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The Prom: Everyone is Welcome

December 5, 2020 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

There’s a certain mystique about the prom.

From ‘prom-posals’ to having the right date or transportation, proms are supposed to be nights of whimsy where everyone can celebrate their journey through high school. However, at the same time, they also continue to be infected with multiple levels of social politics as teens scramble to ensure that they have the perfect night. As such, what’s supposed to be a night of celebration for everyone can very quickly devolve into a night of exclusion and conformity.

With The Prom, director Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, Glee) wants to believe that this can still be a night for everyone. Adapted from the Tony-nominated musical of the same name, The Prom tells the story of Indiana student Emma Nolan (Jo Ellen Pellman), a young woman who finds herself banned from her high school prom because she wants to attend with her girlfriend Alyssa (Ariana DeBose). Despite the support of her principal (Keegan-Michael Key) Emma is heartbroken and longs to be accepted for who she is. Meanwhile, in New York City, Broadway stars Dee Dee Allen (Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (James Corden) find themselves in a crisis of their own when their elaborate Broadway show is cancelled suddenly. With their careers in peril, Allen and Glickman discover Emma’s story online and believe that supporting her may help their public image. As a result, they trek to Indiana with friends (and fellow struggling actors) Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman) and Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells) in an effort help Emma have the night she wants and give themselves a professional lift in the process.

There’s a lot to like about this Prom, a blistering ball of fun that provides the type of energetic escapism that may bring some joy during this difficult season. Brightly lit with blasts of colour, most of the musical numbers sparkle onscreen. Performances within the film are generally solid, especially from co-stars Andrew Rannells, Keegan-Michael Key and, of course, Meryl Streep. Anchoring the film, however, is newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman who shines as hero-in-waiting, Emma. A joy to watch onscreen, Pellman sparkles as the impetuous and courageous young woman, bringing an earnestness and enthusiasm to the film. 

Even so, the film is not without its issues. Clocking in at over 2 hours, The Prom ends up feeling a bit too long. What’s more, the primary lightning rod for the film is the casting of Corden as the openly gay Glickman. Admittedly, at a time where inclusion and representation have become daily (and necessary) headlines, the casting of the heterosexual Corden definitely could be argued as showing a lack of sensitivity to current conversations. (Certainly, there are other openly gay actors in Hollywood who could have filled Glickman’s silver suit.) However, it is worth noting that the LGBTQ+ community have significant representation within the film as well. From stars Pellman and DeBose to the significant diversity amongst its extras to director Ryan Murphy himself, The Prom takes its inclusiveness very seriously and, hopefully, that may help to counterbalance the controversy surrounding Corden’s position within the film.

In terms of discussing modern issues, The Prom keeps things as light and simple as the colour palette that it uses. This is not a tale that seeks to delve into the murkiness of moral ambiguity but rather invites others to step into the light of acceptance. While the film keeps the lines of ‘good v. evil’ clear from the opening scene (modern thinkers = noble; religious zealots = bad), The Prom does draw a clear line between inclusiveness and a proper understanding of Christian grace. (“When you’re lost it always helps recalling those immortal words that Jesus said. ‘There’s one rule that trumps them all: Love thy neighbour’”, Rannells pops.)

For Murphy, the most important truth remains that all are invited to enjoy the party. More specifically, the film is a call to offer genuine love to one another by reminding the viewer what it means to break down the divisive walls of judgmentalism and hypocrisy. In this way, the film does a good job of getting its message across that everyone matters and deserves to feel accepted and valued for who they are. 

In the end, The Prom is an enjoyable (but arguably forgettable) piece that offers enough charm and liveliness to keep viewers entertained. Despite its flaws, the film’s pop and ‘zazz’ does a fairly good job of creating a dream-like experience for viewers that only Broadway can achieve. Even so, the most important aspect of this Prom is that Murphy wants to make sure that everyone is invited to the party. While it may not be perfect, that doesn’t mean that you should throw out the invitation.

The Prom is in select theatres now and will be available on Netflix on December 11th, 2020.

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Netflix, Reviews Tagged With: Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, james corden, Jo Ellen Pellman, keegan-michael key, LBGTQ, LGBTQ+, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Ryan Murphy, The Prom

Trolls: World Tour – One Ring[Tone] to Rule Them All

July 7, 2020 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Can we trust the stories we’ve been told in our youth? Or is history tainted by our own perspectives and blinders towards others?

Somewhat surprisingly, this deeply philosophical question lies at the heart of the sugary sweet sequel, Trolls: World Tour, out on Blu-ray this Tuesday. Though packaged in bright pink and glitter, the sequel to 2016’s mega-hit Trolls actually has some soul underneath the surface for those who are willing to take the time to listen.

