Michael Review

Michael

Release Date: April 22nd 2026 - Australia

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (presents)

Lionsgate (in association with)

GK Films

Optimum Productions

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Musical/Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 127 minutes

Budget: $200,000,000

Box Office Gross:

$1,022,317,988 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Explore the life and times

of pop legend Michael

Jackson. This film

explores his remarkable

talent, from his early

days as the lead singer

of the Jackson 5 to his

transformation into a

trailblazing artist. It

highlights his creative

vision and unwavering

ambition to become the

world's greatest entertainer,

as well as his life

offstage and some of

the most legendary

performances from his

early solo career.

Cast

Jaafar Jackson - Michael Jackson

Juliano Krue Valdi - Young Michael

Colman Domingo - Joe Jackson

Nia Long - Katherine Jackson

Miles Teller - John Branca

Laura Harrier - Suzanne de Passe

KeiLyn Durrel Jones - Bill Bray

Jamal R. Henderson - Jermaine Jackson

Jayden Harville - Young Jermaine

Tre Horton - Marlon Jackson

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter -

Young Marlon

Rhyan Hill - Tito Jackson

Judah Edwards - Young Tito

Joseph David-Jones - Jackie

Jackson

Nathaniel Logan McIntyre - Young Jackie

Jessica Sula - La Toya Jackson

Kendrick Sampson - Quincy Jones

Larenz Tate - Berry Gordy

Liv Symone - Gladys Knight

Kevin Schnick - Dick Clark

Mike Myers - Walter Yetnikoff

Deon Cole - Don King

Asia Fuqua - Ola Ray

Jono Petrie - John Landis

Paul Hipp - Bob Giraldi

Crew

Executive Producer/Director -

Antoine Fuqua

Writer - John Logan

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - David B. Householter

Executive Producers - Jackie,

Jermaine, La Toya Jackson,

Marlon, Prince Michael &

Tito Jackson, Hayley King,

Karen Langford, Jordan Schur

and Lydia Silverman

Producers - John Branca,

Graham King and John McClain

Casting Director - Victoria Thomas

Production Designer - Barbara Ling

Supervising Art Director - Eric

Sundahl

Set Decorator - Amy Wells

Costume Designer - Marci Rodgers

Makeup Designer - Bill Corso

Special Makeup Effects

Artists - Howard Berger,

Kenneth Calhoun, Mark

Garbarino, Bart Mixon,

Ve Neill, Christopher Allen

Nelson and Dominie Till 

Prosthetics Designer -

Christen Tinsley 

Director of Photography -

Dion Beebe

Unit Production Manager -

Mika Saito

First Assistant Directors - Jon Mallard and Liz Tan

Animal Wrangler - Paul 'Sled' Reynolds

Supervising Stunt Coordinator - Chris O'Hara

Choreographers - Anthony & Richmond Talauega

Special Effects Coordinator - Eric Cook

Special Effects Supervisor - J.D. Schwalm

Visual Effects Supervisor - Louis Marin

Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM - Ivan Busquets

Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite - Holger Voss

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX - Edson Williams

Visual Effects Producer - Greg Baxter

Additional Animation Supervisor: ILM - Steve Nichols

Compositing Supervisor: Proof - Theresa Ellis Rygiel

Editors - Conrad Buff IV, Tom Cross,

John Ottman and Harry Yoon

Additional Editors - John Lee and Matt Friedman

Supervising Sound Editor/Music Supervisor -

John Warhurst

Re-Recording Mixer - David Giammarco

Re-Recording/Music Mixer - Paul Massey

Sound Mixer - Ed Novick

Supervising ADR Editor - Anna MacKenzie

Executive Music Producer - Harvey Mason Jr.

Review

Michael Jackson is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Known as the "King of Pop," he is a groundbreaking artist who undeniably dominated the music scene in the 1980s and early 90s. People admire him not just for his music, including his best-selling album Thriller, music videos, and concert tours, but also for his voice and dance moves. Even after his death, his popularity and influence remain undiminished among fans, as his legacy lives on.

For as long as I can remember, I've heard a lot about Michael and how the public viewed him during his fall from grace, but that was before I started watching his music videos and listening to his songs in either 2007 or 2008. However, I learned much more about the singer after his untimely passing in 2009 and came to appreciate him much more.

As a die-hard Michael Jackson fan, I have waited a long time for this biopic, ever since Bohemian Rhapsody's success led Hollywood to flood the market with musical biopics. It's not entirely unexpected that both Bohemian Rhapsody and Michael have the same producer, Graham King. Many critics were unkind, labelling it "sanitised" and "playing it safe" because Michael Jackson's family and estate endorsed the biopic, and it didn't fully deconstruct his mythos. Fans, however, didn't care; they enjoyed it more than non-fans and critics did.

