Posts with the label movie
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Wicked Movie Review: Everything we Hoped For and More
Like so many, I’ve been enchanted by Wicked since I was young. The musical shaped my childhood, inspired my imagination, and stayed with me through every stage of life (my dog is literally called Elphie!) When news of a film adaptation first surfaced all those years ago, my heart soared, though tempered with the hope that they would do justice to something so pivotal to me and countless others. It’s been a long yellow brick road, with years of speculation, rumours and anticipation, but now that it’s here, Wicked: The Movie exceeds every expectation and delivers a spectacle that was worth every moment of the wait.
Director Jon M. Chu has not only brought the world of Oz to life- he has redefined what a movie musical can be. This film doesn’t just enchant; it moves, it stirs, and it utterly inthralls. From the first soaring notes of 'No One Mourns the Wicked' to the breathtaking final moments, it’s clear that this team poured their hearts into every frame.
The cast, led by the luminous Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and the effervescent Ariana Grande as Glinda, is extraordinary. Erivo’s performance is as brilliant as we all expected- her Elphaba is fierce, vulnerable, and heartbreakingly human. Of course, she also imbues every note with raw emotion, making every song a transcendent experience. Grande, meanwhile, brings a sparkling charm and necessary depth to Glinda, perfectly balancing her bubbly exterior with a poignant sincerity. The chemistry between the two is electric, capturing the complexities of friendship and rivalry that lie at the heart of the story, I am already buzzing with anticipation of how the pair are going to develop in Wicked: Part Two. Like with every aspect of this film, you can tell how much love has gone into it, Ariana and Cynthia's performances feel so incredibly lived in, you can tell how much they adore the roles and how they planned and turned every stone in finding their own versions. They feel true enough to the originals but also bring newness and fresh energy. The Winkie Prince doesn't have as developed of a role in Part One but Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero is still masterful. His smooth charisma is utterly swoon-worthy but more than that, his sincerity and depth is enchanting to watch. In my opinion, 'Dancing Through Life' is one of the most edited songs from the original, but it works so SO well. The new musical arrangement is very cool, with a more funkified feel that complements the show, while feeling totally relevant for a 2024 Wicked release; the whole scene is a joy to watch. Supporting performances by Ethan Slater as Boq, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible round out the ensemble, each actor bringing something fresh to the beloved characters and paving the way for Part 2.
The music, brought to life with lush orchestration and gorgeous vocals, feels both reverent to Stephen Schwartz’s original score and fresh for this new medium. Familiar songs like 'Popular' and 'What is This Feeling' shine anew, while the staging and cinematography elevate them into true cinematic moments.
One of the greatest triumphs of this adaptation is its fidelity to the source material. Despite its aspirations of massive commercial success- evident from the ambitious marketing campaign- it never sacrifices the heart of the story or the integrity of the musical’s themes. This feels like a love letter to the fans who’ve cherished Wicked for years. Seeing the iconic Time Dragon Clock, the enigmatic blobby men (yes, the technical term!), guest star appearances, and subtle musical motifs scattered throughout feels like being reunited with an old friend. I also love how the cast were allowed to play around with riffs throughout the movie, something that's a big part of the Wicked fandom. There are whole YouTube compilations of the best 'Defying Gravity Riffs' and I have no doubt that the movie one will be added alongside all the others that perfectly fit and bring a freshness to the score that delivers on every level.
The world-building is nothing short of spectacular. Every corner of Oz is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail, from the verdant forests of Shiz and the university to the glittering, imposing Emerald City. Each setting feels wonderfully alive, creating a fully realised world that you can’t help but get lost in. It’s a treasure trove of visual and thematic delights, packed with details that will have fans poring over every frame on their fourth, fifth, or tenth viewing.
This is the kind of film that makes you want to shout about it, to grab everyone you know and say, “You have to see this!” Jon M. Chu and the entire team behind this masterpiece have created a work that will fill the hearts of longtime fans while dazzling new audiences with its brilliance.
