“Ghosts of Red Ridge” is a low-budget Western that tries to be a ghost story. It’s not anything to write home about in either genre.

There’s some nice lived-in detail in the locations, the dusty, dirty costumes and almost-colorful characters. But that plot. Those characters.

Owen Williams stars as the sheriff of Red Ridge, a guy so haunted by the violence of the place and his job that he starts seeing the dark-eyed dead.

This little piece of Texas (a long-standing movie set in Arizona) popped up as a mining town, but the precious metals rush was a bust. Even waiting for the railroad to come through isn’t enough to keep the locals from lashing out.

With Trent (John Marrs) and Gretchen (Lena Wilcox) running a gang bent on robbing the general store (by proxy) and a stagecoach converted to freight hauling, it’s all Sheriff Dunlap and his deputy (Trent Culkin) can do to go a whole day without a shootout.

There’s backstabbing afoot, and a land scheme in play. Neither of them makes any sense.

The period-correct but sparse Gammons Gulch Movie Set (Is it still for sale?) lays out a common problem for no-budget Westerns — more extras and cast members than buildings to house, feed and employ them. It’s a convincing looking village, but just a bare bones “movie” version of an Old West town.

That’s quibbling, as is any mention of the movie’s dialogue anachronisms and the screwy choice to have the sheriff a well-read man into thermodynamics, “kinetic theory” and the like.

Maybe he should be reading up on the law — misexplaining “due process” to a stranger (Griffin Wade) who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“You’re a good man,” saloon gal Mary (Mercedes Peterson) declares. “Some things ‘good’ can’t fix.”

That might be the best line of dialogue. The worst?

“They went THATaway!”

There’s a hold-up by highwaymen (and a highwaywoman), a shipment of nitroglycerin to contend with and with every new body, the sheriff has another face to put on the apparitions that fill his dreams and rattle his waking hours.

I always appreciate the degree of difficulty filmmakers take on when they tackle a period piece, especially a Western, instead of the broke movie maker’s favorite genre — horror.

But director Stefan Colson and screenwriter Brandon Cahela take their shot at trying it both ways, and fail in both genres.

Rating: unrated, violence, profanity

Cast: Owen Williams, Trent Culkin, Griffin Wade, Lena Wilcox and John Marrs.

Credits: Directed by Stefan Colson, scripted by Brandon Cahela. A Well Go USA release.

Running time: 1:21

Star cast (Voiceovers): Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Awhimai Fraser, and Gerald Ramsey

Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller

Well, the first part of Moana was like a breath of fresh air for me, and I still cherish it as one of my favourites thanks to its emotional depth and other amazing elements. After a gap of eight years, the second part of our beloved is set to hit the screens, and while the expectations are sky-high, with a heavy heart, I have to admit that it fails to recreate the magic of the first part.

Talking about the plot, _
Moana 2 s_tarts after 3 years from where the first part concluded. Our beloved wayfinder Moana is hunting for more islands like her own Motunui, where people reside. Amid this, she gets an unexpected call from her ancestors, who inform her about the cursed island of Motufetu, which is deserted by the power-hungry god Nalo.

As the world is disconnected due to Motufetu being submerged in the ocean, Moana along with her small group of unique and weird people is on a mission to find Motufetu, which will reconnect all the people. On the journey, she also finds her old friend Maui, who claims himself to be a demi-god. Well, will they be able to save the island and beat god Nalo? For that, you have to watch Moana 2 on the big screen.

Honestly, the makers have made Moana 2 a visual spectacle but failed to add depth to the emotions of the characters and are marred by the unidimensional and predictable storyline. While the sequel is ahead of its predecessor in terms of VFX but lacks the magic of the first part.

The film doesn’t have any high points or wow moments as the challenges faced by the limited and prominent characters don’t emerge as an engrossing experience. Despite these problems, I still feel Moana 2 will be a delightful experience for kids between 10-12 years, who will love the cheerfulness and larger-than-life portrayals.

On the whole, Moana 2 is not a bad film but nowhere close to its prequel.

Moana 2 is releasing on 29th November

Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)

I saw the stage play several years ago in Chicago and was lukewarm about the show. So, I was not excited about going to the screening. Wow, was I pleasantly surprised. The movie is very different from the stage play. If you are not a fan of the stage play, you owe it to yourself to try the movie.

“Wicked” is the story of Glinda, the good witch of the North, telling the troubled story of Elphaba’s life to the people of Munchkin land. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, is rejected most of her life because of her green skin. At Shiz University, she forms an unlikely friendship with a beautiful young woman named Galinda, another student who is filled with an undaunted desire to be popular. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship soon reaches a crossroad as their lives begin to take different paths.

Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba. Ariana Grande costars as Glinda/Galinda. Academy Award nominee Jeff Goldblum is the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh is Madame Morrible. Jonathan Bailey is Fiyero, the love interest. Ethan Slater is Boq. Marissa Bode is Elphaba’s sister Nessa. Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, the original Elphaba and Glinda in the 2003 stage play hit have cameo roles in “Wicked” the movie as Wiz-O-Mania super stars.

The performances of Erivo, Grande and Bailey are outstanding. Both have gorgeous voices that is a joy to listen to even though I thought the music was beautiful but there wasn’t an outstanding song.

Jon M. Chu directed.  He also directed one of my favorite movies, “Crazy Rich Asians.” Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox wrote the screenplay based on the book “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire that was based on the L. Frank Baum classic book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” The movie was so much more detailed than the stage play and the story made more sense.

The Choreography by Christopher Scott was reminiscent of the Busby Berkeley movies of the 1930s.

Cinematographer Alice Brooks does a phenomenal job of emphasizing the beauty of the choreography, the sets and the costumes.

Paul Tazewell’s costumes are colorful, beautiful and add so much to the beauty of the movie.

I expect that “Wicked, Part One” will be nominated for all sorts of Academy Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Golden Globes. It is a beautiful entertaining film for the whole family.

“Wicked Part One” rated PG is now showing in Edwardsville, Alton, Granite City, Jerseyville and Carlinville. I give it 5 stars. The sequel, “Wicked Part Two,” is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.