WONKA Review

WONKA Review

Full disclosure, I love the original and the trailer for this film looked amazing, so I was primed to rank this as my #1 fave film of 2023; however this is a case of good trailer/bad movie. I’m so crushed! Timothée Chalamet is terribly miscast. He’s not the singer or dancer a Broadway type would ..

Murder for Two Stage Musical Review

Murder for Two Stage Musical Review

Murder for Two, review from a live stage performance at the Milwaukee Rep After seeing the recent big screen remake of the lukewarm Murder on the Orient Express, I was a bit leery entering the theater for another murder mystery. But trepidation faded instantly for laughs, suspense, and much earned ovations. Murder for Two – ..

The Jungle Book Review

The Jungle Book Review

RYAN: This is Disney’s latest live action adaptation of their classic animated films and it’s there finest one yet! And I’m comparing it to Cinderella, Maleficent, Alice in Wonderland… It’s their first musical retelling. Beauty and the Beast will be as well. I can’t wait for that one. I only saw the original Jungle Book once as a ..

Pitch Perfect 2 Review

Pitch Perfect 2 Review

RYAN: The Pitches are back and it feels so great!  Seriously, as soon as this movie started if felt like being reunited with an old friend you’ve missed so much but can just pick up with anytime and not skip a beat, you know?  I must have seen the first film six times and love ..

The Last Five Years Review

The Last Five Years Review

RYAN: Musicals are one of my favorite genres and I’m loving how Anna Kendrick is emerging as a modern movie musical star!  This is a great showcase for her voice and her depth as an actress. CAROLINE: God do you remember the first movie we saw her in?  The musical Camp… she was a scene ..

Into the Woods Review

Into the Woods Review

RYAN: I’m excited to be reviewing this movie with Chuck because we watched the recorded version of the original Broadway cast together back in… CHUCK: I remember sitting on your couch, watching it on PBS back in 1989.  We were in high school. RYAN: I remember.  It’s always been my favorite musical until 2003 when ..

Annie Review

Annie Review

RYAN: I fully expected to be completely trashing this movie because all the clips that were pre-released online looked blasphemous to a fan of the original Annie!  The music is synthesized, lyrics altered, voices autotuned and choreography weak.  I was all set to hate this movie. CAROLINE: And… RYAN: I loved it!  Seriously, from the very ..

Get On Up Review

Get On Up Review

RYAN: I’ve been dying to see this move since I knew it was happening because I’ll always take a musical, or a movie with music, or how ever you wanna slice it, I’ll like it – but also because my cousin Leah worked on the production and also appear is in the film as an ..

Begin Again Review

Begin Again Review

RYAN: This is the new original movie musical from John Carney, the same writer/director as the movie Once which was adapted to the Broadway stage where it’s been even more successful.  Potentially this movie could go that route too.  I like this movie a lot because of the casting, story and charm.  And it’s a ..

Jersey Boys Review

Jersey Boys Review

RYAN: The Broadway musical Jersey Boys is one of my favorite shows and I couldn’t be more excited about this adaptation coming to the big screen and I really loved it.  I love musicals.  It’s a great one but interestingly, it’s so different from the stage show.  My expectations were high and although it’s largely the ..

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return Review

Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return Review

As a diehard fan of all things Oz, I have anticipated the theatrical release of Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return for several years. The film has been in development for almost a decade and faced a series of behind-the-scenes obstacles (delays, rewrites, casting and title changes); the fact that this new animated sequel has triumphed over them may one day ..

Rio 2 Review

Rio 2 Review

RYAN: This is the new, animated sequel to Rio.  It’s a musical and features the vocal talents of Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Andy Garcia, Jamie Foxx, Bruno Mars, Kristin Chenoweth.  It’s a fun family film with a great message. NOAH: I thought it was really good and surprised me that it was better than the ..