For those of us who grew up with Wicked, this is more than just a movie- it’s a moment, a celebration, and a dream brought to live. I could go on for hours and I'm honestly still tearing up the morning after seeing this film, but in summary- it's perfect! Congratulotions to the cast, crew, and creators for giving us something so magical, so heartfelt, and so, so Wonderful. 💚
Sincerely, Olivia
Wicked Lover since Age 8
★★★★★
{movie tickets were gifted}
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
Woking's Nova Cinema Set to Open This Week
Woking’s brand-new, Nova Cinema reveals a full refurbishment, an out-of-this-world rebrand, plus a series of exciting events and bespoke programming, all launching from 15th October 2020.
Thanks to a joint investment from Woking Borough Council and venue owners, Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), Nova Cinema is about to become the town centre’s brightest new star, boasting some of the best technology on offer within commercial cinema, and an unrivalled food and drink offer.
The new Nova Cinema now has seven stylish screens, including the flagship Screen One with state-of-the-art laser projection and Dolby Atmos sound, and the more intimate, premium Screen Seven where you can find luxurious electric reclining chairs and order tasty treats from your seat. The refurbishment also introduces a cutting-edge media suite for community and business hire, plus, the opportunity to book cinema screens for private functions.
An all new food and drink offering includes the refreshments bar in the main foyer and the addition of the luxury Nova Bar upstairs, which offers table service and a specially crafted menu of wines, beers and spirits with many products sourced from local businesses. An array of staple cinema snacks will be available from both, including popcorn, nachos and sweets, as well as ‘create your own’ gourmet hot dogs and vegan dogs.
Nova Cinema is completely COVID-safe and the team will be going above and beyond government requirements in order to make sure this is the safest place you can be, apart from your own home. Extra time has been added between screenings to allow for a thorough clean and all auditoriums will be treated with electro-static sanitising agents. A fully fresh air supply from brand new air handling units will circulate throughout all areas of the building. For further details, please see the website: novacinema.com/your-visit
On Thursday 15 October, the new venue throws open its doors with a full programme of films on offer, including the perfect mix of the latest releases including Bill & Ted Face the Music, 23 Walks, La Haine, Sonic and Pinocchio to name a few, as well as several specially curated seasons.
Simon Thomsett, Nova Cinema’s Venue Director, says “We are so proud to announce that the countdown is finally over, and the time has come to welcome in the people of Woking and beyond.
“We have got some incredible events coming up in our launch programme that we have curated to cater for everyone. With tickets now on sale through our new website, we cannot wait for you to experience it all for yourself – it’s going to be a stellar opening season!”
This is a magical moment for film-lovers in Woking, and for the town as a whole. The refurbishment of the ATG run venue is a significant step in Woking’s regeneration, and the launch collaborates with Woking Borough Council’s initiative to revitalise the town centre.
For tickets visit: novacinema.com
Tuesday, 21 February 2017
Bitter Harvest (Film) | Review
Bitter Harvest tells the harrowing tale of the Holodomor, a man-made famine which occurred in Ukraine in 1932-33, killing an estimated 2.5-7 million people. I, like many people had never even heard of this catastrophe and feel ashamed of that fact, so it was truly shocking to see the atrocities play out on screen.
Bitter Harvest sheds light on this widely overlooked tragedy in such a way that it is both provoking and shocking but at the same time brings warmth through the love story of Yuri (Max Irons) and Natalka (Samantha Barks). The whole story is told through the eyes of these young lovers as they struggle through imprisonment, famine and torture; battling to reunite with one another and to fight for a free country.
The film is visually stunning and quite literally sheds light on this devastating chapter of modern history. Douglas Milsome has added a whole layer to the story just through the lighting and has created a truly cinematic experience. We first see the warm lights and sky which quickly become dark and bleak. Particularly effective was the contrast of the bright Kiev when Yuri first got there to the muted grey of Yuri and Natalka's village. Truly striking.
