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Abigail Stevens: Writer & Editor
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Film & Television
Wicked Queer Docs. Standing On Business.
Wicked Queer in Boston celebrated its 40th anniversary this spring as the fourth longest-running LGBTQI+ film festival in North America; the documentary extension, taking place in the fall, is now in its third year. I practically lived in The Brattle Theatre for a week earlier in 2024 to write about the fiction films at Wicked Queer, making this November weekend a return to a friendly environment in a cosy historic theatre.
Art is one outlet for change, and while simmering in disappointment about the US election, I dove into works of art about groundbreaking figures who lead small revolutions with their own art. I anticipated Wicked Queer Docs to be a community-forward event and I hoped it would be celebratory. And when the weekend came, festival director Shawn Cotter regularly implored audiences to turn to each other for support in their introductions to the films.
Art is one outlet for change, and while simmering in disappointment about the US election, I dove into works of art about groundbreaking figures who lead small revolutions with their own art. I anticipated Wicked Queer Docs to be a community-forward event and I hoped it would be celebratory. And when the weekend came, festival director Shawn Cotter regularly implored audiences to turn to each other for support in their introductions to the films.
The Real Meaning Of The Nightmare Before Christmas' Story & Characters
Cover image by Yailin Chacon. | Tim Burton and Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas is a timeless, genre-bending classic, yet the message behind the movie and the character arcs require some deliberation. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is in a creative slump when he sets out to steal Christmas and execute the holiday himself rather than Santa Claus. In the end, Jack sees the error of his ways, returns Christmas to Santa, and goes on being the Pumpkin King. Along the way, he realizes his love for downtrodden Halloween Town resident Sally, who has always loved him in return.
The plot is moderately roundabout, but filled with fascinating character and production design, as well as the masterful musical work of Danny Elfman in one of his first movies. The best lyrics and quotes from The Nightmare Before Christmas are deeply impactful, even if viewers don't completely understand why. It is a goofy adventure and thrilling mix of two drastically opposing aesthetics which wasn't appreciated by Disney when Burton first came up with the idea, perhaps in part because the meaning of Jack and Sally's story is subtle, coming together through many minor plot elements.
The plot is moderately roundabout, but filled with fascinating character and production design, as well as the masterful musical work of Danny Elfman in one of his first movies. The best lyrics and quotes from The Nightmare Before Christmas are deeply impactful, even if viewers don't completely understand why. It is a goofy adventure and thrilling mix of two drastically opposing aesthetics which wasn't appreciated by Disney when Burton first came up with the idea, perhaps in part because the meaning of Jack and Sally's story is subtle, coming together through many minor plot elements.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Review
The Wizards of Waverly Place revival sounds like it's trying to cash in on one of the ultimate examples of 2000s kids nostalgia, but Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a hilarious, heartrending, and magical watch. The now-adult Justin Russo (David Henrie), having been fired as the headmaster of WizTech, is living in the mortal world with his wife and two sons, who are unaware of his wizard heritage. That is, until his sister Alex (Selena Gomez) turns up with spunky 12-year-old wizard Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), with the request that Justin take her in and train her.
Kicking things off is the fantastic guest appearance by Gomez, who steps right back into the role of Alex, portraying her beloved sarcastic personality as well as the ways she has matured in the intervening years. Henrie is basically playing the same character as before and still has a great dynamic with Gomez. However, it is the new cast that impressively manages to all hold their own and endear themselves in a show that is banking on fondness for their predecessors.
Kicking things off is the fantastic guest appearance by Gomez, who steps right back into the role of Alex, portraying her beloved sarcastic personality as well as the ways she has matured in the intervening years. Henrie is basically playing the same character as before and still has a great dynamic with Gomez. However, it is the new cast that impressively manages to all hold their own and endear themselves in a show that is banking on fondness for their predecessors.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Review
Reviewing Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is an acknowledgment that it is a sequel — when it hit theaters in 1980, Star Wars had already changed the world forever, and expectations were impossibly high. Theaters filled with fans frantically hoping the sequel would live up to it. And miraculously, it was even better. The instantly iconic and beloved trio of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher reprised their respective roles, and Luke took the next steps to become a Jedi while Han and Leia are on the run from the Empire, leading up to a magnificent final act.