MICHAEL is a faithful yet honest portrayal of the late pop singer in his early years, celebrating his creative musical genius, bravado, artistry, and showmanship. Unfortunately, it lacks substance and doesn't explore the darker aspects of his personal life. It doesn't portray him as deeply troubled, though it presents him as almost entirely perfect, with only hints of his eccentricities. Another problem is the pacing; it should have been longer. The film has some historical inaccuracies, but I won't discuss them in detail. After all, that's common in musical biopics. It glossed over some significant parts of Michael's life, including his relationship with Diana Ross.

Additionally, Janet Jackson is noticeably absent, as she declined to participate, but that's her decision. Michael's other siblings, Rebbie and Randy, are also missing. Aside from Rebbie, Randy, and Janet's absence, the other Jacksons barely register and receive any attention, except for Joe and Katherine. The ending is abrupt because of legal issues that led to reshoots, which further complicated things. It did, however, cover a few details, such as his complicated relationship with his tyrannical and abusive father and the infamous Pepsi commercial accident. Hopefully, the next part will delve deeper into more of Michael's backstory and address the legal side.

Antoine Fuqua's direction was spectacular. He incorporated some jaw-dropping scenes that pulsate with energy and atmosphere. In a bold casting move, Michael's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, played the King of Pop. Since he had never acted in a film before, this was his debut. He delivers an often uncanny but spectacular performance, mirroring his late uncle by nailing the voice, mannerisms, and signature dance moves, including the moonwalk. He embodies his famous relative's spirit.

Colman Domingo stands out in a detestable role as Joseph. He portrays Joe Jackson as genuinely monstrous and despicable, seeing his children as a ticket to fame and fortune and a way to escape his job at the steel mill. Special mention must go to the makeup department for making Domingo look almost identical to the real man, which is impressive given his imposing presence. Nia Long brings maternal warmth as Katherine, Michael's supportive mother and Joe's complete opposite. Juliano Krue Valdi is sensational as young Michael, and he really shines in the scenes. Mike Myers makes a special appearance as a CBS Records executive, similar to his role in Bohemian Rhapsody.

Technically, many aspects are worth admiring. The production design, costumes, and sound mixing clearly show great care and attention to detail. The musical sequences flourish as they recreate the iconic moments from Michael's career, from his music videos to his live performances, including "Thriller" and the Motown 25th anniversary special, capturing the larger-than-life energy that made Michael Jackson who he is. The film features original recordings by the legendary singer integrated throughout.

In retrospect, MICHAEL is a fitting tribute to the King of Pop, though it offers a somewhat predictable yet incomplete narrative. While it has its issues, particularly in its limited exploration of Michael Jackson, it still adds to the King of Pop's legacy. Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10 because the film stays true to its core theme. However, if you're a Michael Jackson fan, you'll want to see this movie on the biggest screen possible. If you don't care about the late King of Pop or haven't gotten over the controversy surrounding his personal life, just beat it!

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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Wicked Review

Wicked

Release Date: 3rd November 2024 - Australia (Sydney, premiere)

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (presents)

Marc Platt Productions

Dentsu (presented in association with)

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Fantasy/Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 160 minutes

Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $763,963,597 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Misunderstood but

rebellious Elphaba,

a girl born with green

skin, and Glinda, an

aristocratic girl born

to be popular, become

unlikely friends in the

magical land of Oz.

After meeting the

Wizard of Oz, their

friendship reaches a

breaking point as they

begin to fulfil their

destinies as Glinda the

Good and the Wicked

Witch of the West.

Cast

Cynthia Erivo - Elphaba

Ariana Grande - Galinda/

Glinda

Jeff Goldblum - The Wonderful

Wizard of Oz

Michelle Yeoh - Madame Morrible

Jonathan Bailey - Fiyero

Ethan Slater - Boq

Marissa Bode - Nessarose

Peter Dinklage - Dr. Dillamond (Voice)

Andy Nyman - Governor

Thropp

Courtney Mae-Briggs - Mrs

Thropp

Aaron Teoh Guan Ti - Avaric

Bowen Yang - Pfannee

Bronwyn James - ShenShen

Shaun Prendergast - Shiz President

Keala Settle - Miss. Coddle

Sharon D. Clarke - Dulcibear (Voice)

Jenna Boyd - Wolf Doctor (Voice)

