Wicked: For Good sweeps back into Oz with all the shimmer, spectacle, and heart you’d hope for—and if you loved the original Wicked film, this follow-up feels like a lovingly crafted continuation of that magic. While I absolutely enjoyed this new chapter (and truly, there’s so much to enjoy), my heart still belongs to the first film. That debut outing was something entirely new—fresh, daring, and unlike anything audiences had seen from this story before. It set a tone, a world, and a standard that’s hard to replicate.
That said, For Good doesn’t try to copy what came before. It expands it—softly at times, boldly at others—and honors the legacy of the original while carving out its own emotional journey. The direction leans more into richness and sentiment, giving characters room to reflect, ache, and shine in ways that feel earned rather than indulgent.
L to R: Ariana Grande is Glinda and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in WICKED FOR GOOD, directed by Jon M. Chu.
L to R: Michelle Yeoh is Madame Morrible and Ariana Grande is Glinda in WICKED FOR GOOD, directed by Jon M. Chu.
And the cast? They surpassed all expectations. Truly. Every actor seems to understand the weight of stepping back into Oz’s iconic roles, and each brings something meaningful—sometimes delicate, sometimes electrifying—to their performance. Everyone gets their moment, and those moments land.
But it’s Ariana Grande who emerges as the undeniable standout. Her performance is radiant: vocally stunning, emotionally grounded, and layered in a way that adds new dimension to her character. It’s the kind of turn that sneaks up on you—unexpectedly nuanced, undeniably memorable.
Wicked: For Good may not replace the original in my heart, but it absolutely enriches the world that made me fall in love in the first place. It’s a worthy, heartfelt, beautifully performed continuation—one that feels, fittingly, like a story made for good.
Well this one was a beautiful surprise. Perhaps the better of the Agatha Christie flicks. From the moment the film begins, you’re transported into a dark twisted world set in the historic Venice. Which in itself perhaps has some dark stories tucked away with the walls of the homes that have stood above water for centuries.
We come to meet our mysterious detective who is brought out of retirement by the ever so quirky Tina Fey. It almost feels like she cons him into going to this gorgeous mansion to be a part of an event to discredit a woman who speaks to the dead, enter Oscar winner, Michele Yeoh. I will say it was disappointing that she was not in this film as long as we all would have wanted to. I was pleased to hear she was finally doing a somewhat thriller/horror film, which is probably why I’m giving this film 4-stars.
While the film does keep your attention throughout its entirety, it does slow down a bit. I will say that the film does surprise you in the end when you find out who the actual killer is. To make it even better there’s an unexpected twist even after we find out who the killer is.
I don’t want to give away too much so head to the theater to catch this flick!
“A Haunting in Venice,” an unsettling supernatural thriller based upon the novel “Hallowe’en Party” by Agatha Christie and directed by and starring Oscar® winner Kenneth Branagh as famed detective Hercule Poirot, will open in theaters nationwide September 15, 2023. With a screenplay by Oscar® nominee Michael Green, “A Haunting in Venice” is produced by Kenneth Branagh, Judy Hofflund, Ridley Scott, and Simon Kinberg, with Louise Killin, James Prichard, and Mark Gordon serving as executive producers. The film features a brilliant acting ensemble portraying a cast of unforgettable characters, including Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, Michelle Yeoh. Set in eerie, post World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve, “A Haunting in Venice” is a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.
From acclaimed writer-director James Mangold comes the final chapter in the saga of one of cinema’s greatest heroes. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny sees Academy Award®–nominated actor Harrison Ford reprise his iconic role as the whip-smart archaeologist one last time for a thrilling, globe-trotting adventure. It’s 1969, and Indiana Jones is ready to call it quits. Having spent more than a decade teaching at New York’s Hunter College, the esteemed professor of archaeology is preparing to retire to his modest apartment where, these days, he lives alone. Things change after a surprise visit from his estranged goddaughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), who is seeking a rare artifact that her father entrusted to Indy years earlier—the infamous Archimedes Dial, a device that purportedly holds the power to locate fissures in time.
An accomplished con-artist, Helena steals the Dial and swiftly departs the country to sell the artifact to the highest bidder. Left with no choice but to go after her, Indy dusts off his fedora and leather jacket for one final ride. Meanwhile, Indy’s old nemesis, Jürgen Voller, a former Nazinow working as a physicist in the U.S. space program, has his own plans for the Dial, a horrifying scheme that could change the course of world history.
