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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSource: DISNEY<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Moana 2 (2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c<\/em>Moana 2,\u201d the sequel to Disney\u2019s 2016 modern classic \u201cMoana,<\/em>\u201d <\/em>has admittedly not been one of my most anticipated films of the year. In fact, I had not even realized it had come out until my friend, Erin, suggested we see it. So, we bought our tickets and took the train to the AMC Empire 25, my favorite movie theater in NYC. I was looking forward to the film, so it pains me to say that I was sorely disappointed. The songs were unmemorable and even at times annoying, the visuals were flat and uncinematic and the plot was predictable and not impactful. I did not once feel any fear or excitement for Moana, Maui or any of the forgettable, cliche supporting characters. When I read online that the film was originally intended to be a Disney+ series, I was not shocked. The entire film felt plain and uninspired. If the year was 1993, it would have undoubtedly been added to the canon of Disney\u2019s straight-to-DVD animated sequels. I found \u201cMoana 2\u201d to be deeply disappointing, as a fan of the character. Lin-Manuel Miranda\u2019s absence was strongly felt in the musical department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.5\/5.0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: A24<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Heretic (2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scott Beck and Bryan Woods\u2019s \u201cHeretic\u201d <\/em>is a thriller about a man trapping two young Morman women in his house to participate in a series of tests and puzzles to try and answer questions about the true meaning of faith, religion and belief. The film is well-shot, and much thought clearly went into the themes and screenplay. But, I overall found it fell flat in terms of truly giving the audience something to think about. The ideas are interesting, sure, but not once in the film is a concept or question introduced that truly made me question the way I think about religion or faith. The directors did an excellent job at creating tension and stress, but the film fails to stick the landing or truly exploit its intriguing, faith-questioning concept. Compared to another 2024 horror film such as James Watkins\u2019 \u201cSpeak No Evil\u201d, which shared a similar objective of creating tension through watching our protagonist\u2019s ideals being questioned by an antagonist who is keeping them trapped in a house. However, while \u201cSpeak No Evil\u201d was able to effectively create a satisfying arc and lesson for its lead characters in addition to truly exploring its central theme of how far people are willing to go to be polite, \u201cHeretic\u201d does neither. Led by strong performances by Hugh Grant, Chloe East, and Sophie Thatcher, \u201cHeretic\u201d is a good time, but overall it left me wanting more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.0\/5.0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: Paramount\/Courtesy Everett Collection<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smile 2 (2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The film I chose to watch on Thanksgiving Day was \u201cSmile 2,\u201d the sequel to Parker Finn\u2019s \u201cSmile,\u201d a twisted psychological horror focused on a woman plagued by hallucinations of smiling people that lead her to madness. \u201cSmile <\/em>2\u201d delivered everything one could want from a Thanksgiving Day film viewing: insanity, gory deaths, an excess of blood, terrifying imagery and an all-around horrifying time. The film is more intense than the first, with the focus now being on Naomi Scott\u2019s Skye Riley. Riley is a pop star attempting to make a comeback after a very public breakdown and resulting physical and mental trauma. Scott, who I last saw as Jasmine in 2019\u2019s \u201cAladdin\u201d remake, is brilliant as Skye Riley. She breathes life into the role of a lonely and heartbroken celebrity who just can\u2019t catch a break. If you\u2019re looking for a proper scare and a great time, \u201cSmile <\/em>2\u201d <\/em>is certainly worth the watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4.0\/5.0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: Universal Pictures<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wicked (2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much can be said about Jon M Chu\u2019s \u201cWicked.\u201d It\u2019s arguably the biggest film of the year, having staked its place in pop culture through an aggressive marketing campaign. Said campaign possibly even rivals last year\u2019s \u201cBarbie\u201d in sheer visibility. The \u201cholding space\u201d and \u201cme and Boq\u201d memes went viral on TikTok, the star power of Ariana Grande drove d diehard fans to theaters and critics\u2019 reviews are glowing. As a fan of musical theater, and specifically the musical \u201cWicked,\u201d having seen it twice on Broadway, I was nervous for the film. I was unsure it would be able to capture the magic of the stage show while having enough exciting differences that it is not a line-for-line recreation. However, \u201cWicked\u201d is one of the most fun experiences I had in a movie theater all year. Yes, the film is a bit too long, the cinematography is far too unexciting, the color grading is bland and a few of the supporting actors feel as though they are phoning it in. But I don\u2019t care. \u201cWicked\u201d is fun. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande light up the screen as Elphaba and Galinda, their vocals soar, the musical numbers are exciting and the emotional beats all hit. \u201cWicked\u201d is imperfect, but it hits that combination of magical feelings and sweeping emotion that just works. If anyone has any interest in this film, I cannot see them disliking it. Go give \u201cWicked\u201d your two hours and 40 minutes; it will be worth it.<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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