Lexi Lancaster - Munchkinland Kid

Arlo Turner - Munchkinland Kid

Joey Unitt - Munchkinland Kid

Bea Ward - Munchkinland Kid

Dereke Oladele - Munchkinland Kid

Sienna-Rose Amer -

Munchkinland Kid

Tarik Frimpong -

Munchkinland Crier

James Dryden - No One

Mourns Munchkin

Malinda Parris - No One

Cries Munchkin

Noah Prempeh - The Good

Man Munchkin

Vicki Noon - Winkie Mother

Debbie Kurup - Winkie Mother

Jasmine McIvor - Winkie Mother

Hattie Ryan - Curious Munchkin

Kirsty Anne Shaw - Skeptical Munchkin

Karis Musongele - Young Elphaba

Cesily Collette Taylor - Young Nessarose

Jarlan Bogolubov - Munchkin

Bullie

Isaac Bishop - Munchkin Bullie

Adam James - Galinda's Popsicle

Alice Fearn - Galinda's Momsie

Clive Kneller - Emerald City Train Conductor

Michael McCorry Rose - 

Wiz-O-Mania Narrator

Idina Menzel - Wiz-O-Mania

Super Star (Cameo)

Kristin Chenoweth -

Wiz-O-Mania Super Star (Cameo)

Robin Berry - Palace Guard

Bobby Windebank - Shiz Security

Cherida Strallen - Shiz Librarian

Tom Kitely - Snow Leopard (Voice)

Elizabeth Dulau - Piebald Deer (Voice)

Kim Durham - Tamarin/Owl (Voice)

Jennifer Woodward - Birds (Voice)

Stephen Stanton - Fiyero's Horse (Voice)

Stephen Schwartz - Emerald

City Guard (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Director - Jon M. Chu

Based on the Musical

Book/Screenplay/Executive

Producer - Winnie Holzman

From the Novel - Gregory

Maguire

Based on Characters -

Frank Baum (Uncredited)

Executive Producers -

Dana Fox and Jared

LeBoff

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - David Nicksay

Executive Producer/Music & Lyrics - Stephen Schwartz

Producer - David Stone

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager - Joan Schneider

Production Designer - Nathan Crowley

Supervising Art Director - Ben Collins

Senior Art Directors - Rod McLean and Gavin Fitch

Art Directors - Roxana Alexandru,

Jordana Finkel Sarah Ginn, Rhys Ifan,

Hugh McClelland, Chris Peters,

Quinn Robinson and Luke Sanders

Set Decorator - Lee Sandales

Set Decoration Art Directors - Laura Ng

and Jo Ridler

Construction Consultant - Paul J. Hayes

Property Master - Jamie Wilkinson

Costume Designer - Paul Tazewell

Hair and Makeup Designer - Frances Hannon

Prosthetics Makeup Designer - Mark Coulier

Director of Photography - Alice Brooks

First Assistant Director - Jack Ravenscroft

Second Unit Director/Director of

Photography - Sam Renton

Choreographer - Christopher Scott

Stunt Coordinator - Jo McLaren

Special Effects Supervisor - Paul Corbould

Senior Floor Supervisor - Chris Corbould

Visual Effects Supervisors - Pablo Helman

and Jonathan Fawkner

Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM - Anthony Smith

and Robert Weaver

Visual Effects Supervisor: Foy - Colin Strause

Visual Effects Producer - Kevin Elam

Visual Effects Producers: Foy - Greg Strause

and Marguax Mackay

Visual Effects Art Director - Gordon Champ

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Chris Voy

Animation Supervisors - David Shirl

and Dale Newton

CG Supervisors: ILM - Karin Cooper,

Michael Duong and Nick Pitt-Owen

Editor - Myron Kerstein

Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Design/

Re-Recording Mixer - John Marquis

Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Design -

Nancy Nugent Title

Sound Designers - Malte Bieler and

Tim Walston

Additional Sound Designers - Erick Ocampo

and Brandon Jones

Production Sound Mixer - Simon Hayes

Re-Recording Mixer - Andy Nelson

Music - John Powell

Executive Music Producer - Stephen Oremus

Music Producer - Greg Wells

Music Supervisor - Maggie Rodford

Review

I've heard of WICKED but have never seen the original musical. It's because I only attend live musicals sometimes. I also didn't read Gregory Maguire's book because I didn't know it existed. There's something wicked about this movie, even though the title suggests otherwise. Oz fans have been waiting for this film adaptation since it was officially announced in 2012. However, splitting this two-hour musical into two parts has left them sceptical. It's similar to how they split DUNE into two movies. I've watched a few of its trailers. One was a LEGO version, and I needed to confirm it was the actual film. Fortunately, I was relieved it wasn't, but I had second thoughts until a friend convinced me to see it with him. Nevertheless, I decided to head out and see it early.

Incidentally, this film does it better than the other attempts to revive Oz (minus Oz the Great and Powerful). It perfectly honours the original 1939 The Wizard of Oz film and the 2003 musical while embracing its own identity. Having worked on Step Up 2: The Streets and In the Heights, director Jon M. Chu knows how to fill the screen with awe-inspiring choreography and the momentum needed to shift between intimate moments in each number. By fully exploiting the story's fantasy elements beyond what the stage musical could achieve, the film becomes a pure fantasy experience and a Hollywood blockbuster.

