Movie Reviews
“Wicked” – Defies Gravitational Expectations. It’s Sure to be Popular!
This musical film totally amazed me. Although it’s rather lengthy and there is a lot to take in, it was done fairly well. Director Jon M. Chu did a spectacular adaptation bringing the popular Broadway musical Wicked onto the big screen, which was inspired by the 2003 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.
Chu takes the audience on an exciting adventure to the wonderful Land of OZ with Wicked. There are many visual references (especially in the intro scene) to the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, which many will find nostalgic. The film expands on the backstory of Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo), focusing on her childhood and the non-existence relationship with her father Frexspar Thropp (Andy Nyman), yet is close and protective to her younger sister, Nessarose “Nessa” Thropp (Marissa Bode). Elphaba’s journey begins when she arrives at Shiz University where she meets Galinda “Glinda” Upland (Ariana Grande).


Elphaba (Erivo) is seen as the outcast, due to her green appearance and unable to harness her emotions – anger triggers her strong magical ability. While Glinda (Grande) is the privileged popular aristocrat that uses her beauty and charismatic ways to influence others. The students at the Shiz University are just smitten over her. However, Elphaba’s powers strike an interest with Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), which makes Glinda envious.


As the storyline moves along through the catchy musical numbers and dancing, we see how Glinda is the egocentric, pompous manipulator and bullies not just Elphaba but Doctor Dillamond (Peter Dinklage) – the talking goat professor. But, what’s a musical without a little drama? Jonathan Bailey is a remarkably good singer and shows off his vocal skills as the handsome, yet shallow Fiyero Tigelaar. Fiyero arrives at the university, you can only think he will be perfect for Galinda but ends up caught in a love triangle between Glinda and Elphaba. This takes Glinda’s jealousy to the extreme and sees an opportunity to belittle Elphaba by persuading her to wear the infamous black hat during a student night outing. When Elphaba shows up looking like…a witch, everyone laughs and ridicules her. It gets highly emotional when Elphaba pretends to dismiss their reactions and begins to do swaying dance to no music. Glinda finally realizes that she has gone too far with teasing Elphaba. This scene sets up for the transformation of both Glinda and Elphaba, especially for when they meet the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) master of illusion and exploitation. Not to give out any spoilers, there are so many other details and surpise appearences in this musical that ends in a powerful cliffhanger for Wicked Part II.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were the perfect pairing for this film. Both ladies have such powerhouse voices, which complement each other. Regardless that I was never an Ariana Grande fan, she was impressive taking on the role of Galinda – Glinda. She had that character down from the sweet voice, dancing, quirky gestures to the hair flipping. Cynthia Erivo gave an astounding flawless performance and dominated the screen with her incredible voice. I can definitely see her acting career taking off to the next level, “Defying Gravity”!
Wicked has it all – majestic cinematography, fabulous costumes, best soundtrack, great storyline with solid performances. It will surely be “Popular” at the box office.
Movie Reviews
‘Dangerous Animals’ – A Thriller That Takes a Bite Out of Fear!
Just when you though it was safe to get back in the water at Volente Beach in Austin, Texas, Dangerous Animals celebrates its premiere screening presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Rolling Road Show and hosted by Fons Pr.

Director Sean Byrne and Texas native Hassie Harrison made a special appearance to introduce their film Dangerous Animals. Guests had a fun time floating on the lake in shark themed tubes while watching the movie, there were even two guys in scuba gear submerged in the water with red lights to set a frightening tone.


Dangerous Animals is the perfect summer thriller on the beach movie. It takes place in Australia where charter boat operator Bruce Tucker (Jai Courtney) takes tourists for shark excursions, but uses them as bait for his sick and twisted sadistic pleasure. Bruce goes on the hunt to seek out his next victim, which happens to be a strong willed surfer Zephyr (Hassie Harrison). To Bruce’s amazement, the situation now becomes predator-prey reversal.


This thriller movie has intense graphic scenes, with many nail biting situations and of course, huge ferocious sharks! It will definitely make viewers jump out of their inner tubes. Yes, Jaws would approve.

Movie Reviews
‘Appalachian Dog’ – An Astonishing Dramatic Indie Film
If you are a true cinemaholic, you will appreciate this independent film. Appalachian Dog is written and directed by Colin Henning who also stars in his film along with a decent cast: Georgia Morgan (“Interview with a Vampire”, “Penelope!”), Hayleigh Hart Franklin, Brooke Elizabeth (“Dear DIEry”), Colin Henning (“Wild Crime”).
The storyline is intriguing with many plot twists. It takes place post War World II, a young solider, Teddy, returns to his home in the Appalachian Mountains where is wife Marion has set up a small welcoming gathering with two of her female friends, Peggie and Cate. Teddy appears aloof and uninterested in resuming his life as a tailor. He ponders the whereabouts of his dog and how to avoid working.

Teddy learns that while he was away Marion hired Peggie to assist as a seamstress, which seems to bother him due to their finances and expects Marion to just take over. He comes up with several failed excuses to evade from sewing clothes. However, Marion has secretively prepared a plan of her own.
Meanwhile, Cate is having to deal with the challenges of taking over the daily farm chores due to Andrew being mentally, physically incapable of manual labor. It appears he might be suffering from post war trauma, or at least that is what he wants others to believe.


Just like the twisted trails found in the Appalachian Mountains, this film has it’s share of unexpected turns and eerie settings, but one question still remains… What happened to Teddy’s dog?
Appalachian Dog can be viewed on streaming platforms such as Amazon, Tubi, Hoopla and Verizon Fios.

Movie Reviews
‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ Will Have Your Heart Fluttering
Calling all hopeless romantics. This movie will be on your list of favorite foreign love stories. It has a young-quirky single lady, Agathe, who works in a bookstore in France and has aspirations of becoming a writer. She is inspired by her favorite author Jane Austen, however, comes to realize that she has writer’s block. Agathe will have to overcome her fears to liberate her emotions and transfer them onto paper.

Agathe (Camille Rutherford) believes that she is struggling to write due to her love life being nonexistent – ever since the tragic car accident where her parents were inside the car with her, but they did not survive. On the other hand, her friend and co-worker Felix (Pablo Pauly) is the type that is a freedom-loving who is reluctant to commit to a relationship as he reveals to Agathe about the many dates he has been in. Without hesitation, Felix discretely submits some of Agathe’s writings to the Jane Austen Residency and remarkably she gets accepted for a writer’s retreat in England.


This lighthearted movie takes you to the beautiful English countryside, where Agathe is greeted by the handsome Oliver (Charlie Anson), a distant descendant of Jane Austen. They get off to a rough start, but they gradually seem to be drawn to one other. The romantic connection develops when it’s discovered they have been emotionally shattered, but somehow their broken pieces come together and mend their painful past. Then, like getting spit on by a llama, Felix shows up at the mansion for the Residency’s annual ball and Agathe finds herself in a love triangle and discovers material for her novel.


Director and Screenplay Writer Laura Piani magnificently created the essence of the 1800’s literature of a romantic satirical comedy in Jane Austen Wrecked My Life. The cast are amazing and original. Though, the movie is mostly in French, it is easy to follow with subtitles, which adds authenticity to the story.

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