leia's lightsabers, killing Palpatine. Rey, unconcious, is resurected by Ben with Force healing powers. The two share a loving embrace before Ben dies from over-use of the force and becomes one with the force ghosts of the skywalkers. Rey visits tatooine and buries the skywalker's sabers at Lukes home, and she is given her gold Jedi lightsaber. A beggar woman asks of whom Rey is and she replies "Rey Skywalker".

Now, look I know it's a lot. This is why the film divides into three acts: Pasanna, Kijimi/Endor, and Exegol, the four planets that are visited through the film. Pasanna is the most boring. It does not make a lot of sense and it is 40 minutes of JJ abrams just trying to fix the events of Last Jedi. Next, Kijimi/Endor: otherwise known as too much action. There seems to be no story arch in the midst of the film, but it showcases how beautiful some sequences are. Finally, we reach Exegol: the saving grace of the film. This last hour is so good that it breaks all of the records and is truly the ending that was needed. In this trilogy, I'd rank it as second best: above Last Jedi, but below Force Awakens. Ironically, one thing that was missing from the end of the saga was the lack of main character death.

Overall: 1st act- 5, 2nd act- 7, 3rd act- 12. Divide those by 3 and you get a final scoring of 8.

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

The Apple Falls Very, Very Far From The Tree

[7/10 · 14 December 2019]

Snow White and the Huntsman was the first movie in a while that took an old concept and made it something new. Not necessarily modern, just new. A new twist per say. That being said, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was always one of those "mediochre at best" stories. They were a drastic part of everyones childhood, but to elongate that into a 2h 15m movie seems merely unthinkable, and pacing is especially where this movie falls, no surprise. However, the film has a few things up its sleeves, some memorable, some questionable.

The movie's prologue explains the origins of how the evil queen came to power. Queen Eleanor admires a rose and longs for a child. Her child, Snow White is born and she is as happy as can be, with the most beautiful and courageous heart and mind. Snow White befriends Prince William, as the two of them play. Eleanor fatally dies of illness. Instead of mourning, the king distracts himself with battle and war. He fights a "Dark Army" and finds a woman named Ravenna (Charlize Theron) captive. He is taken into a trance and marries her the next day. After the wedding, Ravenna kills the king and orders his daughter to be locked in the prison. William and his father ride off, never to be heard from again.

Ravenna orders for her magic mirror to be hung up in her chambers. In order to maintain her mothers spell, she must take the breath out of the young and beautiful in order to stay young herself. She orders that Snow White (Kristen Stewart) is the next to be sacrificed. When Ravenna's brother approaches Snow's prison cell, she stabs him in the eye and escapes from the kingdom and flees into the dark forest. Ravenna, outraged, orders Finn, her brother to track her into the dark forest, and to bring along someone who knows the woods, a huntsman.

Finn finds Eric (Chris Hemswoth), a drunken huntsman whose wife had passed away. He brings finn and the army to the middle of the dark forest where they find Snow White, lost. Eric and Snow bicker until Eric realizes that Finn lied about Ravenna's powers. The two of them run off and find the edge of the dark wood. Meanwhile, at another kingdom, word spreads that Snow White is still alive as prince William (Sam Claffin), her childhood mate, rides off to find her. He infiltrates the dark army in order to one day decieve them and elope with Snow.

At the forest's edge, Snow saves Eric from being mauled by a bridge troll. After their victory, they find a village to stay the night in. The population is completely made up by women and their daughters, whom have all disfigured their faces so Ravenna could not use their beauty for immortality. That night, Finn and his army burn up the village after tracing Snow's steps. All of them escape, while Snow and Eric run off again, until they encounter eight dwarfs. The head dwarf notices Snow's beauty and states that only she can kill Ravenna. At their sanctuary, Finn's men attack once more, until he is killed by Eric. The rest of the army falls as well, except for Eric, who joins Snow and the team. Ravenna feels her brothers death and must move to Plan B.

On the way to William's castle, the two rekindle their childhood relationship. Ravenna disguises herself as William in order to kill snow. She hands her an apple which temporarily poisons her. As she attempts to her, Eric and William find her mid-act and she disappears. The troupe arrive at the castle as snow lies on her death bed. Eric, explaining that he couldnt save her or his wife, feels upsettened and kisses Snow, causing her to wake up. Snow orders all of the duke's men to ride with her to bring down Ravenna's reign of terror once and for all. As the army arrives at Ravenna's kingdom, Snow climbs the tower alone, while the rest fight the dark army. Ravenna proves to Snow that she is invincible by putting herself in a firepit. Snow stabs Ravenna, undoing the spell. Ravenna dies, shriveling up to her true, elderly self. Snow White is crowned queen and all is well.

Snow White and the Huntsman really lies on its acting, since the scripture and editing is just terrible. It is a visually stunning movie, even for years after its release. The film falls into three acts: Ravenna's reign, Snow vs the Army, and Ravenna vs all. The movie is missing Ravenna, since Charlize Theron should've taken home an oscar for her work. She is magnificent. Twilight's Kristen Stewart shines as well, however her acting is more-less melodramatic and thus cannot carry the elongated boring movie. It is entertaining, however there are some parts that could've just been cut and some should've been elongated. It has the potential to be a great movie, it just isnt one. Overall: The score goes as follows. The first act is a perfect 10. The second a 5 and the third, a 6. Add them up and divide them by three and you get a final verdict of 7.