While there were a few current symbolic interpretations of Baum's original book, the issues of fascism and racism in WICKED are planned and explicit. At 160 minutes, WICKED is almost too long, especially in the first part, but it isn't tedious. It covers only the first half of the stage musical, but it introduces plenty of material to expand the story. There are many references to the classic film for Oz fans, with a few cameos that feel less like fan service and more like a logical expansion.

Cynthia Erivo is the heart and soul of the movie, giving a magnificent, heart-wrenching performance as Elphaba. Ariana Grande is more impressive as Glinda than as a singer. However, the magical chemistry between those two leads is unmatched. Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum are excellent in their supporting roles, particularly the latter as the mysterious Wizard. Peter Dinklage is the perfect choice for the wailing Dr Dillamond, adding weight to the film's examination of discrimination and social injustice.

The costumes, set design, and other visual elements are fascinating and bring the story to life. The songs are the film's undisputed high point, lively and enjoyable. They have a musical-theatre flair that fits the movie perfectly. The film's standout moment, "Defying Gravity," is a showstopper.

From its dazzling spectacle and beautiful scenery to its costumes, strong cast, and spectacular visuals, WICKED is a spellbinding movie that defies gravity and enchants viewers with an immersive experience. I'm looking forward to the second part, which won't be in theatres until next year.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Wonka Review

Wonka

Release Date: 14th December 2023 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

Village Roadshow Pictures (in association with)

Domain Entertainment (in association with)

The Roald Dahl Story Company

Heyday Films

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Fantasy/Musical/

Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 116 minutes

Budget: $125,000,000

Box Office Gross: $634,502,312 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

As a young, poor man

with dreams of opening

a chocolate shop in a

famous city, Willy Wonka

is determined to change

the world, one delectable

bite at a time. However, he

discovers that a cartel of

greedy chocolatiers controls

the industry and will stop at

nothing to eliminate their

competitors.

Cast

Timothée Chalamet - Willy Wonka

Gustave Die - Ship's Engineer

Murray McArthur - Ship's Captain

Paul G. Raymond - Map Seller

Bertie Caplan - Shoeshine Boy

Isy Suttie - Fruit & Veg Vendor

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith -

Officer Affable

Matilda Tucker - Young Mother

Tom Davis - Bleacher

Olivia Colman - Mrs.

Scrubbit

Calah Lane - Noodle

Paterson Joseph - Slugworth

Matt Lucas - Prodnose

Matthew Baynton - Fickelgruber

Freya Parker - Miss Bon Bon

Keegan-Michael Key - Chief of Police

Hugh Grant - Oompa-Loompa

Jim Carter - Abacus Crunch

Rakhee Thakrar - Lottie Bell

Natasha Rothwell - Piper Benz

Rich Fulcher - Larry

Chucklesworth

Colin O'Brien - Young Willy Wonka

Sally Hawkins - Willy's Mother

Rowan Atkinson - Father Julius

Ellie White - Gwennie (Mistress of the Keys)

Rufus Jones - Jenkins

Simon Farmaby - Basil (Zoo Security Guard)

Susie Fairfax - Abacus

Crunch's Wife

Macie Blake - Abacus

Crunch's Granddaughter

(4 Years Old)

Charlotte Ritchie - Barbara

Phil Wang - Colin

Bleu Woodward - Waitress

Robyn Rose - Tram Lady 1

Millie O'Donnell - Tram Lady 2

Ben Howard - Oompa Loompa Guard 1

Muzz Khan - Oompa Loompa Guard 2

Ian Bartholomew - Sceptical Old Man

Sophie Winkleman - The

Countess

Lola Shepelev -

Moustached Little Girl

Michael Abubakar - Orange-

Haired Customer

Justin Edwards - Green-

Skinned Customer

Marina Bye - Green-Bearded Customer

Tim Fitzhigham - Sinister Ship's Captain

Jane Bertish - Bardness Von Schmeichelhammer

Dominic Coleman - Donovan

Tracy Ifeachor - Dorothy Smith

Ellie Blake - Abacus Crunch's Granddaughter (8 Years Old)