The Empire Strikes Back is widely regarded as the best Star Wars movie. The first sequel is the dark and gritty answer to Star Wars' (the subtitle A New Hope was added for the 1981 re-release) optimism, pushing the character arcs to strenuous points with dire new circumstances before ending on a shockingly upsetting cliffhanger. The galaxy becomes bigger with more characters and more of the Force, while behind the camera, the crew continues to push the technical innovation that made Star Wars such a groundbreaking movie.
The Empire Strikes Back is widely regarded as the best Star Wars movie. The first sequel is the dark and gritty answer to Star Wars' (the subtitle A New Hope was added for the 1981 re-release) optimism, pushing the character arcs to strenuous points with dire new circumstances before ending on a shockingly upsetting cliffhanger. The galaxy becomes bigger with more characters and more of the Force, while behind the camera, the crew continues to push the technical innovation that made Star Wars such a groundbreaking movie.
ICYMI: Helluva Boss Is the Grittier (but Still Hilarious) Companion to Hazbin Hotel
Even with the uptake in adult animation in recent years, Hazbin Hotel was an outrageous and wonderful shock to the system when it premiered. Vivienne Medrano is a self-made creative who launched the Hazbin Hotel pilot on her YouTube channel @Vivziepop in 2019. The story of Lucifer’s (Jeremy Jordan) daughter Charlie (Erika Henningsen) attempting to rehabilitate Hell’s sinners was picked up by A24 and went through a long production before premiering on Prime Video in January 2024. But in between, Medrano debuted another hellishly creative series, featuring some denizens of Hell who were originally envisioned as one-off side characters in Hazbin Hotel but spiraled into their own deranged story.
House of the Dragon Season 3 Spoilers
The Dance of the Dragons truly began in House of the Dragon Season 2, despite some of the main characters’ efforts to avoid sending the dragons to war and the subsequent slaughter. Yet more political turmoil and fiery destruction await in Season 3. In future episodes, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen may find herself less inclined to reclaim the Iron Throne with as little carnage as possible when the war has cost her dearly.
The story will again bring her face-to-face with her former friend Queen Alicent Hightower, the mother of King Aegon II, Rhaenyra’s half-brother and her main competition for the throne. While George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood is the most dependable source for House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers, the changes the show has already made to the source material suggest certain events may play out differently on screen. Last chance to avoid major House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers as we explain what could happen next season based on the books.
The story will again bring her face-to-face with her former friend Queen Alicent Hightower, the mother of King Aegon II, Rhaenyra’s half-brother and her main competition for the throne. While George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood is the most dependable source for House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers, the changes the show has already made to the source material suggest certain events may play out differently on screen. Last chance to avoid major House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers as we explain what could happen next season based on the books.
Sisi & I Review
The fascinating if meandering drama Sisi & I (2023) (Sisi & Ich) showcases the strange and tragic life of Empress Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria (Susanne Wolff), focusing on her relationship with her lady-in-waiting Countess Irma Stzáray (Sandra Hüller). Irma travels to a remote commune in Greece to be the empress’ companion, escaping her only other options of marriage or a convent. There, Irma is entranced by the carefree environment where Sisi dictates everything. However, the increasing demands of Sisi’s husband, Emperor Franz Joseph (Markus Schleinzer), soon pulls Sisi and Irma out of their haven and tests their bond.
Land of Women Review
The Apple TV+ miniseries Land of Women (Tierra de Mujeres) is an intergenerational drama-comedy that reels you in right away, despite a mildly distracting subplot. Wine connoisseuse Gala (Eva Longoria) has a settled life in New York, until criminals demanding $15 million back from her husband drive her out of the country. Her husband only tells her she needs to flee before disappearing himself, so Gala collects her daughter Kate (Victoria Bazua) and mother Julia (Carmen Maura) and travels to the remote wine town in northern Spain Julia fled decades earlier — with no idea what to do next.