The authenticity is so clear in this film, through not only the fact that it was filmed in true to life locations, but through the way the stellar cast play their roles so truthfully. Both Barks and Irons show the deep and dark complexities of their characters incredibly well, with their chemistry shining through to emphasise the reality of pain and loss throughout. Each moment is heart-wrenching and the whole film is beautifully shocking. The cast also includes Tamer Hassan, Barry Pepper and Terence Stamp, all of whom play their roles honestly and perfectly.
George Mendeluk has directed a visually striking film which is sure to educate people and get discussions going. There are parallels happening right now in Ukraine so this film has come at the perfect time to get people talking and to educate people so that nothing like this ever happens again. Although the love story is somewhat cliched, it works well in this film to provide a root for the story rather than being overpowering at every moment. The script is well written to make the actual event of the Holodomor the main focal point with the romance more of a reference point. The love story is beautiful and played out so well but it doesn't detract at all from the pain and suffering that was really happening.
The story of this devastating famine is hard to watch but knowing and seeing the truth is necessary and Bitter Harvest is rightfully bringing this overlooked Ukrainian tragedy to the forefront of media in a way it never was at the time. I already am and will continue to recommend this film to everyone I see because it's honestly incredible. Truthful, painful, beautiful and powerful. The cinematography, story, acting and honesty make Bitter Harvest a must see. ★★★★
Watch my vlog of the premiere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We9bFF1mCBs
Bitter Harvest is released in the UK on February 24th.
Part of this review was used on the cover of the UK DVD so keep an eye out for it!
Review by Olivia Mitchell
Part of this review was used on the cover of the UK DVD so keep an eye out for it!
Review by Olivia Mitchell
Friday, 14 October 2016
Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary Performance (film) | Review
Movie musicals often get a bad rap and with some previously released ones its not surprising, so I was cautious about how the spectacle that is Miss Saigon would translate to film. Before watching the movie I thought that a production as big as this could only really be experienced live in the flesh... I was wrong. This is a momentous and immersive triumph like no movie musical I've seen before.
Universals HD recording brings every moment of Miss Saigon to life; we hear the background conversations and see all the facial expressions which could easily be missed live at the Prince Edward Theatre. Every breath, song and moment of choreography is perfectly framed with a mix of close-ups and wide angles making the whole production visually stunning. Every magical feature of Bruno Poet's lighting design and Totie Driver and Matt Kingley's fantastic set design is highlighted and glorified.
The whole thing isn't just watching a musical filmed live from a theatre, its a cinematic experience where one feels truly immersed in the production and can relate and attach to the characters even more. I truly have no faults with this film and for the majority of it being filmed in front of a live audience on one night, its really mind boggling how perfect the team have managed to make it!
Of course a review of Miss Saigon would not be complete without mentioning the insane talents of the cast. Although I saw this cast twice live at the theatre, I was even more in awe of their talents watching this recording. The extreme close ups show every emotion that crosses their faces and you can truly see how much they commit making their characters as realistic and provocative as possible.
Eva Noblezada's voice as Kim is just on another level; it actually depresses me how young and talented she is and I can only dream of being so flawless one day. Every note that comes out of her mouth is golden and its worth going to see the film purely to hear I'd Give My Life For You which sent chills down my spine! Jon Jon Briones gets the comedy and depth of the hilarious but calculating engineer down to a tee and I will never be over his performance of The American Dream. Alistair Brammer is the perfect lead, his voice soaring with ease and complementing Eva's dulcet tones entirely. If I could mention every cast member I would but I'm afraid that would take forever so I'll just say that every performance is remarkable and each individual truly shines in this recording.
Whether you've seen the production before or not, you must go and see this film. If you saw the show at the Prince Edward you'll get to see it in an entirely new light and if you haven't seen it before you'll be introduced to one of the most fantastic works of musical theatre in complete and utter style. Its definitely a must-see for musical theatre fans but I am almost certain that anyone will enjoy it. This is a production which is truly, completely and utterly unforgettable and altogether an impeccable cinematic experience. ★★★★★
Miss Saigon will be at cinemas on Sunday 16th October 2016 and will then be released on DVD.
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