Alison Pargeter - Wendy Chucklesworth

Crew

Story/Screenplay/Director - Paul King

Based on Characters - Roald Dahl

Screenplay - David Farnaby

Executive Producers - Cate Adams,

Rosie Alison and Michael Siegel

Executive Producer/Unit Production

Manager - Tim Wellspring

Producers - David Heyman,

Alexandra Derbyshire and Luke Kelly

Co-Producer - Bernie Hall

Casting Director - Nina Gold

Military Technical Advisor - Paul Biddiss

Production Designer - Nathan Crowley

Supervising Art Directors - Toby Britton

and Tom Brown

Set Decorator - Lee Sandales

Property Master - Jamie Wilkinson

Costume Designer - Lindy Hemming

Hair & Makeup Designer - Ivana Primorac

Director of Photography - Chung-hoon Chang

"A" Camera/Steadicam Operator - Peter Robertson

Unit Production Manager: Additional Unit -

Steve Harding

Second Unit Director/Director of Photography -

John Sorapure

Choreographer - Christopher Gattelli

Stunt Coordinator - Paul Lowe

Animal Coordinators - Julie Tottman

and James Weller

Special Effects Supervisor - Hayley J. Williams

Visual Effects Supervisor - Graham Page

Visual Effects Producer - Dominic Sidoli

Editor - Mark Everson

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer -

Glenn Freemantle

Supervising Sound Editor - Ben Barker

Production Sound Mixer - John Casali

Re-Recording Mixers - Niv Adiri

and Paul Massey

Foley Mixer - Glen Gathard

Original Songs - Neil Hannon

Music - Joey Talbot

Music Producer - Charlie Rosen

Music Supervisor/Vocal Producer -

James A. Taylor

Review

It took me a few months to finish this review before I could publish it. Despite the turbulence of 2023, the film industry is still enduring a rough patch, with industrial action and the popularity of streaming services like Netflix and Disney+. However, the former affected many movies that premiered that same year and bombed in theatres due to poor marketing and ridiculously high budgets. There are some exceptions, like Barbie and Oppenheimer. At the end of this year, several films came out during the holiday season. One of which was WONKA. It is the latest incarnation of Roald Dahl's beloved character.

Considered the most popular of all Roald Dahl's stories, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been the subject of several adaptations over the years (the two most famous are the 1971 film by Mel Stuart and the 2005 film by Tim Burton). At first, I was sceptical because this prequel may be a cash cow as it would tarnish the legacy of the original 1971 musical starring Gene Wilder. Thankfully, it wasn't. I'm glad it's nothing like the interpretation Tim Burton produced with Johnny Depp as the titular character. While the previous film adaptations by Mel Stuart and Tim Burton share the same story, this one is a tribute to the former with its confectionery qualities, such as a hint of sweetness and energetically choreographed musical numbers.

Paul King is already familiar with audiences, having directed the first two Paddington movies and is no stranger to children's fiction, having borrowed elements of a literary classic. It lacks the dark undertones that made the classic book and the two previous interpretations intriguing. The set designs and visuals are phenomenal. The songs are catchy, too.

Timothée Chalamet may seem like an odd choice to play Willy Wonka, but he was naturally good in the role and eager to take it on. Interestingly, this version of Wonka is a young optimist, whereas previous incarnations depict him as self-absorbed with little regard for others' thoughts and feelings. I never knew Chalamet could sing and dance, let alone act in an exuberant and colourful motion picture like WONKA. I liked his rendition of "Pure Imagination," which differs from Gene Wilder's version.

The supporting cast consists of comedians who stole the show, while young Calah Lane lends a sincere performance as Noodle. Keegan-Michael Key is terrific as the chief of police. Paterson Joseph distinguishes himself as a full-on pantomime villain, with Matt Lucas and Matthew Baynton making a delightfully evil trio. Hugh Grant has made a terrific comeback in his latest work, but playing an Oompa Loompa named Lofty isn't something I expected from him.

While silly and whimsical, WONKA is a sweet-filled cinematic delight that will arouse audiences and tempt their taste buds. When a movie hits theatres in the holiday season, you know it's WONKA. I recommend this film to those who grew up with Gene Wilder's previous incarnation and Roald Dahl's original story.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Music Review

Music

Release Date: 14th January 2021 - Australia

Production Companies

Landay Entertainment

Atlantic Films

Crush Pictures

Pineapple Lasagne Productions

Warner Music Entertainment

Distribution

StudioCanal Australia

Genre: Drama/Musical

Rating: M

Runtime: 107 minutes

Budget: $16,000,000

Box Office Gross: $645,949 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Zu is a free-spirited woman who recently went sober and

is trying to find her

place in the world when

she receives the news

that her grandmother

has died. She is about

to become the sole

caretaker of her half-

sister, Music, a young girl

on the autism spectrum.

Cast

Kate Hudson - Zu

Maddie Ziegler - Music

Leslie Odom Jr. - Ebo

Braeden Marcott - Nassir

Beto Cavillo - Felix

Blair Williamson - Abel

Mary Kay Place - Millie

Hector Elizondo - George

Eric Davis - Police Officer

Brandon Soo Hoo - Tanner,

the Boxer

Juliette Lewis - Evelyn

Kathy Najimy - Evelyn's Mom

Ben Schwartz - Rudy

Sarah Zinsser - Woman at AA Meeting

Sia - Popstar Without Borders (Cameo)