Starring alongside Harrison Ford are Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”), Antonio Banderas (“Pain and Glory”), Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark), John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Shaunette Renée Wilson (“Black Panther”), Thomas Kretschmann (“Das Boot”), Toby Jones (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”), Boyd Holbrook (“Logan”), Olivier Richters (“Black Widow”), Ethann Isidore (“Mortel”) and Mads Mikkelsen (“Another Round”).
Now, it’s really hard to list out the dislikes on this film because over the years we’ve come to love Indy! Right off the bat, nothing bad to say about Harrison Ford and his character. Thank god for that! Lets face it, without him, there would be no Indiana Jones flicks.
As for the rest of the film, it was entire too long and dragged, it could have easily been cut by at least 45 minutes. Also, can’t believe I’m saying this but there were too many fights scenes that lasted too long. It felt like they were trying to fill time.
As for Harrison Ford’s leading lady who happens to be his goddaughter, they couldn’t have picked a better actress to take on the role of his 50/50 sidekick. LOL! She brought a sense of wit and sex appeal to the film, that without I think the film could have fallen a bit more flat with all the extended fight scenes.
I will say this film was not necessary to make, but hoping it’s the final Indiana Jones film… It’s certainly gives this character an exit with grace after so many iconic films that we will always remember and cherish.
The beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure, “The Little Mermaid” stars singer and actress Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel; Tony Award® winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton,” “Snowpiercer”) as the voice of Sebastian; Jacob Tremblay (“Luca,” “Room”) as the voice of Flounder; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Prince Eric; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as Queen Selina; with Oscar® winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”) as King Triton; and two-time Academy Award® nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”) as Ursula. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
The beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure, “The Little Mermaid” stars singer and actress Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel; Tony Award® winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton,” “Snowpiercer”) as the voice of Sebastian; Jacob Tremblay (“Luca,” “Room”) as the voice of Flounder; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Prince Eric; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as Queen Selina; with Oscar® winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”) as King Triton; and two-time Academy Award® nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”) as Ursula. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
I have the attention span of a two-year old when it comes to movies, so they have to really captivate me within the first 30 minutes for me to be completely invested. Unfortunately, this one fell a bit flat to me. The film could have easily shaved off 30 minutes. I will give credit where it’s due, Halle Bailey was a pleasant surprise in her role as Ariel and had a beautiful voice to compliment the original songs in the film, as for her acting … she did well for her first big role. Now when it comes to Prince Eric… mehhhh. Is all I can say, I didn’t feel like there was really any chemistry between the two and he was not making us all swoon over him. I mean come on, the original version of the film, he’s a cartoon and we were all swooning.
Now the real surprise was Melissa McCarthy, who I will say I am not a huge fan of her, but she slayed the role as Ursula. She really embodied the role of the sea witch and I was totally there for it. Also, who knew she could sing?! I will say her song lacked some soul, which is not really her fault but rather how the song was arranged.
Speaking of song arrangements, my biggest fail for this film was the music. Who arranged these songs and why did we even mess with the arrangements?! Why not perform them the way they were performed in the original. This is what’s wrong with remakes… they want to remake these classic and then mess with the songs and then fail at it.
All in all, the film was not a complete fail, but could have been better. It was beautiful to visually watch. Will it keep the little ones entertained, it depends. If they’re a Little Mermaid fan, I would say yes, if not… just wait for it to come out on Disney+.
Lets be honest, you can’t really go wrong with this flick. Can you really expect this one to suck with all the cast members taking a part in it?
Don’t want to spoil the film, but it’s fantastically full of drama, action, cameos and surprises! One recommendation you must follow through with before seeing this one, is making sure you see the film that took place in Brazil, Fast Five. This film will make much more sense if you know some of the backstory from that film. Another recommendation would be to see the film in the Dolby theater if possible, so it enhances your experience.
To my surprise, the person that shined in this film was Jason Momoa. WOW! Aquaman turned villain, was fantastic, nothing like watching a hot man be a bad boy with psycho tendencies on the loose. This man literally was given the script and probably only read the first paragraph and said… ‘Yea, ok I got it guys’. His mannerisms and his lines were so perfectly meshed together that it seems like he made it all up as he went along.
There are two credit scenes you need to stick around for, one apparently having been shot the week the film was set to be released. Surprise, surprise!
Jason Momoa as Dante in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Charlize Theron as Cipher in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Michelle Rodriguez as Letty in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Brie Larson as Tess in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
(clockwise, from left) Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Han (Sung Kang), Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel), Dom (Vin Diesel), Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry), Abuelita (Rita Moreno), Mia (Jordana Brewster), Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, back to camera) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson, back to camera) in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
(from left) Vin Diesel, director Louis Leterrier and Rita Moreno on the set of Fast X.
