Review

‘Wicked’ Review: Ariana Grande Casts a Spell in Broadway Adaptation

Color me shocked (or rather, green): a Broadway adaptation that wasn’t half bad! “Wicked” is based on the smash hit musical of the same name, and tells the origin story of Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Ervio) before the events of “The Wizard of Oz.”… Continue reading ‘Wicked’ Review: Ariana Grande Casts a Spell in Broadway Adaptation

Review

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ Review: A Sometimes Compelling, At Other Points Laborious Prequel

The “Hunger Games” was one of the most “sure, that was solid I guess” franchises of the 2010s, so it makes sense that a prequel installment would follow suit. “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is the fifth installment of the young adult franchise based on the books of the same name,… Continue reading ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ Review: A Sometimes Compelling, At Other Points Laborious Prequel

Review

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Review: Maybe Bay Was the Problem?

Just when I think I’m out, the “Transformers” franchise pulls me back in! “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” is the seventh installment of the series, and a stand-alone sequel to 2018’s “Bumblebee.” In the film, the Autobots (led by Peter Cullen’s Optimus Prime) must team up with two reluctant humans (Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback)… Continue reading ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Review: Maybe Bay Was the Problem?

Review

‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is a Pitch Black-if Not Quite Pitch Perfect-Dark Comedy

How can anyone not love Sam Rockwell? “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” stars Frances McDormand as a grieving mother of a recently murdered daughter. After no arrests are made by the police after several months, she takes out ads on three billboards in order to draw public attention to the case. Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell,… Continue reading ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is a Pitch Black-if Not Quite Pitch Perfect-Dark Comedy