Back for the encore, new Queen Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and her potential paramour, Branch (Justin Timberlake) are shocked to discover that their tribe of pop-infested trolls are merely one of six different groups scattered over the lands. Each tribe devotes their time to celebrating a different musical style – funk, country, techno, classical, pop and rock – and have lived isolated from one another for years. When Queen Barb (Rachel Bloom) of the rock trolls attempt to destroy the other musical styles, Poppy and Branch set out on a mission to unite the trolls and save the diverse melodies from extinction.

Featuring tonnes of pop remixes and bursts of colour, Trolls: World Tour is a neon rainbow of musical cotton candy that charms kids (and can be bizarre to adults at times). Stars Kendrick and Timberlake continue to bring energy and fun to the film’s lead couple, Poppy and Branch, as they attempt to navigate more mature issues such as leadership and romance. What’s more, by introducing multiple new characters into the franchise, the larger world building does add a sense of scope to the melodic mythical creatures. In doing so, Trolls: World Tour feels like a progression in the right direction for the franchise as it opens the door for differences of musical style (and opinions).

A bit of a word of warning for the uninitiated, though. As a parent who has frequently rewatched the first movie (and the holiday special, and the television series), I feel I can say this from experience. 

Make no mistake. This franchise is weird. 

Any film that features a naked troll giving birth to his child from a burst of glitter out of his behind justifies such comments, I feel. 

Even so, underneath all the pop hits and rainbows, there’s something timely about the latest entry into the Trolls franchise. At a time when social protests against systemic racism has become a daily occurrence, World Tour speaks to the idea that our current culture is based upon the dominance of one worldview over many. By delving into the history of their world, Poppy and Branch discover that their way of life has actually negated the importance of other forms of music in the process. Without giving away any spoilers, what they learn not only reshapes the way that they understand their role in the world but it also causes them to appreciate and elevate the value of others. While current social conversations were not taking place in the same way when World Tour was being written, themes like this do add a certain sense of relevance to the film.

Now available on Blu-ray, the purchase offers a few fun features such as the necessary ‘dance party mode’, where your kids (and you, if you like) can sing along with Poppy and crew, Trolls Dance Academy (which teaches you how to dance to various styles of music) and the all-new animated short, Tiny Diamond Goes Back to School. There’s even a feature commentary with director Walt Dohrn, producer Gina Shay and co-director David P. Smith for those who would really like to get behind the music with the film.

So, for all its bizarre antics and rainbow aesthetic, Trolls: World Tour proves to be a likeable and fun entry into a franchise that, given its profitability, has not likely seen its end. However, if the franchise can continue to say something meaningful to my children in the process, I’m more than happy to continue to sing along.

Trolls: World Tour sings its way onto Blu-ray on July 7th,, 2020.

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Anna Kendrick, Dreamworks, james corden, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Bloom, Trolls, Trolls World Tour, Universal

GIVEAWAY!: TROLLS WORLD TOUR on BluRay!

June 28, 2020 by Steve Norton 13 Comments

The online hit of the year is coming to BluRay… and you could let the music rock your home!

Things change quickly when Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) discover that there are six different troll tribes scattered over six different lands devoted to six different kinds of music — funk, country, techno, classical, pop and rock. When rockers Queen Barb and King Thrash set out to destroy the other music, Poppy and Branch embark on a daring mission to unite the trolls and save the diverse melodies from becoming extinct.

To enter, tell us which style of music you’d want to rule the world and why! For a bonus entry, like or share the post on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram.

The winner will receive a BluRay copy of Trolls: World Tour.

All entries must be completed by 11:59pm on Thursday, July 6th, 2020.

Filed Under: Featured, Giveaways Tagged With: Anna Kendrick, james corden, Justin Timberlake, Trolls, Trolls World Tour

5.22 A Day in the Life of YESTERDAY

July 14, 2019 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

In Danny Boyle’s YESTERDAY, it’s just another day in the life for struggling musician Jack Malik (Himesh Patel)… until he’s suddenly hit by a car. With a little help from his friends, Jack wakes up to discover that he is the only person left alive that remembers the music of the Beatles. Realizing that this music is his ticket to ride, Jack’s fame increases to global proportions… but will this paperback writer be revealed as a fraud? Or will he be able to let it be? This week, Steve, ScreenFish’r Shelley McVea and musician Dave Frazee come together to talk about whether the world really is better off with the music of the Beatles and what Jack really did wrong.

