I join the CTV NewsChannel to talk about the sequelitis of “Moana 2,” Angelina Jolie in “Maria,” he bad assery of “The G” and the animated family film “Flow.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
I joined CP24 Breakfast to have a look at new movies coming to theatres, including the sequelitis of “Moana 2,” Angelina Jolie in “Maria” and the animated “Flow.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
I sit in with CKTB morning show guest host Karl Dockstader to have a look at movies in theatres and streaming including the sequelitis of “Moana 2,” Angelina Jolie in “Maria” and the bad assery of “The G.”
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
I join the Bell Media Radio Network national night time show “Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift” for Booze & Reviews! This week we have a look at “Moana 2” and talk about the perfect Tiki drink to enjoy while watching the movie!
Listen to Booze & Reviews HERE! (Starts at 30:30)
Listen to the entertainment headlines HERE, including a story about the happiest song of all time! (Starts at 10:38)
Fast reviews for busy people! Watch as I review three movies in less time than it takes to do a high five! Have a look as I race against the clock to tell you about the sequelitis of “Moana 2,” Angelina Jolie in “Maria” and the bad assery of “The G.”
Watch the whole thing HERE!
SYNOPSIS: Set three years after the events of the first film, “Moana 2” sends the strong-willed Moana (Auli’I Cravalho) and shapeshifting demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) off on an adventure to the seas of Oceania to break the curse of the island of Motufetu. “Before Maui stole Te Fiti’s heart,” Moana explains, “our ancestors wanted to connect our island to all the people of the entire ocean. It’s my job as a Wayfinder to finish what they started.”
CAST: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Alan Tudyk, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Awhimai Fraser, and Gerald Ramsey. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller.
REVIEW: Originally planned to debut on Disney+ as a long form limited streaming series, “Moana 2” has been reshaped into a compact 1 hour and 40-minute (including credits) movie that hits theatres as the live-action version of the story is still being filmed.
The new animated version brings with it many of the characters that made the original so engaging. Moana, voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho, is an easy-to-root-for hero, more mature than the last time we saw her, more adventurous and connected to her culture.
The movie is at its best when she shares the screen with her demigod pal Maui, once again voiced by Dwayne Johnson. It’s a shame then that the story keeps them separated for much of the running time.
This time around Johnson amps things up, playing the mischievous demigod with more spirit, humour and heroics. His big song, “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” is a bit of fun, playfully rhyming “Moana” with “Come On-a.”
The score and songs itself, by Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi and Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (a.k.a. Barlow & Bear) respectively are rousing, but the magic delivered in the original by Lin-Manuel Miranda songs like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome” is missing. Still, tunes like “Get Lost,” by Matangi (Awhimai Fraser) are a welcome addition to the “Moana” playlist.
Visually, the animation is gorgeous, featuring beautiful visuals of Moana’s sandy island, her adventures on (and under) the water and marvelous sea creatures. It’s vibrant, state-of-the-art work that goes a long way to build Moana’s world and entertain the eye when the storytelling hits some rocky shores.
The Sequel Law of diminishing returns is in effect in “Moana 2,” but, while it may not top its predecessor, it is a tuneful, exciting kid-friendly action movie with good messages of the importance of community and connection.
“Mean Girls” returns to theatres with some fetch songs and performances in a new version that updates the story of high school cliques and comeuppance for a new generation.
Angourie Rice plays teenager Cady Heron, the role made famous by Lindsay Lohan in the original film. Homeschooled in Kenya by her zoologist mother (Jenna Fischer), she experiences culture shock when thrown into the wilds of the North Shore High School in suburban Illinois. Helping her to navigate the school’s treacherous social structure are Janis ‘Imi’ike (Auliʻi Cravalho) and Damian Hubbard (Jaquel Spivey), who also serve as the story’s narrators.
They tell her about the school’s various cliques, the theatre kids, the Matheletes, the stoners and, Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and sycophants Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika), the popular girls known as the Plastics, because they’re “shiny, fake and hard.”
Regina is the undisputed leader of the group, a sharp-tongued meanie (“Her love language is anger,” says Gretchen.) who sings, “I am a massive deal. I will grind you to sand, beneath my Louboutin heel.” The Plastics embrace the unassuming Cady, inviting her to join their group. “You could be really hot,” says Regina, “if you change, like, everything.”
Just as Cady is getting tight with her new friends, she falls head-over-heels for Aaron (Christopher Briney), the cute boy who sits in front of her in calculus class. “I’m astounded and non-plussed,” she sings. “I am filled with calcu-lust.”
Trouble is, Aaron is Regina’s ex, and, as such, makes Cady a target for the full fury of the school’s apex predator. With the help of Janis and Damian, Cady launches a preemptive strike to unseat Regina as high school queen bee, but soon realizes she has become just like her enemy.
The new musical “Mean Girls,” and it is very much a musical despite what the talky trailers suggest, holds up well in comparison to the classic, original film. Many of the same elements appear. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows both reprise their roles, the Burn Book is a key plot element and the hierarchy of high school life is very clearly and effectively defined. What’s different are the updates in the film’s deft handling of diversity, the open discussions of sexuality and, of course, the showtunes.
The songs are nicely integrated into the story. Co-directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. find a balance between the stage and the screen, blending highly stylized dance moves straight out of Broadway with a cinematic, and occasionally, even social media spin on the cinematography and choreography. That, mixed with an enthusiastic theatre kids vibe, allows the songs to forward the story, act as the inner thoughts of the characters and give Janis and Damian some tuneful narration opportunities.
Standouts include Rapp, who recreates the role from the original Broadway run, and Cravalho, best known for providing the voice of the title character in Disney’s “Moana.” Both deliver powerhouse performances, although Avantika’s spirited rendition of the Halloween tune “Sexy” is probably the film’s most memorable number.
“Mean Girls,” from its beginnings as Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 book “Queen Bees and Wannabes,” through to Tina Fey’s film and stage adaptation, connected with audiences because of its authentic portrayal of high school life. The new version, adds more than just songs to the source material. It’s a joyful celebration of self-respect, anti-bullying and even the importance of STEM-based education. It has plenty of Easter Eggs for fans of the first film but has plenty to offer to all fans, old and new.