Crew

Music's World Creator/Story/

Screenplay/Additional Music/

Producer/Director - Sia

Screenplay - Dallas Clayton

Writer - Metin Bati

Executive Producers - Len Blavatnik, Danny Cohen, Jonathan Daniel, Julie Greenwald

and Craig Kallman

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Will Weiske

Producer - Vincent Landay

Co-Producer - Jason Baum

Casting - Rachel Tenner and Charlene Lee

Choreographer - Ryan Heffington

Production Designer - Tracy Dishman

Production Designer: Additional Photography/

Art Director - Leigh Poindexter

Set Decorator - Amanda Hallberg

Costume Designer - Christine Wada

Director of Photography - Sebastian Wintero

First Assistant Director: Additional Photography -

Paula Case

Stunt Coordinator - Steven John Brown

Special Effects Coordinator - Elia P. Popov

Visual Effects Supervisor - Janelle Croshaw

Film Editors - Matt Chesse,

Curtiss Clayton and Dana Congdon

Additional Editor - Brad Besser

Additional Editor: Musicals - Loran Askill

Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Designer -

Leo Marcil

Sound Designers - Sylvain Lasseur

and Wylie Stateman

Re-Recording Mixers - Lindsey Alvarez

and Eric Hoehn

Score - Craig DeLeon

Additional Music - Labrinth

Review

I didn't care much about the pop star Sia, though I'm not into her songs. She's proven controversial because this film inaccurately and stereotypically depicts autism. Many autistic people were insulted by this portrayal, especially with Sia casting a neurotypical actress like Maddie Ziegler as the titular character with severe autism. The restraints in the film were harmful and dangerous, which isn't good practice. I'm disappointed with how MUSIC turned out, especially its story, given its lack of plot. While the film has good intentions, it lacks the human qualities needed to represent people in a culturally diverse world. The musical numbers are silly and pointless and do not contribute to the film. From what I've learned, the producers convinced Sia to add musical numbers to a film originally written as a non-musical.

Maddie Ziegler seemed miscast as the titular character, and honestly, I don't care if she's as terrible at acting as everyone said she is in this movie. Since Maddie was her frequent collaborator on her music videos, Sia directed the film. Maybe she should have chosen a different young actress with autism. While Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr.'s performances were incredible, their roles weren't enough to compensate for the film's failures. Also, Sia's cameo is redundant.

MUSIC fails to deliver good value for a filmgoer's buck. As much as I want to admire this film, I wouldn't because it's disappointing. I would probably not want to see it again. As a recommendation, this movie isn't worth a second viewing, so it's best to avoid it.

Star rating: (3/10) Disappointing

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Elvis (2022) Review

Elvis

Release Date: 23rd June 2022 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)

Bazmark Films

The Jackal Group

Whalerock Industries

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Musical/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 159 minutes

Budget: $85,000,000

Box Office Gross: $288,670,284 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Inspired by the true story of Elvis Presley's rise to fame, the film details his complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Cast

Austin Butler - Elvis Presley

Tom Hanks - Colonel Tom Parker

Olivia DeJonge - Priscilla

Helen Thomson - Gladys Presley

Richard Roxburgh - Vernon Presley

Kelvin Harrison Jr. - B.B. King

David Wenham - Hank Snow

Kodi Smit-McPhee - Jimmie Rodgers Snow

Luke Bracey - Jerry Schilling

Dacre Montgomery - Steve Binder

Leon Ford - Tom Diskin

Gary Clark Jr. - Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup

Yola - Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Natasha Bassett - Dixie Locke

Xavier Samuel - Scotty Moore

Adam Dunn - Bill Black

Alton Mason - Little Richard

Shonka Dukureh - Big Mama

Thornton/Pentecostal Singer

David Gannon - Charlie Hodge

Shannon Sanders - Pentecostal

Pastor/Singer

Charles Grounds - Billy Smith

Josh McConville - Sam Phillips

Kate Mulvany - Marion Keisker

Gareth Davies - Bones Howe

Chaydon Jay - Young Elvis

Christian Kisando - Shake Rag Friend - Smoky

John Mukristayo - Shake Rag Friend - Jimmy

Miles Burton - Shake Rag

Friend - Bobby

Gad Banza - Shake Rag

Friend - Doc

Aristene Kisando - Sweet

Inspirations - Myrna

Senayt Mebrahtu - Sweet

Inspirations - Estelle

Princess Mariama

Andrews - Sweet Inspirations - Cissy

Sharon Brooks - Sweet

Inspirations - Sylvia

Nicholas Bell - Senator Eastland

Anthony Phelan - Meyer Kohn

Sandro Colarelli - Tony Goochera

Cle Morgan - Mahalia Jackson

Charles Allen - Reverend Brewster

Natalie Bassingthwaighte -

Dee Stanley

Liz Blackett - Grandma Dodger

Mike Bingaman - Sonny West

Christian McCarthy - Red West

Tony Nixon - Dr. Nick

Andrea Moor - Nurse Tish

Mark Leonard Winter - Tom Hulett

Hilton Hyppolite Denis - Claude Thompson

Christopher Sommers - Horace Logan

Terepai Richmond - DJ Fontana

Alex Knight - Ron Tutt

Elizabeth Cullen - Natalie - Motel Girl

Angie Milliken - Madam Z

Luke Corrin Care - Aladdin Croupier

Jack McGirr - Tommy (Hayride)

