Movie Reviews

‘Wicked’ movie review: A spellbinding spectacle that almost soars | Oscars 2025

Published

1 year ago

February 24, 2025

‘Wicked’ movie review: A spellbinding spectacle that almost soars | Oscars 2025

Everyone is born unique and special in their own way. But what if you lived in a magical world where animals talk and even teach classes? You’d think that everything—no matter how unusual—would be considered normal, right?
Well, not quite. Imagine being born green in this enchanted land, only to be treated as a misfit. Everyone laughs at you, but little do they know—you possess extraordinary magical abilities that set you apart.

That’s the heart of Wicked, directed by Jon M Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This highly anticipated adaptation, which has already secured an Oscar nomination for Best Picture this year, attempts to bring the beloved musical’s magic to the big screen. But does it truly capture the essence of its source material? Let’s find out.

Cynthia Erivo brings Elphaba Thropp to life—a young woman born with green skin, constantly misunderstood by those around her, only to one day become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West
The film opens with the villagers celebrating the news of the Wicked Witch’s death, their joy echoing through the land. It’s Glinda (Ariana Grande), now a revered sorceress, who confirms the news. From there, the story rewinds, taking us back to Elphaba and Glinda’s school days, revealing how their paths first crossed and the bond that shaped them both.

The musical takes its time unfolding, which can test our patience at times, but its stunning visuals make up for it. The film follows a familiar narrative of good vs. evil and beauty vs. perceived ugliness. However, what truly keeps the story engaging is the performances of its lead actors.

Ariana Grande, in particular, seems to be having a blast as Glinda, embracing the character’s over-the-top, self-absorbed nature. Her exaggerated mannerisms and animated presence add a playful charm to the role. Cynthia Erivo, on the other hand, delivers a grounded performance, exuding a quiet yet powerful charm that makes her portrayal compelling.

What truly sets the film apart is its grand production scale. From the dazzling Emerald City to the towering halls of Shiz University and its vast library, every set piece feels massive, adding to the film’s immersive spectacle. The film’s strength lies not just in its performances but also in its ability to reimagine a well-known story with emotional depth. Elphaba’s journey is more than just a tale of magic—it’s a story of rejection, self-acceptance, and the grey areas between good and evil. The dynamic between Glinda and Elphaba is the heart of the film, exploring how two seemingly opposite individuals form a bond that challenges their beliefs and ultimately shapes their destinies.

Musically, ‘Wicked’ brings its Broadway origins to the big screen with mixed results. While the songs retain their magic, some numbers feel slightly restrained compared to the stage version. Grande’s vocals shine in the more whimsical pieces, while Erivo’s powerhouse voice elevates the film’s emotional weight, especially in pivotal moments like “Defying Gravity.” The soundtrack is undeniably a highlight, though some sequences struggle to match the sheer energy of their theatrical counterparts.

Visually, the film is a spectacle. Chu’s direction leans heavily into vibrant, fantastical world-building, creating a mesmerizing aesthetic that feels grand yet intimate when needed. The Emerald City shimmers with opulence, while the darker corners of Oz carry an eerie beauty. However, at times, the film’s pacing and indulgence in visual grandeur threaten to overshadow the emotional beats, making certain moments feel drawn out.
Despite its occasional flaws, ‘Wicked’ successfully captures the essence of its source material. It delivers a heartfelt and visually captivating retelling of a beloved musical, powered by strong performances and an enchanting score.

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Movie Reviews

Movie Review: AFFECTION – Assignment X

Published

8 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN / Staff Writer

Posted: May 8th, 2026 / 08:34 PM

Rating: Not Rated
Stars: Jessica Rothe, Joseph Cross, Julianna Layne
Writer: BT Meza
Director: BT Meza
Distributor: Brainstorm Media
Release Date: May 8, 2026

AFFECTION is an odd title for this tale. While it is about a number of topics and emotions, fondness isn’t one of them. Obsession, definitely. Love, possibly. The kind of general warm fellow feelings associated with “affection”? No.

There have been a lot of movies lately in which characters – mostly women – are grappling with false identities and/or false memories imposed upon them, mostly by men.