What You Wish For Review
Nicholas Tomnay’s What You Wish For is a thriller from which one cannot look away, even if the overall moral of the story falls just short of flawless. The story follows Ryan (Nick Stahl), a down-on-his-luck chef who travels to South America to meet up with his former roommate Jack (Brian Groh) and escape threats due to his gambling debts. Jack, whom Ryan hasn’t seen in a decade, has everything Ryan could want. However, things take a dark turn when Jack dies and Ryan assumes Jack’s identity, only to discover an ugly truth about Jack’s successful career.
All 48 Songs In Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie (Taylor's Version), Ranked Worst To Best
Ranking every song in the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie is no easy feat. The concert movie captures a musical performance the likes of which has never been seen before, showcasing the music of Swift’s 10 albums. Swift's concert was edited into a shorter movie for its theatrical release, but the version now available to stream on Disney+ is three and a half hours long.
The movie’s title is now Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) due to the differences between it and the theatrical version. Using Swift's dazzling lyrics as a starting point, the Eras Tour team created performances to elevate each era. This Swiftie experience is now more widely accessible, and fans can watch every song in the Eras Tour movie multiple times before deciding on their favorite performance.
The movie’s title is now Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) due to the differences between it and the theatrical version. Using Swift's dazzling lyrics as a starting point, the Eras Tour team created performances to elevate each era. This Swiftie experience is now more widely accessible, and fans can watch every song in the Eras Tour movie multiple times before deciding on their favorite performance.
Silver Haze Review
Silver Haze is an appropriate title for writer-director Sacha Polak’s movie, which feels like drifting through a nonsensical but very real wave of emotion. Leading Silver Haze is Vicky Knight as Franky, a nurse who is still looking for answers about the fire that left her badly scarred 15 years ago. Her time is taken up with work, caring for her alcoholic mother, and an unsatisfying relationship with her boyfriend. However, Franky is set on a path of transformation and healing when she meets Florence (Esmé Creed-Miles), a new patient.
Screen Rant
I currently work as a staff writer for Screen Rant, publishing around 12 list-style articles every week. I cover both movies and television in a variety of genres.
The Legacy of Studio Ghibli
Even in the West, where pop culture is dominated by Disney, it seems as though Studio Ghibli films were still a formative part of many people’s childhoods. In my case, my siblings and I went through a phase where we watched Ponyo (2008) on a loop.
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki (Miyazaki and Takahata are primarily directors and writers while Suzuki acts as a producer). The studio’s films have received unprecedented critical and commercial success and are regarded as some of the most noteworthy contributions to animation as an art form. The Ghibli films often feature themes of endurance during times of hardship, pacifism, environmentalism, and children being forced to grow up before their time while still maintaining their youthful wonder.
Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki (Miyazaki and Takahata are primarily directors and writers while Suzuki acts as a producer). The studio’s films have received unprecedented critical and commercial success and are regarded as some of the most noteworthy contributions to animation as an art form. The Ghibli films often feature themes of endurance during times of hardship, pacifism, environmentalism, and children being forced to grow up before their time while still maintaining their youthful wonder.
Calling All Witches: Justice for The Owl House
Disney has done it again. I forgive them for a lot of things, either out of nostalgic fondness or because I believe that their mistakes reflect broader problems with the entertainment industry. However, there is one thing which I look at and can only think, “Yeah, you messed up”, and that is The Owl House (TOH).
I would argue that TOH (along with Amphibia) represents the proud legacy of Gravity Falls (GF) — both shows are created by veteran GF story boarders and feature the same fantastical vibes and wacky sense of humour, while still being exceptional in their own way. TOH, created by Dana Terrace, is about fourteen-year-old Luz Noceda, a quirky fantasy fangirl who stumbles upon a door to a magical otherworld, where she moves in with a sassy, forty-something witch called Eda and a dog-like demon called King (voiced by Alex Hirsch, the creator of GF). The show follows Luz’s adventures as she learns magic, forms meaningful friendships, and experiences first love.