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Soundcloud! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts or Google Play!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

5.22 YesterdayDownload

Filed Under: Film, Podcast Tagged With: Danny Boyle, Ed Sheeran, Himash Patel, james corden, John Lennon, kate mckinnon, lily james, music, The Beatles, Yesterday

Smallfoot: Truth Can Be Costly

December 6, 2018 by J. Alan Sharrer Leave a Comment

As a child, I remember reading about the legends of Bigfoot and the Abominable Snowman, also known as the Yeti.  What in the world were these huge hairy creatures, and why were people unable to capture anything other than shadowy pictures of them?Were they simply afraid of people? Did they have something sinister to hide? Or were they allergic to anything relating to humanity?

Past films have done one of three things involving Bigfoot and/or Yetis: (1) identified them as gruesome monsters nobody wants to mess with, (2) portrayed them as creatures worth exploring the woods and mountains for, or (3) simply casting them as misunderstood beings.  Fairly recent examples of this last phenomenon include Harry and the Hendersons and Monsters, Inc.. We can now add to that Smallfoot, a animated feature from Warner Brothers.  Based on a book called Yeti Tracks by Sergio Pablo, Smallfoot offers viewers a story about discovering the truth that’s wrapped in layers of colorful, pastel-tinted computer graphics. There are definitely some things kids (and adults alike) will take away from the film, but I feel like it cobbled too much from past movies, limiting its effectiveness.

In a nutshell, Smallfoot is about a land of Yetis who seem to have the perfect life living on their mountain perch.  Nobody visits their ‘world’ and they don’t visit anyone—mainly because the world ends in a cloudbank of unknown depth (paralleling Storks). Nobody is convicted to go beyond what they already know as safe (paralleling The Giver).  A tight set of rules, drawn on stones in pictorial form and worn by the Stonekeeper (voiced by the rapper Common), governs the Yetis in an attempt to keep them safe and insulated (again, paralleling The Giver).  Questioning is severely frowned upon (paralleling 1984).  When Migo (voiced by Channing Tatum) spots a Smallfoot—err, human, he’s immediately fascinated.  Maybe the stones were incorrect!  But the human suddenly parachutes below the bank of clouds, leaving Migo (and later, a few additional Yeti) curious at what lies below.  When he discovers humans aren’t as bad as one might think, Migo brings his discovery to the attention of the people and the Stonekeeper. At this point, the film spirals into the realm of why humans and Yetis cannot co-exist before a betrayal-redemption sequence (including a chase through the Pac-Man inspired town where the humans live) occurs. In addition, a number of peppy songs contribute to making the film lighthearted, even when the subject matter becomes more serious in nature.

The quality of the animation is quite good, though it’s in more in the vein of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs versus anything Pixar-related. As for the characters, Migo is somewhat memorable for a lead, as he discovers himself and what he truly believes in while filling in the blanks about questions he’s always had. The Stonekeeper has a unique outfit along with truths to tell—and hide (although it’s pretty jarring to hear a rapper’s voice leading the group at first). The group that seems to understand Migo are completely serviceable—except for Fleem (Ely Henry), who attempts comic relief but completely falls flat. Percy (James Corden) is a Steve Irwin wannabe who wants to get rich but finds something more when he looks beyond his dreams, plans, and numerous selfies.

There are a number of themes kids and adults alike will be able to take from a viewing of Smallfoot, especially in the area of telling the truth. Migo sees the Smallfoot (i.e., Percy) and, when he tells the community, he is banished because it goes against the stones and causes the other Yetis to start questioning. At this point, he could’ve simply accepted the ruling of the Stonekeeper and moved on, but he held fast to what he believed, found Percy, and proved they exist.  Later, he suppresses this truth in the name of keeping the Yetis safe.  However, Migo learns that telling the truth can be costly. In a similar vein, we can consider the apostles who were commissioned by Jesus in Matthew 28 to tell the world about him.  They knew what the truth was, but not everyone wanted to hear and/or believe it.  As a result, persecution followed (and, in some cases, death).  We need to understand that it’s always better to tell the truth about what we believe rather than give in and confuse and/or deny our beliefs.

Kids are going to find Smallfoot to be an entertaining, joyous romp peppered with lessons they’ll be talking about on the way home from the theater. Adults may also find this to be the case.

Smallfoot is in theatres now.

For audio of our interview with Smallfoot writer/director Karey Kirkpatrick, click here.

The special features on the Blu-ray include the Yeti Set Go Sing-Along, the “Super Soozie” Mini Movie featuring Soozie, the featurette on “The Secret of the Yeti Stones,” “Yeti or Not, Here They Come!”, and the music videos for Nial Horran’s “Finally Free,” Cyn’s “Moment of Truth,” and “Wonderful Life.”  

Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: 1984, A Walk in the Dark, Acts, Bigfoot, Channing Tatum, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Common, Harry and the Hendersons, james corden, Jesus, Migo, Monsters Inc, Sergio Pablo, smallfoot, Stephen, steve irwin, Stonekeeper, storks, The Giver, truth, Yeti

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