Let us stipulate that the protagonist (Jessica Rothe) in AFFECTION is not an android or in an artificial reality. However, we can tell something is way off from the opening sequence. A car is stalled on a tree-bordered highway. Rothe’s character is lying face down on the asphalt beside it, possibly dead.

But then the young woman rises, dragging a broken ankle. She experiences a full-body seizure. Fighting to recover, she sees oncoming headlights and tries to run, only to be hit by a car.

The woman wakes up in a bed she doesn’t recognize, next to a man (Joseph Cross) she likewise is sure she’s never seen before. One big confrontation later, the man says his name is Bruce – and that the woman is his wife, Ellie.

Ellie insists that her name is Sarah Thompson, and she is married to someone else, with a son. When she sees her reflection in a mirror, she doesn’t relate to the face looking back at her.

Bruce counters that Ellie has a rare neurological condition that causes her to block out her waking life and believe her dreams are real. This is why they agreed, together, to move to this isolated house, without the kinds of interruptions that can hinder Ellie’s recovery.

The set-up is presented in a way where we share Ellie’s skepticism. But Ellie and Bruce’s little daughter Alice (Julianna Layne) immediately identifies Ellie as “Mommy!” Alice appears to be too young to be in on any kind of deception, so what is going on here?

AFFECTION eventually explains this via a helpful videotape, though it’s so convoluted that viewers watching on streaming may want to replay the sequence to make sure they understand the exposition.

Writer/director BT Meza musters a sense of menace and lurking weirdness, as well as making great use of his location.

We still have a lot of questions, many of which are still unanswered by the film’s end. It may not matter to the points AFFECTION is trying to make, but a better sense of exactly how all this started might help our investment.

As it is, despite a heroically versatile performance by Rothe, a credible and anguished turn by Cross and appealing work from Layne, we’re so busy trying to piece together what’s important and what’s not and how we’re supposed to feel about all of it that it can be hard to keep track of the action as it unfolds.

Agree or not, Meza’s arguments are lucid and illustrated clearly by AFFECTION’s events. However, the movie is structured in a way that becomes more frustrating as it goes. We comprehend it intellectually but can’t engage viscerally.

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Movie Reviews

8News Reel Talk: ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ movie review

Published

20 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

8News Reel Talk: ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ movie review

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — In this episode of 8News Reel Talk, digital producer Julia Broberg is joined by anchor Deanna Allbrittin and reporter Allison Williams to talk about “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

The hosts gave their reviews and assigned the following star ratings:

Deanna: ★★★★.5

Allison: ★★★.25

Julia: ★★

To watch more livestreams and digital video content, head to the WRIC+ Originals page. You can also watch full on-demand videos on your smart TV using the WRIC+ app.

Movie Reviews

“Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour” Movie Review – Spotlight Report

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

“Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour” Movie Review – Spotlight Report

Billie Eilish fans prepare yourself, the much talked about secret project has finally arrived on the big screens!

Billie Eilish has always been about intimacy over artifice, but her latest concert film takes that to a visceral new level. Co-directed by Eilish and James Cameron, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) manages to bridge the gap between a massive stadium show and the quiet grit of life backstage.

The film starts 18 minutes out from the show and builds the tension until audiences are literally folded into a box with her. Being taken under the stage, passing fans who have no idea she’s inches away, sets a tone of total immersion. What makes this film different is the balance between the spectacle and the behind-the-scenes reality. We see the creative shorthand between Billie and James Cameron as they chase what she calls the “best kind of sensory overload”.

The film is very much fan focussed, with the sound mix being so specific that you can hear individual fans singing along in sync with the visuals.

There are so many standout moments, the handheld camera work during “Bad Guy” that gives a dizzying POV of the band, and the chilling minute of silence Billie requests from the crowd to record a vocal loop.

The film captures her unique stage presence. Influenced by rap culture, Billie refuses to have anyone else on stage, unlike many female artists that use back up dancers. Billie can hold the entire stadium in awe by herself which is incredible to witness, until Finneas joins her for a beautiful, emotional piano set.

Between the high-tech visuals and the “Puppy Room” (where she keeps rescue dogs for staff to decompress), the film feels incredibly personal. While the film doesn’t give us any new insights into Billie, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) is an enjoyable experience that elevates the tradition concert film.