Kinky Boots: The Musical (2019)

Fun, Flirty, Irresistible, Kinky Boots remains prevalent in a modern world

[9/10 · 9 December 2019]

Kinky Boots opened at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in 2013 and took the world by storm with its message and subtle yet flashy performances. This was my first experience with Kinky Boots, but let me just say that when it comes back to my hometown, I will be the first in line to get tickets. There is something so real about this show. Even though it is flashy at times and bursts into songs at odd times, Kinky Boots offers a wholesome experience about acceptance of one and other as well as self acceptance.

The show opens to the Price and Son shoe factory, where Mr Price takes his son charlie around to tour, showing him his future. Charlie is hesitant. Meanwhile another young boy explores his mothers high heels and roams through an alley before being caught by his father. Charlie, now grown up, has a diploma in marketing and refuses to take over the factory. Instead, he moves to london with his fiancee, Nicola. ("Price and Son Theme/The Most Beautiful Thing In The World"). As soon as Charlie and Nicola get settled in to their london loft, news breaks that his father has suddenly passed away, thus making charlie inherit the family business.

Charlie heads back to London to escape momentarily and meets up with an old friend at a bar ("Take What You Got"). On his way home from work one day, Charlie is knocked unconcious by what appears to be a woman being beaten by brawny men. He wakes up backstage at a bar and the woman turns out to be Lola, the headlining drag queen of this bar ("Land Of Lola"). Charlie notices that Lola's heels are expensive, but cheeply made. With no sales back home, Charlie gives all of his workers notices. One employee, Lauren, offers Charlie to find a new niche market. Charlie offers Lola to create a boot under her style. ("Charlies Soliloquy/Step One").

As Charlie gives Lola her newly made boot and she detests it, stating the colour is off-red and not red and that there is no heel. Lola then states that she wears red stiletoes for it is the colour of "sex" ("Sex Is In The Heel"). Lola draws new designs for Charlie as he calls Lola official designer of Price and Son. Charlie thanks Lauren for the idea as Lauren ponders if there are rising feelings for Charlie from inside her ("The History Of Wrong Guys"). Lola shows up the next day in mens clothing and is shunned by his co-worker, Don. Lola finds Charlie as the two repent the harsh past of not following their fathers orders ("Not My Fathers Son"). The first pair of Lola's Kinky Boots are made as the workers celebrate ("Everybody Say Yeah").

The next day, Lola comes in wearing the boots and Don shuns her again. Lola comes towards Don with a preposition, stating that each of them shall do one thing for the other man, in order to feel more "Masculine" ("What A Woman Wants"). Don offers Lola to do a boxing match, and Lola accepts, for she was a trained boxer as a child. At the match, Lola is crushing Don, but lets him win ("In This Corner"). Later, at a bar, Don asks Lola why she let him win. Lola responds by saying that no one should endure the pain of being tormented by their mates. Lola offers her portion of the challenge, making Don accept people for who they are.

With only a week before the big fashion show in Millan, Charlie begins to feel franctic and out of place. Nicola enters, fed up with Charlie's shennangians. Charlie notices that Nicola has bought herself items she knew Charlie couldnt afford. Nicola breaks up with Charlie. Lola enters and has made changes to the plan without Charlie's permission. Charlie embarasses Lola in front of the whole factory and Lola, as well as the other workers leave, stating that Charlie has just become too full of himself and his work. Charlie stands, shaken, alone ("Soul Of A Man"). Days later, Lauren tells Charlie to come back to the factory, showing Charlie that Don took charge to endure that they would meet their deadline for the Millan show. Before hopping on the plane, Charlie calls Lola and offers him an apology, as Lola performs at her fathers retirement centre. ("Hold Me In Your Heart"). Lola introduces herself as Simon, finally ackgnowledging her real roots and name.

At the Millan fashion show, Charlie prepares for the big act. Without Lola's backup dancers, Charlie must go onstage solo, wearing the boots. Lauren finds Charlie and says that none of the workers have shown up except for her as she wishes him the best of luck. Onstage, the show does terribly as Charlie trips and falls, enforcing a power outage. Lola comes to save the day and brings her dancers with her. The workers show up as excess models in the show, including Don in high heels. Lauren and Charlie kiss as Charlie changes the name of the company to "Price and Simon". The group celebrates the success of the product ("Raise You Up/Just Be").

Kinky Boots is a piece of musical theatre which really surprised me. Going in to the broadcast I only knew a handful of songs which consisted of "Raise You Up/Just Be", "Step One", and "Everybody Say Yeah". As the musical progressed I found those to be on my low end of songs. The songs that really personally blew me away were Lauren's "The History of Wrong Guys" and Lola's "Land of Lola". Although it may be on the maturer side of theatre, I think kids will enjoy it for its overall glow and optimistic feel. Sure kids wont understand all of the concepts being thrown at them, but I think it should be fine for the whole family. That being said, Kinky Boots is by far not the best movie or piece of theatre I've ever seen but man is it up there.

Overall Kinky Boots: The Musical gets a final score of 9.1/10