Miranda Frangou - Nell - Tommy's Girlfriend

Ruby Gonzales-Judd - Girl (Russwood)

Greg Powell - Milton Berle

Patrick Shearer - DJ Dewey Phillips

Sarah Ogden - Mrs. Eastland

Melina Vidler - Barbara - Vegas Penthouse

Crew

Story/Screenplay/Producer/Director -

Baz Luhrmann

Story/Screenplay - Jeremy Doner

Screenplay - Sam Bromell and Craig Pearce

Executive Producers - Toby Emmerich,

Kevin McCormick, Andrew Mittman

and Courtenay Valenti

Producers - Gail Berman and Schuyler Weiss

Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Patrick McCormick

Producer/Production/Costume

Designer/Titles Concept Design -

Catherine Martin

Casting - Nikki Barrett and Denise Chaiman

Movement Coach and Choreographer -

Polly Bennett

Production Designer - Karen Murphy

Supervising Art Director - Ian Gracie

Art Directors - Tuesday Stone and

Matt Wynne

Set Decorators - Shaun Barry,

Beverly Dunn and Daniel Reader

Property Master - Richie Dehne

Special Makeup Effects Supervisor -

Jason Baird

Special Makeup Effects Designer -

Mark Coulier

Hair/Makeup Designer - Shane Thomas

Director of Photography - Mandy Walker

Stunt Coordinator - Glenn Ruehland

Special Effects Supervisor - Brian Cox

Visual Effects Supervisor - Tom Wood

Editors - Jonathan Redmond and Matt Villa

Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Designer/

Supervising Sound Editor - Wayne Pashley

Supervising Sound Effects Editor - Fabian Sanjurjo

Sound Recordist - David Lee

Re-Recording Mixers - Greg P. Fitzgerald,

Michael Keller, Michael Minkler and

Andy Nelson

Music and Executive Music Producer -

Elliott Wheeler

Music Producer - François Tétaz

Music Supervisor - Anton Monsted

Score Recordist and Mixer - Geoff Foster

Review

People of all generations, both young and old, have been influenced by the late Elvis Presley and his role in shaping rock 'n' roll music before the Beatles. After his untimely death in 1977, several biopics followed, including a TV movie directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell as the King. Everything changed when Baz Luhrmann, the director of Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby, brought his version of Elvis' life story to the silver screen. Bohemian Rhapsody's success sparked a trend of musical biopics in recent years. The latest to jump on the bandwagon was Luhrmann's pet project, ELVIS. However, production was turbulent after Tom Hanks and his wife tested positive for COVID-19, delaying filming until the pandemic subsided.

A wild, energetic, show-stopping dazzler, ELVIS is a glamorous retake of the legendary King of Rock 'n' Roll. The story was decent, but there are some historical inaccuracies. I wasn't surprised that the film started from Elvis' manager's perspective when it should've revolved around the King. I was glad Baz Luhrmann directed it, though I've only seen Australia and none of his other films. Still, he always brought a musical style and energy to his films.

All the actors in this movie are naturally Australian (except for the two lead actors). Austin Butler delivers an electrifying performance as the King by channelling his energy. He captured the singer's intense physique, charisma, stage presence, accent, and mannerisms, which show how famous and electrifying Elvis was in his heyday. Tom Hanks wore a fat suit and a fake nose to portray Elvis's despicable manager, Colonel Tom Parker. He did well, but the unnecessary prosthetics and weird accent make it hard to take his performance seriously. Olivia DeJonge was terrific as Elvis's wife, Priscilla.

The musical performances were well choreographed, which made them a highlight for me. The music feels modern, yet it maintains the distinctive rock 'n' roll sound that Elvis brought in the 1950s.

I can't tell you how much this movie reminds me of my admiration for Elvis and my fondness for some of his music. ELVIS is a great movie that shook up all long-time fans of the King. I highly recommend it to anyone new to Elvis. I hope they make a biopic about either Michael Jackson or the Beatles; either way, it will be good.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Rocketman Review

Rocketman


Release Date: 30th May 2019 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures (presents)

Marv Films

New Republic Pictures

Rocket Pictures (in association with)

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia


Genre: Drama/Musical

Rating: MA15+ (Not Suitable for Young Children)

Runtime: 121 minutes


Budget: $41,000,000

Box Office Gross: $195,320,400
(Worldwide)


Plot Summary
This film tells the story of how Elton John evolved from a musical prodigy to an iconic pop superstar, thanks to his enduring collaboration with songwriter Bernie Taupin.