I would argue that TOH (along with Amphibia) represents the proud legacy of Gravity Falls (GF) — both shows are created by veteran GF story boarders and feature the same fantastical vibes and wacky sense of humour, while still being exceptional in their own way. TOH, created by Dana Terrace, is about fourteen-year-old Luz Noceda, a quirky fantasy fangirl who stumbles upon a door to a magical otherworld, where she moves in with a sassy, forty-something witch called Eda and a dog-like demon called King (voiced by Alex Hirsch, the creator of GF). The show follows Luz’s adventures as she learns magic, forms meaningful friendships, and experiences first love.
Oscars 2023: Predictions
Cover image by @Thank You (23+ Millions) views via flickr, used under a CC BY 2.0 license. | It's "the Daniels" race to lose this year—Everything Everywhere All at Once leads the 95th Academy Awards with 11 nominations, with The Banshees of Inisherin and All Quiet on the Western Front close behind with 9 nominations each. A similar selection of actors and filmmakers were recognized as nominees and winners at the Golden Globes in January, but nothing is set in stone—the Academy has a history of making very different decisions from the HFPA. Without further ado, let's get into my predictions!
"Creativity is overrated, but we do it anyway": Creativity in Cosplay
Fandom communities are harshly judged for their supposed disregard of the fabled concept of “originality.” Some people argue that fanfiction authors are inferior writers because they use other people’s characters and stories rather than devising anything of their own. Cosplay, while not as inherently controversial as fanfiction, raises a similar question: is replicating another’s creation as good as coming up with a “new” idea? Setting aside the argument that all forms of media are ultimately derived and reconstructed from the media the creator has seen, what exactly is the artistic process behind cosplay?
Like fanfiction writers, cosplayers are unbound. There is something freeing in making art which has no commercial value; you don’t have to worry about what will please an editor, producer, corporation, or potential customer, and its only purpose is to bring you joy. Cosplay is also a way to hone your skills; artists often start out by copying other works to practise their technique before trying to break new ground. But don’t underestimate the creative process of recreation, especially in the case of cosplay. Even the ones that are exact replicas from a film, television show, video game, theatrical performance, or another medium, require creative thinking.
Like fanfiction writers, cosplayers are unbound. There is something freeing in making art which has no commercial value; you don’t have to worry about what will please an editor, producer, corporation, or potential customer, and its only purpose is to bring you joy. Cosplay is also a way to hone your skills; artists often start out by copying other works to practise their technique before trying to break new ground. But don’t underestimate the creative process of recreation, especially in the case of cosplay. Even the ones that are exact replicas from a film, television show, video game, theatrical performance, or another medium, require creative thinking.
House of the Dragon: Looking back on Season 1
Cue the Game of Thrones (Thrones) theme music, which once may have made your toes curl with excitement and sent chills down your spine, but nowadays might just make you groan. Yet the feuding nobles seem to have made a comeback with House of the Dragon (House), the prequel to Thrones. This new show is the recent winner of the Golden Globe for Best Television Series (Drama), with Emma D’Arcy scoring a nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Television Series (Drama). After a disappointing end to the most popular show in the world, how did HBO return with such success?
House returns to Westeros 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, when the Targaryen dynasty is at the height of its power. After his queen dies in childbirth, King Viserys I Targaryen names his only living child—his daughter Rhaenyra—heir to the Iron Throne. However, Rhaenyra’s succession is jeopardised when her father marries Alicent Hightower, who gives birth to a son. This leads to a crisis of succession and a civil war which almost destroys House Targaryen, a conflict known in Westerosi history as the Dance of the Dragons.
House returns to Westeros 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, when the Targaryen dynasty is at the height of its power. After his queen dies in childbirth, King Viserys I Targaryen names his only living child—his daughter Rhaenyra—heir to the Iron Throne. However, Rhaenyra’s succession is jeopardised when her father marries Alicent Hightower, who gives birth to a son. This leads to a crisis of succession and a civil war which almost destroys House Targaryen, a conflict known in Westerosi history as the Dance of the Dragons.