(from left) Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Han (Sung Kang) in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
(from left) Dom (Vin Diesel) and Isabel (Daniela Melchior) in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
(counterclockwise, from left) Mia (Jordana Brewster), Little Brian (Leo Ablo Perry), and Jakob (John Cena) in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
(from left) Little Brian (Leo Abelo Perry, back to camera) and Jakob (John Cena) in Fast X, directed Louis Leterrier.
Vin Diesel as Dom in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
(from left) Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges) in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Nathalie Emmanuel as Ramsey in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Jason Momoa as Dante in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Daniela Melchior as Isabel in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Vin Diesel as Dom in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Tyrese Gibson as Roman in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
Vin Diesel as Dom in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
(from left) Vin Diesel and director Louis Leterrier on the set of Fast X.
Jason Momoa as Dante in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier
(from left) Queen (Helen Mirren) and Dom (Vin Diesel) in Fast X, directed by Louis Leterrier.
The end of the road begins.
Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga, launches the final chapters of one of cinema’s most storied and popular global franchises, now in its third decade and still going strong with the same core cast and characters as when it began.
Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Aquaman’s Jason Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price.
Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son (Leo Abelo Perry, Black-ish) is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.
Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk) and written by Justin Lin (F9) & Dan Mazeau (Wrath of the Titans), Fast X stars returning cast members Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Jason Statham, John Cena and Scott Eastwood, with Oscar® winner Helen Mirren and Oscar® winner Charlize Theron.
The film also features an extraordinary new cast including Oscar® winner Brie Larson as Tess, a rogue representative from the Agency; Alan Richtson (Reacher) as Aimes, the new head of the Agency who doesn’t hold the same fondness for Dom’s crew as his predecessor, Mr. Nobody; Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) as a Brazilian street racer with a powerful tie to Dom’s past; and legendary Oscar® winner Rita Moreno as Dom and Mia’s Abuelita Toretto.
Get ready to get your mind blown! It’s no surprise this film did so well at South by Southwest with a lineup the includes the amazingly talented Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis and many other stars who also steal the show.
While the short synopsis for this film might seem a bit bland, Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels, the film is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes. The film is SO MUCH MORE than that.
For the first 30 minutes or so, you’re sitting there being immersed into the struggling lives of this hard-working Chinese American woman who is obviously unhappy with her life, while it seems her family is falling apart at the same time. The funny thing is yes… she’s just trying to get her taxes done. The way this film twists you in a what seems like a virtual reality of multi-universe as they call it in the film is a complete masterpiece; you’re sitting there thinking what exactly am I watching, but you want so much more because you’re trying to figure out what’s going to happen while also trying to figure our what’s the message in this film. It’s an exhilarating and at times exhausting sci-fi infused reflection on the meaning of life.
It was shocking to see the classic Michelle Yeoh take on the role of Evelyn, who is a humble laundromat operator that ends up discovering the multiverse, where she encounters various versions of skills that she must learn to conquer in order to take on a malicious character that funny enough takes on a Star Wars-type name, Jobu Tupaki. This may give you ‘Doctor Strange’ vibes but this film takes it to a whole other level of madness and craziness. Don’t worry you will get a few martial arts scenes that kick some ass!
Early on, we learn that Jobu is an “agent of chaos” by a version of Evelyn’s husband, Waymond; played by Ke Huy Quan, who is a blast from the past for many because he was Short Round from “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”. When Evelyn encounters this version of her husband, he calls himself Alpha Waymond, he informs her that he has managed to figure out how to “verse-jump” from one reality to another, and his mission is to warn her that in each of the parallel worlds, the notorious Jobu has manifested embodied itself in the body of their not-so-happy and not-so-successful daughter, Joy played by Stephanie Hsu.
The infamous Jobu does have instrument of destruction or as many may see it, the Death Star, the catch is that it’s an everything bagel. You can’t help but laugh about it! There are so many scenes that reference classic films and then there are scenes that make you say… was that really necessary. Trust me you’ll see them! But funny enough it all fits in.
Let’s not forget Jamie Lee Curtis who takes on the role of an obnoxious IRS agent, Deirdre Beaubeirdra who honestly is a joke throughout the whole film and not in a bad way. She makes appearances in pretty much all the multi-universes, one where she is Evelyn’s lover and they both have hot dog fingers and another she’s her nemesis. As bizarre as that may sound, it works and it hilarious.
The film is refreshing in such uncertain times, with a message is accepting, letting go of the past and regrets, living for today and not what could have been or what could be. What matters is today, accepting yourself, your family as imperfect as it may all be. Everyone just needs love and nothing matters.
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