"In the Heights"
Hollywood lately has only been putting out one big musical film a year, it seems. Even before the throes of COVID-19, not many were cranked out. “La La Land,” “Rocketman,” “Hamilton,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” were all fantastic, award-winning musicals that received some of the highest praise among film critics and movie fans. Even with movie theaters still operating on limited opening schedules, one musical is out there right now that, like the above mentioned ones, is simply too good to pass up.
“In the Heights” takes place in the little-depicted borough of Washington Heights, which sits above the more affluent part of Manhattan. Set in a traditionally Latin neighborhood amidst the struggles of social pressures and gentrification norms, the film zeroes in on pair of delightful actors, Anthony Ramos and Melissa Barrera, who have big struggles and bigger dreams. Ramos portrays the levelheaded Usnavi, who has the potential opportunity to move back to his family’s native Dominican Republic to reopen his father’s beachfront bar. Barrera plays the attractive role of the local beauty tech who aspires for something a little more in the city.
“In the Heights” boasts a massive ensemble cast, and we get some minor storylines along film’s journey. But for the heart and soul of the film, Usnavi and Vanessa are our focus, and what a colorfully fantastic and upbeat scene they make for us! The song and dance numbers here are vibrant cultural spectacles pulled off with precision like moves, and they have a depth and passion beyond the ages. Each little character that comes and goes has a story, a battle that they’re all fighting, unknown to outsiders. The crossover of vignettes almost have an anthology feel to them, but instead they paint a much larger picture of a thriving community on the upswings of hope. Director Jon Chu has done a masterful job in adapting this award winning musical written for the stage by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda and turning it into something fresh and exciting with musicals scores that have to be heard to be believed. You need that cool summer musical film refreshment? “In the Heights” has it.
"Great White"
There remains in me a great unslaked thirst for preposterous shark films. Of course, nothing comes as close to aquatic film perfection as “Jaws,” but for every killer shark film that comes along, I always find myself making comparisons. “Great White” stars a largely unknown Australian cast that is lead by actors Katrina Bowden and Aaron Jakubenko. In the film, the couple heads up a seaplane business, and clients fall prey to a shark attack during an excursion. Thus begins the larger portion of the film that’s based in aquatic survivalism, but true ichthyologist film fans will notice quite a few nods to other killer shark films from cinema history As a whole, shark films always carry a high level of suspense, as you never know just what is lurking underneath those wavy currents. Director Martin Wilson does an incredible job of making you feel safe one moment, and then twisting you in your seat with suspenseful dread the next. “Great White” is a decent, tightly acted shark film that indeed has a bite.
Hollywood lately has only been putting out one big musical film a year, it seems. Even before the throes of COVID-19, not many were cranked out. “La La Land,” “Rocketman,” “Hamilton,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” were all fantastic, award-winning musicals that received some of the highest praise among film critics and movie fans. Even with movie theaters still operating on limited opening schedules, one musical is out there right now that, like the above mentioned ones, is simply too good to pass up.
“In the Heights” takes place in the little-depicted borough of Washington Heights, which sits above the more affluent part of Manhattan. Set in a traditionally Latin neighborhood amidst the struggles of social pressures and gentrification norms, the film zeroes in on pair of delightful actors, Anthony Ramos and Melissa Barrera, who have big struggles and bigger dreams. Ramos portrays the levelheaded Usnavi, who has the potential opportunity to move back to his family’s native Dominican Republic to reopen his father’s beachfront bar. Barrera plays the attractive role of the local beauty tech who aspires for something a little more in the city.
“In the Heights” boasts a massive ensemble cast, and we get some minor storylines along film’s journey. But for the heart and soul of the film, Usnavi and Vanessa are our focus, and what a colorfully fantastic and upbeat scene they make for us! The song and dance numbers here are vibrant cultural spectacles pulled off with precision like moves, and they have a depth and passion beyond the ages. Each little character that comes and goes has a story, a battle that they’re all fighting, unknown to outsiders. The crossover of vignettes almost have an anthology feel to them, but instead they paint a much larger picture of a thriving community on the upswings of hope. Director Jon Chu has done a masterful job in adapting this award winning musical written for the stage by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda and turning it into something fresh and exciting with musicals scores that have to be heard to be believed. You need that cool summer musical film refreshment? “In the Heights” has it.
"Great White"
There remains in me a great unslaked thirst for preposterous shark films. Of course, nothing comes as close to aquatic film perfection as “Jaws,” but for every killer shark film that comes along, I always find myself making comparisons. “Great White” stars a largely unknown Australian cast that is lead by actors Katrina Bowden and Aaron Jakubenko. In the film, the couple heads up a seaplane business, and clients fall prey to a shark attack during an excursion. Thus begins the larger portion of the film that’s based in aquatic survivalism, but true ichthyologist film fans will notice quite a few nods to other killer shark films from cinema history As a whole, shark films always carry a high level of suspense, as you never know just what is lurking underneath those wavy currents. Director Martin Wilson does an incredible job of making you feel safe one moment, and then twisting you in your seat with suspenseful dread the next. “Great White” is a decent, tightly acted shark film that indeed has a bite.
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