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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – Review
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – Budget of $100 million – 2 hours and 37 minutes
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Coriolanus Snow dresses his best to hide his family’s loss of wealth and prepare for the Plinth Prize. The scholarship will guarantee his place at Capital University and prosperity for his family. Snow’s classmates think he is a shoo-in because Snow is at the top of the class, but Snow thinks Dean Casca Highbottom despises him. As they sit, classmate Sejanus Plinth apologizes to Snow, and Highbottom enters. They decided to change the requirements for the prize. It will no longer go to the student with the best grade. However, the students will become mentors to contestants in the 10th Annual Hunger Games. The mentor with the winning contestant will win the prize. Students with the first and second districts gleam with smug confidence. But Snow curses when he gets the female from District 12. They watch the televised picks to see their contestants.
For District 12, Lucy Gray Baird hears her name and walks to the podium in her finest dress. Before she reaches the stage, Lucy puts a snake into the dress of Mayfair, the District 12 mayor’s daughter. Lucy Gray knows the mayor set her up because Mayfair’s boyfriend has a crush on Lucy Gray. The mayor slaps Lucy Gray for frightening Mayfair, and she tells the peacekeepers to wait. She stands up, straightens her dress, and sings a song of rebellion. The audience loves her.
Several of the students think the games are antiquated. The Head Gamemaster, Dr. Volumnia Gaul, asks them to write a paper to make the game more intriguing. She will implement the best paper in these Hunger Games. Dean Highbottom alludes to Snow that he knows his family has no money. He tells Snow to win the game to turn his fate. Snow waits for Lucy Gray to disembark the train and greets her with a flower. She tells Snow that gifts aren’t enough. He has to believe in her. They herd the contestants into railway cars, and Snow sneaks on board. The car drops the contestants into the Capital Zoo so spectators can watch them before they die in the arena. Snow pledges to do the impossible, but Lucy Gray must play her part. She needs to captivate the audience. Snow will fall, settle, and rise.
Based on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, this film covers the rise of Coriolanus Snow (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). From humbled student to gamemaster, Snow was always cunning. He was intelligent and a whiz at analyzing people. He learns what motivates them and their weaknesses. One moment at the hanging tree will seem like a betrayal. But if you remember, Snow said the man wasn’t his friend. He only tolerated him. He strives to be number one in school, the Hunger Games, and Panem. The games didn’t change him; they amplified his authentic nature. This film calls back Katniss, Mockingjays, Jabberjays, and The Hanging Tree song for Hunger Games fanatics. Viewers assume the end of the game concludes the story, but it’s only the middle. The story has three parts: The Mentor, The Prize, and The Peacekeeper. This change causes the story to drag, but it’s worth the matinee price on the big screen.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Snow lands on top – Coriolanus Snow
You can kiss my ass – Lucy Gray
Maybe one day you’ll be a gamemaster like me – Dr. Volumnia Gaul
See what happens do you do stuff – Lucky Flickerman
The Snows, without a pot to piss in – Dean Casca Highbottom
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Trolls Band Together – Review
Trolls Band Together – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 32 minutes
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Poppy creates Bridget’s perfect wedding dress and beams as Bridget’s maid of honor. As the pastor asks the crowd for objections, John Dory yells from the crowd. John Dory is Branch’s older brother. Poppy stares in shock because she never knew Branch had a brother. John reveals Branch has four brothers: himself, Spruce, Clay, and Floyd. They made up the group BroZone. The group broke up after they failed to hit the Perfect Family Harmony. The four members left the baby, Branch, to care for their grandmother. John needs Branch’s help because the pop duo Velvet and Veneer trapped Floyd inside a diamond perfume bottle. Anytime they need talent, they spray themselves with Floyd. However, each application brings Floyd closer to death. John got a message from Floyd begging for help. Branch recalls that the Perfect Family Harmony can break diamonds. John wants to get the band back together to sing the harmony and free Floyd before Velvet and Veneer kill him. Poppy will never let Branch go alone. So, Branch, Poppy, and Tiny Diamond climb into John Dory’s armadillo to save Floyd.
The third installment of the Trolls franchise has the catchy boy band mashup spanning five eras of music (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Kids, parents, and grandparents will dance in their seats to tunes that define the boy band craze for them. Based on Good Luck Trolls dolls, this movie packs jokes for kids while slipping in innuendos for parents. With the catchy music and quick wit, something is missing from this Trolls movie. The other films brought raw emotion to the surface for the viewers and made a statement about music. This story fell flat on both aspects. Also, the secret sister storyline could have been a plot for another movie or TV show. It felt forced and unnecessary. This film brings back old favorites and delves deeper into Branch’s story. However, it doesn’t resonate like the other films.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I’m actually hate-listening – Branch
Don’t be lazy – Veneer
Get in the corner – Velvet
It’s so sad – Viva & Poppy
Would it be weird if we made out – Bridget
It would be weird if we didn’t – Gristle
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Next Goal Wins – Review
Next Goal Wins – Budget of $14 million – 1 hour and 43 minutes
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Soccer coach Thomas Rongen sits in front of the American Soccer Federation to explain himself and what he brings to the organization. The committee tells Thomas to stop because they want to fire him. Nevertheless, they can give him a second option. If he coaches a team of their choosing, he can keep his job. He must coach American Samoa. American Samoa is notorious for being on the receiving end of the worst loss in World Cup history. They lost to Australia 31-0 in 2001. Since then, the team hasn’t scored a goal and has been at the bottom of the ranks. Thomas begrudgingly agrees to coach them.
Thomas lands on the island, and a camera crew greets him. The cameraman is the team’s president, Tavita. Tavita drives Thomas to his company housing, gives Thomas the keys to a company car, and leaves Thomas a VHS tape about the country. Tavita doesn’t care if the team wins or loses under Thomas. He wants the team to score 1 goal in the qualifier in four weeks. Only one is a success for Tavita. Can Thomas turn the team around?
Based on the documentary Next Goal Wins, this movie is delightful in its storytelling (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). A priest introduces the team, the culture, and Thomas to the audience. Tavita had a heatstroke during the qualifying match. So, his son had to give him a play-by-play of the game. It featured stunning performances from Jaiya Saelua and Nicky Salapu. Jaiya informs Thomas that they know how to play but not how to be a team. No one showed them, not even him. Also, Thomas is overcoming loss. He turned that pain into rage and lost his job. He learns from the culture to choose happiness. And the viewers get this lesson, too. This film is a feel-good triumph that will make you cheer. However, one viewing is all you need.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I’m not God, but I might as well be because I performed more miracles than him – Thomas
Count the boobs – Tavita
You should eat first, then get angry – Jaiya
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Categories: amy schumer, Andrew Rannells, anna kendrick, Beulah Koale, Camila Cabello, Daveed Diggs, David Fane, Elisabeth Moss, Eric André, Hunter Schafer, In The Theater, Jason Schwartzman, Josh Andrés Rivera, Justin Timberlake, Kaimana, Kid Cudi, michael fassbender, movie, Next Goal Wins, Oscar Kightley, Peter Dinklage, Rachel House, Rachel Zegler, review, RuPaul, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Tom Blyth, Trolls Band Together, Troye Sivan, viola davis, Will Arnett, Zosia Mamet
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