From the Screen to the Stage: Moulin Rouge!
Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! (2001) is one of my all-time favourite films. It is therefore no small thing when I say that the theatrical adaptation is even better. The show premiered on Broadway in 2019, won ten Tony Awards (including Best Musical), and arrived in the West End earlier this year. Both Hollywood and Broadway tell the story of Christian, a starry-eyed writer who travels to Paris at the turn of the century and falls in love with a courtesan named Satine, the headliner of the notorious Moulin Rouge night club. Christian and Satine’s romance is jeopardised when Harold Zidler, the owner of the Moulin Rouge, forms a dangerous business deal with a malevolent duke who lusts after Satine. With the duke sponsoring a show at the club which Christian is writing and Satine is starring in, tensions are on the rise, leading up to a fateful premier night.
Remakes and Rip-offs: The battle to be the next Game of Thrones
Cover illustration by Tilly Binucci. | Despite its disappointing final season, Game of Thrones’ impact on the television industry is undeniable. In the final years of the show, major producers started to anticipate a future gap in pop culture and plans for several more fantasy series began to take shape. We have seen the results these last few years, including shows like The Wheel of Time, The Witcher, His Dark Materials, House of the Dragon, and Rings of Power, with several more to come. High fantasy appears to be the reigning monarch of contemporary television—is this only because of the success of GOT? What else in our time could be causing audiences to crave swords and sorcery?
From a business perspective, this phenomenon is not difficult to understand. HBO proved that it was not only feasible to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a TV production but extremely profitable. With the coinciding rise of streaming services, companies like Netflix and Amazon have been eager to try their hand at epic fantasy. But how successful has the industry been in replacing GOT? Have any of these shows been worth watching?
From a business perspective, this phenomenon is not difficult to understand. HBO proved that it was not only feasible to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in a TV production but extremely profitable. With the coinciding rise of streaming services, companies like Netflix and Amazon have been eager to try their hand at epic fantasy. But how successful has the industry been in replacing GOT? Have any of these shows been worth watching?
Way Out Yonder: Understanding "Where the Crawdads Sing" before You See the Movie
“Way out yonder, where the crawdads sing, the marsh knows one thing above all else: every creature will do what it must to survive.”
The quote above from the first trailer for the movie adaptation of Delia Owens’s bestselling debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing (2018), already shows that the filmmakers understand the foundation upon which the story is built. After years of saying I was going to read Crawdads, the release of the trailer finally spurred me into action, and I finished the book in two days. With the film’s premiere in July approaching fast, I would like to take this chance to share my thoughts on some of the book’s major themes and motifs.
Crawdads tells the story of Catherine “Kya” Clark, a young girl who raises herself in the marshes of North Carolina. Kya lives alone in the marsh after being abandoned by her family; her mother and older siblings fled to escape her abusive father, who himself later disappears without a trace. Kya gets by selling mussels, fishing, and gardening, and becomes a local legend in the nearby town, known as “the marsh girl” – the wild child who lives alone in the swamp, avoiding social workers, officers, and anyone else who would take her away from everything she has ever known.
The quote above from the first trailer for the movie adaptation of Delia Owens’s bestselling debut novel, Where the Crawdads Sing (2018), already shows that the filmmakers understand the foundation upon which the story is built. After years of saying I was going to read Crawdads, the release of the trailer finally spurred me into action, and I finished the book in two days. With the film’s premiere in July approaching fast, I would like to take this chance to share my thoughts on some of the book’s major themes and motifs.
Crawdads tells the story of Catherine “Kya” Clark, a young girl who raises herself in the marshes of North Carolina. Kya lives alone in the marsh after being abandoned by her family; her mother and older siblings fled to escape her abusive father, who himself later disappears without a trace. Kya gets by selling mussels, fishing, and gardening, and becomes a local legend in the nearby town, known as “the marsh girl” – the wild child who lives alone in the swamp, avoiding social workers, officers, and anyone else who would take her away from everything she has ever known.
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