Musical Movie Review: *****Wicked (2024)

 Some movies are jest fun to watch, and this is one.  Can we accept things that are different--a woman who is green, animals talking and teaching, a woman who wears a different hat; and what is popularity, and friendship, are the themes of this movie.  You add in the defense of animal rights, a love triangle and a young sister in a wheel chair who wants to stand on her own and you have the makings of a great movie.  The music is superb.  My only complaint is that the story was not concluded but presented only the first act.  We have to wait for the second act.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba

Ariana Grande as Galinda/Glinda

Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible 

Marissa Bode as Nessarose

Jonathan Bailey as Prince Flyero

Ethan Slater as Boq

Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond (voice)

Musical Movie Review: ****Cyrano

 I watched this from Netflix DVD and was ready for some romantic fun.  I didn't suspect that it would be. musical.  Very good in fact with many love song based on Cyrano's poetry, although Roxanne is just as romantic.  The point of this movie is you should confess your love, which is better than hiding based on what you perceive may be the result of your love.  I guess is the other point is don't make your rulers mad as they may send you to war where you are likely to die.  The love triangle: Cyrano (Peter Dinklage) Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) who both love Roxanne (Haley Bennett).  Cyrano worries that his being a small person would make Roxanne not love him; so instead he writes love notes for Christian.  When they are away at war he continues to write love letters, everyday.  It is only when it is too late, that he confesses his love.  This is a true romantic story.  I enjoyed it, the the music is haunting.  

Madly

Have your ever wanted something 

So badly you cannot breathe?

Have you ever loved someone Madly?

Whatever Comes

… I need someone to die for
Write poems and cry for
And I won't be ashamed
I'm nobody's pet
No one's wife, no one's woman
And I won't play that game

… I'd give anything
For someone to say
That they can't live without me
And they'll be there forever
I'd give anything
For someone to say to me
That no matter how bad it gets
They won't turn away from me

Movie Review: ***^Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)

This movie has a way of putting things in perspective.  It makes a point at the beginning that Continental Drift was caused by the squirrel and his nut.  It is really pretty cute the way they start with a big view of the things going on, and then get to the specifics with the mammoth family, his saber tiger friend and the sloth.  These three, along with the sloth's grandmother, are set adrift on an iceberg in the ocean.  They are headed for adventure as the meet up with a pirate ship, captained by a cranky monkey with sharp claws.  This movie is about fatherhood, and finding romance in unusual places.  It is also again about loyalty, and being loyal to the right thing.
Ray Romano as Manny (The Mammoth)
John Leguizamo as Sid, the sloth
Denis Leary as Diego, the saber tooth
Peter Dinklage as Captain Gutt, the cranky monkey
Wanda Sykes as Granny
Jennifer Lopez as Shira, the saber tooth female
Queen Latifah as Elie, Manny's wife
Keke Palmer as Peaches, Manny and Ellie's daughter