Cast
Taron Egerton - Elton John
Jamie Bell - Bernie Taupin
Richard Madden - John Reid
Gemma Jones - Ivy
Bryce Dallas Howard - Sheila Eileen
Steven Mackintosh - Stanley
Tom Bennett - Fred
Mathew Illesley - Young Reggie
Kit Connor - Older Reggie
Charlie Rowe - Ray Williams
Peter O'Hanlon - Bobby
Ross Farrelly - Cyril
Evan Walsh - Elton Dean
Tate Donovan - Doug Weston
Sharmina Harrower - Heather
Celinde Schoenmaker - Renate
Stephen Graham - Dick James
Aston McAuley - Dave Godin
Jason Pennycooke - Wilson
Alexia Khadime - Diana
Carl Spencer - Richard
Jimmy Vee - Arthur
Leon Delroy Williams - Clint
Leigh Francis - Pete
Rachel Muldoon - Kiki Dee
Benjamin Mason - Bryan
Guillermo Bedward - Geoff
Max Mackintosh - Stephen
Charles Armstrong - Mr. Anderson
Barbara Drennan - Mrs. Anderson
Leon Cooke - Hugh
Lee Bridgman - Steve
Rob Callender - Rory
Demetri Goritsas - Carter

Sharon D. Clarke - Counselor

Crew
Director - Dexter Fletcher

Writer - Lee Hall

Executive Producers - Michael Gracey,
Elton John, Brian Oliver, Claudia Schiffer
and Steve Hamilton Shaw

Producer/Unit Production Managers -

Adam Bohling and David Reid

Producers - David Furnish and Matthew Vaughn

Choreographer - Adam Murray

Pianist & Vocal Coach: Mr. Egerton -

Michael L. Roberts

Voice Coach: Mr. Egerton - Michael Dore

Production Designer - Marcus Rowland

Supervising Art Director - Tim Blake

Set Decorator - Judy Farr

Costume Designer - Julian Day

Makeup & Hair Designer - Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou

Director of Photography - George Richmond

Director of Photography: Additional

Photography - Ed Wild

Supervising Location Manager -

Andrew Michael Buckley

Stunt Coordinator - James O'Donnell

Special Effects Supervisor - Steve Warner

Visual Effects Supervisor: Cinesite - Holger Voss

Visual Effects Consultant - Angus Bickerton

Editor - Chris Dickens

Supervising Sound Editor - Danny Sheehan

Supervising Sound Editor/Re-Recording

Mixer - Matthew Collinge

Sound Designer - Rob Prynne

Re-Recording Mixer - Mike Prestwood Smith

Foley Artists - Pete Burgis and Zoe Freed

Music Producer/Supervisor - Giles Martin

Music - Matthew Margeson

Review

For many years, Elton John has proven himself a legendary musical genius with hits such as "Your Song," "Candle in the Wind," "Rocket Man," "Crocodile Rock," and "Tiny Dancer." He was the original piano man and way ahead of Billy Joel. Elton John is also known for contributing to a few movies, like The Lion King. This particular movie introduced a young generation to his music. For a long time, I have enjoyed Elton's music on CDs and music streaming services. I am looking forward to his local concert in January 2020. I was even more thrilled at the prospect of seeing the latest biopic, ROCKETMAN, now in cinemas. It is not all glitz and glamour with this film. ROCKETMAN is a colourful, in-depth look at the famous singer, offering greater depth than Bohemian Rhapsody. It portrays Elton as a complicated figure who succumbs to fame when grappling with his identity and drug addiction before finding sobriety.

Director Dexter Fletcher (the man who completed Bohemian Rhapsody from Bryan Singer) got in touch with Elton John to create a movie that portrayed the fantasy and reality of his life, unlike Bohemian Rhapsody, which took a simpler approach. ROCKETMAN is a jukebox musical that lets you relive several moments from his career. While the film is historically inaccurate, some facts remain true. However, others remain altered for the sake of the story. It's told in flashbacks, with Elton in group therapy as he explains his life.

Taron Egerton is perfect for Elton John, as the pair have acted together in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. While Taron physically resembles the musician he portrays, he delivers an incredible, heart-wrenching performance that aligns with his personality. Egerton may shine in his acting, but not without his stunning vocals. Audiences have already heard that Taron can sing because he voiced a gorilla in the animated movie Sing, where he funnily sang one of Elton's songs, "I'm Still Standing." Still, it is nice to hear him perform renditions of classics like "Rocket Man," "Crocodile Rock," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," and "Bennie and the Jets." The costumes are marvellous, recreating his outrageous fashion sense.

ROCKETMAN earns a positive appraisal as a one-of-a-kind musical biopic. If you are an Elton John fan or new to his music, why not rush to the theatres to see ROCKETMAN? Never miss this movie because you will sit and enjoy singing his tunes.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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