Wicked: For Good, The Running Man, and Ellen the Great: A Film Review

"Wicked: For Good" Review

• 🎬 The second part of the musical "Wicked: For Good" stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Alphaba.
• 🎶 While not featuring as many musical hits as the first film, it includes two new original songs.
• 🎭 The story addresses topical themes of animal persecution and misrepresentation, with Alphaba being framed as the wicked witch and Glinda as the good.
• 🌟 Director Jon M. Chu designed "Wicked" as a two-film experience, exploring themes of shattered fairy tales and maintaining optimism.
• 🚨 The Asian premiere in Singapore saw a fan jump a barrier to grab Grande and Erivo, resulting in a jail sentence for public nuisance.
• 💰 The film is projected to be a box office success, potentially making $125 million in its opening weekend in the USA alone.
• 🏆 There's speculation that the film could earn at least as many Oscar nominations as the first installment.

"The Running Man" Adaptation

• 🏃‍♂️ Edgar Wright directs a new adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 dystopian novel "The Running Man," set in 2025.
• 🌟 Glenn Powell stars as Ben, who participates in an ultra-reality show to win a billion dollars and secure healthcare for his daughter.
• 📺 The film draws parallels to "The Hunger Games" and features a topical critique of society distracted by game shows and AI-generated reality.
• ⚠️ The adaptation is praised for its action and Powell's performance, but the ending is described as unclear and running out of steam.

Scarlett Johansson's Directorial Debut: "Ellen the Great"

• 🎬 Scarlett Johansson makes her directorial debut with "Ellen the Great," starring 96-year-old June Squibb.
• 🤝 The film centers on an intergenerational friendship that begins with a significant lie: Ellen claims to be a Holocaust survivor.
• 🏆 June Squibb delivers a standout performance, potentially making her the oldest lead actress in a Hollywood feature film.
• 🎭 While well-intentioned and featuring a charming friendship, the film's tonal issues arise from the sensitive nature of the central lie.

Francis Ford Coppola Retrospective

• 🎬 A retrospective of Francis Ford Coppola's films is being re-released in French cinemas.
• 🌟 Highlights include the final cut of "Apocalypse Now" (1979), alongside lesser-known works like "Twixt" (2011), "Tucker" (1988), "The Outsiders" (1983), "The Conversation" (1974), and "Dementia 13" (1963).